![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/blossom-01.c2dadbb9.jpg)
Bulldog Bark
April 2024
Spring is finally here, and we hope to see consistent warm weather soon. I hope that your children’s school year has been a good one. I am sad that the school year is going by so quickly, and I look forward to these last couple months. Thank you for your consistent support and care for your children. If you are traveling during your children’s Spring Break, I hope that you have a safe and enjoyable time. I am excited to end the school year on a high note!
Randy Dahms, Mentone Elementary Principal
ILearn Testing
On Monday, April 15th our students in 3rd-5th grade will be taking the state mandated I-Learn test. The testing window will run from April 15th to April 30th. During this time, please make sure your children get plenty of rest and a good breakfast. Please avoid appointments and absences during this time.
Student Council
Our Student Council would like to thank all of the individuals who have participated in our annual Penny War Fundraiser. Thank you to our students and parents for your donation as this money will be given directly to our local Kosciusko Community Foundation and Riley Children’s Hospital ensuring that children from our county will be assisted.
Our student council will be holding our Sugar Rush Sucker Sale on April 11th and April 12th. Suckers can be purchased at lunchtime for 50 cents each.
Darlings and Donuts Breakfast
The Student Council is presenting the first ever Darlings and Donuts Breakfast on Friday, May 10th from 7:45-8:30. For this event, young ladies are encouraged to bring a special woman in their life to join them for a donut breakfast. The cost will be $3.00 per family. We look forward to celebrating woman who play such an important role in the lives our students. Sign-ups and more specific information will be provided in mid-April.
Mentone Parent Support Group
Our Mentone Parent Support Group wanted to thank you for your participation in our annual school fundraiser. Money was raised for this group to support a number of positive initiatives at Mentone Elementary School moving forward.
Our next parent support group meeting is on Tuesday, April 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the library. We hope to see you there!!
April 8th- Solar Eclipse
Parents, as many of you have heard, on April 8th 2024 Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation will release all school buildings 30 minutes later than usual. While classes will proceed as scheduled, this adjustment in timing allows students and staff to fully engage with this rare event.
Recognizing the exceptional educational opportunity presented by the solar eclipse, Tippecanoe Valley Schools is implementing proactive safety measures to ensure a valuable learning experience for everyone involved. Each student and staff member will receive eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2 international standards and endorsed by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) to safeguard their eyes during observation. These precautions emphasize the district's commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its school community. Our teachers in grades K-5 will be discussing this event in class and will actually go out and observe this rare event. Parents for students in grades K-2, teachers did send home a form for you to fill out concerning the eclipse. If you did not receive this, please contact your child’s teacher prior to the afternoon of April 8th.
The decision to extend school hours during the solar eclipse highlights Tippecanoe Valley Schools' commitment to innovative and immersive education and safety for all students, families, and staff. The eclipse timeline starts around 2:30 p.m. and lasts until around 4 p.m. Since the peak eclipse will occur around 3:09 p.m., close to dismissal time, school dismissal times will be slightly delayed. The busses will leave Mentone at approximately 4:15pm. Parent pick up will start at 3:55 p.m. Parents, if you wish to retrieve your student(s) early on Eclipse Day, the school corporation requests that they arrange this with our office staff as soon as possible.
Spring Program
This year, Mentone Elementary’s Spring Music Program for students in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade will take place on Thursday, April 18th . We hope to see you there!! The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. We ask that you not be here before 6:00 pm because the teachers will not be here. Make sure your student is in their classroom no later than 6:15 pm. The program will start at 6:30 pm.
Strengthening Families Program
Strengthening Families Program is a program that can help your family (parents and youth) learn to listen to each other, manage emotions, set goals, avoid peer pressure, make better decisions, and create closer relationships by showing appreciation for each other. All families have strengths. This program will make your family become even stronger! This program will be on Monday Nights only- from Monday, April 8th- Monday, May 20th. This program will run from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. It is a Free Program and Dinner is provided. The location of this program will be at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School.
You can register for this program at https://forms.office.com/r/Mu6sECcUBU
If you have any questions you can contact Mrs. Wilks at wilksm@tvsc.k12.in.us or 574-598-2600
Upcoming Events
Students will get Good Friday off on Friday, March 29th
Spring Break for students is the week of Monday, April 1st – Friday, April 5th
Please note that below is a schedule of upcoming awards programs and end of the year ceremonies. I wanted to get this out early to you so you put specific dates and times on your calendars for the events ahead.
Monday, May 20th - Kindergarten Graduation in the afternoon & Fifth Grade Graduation in the evening
Tuesday, May 21st - Awards Program in the afternoon for students in Grades 1-4
Wednesday, May 22nd - Field Day
Thursday, May 23rd – Rain Date for Field Day
Friday, May 24th- Last Day of the 2023-2024 School Year