MPVA Weekly Update

Dear Parents and Students,

Thank you to everybody for a successful first week of STAAR testing last week!

This week we will continue with 8th grade taking their Social Studies STAAR assessment on Wednesday. We again encourage all our students to get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, bring a fully charged Chromebook, and to knock the STAAR out of the park!

Finally, we have a Free Dress fundraiser coming up soon - details listed below. The Free Dress fundraiser is open to all 6th - 8th students. (Appropriate dress is still required. Please see the Spirit Week Dress Code guidelines attached below.)

We are also accepting donations from all our families to help us show all our 8th grade students some end of the year love as they near the end of their middle school years with us. No donation is too big or too small. While our 8th graders will be leaving us soon for high school, we want to remind all of them, once a Greyhound, always a Greyhound!

Respectfully,

Mr. Sarabia

Academics are the mind of our school. Athletics are the heart of our school. Arts are the soul of our school. #WeAreMPVA

If you're an 8th grade family and have not yet made your donation to fund end of year celebrations, now is the time to do it! Online donations to 8th Grade Events can be made through the PTO's website at https://mpva.membershiptoolkit.com/class-of-2024. Suggested donation is $100 per student, but you are welcome to pay what you can or throw in extra to help fellow Greyhounds. These funds will go toward the costs of class shirts, the 8th Grade Dance (Sneaker Ball), Field Trip to Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Fun Fridays in May for 8th Graders, and a Grab & Go Breakfast on the last day of school.

Remaining CASH COLLECTIONS ON CAMPUS will be Monday April 22nd and April 29th. The PTO will be in the cafeteria during lunch to take 8th grade donations, issue receipts, and give t-shirts to donating students.

8th GRADE CELEBRATIONS

Let's celebrate these kids! We'll need decorators, chaperones, and clean-up crew for the Sneaker Ball on May 10th, line helpers on Ice Cream Truck day, and a crew to help set up and serve a Grab & Go Breakfast on the last day of school. For the kids' sake, we ask that only 6th and 7th grade parents chaperone the dance - 8th graders don't want their parents around snapping pictures! We'll also need VIPS-approved volunteers to chaperone the field trip to Andretti Karting & Games, but those will need to be requested with Mr. Lopez, the 8th Grade dean. Aaron.lopez@houstonisd.org

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4CAFAF2CA6FD0-48931887-2024#/

While PTO is in the cafeteria taking cash collections for 8th grade events on Monday April 22nd and Monday April 29th, they will also accept donations of $5 from students in all grade levels in exchange for a wristband - wear your wristband and enjoy (school-appropriate) free dress on Friday May 3rd! We'll take cash or a receipt for proof of online payment: https://mpva.membershiptoolkit.com/free-dress.

Just a friendly reminder that, in an effort to avoid classroom disruptions, we kindly request that parents refrain from dropping off lunch, including outside food such as Chick-fil-A, McDonald's and etc. at the Visitor's Window during school hours. We encourage you to send your students with their lunches in the mornings or allow them to participate in the free HISD hot lunch provided in the cafeteria.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in creating a smooth learning environment.

Attendance appeal hours were due on March 22, 2024. Students who have not completed their recovery time are encouraged to continue until all hours are completed.

We are in the process of notifying students who have recovery time during the second semester of school.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact D.Bolden (Counselor), K.Moody (Counselor), B. Perez (Wraparound Specialist), and Silva Alvarado (Attendance Clerk).

Respectfully,

The Attendance Committee

The Princess Ball is coming soon! Please contact Ms. M. Jordan, marsita.jordan@houstonisd.org, or Ms. Perez-Williams, Brittany.WilliamsPerez@houstonisd.org, with any questions or contributions!

April is World Autism Month, which was founded in April 1970 by Bernard Rimland, Ph. D., a psychologist and autism researcher. He chose the month of April to coincide with his son's birthday, as well as the start of springtime for new beginnings.

This month, we will celebrate inclusivity on our campus and support World Autism Month by wearing blue on Fridays.

Congrats to our top ten winners Aleksander Chin for 7th place and Paige Osborne for 5th place in the A+ UIL Impromptu Writing and Speaking out of hundreds of competitors this last weekend.

Congratulations to the 7th and 8th grade girls track team. This Saturday they went to Barnett Stadium with one mission “Going for Gold”!

Brooklyn Jacquett won gold in the 7th grade 100-meter hurdles.

Lyza Sosa won gold in the 7th grade 800 meters.

Brooklyn Jacquett won gold in the 7th grade 300-meter hurdles.

Lyza Sosa won gold in the 7th grade 1200 meters.

Lylah Sosa won gold in the 8th grade 800 meters.

Aka Otuata won gold in the 8th grade 100 meters.

Aka Otuata won gold in the 8th grade High Jump.

Dacola Scales, Dalila Smith, Lylah Sosa and Aka Otuata won gold In the 8th grade 4x400 meter relay.

The 8th Grade girls won 2nd place overall for the 2024 track season.

The 7th Grade girls were crowned the 2024 District Champions!

Way to go Girls!

The 7th and 8th grade boys will be competing on April 27th at Barnett Stadium for the district champs. We look forward to sharing out their victories soon!

Come out and support your Greyhounds.

Dear Meyerland Greyhounds,

🎉 You're Invited to a Spectacular Family Fun Day! 🎉

Get ready for an unforgettable day packed with joy, laughter, and valuable resources tailored just for you and your family! We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to our upcoming Family Fun Day extravaganza, where we'll come together as a community to celebrate and support one another.

📅 Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024

🕒 Time: 10a - 2p

🏫 Location: 3699 Norris Drive, Houston, Texas 77025

At our Family Fun Day, we're not just hosting an event – we're creating cherished memories and fostering connections that will last a lifetime. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect:

🎈 Fun Activities for Everyone: From fun games and bead making to interactive vendors and music, there's something for every member of the family to enjoy. Let your kids unleash their creativity while you explore valuable resources and services provided by our partners.

🤝 Supportive Services: Connect with representatives from social services agencies and community organizations offering a wide range of support, from counseling and parenting resources to healthcare assistance and educational guidance. We're here to ensure that every family has access to the resources they need to thrive.

👩‍👧‍👦 Strengthening Family Bonds: Spend quality time with your loved ones and strengthen family bonds through shared experiences and meaningful interactions. This is a day to celebrate the unique bond that ties us together and to create lasting memories that will bring smiles to your faces for years to come.

Join us for a day of laughter, learning, and love at our Family Fun Day event. Together, we'll create a brighter future for our families and our community. We can't wait to see you there!

Kindly click here to RSVP by April 25th to secure your spot at this unforgettable event. For any inquiries or additional information, please don't hesitate to contact me at (713) 726- 3616 EXT: 055286 or via email: Brittany.perezwilliams@houstonisd.org .

Wednesday, April 24th 4p - 9pm is Spirit Night at Cafe Piquet @5757 Bissonnet St, Bellaire, TX 77401! We had a FUN adult's night out there and they're an MPVA Corporate Sponsor, so let's turn out and show them some love.

aaaaaaaaand if Spirit Nights are just too hard to make happen, we'd surely appreciate a small donation to our General Fund instead. In addition to the community care Spirit Night's are intended to foster, our aim is to collect a portion of the proceeds to help support the work at MPVA. https://mpva.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/7727

The first Friday in May will be our last KONA ICE FRIDAY - the crowds can be large and we must have at least 1 more volunteer to help monitor the lines or we'll need to cancel. The kids love it, so please consider if you can spare an hour and a half after school Friday, May 3rd.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA5AF2EA7F9C16-46018609-kona#/

Signing day, April 27th, is an opportunity for incoming students to get their paperwork done, connect with other kids, get photo ops, and purchase spirit wear. There are spots to help with the school store and we'll need greeters, helpers, and monitors everywhere else - can you spare and hour or two?

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4CAFAF2CA6FD0-49108431-mpva

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084EADAD2DA3F85-49060159-signing#/

Welcome New Greyhounds! If you would like to get a jump on purchasing uniforms for next year or want a shirt or sweatshirt to wear to show your current classmates where you will be attending next year, you are in luck!

You can purchase dress code approved items in person at room 113 on signing day Saturday, 4/27 from 9-12. Or you can skip the lines and crowds day-of and by signing up and ordering online through Thursday 4/25 at https://mpva.membershiptoolkit.com/

These orders will be ready for pick-up on signing day! Bring a copy of your receipt to room 113 to claim your loot. See you then!

Current Greyhound Guardians - watch for a volunteer sign up for Signing Day!

With end of year events/parties/field trips/teacher appreciation/etc coming up, we want to be sure everyone who wants to help is VIPS approved! Sign up here: https://www.houstonisd.org/VIPS#calendar347170/20221108/month

LAST MPVA PTO COMMUNITY MEETING OF THE YEAR

Join us Tuesday, May 30th at 7pm in the MPVA Library for the last community meeting of this school year. It's always a good time to hear from Mr. Sarabia (or his designee) and various magnet areas, and get an overview of the work of the PTO. If you are interested in serving on the PTO next year, come say hi!

UPCOMING COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Our final Coffee With the Principal will be Monday, May 6th at 8:30am. These have been such a great opportunity this year - come ask any questions you have and hear about what's going on at MPVA from our wonderful principal, Mr. Sarabia.

RAISE YOUR HAND!

Information about positions available on the MPVA PTO board and committee roster will be coming out shortly, so be sure you're registered in toolkit and are following the Meyerland Performing And Visual Arts Middle School Parent Group on facebook (we win longest group name EVER :P).

Those MPVA sweatshirts and fleece jackets are awesome for cool mornings! Need any extra? Anything purchased from the MPVA PTO SCHOOL STORE is delivered during SPARK on the following Monday: https://mpva.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/7241

Registration for Morning and After-Care for the 2023-2024 school year can be found at https://mpva.membershiptoolkit.com/aftercare-2023-page1. Once all fees and four (4) registration documents are received and processed, a confirmation email with QR and Remind app codes are sent out. Students cannot be accepted to care without these.

This year’s rate is a $180 flat fee per month that includes both morning and after care (there is no a la carte pricing), there is a $75 registration fee, and a $75 drop in rate (after the third drop in the account will automatically convert to monthly). Questions about the program may be directed totreasurer@mpvapto.com.

Join the PTO

Register to be a member of the PTO (it’s free) to get official parent communication and buy uniforms via the school store at: https://MPVA.membershiptoolkit.com

Follow the PTO

Subscribe to emails here: mpva.membershiptoolkit.com

Facebook: Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School PTO

Instagram: @mpvapto

Twitter: PTO of MPVA Middle School

Register to be a member of the PTO (it’s free) to get official parent communication and buy uniforms via the school store at: https://MPVA.membershiptoolkit.com

This Week

Monday, April 22nd (Grey)

• Spring Piano Recital (Rehearsals) @ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• "Arts Grow Hearts" Collaborative Workshop: MPVA Dance @ 9:10 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday, April 23th (Purple)

• Spring Piano Recital (Rehearsals) @ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• "Arts Grow Hearts" Collaborative Workshop: MPVA Dance @ 9:10 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday, April 24th (Grey)

• Social Studies STAAR Testing

Thursday, April 25th (Purple)

• Spring Piano Recital (All Class Periods) @ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday, April 26th (Grey)

• Spring Piano Recital (All Class Periods) @ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• "Arts Grow Hearts" Collaborative Workshop: MPVA Dance @ 9:10 AM - 4:00 PM
• Elementary All - City Orchestra @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 27th

• Magnet Signing Day @ 9:00 AM - Noon
• HISD Middle School District Track Meet (Boys) 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Inertia Dance Company Spring Concert w/Meyerland Dance Ensemble @ 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Monday, April 29th (Purple)

• "Art Grow Hearts" Collaborative Workshop: MPVA Dance @ 9:10 AM - 4:00 PM
• MPVA PTO Community Meeting @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 PM

Wednesday, May 1st (Purple)

• Math STAAR Testing
• Swim Team Tryout (Natatorium) @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday, May 3rd (Purple)

• Kona Ice Spirit Friday @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

• HISD Elementary Dance Festival @ 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Dress Code

General School Supply List

HISD Connect Parent Portal

HISD Student Code of Conduct