Mustang Messenger for Parents

The mission of Mitchell Road Elementary School is to educate all students in a safe, inclusive learning environment while challenging them to be lifelong learners, prepared for their future as compassionate, respectful, and self-disciplined citizens.

Dear Parents,

I want to take a moment to share some important news with you. For the past three years, it has been an absolute privilege to serve as principal of Mitchell Road Elementary. Your children, our staff, and this wonderful community have been at the heart of everything I do. Supporting your children and creating an environment where they can thrive has always been my top priority.

I am especially proud of the progress we’ve made together, including the positive impact of Capturing Kids’ Hearts, being more inclusive of all of our students, and the strides our teachers have made through our Professional Learning Community work. I am confident that our school will continue to grow and excel in ways that benefit all of our students.

That said, I need to let you know that I have requested to be considered for a new opportunity within our district beginning next school year. While I am not able to provide specific details just yet, I will share more as soon as Human Resources finalizes the process.

This decision is one I’ve made thoughtfully, as it aligns with what I believe is best for me both professionally and personally at this stage of my career. Because I want what is best for Mitchell Road, I wanted to share this news now so that the district can begin the process of selecting the best possible candidate to serve as the next principal of our school. As there are updates from the district on that process, it will be shared out as soon as possible.

Please know that I will continue to serve our school with the same dedication and commitment throughout the remainder of this school year. Thank you for your continued support, trust, and partnership as we work together to ensure the best for our students.

Warmly,

Jennifer E. Holman

Principal

Friday, December 20th is a half-day for all students. Half-day school hours are 7:45 – 11:45 a.m. for all elementary schools. Lunch will be served and buses will begin their afternoon routes 2.5 hours early. There is no ACE after school program at Mitchell Road that day.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to our Warmth and Caring Tree! We will continue taking donations through this Thursday.

4K Applications

Greenville County Schools will begin accepting applications for the 4-year-old kindergarten program for 2025-26 on December 2. A limited number of full-day 4K classrooms are offered in various elementary schools and five Child Development Centers. More info: https://tinyurl.com/mrxjvdtp

5K Enrollment for 2025-26 School Year

Enrollment for 5K and new to Mitchell Road students is now open for next year. Information can be found under the enrollment section of the district website here. If you know someone who will have a student at Mitchell Road next year, please let them know to enroll now. Questions may be directed to our clerks in the front office by calling 864-355-6700.

*UPDATED* Cell Phone Policy

Due to a legislative action by the South Carolina General Assembly, the South Carolina State Board of Education passed a new cell phone policy for school districts across the state, which goes into effect after Winter Break. School districts must adopt this policy pertaining to personal electronic devices. At their December meeting, the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees approved an updated policy to comply with the state requirement.

While Greenville County Schools had updated our policy last year and this is not significantly different, we want to make sure you are aware of the most notable updates in order to comply with the state, which includes that student cell phones and personal electronic devices must be stored in backpacks, lockers, or in a location directed by school; this includes smartwatches, earbuds, and all other personal electronic devices and accessories.

Details about the updated policy can be reviewed on the district’s website. Please reach out to me with any questions by contacting the front office. Thank you.

NOTIFY PARENTS, PTA, SIC, STAFF AND STUDENT SERVICE GROUPS - Project Joy United Way Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer as a Holiday Shopper: Project Joy specifically seeks to respond to the unmet needs of older students and their families. Thanks to generous donors who are covering the cost, United Way will provide gift cards for volunteers who are interested in shopping for students on the Project Joy list. There is no cost to you. Staff, parents, and students who want to shop:

• Visit United Way Project Joy and select “Get Started” to log in.
• Visit the Project Joy Family List and select the number of students you will shop for and fulfill this weekend!
• Email Naketia Smalls with the family and number of students you selected. She will arrange a time for you to pick up gift cards for shopping.
• Deliver all sorted gifts and receipts to United Way by Monday, December 16.

Volunteer to Wrap, Sort, and Pack Gifts: If you are not able to shop, volunteers are also needed to help wrap, pack, and organize gifts at United Way on Saturday, December 14. Sign up using the Volunteer Registration Form. Contact: Naketia Smalls, United Way of Greenville County

Our MRES Talent Show will be performed twice this Thursday, December 19, at 8:30am and 10:00am! Guests will enter at the back door by the gym. We look forward to having you join us for this special performance!

This month we will focus on the character trait of responsibility. Responsibility is the willingness and ability to take ownership of our thoughts, words, and actions. We have a responsibility to our school, family, and community to be accountable for our choices and how they impact ourselves and others. Check out these newsletters to learn more about how you can talk about this important skill with your child: English version and Spanish version.

Parents are invited to attend the Parent Academy, a comprehensive workshop designed to support families in navigating the special education process. This event offers a valuable opportunity to connect with other parents and explore essential topics, including:

• An overview of special education
• The evaluation process
• The roles of parents and students in the IEP process
• Understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Answers to your questions
• Information about available resources

Sessions will be held at MT Anderson from 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• January 24, 2025
• March 7, 2025

Link to Register- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBcF16kihKVYCLKlQx08rHwsq7N2uCztu4hS1UpVpFmeNsYg/viewform

We encourage all parents to participate in this informative session to enhance their understanding and access the tools needed to support their child's educational journey.

• Mitchell Road provides free breakfast and lunch to all students.

• Breakfast is from 7:00-7:45am each day.
• At the 7:35am bell, the cafeteria switches to bagged breakfasts to help get students to class on time.
• If parents would like to join students for breakfast or lunch, please sign in at the front office with your ID. Parents cannot walk with students to class after eating. All parents must say goodbye at the cafeteria door and sign back out at the main office.
• If students would like to purchase additional servings or snacks, they must have money on their lunch accounts. You can do this by sending in cash or check to the cafeteria or by adding money to the student's account on MySchoolBucks.
• Meal prices for adults this year will be $3.10 for breakfast and $5.27 for lunch.
  

• The weekly newsletter can be translated to a variety of languages. Please click the "Translate" button on the top right side and select your language.
  
• El boletín semanal se puede traducir a una variedad de idiomas. Haga clic en el botón "Traducir" en la parte superior derecha y seleccione su idioma.
• Please be sure any transportation changes are sent to the teacher, in writing the day of the change. We cannot accept these over the phone.
  
• No early dismissals will be allowed after 1:45pm.
• Dismissal begins at 2:15pm. If you are not here by 2:35pm, you will need to go to the office with your driver's license or car tag to sign your student out.

December

16: Benchmark testing for grade 4 (science) and grade 5 (ELA)

19: Talent Show at 8:30am and 10:00am in the gym

20: SIC Meeting at 7:00am in conference room

20: Half Day Dismissal for Students at 11:45am

23-January 6: Winter Break

January

December 23-January 6: Winter Break

8: Second Quarter Report Card

13: Mustang Monday!

20: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

28: PTA General Membership meeting at Bingo Night in the Cafeteria from 5:30-7:00pm

29: Class picture day

31: SIC Meeting at 7:00am in conference room

February

3: Mustang Monday!

4: Student Council meeting at 7:15am in Challenge Room

6: Skate Night at Taylors Roller Rink from 6:00-8:00pm (5 dollar cash admission and parents MUST stay)

10: General PTA membership meeting and performance by 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at 6:00pm

10: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night at Pelham Road from 4:00-8:00pm

13: Muffins for Moms for K4, K5, 1st, and 2nd grade students in the cafeteria from 7:00-7:45am

14: Muffins for Moms for 3rd, 4th, 5th grades and self-contained classes in the cafeteria from 7:00-7:45am

17: No School - Presidents' Day

28: SIC Meeting at 7:00am in conference room

March

3: Mustang Monday!

4: Student Council meeting at 7:15am in Challenge Room

10: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night at Pelham Road from 4:00-8:00pm

14: No School - Teacher Workday

17-21: No School - Spring Break

26: Third Quarter Report Card

28: SIC Meeting at 7:00am in conference room

April

1: Benchmark testing for grades 2-5 (ELA)

2: Benchmark testing for grades 2-5 (math)

3: Benchmark testing for grade 4 (science)

7: Mustang Monday!

8: Skate Night at Taylors Roller Rink from 6:00-8:00pm (5 dollar cash admission and parents MUST stay)

10: Grits for Grands for K4, K5, 1st, and 2nd grade students in the cafeteria from 7:00-7:45am

11: Grits for Grands for 3rd, 4th, 5th grades and self-contained classes in the cafeteria from 7:00-7:45am

14: General PTA membership meeting and performance by Chorus for the Broadway Musical at 6:00pm

14: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night at Pelham Road from 4:00-8:00pm

18: No School

24: Glow Party from 5:00-7:00pm in the gym (1 dollar cash admission for students and parents MUST stay)

25: SIC Meeting at 7:00am in conference room

May

2: PTA selling Chick-fil-a biscuits in car rider lines while supplies last (5 dollars cash per biscuit)

5: Mustang Monday!

12: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night at Pelham Road from 4:00-8:00pm

15: Senior Clap Out (details to come)

16: SIC Meeting at 7:00am in conference room

22: Half Day Dismissal for Students at 11:45am

23: Last Day of School! Half Day Dismissal for Students at 11:45am

We know it is important for you to see a glimpse of our school day, even when you cannot be here with us. Please follow us on social media at the following accounts:

• Facebook: Mitchell Road Elementary School
• Instagram: mitchellroadelementary
• Twitter: mitchell_road

Email: jholman@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/mitchell/
Location: 4124 East North Street, Greenville, SC, USA
Phone: (864) 355-6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mitchell-Road-Elementary-School/100050881973460/
Twitter: @mitchell_road