Mustang Memo

News from Mint Valley Elementary School

February 2025, Issue 2

Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendars!

FEBRUARY

2/3 - Mustangs of the Week
2/3 - Art Club - 3:30 pm
2/4 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm
2/4 - Go Girl Go! - 3:30 pm
2/5 - Mustangs of the Month Assembly - 12:40 pm
2/5 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
2/6 - Art Club - 3:30 pm
2/6 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm
2/7 - PTO Bingo Night - 5:30 pm
2/10 - Mustangs of the Week
2/10 - Art Club - 3:30 pm
2/11 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm
2/12 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
2/13 - Art Club - 3:30 pm - CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
2/13 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm - CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
2/14 - Valentine's Day <3
2/14 - NO SCHOOL - Weather
2/17 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day
2/18 - Mustangs of the Week
2/18 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm
2/18 - Go Girl Go! - 3:30 pm
2/19 - Early Release -2:30 pm
2/19 - PTO Meeting - 6:00 pm (library)
2/20 - Art Club - 3:30 pm
2/20 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm
2/24 - Mustangs of the Week
2/24 - Art Club - 3:30 pm
2/24-2/28 - PTO Scholastic Book Fair
2/25 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm
2/25 - Go Girl Go! - 3:30 pm
2/26 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
2/27 - Art Club - 3:30 pm
2/27 - Coding Club - 3:30 pm
2/28 - Dr. Seuss Day

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we are thrilled to share how much has been accomplished so far! Students are excelling in the classroom, participating in enriching afterschool clubs, and building the skills they need to succeed. The first half of the year has been a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families. Together, we have built a strong foundation, and we are excited to carry this momentum through the rest of the school year.

A key part of finishing the year strong is ensuring students attend school regularly. Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in academic success—it helps students stay on track with their learning, build strong habits, and achieve their full potential. Every day in class counts, and we appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this at home.

Let’s work together to make the second half of the year just as successful as the first, with your support and your child’s continued presence in school!

COUNSELOR APPRECIATION WEEK

Please join the entire Mint Valley Elementary family in wishing our incredible school counselor, Mrs. Andrea Hendrickson, a happy Counselor Appreciation Week, February 3-7th!

Mrs. Hendrickson is a gifted professional who is always ready to help students when they need her. We appreciate her so much!

with our school counselor, Mrs. Hendrickson

During our recent Zones of Regulation lessons with Mrs. Hendrickson, all of our students learned:

How to do a Zones check in
What their triggers and sparks are

When we know what causes us to be dysregulated, it is easier to make a plan for how we will manage our emotions when these things happen!

Submit absences on the Longview Schools App!

Whether your student is going to be absent for an appointment, vacation or sickness, you must notify the school as soon as possible. The district now has a phone app to make this process even easier! Please visit the site below to see how to download and use this helpful app.

Of course, you are always welcome to call the school directly, as well, at (360) 575-7581.

https://www.longviewschools.com/submit-an-absence-on-the-longview-schools-app

FOR VACATION ABSENCES: The Mint Valley Elementary secretaries have a special form for families to use when they take their children out of school for vacation. It must be pre-approved (and with sufficient notice), by the principal and teacher so that homework is available and the absence has the least impact on the student's learning.

Mrs. Allis' Corner

This month, we talked about a Bubble Gum Brain vs. a Brick Brain and read the book, "Bubble Gum Brain," by Julia Cook:

Hi, I’m Bubble Gum Brain. I like to chew on my thoughts, flex, bend and stretch my brain, and expand the way I think! I make great mistakes that help me learn.

I’m Brick Brain. With me, things are the way they are…and they’re probably not going to change much. I am the way I am…and that’s just how it is.

Meet Bubble Gum Brain and Brick Brain: two kids with two VERY different mindsets. Bubble Gum Brain likes to have fun adventures, learn new things, and doesn’t worry about making great mistakes. Brick Brain is convinced that things are just fine the way they are and there’s not much he can do to change them, so why try?

When Bubble Gum Brain shows Brick Brain how to peel off his wrapper, Brick Brain begins to realize just how much more fun school…and life… can be!

This creative story teaches children (and adults) the valuable lesson that “becoming is better than being,” which can open the door to a whole new world of possibilities!

Let's do our best to be a Bubble Gum Brain with a Growth Mindset!

Our Lost & Found cup runneth over.....

See any missing coats, hats, backpacks or other items that you've been looking for this month? Please feel free to drop by the office and have a look. After a while the items will be donated, so don't delay!