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Memorial Elementary News
October 2023
Dear Memorial Families,
The end of the first grading period is coming quckly. It ends on Friday, October 13 and report cards will be available on the Skyward Parent Portal on Friday, October 20. Please review this with your child and help him/ her set goals for quarter 2. As a school, we talk about The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey. Habit 2 is our October focus, which is "Begin with the End in MInd." This habit is about setting goals and making plans to achieve them, which is perfect for the beginning of a new grading period.
The state now requires school's to post their Student Performance Report on the school's website. Memorial's Student Performance Report can be found at this link. Please let me know if you have any questions concerning the report.
As a staff, we often discuss factors that improve student achievement and factors which are barriers. One barrier that we see in students is the fear of trying and the fear of failure. Students who are allowed to learn from their mistakes often become more willing to take risks in their learning which can lead to greater achievement. Giving your child more responsiblility and chances to overcome failure is a gift to their future. Please see the list of ideas below to help build student responsibility and self-esteem.
With Great Respect,
Mrs. Debra Misecko, Principal
Save The Date(s):
October
11 Halloween Cookie Kit Orders Due
11 Memorial PTO Family Dinner Night at Buffalo Wild Wings (all day)
11 5:30 PTO Meeting
13 Last Day of the 1st Grading Period
16 & 17 No School (Fall Break)
20 Report Cards are available on the Parent Portal
20 Fall Fest
25 Cookie Kit Pick Up Date
25 & 26 Parent Teacher Conferences (Sign up information will be sent home soon)
26 & 27 Early Release for Students (K-8) - Elementary dismisses at 12 noon.
31 Halloween Parties at 2 p.m.
November
7 elearning day for students/ Election Day
8 School Picture Make-Up and Re-take Day
8 PTO Meeting
10 Memorial honors Veterans
13 State IASP Spell Bowl Comptittion at BF at 5 p.m.
14 Major Saver Kick-off for the Valpo Schools Foundation
22-24 Thanksgiving Break - Happy Thanksgiving
IDEAS FOR BUILDING RESPONSIBILE, WELL-ROUNDED STUDENTS:
- Give your child the responsibility for their school work, supplies and backpacks.
- Encourage them to paricipate in making their lunches from home and packing their snacks.
- Allow them to take the natural consequence for forgetting an assignment or library book.
- Encourage them to be their own advocate; i.e. talk to the teacher when they are struggling in class or the bus driver when their may be conflict on the bus.
- Give them time to work on homework independently and make it their responsibility to ask for help.
- Encourage and support them to find a balance between school work and extra curricular activities.
- Encourage healthy living habits, such as adequate sleep, healthy eating, personal hygiene and limiting time on devices.
See the Love and Logic Blog for more great parenting ideas.
HABIT #2 - BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
Memorial continues to focus on sharing The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen Covey. We will talk about one of the 7 Habits each month. The October Habit is Habit #2 - Begin with The End in Mind." Students are taught that "To Begin With The End in Mind" means that, "I plan ahead and think how my actions help me achieve my goals. I am purposeful to meet the end goal." For more information please read more from Dr. Stephen Covey's website.
Attendance (Why it Matters)
Letters concerning student absences are generated automatically through Skyward. If you believe there is an error in your child's attendance record or if you have more questions about the procedures, you may contact the Memorial office. If the number of student absences is equal to or greater than 10% of the scheduled school days, the principal will review the file for documentation and make a referral to Project Attend, if applicable.
Handbook
PTO
President - Malorie Medellin
Vice President - Tracee McMahon and Amber Strunk
Treasurer - Megan Taylor
Secretary - Casandra Heeren
Stay tuned for more information coming about 23-24 PTO events. They will be shared in the Memorial Newsletter, on the Memorial Elementary PTO Facebook page, and the Memorial PTO Website.
Water Bottles
Memorial Elementary
Email: dmisecko@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://valparaisomes.valpo.k12.in.us/
Location: 1052 Park Avenue, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: 219-531-3090