Mustang Message Back to School

Timely attendance is directly connected to student success. All families are set a goal of 90% or better attendance. Research show a strong connection to 90+% attendance and increased school success. If there are health or other concerns impacting school attendance parents should reach out to Nurse Dana Gregory (drgregory@smcps.org) or Counselor Stephanie Hall (shall@smcps.org).

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Students begin dismissing at 3:40 PM.

August

August 14 - 6-7 PM, MES Playground, Popsicles with the Principal - Kindergarten Students, New Students, & Their Families Invited

August 16 - Teachers Report to School

August 18 - HAC Opens with Student Schedules at 5 PM

August 21 - Open Houses

August 23 - First Day of School! (MES Student Day 9AM - 3:40PM)

Looking Ahead to September

September 4 - Labor Day - All Schools and Offices Closed

September 21 - Two Hour Early Dismissal – No School for PreKindergarten Students

September 22 - No School for Students

September 25 - Picture Day

September 27 - 4th Grade Elms Field Trip. Click here for how to prepare students and more information.

Volunteer applications are open for new applicants for the 2023 - 2024 school year.

Previously registered volunteers will not be able to re-apply until Monday, August 14th, 2023.

Both new and previously registered volunteers must complete a volunteer application every school year.

Menus for School Meals are visible through Nutrislice.

If you want to view your child's meal purchases and add funds, use the My School Bucks link.

Online applications are encouraged as they are processed more quickly.

• School Meal Benefit Forms: School Year Meal Benefit forms for SY 23-24 are now available online! Easily fill out your new meal benefit form by visiting https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application on the www.smcps.org website. Families can request more information by contacting SMCPS' Food and Nutrition Services Office at 301.475.4256, Option 5, or via email at foodservice@smcps.org.

Mechanicsville Elementary School

August 21st, 2023

Kindergarten: 1:30-2:30 PM

• K Will begin in the Cafeteria at 1:30 PM, and then visit classrooms

Grades 1-5: 3:00-4:00 PM

• Grades 1-5 may go directly to classes beginning at 3:00. It is not necessary to arrive right at 3:00 PM. Consider spacing out the timing of your visits.

Remember to visit your homeroom teacher and your specials area teachers (music, art, P.E., and media).

While Clever has synced with our scheduling system, and students can view their current teachers names in Clever, it should be noted that schedules are not final at this time.

You can access the HAC on August 21st after 5PM to view schedules.

• Student Resource Accountability: Students are responsible for the care and upkeep of all of their SMCPS assigned resources: print and technology. This document outlines all of the policies and procedures in addition to pricing for lost or damaged devices. The student accountability document is also linked in this SMORE.

• Expect minor Bus Delays on the first few days of school as there are often kinks to work out.
• It is recommended to arrive at your AM bus stop about 10 minutes early on the first day. Once the routes and times are consistent, 5 minutes early is sufficient.
• Remember that Kindergarten students must be met at the bus door in the PM, or they will be returned to school.
• Students should always be at the stop safely before the bus arrives. It is not safe to run to the bus stop as a bus is pulling up or after it arrives.

Use the Bus Stop and School Locator to verify your child's assigned bus stop location, bus number and expected arrival times.

Be prepared to share with teachers how your child goes home from school at Open House.

Bus Expectations:

It’s important to discuss bus expectations with your child regularly. Students are expected to stay seated in their assigned bus seats, use a normal talking voice, listen to the driver's directions at all times, and follow all relevant school rules. Parents can help by discussing bus expectations with children and showing them the bus safety video on the SMCPS Transportation Website.

• The carpool registration is now online.
• Carpool riders will go to the gym for AM drop-off and PM pickup this year.
• Carpool applications are not for occasional pickups, but regular PM pickups.
• AM drop-offs do not require a carpool registration if students will ride the bus home.

Construction continues. With just a few days left until teachers return, construction crews are working around the clock to finish. Check out these pictures of our Media Center and Office.