The Monthly Mustang July 2023

The Monthly Mustang

July 2023

Compassion I Community I Kindness I Respect I Courage I Citizenship I Integrity

Scroll down to see the following important information:

Welcome
Staff Members
Communication Information
Attendance
2023-24 Calendar - new dismissal times
Mustang Code
School Songs - music and words
Parent Student Handbook
Student Code of Conduct
Uniform Policy
Classroom Information & Supply Lists
Car Line Protocols
Community Investment and Tax Credit
July Birthdays

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year!

We are very excited for the new school year. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing our returning students and families as well as welcoming in our new students and families. As we move into the school year we would like to share information with you that will help facilitate a smooth and efficient school year for students, parents and staff members. In this newsletter you will find information to help you plan and organize your daily schedule. Please make note of dates on the calendars, procedures and protocols as well as getting to know our wonderful staff members.

MISSION MONTESSORI ACADEMY

& Middle Years Program

2023-24 STAFF MEMBERS

Kindergarten-8th Grade

Executive Director - Ms. JoDene Tryon

Head of Schools - Ms. Joslyn Maike

Director of Operations - Ms. Jennifer Martin

Registrar - Ms. Renee Gagliano

St. Anthony Campus

Head of Program - Ms. Maura Kelly

Site Manager - Ms. Debbie Wright

Kindergarten Teacher - Ms. Preeti Kulkarni

Kindergarten Teacher - Ms. Ashton Ware

St. Apkar Campus

Head of Program - Ms. Maura Kelly

Site Manager - Rasha Khaled

Kindergarten Teacher - Ms. Pamela Azizi

Kindergarten Teacher - Ms. Brittany Suero

96th St Campus

Lower Elementary Years Program (LEYP 1st-3rd grades)

Teacher Ms. Kelly Wisley

Teacher Ms. Laurie Perry

Teachers Ms. Amalia Salas & Chantelle Zerba

Elementary Years Program (EYP 4th -5th grades)

Ms. Patricia Sandler - Math & Global Studies

Ms. Sarafina Reddington - ELA and Science

Middle Years Program Teachers (MYP 6th/7th/8th grades)

Ms. Emily Hanlon - Math & ELA

Ms. Valerie Quartz - Math & Science

Ms. Patricia Sandler - Global Studies

Specials Teachers

Sustainable Systems - Dr. Heather Devich

Music Arts - Ms. Deb Fisher

Visual Arts - Ms. Samantha Klinghagen

Physical Education - Coach Julian Rodriguez

Spanish - Ms. Perri Cepada

Academic Assistants Team

Mr. Eric Wright

Ms. Makaiya Marshall

Mr. Julian Rodriguez

Ms. Chantelle Zerba

Ms. Samantha Klinghagen

Ms. Melaney Wells

Ms. Sarafina Reddington

We would like to say goodbye and thank you to Mr. Miles Canevello, Ms. Eleni Smiaris "Ms. Lenko" and Ms. Alicyn Morrell. Please say hello and welcome to Ms. Laurie Perry - LEYP teacher, Ms. Melaney Wells - LEYP Assistant, Ms. Amalia Salas - LEYP Team Teacher and Ms. Sarafina Reddington - EYP Assistant and Teacher.

Communications

We have 3 main modes of communication:

Email sent from Teachers or Administration - please make sure your spam/junk will allow any email from @missionmontessori.com
MOST used - Emails sent from Constant Contact - please add to your VIP list
New this year - TEXT from School Messenger - you will need to OPT IN - SEND a "YES" text to 67587. This will allow you to receive text messages from Mission Montessori. Click here to view Flyer

Access many important documents on our website at the HUB - www.missionmontessori.com/hub

Student Daily Attendance

We would like to highlight the crucial role that your child's daily attendance plays in the overall success of our school, particularly in relation to our letter grade. As you may be aware, schools are evaluated and assigned letter grades based on various factors including student performance, growth and attendance. Student attendance is a significant component of the assessment and evaluation.

When your child attends school regularly, it not only contributes to their individual academic progress but also has a broader impact on our school's overall performance. Higher attendance rates demonstrate our commitment to providing a consistent and enriching learning environment for all students. This, in turn, positively influences our school letter grade, as it reflects the collective efforts of our dedicated teachers, supportive staff, and engaged families.

Maintaining strong attendance rates helps us sustain and enhance the quality of education we offer. It allows us to allocate resources effectively, plan instructional strategies, and tailor interventions based on the needs of our students, boosting the likelihood of your child passing and/or improving on the annual state exam, Arizona Academic Standards Assessment. By ensuring that your child is present and actively participating in their education, you contribute to the overall strength and stability of our school community.

We greatly appreciate your support in prioritizing your child's daily attendance. By working together to promote regular school attendance, we can continue to provide a nurturing and high-quality educational environment that fosters success for every student.

Please review the school policy regarding attendance on pages 11-14 in the Parent/Student Handbook.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in creating a strong school community.

Follow www.missionmontessori.com/hub to view the calendar and all other important documents

2023 - 2024 Mission Montessori Academy & MYP

School Calendar

Click here to view calendar

THE MUSTANG CODE

Understanding the Mustang Code

The MUSTANG CODE is a way to formalize the values that we as members of the Mission Montessori community believe are important to visualize, conceptualize and incorporate into daily action. We are hoping that by building this foundation of core values, our students will be able to apply this knowledge in their higher education, career and life. Teaching values is an important part of education because it contributes to the welfare of humankind.

“Education is, quite simply,

peace-building by another name.”

Kofi Annan, 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations.

COMPASSION:

Compassion is to recognize when others are suffering or in need and entails a desire to alleviate their suffering. In today’s world, suffering of so many is so great. With people on every continent struggling from poverty, health issues, emotional issues and lack of human rights, showing compassion for others is vital to creating a more equitable world. Sympathy is not compassion. Sympathy is about words. Compassion requires action.

COMMUNITY:

A community is a group of people who have an interest, goal, passion, attitude or purpose that they share in common. Belonging to a community gives members a sense of security, safety and belonging. As the global world becomes more complex and people feel more isolated, it is important for people to have a place where they feel a connection to others and where they receive emotional, social and intellectual support. Feeling welcome and part of a community is akin to receiving a big group hug.

KINDNESS:

Kindness is a behavior that is exhibited by generosity, concern and consideration for others without expecting anything in return. Kindness can take the form of a word, a smile or an action that is not expected. Kindness can uplift a soul, change an attitude, a day or a life and create peace. No one is perfect, people make mistakes. One should accept imperfection in others, be understanding and demonstrate unexpected acts of kindness. It has been said that unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and underrated agent of human change.

RESPECT:

Respect requires an acceptance of other peoples’ opinions, points of view or actions even if you do not agree. Every individual has the right to their own values, thoughts and opinions. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” This infers that we must teach children to be accepting of others. Often, people want to be respected but they do not act in a respectful way. Showing respect and receiving respect are partners. One must give to receive.

COURAGE:

Courage can take many forms. It encompasses moral courage and physical courage. Nelson Mandela said that “Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.” Courage can be exemplified in taking a risk or taking a first step even if you cannot predict the outcome. To be courageous is also to find the inner strength to stand up for your beliefs, values and morals even when others try to influence you to change. Each person has an inner voice but often peers and outside influences like social media dim our inner voice. The best advice is to be the individual you choose to be, follow your own path, complete your own journey, overcome a fear and act in ways that support your values, morals and virtues. In doing so, you will be displaying courage.

CITIZENSHIP:

Citizenship refers to the specific relationship between an individual and a State or community and includes specific legal rights, duties and responsibilities. Citizenship by its nature implies that by virtue of being a citizen the State or community has certain obligations towards the individual but equally important are the obligations and responsibilities that each individual has toward the State. These responsibilities can include voting, leading, volunteering in one's community or being stewards of the environment. John Adams, the 2nd president of the United States felt that Citizenship was our greatest value.

INTEGRITY:

Integrity is to uphold your personal standards, values and virtues. It is to be honest and show moral strength even in the face of adversity. In order to show integrity, an individual needs to know who they are and what they stand for. Integrity means to do the right thing, make the right choices and act in a way that preserves your personal moral standards. According to historians, integrity is a necessity for effective leadership. It has been said of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, “His greatness consisted in the integrity of his character and the moral fiber of his being.”

School Songs

These songs and pledges are sung at each

Spirit Assembly and in the classroom

Mustang Fight Song - Click here to sing along

Mustang Alma Mater Song - Click here to sing along

Just For Today - Click here to sing along

Pledge to the Earth - click here to read the words

2023 - 2024 Mission Montessori Academy & MYP

Parent/Student Handbook

(uniform policy on pages 26-28)

Click here to read and sign the Parent/Student Handbook

2023 - 2024 Mission Montessori Academy & MYP

Student Code of Conduct

Click here to read and sign the Student Code of Conduct

Class Information & Supply Lists

Ms. Wisley - LEYP 1st-3rd grades Click here

Ms. Perry - LEYP 1st-3rd grades Click here

Ms. Salas & Ms. Zerba - LEYP 1st-3rd grades Click here

EYP 4th & 5th grades Click here

MYP 6th, 7th & 8th grades Click here

96th St. Car Line Protocol (Strictly Enforced)

Parents will be given 2 windshield placards.

Placards are mandatory during

BOTH drop off and pick up

These MUST be displayed in the a.m. and p.m. during car line. If you need to request a third placard, please send an email to office@missionmontessori.com

A.M. Car Line 7:30 am-7:55 am

The morning drop off line will begin for ALL GRADES at the covered parking area. Parents will stay in the outer lane closest to the curb and begin dropping off their children. Once parents are stopped in line, a staff member will open the car door and assist your child out of the car. Do NOT allow your child to exit the vehicle without a staff member. Please have your child ready to exit the vehicle in a safe and swift manner in order to keep the car line moving. If traffic begins to back up on 96th St. you will be invited to begin an inner lane. Please do not begin an inner lane until asked to do so. DO NOT STOP until you get DIRECTLY behind the next car in line to drop off. The drop off could take place in any space between the covered parking area and the playground area depending on the length of the line. There will be faculty members to assist children and directing traffic flow. Parents may not park and get out of the car during car line time. If you need to go to the office, you need to call or email to make an appointment between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

P.M. Car Line - see time for your child's grade level. Siblings - younger siblings will always be with their older sibling for car line.

*Do not arrive early.

*If your pick up time is 2:30 - 2:40 and you arrive after 2:40, you will need to wait until 2:50 to pick up your child from after care.

4th-8th grades will be picked up from

2:30 pm - 2:40 pm(MTWTH) and 1:00 pm- 1:10 pm on Fridays

4th/5th grades (outer lane) - line starts where the curb ends in front of the office- parents will be given GREEN placards placards to place in their passenger side dashboard or visor for all drop off and pick ups - USE OUTER LANE- closest to curb - TO PICK UP CHILDREN. Students will be sent to after care at 2:40 pm. You will need to pick them up after 2:50 pm. A fee will be assessed.

6th/7th/8th grades (inner lane) - line starts in front of the covered parking area - parents will be given PURPLE placards to place in their passenger side dashboard or visor for all drop off and pick ups. - USE THE INNER LANE TO PROCEED TO COVERED PARKING AREA. Students will be sent to after care at 2:50 pm. You will need to pick them up after 2:50 pm. A fee will be assessed.

1st-3rd grades will be picked up from

2:40 pm - 2:50 pm(MTWTH) and 1:10 pm - 1:20 pm on Fridays

Ms. Perry's class (outer lane) line starts where the curb ends in front of the office- parents will be given BLUE placards placards to place in their passenger side dashboard or visor for all drop off and pick ups - USE OUTER LANE- closest to curb - TO PICK UP CHILDREN. Students who have not been picked up will be sent to after care at 2:50 pm. A fee will be assessed after 2:50 pm.

Ms. Wisley's class (outer lane) line starts where the purple barrels are located - parents will be given RED placards to place in their passenger side dashboard or visor for all drop off and pick ups - USE OUTER LANE- closest to curb - TO PICK UP CHILDREN. Students who have not been picked up will be sent to after care at 2:50 pm. A fee will be assessed after 2:50 pm.

Ms. Salas/Ms. Zerba's class (inner lane) line starts in front of the covered parking area - parents will be given YELLOW placards to place in their passenger side dashboard or visor for all drop off and pick ups. - USE THE INNER LANE TO PROCEED TO COVERED PARKING AREA. Students who have not been picked up will be sent to after care at 2:50 pm. A fee will be assessed after 2:50 pm.

REMINDERS -

Do NOT make a LEFT TURN during 7:30 am- 8:00 am & 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm and Fridays 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm when exiting the parking lot (STRICTLY ENFORCED)
Have your child wait in the car until a staff member opens the door
Be sure to arrive early to school on the last Friday of each month for our monthly Spirit Assembly
Drivers need to stay off their self phones during car line

Sick Policy

If your child is sick, please keep them home.
Send an email by 9:00 a.m. to office@missionmontessori.com
Please review the sick policy here Click Here

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT & TAX CREDIT

A big thank you to our 2022-23 families and staff members for contributing to our Community Investment and Tax Credit funds. These donations make a huge difference in the opportunities we are able to provide.

Our Specials Program and Teachers depends on your contributions.

To make a contribution for the 2023-24 school year please Click Here

IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS

Please make note of the new dismissal time of 2:30 and 2:40 for Monday through Thursday.

FRIDAYS - look for classroom & curriculum updates from your child's teacher every Friday.

K-8th grade Spirit Assembly (Kinders will join this year) - The last Friday of every month 8:00 am sharp - don't be late to school on SPIRIT DAY! There will be one spirit day each month. Please review the 2023-24 calendar and mark them down.

REMINDERS regarding absences and early pick up:

If your child will be absent, sick, will arrive late or will need to be picked up early, please email the office office@missionmontessori.com

Hot Lunch Program Information coming SOON!

AUGUST DATES

Open Houses

August 3rd

2:00 – 4:00 LEYP (1st-3rd) Ms. Wisley, Ms. Perry and Ms. Salas/Ms. Zerba

August 4th

2:00 – 4:00 EYP (4th & 5th) and MYP (6th, 7th & 8th)

August 7th

10:00 – 11:00 St. Anthony and St. Apkar Campuses

August 8 - 1st Day of School!

Aug. 15-25

Parent Orientation Meetings MANDATORY

WATCH FOR YOUR CLASSROOM DATE from your teacher

August 14-25

Benchmark Testing - watch for your classroom dates from your teacher.

August 23-25

MYP (6th/7th/8th grade) Trip to Camp Way, Prescott, AZ

August 25

Spirit Day Assembly - Kinder-8th grades

July Birthdays

Need to Update your family contact information?

Click here: Update my contact info

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