Marauder Memo - October 20, 2024

We hope that everyone had a fall break that allowed you and your family the opportunity to recharge as we head into the second quarter of the school year. We look forward to greeting students on Monday. 

“Focus on your task" is a powerful life skill that helps children learn self-discipline and responsibility. This week, try setting aside time for your child to work on tasks without distractions. Model this behavior by focusing on a task alongside them, showing that everyone in the family works toward their goals.

Our annual Veteran’s Day celebration is coming up on Monday, November 11th at 9:30am. Students are able to invite Veterans they would like to honor to attend the celebration on that day. Watch for more information coming soon!

Dr. Lori Katz, MVMS Principal

We're proud to announce our Student of the Month winners who have exemplified our Life Value Term: Be Kind. These remarkable students have gone above and beyond in spreading kindness throughout our school community. These young leaders remind us that a little kindness goes a long way.

Attention All Ghouls and Goblins! 

Get ready for a spine-tingling takeover!

The Boo Bash has transformed into...THE MONSTER MASH! 

Creep on over to school on Friday, October 25th, for an after-school extravaganza that'll raise your spirits!

Time: Right after school until the witching hour of 5:15 PM

Entry Fee: $5

Leave your costumes at home, mortals! 

Dare to enter our haunted halls and experience:

Zombie Zone - Open Gym: Dribble if you dare!

Ghoulish Games: Test your luck!

Monster Mash Cinema: Spooktacular Movie

Creepy Crawly Sensations: Feel the fear!

Bring extra money for the Witches Brew Snack Shack: Satisfy your monstrous appetite!

...and more Spooktacular Fun than you can shake a skeleton at!

Don't be left in the graveyard – join us for a howling good time at THE MONSTER MASH!

If your family owes any outstanding fees — including book rental fees, food service fees, library fees, or any other school-related expenses from previous years — your child will not be eligible to attend grade-level field trips until these balances are settled. 

If you have any questions regarding paying past due fees, please contact MVMS Treasurer Velina Dalchow at velina.dalchow@mvcsc.k12.in.us or by calling the school.

Video link from Indiana Learning Lab (registration required): https://inlearninglab.com/resources/video-overview-through-year-ilearn-checkpoints-assessment

Tuesday 10/8: 7th grade math

Monday 10/30: 7th grade ELA (This is an adjustment.)

Friday 11/8: 6th grade math (This is an adjustment.)

Thursday 10/24: 6th grade ELA

Thursday 11/7: 8th grade math (This is an adjustment.)

Monday 10/28: 8th grade ELA

Future Checkpoint Assessments will occur sometime between November 18,2024 - February 7, 2025 (Winter Window) and February 10, 2025 - April 11, 2025 (Spring Window). The ILEARN Summative Assessment will occur early in the window of April 14, 2025 - May 9, 2025.

Hello from your school Speech Language Therapists! It’s time for annual hearing screenings. The state of Indiana requires hearing screenings for ALL students in Kindergarten, 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades. Additionally, we will also screen students who are new to Mt. Vernon this school year. These screenings will be conducted at the middle school on Wednesday November 6th, 2024 during the school day. Students who pass their screenings will be verbally notified and no other follow-up steps will be needed. Students that fail the first hearing screening will be rescreened approximately two weeks after the initial screen. Parents will be notified by letter if their student did not pass the second screening. This letter will contain information for next steps and follow-up procedures. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please reach out to one of the school speech-language pathologists using the contact information listed below. Thanks!

Susan Schmidt, (susan.schmidt@mvcsc.k12.in.us)

Joey Box-Jarman (joseph.boxjarman@mvcsc.k12.in.us)

Date: Tuesday, October 29

When: Success period

Opt Out Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024YTS  

As part of our commitment to your child’s online safety, we want to let you know about an important update that we referenced in our back to school tech news. MVCSC has partnered with Qustodio, the world’s leading provider of online safety solutions.

As devices play an increasing role in children’s education it is crucial that we put safeguards in place. Your child already benefits from internet filtering technology at school which blocks inappropriate web content on their school-owned device. This is also mandated by US legislation.

MVCSC is going one step further. We are granting every parent a free Qustodio Parental App account. Qustodio will give you important insights into your child’s online activity on their school device. You can use it to review and manage activities on other devices in your home too.

With Qustodio, you’ll be able to:

   1. Manage your child’s screen time

   2. Supervise your child’s online activity

   3. Access expert advice via MVCSC's Online Safety Hub

In the coming days, Qustodio will email you with simple instructions to register your account, or you can start today by visiting www.qustodio.com/my-school. Note: Please be sure to use the same email address we have on file in Skyward for you when registering to connect to your child’s device. 

We are excited to work with you and Qustodio to help our students develop healthy and safe online habits. Please visit the MVCSC Online Safety Hub for more information about Qustodio, access to expert advice and additional resources. 

Let’s build a safer online environment for our students together!

Seth Hamilton

Director of Technology

If your student will be absent from school please notify us by one of the following methods:

If a student is going to be absent from the school for the day, parents/guardians have the responsibility to notify the attendance secretary by 10:00 am with verification of the absence. Documentation of absences must be received within three days of the absence. An illness of three days or longer will require doctor verification for the entire absence to be excused. When a student is absent for a full or partial day due to a doctor, dental, or another appointment(s) a school excuse note from the provider will be required for the absence to be excused.

Please Click HERE for the MVCSC Attendance Policy.

Athletic Website click Here

Anyone interested in trying out for an athletic team is required to complete and submit to the Athletic office the IHSAA Sports Physical and Final Forms prior to tryouts.

Please read the information HERE regarding attendance at Mt. Vernon High School athletic events.

Be sure to mark your calendars for our next D2D event: 11/16 at Texas Roadhouse. Plus, don’t miss our DIY ornament bar at Handmade Dwelling on 11/16!

FYI- there will not be a PTO meeting in October due to Fall Break so we'll catch you in November!

**Please note that families will need to purchase a planner for students to track assignments.**