Marauder Memo - October 27, 2024

When your child faces challenges in completing tasks, offer support by reminding them to "Focus on your task." Encourage them to take breaks if needed and come back refreshed. Teaching perseverance in completing tasks will empower them for future challenges.

Lights, camera, action! Join this week in celebrating a Drug-Free Life with our latest feature: "Life is a Movie. Film Drug Free!" We are eager to come together as a community and pledge to be DRUG FREE!

Dr. Lori Katz, MVMS Principal

Lights, camera, action! Join us in celebrating a Drug-Free Life with our latest feature: "Life is a Movie. Film Drug Free!" Red ribbon week is next week – October 28th - November 1st! We are eager to come together as a community and pledge to be DRUG FREE! 

Spirit Days to Celebrate a Drug Free Lifestyle: 

Unleash Your Inner Hero! Kick off the week by dressing as your favorite Marvel superhero! Whether you’re rocking Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, or Iron Man, show your school spirit and remind everyone that we can all be heroes by choosing a drug-free life! (No masks or head coverings)

Double the Fun! It’s Twin Day! Grab a friend and coordinate your outfits to show that friendship is powerful. Whether you match in colors or styles, let’s celebrate unity and support each other in staying drug-free. Two minds are better than one!

Dream Big, Stay Bright! Bring the magic of Disney to life! Dress up as your favorite Disney character, whether it’s a princess, a hero, or a classic icon. Let’s spread positivity and remind everyone that staying drug-free is a dream worth pursuing! (No masks or head coverings)

Future Scholars Unite! Get ready for Monster University Day by wearing your favorite college gear! Whether you rock a university sweatshirt or colors, let’s show our aspirations for the future. Remember, staying drug-free is the first step toward achieving your dreams!

Wrap up the week by showing your MV pride! Wear your school colors or gear to celebrate our community. Let’s come together to support each other and commit to a drug-free lifestyle. Go, Marauders!

Date: Tuesday, October 29

When: Success period

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

Who? 6th grade students - limited seating available

What? Field trip to Lousiville, KY & Morengo, IN - cost is $210 per student

Where? Louisville Zoo, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and Morengo Cave

When? Friday, April 4. 2025 - report at 5:45AM, return at 8:45PM (times are approximate)

    1. Complete the Parent Square Consent Form that will be emailed on Wednesday 10/30/25 at

      9AM. You will need to know your student's SUCCESS teacher to complete the form. 

    2. Make the first payment of $105. You must have the entire first installment paid to reserve the seat. eFunds will be available for payments at 12PM on 10/30/25. 

    3. We accept 25-30 Chapones for this trip. Seats are first come, first serve and are the same price as the student seat. Details will be provided 10/30/25 in the Parent Square post.

Due to limited availability of bus seats and venue capacities, not all 6th grade students will be able to attend the trip. We will maintain a waitlist and will let students/adults know as seats on the field trip become available. Questions should be directed to Kim Zeis, guidance secretary, at kimberly.zeis@mvcsc.k12.in.us

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)

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.

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.

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

Hello Families,

My name is Jessica Buell, and I am a 2nd grade teacher at Mt. Comfort Elementary. I am also the camp director for Camp Invention. I have an amazing opportunity for your child(ren) grades 7th-9th (grade is what they will be entering next school year) Camp Invention will be June 2nd-6th, from 9am-3:30pm.

The Leaders-in-Training (LIT) position is a summer opportunity for students entering grades seven through nine. (next school year)

LITs build leadership skills in a dynamic, invention-based setting while mentoring children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Through the program, LITs gain and practice leadership and teamwork skills, act as role models for younger participants, and learn to set and meet personal and team goals.

LITs work with a Camp Invention® Instructor to become a subject-matter expert in their module(s). LITs are also paired with a Leadership Intern mentor who helps the LIT develop leadership skills, which are used to empower Camp Invention participants as they become critical thinkers and creative problem solvers. 

While at Camp Invention, LITs set goals, reflect on their experiences, adapt leadership techniques, give and receive positive, constructive feedback, and evaluate their personal performance.

LITs also help set a tone of excitement and team spirit and facilitate activities as needed. They engage Camp Invention participants in the overall experience, support them in problem solving, and assist in providing a safe environment. Not only is Camp Invention an opportunity for LITs to make a lifelong impression on younger children, it can also guide LITs in making future career decisions!

If you are interested in registering your child as a LIT go to this link. The cost to be an LIT is $170.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,

Jessica Buell

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.

Thank you so much to our incredible supporters that attended our Dine to Donate (D2D) on 10/8 at Ale Emporium! 

Don't forget to mark your calendars for a fun day of supporting MVMS! Our next D2D on 11/16 at Texas Roadhouse in Fishers, and our DIY ornament bar is at Handmade Dwelling in Greenfield (next to Tuttle's) on 11/16 as well! 

Looking ahead, save the date for our Skating Party on 12/9 at 6pm. (This event is for MVMS students and families only and drop-offs are not permitted. All students must be with an adult the entirety of their stay.) 

FYI- there will not be a PTO meeting in October due to Fall Break so we'll catch you at our next meeting on 11/13 at 6pm in the Media Center - See you there! 

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