1. Welcome to Mechanicsville Elementary!
Grades 1 and 2
Back to School Night

2. Introductions Administration Mr. Glen Messier, Acting Principal
Mr. Josh Davidson, Acting Assistant Principal
Office Staff
Ms. Ginger Halvorsen, Secretary
Ms. Sheryl Morelock, Secretary
Ms. Judy Scanlon, Secretary
Ms. Betty Parker, Nurse
Ms. Denise Preller, School Counselor
PTA
Ms. Lori Kerr, PTA President

3. Our 1st Grade Team Ms. Tianne Collins
Ms. Nanci Karner and Ms. Danielle Fieni
Ms. Monic Mull, Team Leader and Ms. Brianna Finch

4. Our 2nd Grade Team
Ms. Susan Basham
Ms. Kati Stauder, Team Leader and Ms. Mary O’Meally
Ms. Kirsten Thurston

5. Resource and Special Areas Team
Specials Teachers
Ms. Barbara Anastasion, Instr. And Vocal Music
Ms. Stefanie Goldsmith, Media
Ms. Karen Kohn, Art
Ms. Kathy Koslowski, Health
Ms. Kim Lomax, Part-time Art
Ms. Erin Murphey, PE
Ms. Miriam Presley, Vocal Music
Mr. John Tumulty, Part-time PE
Special Education Teachers
Ms. Myra Dorsey, Speech-Language Pathologist
Ms. Liz Milnes
Ms. Jess Morelock
Ms. Jasmine Wallace
Resource Specialists
Ms. Christina Storie, ELA Specialist
Ms. Caroline Chucko, Math Specialist
GT Teacher
Ms. Erin Thomson

6. Schedule for Today Grade 1 Grade 2 6:30 – 6:55
Teacher Presentations in the Media Center
Teacher Presentations in the Gym
7:00
Volunteer Training
(Please have a valid ID)

7. Vision and Mission
Vision Statement Mechanicsville Elementary School fosters life-long learning for all members of our community as we become globally competitive and caring citizens. Mission Statement: Mechanicsville Elementary School empowers all children to master challenging academic goals by providing diverse, authentic learning experiences that emphasize creative and critical thinking while respecting all individuals.

8. Mr. Messier’s Core Values and Beliefs
Be Positive
Raise your own expectations
Relationships
Every child, every day

10. Our Focus and Priorities
Engage in meaningful small group instruction that is differentiated to meet the unique learning needs of our students
Bring FUN back into elementary school!

11. Attendance
Doors open for students at 9:00 a.m. Dismissal begins at 4:00 p.m.
Students must be in their classrooms by 9:30 to avoid being marked as tardy.
If your child is absent:
Please send in a note when your child returns
(link on MES website)
Parents/guardians will receive an automated attendance phone call each day your student is absent, unless prior communication has been provided.
Students who leave school prior to 4:00 p.m. will be marked tardy for the afternoon.

12. Transportation Bus transportation is available for every student.
We have a very small parking lot. Please help us decrease the volume of traffic and keep our students safe, by riding the bus!
Please adhere to the directions of our staff members in the parking lot.

13. Breakfast and Lunch Prices
Student Breakfast: $1.50
Student Lunch: $2.50
Milk: $.60
Snacks and Ice Cream
New Ice Cream this year—Hershey’s Ice Cream
Most Ice Cream is $.75 (Ice Cream cones are $1.00)

14. Cafeteria Lunch Guests—You are always welcome!
We ask that lunch guests please wait 2 weeks to allow our staff to establish routines
Lunch Guests must sign in at the main office. A note must be received in advance for anyone other than a parent or guardian requesting to have lunch with a student.
Visit to load money on your child’s lunch account! Links are available on the MES and CCPS websites.

15. Birthday Celebrations
In accordance with the CCPS Wellness Policy, food items cannot be provided to other students to celebrate your child’s birthday.

16. School Wide Initiatives
We are a Green School!
Trash-Free Tuesdays will continue this year
communications vs. paper documents when available
PBIS
We were recertified as a PBIS Gold School!
CARE tickets are awarded for positive behaviors
MES CARE Students and Character Stars
Pep Rallies to celebrate student success
Goal Sheets

17. Our PTA is Awesome!
Ms. Kerr, President
Fun family events
Digi-blocks
Computer carts
Carpets for classrooms
Funds for classroom teachers
LCD projectors/document cameras
Outdoor classroom
Flip cameras
Recess equipment
Field trip funds
New playground
Bird box camera

18. Benefits of Joining our PTA
Get to know the staff and your child’s friends and classmates through volunteer opportunities.
Become informed about issues and challenges faced by MES and the county public school system.
Attendance at PTA Meetings gives you a voice. Help decide what the PTA does and how the money is spent.
If you are new to our school community, PTA meetings are a great way to meet other families and help with your transition.
Opportunity to meet wonderful people and make new friends.

19. Secure Online School Directory
Contains contact information for all participating families
PTA Supported and Driven
100% Parent control over what information is shared
Communication tool-parent to parent and PTA to parents
More information will be sent home detailing how you can participate
Purchase PTA membership online

20. PTA Meetings and Events
PTA Meetings – Bi-Monthly on the third Wednesday evening of the month
First Meeting is September 21st at 7pm
Events include:
Ice Cream Social – September 8th
Fall Fun Run – September 30th
Book Fair – October 31st – November 4th
Parent/Grandparent Breakfasts (Fall and Spring)
Mardi Gras – March 25th
Jump Rope for Heart February 10th, 17th, and 24th
Play Day June 2nd
Staff Appreciation Events (spring)

21. Other Ways our PTA Supports Us
Classroom Volunteer Resource Room – (MVP Room)
In School Cultural Arts Presentations
Field Trips
School Supply Kits
School Nature Trail and Outdoor Classroom
Parent Education and Information Initiatives
Purchase of Agenda books and other materials the school needs

22. Fundraising Restaurant Nights
Activities and events help us have fun while raising money
needed to fund programs.
Restaurant Nights
Redemption Programs (Grocery Stores, Target, Box Tops)
MES Fun Run—Our fall fundraiser
Mardi Gras Spring Carnival and Silent Auction

23. Volunteer a little or a lot!
A Few Good Volunteers
Volunteer a little or a lot!
Homeroom parents
Choose your committee or event
Tell us about your skills and talents
At home volunteer opportunities are available too!
Some Areas of need currently are:
Classroom volunteers
Parent/grandparent breakfast committee members
Mardi Gras
Staff appreciation events

24. Come Join Our PTA!
Complete the simple membership form--$10 membership fee
Learn More…
Come to a PTA meeting
Read our PTA newsletters
Visit
Find us on Facebook!
Contact us with questions/comments:
Lori Kerr, President,
Sharon Wallace, Vice President
Jen Peterson, Treasurer
Colleen Kelly, Secretary

25. Let’s Have a Great Year!