QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Friendship with ones self is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

REDUCING CLASS SIZES WITH IMPACT TEACHERS
Please be on the look out for the pledge sheet from our Foundation this week. As you know, class sizes have risen this year. In an effort to provide more targeted support and enrichment for our students, one of the areas our Foundation will be focusing on is raising funds to support the hiring of IMPACT teachers. We are looking to be able to bring back two of our very own teachers, Karen Stokes and Greg Burrows to support our students throughout the year. Please support our Foundation’s efforts to help us raise funds to make this a reality.

PTA GIFT WRAP FUNDRAISER
Our PTA gift wrap fundraiser is now underway. This is the largest fundraising event the PTA conducts throughout the year. We receive back 50% of the total sales. Orders can be placed on line. The website to order from is http://store.gafundraising.com and
enter the code: 1423722. Thanks for supporting our efforts.

STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS
On Friday, September 13 we had elections for student council members. Fifteen students ran for the posts available and they did an amazing job delivering their speeches in front of the entire 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. The election results were announced to the entire school at the end of Friday. A big congratulations is owed to all who participated.

MAPS TESTING
MAPs testing begins this week. All of our 2nd-5th grade classes participate in MAPS testing each trimester. In addition, we will once again have several K and 1st grade classes piloting the testing this year. MAPS testing provides an immediate feedback mechanism to the teacher and the learner about how they are moving towards meeting proficiency on the state standards. For more info on MAPS please visit our school district website.

COMPASS LEARNING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
I am thrilled to announce we will once again be offering our specialized after school Compass Learning intervention and enrichment program. Compass Learning is a web based curriculum that allows us to develop a personalized learning program based upon the results of each child’s MAPS scores. Each child has their own individualized program different from that of any other student. The program provides an opportunity for our students to receive targeted practice in the specific skills they need to address based upon their MAPS scores. Invitations will be sent home on Monday for this first round. Each round will last approximately 5 weeks. Spaces are filled on a first come first served basis so please be on the lookout for the invitation.

BUS EVACUATION DRILLS
This week we will conduct bus evacuation drills. Once a year all students receive safety instructions on how to properly exit a bus through the emergency exit door(s) in case of an emergency.

KINDERGARTEN IS FULL DAY
Our Kindergarten students completed their first two full days of school last week and did great (albeit they were a little tired). For the remainder of the year all K students will now be on the same schedule as all other students and dismiss at the regularly scheduled times.

PICTURE DAY
Mark your calendar. Picture day is just around the corner. It will take place on September 23.

JAMBA JUICE
I am thrilled to share that we are once again partnering with our local businesses in support of our school. Jamba Juice is giving back 20% of total sales this Friday to MRES. So please stop by and grab a smoothie or two. Don't forget to mention MRES.

PTA
Playground Partners
I am extremely excited to share with you that once again the PTA is sponsoring our Playground Partners lunch program. Our PTA is generously funding this program which will place one YMCA staff member on our campus to train and help our parents run structured sports, games, and activities at lunch. The goal is to help with conflict resolution, peer to peer relationships, role modeling, and, of course, engaging our students in organized and structured physical activities. The program will run during lunch M, W and F. To make this program a success we need YOUR help. We need two to three parent volunteers per day to effectively run the program. If you or any members of your family (grandparents, uncles, aunts…) are available to volunteer any amount of time please let us know.

International Fall Festival is coming soon – September 25
The International Fall Festival will be one of the largest events of the year. So, make sure to mark your calendars and join the fun on September 25 from 4:30 - 7:00.

Membership
Have you joined the PTA yet? Our PTA is essential to bringing so many programs to campus. Your membership goes a long way in supporting your students and their enrichment at school.

Ice Cream Sales
Ice Cream Sales continue every Wednesday after school at the lunch tables. Ice Cream is $1 and all proceeds go to the PTA to help fund many school programs!