The Mission of Middlebury Elementary School, in cooperation with family and community, is to develop compassionate, productive, responsible citizens and life-long learners.
Middlebury Elementary School
News from Mr. Hostetler, our Principal
I hope all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving. I know all the staff at MES enjoyed their much needed break. It's hard to believe that we're already in the month of December. I know this is an exciting time for the students. We have three weeks before Christmas break and we want to get as much learning done as possible. MES will continue its annual food pantry collection this year. We will continue walking the items to First Mennonite Church where the food pantry used to be located. They will have a trailer at that location to collect our items. We want to keep this tradition because we feel it is beneficial for our students. In addition to food items, this year the food pantry is in need of hats and mittens. We will begin collecting these items as well as canned and other non-perishable food items during the week of December 2nd and will continue collecting until December 18th. The entire school will then walk down to First Mennonite Church, as a service project, on the morning of December 20nd. If you are able to donate to the food pantry, we ask that your child bring the items with them to school starting on December 2nd. Please make sure that you check the expiration dates for any food, as the food pantry cannot accept items that have expired. Our goal is to collect 1,000 items. If the goal is met, Mr. Hostetler and other staff members will dress up as some characters. What will they be this year? We appreciate your help with this project, and think it is a great way to be able to help others during the Christmas season. Let’s help everyone have a wonderful Christmas!
December Calendar
2 - FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION BEGINS
3 - HAPPY DAY CLUB
5 - OLD HOOSIER GIVE BACK
6 - SECOND GRADE CONCERT REHEARSAL 10:20 AM - GUESTS WELCOME IF YOU CAN NOT ATTEND PERFORMANCE NIGHT
10 - HAPPY DAY CLUB
12 - SECOND GRADE CONCERT 6:00 PM (STUDENTS ARRIVE AT CLASSROOM 5:45 PM)
17 - SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 4:00 PM
18 - PTO MEETING 3:30 PM
19 - WEAR YOUR NO BULLY SHIRT
20 - END OF 2ND GRADING PERIOD
20 - FOOD PANTRY DONATION WALK
20 - CLASS PARTIES
DEC 23 - JAN 6 - WINTER BREAK - SEE YOU JANUARY 7TH!
News from Mr. Peery, our school counselor
DECEMBER SPIRIT DAYS
Monday, December 16th
Candy Cane or Holiday Colors Day (Dress in red and white or your favorite holiday colors)
Tuesday, December 17th
Holiday Hat Day
Wednesday, December 18th
Dress Like Someone From The North Pole
Thursday, December 19th
Pajamas and Crazy Socks Day
Friday, December 20th
Ugly Holiday Sweater Day
IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CALL THE OFFICE @ 514-825-2158 BEFORE 8:30AM
2-HOUR DELAY INFORMATION
If we have a 2 hour delay, school will start at 9:40am - EVEN IF IT IS A WEDNESDAY. You will get an automated call for all school delays or closures. However, if your have a phone with an extension our system is not able to work around that to leave a message. You can always call the school at 574-825-2158 to see if there is a delay or closing if the weather looks bad. Please make sure we always have an up to date phone number. Please eat breakfast at home on 2-hour delay days, if possible. We will only offer a grab-and-go breakfast to those who cannot eat at home.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to be in school except in the cases of emergency, illness, or school-approved absences. Parents should call the school office at 574-825-2158 on the day a student is absent. The school will call if no parent contact is made by 8:30 AM. A doctor's note may be required for an extended illness. If your child cannot participate in PE or recess due to illness or injury he/she must bring a doctor's note stating the reason for being excused.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
The safety of our students is top priority. ALL adults who will be interacting with our students are required to fill out a background check YEARLY. Click here to fill out the form online. If you do not have internet access, call the school for a paper copy.
When visitors come to the school they will need to present an ID or driver's license to scan into our security system and receive a visitor badge.
School Breakfast
Mornings can be rushed, but it is important to make time for breakfast. Children can benefit from the School Breakfast Program! Studies show that school breakfast can raise test scores while improving classroom attentiveness and behavior. Make sure your kids start the school day with a healthy meal!
MCS WEBSITE
Here you can find breakfast and lunch menus, photos from our school system, newsletters, and fun educational websites for your child to brush up on their skills.
SIGN IN/OUT
Any student that arrives after the tardy bell or leaves the school before the end of the day must be signed in or out by an adult. If this person is not a parent/guardian, please make sure the office is aware. Thank you!
TRANSPORTATION
If you know in the morning that your student will have a change from their normal routine at the end of school, please send a note that morning. If you are unable to do this, please call the school before 1:30PM. Notes are appreciated more than telephone calls. Your cooperation is appreciated.
FREE/REDUCED MEALS
Click here to apply online for free or reduced meals. If you do not have internet access and need a paper copy of the form please call the school. If your financial situation changes at any point during the school year you may apply for free or reduced meals.
LATE START WEDNESDAY
Remember that school will start later every Wednesday at 8:05AM. Bus routes will run 20-25 minutes later than other days.
HOWEVER If we have a 2 hour delay on a Wednesday, the day will start 2 hours later than a regular Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. The 2 hour delay time does not include the Wednesday delay time.
MEAL PRICES
BREAKFAST
$1.70 per day
$8.50 per week
LUNCH
$2.45 per day
$12.25 per week
REDUCED BREAKFAST
$0.30 per day
$1.50 per week
REDUCED LUNCH
$0.40 per day
$2.00 per week
If your child receives free or reduced meals and packs their lunch but wants milk, they need to buy milk. Milk costs $0.65.
You can deposit money into your child's lunch account online through the LINQ Connect website or by sending money to school clearly labeled with your child's name.
Negative balance notices are bright pink and sent home daily. Please take care of negative balances as soon as possible.
ART NEWS FROM MRS. RUSK
As the year ends, please save any calendars with beautiful pictures (scenic, animals, etc) for use in Art Class.
PE NEWS FROM MRS. FREY
All students will be receiving information about the Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser coming in January. This is a special fundraiser put on by the American Heart Association. We do a lot of jump roping activities and also learn about heart health awareness. This is always a fun time for the students, and we look forward to helping the American Heart Association again.
MUSIC NEWS FROM MR. LOAR
Concert Dates for 2024-2025
Second Grade: December 12, 2024 at 6PM
Third Grade: March 20, 2025 at 6PM
First Grade: May 8, 2025 at 6PM
Middlebury Elementary is an ALLERGY AWARE building. We have many students with various food allergies. PLEASE FOLLOW GUIDANCE FROM YOUR STUDENT'S TEACHER REGARDING SNACKS AND TREATS FOR THE CLASSROOM! In some cases, very specific brands known to be safe will be requested. Thank you for your cooperation so that all classmates feel safe and included in celebrations.
NEWS FROM OUR NURSE, MRS. GLEIM
If your child is sick, please KEEP THEM HOME! Remember - students must not have had a fever (below 100.4), vomited, or had diarrhea for 24 hours (without the help of medicine) before they may return to school.
The clinic would appreciate donations of sizes 5 and 6 bottoms and underwear for both boys and girls.
Please keep a seasonally appropriate CHANGE OF CLOTHES in your child's backpack. Accidents, spills, & playground messes are all possible and I may not have the right size to loan your child.
Middlebury Schools needs substitute nurses!! If you or someone you know would be interested I'd be happy to talk about it with you!
CHANGES IN CHILDREN'S INFORMATION
Many changes may occur throughout the school year regarding telephone numbers, work numbers, addresses, and transportation arrangements. Please notify the school office when these changes happen and give new information to the office.
Morning Transportation Changes
If you have last minute transportation changes in the mornings (for example, on 2 hour delay days), then a call needs to be made to Transportation @ 574-825-9410 or to your child's bus driver.
ROOMS - classroom communication tool
If you have not yet accepted the invitation from your child's teacher to ROOMS, please do so as soon as possible. This new platform will be the district's main source of communication going forward.
Hi everyone, we hope you all had a great fall break and are staying well as we lean into the upcoming holiday season! We hope everyone enjoyed the skating party at Jarisa’s and if you missed it you will have another chance in the spring! If you want to learn more about other activities and get involved with PTO, the next meeting is scheduled for January 15, at 3:30 at the school, with childcare available for school-aged children. If you can’t attend but want to contribute in another way, please notify the school and we will find a way to have you included. The PTO also has a Facebook page, and more information will be coming home on how to find us soon! We are looking forward to a new calendar fundraiser, and a Hacienda give back night after the holidays. We hope you can enjoy the holiday season and don’t forget to mention Middlebury Elementary at Old Hoosier on the first Thursday of the month to help support our school!
Middie Staff Spotlight
Our Middie Spotlight staff member for November is Mrs. Shuler! The students had so many great things to say about her, and really appreciate all she does for MES. One student wrote “Mrs. Shuler is very nice. She waits patiently on those that aren't listening to be nice and listen. She reads us books. She always helps us with stuff. If we are sad, she gives us toys!” I think many of us would want to stop by Mrs. Shuler's classroom for a little pick me up! Make sure to say hi when you see Mrs. Shuler in the hallway!
Here is a little about Mrs. Shuler:
I am originally from Fort Wayne but I now live in Middlebury with my husband, daughter and 2 dogs. My husband is an attorney in Goshen and my daughter is in 6th grade at Northridge Middle School. Much of our time lately has been spent at a barn as my daughter rides horses and has joined a competition team this year. We love all things Disney and enjoy planning and taking trips to Disney World. At home we like to play board games and I enjoy crafting and reading. I am big Purdue fan and especially look forward to basketball season. I am on the board of the Purdue Alumni Club of Elkhart County and help with events that raise money for scholarships to Purdue. I love MES because it feels like home. I have taught here for 21 years (all in Kindergarten because I think Kindergarten rocks!) and the kids and staff feel like a second family. I also love that our building has historical significance to the community. My favorite baked good is a cinnamon roll with maple frosting and my favorite drink is a caramel macchiato (iced in summer, hot in the winter!). -Mrs. Shuler
Do you shop at Hardings?
Did you know Harding's offers community rewards? This is a way you can help earn money for MES doing something you would normally do! Information on how to sign up is at this link. When you shop just enter your phone number at check out. So simple!
Cafeteria News:
We are all decorated and ready for the Holiday Season! December 4th is National Cookie Day. December 20th we will be offering a Santa Sack for lunch. Have lunch with us and see what's inside! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
