MPE Weekly Family Newsletter 9.14-9.18

This week marked 25 years since September 11, 2001. Many of us with elementary school-aged children remember being students ourselves when the world changed.

I was a high school senior sitting in AP Literature when it happened. Sensing our growing panic as news trickled in, my teacher, Ms. Williams, brought out a small radio, talked through the moment with us, and kept us calm. Decades later, as both an educator and a parent, I am deeply grateful for the adults who helped us navigate that day.

In history's most difficult moments, schools, families, and communities serve as the steady guides our children need. Thank you for partnering with us every day to create safe, supportive spaces where our kids can learn, grow, and feel secure.

I've enjoyed watching our campus come alive with enthusiasm, teamwork, and student leadership this week. We are especially excited to share that our Green Team is officially up and running! Our student leaders have been hard at work learning all about conservation and how small actions can lessen our footprint. From guiding their peers at waste-sorting stations to sharing creative ways to protect our planet, these environmental stewards are showing us all how to lead with purpose. Their training this week is pictured here.

Here are a few more ways our students are stepping into leadership roles across campus:

Please come out and join us on September 22nd at 4pm for our Ice Cream Social/Tie Dye Night.  It is our most attended event of the year and a great way to build community across our school.  Prior to the event, we will hold our first Site Council meeting in the library at 3:15.  All are welcome to attend, even if you're not on the council.

We will have special guests at our upcoming Coffee with the Principal on September 25th from the City of Martinez.  They will be presenting a study they completed on safe walking and driving routes to/from MPE's campus.  We will also have the opportunity to discuss drop off/pick up/parking lot procedures.  On that note, we have a few safety reminders:

Thank you to everyone for your consistent attendance this week - we averaged at 98%, which is a wonderful start to the school year.  We are starting to recognize classes with perfect attendance with Feathers for responsibility and we will be giving individual recognition for students who had perfect attendance for the first month of school.  September is Attendance Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to build strong habits that set students up for a successful school year. Every day in the classroom counts, as consistent attendance boosts academic achievement, builds confidence, and fosters connection with peers.  Thank you for showing up MPE Eagles!  Let's keep our great attendance going throughout the year.

Walk N Roll continues every Wednesday! And because we are doing SO much to help our community, our school, and Contra Costa as a whole- with 20 schools now running Walk N Roll programs- Walk N Roll has been awarded one of the Leadership in Sustainability awards from Sustainable Contra Costa. 

Join us for our the first Caregiver and Child Book Clubs of the year: 

 4th and 5th grade - Monday, September 28th at 6:30 PM

 TK, Kinder and 1st grade - Tuesday, September 29th at 6:00 PM

 2nd and 3rd grade - Wednesday, September 30th at 6:00 PM

Meet us in the library to read a story, a fun activity and a small snack! It’s a great way to meet new friends and foster a love of reading! Flyers to RSVP will be coming home in folders soon or look for the digital flyers to RSVP on ParentSquare. Siblings are welcome! See you there! 

The Morello Park PTA invites you to our 1st Family Movie Night of the year! This a FREE event for the whole family and the first of many movie nights to come!  MPE's DEI Committee with the Morello Park Dads Group present Family Movie Night!

Friday, September 18th

6:00 pm Arrival, tentative Movie Start around 6:15 pm

Morello Park Elementary MUR

We are currently looking for volunteers for all classes to help run FAME. This commitment is approximately one hour in-class time, four times a year. Schedules will be determined based on volunteer and teacher availability. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email Shannon at Shannon.Bourget.pta@gmail.com. What is FAME?  FAME (Fine Arts Mini Experience) is a lively, content-rich, kid, parent, and teacher-friendly fine arts program.

Join other dads in our inaugural Morello Park Dads Group. Low commitment. High impact. You’re invited. We are hosting the 1st Family Movie Night of the year.

Level 1: give your email and attend any events that work with your schedule 

Level 2: level 1 + help at an event

Level 3: level 2 + help organize

Contact Alain at avkaret@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Recently, all of our 1st-5th grade MPE Eagles completed their first art project in Ms. Reyes' class:  creating their own dot modeled after The Dot by Peter Reynolds.  The concept of the dot is about making your own mark and starting off your year/journey with creativity and  energy.  It is the perfect start to our 26-27 school year at MPE.  

Each student made their own dot, a component of the artwork pictured here and it is on display in our cafeteria, brightening our shared space.  The students have such pride when they walk by their own creation.  Ms. Reyes is in her 2nd year at MPE and she is loving being a part of the community.  Her favorite concept she teaches is color and she loves creating large pieces with her students to display across campus.

September 15th-October 15th is recognized as National Hispanic Heritage month.  At MPE, we honor the month with themed classroom reading and projects.  Student Council will be planning a special spirit day and other events to come. Celebrating heritage months is one way we build connections across difference and develop a strong community where everyone belongs.  There are many Contra Costa County events honoring the month, along with special displays and reading lists at the local library.  Visit the Contra Costa County Library website to learn more about their events and reading lists celebrating Hispanic Heritage month.