Week of August 26, 2024
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Principal's Message from Dr. Edwards
This week felt like it went by much faster than the first full week. I hope the start of the school year has been a very positive one for you. We are getting things into full-swing, and we want to keep building on our strong start.
This week we kicked off our SchoolStore Fundraiser that runs year-round. The focus of this fundraiser to is to get folks to sign-up with this program and then go through their website when you make purchases at any of hundreds of other websites. When you do, FES will get a small percentage of any amount spent. We are not looking to sell anything or asking for extra donations, but we hope everyone will make use of this if you shop online--and send it to friends and family to use as well!
Our PTO will also be launching the Annual Walkathon Fundraiser in the coming weeks (look for specifics in the newsletter and for flyers sent home). This is the biggest source of funding for our PTO which in turn supplies thousands of dollars in Teacher Mini-grants, appreciation/morale-boosting items for students and staff, and specially-targeted items like the book vending machine we were able to purchase last year (ribbon-cutting event coming soon!). I know it can seem like a lot of fundraising right off the bat, but the success of these efforts factors greatly in setting the budget for everything that can happen each year. If you are able to give financially, thank you sincerely for your generosity. If you are unable to give in that way, we fully understand and also value however you are able to support the great things happening at our school (volunteering time, building community connections, or just being a positive voice).
Emergency Drill
The state legislature mandates that schools conduct one active shooter drill per semester. We want to inform you in advance that our school will be conducting this practice drill within the next two weeks. Please note that this is only a drill, and there is no emergency situation.
This drill helps Mt. Vernon staff assess and improve our emergency operations plan and response skills.
Due to the confidential nature of our emergency plans, we cannot provide specific details about the date and time of the drill. If you have any concerns, please contact your principal or assistant principal.
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“Everything is hard before it is easy.”— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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Chromebook Insurance
Just a reminder that If you wanted your child to have insurance on their school-issued Chromebook, payments of $25 are due by 9/1. Our school treasurer, Diane Wetzold, is able to take payments or you can make them electronically through eFunds. After that time you will not have the option to purchase that insurance and will be fully responsible for damages to the device. If you have specific question, please reach out to our MV Technology Department.
From the Health Clinic
Vaccinations or Exemption forms must be turned in and up to date by September 10th. Messages and forms have been sent out to those that need up to date shots or exemptions. Any student not up to date will be excluded on September 10th. Please contact Shanda Jouppi at shanda.jouppi@mvcsc.k12.in.us or via parent square with any questions.
School Smiles
The dentist is coming to our school! The School Smiles on-site dental program provides on-site dental care at our school for ALL students that sign up to participate. The dental team will set up inside our school and they accept Medicaid, private insurance, offer self-pay rates and grants through their foundation. Registration is now open online at: www.schoolsmiles.com/student-signup with over 100 languages to choose from when completing the online form. See the attached flyer for additional ways to register, don’t miss out!
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Reporting Absences
Please assist us by being sure to call our office at 317-485-3180 or email elizabeth.thomas@mvcsc.k12.in.us if your student is going to be absent. With state reporting, we have to assign specific codes for every absence, and it saves our office staff a lot of time each day if we don’t have to call to follow-up on students that are marked absent by their teachers. And please be sure to provide the documentation required for qualifying absences to be marked as excused in a timely manner.
MV Absence Policy Infographic
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Important Dates
Body Safety Presentations
August 29-30
Parent/Teacher Connection Day (No school)
Wednesday, Sept. 18
We are interested in gauging some student and parent ideas and interest in the menus via a Google Survey. The link can be found below.
My name is Caitlin Crecelius and I am the school counselor at FES! I will use this area to share what classroom lessons I am doing with the different grades, programs to sign up for, upcoming events, and reminders from the counseling office.
- As a reminder, a Parent Square post went out with the dates and information on their year's Body Safety Program. This post will be sent out two more times. It is also linked here for your convenience.
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Fortville Area Resource Mission (FARM) provides weekend food bags to families who are in financial need of getting more food. If you would like to sign up for this, please use this link.
- Please note that by signing up for this, you are agreeing that your student will bring these bags home weekly, in their backpacks.
- If you are in need of connecting with any financial assistance - including how to apply for Free and Reduced Lunches - please reach out and I can see what resources FES can share.
- Any student has the ability to request to come talk/meet with me. This week I went into every classroom to (re)introduce myself and explain the process for asking to meet with me.
Upcoming events:
- 1st Quarter Classroom Lesson: Bullying Prevention
- 8/29-8/30: Body Safety Presentations
These students were called down to the cafeteria on Friday to be recognized for something from the week (being a great helper, working hard, demonstrating growth in a skill, etc.) Thanks for being valuable contributors to our Viking community!
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MV Reads: News from the Library
Mrs. Jennifer Leavell, FES Teacher Librarian
All grade levels are having great discussions in the library about the reasons we read! I’m also sharing books with students from the 2024 Indiana Library Federation Read Aloud Indiana list. The Read Aloud Indiana program fosters a love of reading and the sound of language. Each year, a committee of Indiana Library Federation (ILF) members develops five read-aloud lists: one each for primary school ages, upper elementary, middle grades, high school, and ageless. These are great books to give as gifts or add to your home/library wishlists!
Parents, now is the time to build a lifelong love for the library. The Hancock County Public Library serves residents in eight of the nine townships in Hancock County. Vernon Township is served by the Vernon Township Public Library. Cardholders from one library may apply for a card at the other. It is FREE. Be sure to check out HCPL’s “School Resources” link for reliable homework resources for elementary students.
"Be a Substitute Teacher" and MV Employment
Fortville Elementary is a great place to work, and we would love to have you join our team. You can apply on the MV Employment website. We are currently looking for a High Intensity Instructional Assistant.
And we always need substitute teachers! Subs apply through Kelly Education Services (information below).
- To learn more or apply for substitute teacher positions at Mt. Vernon, please contact Kelly Education by completing this Inquiry Form and a recruiter will follow up with you. For questions, please call 800-991-5157, option 2.
- Kelly Services will guide the applicant how to obtain a substitute permit issued by the Indiana Department of Education (~$17) and a background check (~$28).
- Kelly Services will then share a short orientation video that will show you how to choose the jobs of your choice at Mt. Vernon and how to see the incentive offers.
Help Support FES Year-round
Help our school get a share of the money that many of America’s best companies are giving to K-12 education. SchoolStore.com is an online shopping mall where over 400 merchants have agreed to give a percentage of every sale to schools. This includes companies like Walmart, Best Buy, Old Navy, Kohl’s, etc. Just go to the website and then to the merchant websites you normally order from and help us earn rewards. The SchoolStore fundraiser is 100% online so there is NO face-to-face selling, handling money, or delivering products.
Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000177219 to sign up. If you have questions about how to participate, reach out to our office. Once you are registered, invite family, friends and co-workers to support your child and our school.
Parent Resources
To be a chaperone on a field trip or to volunteer in the classroom regularly, you must have a clear background check from the current school year on file with the district. MVCSC Volunteer Background Check Form
Webinars on support and advocacy for parents of High ability students. https://nagc.org/page/webinars
From the Technology Department:
We're excited to remind you about the valuable partnership between Mt. Vernon Schools and Qustodio! This collaboration provides you with insights into your child's online activities and allows you to manage certain aspects of their school-issued devices at home.
For more details, please check out the recent ParentSquare post from this week.
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The FES PTO spirit wear store is always open to help with your FES and MV apparel desires.
LINK for Fortville Elementary Designs LINK for MV Designs
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