March 2022

 A Note from the Principal...

I hope that everyone rested their brains and enjoyed their winter break, with two marking periods remaining our students have a lot more to learn this school year.  Meachem's daily attendance has been increasing each week, and we are so happy to have our students back consistently. 

As you all know last week students and staff in school buildings now have the option of wearing a mask.  We have seen that some still wear them while others do not.  It is okay to continue to wear them and we are committed to supporting students and staff with their choice. 

Please expect to see more COVID test kits sent home with your child.  The test kits were provided by New York State.  If your child does test positive please notify our school nurse, Christine Gabriel.  She can be reached at 315-435-4612. 

Please stay connected with us at Meachem.  We have a Meachem Facebook page and a SCSD Meachem page.  Also, we send home information through School Messenger (emails, texts, and robo calls) and Talking Points.  Please contact the school if you have not been receiving messages, 315-435-4610.

March's Life Skill: Problem Solving

Each month Meachem has a different life skill to support character education.  Each Monday, the students watch a video on the life skill and have discussions around it at Morning Meeting each day.  

This month's life skill is 'PROBLEM SOLVING.'  Children that can manage problems positively and constructively are more self-confident and thrive in social situations.  They have fewer behavior problems and get along better with other people.  This enables them to do better in school and in relationships with friends and adults.  They also tend to have strong emotional health which gives them the ability to deal with life challenges and difficult events.  

Steps to Solving a Problem:

1. Understand the problem

2. Find different ways to solve the problem

3. Keep trying until it works

PAX Leaders of the Week

Each week classroom teachers choose one student per grade level that exhibit PAX characteristics of being 'Peaceful, Productive, Healthy and Happy' while they are here at Meachem.  This award is given to students that consistently follow the Meachem expectations and to students that have significant improvements in following expectations.  The PAX leader is recognized each Monday on the virtual morning announcements and is celebrated throughout the week.  

Congratulations to our February PAX Leaders:

Week of February 7th	Week of February 28th	Week of March 7th
K- Garrison D. 1st- Jolias T. 2nd -Mah'sai J. 3rd - Isaiah C. 4th - Sur'i I.  5th - Alexis H Specials Duane D.	K- Arianna A. 1st- Amir J.  2nd -Kylee B. 3rd -Messiah Y. 4th- Lavonna E. 5th- Jayden G. Specials- Nevada R.	K- Amaziah A. 1st- Kaydence G. 2nd -Lilith R. 3rd - Aliyah C. 4th- Journey G. 5th- Lovey W. Specials- Chance S.

Attendance Reminder

In order for your child to get everything they need at school they need to be here everyday, all day (unless they are sick).  Our school day is from 9:05- 2:55, our doors open at 8:50.  Please make sure you are doing your best to get your child her everyday.  

                       Every student, every day, never late it's the Meachem way!

NYS Assessments

This school year our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be taking the NYS Assessments for ELA and Math on the computer.  There are two sessions for each subject area; each session taking approximately 60 minutes.  

Meachem has been working hard to ensure that our students have the skills and confidence to perform to the best of their ability on the assessments.  We ask for your support, on testing days, please ensure your child:

• gets a good night's sleep
• eats a nutritious breakfast at home or school
• attends school on time
• keeps the same daily routines at home
• is encouraged to do their personal best  

	3rd Grade	4th Grade	5th Grade
ELA	Tue. March 29th Wed. March 30th	Thurs. March 31st Fri. April 1st	Mon. April 4th Tues. April 5th
Math	Tue. April 26th Wed. April 27th	Thurs. April 28th Fri. April 29th	Mon. May 2nd Tues. May 3rd

PTO

Mark your calendars for the March PTO meeting; it will be held on Tuesday, March 8th at 6:30.  PTO meets via Zoom each month- you can sign on by clicking the link that is sent out through Talking Points or go to bit.ly/MeachemPTOMar . The PTO is always looking for new members to join and help plan school events.  

This school year Meachem's PTO, in collaboration with ELMS's Family Crew, will be hosting our very first 'Mega Basket Raffle Event' on Friday, May 20th.  This is an event where tickets will be purchased in advance and on the day of, to bid on a basket of your liking.  For example, the more you like the basket the more tickets you would put in, in hopes that your ticket will be pulled so you can win the basket.  If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please email elms.meachem@gmail.com or call us at the main office, 315-435-4610.  

From the Main Office

Please call the main office when your contact information changes so we can update it on School Tool, 315-435-4610.

Communication: Talking Points

We are thrilled to see so many of our families using the TALKING POINTS app to communicate with teachers at Meachem.  If you have not done so yet, please download the app; it allows you to: 

• Communicate directly and efficiently with classroom teachers
• Communicate with school personal
• Read notices that get sent home from the classroom and the school
• Receive updated information from school quickly

 

Reminders for Winter Weather

Students go out each day unless there is rain or temperature that is below ten degrees. Please have your child wear appropriate clothing for the colder weather. Students will not be allowed to play in the snow without snow boots and snow pants. Please make sure that all outer clothing items are marked with your child’s name. If a child brings home an article of clothing that is not his/hers, please return it to school.

Important Dates:

Tuesday, March 8th: PTO via Zoom at 6:30 pm

Thursday, March 10th: Virtual Kindergarten Information Session

Tuesday, March 29th- Tuesday, April 5th: NYS ELA Assessments

Tuesday, April 5th: PTO via Zoom at 6:30 pm