December 1, 2014

Dear Florida Mesa Families,

As we embrace the holiday season we recognize that nearly half of our school year is complete! With

tremendous effort from students, families, and staff, Florida Mesa is on track for a highly successful

school year. We have much to be thankful for, much to celebrate, and much to look forward to in the

upcoming weeks.

Unified Improvement Plan: For the 2016-17 school year we have four major improvement strategies

in place. They are as follows:

1. Implement a guaranteed and viable curriculum as outlined in curriculum maps in ELA,

math, science and social studies to ensure all students achieve at least one year’s worth of

growth or more, if needing to catch up.

2. Develop and implement a common instructional framework to ensure all students

achieve one year’s growth or more if needing to catch up.

3. Develop and implement an assessment system that gathers evidence, determining if a

student has made at least one year’s growth or more if needing to catch up.

4. Develop school environments that are positive, productive, safe, caring, and engaging for

students and adults where discipline referrals decline as attendance rates and academic

achievement increase.

The staff is working diligently to address each of these key areas. As I visit classrooms I see students

who are interested, curious, and who understand that their education is important. Yippee!

Academic Benchmark: The middle of the school year is an important time for educators to determine

students’ academic levels, so that we can make decisions about how we can support our learners for the

remainder of the school year. Next week we are assessing student reading. We noticed that each stu-

dent is growing in areas such as fluency and re-telling. Additionally, in the coming weeks we will give

students the assessments in other core areas to monitor progress toward the most important grade level

standards.

Warm Clothing: As we move to the winter months please remember we spend each morning as well a

daily recess, outside. Please dress your child accordingly. We also have a great deal of lost and found

items including winter coats, hats and gloves. Please remind your children to gather their items and use

them during our recesses.

Thank you for choosing Florida Mesa as your child’s school. The staff is dedicated to the academic,

social, and emotional success of each student, and we appreciate your critical role in our school commu-

nity. During this busy, and often, stressful time of the year, remember to take the time to relax with

your loved ones and celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of your children.

Best regards,

Vanessa Fisher, Principal

Shannon Morris, Assistant Principal

Mustang Messenger

December

2016

Calendar of Events

December

12/14

PTO Meeting 8:00-9:00

12/16

Escalante Choir/Band

Concert @ 9:00 am

12/19-12/30

Winter Break

NO SCHOOL

1/4

SAC Meeting 8:00-9:00

The mission of Florida Mesa Elementary, an innovative learning community, committed to integrity and educational rigor, it to

inspire, and develop compassionate, open-minded inquirers, who actively contribute to a better world, by guaranteeing equitable

opportunities in a safe, healthy and diverse environment

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

R.I.D.E.THE

MUSTANG

Represent Mustang Spirit By…

Interacting Respectfully...

Demonstrating Responsibility…

Ensuring Safety...

Strong Study Habits My third grader has to spend more time studying this year. How can I make sure she stud-ies effectively?

Set your daughter up for suc-cess by helping her find a dis-traction-free study spot. Also, have her come up with a study routine. For instance, she could reserve time each evening to re-view her textbook and notes in the days leading up to a test or quiz. Also, many students find it help-ful to jot down a purpose each time they study. Your child might write: “I will learn the defi-nitions of all the boldfaced words in chapter 7, section 1.” Finally, encourage her to experi-ment with study strategies to find what works best. She could close her eyes and imagine how a word is spelled or draw a grid with 9 squares to solve 3 x 3. Or she might find it easier to spell or recite math facts aloud in rhythm or to a familiar tune.

Please remem-

ber to check

lost and found

on a regular ba-

sis for your

student’s miss-

ing items!

As this beautiful fall weather turns to winter, please make sure you send your child with adequate winter clothes. We all love to go outside, play in the snow and get fresh air. If your student has

out grown a winter jacket, and it is gen-tly used, please wash it and bring it in to

trade it for a bigger one.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who gave items for the

“Turkey Drive”!! It was a great success for our

Florida Families!!

From the School Based Health Center

The SBHC has flu vaccines availa-ble if your student still needs one, call 385-1168 for an appointment

of if you have any questions.

Wishing you and your family a happy and safe holiday!

Animals of the World As of November 2016

1. Polar Bear Crow Harr Heaven Markum Abigail Reeder Timber Zink Jayda Archuletta Lily Bryan Nathan Ciluffo

Ramon Lujan Marybelle McClanahan Aspen Moore Orin Standing

Ryker Ament Isabel Archuleta Leylaquin Blair

Leah Foutz Dru Jones Makenna Lancaster Karmen Martinez Kimbree Simmons Larry Haddon

Kaden Oliver Adrian Putnam Benaiah Simmons Giovanni Sosa-Ramirez Bia Costa Griffin McCroskey Brian Medina

Angelique Page-Wright Albert Piccoli Tristen Reed-Eanes June Scheid Jackson Stein Ava Silva Clio Bendell

Maryann Fassett Han Grunert Angelina Hernandez Gabrielle Jones Dominic Shawcroft Evans

Colton Zelitti Jessa Archuletta

Aliana Campos

Anthony Jack Adrian Martinez Travis Peterson Garrett Scott William Shawcroft-Majeski

Braylie Simmons

Phoenix Wallace Mariah Zuflet Isaiah Aguilar Isadora Brubaker Priscilla Cabanez Makenzie Hjermstad Nolen Holland

Grace Howell Benjamin Lively Marten Mertes-Yeager

Which animal have you read to? Minnie Jack

Malayka Medina Brooklyn Messier Nizhoni Reece

Jacob Roberts Tye Woodson Vincent Zufelt Gabe Archuleta Sophia Garcia Violet Jameson Reynna Loos

Eddie Salazar

LaVinia Summa Bryce Toppin Addison Zelitti Kylie Burke Leith Davis

Nick Estrada Briana France Donny Hacker Landon Jeep Oren Moore Cyan Stephens Cole Perkins

Julian Reeves Jasper Warren Jace Alexander Rhoni Parks

Grace-lyn Lyda Ashden Tallbrother Haedyn Mohar-Rodriguez

Amy Day

Ms. Maureen

Ms. Compton

Mr. Max

Mrs. Morris

Mrs. Salkeld

Ms. Tonia

2. Monk Seal Ellie Peterson Layla Ashburn Riley Magee Sebastian Matava

Lucy Larsen Lincoln Lee Laiken Baca Ronaldo Hinojos Brooke Schtakleff Oliver Nez Luke Nichols

Mackenzie Aguilar Kendall Brandt Frankie Golbricht Cora McCroskey Lucian Morgan Jacob Mosher Jack Womack

Audrey Toppin

Layla Miller-Landrus Anthony Robles Zoie Costa Mackenzie Cumberledge

Shianne France Davin Jennings Liliauna Johnson Lastani Long Angeline Montoya Gabriella Aguilar Drexden Blair

Lillian Ciluffo

Serenity Demarest Archer McCroskey Brandon Mietchen Daniel Mietchen Ian Rodriguez

Amelia Rogers Kalena Allen Milagro Berry Montoya Aliana Bogarin Preston Brizzee Jenna Glueck Lauren Harwood

CJ Holmes Layla Kelly Maily Lancaster Antonio Martinez

Raymond Mendoza Lindsi Parsons Miles Snow

Britton Burgess Jocelyn Coellen Mariah Galeegos Bailey Gaskins Allister Shawcroft-Majeski Gracelen Simmons

Ellyas Stephens Ayden Brandt Allison Cannon Katelyn Chadborn Aubrey Kasnoff Connie Moreno Hazel Piccoli

Xavier Sutherlin Orin Thompson Kayla Torres Asa Vermette Elizabeth Wancura Ava Allen Joshua Fanning

Brock Fassett Parker Golbricht Ella McKeon Cole Pontine Victor Sosa Ramirez Kali Torres

Derian Aguilar Raymond Davis

Malia Summa Bhrett Palmer Bree Simmoins Alexa Bedonie

Max Magee Max Schtakleff Eric Peterson Keaton Woodson Nathan Mosher Maizy Nichols Quincy Terrill

Kate Baker

Kaleb Roberts Koralea Brown Kynlee Hadden Logan Wagner Margaret Taylor

Nevaeh Albo Maddison Robinson Jael Rios Shylene Drumm River Garlington Brooklyn Osborn Irelyn Livingston

Marley Lowe Braedon Brown Cordelia Shannon Keegan Wilson

Karissa Clark Kanaan Garlington Lyla Lake

Mrs. Fisher

Mr. Goring

Ms. Laura

Mrs. McMunn

Ms. Sands

Greyson Harrison Baileigh Foster William Jefferies Lily Brown

Caleb O’Reilly Nicholas Lee

3. Giant Panda Canaan Burgess Darion Allen Clayton Bollinger Harper Burgess Makenna Bard Flint Gervais Hunter Osborn

John Womack Isaiah Wood Nathaniel Ellis Lydia Orlowski

4. Hairy Nosed

Wombat Tayton Miller Kai Harris Cara Bard

Adrien Williams Laina Martinez Elizabeth O’Reilly

5. Blue Whale David Woytek

Mrs. Jeter

Mrs. Newman

6. Mountain

Gorilla Alexa Vaughan Adaya Kent McKennon Ingle

7. Jaguar Yuna Harris Emily McVaugh

Mr. Tidwell

Our Annual Christmas Dinner Drive will be happening until December 14th.

Please watch for information in the lobby!! Thank you for making this a successful event to help others in our

community!

Escalante’s Choir & Band

will be here on Friday,

December 16th for a great

Christmas performance

starting at 9:00 am.

Please join us!

Our Harvest Carnival Earnings went

towards our very own ukuleles!!

Hip Hip hooray for us!

This year as a way to support Project Merry Christmas we will be

collecting items for our Hat and Mitten Tree in the lobby.

On Fridays in December (2nd, 9th & 16th) you may where a hat in

the building all day, when you bring a canned good to donate.

No School: Holiday Break Dec 19—Dec 30

Martin Luther King Day Jan 16

Professional Day Jan 23

Remember Early Release on

Mondays at 1:20 pm