Marshall Messenger
Week of October 5-9, 2020
Weekly Schedule

Monday - Cohort 1 Reports
Tuesday - Cohort 1 Reports
Wednesday - No children report.  All activities are synchronous and/or asynchronous as communicated through your child’s teacher.
Thursday - Cohort 2 Reports
Friday - Cohort 2 Reports
Important Dates
October 13 - MES PFA Meeting (Virtual), 10:15 a.m.
Activities Calendar Updates
A Message from the Principal’s Office

I cannot believe that October is actually here, and our school year at MES is now running smoothly as we have adjusted to our new learning model and school environment.  Our MES team thanks our students’ families for the positive, supportive emails to teachers.

Although many events have been canceled or postponed across the District due to COVID-19, we still have a goal of planning fun Halloween activities for the children.  Our parade is canceled due to our large student population, but thanks to our MES PFA and the creative ideas of our staff, we are in the process of finalizing those plans for the week of October 26th.  These plans will be more individualized and classroom-based rather than large school-wide events.  This will allow us to practice social distancing, but still have a little fun.

Once again, thank you MES families for all that you!  We appreciate your support.

Kindly,
Dr. Marc E. Thornton
Principal
Indoor Recess “Fun Bags” 

As we approach fall and winter months, there is a chance that students will have indoor recess.  During indoor recess students are limited in the activities they can do together because they also need to socially distance. Currently, they cannot share many common indoor recess supplies and games, and we want indoor recess to be an enjoyable 30 minutes. We are asking students to bring in a “Fun Bag” to be used only during indoor recess.  The items can be placed in a large Ziploc bag, and the student’s name should be written on the bag.  Each homeroom will store the “Fun Bags” in a location and are only to be used during indoor recess. These will not be taken outside. 
 
We are asking that parents monitor that the items placed in the “Fun Bag” are not items of great value or things that need to be transported back and forth to school. The items should be packed in the “Fun Bag” knowing the items will remain at school for several weeks and only be used by your child. After a few weeks of indoor recess, we will have the bags sent home and students can switch out the items. We are hopeful the students will look forward to the “Fun Bags," especially since indoor recess will not occur very often (fingers crossed).  
 
Here are some ideas (send other items as well): 
  • Playing cards (for individual games like solitaire)
  • Small individual LEGO sets
  • Small puzzles
  • Silly Putty/book (they can copy the pic onto the silly putty)
  • Play-Doh
  • Brain teasers, mysteries, riddle book (can read and solve with a friend)
  • Yo-Yo
  • Rubik's cube
  • Markers
  • Sticker Books
  • Crayons
  • Coloring Books
  • Yarn or bracelet making kits
  • Individual craft kits
  • Origami
  • Word search/puzzle books
  • Mini dry erase board and markers
  
NOTE: Please do not send anything that requires batteries.
MES Yearbook Challenge #3

Thank you MES families for your continued support! We truly appreciate your help in making sure the 20-21 yearbook will be something the kids treasure for many years to come.
 
It's time for Challenge #3 - Show Us Your School Space! Please click on the link below to learn more about it.
Let's Stay Connected, Marshall!

However your students are learning this year - at MES or with NACA - if you’re a MES family, we will be your parent group. For just $10 per child for the year you’ll have access to our online student directory for all MES families, receive all MES communications, and stay connected with the MES community. Our student directory has all the info you need to connect with other parents in your child's class - including emails and phone numbers - so you can share tips, and keep on top of schedules and assignments. Together we can do this Marshall!
Counselor's Corner
District Updates
Trick or Trot
Run Around NA

Step up to the challenge and walk, bike, or run together around all North Allegheny schools to support the mission of the North Allegheny Foundation! Our mission is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of North Allegheny Students. Together we can fund programs that benefit all our students!


  • STEP 2 - GET READY - Set-up your devices (Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Google Fit, Misfit & Strava), enter your miles online or download our iOS or Android apps.

  • STEP 3 – CELEBRATE - Receive your medal and event shirt. Participants are invited to cross the finish line in their Halloween costume and collect their Trick or Trot treats!

North Allegheny Foundation (NAF) is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the educational experiences at North Allegheny. We do this by providing grants to teachers and schools, support for NA Families facing homelessness and financial hardship, and scholarships to graduating seniors.
All Alumni Virtual Reunion

Join the NA Alumni Association for the first Virtual NA Alumni Reunion! Compete in a NA History Trivia game, enjoy a musical performance by the NASH Chorus, and celebrate with your NA Alumni pint glass only available through this event.
North Allegheny Special Education Parent Networking Group

The North Allegheny Special Education Parent Networking Group (NASEPNG - or PNG for short) holds monthly meetings for parents of children with IEPs, 504 plans, and other learning differences. All are welcome to join PNG for their online meeting! Our next meeting will be held on Friday, October 16 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
NASD Offers Free Meals for All Students Every Day

The USDA has recently approved school districts to offer free meals to all students for in-person and remote instruction. Breakfast and lunch (in-person or pickup) is free for all students. 
 
Details about meal ordering and pickup were sent to all families via email.
 
Meal pickup for consumption on remote learning days will be every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Meals can be picked up at HES, MES, IMS, NAI, or NASH (pickup location will be selected on the order form linked in your email). The deadline to order pickup meals will be every Friday.
 
If you have any questions, please email DiningServices@northallegheny.org.
Student Absences

This school year North Allegheny School District will be accepting student absence excuses electronically, through the Tyler SIS Parent Portal.

Student excuses will be submitted through an "E-Form," creating a touchless submission option for parents/guardians. This will reduce the amount of paper transmissions between parents/guardians, students, and our staff. Please review the directions to submit an electronic student excuse below and contact your student's building secretary with any questions. 
Resources
Missed a Newsletter?

All building newsletters are archived weekly on the North Allegheny website. This designated webpage will be updated with links to the previous week’s newsletters at the beginning of each school week by 11:30 a.m. A link to the archive is accessible on the District’s homepage and on each building’s homepage.
Community Flyers
The North Allegheny School District often receives requests for the distribution of athletics and approved non-profit community organization digital flyers. All requests for community flyers to be included in this newsletter must be submitted via email only at flyers@northallegheny.org. Flyers will only be posted and removed from the District website on Friday. Visit our website for details on how to submit flyers.
Building Contacts
Main Office - 724-935-4044
Nurse's Office - 724-934-6075
Counseling Office - 724-935-4044