Middie News - November 2026

Posted Date: 10/30/26 (07:49 AM)

MIDDIE NEWS

Middlebury Elementary School - November 2026

OUR MISSION

The mission of Middlebury Elementary School, in cooperation with family and community, is to develop compassionate, productive, and responsible citizens and life-long learners.

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

2 - PTO JIMMY JOHN'S GIVE BACK DAY

4 - HAPPY DAY CLUB, PICKUP 3:10 PM

11 - HAPPY DAY CLUB, PICKUP 3:10 PM

13 - MOBILE DENTIST

17 - SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 4:00 PM

18 - HAPPY DAY CLUB, PICKUP 3:10 PM

18 - PTO MEETING 3:30 PM

19 - WEAR YOUR BLUE NO BULLY SHIRT

20 - ALL SCHOOL PIZZA PARTY

25/26/27- NO SCHOOL, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

News from Mr. Hostetler, our Principal

I hope you all had a wonderful fall break! Fall brings colder weather, so make sure your child is dressed for the colder weather. We ask that shorts aren't worn from fall break to spring break. We go outside for recess unless the temperature drops below 15 degrees with windchill. If you don't have hats, gloves, snow pants, or a winter coat for your child contact the school and we will help with those needs.

Thank you to everyone that made it to our parent/teacher conferences. This gives our staff a wonderful opportunity to get to know you and your child better. Our goal at MES is to partner with you so each child can be successful.

A BIG THANKS to everyone who helped make this year's Scholastic Book Fair a success. A special thank you goes out to the book fair lead volunteer, Mrs. Alisha Jones! The Book Fair will return in the spring to give you another chance to get new books for your child and the school. More details will come in April.

If you have any questions at any time, don't hesitate to call the school at 574-825-2158.

News from Mr. Peery, our School Counselor

Holiday Help

The holiday seasons can be extra fun but they can also be stressful. I have many resources that would like to "adopt" a family to help buy presents and ease some of the financial burden that this time of year can bring. If you are interested in getting some help this year, please feel free to reach out to me and I would be happy to help make the holidays a little easier.

Contact: Ben Peery, School Counselor

ParentSquare

peeryb@mcsin-k12.org

(574) 825-2158

A school spirit wear order form displays various clothing items, logos, colors, and prices.

Middie Wear Orders

Don't forget that online orders for Middie Wear are due on November 1st!

Other orders are due Monday, November 2nd.

News from Mrs. Gleim, our Nurse

The mobile dentist will be coming to school on November 13th. There is still time to sign up if you have not yet done that. Contact me for a form.

Please keep a seasonally appropriate change of clothes in your child's backpack. Accidents happen, there can be spills in the cafeteria, and the playground can be wet and muddy. The clinic is running low on several sizes (especially for little boys) and may not have clothes to share.

Middlebury Schools is always looking for substitute nurses! If you or someone you know is interested, I would love to talk with you!

1st Quarter Mighty Middies

Four children proudly hold up their "Mighty Middle Award" certificates in a school gymnasium.

Third Grade

Angela Zehr, Lanae Stutzman, Colton Williams, Jett Petersen

Four children proudly hold up Mighty Middle Award certificates in front of a blue wall featuring a mascot illustration.

Second Grade

Gabriel Hooks, Oliver Jones, Harper Bender, Macy Lambright

Four children proudly hold up their "Mighty Middle Award" certificates in front of a blue gym wall with a sailor mascot.

1st Grade

Orion Miller, Amelia Miller, Danylo Kundeus, Madelyn Bontrager

Four children proudly hold up their Mighty Middle Award certificates in front of a blue wall featuring a large mascot drawing.

Kindergarten

Taelynn Owen, Lucas Lehman, Allison Miller, Brian Bontrager

Thank you to everyone who supported our pizza fundraiser!

A person covered in pink and blue silly string stands in the middle of a gymnasium basketball court, waving to the camera.

A Fun Reward!

Students who sold 30 or more pizzas got to spray Mr. Hostetler with silly string!

Three young girls proudly hold up award certificates in front of a blue wall featuring a large sailor mascot illustration.

Top Sellers

3rd place - Kenzie Shrock

2nd place - Preslee Clark

1st place - Miah Yoder

Background Checks

To better protect the safety of our students, Middlebury schools changed our policy on background checks. There was a letter explaining this new process in everyone's grey registration folder. The standard free background check will still apply to most instances for visiting or volunteering. However, if you would like to chaperone field trips, there is now a higher level screening that has a $5.00 fee. This screening is good for two years. Background checks are good across all Middlebury schools - if you have students in multiple buildings, you do NOT need to do multiple background checks. Due to the nature of the new screening process, ALL background checks need to be filled out online. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping keep the safety of our students a top priority. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Link to Background Check

Music News from Mr. Loar

2026 -2027 Music Program Dates

Second Grade - December 10, 2026 @ 6PM

Third Grade - March 18, 2027 @ 6PM

First Grade - May 6, 2027 @ 6PM

Physical Education News from Mrs. Frey

Gym Shoes

Reminder, your child needs to have a pair of gym shoes that they leave here at school to be able to participate in PE class. If you need assistance with gym shoes, please contact me or Mrs. Gleim. Thank you,

A library sign with a nautical theme, featuring sailboats, an anchor, and text reading "This Month in the Library We Are Reading Books About: Gratitude."

PTO News & Updates

💙 THANK YOU, MES FAMILIES! 💙

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated food, supplies, or their time to help with our PTO Teacher Dinners during Parent-Teacher Conferences! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide meals for our amazing teachers during those long conference days. We are so thankful for our MES families and the many ways you continue to support our staff and school! 💙

🧣COMING SOON… MIDDIE BLANKETS!🧣

Something cozy is coming! 💙

Be on the lookout for information about our next PTO fundraiser — Middie Blankets!

Fundraiser information will be coming home in student folders later this month, so keep an eye out!

📅 WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH PTO?

We’d love to have you join us! PTO meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at the school. Childcare is available for school-aged children!

💙 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MES!

Every fundraiser, Give Back Day, donation, volunteer hour, and act of support helps PTO do more for our students, teachers, and school community.

We appreciate our Middie families!

— Middlebury Elementary PTO

A flyer for a Jimmy John's Give Back Day on Monday, November 2nd, benefiting Middlebury Elementary.

JIMMY JOHN’S GIVE BACK DAY — NOVEMBER 2 — ALL DAY!

Make lunch or dinner easy AND support Middlebury Elementary PTO! A percentage of sales will go back to MES PTO to help support our students and teachers!

A welcome flyer for Ellie Smittendorf, Building Assistant at Middlebury Elementary, featuring her photo and introduction.

MIDDIE STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Meet Ellie Smittendorf, Building Assistant!

News from the Middie Cafe

Join us on November 11th for a red, white, and blue treat to celebrate Veteran's Day. Don't forget to thank a Veteran for their service! The 18th is Mickey Mouse's birthday. Join us for a Mickey themed lunch! November 23rd will be our Thanksgiving meal with a special treat.

Link to November Breakfast Menu

Link to November Lunch Menu

Afternoon Transportation Changes

If you need to change how your child will be going home (for example, being picked up instead of riding the bus), please send a note in your child's backpack or contact the office as soon as possible during the day. The office can get very busy towards the end of the day - especially the first few days of school - and the earlier we know the better. Thank you!

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to be in school except in cases of emergency, illness, or school-approved absences. Parents should call the school office on the day a student is absent (825-2158). The school will call home if no parent contact is made by 8:30 AM. A doctor's statement may be required for an extended illness. If your child cannot go out for recess, he/she must bring a doctor's note stating the reason for being excused. Extended absences from P.E. will require a doctor's statement.

Wrestling Club

Are you looking for a way to get your child active during the winter months?

Late Start Wednesday

Just a reminder that Wednesdays are LATE START days. Every Wednesday we will start at 8:05. Busses will arrive about 25 minutes later than other days and our doors will open 25 minutes later than other days.