Hello again MBFS,

We are shaken by the abhorrent acts recently in Parkland, Florida. As the high school students and staff return to their school, their struggle is our struggle. It really does hit close to home. We all have so many questions: Are these acts preventable?  Are they reactions?  Are they microcosms of our own society in general, (as these acts are also taking places)?  Whatever the reason for these acts, we must continue to not only stress empathy, understanding of opinion and kindness to others, but as a school, or community in general be prepared the best way we can. This task is multi-layered, as we live in an open society and we don’t want our freedoms to be compromised.

At school we are all vigilant about students and staff. Our teachers, and student services staff are trained to handle crisis responses.  In fact our school community holds drills to prepare for emergencies all of the time.  We will continue to do so. When any student or staff member needs additional support we can provide community referrals too.  We will continue to take care of each other, and our students. 
I am asking for your continued help too.  I am humbled by the emails, telephone calls, and general conversations I have been part of.  I know that you want to help.  Lots of folks are suggesting the need for “enhanced security measures” like detectors at the entrance of every school, or police officers, retired veterans and other “enhanced security measures.” These are some of the most recent ideas.

Let’s wrap your arms around our school.  If we arm our schools with people like you, you can help our children build a country where these acts of violence become nothing more than a dim and distant memory…not a seemingly everyday tragedy.
How can you help?  Mentor a student, or work in a classroom. Contact our community involvement liaison Stacie Allen at 727.547.7697 to learn about that.  Or volunteer here at school. We have opened up a number of jobs, and locations where we can use your extra eyes throughout the day.  We could use your help in the mornings and afternoon with covering some of the gates on campus and help with the parking lot.   If you are willing to help out for two mornings or afternoons a month, or longer if you can, you will receive membership credit for the month of March.  You would need to be at school for about a half an hour each shift.  You do not need to be a Level II volunteer but you must be a registered volunteer that has reactivated their focus account for this school year.  If you need help with this please contact our Family & Community Liaison, Stacie Allen.
Please look at what is available and sign up if you are able.  You would need to sign in at the middle side front office when you arrive in order to receive your March Membership credit. Click the link below.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0449A8AA28A64-march1

And finally, if your child uses social media, please use this as an opportunity to remind your child of appropriate social media use. Please monitor the information they are sharing with their peers. Social media tends to feed rumors.  However please remember to “Say something, if you see something.”

Sincerely,

Mr. Chris Ateek,
Principal

Important Announcements for April:

Attention Graduating Seniors from class of ‘18

Did you attend Madeira Beach Fundamental?  Do you know a graduating c/o ’18 senior who attended MBFS? If so, we would love to have you (them) come back to Madeira Beach and walk with our graduating kindergarten class on Tuesday, May 22^nd, 2018 at 7:15am.  A breakfast will be provided for you.

If you are able to participate, please RSVP by using the sign-up link below:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0449a8aa28a64-madeira
                                         OR
contact Stacie Allen, Family & Community Liaison at 727.547.7697 or allensta@pcsb.org by Thursday, May 17th.

Wear your cap and gown and walk with the 2018 graduating class of kindergartens in our campus parade starting at 8:30am. 

April General Membership Meeting Opportunities...thank you!

1. SAC April 10th, 5:30pm
We will hold our SAC/ Parent University meeting at 5:30 pm. Look out for a list of Parent University Sessions in the next week. 

2. PTSA, April 16, 5:30pm or 7:00pm  *** There are two PTSA Meetings you can choose from.

****For SAC or PTSA meeting credit, you must arrive no more than 15 minutes from the start of the meeting opportunity you attend, and remain for the entirety of the meeting.  Parking will be tight so arrive early, and available to you on our middle grades pe field.  General membership meeting cards will be found in our media center for sign in.

3. April 26, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Families can earn April membership credit by giving back to our school community.  Our school partners across the street do so much for MBFS, so we want to give back to them.  From 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, you can go into one store/restaurant and patronize that establishment and you will earn your meeting credit for the month of April. There will be a staff member sitting near a door with a sign in sheet as you leave.  Locations to be announced.  Stay tuned!

4. Other Mtg. Credit opportunities:

• Are you interested in earning meeting credit without attending a night time meeting?  Our IAC needs you!  Be a part of the IAC committee that meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  You do not have to attend all meetings...serve when you can.  Please email Mrs. Ivy (ivyd@pcsb.org) or Mrs. Crandall (crandallb@pcsb.org) to be added to the list of IAC volunteers.  Serving on two IAC meetings equals one month’s meeting credit.

• You could receive General Membership Credit for lending a helping hand in the mornings and/or afternoons!!  We could use your help in the mornings and afternoons with covering some of the gates or assisting in the parking lot on campus.  If you are willing to help two mornings a month (or more if available) you will receive membership credit for the month of February.  You would need to be on campus for about half an hour per shift.  You do not need to be a Level II volunteer, but you MUST be a registered volunteer that has activated their FOCUS account for this school year.  If you need help registering/activating your account, please contact our Family & Community Liaison, Stacie Allenat 727.547.7697.  To sign up for one or multiple shifts, click on the link below:
  
  

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0449A8AA28A64-april1