Principal's Note:
Embracing the Seasons and Outdoor Learning
The shift from summer to fall is truly beautiful here in Mount Desert. With the cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage, we're taking full advantage of our beautiful campus for outdoor and garden learning. Please ensure your student brings extra footwear and a warm layer each day. This way, they'll be comfortable and ready for all the fresh air activities their teachers have planned!
Celebrating Kindness and Unity
October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and our community's signature event, Unity Day, is next Wednesday, October 22nd.
We invite everyone in the Mount Desert community—students, staff, parents, and neighbors—to wear orange that day as a visible symbol of kindness, inclusion, and unity. Please join us in front of MDES at 2:00 PM for a community photograph. The Mount Desert Fire Department plans to bring their ladder truck to capture a fantastic aerial shot of all our participants! We hope to see a sea of orange!
Halloween Parade Details
Our annual Halloween Parade will take place on Friday, October 31st, at 10:30 AM. Students are invited to bring a costume to change into at school before the parade.
Please remember that for the safety and comfort of all students, we ask that you adhere to the following costume guidelines: No weapons, masks, or blood are permitted.
If you plan to pick up your child directly after the parade, please stop at the main office first so we can properly dismiss your child from their classroom.
Parent/Teacher Conferences and 8th Grade Fundraiser
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held the week of November 3rd. You can sign up for your conference time with your child's teacher using the PTCFast link that is in this newsletter.
Our 8th grade class is excited to announce that they will be holding a dinner fundraiser (dine-in or take-out) on Monday, November 3rd, the first evening of conferences. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our students as they raise money for their end-of-year trip—stay tuned for menu and ordering details!
Important Transportation Update
Our revised transportation plan to address a temporary bus driver shortage will go into effect next Tuesday, October 21st.
We understand that this change is not ideal, and we sincerely hope it is only temporary while we work diligently to hire, certify, and train a new driver. Please know that your communication and collaborative problem-solving is always appreciated, and we will always do our best to support your family while also adhering to district policy, state law, and working within the constraints of time, geography, and available resources.
The updated routes, effective Tuesday October 21st, are below.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support of Mount Desert Elementary School!
