Welcome to Mendon Center Elementary School! Members of the PTSA have contributed ideas for this page to help families quickly acclimate to the school. We hope you find it helpful and welcome suggestions for adding information for parents.

Students can pack a lunch, buy a lunch with cash, or money can be added to a lunch “debit” card. Lunch cards are kept at school and handed out when a student buys lunch. To put money on this card, visit My School Bucks. Parents may have lunch with their children. Sign in at the front desk, get a visitor sticker and meet your child in the cafeteria (please do not go to their classroom). ***This has been restricted following Covid** Lunch/Recess Schedule Grade K: Recess 11:45 - 12:05, Lunch 12:10- 12:30 Grade 1: Recess 10:55 - 11:15, Lunch 11:20 - 11:40 Grade 2: Lunch 10:55- 11:15, Recess 11:20 - 11:40 Grade 3: Lunch 11:45- 12:05, Recess 12:10- 12:30 Grade 4: Lunch 1:00- 1:20, Recess 12:35- 12:55 Grade 5: Lunch 12:35 - 12:55, Recess 1:00- 1:20

Mendon Center Elementary School is often referred to as MCE. It is the largest in both building size and number of students of the 5 elementary schools in the district, with approximately 650-700 students in grades K-5. Most grade levels have 5 classes.

Alison Schueckler, 585-301-8295

Occasionally there may be opportunities to volunteer in your child's classroom. This is class specific and depends on grade level and teacher. Contact the room parents for more information. There are also opportunities to volunteer for PTSA sponsored events and programs. Read the MCEXpress, our weekly newsletter, or visit the Volunteer Opportunities Page to learn more about these opportunities.

Each classroom has two volunteer room parents. Requests from the PTSA Room Parent Chair for room parent volunteers starts in August. If you are interested in volunteering for this position please submit your request here: Room Parent Volunteer Request Room parents organize classroom friendship lists, classroom volunteer opportunities, teacher appreciation gifts, etc.

MCE has the largest ASE program of all the elementary schools. Only MCE students can attend MCE ASE activities. To view programs and register, visit the ASE page.

MCE requires permission slips to inform the school about your child's comings and goings, if it differs from normal routines. This includes things such as appointments during school hours and after school activities at school. Permission slips can be obtained through the main office.

The MCE student directory can be found online Student Directory. To be included, families must submit their contact information online. The directory is also used to create and update Class Friendship Lists. Families use the Class Friendship List for birthday invites, playdates, etc. and some teachers use it for communicating class information.

MCE’s PTSA is very active in organizing/supporting many programs at MCE and throughout the district. Family membership is only $17 and covers all students in your family attending a school in the district. You are not committing to attending meetings or volunteering for a committee when paying dues. You are simply helping PTSA raise the money that is used to support many things for our children. Visit the Membership page to see the many programs supported by PTSA. Join PTSA

All Grades: Parents/guardians are required to enter the building to sign in/out their child if arriving late, leaving early, or leaving the building for any reason during normal school hours. Note: morning announcements start at 8:40am; if your child arrives at school after 8:40am, they will be considered late for school.

MCE Main Number: 585-267-1400 You will most likely speak with Sarah Hanford, Martha Pradhan, or Laurie Aldred. Heath Office: 585-267-1440 Bus Garage: 585-267-1480 Attendance Line: 585-267-1409 If your child is going to be absent from school, you must report it through the attendance line.

This is the MCE PTSA website. Do not confuse it with the Pittsford Central School District Website. They are maintained independently, although they do share ideas and link to each other. The District PTSA website and the MCE PTSA website are maintained by the Pittsford PTSA volunteers and provides information about PTSA sponsored programs, as well as helpful information about our school. The District website is maintained by District employees and focuses on district information. Bookmark these pages for quick reference: MCE PTSA Home Page District PTSA Home Page School District Home Page

Stay informed with weekly E-News and Updates. It is recommended that you register for the following PTSA lists: Mendon Center E-News (known as the MCExpress; published weekly on Fridays), District PTSA E-news (published every second week on Tuesdays) Other PTSA groups of interest Subscribe Register for School District Updates

Art, gym, library, computer and music. Each day your child will have one or more special. Your classroom teacher will send this schedule home early in the school year. Children in 4th and 5th grades are required to bring in a change of clothing for gym class and will be assigned a locker.

In the spring, the building principal sends home a form via your child's Take Home Folder requesting family input. The purpose of collecting input is to place students into the environment that best suits them. Families can’t request to have (or not have) a specific teacher. Current year teachers also provide feedback to the principal to help make the best choice for each child. A week or two before school starts, families receive a welcome back packet with teacher assignment and back to school information.

There are Lost and Found containers in the MCE cafeteria (located is in the basement of the school) and in the district transportation office (located directly across the parking lot from the MCE main entrance).

Refer to the School District Calendar for important dates and times, including early dismissal days. The calendar will note the time school ends on these days. If your child rides the bus, it should take your child an equitable amount of time to get home on the bus as it takes them on a regular day. For Kindergarteners, some Early Dismissal days are a no school day, while others are a regular day. The school usually sends home reminders about these days to avoid confusion. Read the updates carefully.

Visit the Program Directory for more information about the following programs. Kindergarten - No school-sponsored or PTSA-sponsored activities available. 1st Grade After School Enrichment, Sponsored by PTSA Running Feet, Sponsored by PTSA (during recess, weather permitting) 2nd Grade After School Enrichment, Sponsored by PTSA Running Feet, Sponsored by PTSA (during recess, weather permitting) 3rd Grade - After School Enrichment, Sponsored by PTSA Newspaper Club (Thursdays, Mrs. Carpin) Running Feet, Sponsored by PTSA (during recess, weather permitting) Turkey Trot (November, Ms. Moon) 4th Grade Chorus (Tuesdays, Mrs. Malloy) Helping Hands, Sponsored by Student Council (during lunch 1x/mo) Newspaper Club (Thursdays, Mrs. Carpin) Odyssey of the Mind (Joyce Bernard) Recorder Club (Wednesdays, Mrs. Malloy) Running Feet, Sponsored by PTSA (during recess, weather permitting) Student Council (voted on by students) (Fridays 2x/mo 8:30am, Mrs. Mitchell & Ms. Weeks) Turkey Trot (November, Ms. Moon) 5th Grade Band (Wednesdays/Fridays, Mrs. Regan) Book Store (helpers selected by teachers) (Mrs. Hosbach & Ms. Egan) Chorus (Thursdays, Mrs. Malloy) Helping Hands, Sponsored by PTSA (during lunch 1x/mo) Newspaper Club (Thursdays, Mrs. Carpin) Odyssey of the Mind (Joyce Bernard) Orchestra (Mondays, Mrs. Goluses) Recorder Club (Wednesdays, Mrs. Malloy) Running Feet, Sponsored by PTSA (during recess, weather permitting) Safety Patrol (selected by teachers) (2 or 3 times/week 8:25am) Ski Club (Mondays in Jan/Feb, Mrs. Malloy) Student Council (voted on by students) (Fridays 2x/mo 8:30am, Mrs. Mitchell & Ms. Weeks) Turkey Trot (November, Ms. Moon)

Hot lunches cost $4.00 (subject to change from year to year) and include milk. A menu with daily selections is sent home at the beginning of each month. Fruit and yogurt, salad bar and a bagel box are also offered on a daily basis. Parents are encouraged to sign up for an online for a debit card on MySchoolBucks.com. Please contact the school if your children have allergies or with questions.

In the spring, PTSA organizes Teacher Appreciation Day. Room parents will contact families and ask them to consider donating a small amount per child. This is voluntary and it is NOT allowed to be more than $5. With this money, they will organize a class gift for the teacher(s) in your child's class. Recent NYS tax laws state that gifts worth a total of $75 or more received from students have to be reported as extra earnings by the teachers. Over the holidays, some parents choose to send in cookies or other small tokens to show their appreciation. This is voluntary and again should not be a costly gift.

A school information packet will be sent out mid- August with details regarding visiting the school/classroom prior to the first day.

Elizabeth Woods is the Director of Special Education and can be reached at 267-1014. Pittsford SEPTA (Special Education PTA) is a district-wide committee within the PTSA of Pittsford Central School District. SEPTA exists for the benefit of students whose needs and requirements are outside the general education domain. As a committee, we seek to inform, support, and advocate for the unique and diverse learning needs of our students. Our hope is that children receiving special education services will be better understood, integrated, and embraced by their schools and communities. Visit the SEPTA page for more information. QUEST“Quality Education: Support It Today” is a forum for educating parents and discussing the academic and social-emotional needs of high-ability learners in the Pittsford district. Visit the QUEST page for more information

Bring a drivers license or photo ID when visiting. Anyone entering the school must use the main entrance and sign in at the office before entering the building. All other doors are locked during the school day. Visitors are required to wear a visitor sticker at all times while in the building.

The MCExpress is published most Sunday mornings, except around some holidays. Email the editor at mcexpress@pittsfordptsa.net by Friday at noon to have your writeup included in the next MCExpress.

Newcomers have an opportunity to ask questions at monthly MCE PTSA meetings. These meetings are a great opportunity to meet parents at the school. Contact the PTSA Newcomer Representative for dates and detailed information.

Siblings are always welcome to PTSA sponsored events. If volunteering for a classroom activity, it is best to check with the teacher before bringing siblings in.

The District PTSA and MCE PTSA support many programs, both financially and/or with volunteers. Without your membership dues and time, these programs wouldn't be possible. MCE PTSA supports a wide range of programs: Student Activities & Programs • After School Enrichment • Art Ambassador - 2 or 3 times per year • Cultural Arts: Field Trips & Visiting Author • Running Feet • Science Action - 2 or 3 times per year School Events • Welcome Back Picnic - September • Fifth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony • School Pictures - October • International Day (every 2nd year, next one 2023) • STEM Day (every 2nd year, next one 2024) MCE PTSA Fundraisers • Book Fair • MCE Spirit Wear • Membership* • Square 1 Art • Super Sale* * District PTSA Fundraisers benefit all Pittsford Central School District schools. Communications • MCE PTSA Webpages • MCExpress e-Newsletter • Parent-Teacher Communication Folders ("take-home folders") Child Advocacy Parent Representative • Health & Safety • Independent Leadership Team • Learning Needs Liaison SEPTA • Learning Needs Liaison QUEST MCE School & Teacher Support • Celebrate with a Book • Playground Volunteers Coordination (POP) • Room Parent Coordination • Teacher/Staff Recognition Special Projects • Library Reading Programs • MCE Student Directory • Yearbook

Girl Scouts: Girl Scout troops start in kindergarten. Visit the Girl Scouts website for more information: Girl Scouts Cub Scouts: Cub Scout Dens start in kindergarden and are open to all genders. Visit the Scouting website for more information: Boy Scouts

Pittsford has a vibrant community, offering many services and events. The school district, PTSA and community organizations work collaboratively to offer students extended services and opportunities beyond school. Visit the Partner page links on the MCE or District PTSA website.

Pittsford has many sporting clubs. Here are a few that may be of interest: Pittsford Mustangs - Developmental and travel soccer leagues Pittsford Little League - Fall and spring programs and leagues. Pittsford Community Lacrosse Inc.- Several programs for boys and girls starting in kindergarten CYP Basketball Pittsford Volleyball League- for 3rd-6th graders