Matthews Elementary PTO

Here's what's in this week's PTO Newsletter:

-Yearbook Delivery
-End-of-Year Celebrations
-School Supply Kits
-PTO Volunteer Opportunities

MES PTO Newsletter_25-26 Check out this design designed by Lindsay Rutherford.

Here's your weekly Principal's Update:
___

Good afternoon, Matthews ES Families! This is Penni Beth Crisp with your Weekly Update. We are so proud of our staff and students who worked so hard and persevered through two challenging days of testing. Most students were able to finish the reading test on Friday. Due to the technical challenges, the EOG test schedule has changed. The new schedule is as follows: Monday-EOG Math (Grades 3-5), Tuesday-EOG Science (Grade 5 only), Wednesday-EOG Reading Retest, Thursday-EOG Math Retest, Friday-EOG Science Retest. Retests are optional. Families will be made aware if their child needs to be retested. If there are any changes to the schedule, we will send out additional updates. Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. Testing should be over by 12:00 PM. All students need to be at school, on time to begin testing with their class. Students who are late will have to take a makeup test. Please keep all morning routines the same for students, but ensure they get plenty of rest. Our schedule for lunch and specials will be different on testing days. We ask that families do not come to lunch on Monday or Tuesday as our schedule will still be different due to testing. Students who are in grades 3-5 cannot be dismissed early until testing is over for the day. We cannot call in the classrooms during testing so please plan any appointments accordingly. Reteaching will occur after testing each day.

As we are nearing the end of school, please continue to reinforce the importance of students doing their best, completing their work, and showing excellent behavior and character. This time of year is very exciting for students and we want everyone to finish the year strong.

End-of-year class celebrations begin this week. K-2 classes will have their celebration on Friday at 1:30 PM. Grades 3-5 classes will have their celebrations on Monday, June 8th, at 1:30 PM. Please note that families are welcome to attend EOY celebrations. All visitors must have a photo ID and sign in through the new Raptor program to enter the building. Please allow time for the sign-in process and be patient as we get everyone signed in on these days.

Looking ahead, the last day of school is on Wednesday, June 10th. If your child has medication(s) in the nurse’s office, all medications must be retrieved by 3:00 PM on the last day of school. All medications must be securely destroyed after this time. Reach out to Nurse Surelle with any questions.

Thank you for your continued support! Have a great evening!

Upcoming Events:

6/2 Yearbook Delivery

6/5 1:30 K-2 EOY Celebrations-families invited to attend

6/8 1:30 3-5 EOY Celebrations-families invited to attend

6/9 9:00 5th Grade Promotion Practice-First Baptist Matthews-staff and students only

6/10 8:30 5th Grade Promotion-First Baptist Matthews, Last Day of School, Report Cards Home

Link to the C.R.O.W.N Experience Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/aEJAp4xbVwKMRHvT6

*Please complete this form if you would like to share positive feedback about a staff member or the school.

It is time to complete the Intent to Ride form for the 2026-27 school year!



If your student will ride the bus starting on the first day of school, August 25, 2026, please complete the Intent to Ride form by June 5, 2026. Registering now helps us build efficient bus routes, reduce delays and ensure your student is ready for transportation on the first day of school.



Click the following link to answer the form: https://www.cmsk12.org/operations/transportation-services/about-transportation



You can also click the Intent to Ride banner on your school or the district homepage to get started. Register today to help us better serve your students!

About Transportation - CMS strives to create an innovative, inclusive, student-centered environment that supports the development of independent learners.

Here's what's new and notable in this week's PTO Newsletter:
What’s New This Edition

Yearbook Delivery
End-of-Year Celebrations
School Supply Kits

MES PTO Newsletter_25-26 Check out this design designed by Lindsay Rutherford.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last 3 day weekend of the school year! Here's your weekly update!
_____

Good afternoon, Matthews ES Families! This is Penni Beth Crisp with your Weekly Update. There will be no school for staff or students on Monday due to the Memorial Day Holiday. The front office will also be closed. Students will return to school on Tuesday. All kindergarten classes will go on a walking field trip on Thursday and Friday. Two second grade classes, Mrs. Lutz and Mrs. Brock, will go on a walking field trip on Thursday.



As we are nearing the end of school, please continue to reinforce the importance of students doing their best, completing their work, and showing excellent behavior and character. This time of year is very exciting for students and we want everyone to finish the year strong.



Dates for the EOY celebrations are listed above. Please note that families are welcome to attend EOY celebrations. All visitors must have a photo ID and sign in through the new Raptor program to enter the building. Please allow time for the sign-in process and be patient as we get everyone signed in on these days.



EOG tests for students in grades 3-5 begin this week. Retests are opt-in. Please see the schedule below. Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. Testing should be over by 12:00 PM. All students need to be at school, on time to begin testing with their class. Students who are late will have to take a makeup test. Please keep all morning routines the same for students, but ensure they get plenty of rest. Our schedule for lunch and specials will be different on testing days. We ask that families do not come to lunch on testing days as most classes eat in the classroom and eat at a different time than scheduled due to testing. Students who are in grades 3-5 cannot be dismissed early until testing is over for the day. We cannot call in the classrooms during testing so please plan any appointments accordingly. Reteaching will occur after testing each day. We are still in need of proctors on 5/28 and 5/29 for testing. Please email Romana McEwan, [email protected], if you would like to assist in this area.

§ 5/28-EOG ELA 3rd-5th

§ 5/29-EOG Math 3rd-5th

§ 6/1-RETEST ELA 4th and 5th

§ 6/2-EOG Science 5th, RETEST 3rd

§ 6/3-RETEST Math 3rd-5th

§ 6/4-RETEST Science 5th

§ 6/8-Read to Achieve 3rd

*Upcoming Events:

6/2 Yearbook Delivery
6/5 1:30 K-2 EOY Celebrations-families are welcome to attend
6/8 1:30 3-5 EOY Celebrations-families are welcome to attend
6/9 9:00 5th Grade Promotion Practice-First Baptist Matthews-staff and students only
6/10 8:30 5th Grade Promotion-First Baptist Matthews, Last Day of School, Report Cards Home



Link to the C.R.O.W.N Experience Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/aEJAp4xbVwKMRHvT6

*Please complete this form if you would like to share positive feedback about a staff member or the school.

Weekly Principal's Update:
___________
Good afternoon, Matthews Elementary School Families! This is Penni Beth Crisp with your Weekly Update.



Thank you to our families who came to enjoy and volunteer at our Blue/Gold Field Days last week! Thank you also to everyone who made Stingerfest such a success. Thank you to our volunteers and everyone who came to enjoy the evening.



We are quickly approaching EOG testing and the end of the 2025-26 school year. Please continue to remember the importance of having students at school, on time, each day. Attendance is very important during EOG testing as students always perform better when they test with their teacher and class. Please see the upcoming dates above for when students will take each test. Please also remind students of expectations for behavior and work completion so we can finish the year strong.



We will celebrate our May Terrific Kids on Wednesday at 8:00 AM in the cafeteria. Please remember that all visitors must sign in through Lobbyguard and have a photo ID. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Congratulations to our May Terrific Kids!



Our fourth-grade students will go to Grandfather Mountain on Thursday. Thank you to all chaperones who are attending and to PTO for providing the snacks and water for the trip.



Looking ahead, there will be no school on Monday, May 25th due to Memorial Day. The front office will also be closed. Students and staff will return to school on Tuesday.



We are still in need of proctors for EOG testing on Thursday, May 28th, and Friday, May 29th. If you can assist from 7:30 AM-approximately 11:30 AM, please email Mrs. McEwan, [email protected].



Thank you for your continued support! Have a great evening!

*Upcoming Events:

5/25 Holiday-no school for staff or students-front office closed
5/28 Kindergarten Walking Field Trip, 2nd Walking Field Trip (Lutz/Brock)
5/29 Kindergarten Walking Field Trip
EOG schedule (retests are opt-in)
5/28-EOG ELA 3rd-5th
5/29-EOG MATH 3rd-5th
6/1-RETEST ELA 4th and 5th
6/2-EOG SCIENCE 5th, RETEST 3rd
6/3-RETEST MATH 3rd-5th
6/4-RETEST SCIENCE 5th
6/8-Read to Achieve 3rd
6/2 Yearbook Delivery
6/5 1:30 K-2 EOY Celebrations
6/8 1:30 3-5 EOY Celebrations
6/9 9:00 5th Grade Promotion Practice-First Baptist Matthews-staff and students only
6/10 8:30 5th Grade Promotion-First Baptist Matthews, Last Day of School, Report Cards Home



Link to the C.R.O.W.N Experience Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/aEJAp4xbVwKMRHvT6

*Please complete this form if you would like to share positive feedback about a staff member or the school.

Here is your weekly PTO Newsletter!

MES PTO Newsletter_25-26 Check out this design designed by Lindsay Rutherford.

What’s New This Edition of the PTO Newsletter:

Yearbook Deadline Extended
Stingerfest Carnival!
Field Day - Blue/Gold Days
Volunteer Reception
School Store Update

MES PTO Newsletter_25-26 Check out this design designed by Lindsay Rutherford.

Here's this weeks message from Principal Crisp!
________

Good afternoon, Matthews Elementary School Families! This is Penni Beth Crisp with your Weekly Update.



Thank you for your continued flexibility as we had to reschedule Blue/Gold Field Day due to weather and field conditions. Blue/Gold for grades 3-5 will be on Tuesday and for grades K-2 on Wednesday. The schedule is as follows: Tuesday (8:00 AM-Fourth Grade, 9:40 AM-Third Grade, 11:20-Fifth Grade) and Wednesday (8:00 AM-Kindergarten, 9:40-First Grade, 11:20-Second Grade). Please ensure students have sunscreen on before they come to school. We cannot apply sunscreen at school. Students should also have on tennis shoes and comfortable clothes. Please also ensure your child has a water bottle. All visitors to field day must sign in through Lobbyguard. Families may sign in during arrival in the front lobby and keep the sticker until field day. Families may also check in on the blacktop. All visitors and registered volunteers must have their photo ID. No exceptions will be made. Registered volunteers will be able to check in more quickly but still must have their ID. Please allow extra time for this process as there is usually a line. Thank you for your cooperation during this process to ensure the safety of all students!



Discovery Place Kids will hold a drop-in information session/input meeting for the Matthews community on Tuesday, from 3:30-5:30 PM. All visitors will need to enter through the front of the school and sign in through Lobbyguard as we have afterschool students in our building. Visitors must have a photo ID. No exceptions will be made. This session will be held in the gym. All families are welcome to attend. No information will be shared about the new school at this time. This meeting is only for Discovery Place Kids.



We will have a Volunteer Appreciation Reception on Thursday, 8:30-10:00 AM. Volunteers are welcome to attend as we would like to share our appreciation for all you have done this year for Matthews ES staff and students.



Stingerfest will be held on Friday, 5:30-8:00 PM. Information was sent through Parent Square last week. We look forward to a fun evening for families and staff! Thank you to our PTO for all their work to make this night special!

*Upcoming Events:



5/19 Butler Graduation Walk 10:45 AM
5/20 8:00 Terrific Kid Ceremony-Cafeteria (note on Wednesday this month)
5/21 4th Grade Field Trip-Grandfather Mountain (rescheduled from May 1st)
5/25 Holiday-no school for staff or students-front office closed
EOG schedule (retests are opt-in)
5/28-EOG ELA 3rd-5th
5/29-EOG MATH 3rd-5th; ELA re-engagement (

We will need to reschedule K-2 Blue/Gold Field Day from tomorrow to Wednesday, May 13th. The fields are extremely wet and muddy with standing water and more rain is supposed to come tonight. Blue/Gold Field Day for grades 3-5 will be on Tuesday, May 12th. The schedule will remain the same. More weather is supposed to come this weekend and next week so we will continue to watch the weather and provide updates. Thank you for your flexibility as we navigate the weather.