Welcome Back, Eagles!

It has been a busy summer here at Monroe as we eagerly await our eagles landing back at school! It was a pleasure to meet so many students and families at schedule pickup. What a turnout! Please look forward to additional opportunities to engage with our school community in the year ahead. Again, I look forward to meeting you and knowing you and your student(s). It is a true honor to serve this community as principal.

As your student prepares for the year ahead, they may be experiencing a variety of emotions related to the return of school, particularly excitement and nervousness. It is important for us to remind them that both are normal and that they are not alone in these feelings. Please know that we are here to support and guide our students throughout their middle school experience and that we sincerely wish to partner with you as parents to create a team on behalf of your student. This is one of the very special things about Monroe. Let's get started!

While staff will be hard at work next Monday and Tuesday, the first day for students is next Wednesday, August 16. First period begins at 8:00am. Please see below for important and updated drop off instructions from our Assistant Principal, Anthony Crespo.

As a reminder, students will be using their lockers frequently throughout their school day and will store their backpacks, coats, and cell phones in their assigned locker from arrival to dismissal. Fortunately, the layout of Monroe provides student lockers in a convenient location situated close to the majority of students' grade level classrooms, preventing the need to carry a heavy backpack all day. Additionally, storing the majority of student belongings in lockers provides a safer learning environment and prevents tripping and other hazards in classrooms and hallways. While this will be an adjustment for some students, our staff is on hand to assist students through this transition and help them organize their materials.

Finally, this newsletter will be posted every other Friday and will house important information with upcoming events. It will also include a glimpse into our phenomenal classrooms at Monroe, opportunities to recognize students and staff that are having a positive impact in our community, and much more. If you have any suggestions for future newsletter items, please make your recommendations here!

Looking forward to the fresh start each new year provides. Go Eagles!

Ashley Huettemann
Principal

Student Drop Off & Pick Up

To Our Eagle Car Rider Families,

It is that time again when we meet outside and ensure a safe transfer of your student to enter Monroe!

For context, we are a school community that receives 14 school buses every morning and afternoon. In the morning, buses arrive by 7:45 AM, and in the afternoon, buses start to line up as early as 2:15 PM. We have partnered once again with the DuPage County Fairgrounds for morning drop off and afternoon pick up.

This year, once buses are in our Monroe Drop-Off Lanes, we are directing you to The Fairgrounds for drop off and pick up. Please reference the picture below. At the "Star", there is a gate for which students will be able to cross and walk towards Monroe's main entrance. For safety, we no longer will be accepting student drop off in the parking lot.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Anthony Crespo, Assistant Principal at anthony.crespo@cusd200.org or 630.682.2456.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation!

Monroe PTA: Get Involved!

Thank you to everyone who ordered school supplies and made online donations on schooltoolbox.com We already earned $493.86 for the PTA before the school even starts!!!

If you ordered tissues or paper towels with your order, we kept those items together at school. We will distribute these items directly to the teachers.

If you weren’t able to pick up your pre-ordered school supplies on schedule pick up day, they will be held for you in the Monroe office. Pick up times are Mon 8/14 or Tues 8/15 from 3-4pm or before school Wednesday morning.

It’s not too late to order with the ship to home option. https://schooltoolbox.com/school-supplies/school/list-boxes/?schoolId=108576

We will be solidifying meeting dates and times soon. Looking forward to another great year!

https://monroemiddleschool.ptboard.com/home

Student Shout-Outs

In each edition of Monroe News, we would love to highlight student achievements! Whether your student recently won a competition, earned an award, helped someone else, displayed good citizenship, served as a positive influence, or did anything you would deem as deserving of a shout-out, please submit your recommendation here. Your student could appear in the next edition of Monroe News!

Staff Shout-Outs

In each edition of Monroe News, we would love to highlight our amazing staff members! Is there a staff member that went above and beyond for you or your student? Perhaps a co-worker who has been a collaborative team player or mentor? Maybe it's your favorite teacher or the one who has inspired you in your growth and success as a student? Submit your recommendation here. The staff member could appear in the next edition of Monroe News!

Tending To Our Nest

On Friday, August 4th, a group of Monroe staff members joined together in a beautification effort in preparation for welcoming students, families, and staff back to school for the 2023-2024 school year! We weeded, trimmed, planted, spread two dump trucks of mulch, and most importantly, had some fun! We hope you enjoy the updated landscaping. A huge thank you to our crew who spent the afternoon working hard in the heat, to Barn Owl Garden Center for their generous donation of plants and soil, to Ace Hardware for their generous donation of an assortment of perennials. If you would like to get involved at our next beautification/landscaping event, please click here!