Melissa Midora Second Grade

Email: mmidora@chesterfieldschool.com

Remind 

In an attempt to enhance communication between us, our class has been linked to a Remind  account. Through this, I am able to send quick reminders directly to your cell phone via text messaging. It will be very helpful when quick information needs to be communicated. For example, when we have Library, I can send a message "Please remember your Library books for tomorrow". And if we have a special day to wear a certain color shirt, I can remind everyone with "It is RED day tomorrow, please remember to wear a RED shirt."

To sync your phone to our "Remind" for the 2026-2027 school year,

Send this text message:   

to the following number:   

It will then ask for your full name. Please text your name back, as then I will be able to see that you have registered. 

Specials 2026-2027

TBD

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Who is Miss Midora?

Wow...this is my 22nd year of teaching!  Time sure does fly! This is my 19th year at Chesterfield.  I went to college at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, and later went back to get my Elementary & Special Education Master's degree from there, as well! In my first three years of teaching, I taught 4th grade at St. Mary's School in Bordentown. This year I am excited to be team teaching with Mrs. Cirillo, who has not only been an incredible teacher to work with over the years, but an equally devoted friend!  (Boys & Girls, imagine being able to partner up with your best friend for EVERY class assignment! That's what it's going to be like for me and Mrs. Cirillo to teach together this year! How awesome! We are both looking forward to a great year!)

I like to think of myself as a passionate teacher. I take pride in teaching the required content with excellence...taking into account what each student individually needs to learn best. With great care and tact, each lesson is delivered in a way that meets them right where they are. Expectations are high and scaffolding is abundant.   Besides being academically advanced, in my classroom, it's very important that we care about each other, and help one another. At the end of the year, when the class leaves me, it's my hope that they didn't just learn a lot, but they also have good hearts filled with empathy and compassion! As one student said, "Miss Midora's class is always like a family." 

Launching into a new position as the Special Education Teacher, it has brought great joy to be able to provide what students need on a deeper level. Coming from almost 20 years of experience with the 2nd grade curriculm, knowing how to support and assist in various areas happens instinctively. I am able to anticipate where any student could face challenges, and therefore seamlessly frontload approperiate accommodations. Professionally, it feels like a reignited passion in a fresh and new way--one which I pray my parents and students benefit from.

My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family & close friends, and enjoy my dog Gracie.  My favorite subject is Science.  I'm a true Eagles fan...sorry, I have to stay true to my home city!  My favorite candy is peanut butter M&M's, and my favorite snack is guacamole with chips!  You will always find music playing in my classroom or wherever I am...even while I'm making copies!  And my favorite ice cream is ANY kind of ice cream.  :-)

It has been a real joy to teach at Chesterfield. I believe I am exactly where I'm meant to be, and am thankful for each day I have in the classroom. It is indeed a privilege and blessing. I look forward to another great year with my Midorables, a.k.a. Centimeters (CM) Cirillo/Midora!

Frequently Asked Questions...

What is a "Midorable"? 

 This word was created by an interim superintendent who used to pop in our classroom everyday, sometimes many times a day. He would linger around and really get the tone of our class. One day he said "I know what your kids are, Midorables--they are yours and they are adorable!" The word stuck and has become a label of any student who lands in my class. Since then though, the word captures not just the surface of having your child in my classroom...it's a mindset and way of being that makes him or her a Midorable. Such as--Midorables work hard at doing our best academically and lovingly. We put our efforts into being kind and having good hearts. Midorables shine brighter by how we cheer each other on, help others and share. We are "adorable" not because we're cute and wear in style clothes, but because of how we love.

How often do you give back Graded Work?

Tests are graded immediately and returned in a graded work folder. It is important to me that parents see results sooner rather than later. Please sign all assessments and return them in the folder. If you ever have any questions about grading, please email me. 

How do I go about setting up a conference with you?

The best way to request a meeting or conference is to email me. I am free to meet before school from 8:00 to 8:30.  Or we can make time for a phone conference any time I am available during prep. It is greatly appreciated to ask for a conference in advance so I am well able to prepare and give you a fulfilling meeting.  Do not hesitate to ever ask to speak to me about any question or concern about any area. Open communication is key to a successful school year for everyone involved.

What is the best way to contact you?

Email is the best way to contact me. I will usually respond to any email by the following day. At times, emails may require some research, communication with other teachers, or simply "I want to sleep on it", and for these times a follow up email will be sent as soon as all information is gathered. In case of a true emergency, I can always be reached via the main office.

What does "Home Court" mean?

Home court is the idea that our classroom is like playing on a team's "home court". In our class we try to be supportive through practice, help each other, cheer each other on, look out for one another, etc. There are no put downs by anyone, for any reason, at any time.  If and when this happens the student being offended should say "Home Court" in response to remind the offender where they are and that kind of behavior isn't cool in our classroom a.k.a home court.

What are "Zingers"?

Zingers are words or put downs that are hurtful and "zing" our hearts and minds. Zingers can be shot or thrown. Our classroom is a zinger-free zone and students are encouraged to make their homes zinger-free as well.

What is the secret to doing well in school?

Pay attention!!  I will spend as long as I need to, explain any topic over and over again in 10 different kinds of ways, make the lesson fun, play a game, review the material in groups, pull students out to work with me one on one, ask students to explain it in "second grade talk", and do it all over again in order for my students to learn. But the key is, as a student, YOU must PAY ATTENTION. I promise, you will "get it", ask any past Midora Kid.