Message from Dr. Penke
Message from Dr. Penke
MAP Reports:
Winter MAP reports will be coming home. This report shows the test scores achieved on the Winter MAP assessment that all students took in December. We typically share the scores during conferences in February. Now that conferences are in March, we wanted to share the scores earlier with you.
Staff Change:
Next year, I am going to be moving to the Human Resources Department in Millard as the Director of Recruitment and Retention. I have had a great eight years at Aldrich and I will cherish all of the wonderful memories! I have loved every minute with your children and your families!
I am happy to announce that Mrs. Dayna Burke will be the principal at Aldrich Elementary School starting in the 2024-25 school year. Mrs. Burke has been the Admin Intern at Cody Elementary School for the last two years. Prior to that, she was a classroom teacher at Willowdale Elementary School for 2 years and taught in Arizona for 13 years. We are so thrilled that Mrs. Burke will be joining the Aldrich staff!
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Conferences are coming up in March! This is a change from the past. Our conferences will be at the end of 3rd quarter on March 12th and March 13th.
New Kindergarteners
Do you live in the Aldrich attendance area and have a child starting Kindergarten in 2024-2025? Or do you know anyone else that does? Please view this document, and fill out the necessary forms listed on it to help us begin to gather information.
No School:
There is no school February 16-19.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Penke
One Book One School-Frindle
January 26th, 2024
One School One Book: Frindle
There are only two weeks left of our First Annual One School One Book! Thank you to everyone who has turned in their reading logs. Please be sure to put ALL student names and teacher names on the log so we can deliver prizes.
Click on the links below to hear an Aldrich Teacher read this week’s chapters:
Chapter 11 read by Miss Henderson, Speech Pathologist
Chapter 12 read by Mrs. Fidone, Literacy Interventionist and IB Coordinator
Frindle Friday, February 2nd: Hats off to Reading! Wear your favorite hat.
IB Informational Corner:
_Balanced Aldrich Inquirer Jan. 2024.pdf
BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB
Roshaan Siddique, “Wings of Fire Legends: Darkstalker”
Adya Shriram, “Dragon Girls #2: Willa the Silver Glitter Dragon”
Abigail Campbell, “Palace Pets: Tiana’s Kind Pony”
Logan Winter, “Ivy + Bean #12: Get to Work!”
Advith Prashanth, “Sonic the Hedgehog: Fallout Part 2”
Kenzie Hogan, “Front Desk #5: Top Story”
Molly Richt, “Trolls: Poppy and Branch’s Big Adventure”
Ava Hunter, “Falling Short”
Emma Anderson, “The Bad Guys in Look Who’s Talking”
All Star Staff Members of the Month
This weeks All Star Staff Member is Mrs. Crites! Crystal Crites was nominated by Michele Leibrock. She writes, “Crystal is often at work early getting items ready for her students and collaborating with her team. She is always warm, friendly, and welcoming. Her work ethic is admirable, and she has a great sense of humor.
Visiting her classroom, you can see and experience that her students feel safe and welcomed. Her students are proud and excited to talk about their learning and accomplishments. My third grade students often comment on the amazing learning they have done with Mrs. Crites. They also will say, “Mrs. Crites already taught me that!” with enthusiasm and pride.
Mrs. Crites is tech savvy and creative. She is always willing to work together with her peers to solve problems or to help students academically and socially. A true representation of her name, she definitely helps Aldrich shine and is a true All-Star!”
Thank you for making Aldrich a better place to learn and work!
Volunteer Opportunities
LUNCHROOM
Parent volunteers are encouraged to help throughout the year during lunch periods (11:10am-12:30pm) or for as long as you are able during that time slot. Volunteers help students open their food, wipe down tables, clean up spills and assist our custodian. You can volunteer as often as you like via our Sign Up Genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B49AAAC23A1FB6-lunchroom
MEDIA
Parent volunteers are encouraged to help throughout the year in the library restocking books. You can volunteer as often as you like via this Sign Up Genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B49AAAC23A1FB6-47128393-library#/
WALKING CLUB
Parent volunteers Volunteers can enter the building just prior to 7:55 and sign in at the front office. They will then go to their volunteer assignment if helping with the front door or hallway. Please do not attempt to enter the building prior to 7:50.
You can volunteer as often as you like via this Sign Up Genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0545AFA823A3FA7-aldrich2
Hello All Star Families,
A special thank you to all the families that came out to support our Aldrich Night Out Lancer’s Hockey Fundraiser game. We had 85 people attend so it was a great success raising $340 for Aldrich! Next fundraising opportunity with be at Chipotle at the 147th and Maple location on February 7th. This can be online pickup orders using the code MYMGF23 or in person using the code or the flyer found below in the newsletter. Chipotle will donate 33% of sales for anyone using the code so please share with your family and friends for an easy dinner that helps give back to the school!
Minutes from Tuesday's PTO meeting can be found here.
Interested in volunteering?! Check out for the following PTO volunteer opportunities:
The 2024/2025 school year board slate will be presented at the PTO meeting in March. We are currently looking for someone to fill the President Elect position. This can be any involved PTO parent with a 2nd grader or younger since it’s a 3-year term. If interested, please email aldrichptopresident@outlook.com.
For 2024/2025 school year, we are also looking for a Restaurant Fundraiser Chair, an International Banquet Chair, Scholarships Chair, Girls on the Run Co-Chair and Outdoor Decorations Co-Chair. If interested, please email aldrichptopresident@outlook.com.
We are in need of 4-5 walking club volunteers every day. Even if you can just volunteer once, volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated. If you’re interested, you can use the walking club volunteer link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0545AFA823A3FA7-aldrich2 to volunteer.
We are not getting many lunchroom or media center volunteers so would love to see more volunteers. In the lunchroom, you can volunteer for the entire timeframe or whatever time you have available!. The link to volunteer is in the newsletter above.
Quickly approaching PTO dates to add to your calendar:
February 7th Aldrich Chipotle Restaurant Fundraiser Night at 147th and Maple location. See flyer in newsletter for the pickup order code and details.
Valentine’s Day Parties February 14th at 1:30 pm. More details to come next week!
Having issues with PTO directory access? You can find a "how to" video for navigating the website by following the link here. If you still need help, please email aldrichptotech@outlook.com for a resolution. Teachers are unable to help, as this is a PTO led directory, so this email will be your quickest solution to access. Thank you!
All items can be found in the new PTO website. https://runpto.com/u/aldrich_mps
Please email any questions and/or issues with PTO registration to aldrichptopresident@outlook.com
To access the directory, paid members will login at: https://www.runpto.com/pto/login/
Our org ID is: Aldrich_MPS.
Please email aldrichptotech@outlook.com with any questions or issues accessing the directory.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jacquelyn Alexander
PTO President
Chipotle Flyer.pdf2024 Future Chefs Invitation.pdf
January How Sick Is Too Sick Newsletter.docx.pdf
Elementary December Winter Months Newsletter.pdf
lunch times
Kindergarten 11:20-11:40
First Grade 11:45-12:05
Second Grade 12:10-12:30
Third Grade 12:00-12:20
Fourth Grade 11:35-11:55
Fifth Grade 11:10-11:30
Bakers community rewards.pdfHyVee TAGG.pdfBoxtop_Overview with office option.pdf
MPS Board Members
Dr. John Schwartz, Superintendent
Stacy Jolley, President
Mike Kennedy, Vice President
Linda Poole, Secretary
Amanda McGill Johnson, Treasurer
Mike Pate, Board Member
Lisa Schoenberger, Board Member