🍎🥄 Happy National Lunch Hero Day! 🥄🍎
Today we celebrate the incredible team at Memorial Elementary who work hard every day to make sure our students are well-fed and ready to learn. From breakfast to lunch, they serve up more than just meals — they serve with heart! 💛
We’re so thankful for this amazing group who keeps our kids nourished and smiling. You are true heroes! 🦸♀️🦸♂️
#NationalLunchHeroDay #MESAppreciatesYou #LunchHeroes #ThankYouCafeteriaTeam





🌸🌼 OUR TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION IS IN FULL BLOOM next week! 🌼🌸
Memorial Elementary is thrilled to celebrate Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week from May 5th–9th, 2025! 🎉
Students, let’s show our amazing teachers and staff how much we appreciate them! Here’s how you can join the fun each day:
🌷 Monday, May 5th – Draw, make, or bring your teacher a flower to thank them for helping you bloom and grow every day!
💧 Tuesday, May 6th – Bring your teacher’s favorite beverage to help keep them hydrated and thriving!
🌞 Wednesday, May 7th – Brighten your teacher’s day by drawing a picture or writing a poem just for them!
🍬 Thursday, May 8th – Treat your teacher to their favorite candy or snack!
🎨 Friday, May 9th – Wear your teacher’s favorite color and tell them how much they mean to you!
Let’s make this week unforgettable for our wonderful teachers and staff! 💖🌼 #TeacherAppreciationWeek #MemorialElementary #InFullBloom

🎉 2nd Grade Field Trip Fun at Hunsader Farms! 🌾🐐
Our Memorial Elementary 2nd graders had an amazing time on their field trip to Hunsader Farms last week—it was a complete success! 🙌
The day began with a scenic buggy ride around the farm where students got to see a variety of plants and animals. 🌿🛻 Afterward, they enjoyed lunch under the trees and some fun time on the playground. 🌳🍎
One of the highlights? Each student received a cup of feed and got to hand-feed animals like goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, horses, an emu, llamas, lemurs, birds, a capybara, a tortoise, and even a porcupine! 🐴🦙🦔
The fun didn’t stop there—they explored a charming village featuring buildings like a school, church, courthouse, and jail, and had a blast with bikes and games. 🚲🏛️
2nd grade had a blast... but let’s just say there were some sleepy kids on the ride home! 😴💚
#MemorialElementary #FieldTripFun #HunsaderFarms #2ndGradeAdventures






🌟 Happy National Principal Day! 🌟
Today, we proudly celebrate Mrs. Vermilye, our incredible leader at Memorial Elementary School! 🎉
Mrs. Vermilye, you are our MES Hero — a guiding light for students, a champion for teachers and staff, and the heart of our school community. Your unwavering dedication to student learning, your support for every classroom, and your leadership through every challenge make a difference every single day.
You lead with compassion, vision, and strength — always putting kids first and creating a school culture where everyone feels valued and inspired. Thank you for your tireless work, your kind heart, and your powerful impact. 💙🍎
We are lucky to call you our principal. MES shines brighter because of you! ⭐
#NationalPrincipalDay #ThankYouMrsVermilye

Updated Dates
🎉 End-of-Year Awards Ceremonies at Memorial Elementary! 🎉
We’re excited to celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements this year! 🌟 Join us on the following dates and times for each grade level’s EOY Awards Ceremony:
📅 Kindergarten – May 15 @ 8:45 AM
📅 1st Grade – May 20 @ 8:45 AM
📅 2nd Grade – May 20 @ 7:45 AM
📅 3rd Grade – May 15 @ 7:45 AM
📅 4th Grade – May 19 @ 7:45 AM
📅 5th Grade – May 21 @ 7:45 AM
📍 All ceremonies will be held on campus.
🔗 IMPORTANT: For those planning to attend, please pre-register at the link provided by 12:00 PM the day before your child’s award day.
Register form here: https://tinyurl.com/MES2025Awards
We can't wait to see you there and celebrate our amazing students! 🎓✨

3rd Graders will be taking their ELA & Math FAST test this week. On Thursday, May 1st they will take ELA/Reading. On Friday, May 2nd they will take Math. Please make sure your 3rd grader is at school by 7:30am. Help them prepare to do their best with a good night's sleep, eat breakfast at home or school, and encourage them to try their best and show what they have learned!

🎉 Memorial Elementary 5th Grade Awards Ceremony! 🎉
We're excited to celebrate our amazing 5th graders with a fun-filled day of recognition and memories! Here's what to expect:
🍽 Breakfast – Free for 5th graders! Adults: $10. All payments are due by May 2, 2025 — no late payments accepted!
🏅 Awards Ceremony – Parents, you’ll receive a letter if your student is receiving an award, but everyone is invited to join the celebration!
💃🕺 Dance – Enjoy a special Mother-Son and Daddy-Daughter dance, followed by student dances!
👏 Clap Out – Let’s cheer on our 5th graders as they take their next big step!
🎨 Theme: Next Step Middle School
📣 Dress attire: Black & Gold if possible
🎈 Volunteers most likely needed! Help us decorate and set up — reach out to your child’s teacher if you can lend a hand.
Let’s make this a day to remember! 💛🖤
#MemorialElementary #5thGradeCelebration #NextStepMiddleSchool


🌸 Spring Fling Fun! 🎉
We had an amazing time at Memorial Elementary's Spring Fling last night! It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces enjoying games, treats, and time together. 💐🎯
A huge thank you to our incredible staff and the awesome APH student volunteers who helped make the event such a success! 💛 Swipe through to see some of our favorite moments! 📸✨
#SpringFling #MemorialElementary #CommunityFun #ThankYouVolunteers









🚌💛 Bus Driver Appreciation at Memorial Elementary 💛🚌
Some heartwarming snapshots of our amazing students showing love and appreciation to the everyday heroes who get them to and from school safely—our dedicated bus drivers! 🛑👋
Whether it’s a friendly wave, a thank-you note, or a handmade card, our students know how to spread kindness and gratitude. 💌👏
We are so grateful for the care, responsibility, and smiles our drivers bring every day. You truly keep our school rolling! 🚍✨
#BusDriverAppreciation #ThankYouDrivers #MemorialElementary #GratitudeInAction #SafeAndSound









🌟 Volunteer Spotlight 🌟
We are beyond thankful to honor Mrs. Judith Eckstein as Memorial Elementary’s Volunteer of the Year! 💐
Her unwavering dedication, warm heart, and countless hours spent helping our littlest learners reach their goals make an incredible difference. From lending a helping hand to reading and to offering words of encouragement, just when they're needed most—Mrs. Eckstein's impact is truly immeasurable. 💛📚
Thank you for being a guiding light, a role model, and a treasured part of our school community. We are so lucky to have you! 🙌✨
#MemorialElementary #VolunteerOfTheYear #ThankYouMrsEckstein #CommunityChampions #HeartOfGold

🎉 Happy Administrative Professionals Day! 🎉
Today, we celebrate the heart of Memorial Elementary — our incredible admin team! 💙
We are so grateful for the hard work, dedication, and kindness of these amazing ladies:
✨ Mrs. Wright
✨ Mrs. Jared
✨ Mrs. San Miguel
✨ Mrs. Grossman
✨ Ms. Epps
Thank you for all you do to keep our school running smoothly and with so much heart! 💐📚 #ThankYou #AdminProfessionalsDay #MemorialElementary

🚌✨ A huge THANK YOU to our amazing bus drivers and aides! ✨🚌
Every day, rain or shine, you help get our students to and from school safely — and with a smile. Your dedication, care, and hard work do not go unnoticed. We are so grateful for all that you do! 💛👏
#ThankYou #SchoolHeroes #WeAppreciateYou

Kindergarten & VPK Enrollment now happening for the 25/26 School Year
Stop by MES front office to complete the registration packet, Monday thru Friday 7:45am to 1:00pm.
Documents to Bring:
* Birth Certificate
* Social Security Card
* Updated Shot Records & Physical
* Parent/Guardian ID
* Proof of Residency
VPK: Child must be 4 before Sept. 1, 2025
Kindergarten: Child must be 5 before Sept. 1, 2025
Questions? Call us at 863-784-0200

🎶💻 Not only is he a tech wiz, but he’s also the music man!
A big THANK YOU to Mr. Mullins for sharing his incredible musical talent with Mrs. Peterson’s class.
What a wonderful and inspiring way to start the day at Memorial Elementary! 💙🎵 #MemorialMagic #ThankYouMrMullins #TechAndTunes
✨ MES 2025 Spring Testing is Coming Up! ✨
Families, please mark your calendars for our upcoming testing dates. Let’s help our students do their best by setting them up for success!
✅ Get a good night’s sleep
✅ Eat a nutritious breakfast (at home or school!)
✅ Be on time
✅ Try your best — you’ve got this!
🟡 Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade Test Dates
April 22 – Reading
April 24 – Math
💗 3rd Grade
May 1 – Reading
May 2 – Math
💙 4th Grade
May 8 – Reading
May 9 – Math
🔵 5th Grade
May 6 – Reading
May 7 – Math
May 13 – Science
Let’s show what our Patriots can do! 🧠🎉 #MESPride #SpringTesting #PatriotStrong #ReadyToShine

Memorial Elementary Color-A-Thon
We’re aiming to raise $10,000 – and if we hit our goal, students will get the chance to PIE Mrs. Vermilye & Mr. Taylor! 🥧😄
📅 Event Date: May 16, 2025 @ 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Memorial Elementary School
📌 Deadline to donate: Extended to April 24th!
Register now at donate.schoolathon.org
* Use Campaign ID: 28714
Share your donation page with family and friends and help support our school while having a blast!
#ColorRun #MemorialElementary #FundraiserFun #PieThePrincipal #ColorAThon2025

Register today for VPK, spots are limited!
Memorial Elementary School
2025-2026 VPK Registration
Contact the Early Learning Coalition to apply for a VPK certificate.
Registration is currently open
VPK Program offered $50 per week from 7:30am-2:00 pm
Why enroll with us?
-Free breakfast and lunch
-Limited Spaces
-Full-time School Resource Officer and Florida Department of Health nurse
- Highly trained certified teachers
-Low student-teacher ratios, 20:2 or 11:1
Registration is a multi step process
1. Parents obtain a VPK Certificate from the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) at https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/
2. Parents register at Memorial Elementary School
Parents bring: ·
-VPK Certificate of Eligibility
·Child's Birth Certificate
·Proof of Residency
·State of Florida Physical Record ·State of Florida Immunization Record
·Parent Driver's License ·$75 Registration Fee & $50 First week payment
For more information (863) 784-0200
https://mes.highlands.k12.fl.us/
Facebook: Memorial Elementary School
![Image Description: A flyer for Memorial Elementary School announcing registration for the 2025-2026 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program. The flyer features a cartoon pirate mascot in the upper left corner and a chalkboard graphic stating "Registration Available Now" in the center. Text is organized into sections with headings and bullet points. Sections and Key Information: Memorial Elementary School 2025-2026 VPK Registration Registration Available Now (graphic of a chalkboard) Space is limited! Contact the Early Learning Coalition to apply for a VPK certificate. VPK Programs Offered: A table outlines program options: Full Day: 3 hours VPK + 3.5 hrs extended day (7:30 AM - 2:00 PM) Free (VPK) + $50 per week (3.5 hrs) (free breakfast and lunch) Registration is a multi step process: Parents obtain a VPK Certificate from the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) at [link to familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com]. Parents register online at or at Memorial Elementary School. Parents bring: Bulleted list of required documents: VPK Certificate of Eligibility, Child's Birth Certificate, Proof of Residency, State of Florida Physical Record, State of Florida Immunization Record, Parent Driver's License, $75 Registration Fee (enrichment program). Why enroll with us?: Bulleted list of benefits: Free breakfast and lunch for VPK+Enrichment Program, After school daycare til 5:45 (fees apply) - Limited Spaces, Full-time School Resource Officer and Florida Department of Health nurse, Highly trained certified teachers, Low student-teacher ratios, 20:2 or 11:1. For more information:1 (863) 784-0200 [link to mes.highlands.k12.fl.us/] Facebook: Memorial Elementary School (includes a circular profile picture of the school's logo).](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/school_board_of_highlands_county_ar/live_feed_image/image/15402907/large_MES__VPK_Flyer_2025.jpg)
You're Invited!
Join us for the MES Spring Fling – a FREE family event sponsored by Title 1!
Parents will receive literacy resources to help reduce the summer slide!
Enjoy tons of outdoor fun including:
* Inflatable Axe Throwing
* Bounce Houses
* Grade-Level Games & Prizes
Date: Thursday, April 24th
Location: Memorial Elementary School PE area
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Each child gets ONE free ticket for a popcorn OR sno-cone!
Plus, grab a bite from our awesome food trucks:
DONUTNV, Momma’s Kitchen & Good Vibes Concession
(payment made to Food Trucks)
Don't miss out on the fun — we can't wait to see you there! 💙
#MESSpringFling #FamilyFun #LiteracyMatters #Title1Event #MemorialElementary

Today, our 2nd grade students took a step back in time and experienced what it might have been like to be an immigrant coming to America through Ellis Island between the 1880s and 1920s!
From baggage check 🧳 to health inspections 🩺, naturalization 📜, currency exchange 💰, and even detainment 🚫—our students journeyed through each station to finally become approved to enter the United States of America! 🎉
It was an unforgettable, hands-on way to bring history to life. What a fun and educational day to be in second grade! ❤️ #EllisIslandExperience #MemorialElementary #HandsOnHistory #SecondGradeRocks
Thank you to our volunteer community members who came and helped with our event.






🎉 A BIG Memorial Elementary THANK YOU to Erika Partida and Julian Cubilette for putting together our brand-new Gaga Pit in the PE area! 🙌
Gaga is a fast-paced, action-packed version of dodgeball played inside a circle—and our students are LOVING it! 🌀💥
Your hard work and dedication are making recess and PE even more exciting. We appreciate you! ❤️ #GagaBall #ThankYou #MemorialElementary #ActiveKidsHappyKids
