School Supplies: Order now for fall 2020

You can now buy school supply packs online for the 2020-2021 school year.

Order school supply packsSchool supplies available now through July 1

There will be a first day of school in the fall, even if we don’t know what everything will look like. In the meantime, we want to help you avoid shopping and worrying about supplies. You can buy the exact supplies our awesome teachers need for their classrooms (without going to 20 stores….)  by ordering the pack.

We are using a different company this year and all purchases must be made on their site. It will not be made available on the MIMS online store (which also means that there will be no packs available if you forget to purchase before the deadline).

As in previous years, this service is not a fundraiser for PTO or the school. This service just allows you to skip the store and get exactly what your teachers need delivered to the school.

Supplies will be available for purchase until July 1, 2020. Remember to purchase the pack  for the grade your child will enter in fall 2020.

Also remember to include your child’s full name (no nicknames) when ordering.

About the merchandise at the school supplies store

The t-shirts and backpacks offered by this vendor have nothing to do with our school. They are a generic add-on item. If you choose to purchase these items, please note that they will not be considered MIMS wear. They will be classified as free dress. Buyer beware.

TL:DR Buy your school supplies for 2020 directly from this new vendor by the July 1 deadline. Just like buying online at [site of your choice] but all the selecting and searching is done for you. Everything else they sell on the way to checkout is just generic add-on items and not MIMS-sponsored.

If you have questions about this year’s school supply ordering, start with the vendor at the links above and if you have MIMS-specific questions they cannot answer, send an email to schoolsupply@mimspto.org.

2019-2020 Yearbook Delivery Update

2019-2020 Yearbook Delivery

Many people have reached out to ask when and how they are going to receive yearbooks.

As of right now, Balfour is closed as they are not considered an essential business. This means that although our yearbook is complete, it has not been printed.

The yearbook team has requested a campus delivery time in early August. Due to the nature of what is happening in our world today, actual delivery time is tentative as it will be based on when the bans are lifted around the country.

We will update here once we hear if our delivery request time is available.

Art Class Update from Ms YT Chen

Please see below for an update for MIMS elementary school art during the school closure, from Ms YT Chen.

Art online class login info

 PK and K

Please download the Microsoft Teams App and join the “MIMS Amazing Art (PK- K)” with the code: ggg9f6e

You can also try the link below.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a090c29811aad41cdb2edaadb15c6259f%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=a37b969d-0af0-4ee1-8897-ce1702c32607&tenantId=f5eb9966-9336-4b33-8895-9982425b13ed

1st and 2nd

Please download the Microsoft Teams App and join the “MIMS Amazing Art (1st- 2nd)” with the code: n50kaee

You can also try the link below.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3aaf5b0db21c514403a3870fe1c0de7cec%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=a18a32bb-cc9f-46d7-963b-a3f4cf6f7e85&tenantId=f5eb9966-9336-4b33-8895-9982425b13ed 

3rd-5th

Please download the Microsoft Teams App and join the “MIMS Amazing Art (3rd- 5th)” with the code: 95ikfpk.

You can also try the link below.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3a97164919e9b5442da294bddfe5cdc5ad%40thread.tacv2/General?groupId=012b8324-85b8-4905-929b-7267c6634e3d&tenantId=f5eb9966-9336-4b33-8895-9982425b13ed 

Login 

Sign-in address: S#######@online.houston​isd.org (# is your student’s ID number)
Example: S1234567@online.houstonisd.org
password: MMDDYYY (your child’s birth date in 8-digit format)

Please feel free to reach out to Ms YT Chen through email if you couldn’t set up the account. Remember to include your child’s full name, student ID, and grade level in your email. M sYT Chen will try her best to figure out the possible cause(s) for the login issue.

Updates from Nhi: Links for kids

Here’s a post from our PTO president, Nhi Le, to help you all while we’re here at home. As you know, HISD has currently extended the district-wide closure through April 10. During that time, look for updates from HISD and from Principal Ying and begin getting access to HISD at HOME. Wishing you all health and safety at this time.

From Nhi:

Just wanted to share information I was given. Hopefully will help families with kids during this time…
Please share to families with young kids: Since many kids are/will be home from school,  sharing an awesome list of ideas from a parent who homeschools.

Online resources:
– BrainPop
– Curiosity Stream
– Tynker
– Outschool
– Udemy
– iReady
– Beast Academy (Math)
– Khan Academy
– Creative Bug
– Discovery Education

YouTube Channels:
– Crash Course Kids
– Science Channel
– SciShow Kids
– National  Geographic Kids
– Free School
– Geography Focus
– TheBrainScoop
– SciShow
– Kids Learning Tube
– Geeek Gurl Diaries
– Mike Likes Science
– Science Max
– SoulPancake

Lots of board games, library books (and Kindle), tinkering/upcycling with household junk, etc.
Some resources to help with kids at home:

*Scholastic has created a free learn-from-home site with 20+ days of learning and activities.

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

*Pretend to travel the world..Go on a virtual tour of these 12 famous museums.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

*This is the awesome free curriculum that we use. Everything from preschool activities to 12th grade is here!

https://allinonehomeschool.com/

*List of thinking games by grade: https://allinonehomeschool.com/thinking/

**More awesome free learning websites that we like to use**

https://www.starfall.com/h/

https://www.abcya.com/

https://www.funbrain.com/

https://www.splashlearn.com/

https://www.storylineonline.net/

https://pbskids.org/

https://www.highlightskids.com/

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

https://www.coolmath4kids.com/

http://www.mathgametime.com/

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/

http://www.literactive.com/Home/index.asp

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/

https://www.switchzoo.com/

https://www.seussville.com/

https://www.turtlediary.com/

https://www.e-learningforkids.org/

Please feel free to share this with anyone who you think may benefit from this.

 

Volunteer Opportunity: MIMS Library

The MIMS admin team is asking for parent help to take inventory of our library. Here is the sign up genius link for library help.

Spirit Nights: Come eat & support MIMS

Mondays in March have some upcoming Spirit Nights to raise funds for MIMS students.

March 9: Support your MIMS 5th graders for their Camp Olympia trip by eating at (or ordering To Go from) Skeeter’s Mesquite on March 9. Print the flier and hand it to your server if dining in, or to the cashier when picking up a to go order to get 20% back for MIMS.

March 23: Support your MIMS 5th graders for their Camp Olympia trip by eating at (or ordering To Go from) Betsy’s in Evelyn’s Park on March 23. Don’t forget to take the flier with you to present when you pay.

Past:

March 2: Support your MIMS 5th graders for their Camp Olympia trip by eating at (or ordering To Go from) Los Tios on March 2.  Enjoy Fiesta Night and Los Tios will donate 20% for all food ordered for dine-in or to go. Please print the  attached flier and give to your server or when picking up your order.

HISD Closed Feb. 28

All #HISD schools & offices are closed Friday (2/28) due to a major water main break. To ensure the safety of students and staff, maintenance will be inspecting all impacted facilities across the district to make sure systems are functioning properly. Schools & offices scheduled to reopen on Monday (3/2).

Spirit Night: Come to Cabo Bob’s

Invite everyone you know to eat at Cabo Bob’s on February 25 for a MIMS Spirit Night. It’s easy – you order to eat in or take out, tell the folks at Cabo Bob’s you’re there for MIMS, and enjoy the meal. Then Cabo Bob’s shares 15% of the take with MIMS PTO for our kids!

Check for other upcoming spirit nights on the PTO calendar, including a few to support your MIMS 5th graders’ trip to Camp Olympia: March 2 at Los Tios, March 9 at Skeeter’s Mesquite, and March 23 at Betsy’s.

Committee Update: Upload Photos for Yearbook

Online yearbook sales have now concluded, but there will be some yearbooks for sale in May ($40, cash only at that time). Look for the books to be delivered in mid- to late-May.

In the meantime, we are still working on our book and we want YOUR help! Please upload or email photos of your student and their classmates and friends at school events. In addition, if you are the sponsor of a club, activity, or sport, please share the successes and experiences your group has had so far this year. Won a competition? Attended an exciting event? Sold a lot of books or cookies? If students and families at MIMS participated in it, we want to KNOW and cover it so that you can remember it.

  • Sports
  • Clubs (Robotics, Chess, Running, Garden, etc.)
  • Competitions (UIL, Chess, Robotics, Chinese language, Name that Book, etc.)
  • Class field trips and parties
  • Chinese New Year festival and other school festivals
  • First day, grandparents day
  • Black history month events, Hispanic Heritage month events
  • Scouts
  • 100 day projects, Valentine’s day, Go Texan day…
  • Boosterthon fun run

We try to cover all the students and all the events but to do that, we need your contributions. Email write-ups and photos to yearbook@mimspto.org. Upload photos online or get the app for Apple or Android. (Our school’s project number is 021844.) If you want to volunteer to help with yearbook, let us know (yearbook@mimspto.org).

Volunteer: Staff Appreciation lunch

Our February PTO staff appreciation lunch is scheduled on 2/21 (Friday). In honor of Black History Month, our lunch will feature African American culinary delights for the first time! Some amazing parents worked hard on the menu and catering options, but we are still looking for more food donations and more volunteers to help on that day.

Please see the signup sheet for details. Nonperishable items can be dropped off in the community room in advance. For perishable food, please drop off on 2/21 before 10:30AM because the first group starts their lunch at 11AM. If you donate a dish, please specify its ingredients, or whether it’s vegetarian, dairy-free, or contains any tree nuts.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094ba8aa2fa4f85-february

Thank you for signing up! It is only with your generous donations and volunteering to set up, serve or/and clean up that we can make PTO lunches possible. Our teachers and staff will truly appreciate it!

Volunteer: Black History Month

Black History Month

In observance of Black History Month, the committee is inviting our MIMS Family to celebrate with us by reading books to the students (Grades PK-2nd) during their scheduled library time.

We welcome ALL members of our MIMS family to participate (parents, Aunts, grandparents, etc).

….BUT, you must be VIPS Approved!!!

We have books in the library for you to choose from OR you may bring one of your favorite Black History Books to read.

Thank you in advance for your support in helping us share our rich culture!

 

MIMS Chinese New Year: Wristbands, Tickets & T-shirts

Can you believe that the MIMS Chinese New Year festival is just around the corner? This festival is our biggest fundraiser and biggest event of the year, so we hope you will all come out to enjoy, support, and volunteer to make it amazing. Plus: invite your friends – all are welcome!

PTO will be selling wristbands and tickets, as well as CNY t-shirts, online, at school the week before the event, and at the CNY festival.

Wristbands

Wristbands include unlimited access to the climbing rock wall, inflatables, and petting zoo.

  • Early bird price through January 10 – $20
  • Pre-sale January 11 – 26 – $25
  • Festival Day – $30

Tickets

Purchase tickets for food, face painting, crafts, games, and dunking booth.

  • Tickets are 12 for $10 during early bird, through January 26
  • After early bird, tickets will be $1 per ticket

Other items

You can also pre-order t-shirts (children’s, unisex, or women’s sizes) or DVDs of the performances.

Updated 1/13/20: added t-shirt and DVD information

January & February Sociables Available

Upcoming Sociables for January and February

Welcome back!  If you’re looking for a fun way to start off the new year, we have spots available for the following sociables.  All sociables will remain open until they sell out or the day of the event and can be purchased at: https://qtego.net/qlink/mimspto.  

Item #124 – Dumplings! Dumplings! Dumplings! (Adults Only) – Saturday, January 11 – $55/Adult

Item #125 – Mediterranean Dinner (Adults Only) – Thursday, January 16 – $35/Adult

Item #127 – Winter Spectacular Ice Skating Sociable (Kids and Parents) – Monday, January 20 – $25/Person

Item #128 – MIMS Dragons Love Tacos for Pre-K – 3rd Grade (Kids Only) – Tuesday, January 21 – $15/Child

Item #161 – 5th-8th Grade Game-a-Palooza (Kids Only) – Friday, January 24 – $20/Child

Item #135 – Trail Hike in Memorial Park for 6th Grade and Up with Ms. Veneziale (Kids and Parents) – Saturday, February 8 – $25/Person

Item #137 – Tang Yuan (Sticky Rice Balls) With a Twist (Kids and Parents) – Saturday, February 22 – $50/Child and one Adult and $10/Additional Child

Item #138 – Men’s Poker Night (Dads Only) – Saturday, February 22 – $40/Dad

Item #139 – Central Texas-Style BBQ Dinner (Adults Only) – Sunday, February 23 – $50/person – Only a few spots remaining!

Item #141 – MIMS 3rd Annual Bagel Bolt Mile Kids Fun Run (Kids Only) – Saturday, February 29 – $30/Child – Only a few spots remaining!

Need a reminder on how to do Qtego? Here you go.

Chinese New Year: Sponsor & share the donation form

In recent years, Houston ISD has experienced major funding cuts, so funds raised from individual donations and business sponsorships are relied upon heavily to fund classroom supplies, access to e-learning programs, teacher appreciation events, and so much more.

The Chinese New Year Festival held at MIMS each year is a large fundraiser for our school. If you would like to sponsor this year’s festival at one of the attached levels or double your donation with an employer matching contribution, please let me know. Your donation will 100% directly benefit MIMS.

Donating is easy and tax-deductible. Donations can be made online at http://mimspto.org/ or by making a check payable to “MIMS PTO” and writing “2020 CNY” on the memo line. Checks may be hand delivered to a PTO Board Member or mailed to MIMS PTO, Attn: PTO Treasurer, 5445 W. Alabama, Houston, TX 77056. The MIMS PTO is a 501(c)(3) organization, and a receipt with Tax ID will be provided upon request.

Thank you in advance for your consideration!

 

January 2020 Dates

Just a quick update on some dates for January 2020 – you can view or subscribe to the full calendar here.  Do you have dates to add to the calendar or items you’d like to see addressed at the PTO meeting? Send an email to secretary@mimspto.org to let us know.

Jan. 10 – MIMS PTO General Meeting AND Spirit Morning with Coffee-Q – get your tacos and coffee (or buy some for our faculty and staff) from the Coffee-Q truck and then come join the PTO meeting to hear about and get involved with Chinese New Year, spring fun run, and more.

Jan. 15 – Elementary UIL info session to learn about how to get your kids involved with UIL

Jan. 17 – Early Dismissal & last date to submit materials for your yearbook ad

Jan. 20  – MLK Jr. Holiday – no school

Jan. 27 – Spirit night at Mendocino Farms

Jan. 31 – Fú Fri-Yay at Whole Foods

and don’t forget: Chinese New Year Festival on Feb. 1, 2020.