Dear Families of Monte Cristo Elementary,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 academic year! I hope you and your family are enjoying a restful summer as we approach the start of the school year on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The beginning of the school year is one of my favorite times of the year because it reunites the Monte Cristo Elementary learning community. Monte Cristo Elementary offers a unique experience for students and families due to our small community school which serves students in third through fifth grade levels. We are thrilled about our first family event—Meet & Greet Night on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 4:30pm-5:30pm. You can bring school supplies, check-in medications for school, learn about our SEL/Flash Health Curriculum in the library, and meet our staff. Due to our increased enrollment numbers at Monte Cristo Elementary, your student’s classroom placement is tentative for the 2024-2025 School Year. There is a possibility that another classroom will be created and classroom placement will be rebalanced to serve all students.

The ECEAP and Preschool Programs have moved to the district office building due to the impact of increased enrollment numbers. We will miss them dearly at Monte Cristo, but we know students will eventually return to the building in third grade. In addition, Assistant Principal, Christine Vo, has relocated to Issaquah School District. We wish her the very best on her new journey.

We remain committed to making the 2024-2025 School Year a safe and engaged learning year for students. We need your help to ensure Monte Cristo students will have the best year ever. Remember to turn in your volunteer form and come join us in the classrooms or school. If your schedule makes it challenging to volunteer onsite, we have other options for you. Please reach out to our MCE Boosters Club or office professionals to learn how you can support Monte Cristo Elementary.

Please welcome our new Monte Cristo staff members: (3rd) Peyton Schmidt, (4th) Maddy Rathert, (5th) Cory Bardue, (Life Skills Teacher) Jessica Jones, (Resource Room Teacher) Emma Tutton, and (Counselor) Chase Bennett. A few of these names look familiar because they have worked in our building previous years. Our staff is available to assist you via in-person, email, telephone, or Remind App.

A strong partnership between the home and school will help your student be successful. If you have any concerns or questions, reach out to the classroom teacher first, and then, connect with our MCE School Counselor, Chase Bennett. I am also available to assist you, but during school hours, we always put the needs of our students first. Thank you for understanding that our priority will be serving students first; therefore, we will ask you to schedule a time to meet with a staff member or principal. Thank you for your steadfast support and trust in us as we embark on another great school year!

Sincerely,

Paige Nguyen, Principal

Monte Cristo Elementary