Originally delivered on 11/1/2023 7:17 am

SUBJECT: November Newsletter

MIMS PTO
November Newsletter - 2023
November Gratitude
A Time to Give Thanks

Happy Holidays MIMS Families!

I would like to reflect on “gratefulness and gratitude.”  Our school community has experienced several exciting events in the month of October—fun sociables, diversity/heritage celebrations, red ribbon week, magnet tours, book character parade and more!  As we start the month of November, we will continue to enjoy many school functions, including our inaugural Moon Gala on November 2nd. I love that we all work collectively to keep MIMS a top performing school and a comfortable, safe environment for our children and community..

I practice grateful living each day, but as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I have been more focused on gratitude. What does it mean to practice gratitude?

Gratitude involves showing appreciation for the things in life that are meaningful or valuable to you. Let us all take a moment to notice and acknowledge the things we are grateful for each day.  Let us remind our children to be grateful for the things they have. Expressing gratitude shows that you are appreciative and thankful just for the little things, without anything extraordinary having to occur. Being grateful can expand your horizons, boost your mood and help you remain positive when you face obstacles in life.

Thanksgiving is a time to be appreciative, show love, and express gratitude. I love that it brings families together and gives me a reason to binge-eat all of the delicious foods and delectable desserts! But most importantly, I love the core message that comes along with the holidays: show and give thanks!  We should practice this display of love and gratitude all year long, not just during the holidays.  

We have a lot to be grateful for!  We survived Covid, amongst other personal hardships that we may have endured and we are all connected in a wonderful school community.  Let’s continue to support our school by volunteering, giving back, and participating in school and PTO events. We are fabulous together.  The MIMS community never fails to come together and support each goal, endeavor or event as needed.  

This Thanksgiving, it's important to remember and share your story of gratitude. What are you thankful for? Who are you thankful for? Why are you thankful? How can you teach someone else to be thankful?

This is the time of year when we take a pause from our busy lives and unite with family and friends to give thanks.  Here at MIMS we are grateful for our entire community of engaged students, amazing teachers, awesome staff, and supportive parents. I am grateful to be a part of such a generous school community that feels more like family.  


Wishing you a joyous thanksgiving holiday, filled with gratitude, as we make many more wonderful memories with our families and MIMS community!


Hugs,

Amonee’ Haley

MIMS PTO VP Elementary

vpelem@mimspto.org

PTO Board Spotlight
Abe Chu

Our school community is so lucky to have so many dads join our PTO.  This year, we are thrilled to have Abe join our team as the Corporate Fundraising Chair.  As a proud parent of two children at MIMS, Anya and Alex, he and his wife Amelie have embraced the vibrant community that our school offers. They helped re-charter and run MIMS’ Cub Scouts Pack and lead the Girl Scout Brownie Troop. Their enthusiasm and support have been instrumental in fostering a sense of belonging and unity among our families.  

Abe has consistently demonstrated his dedication and passion for making a positive impact on our school by spearheading our corporate fundraising campaign.  Fundraising is one of the most crucial aspects of supporting our initiatives, programs, and resources that contribute to the overall success of our school community.  He, along with Eric, has come up with unique ways to engage the community and make sure that we continue to replenish our funds. 

Abe’s approach is always to maintain a transparent and collaborative relationship with the parent community in order to foster trust.  His honesty and integrity have given our team a warm and welcoming reception this year.  We all have a deep trust in him, especially when it comes to spending our funds wisely. He keeps us accountable and pushes all of us to be mindful with our spending to ensure that funds are used efficiently and effectively.  This prudent attitude is essential for our long-term sustainability and achieving the goals of our school and the PTO.

As we enter the month of November, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for Abe's contributions to the MIMS PTO board, especially in planning the upcoming Moon Gala.  Having been at MIMS only for two and a half years and serving for the first time on the PTO board, carrying out this extremely ambitious event is one that will not go unnoticed. Thankfully, though, he isn’t in charge of decor!


Eric Chiang

Eric is this year’s PTO Community Fundraising Chair.  He is a fun and loving husband to Regina and a father to three sons, Evan, Ryan and Ezra.  As a parent, Eric understands the importance of a strong and supportive community, and he has been eager to contribute to the betterment of our school through his involvement in the PTO.

One of Eric's notable strengths lies in his professional experience. With a background in management, operations, and fundraising, he brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table. His expertise in these areas will undoubtedly prove invaluable as we continue to work together to enhance the experience for all MIMS students. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Eric has also demonstrated his commitment to making a positive impact in the community. For over five years, he has served on the board of a local non-profit organization called PeaceGospel.org. When time permits, he enjoysnature outings that involve biking, rock climbing, snowboarding or scuba diving.

This year, we are blessed to have such an easy-going, hard-working team member to help us set up our Sociable Store, Moon Gala auction platform, and website construction.  Don’t be deceived by his calm and unassuming demeanor - underneath his quiet exterior lies a great sense of humor and wit; assets that make working alongside him a more enjoyable experience, especially during long planning hours.  Eric brings a lighthearted atmosphere to the team, making it easy for everyone to navigate through demanding tasks. If you’re lucky, you might catch him at the festivals dancing with glow sticks or doing a mean impression of a fast-talking auctioneer, among many other talents. 

We are excited to see his passion and dedication firsthand, especially for his first year on the PTO. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Eric as he continues his journey with the PTO board. We look forward to working alongside him throughout the year and witnessing the positive impact he will undoubtedly make on our school community.

PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS (2023-2024)
Upcoming Events
Moon Gala

Thursday, November 2

6 PM

Sold Out!

Lunch Day With Parents

November

DATES
CLASS GROUP
NOV 03 -
PK, 2ND & MS
NOV 08 -  (WED) K (Zhang and Tijerina Cluster)
NOV 09 -(THURS) 
K (Wang & Sims Cluster), 3RD & SLL
NOV 17 -
1ST, 4TH & 5TH


PTO General Meeting

Monday, November 13

 12 PM

ONLINE ONLY

Join us on zoom. 

View the PTO Calendar for the zoom link:

HERE

Donate Pies & Send a Message of Thanks

This Thanksgiving, we are reminded of just how grateful we are for all of our MIMS teachers and staff.  Please consider a donation so that the Teacher Appreciation Committee can purchase pies to show our appreciation.  In addition, please submit a note along with your donation so we can give them to teachers and staff on Thursday, November 16th along with their pies.  

Donate Here

Send a message Thanking MIMS Staff

Here

Deadline to Donate: Monday, November 13

MIMS

Magnet Tour

Every Thursday

9 am

Click photo or

Sign Up Here


Middle School News
Yearbook Cover Contest

The MIMS yearbook committee is looking for middle school student entries for the front and back covers.

 Final submissions are due at 4 pm on November 13. 


Contact Mr. S for more info


MIMS Middle School Basketball Games

Basketball Games start at 6 pm


11/16/2023 -  Boys Basketball @ MIMS

        Girls Basketball @ Pin Oak

11:30/2023 -  Boys Basketball @ Meyerland

        Girls Basketball @ MIMS

12/7/2023 -  Boys Basketball @ MIMS

        Girls Basketball @ Lawson

12/14/2023 -  Boys Basketball @ West Briar

        Girls Basketball @ MIMS

12/21/2023 - Boys Basketball @ MIMS

        Girls Basketball @ Rice


Programs
Used Uniforms

The change of seasons is finally here. Time to clear your wardrobe and donate your children' outgrown uniforms! Now we have clear bins designated for used uniforms in the parent room (the room left to the front desk). Please drop off your gently used uniforms to the clear bin. Parent volunteers will sort and organize them periodically. 

Jackets/sweatshirts that are dress code compliant are especially welcome. 

Please check the updated dress code policies for references 

HERE

 Thank you! 

Yuanyuan Feng

Help us make a difference!

Join us in this eco-friendly initiative! Green City Recycler is a fantastic text-to-recycling company that converts used clothing, shoes, and household items from the landfill. Let's work together to reduce textile waste and protect our environment. Drop off your items conveniently at the recycler located by the carpool lane at the front of the school. 

For more information visit Green City Recycler

Volunteer Opportunities

We love our volunteers and appreciate any amount of time you are able to give. To see a list of our current volunteer opportunities, click the link below. 

Volunteer Now!

No Time to Volunteer?

Click to Donate!
Let's Get Sociable MIMS!
Dragonettes Junior Dance Clinic

Click flyer to register

MIMS in Photos

In this month's teacher spotlight, we are thrilled to introduce Mr. Liu, a dedicated educator who has been a part of the Mims family for over a decade. With a remarkable career that spans teaching, military service, and a passion for history, Mr. Liu brings a unique perspective to the classroom. 

Having served in HISD for 21 years, Mr. Liu initially joined Mims as the elementary art teacher. You can still see his amazing artwork on the walls of MIMS! For seven years, he nurtured young minds through creativity and self-expression. However, in 2017, he made a life-changing decision to pursue his lifelong dream of joining the military as a medic in the USAF Reserve. 

Embarking on a new chapter, Mr. Liu underwent two years of rigorous training, beginning with basic training in 2018. Despite the age difference, he fearlessly embraced the challenge, proving that determination knows no bounds. Following basic training, he pursued medic training at Fort Sam Houston and Nellis in Las Vegas, acquiring invaluable skills to serve his country and fellow service members.

Continuing his training, Mr. Liu underwent SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training in eastern Washington, preparing him for the most demanding situations. His dedication and commitment led him to flight school at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he honed his skills as a medic in an aviation setting. 

Just as Mr. Liu was preparing to return to Mims from his military leave, the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, he found himself deployed for a seven-month mission that took him across the continental United States to the Indo-Pacific, Hawaii, the Philippines, Spain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria. Through his service, he not only gained a deeper understanding of the world but also developed a profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by military personnel.

In February 2020, Mr. Liu finally returned to Mims, where he has been teaching history to 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students ever since. His vast experiences and firsthand knowledge of the world have enriched his teaching, allowing him to connect with students on a deeper level. Through engaging lessons and captivating stories, he inspires his students to appreciate the significance of history and its impact on our lives today. I have spoken to many middle school students, and they always talk about the love they have for Mr. Liu and his class. 

Mr. Liu is not only a teacher but also a role model, exemplifying the values of dedication, resilience, and service. His unwavering commitment to both his students and his country is truly commendable. We are grateful to have him as a part of our Mims family, and we look forward to the continued impact he will make on the lives of our students.

Please join us in celebrating Mr. Liu and thanking him for his service, both in the classroom and in the military.

MIMS Chronicle Highlight
Looking Ahead
OCTOBER
Wednesday, November 1
4:00p MIMS Chess Club
Thursday, November 2
9:00a Magnet Tour
6:30p Moon Gala
Friday, November 3
Friday Lunch: PK, 2nd, MS
Monday, November 6
4:30p PTO Executive Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 8
4:00p MIMS Chess Club
Thursday, November 9
Friday Lunch: K, 3rd, SLL
9:00a Magnet Tour
Monday, November 13
12:00p PTO General Meeting
Wednesday, November 15
4:00p MIMS Chess Club
Thursday, November 16
Teacher Appreciation Event
Quick Links
Uniform Policy
Back to School Resources
VIPS Registration
MIMS_PTO
Instagram
MIMS Dress Code/Uniforms
Back to School Resources
Get VIPS approved!
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Contact for more info: marquee@mimspto.org


MIMS PTO

www.mimspto.org

info@mimspto.org

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