Please click here for a message from Principal Gronau 

Hello MMS Families -

Thank you to organizer Dana Cavanaugh and all the families who donated Tissues and Healthy Kid Supplies over the last few weeks. There are enough tissues in the building, for now, and the students and staff can hopefully fight those germs with some real impact. It was wonderful to see the quickness of a grassroots drive. It certainly takes a village.

We would like to also highlight that this Friday at MMS, the 3rd Annual Table Tennis Tournament will take place in the afternoon. In honor of Black History Month, the MMS MLKA is performing a step show and Ms. Bradshaw and the select chorus and all choral students will sing "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing."  It should be beautiful. The 8th grade sells pretzels and drinks as a fundraiser for the 8th grade activities. If you would like to help, please contact Your MMS HSA 8th Grade Coordinators, Adrianna Donat  adrianna.donat@gmail.com, Thea Cogan-Drew  theacogandrew@gmail.com.   

We definitely need volunteers interested in serving on the MMS HSA PTA next year.  We have had a great time serving as your MMS co-Presidents the last two years but our by-laws mandate that we move on. Please consider helping out. Our students still need us in Middle School. If you have any questions about the President roles, or the other roles available, please reach out to us! debcatholt@gmail.com or szknutsen@gmail.com.

We have updated key dates and a few new ones for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events!

A Few Key Dates:

• Friday, February 15 Table Tennis Competition - Pretzels for Sale!
• Monday February 18 - No School, Winter Break
• Tuesday, February 19 - No School, Winter Break
• February 22nd- 24th - The Wizard of Oz
  • Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

8th Grade Dates
​
You should have received an email last week with key dates. If you did not receive, it please check your inboxes or SPAM.

• Thursday, March 7 MMS/SOMS 8th Grade Mixer in the CHS Cafeteria, 7-9pm  

Volunteer for food items or to Chaperone HERE.  The Permission Slip isHERE. Please email Adrianna or Thea if you
are interested in helping sell tickets during lunch March 4-7.

• Tuesday, March 12 CHS Counselors come to MMS to speak to students - More information on this coming soon
• Monday, March 18 Half of 8th grade class to visit CHS from 9:30-11:30
• Thursday, March 21 Second Half of 8th grade class to visit CHS from 9:30-11:30
• Monday, April 1 Well-wishers orders for yearbook due
• Monday, April 15 Yearbook orders due
• Wednesday, May 8 8th Grade Night at CHS, 6:30-8:30pm
• Thursday, May 23 Field trip to Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ - Permission slips coming home soon
• Tuesday, June 18 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club
• Wednesday, June 19 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9 am*

(This date subject to change based on last day of school and snow days)

Fundraising

• 8th Grade                                                                                                                                                                 If anyone would like to host an 8th grade fundraiser, we would be most grateful. Last year some families raised significant funds with a small event. OR - you can donate directly to the 8th grade fund HERE. 
• No Frills / Still Time to Donate! MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here

Follow the Yellow Brick Road - Maplewood Middle School presents The Wizard of Oz!

• Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
• Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
• Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

   Buy Your Tickets NOW!
*The shows will sell out, so don't wait!
1) Purchase your tickets online via the MMS Musical Website!
1a) Send your student to pick up an order form from the MMS Main Office!
 Building Volunteers Needed!
1) Are you a talented builder who could help us finish up our projects?
1a) If so, please reach out to Mr. Palmgren at rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us

Cast and Crew Members - Please check your emails!
1) Cast and crew member families should have received "MMS Musical - Reminders #2" on Sunday, 1/27 via email with the emails used to sign up for the musical.
1a) If you did NOT receive the email, please reach out to Ms. O'Sullivan mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us ASAP as we are sending out crucial information for the start of full cast and crew rehearsals!
All information is updated on the --> MMS Musical Website

Teacher Updates

From Ms. Graham:
"Special Wednesday Club Offering: Curls on the Move, run by Ms. Graham (**Starts March 6th**). Curls on the Move (COTM) is a hair, health, and self-care curriculum specifically for adolescent girls of African Descent. The club focuses on hands on learning opportunities, self-esteem building, physical activities and more! See Ms. Graham in Room 153 if you are interested in joining. Cost is a separate fee of $60 total for the winter and spring session (12 weeks). More information forthcoming in February!"

Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information

Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here:  Yearbook Order Form

Well Wishers Ads:  If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here:  Well Wishers Info

Tissues and School Store Need Supplies

PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN! I know I said we have enough, but we never have enough. Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

Achieve - Calling all Hosts! 

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email 100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.

Special Ed Update

FEBRUARY SEPAC MEETING: Special Education Experience: The Secondary Years!

Middle School and High School parents and guardians (and any 5th grade parents who are thinking ahead) SEPAC’s next monthly meeting is for you!

Tuesday, February 26,  7:30-9 pm, BOE building, 525 Academy, Maplewood

• How to Have Difficult Conversations with Kids With: Dr. Adam Price, Psychologist, Lecturer & Parenting Book Author Feb12, 7:30pm at Jefferson School

Also in February at The Parenting Center (BOE Building 525 Academy):

Feb 11 Special Siblings 4:00-5:30 PM (Grades 5-8, drop off with snacks, for siblings of people with special needs)

Feb 19 Selective Mutism Support Group 7:00-8:30 PM

Feb 20 ADD/ADHD Support Group 7:30-9:00 PM

More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf

MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959

Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!

Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.

Gratefully yours,

Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019

mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com

MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
Please click here for a message from Principal Gronau

Hello MMS Families -

Happy February! 

Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow so it looks like Spring may be on its way!

Thank you to our fabulous events and fundraising gurus who organized an amazing 6th Annual Trivia Night this past Friday.  The Woodland looked amazing, the food was delicious, the trivia was challenging and great time was had by all!  And the best part, the event raised over $16,000 for MMS!!!

For those of you watching, please enjoy the Super Bowl!  We hear the ads are going to be great!

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are interested in serving on the MMS HSA PTA next year, please let us know!  We have had a great time serving as your MMS co-Presidents the last two years but our by-laws mandate that we move on.  If you have any questions about the President roles, or the other roles available, please reach out to us! debcatholt@gmail.com szknutsen@gmail.com.

We have updated key dates and a few new ones for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events!

A Few Key Dates:

• February 5 - 4-hour day
• Monday February 18 - No School, Winter Break
• Tuesday, February 19 - No School, Winter Break
• February 22nd- 24th - The Wizard of Oz
  • Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

8th Grade Dates

• February 8 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art
• February 8th - Table Tennis Tournament
• March 7 - SOMS-MMS Mixer - Permission slip HERE
• March 12 - Columbia (CHS) Counselors visit MMS
• March 18 & 21 - 8th Graders visit Columbia (CHS) during day (details to follow)
• April 1 - Well Wisher Orders due for yearbook - see below
• April 15th - Yearbook orders due (all grades)
• May 8th - 8th grade Night at CHS  6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Information is forthcoming.  
• May 23rd - 8th Grade Field Trip to Medieval Times

Fundraising

• Trivia Night - THANK YOU!

Thanks to all... Especially Meredith Lambert for working her TAIL OFF putting together and managing all aspects of this outstanding event! 
The amazing work and amount of it Lisa Schnorr did full on designing the room.  SHE ROCKED IT!!!
Also HUGE shout out to Doreen Chila-Jones who pounded the pavement to get not only the 14 table sponsors but food donations too; along with Jen Minghenelli, they raised $4100!!!
To ALIX AND JEFF:  trivia gurus extraordinaire! “Sporty Spice,” Jersey Strong,” and so many more incredibly creative and challenging categories!
To Mary Ellen who worked behind the scenes during the selling process and helping with payments and budget.
To all of the volunteers who helped check in, sell mulligans and more!
And of course thank you to Christine Sirianni & Mindy Sinyak MMS/HSA Fundraising Chairs, Abbi Castellani who designed our materials.

The top teams were:
Prestige Worldwide - 51 points
Quizard of Oz - 50 points (MMS TEACHERS & STAFF!!!)
Breakfast of Champions - 50 points
Trophy Husbands - 49 points
E=MC Hammered - 49 points
Solid B+ - 49 points
Just the Facts, Ma’am - 48 points

• No Frills / Still Time to Donate! MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here

​Musical
Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Maplewood Middle School Presents The Wizard of Oz!
Buy Your Tickets NOW!
*The shows will sell out, so don't wait!
1) Purchase your tickets online via the MMS Musical Website!
1a) Sent your student to pick up an order form from the MMS Main Office!
 
Building Volunteers Needed!
1) Are you a talented builder who could help us finish up our projects?
1a) If so, please reach out to Mr. Palmgren at rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us
 
Cast and Crew Members - Please check your emails!
1) Cast and crew member families should have received "MMS Musical - Reminders #2" on Sunday, 1/27 via email with the emails used to sign up for the musical.
1a) If you did NOT receive the email, please reach out to Ms. O'Sullivan mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us ASAP as we are sending out crucial information for the start of full cast and crew rehearsals!

• Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
• Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
• Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

Teacher Updates
From Ms. Graham:
"Special Wednesday Club Offering: Curls on the Move, run by Ms. Graham (**Starts March 6th**). Curls on the Move (COTM) is a hair, health, and self-care curriculum specifically for adolescent girls of African Descent. The club focuses on hands on learning opportunities, self-esteem building, physical activities and more! See Ms. Graham in Room 153 if you are interested in joining. Cost is a separate fee of $60 total for the winter and spring session (12 weeks). More information forthcoming in February!"

From Miss Ogando:
Dear Parents and Guardians:  As you may know, our district’s Middle Schools (South Orange and Maplewood) have been participating in an AileyDance Kids residency program since September as a result of a partnership between South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs.  It’s been an honor to partner with one of the most celebrated and renowned modern dance companies in the world.

Wrapping up this year’s program and launching the school district’s observance of Black History Month, commemorating the culture and contributions of African Americans, we invite you to celebrate your child’s achievements with their classmates and school community in a Main stage performance at SOPAC on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 7pm. Reservations are required and can be secured by visiting the SOPAC website at www.sopacnow.org or calling the SOPAC Box Office at 973-313-2787.

Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information
Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here:  Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Ads:  If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here:  Well Wishers Info

Tissues and School Store Need Supplies
PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN!
Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

Achieve - Calling all Hosts! 
It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.

Special Ed Update
Coming up in February:
Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads, Bullying & More Feb 4, 7:30-9PM (BOE Building, 525 Academy) with our own Mr. Stoudemire & Nurse Porter:

Parents will discuss and practice with the School Social Worker and School Nurse how to take care of their children, themselves, and each other as they parent teens in Middle School. We’ll explore strategies on how to support, guide, and direct children to succeed in Middle School - to be ready to face the day and have enough resilience to get through it. Questions? Please contact Eric Stoudemire, MMS School Social Worker estoudem@somsd.k12.nj.us or Julie Porter, MMS School Nurse jporter@somsd.k12.nj.us
• Restorative Practices – Building Relationships & Resolving Conflicts at Home & at School with Tanya Lewis, SOMSD Restorative Practices Professional Development Consultant  Feb 6, 7:30 PM at Clinton School
• How to Have Difficult Conversations with Kids With: Dr. Adam Price, Psychologist, Lecturer & Parenting Book Author Feb12, 7:30pm at Jefferson School
Also in February at The Parenting Center (BOE Building 525 Academy):
Feb 6 2E (Twice Exceptional) Parent Support Group 9:30 AM 
Feb 11 Special Siblings 4:00-5:30 PM (Grades 5-8, drop off with snacks, for siblings of people with special needs)
Feb 19 Selective Mutism Support Group 7:00-8:30 PM
Feb 20 ADD/ADHD Support Group 7:30-9:00 PM
Feb 26 SEPAC Meeting 7:30-9PM Focus on support for Secondary Students (more details to follow)

More information for all of these can be found here:https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf

MMS Library Volunteers needed!
I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signuphttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959
Visiting Mentor Program
Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!

Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.
Gratefully yours, 
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen

MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com

Hello MMS Families -

Just a reminder that tomorrow the district is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Due to the delayed opening last Friday, the 19th Annual Michele Turner Martin Luther King Jr. Silent Peace March will take place this Friday January 25th, from 9:17-10:07. The March will begin on the sidewalks surrounding MMS, go through Maplewood Village, and return back to the front of the school. If you are around town it is a beautiful recognition.

We have updated key dates and a few new ones for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events!

A Few Key Dates:

• January 21 - Schools Closed in observance of MLK Jr. Day
• January 22-  Orchestra Concert 7pm
• January 23 - Band Concert 7pm
• January 25- MMS MLK Silent Peace March at 9:17am (rescheduled)
• February 1 - Trivia Night - Sold Out
• February 5 - 4-hour day
• February 22nd- 24th - The Wizard of Oz
  • Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

8th Grade Dates

• February 8 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art
• February 8th - Table Tennis Tournament
• March 12 - Columbia (CHS) Counselors visit MMS
• March 18 & 21 - 8th Graders visit Columbia (CHS) during day (details to follow)
• April 1 - Well Wisher Orders due for yearbook - see below
• April 15th - Yearbook orders due (all grades)
• May 8th - 8th grade Night at CHS  6:30 -8:30 p.m. Information is forthcoming.  
• May 23rd - 8th Grade Field Trip to Medieval Times

Fundraising

• Trivia Night - Sold Out!
  Hey Brainiacs...You think you have all the answers, all the time? Prove it at the MMS Trivia Night!
  
  Friday, February 1st @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd. 
  Experience the Taste of Maplewood with an array of food from restaurants around town.
  Teams of up to 10 will compete for bragging rights and a shiny trophy. Come with your own team or we will find you one.  
  
  Email: trivianight@mplevents.com with questions or Click here for the flyer. Sponsored by POLLOCK PROPERTIES GROUP

• No Frills / Still Time to Donate! 
  MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here

Orchestral Performance 

Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, January 22nd at 7 pm. All three grades will be performing 1 to 3 pieces for you. If all runs smoothly, they will be done within the hour. Please stay for the whole event. It is very important for the younger grades to see what is expected of them as they progress through the orchestra program here at MMS.

Here are a few details:
- Concert start time: 7 pm, Student Arrival Times: 6th grade: 6:15 --- 7th grade: 6:30 --- 8th grade: 6:40. Please remind students to bring instruments and music. Concert Attire: If possible, all black. If no, the darkest colors you have.

Band Concert Update

Maplewood Middle School Concert Bands, Honors Wind Symphony, and Honors Jazz Ensemble. Wednesday, January 23rd, 2018 @ 7:00 PM in the Maplewood Middle School Auditorium. MMS Concert Dress-  White collared shirt, black pants, black belt, black socks and shoes. White blouse or shirt, black pants or skirt, black socks or tights, black shoes. A black or black and white dress is also approved.  No Jeans or Sneakers!! All students performing in the concert should arrive at the band room door no later than 6:30 PM.
Please contact Mr. Balas at Cbalas@somsd.k12.nj.us with any questions!

Musical

Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Maplewood Middle School Presents The Wizard of Oz! Save the date and buy tickets now,they’re selling out fast! https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical

• Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
• Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
• Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

Teacher Updates:

From Ms. Graham:
"Special Wednesday Club Offering: Curls on the Move, run by Ms. Graham (**Starts March 6th**). Curls on the Move (COTM) is a hair, health, and self-care curriculum specifically for adolescent girls of African Descent. The club focuses on hands on learning opportunities, self-esteem building, physical activities and more! See Ms. Graham in Room 153 if you are interested in joining. Cost is a separate fee of $60 total for the winter and spring session (12 weeks). More information forthcoming in February!"

From Miss Ogando:
Dear Parents and Guardians:  As you may know, our district’s Middle Schools (South Orange and Maplewood) have been participating in an AileyDance Kids residency program since September as a result of a partnership between South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. It’s been an honor to partner with one of the most celebrated and renowned modern dance companies in the world.

Wrapping up this year’s program and launching the school district’s observance of Black History Month, commemorating the culture and contributions of African Americans, we invite you to celebrate your child’s achievements with their classmates and school community in a Main stage performance at SOPAC on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 7 pm.  reservations are required and can be secured by visiting the SOPAC website at www.sopacnow.org or calling the SOPAC Box Office at 973-313-2787.

Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information

Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here:  Yearbook Order Form

Well Wishers Ads:  If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here: Well Wishers Info

Tissues and School Store Need Supplies

Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

Achieve Grants

Congratulations to our MMS teachers who were awarded fully funded grants this year, Amazing!

• Evyn Degnan, Maureen O'Sullivan, Brian Kaplan, Aloysius Phillips, Marc Kessler, Heather Vorona, Lorraine Sudol, Amy Pitucco

During the month of January, the community has the opportunity to donate directly to partially funded grants. Your contribution to Achieve’s Direct Grant Funding campaign will enable even more grants to be funded, including MMS teachers...

• Maureen O'Sullivan, Christine Kleinwaks, Meredith Hansen, Debra Silva

Please click HERE for information about projects still in need of funding and how to donate directly to the grants of your choice!!

Achieve - Calling all Hosts! 

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email 100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.

MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school. You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959

Special Ed Update

Coming up in February:

Feb 6th Restorative Practices – Building Relationships & Resolving Conflicts at Home & at School With: Tanya Lewis, SOMSD Restorative Practices Professional Development Consultant 7:30 pm. At Marshall.

Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!

Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.

Gratefully yours,


Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com

MMS HSA Weekly Update #20MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
Hello MMS Families -

We have updated key dates and a few new ones for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events.

We also wanted to highlight a special event taking place next week at MMS - the MLK Silent Peace March on Friday, January 18. The march is made up of all students and MMS Staff. It will begin on the sidewalks surrounding MMS, go through Maplewood Village, and return back to the front of the school. If you are in and around town, it is a beautiful display of respect.

Your MMS HSA dropped off supplies for the students who are working in their advisories to complete messages of peace that they will carry at next week’s March. After the March, the posters and their profound messages, are displayed on a bulletin board outside the Auditorium to continue to remind everyone of Dr, King's message of peace and unity. We are so proud of MMS!
A Few Key Dates:

• January 18 - MMS MLK Silent Peace March at 9:30am
  
• January 21 - Schools Closed in observance of MLK Jr. Day
  
• January 22-  Orchestra Concert 7pm
  
• January 23 - Band Concert 7pm
  
• February 1 - Trivia Night - save the date! Buy tickets Now!
  
• February 5 - 4-hour day
  
• February 22nd- 24th - The Wizard of Oz
  • Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

8th Grade Dates:

• February 8 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art
  
• March 12 - Columbia (CHS) Counselors visit MMS
  
• March 18 & 21 - 8th Graders visit Columbia (CHS) during day (details to follow)
  
• April 1 - Well Wisher Orders due for yearbook - see below
  
• April 15th - Yearbook orders due (all grades)
  
• May 23rd - 8th Grade Field Trip to Medieval Times
  

Fundraising

• Trivia Night - Half the tickets are already gone, don’t wait by your tickets now!
  
  Calling all Brainiacs… You think you have all the answers, all the time? Prove it at the MMS Trivia Night!
  
  Friday, February 1st @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd.
  $65/person / $35 for SOMA teachers
  
  Experience the Taste of Maplewood with an array of food from restaurants around town.
  
  Teams of up to 10 will compete for bragging rights and a shiny trophy.  Come with your own team or we will find you one.
  
  TICKETS SELL OUT FAST!
  
  Reserve your table and team: http://www.mmshsa.org/trivia-night-2019.html  
  Email: trivianight@mplevents.com with questions or Click here for the flyer:
  Sponsored by POLLUCK PROPERTIES GROUP
  
  
  
• No Frills / Still Time to Donate!
  
  MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here
  

Musical

Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Maplewood Middle School Presents The Wizard of Oz! Save the date and buy tickets now,they’re selling out fast! https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical

• Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
• Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
• Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM 

Limited "V.I.P Seating" (first five rows) FOR SATURDAY ONLY! All other Premium and VIP seats are now sold out.  Plenty of Reserved Seats remaining for ALL performances!Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information

Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here:  Yearbook Order Form

Well Wishers Ads:  If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here:  Well Wishers Info

Tissues and School Store Need Supplies

Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

Achieve Grants

Congratulation to out MMS teachers who were awarded fully funded grants this year, Amazing!

• Evyn Degnan, Maureen O'Sullivan, Brian Kaplan, Aloysius Phillips, Marc Kessler, Heather Vorona, Lorraine Sudol, Amy Pitucco.

During the month of January, the community has the opportunity to donate directly to partially funded grants.  Your contribution to Achieve's Direct Grant Funding campaign will enable even more grants to be funded, including MMS teachers...

• Maureen O'Sullivan, Christine Kleinwaks, Meredith Hansen, Debra Silva

Please click HERE for information about projects still in need of funding and how to donate directly to the grants of your choice!!Achieve - Calling all Hosts! 

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email 100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.
MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signuphttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959
Special Ed Update
Upcoming in January:
• Using Effective Behavior Strategies with Our Kids to Help Them Create Peace & Harmony at Home & at School, January 15, 7:00 p.m. in the District Meeting Room
Join this one-time group and…
Learn common behavioral triggers and how to identify behavioral triggers.
Learn techniques to improve and enhance communication with your children, adolescents, and young adults.
Learn valuable strategies to maximize the attention you are giving to on task behavior.
Learn ways to establish effective limits and boundary setting.
Led by Dr. Penny Petcher, School Psychologist and District Behavior Management Specialist Questions? Contact Dr. Penny Petcher, ppetcher@somsd.k12.nj.us.
• SEPAC SOMA's January Monthly meeting: Renay Zamloot, Education Advocate presents: How to Become Your Child's Best Advocate
 January 16, 7:00 pm in the MMS Auditorium

ALL ARE WELCOME. JOIN US.
Ms. Zamloot’s hands-on, practical approach to parent empowerment, based on her 20+ years of experience in the field, will equip you with tools and strategies to be used at your child’s next IEP meeting. Her unique perspective on the IEP process and unconventional communication style will change the way you view your role as an IEP team member. Ms. Zamloot is not an attorney and her ideas should not be construed as legal advice.
Also in January at The Parenting Center (BOE Building 525 Academy):

Jan 7 Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More with Mr. Stoudemire & Nurse Porter 7:30-9 PM
Jan 14 Special Siblings 4:00-5:30  (Grades 5-8, drop off with snacks, for siblings of people with special needs)
Jan 14 (PM) Screen Smart Kids 7:00-8:30 PM
Jan 16 ADD/ADHD Support Group 7:30-9:00 PM
Jan 15 Selective Mutism Support Group 7:00-8:30 PM
More information for all of these can be found here:https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf

Coming up in February: Restorative Practices – Building Relationships & Resolving Conflicts at Home & at School With: Tanya Lewis, SOMSD Restorative Practices Professional Development Consultant 7:30pm, Clinton School
Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!

Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.
Gratefully yours,
 Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019

mmshsainfo@gmail.com

debcatholt@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com

MMS HSA Weekly Update #19
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
Hello MMS Families -

2019 is officially underway and if you are like us, getting organized is top of mind! Questions came up last week about yearbooks, the musical and even end of the year dates! The good news is that you can still order yearbooks, buy Musical Tickets and so far we haven't used any emergency snow dates! Feel free to reach out directly, ask on Facebook or visit our website for details.

A Few Key Dates:

• January 7 - Youthnet begins
• January 21 - Schools Closed in observance of MLK Jr. Day
• January 22-  Orchestra Concert 7pm
• January 23 - Band Concert 7pm
• February 1 - Trivia Night - save the date! Buy tickets Now!
• February 5 - 4-hour day
• February 22nd- 24th - The Wizard of Oz
  Buy tickets Now!
  • Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

Fundraising
​

• Trivia Night is Coming!
  
  You think you have all the answers, all the time?  Prove it at the MMS Trivia Night!
  
  Details:
  Friday, February 1st @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd
  $65/person / $35 for SOMA teachers
  
  Experience the Taste of Maplewood with an array of food from restaurants around town.
  Teams of up to 10 will compete for bragging rights and a shiny trophy. Come with your own team or we will find you one.
  
  TICKETS SELL OUT FAST!
  
  Reserve your table and team: http://www.mmshsa.org/trivia-night-2019.html
  
  Email: trivianight@mplevents.com with questions or Click here for the flyer:
  
  Sponsored by POLLOCK PROPERTIES GROUP
• No Frills / Still Time to Donate!
  • MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adult only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year.  Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here

YouthNet - begins tomorrow!

Most classes begin Jan 7th, unless noted. Forms should have come home with your student, but you can also get detailed information online here. http://www.somayouthnet.org/middle-school-clubs.html
Musical

Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Maplewood Middle School Presents The Wizard of Oz! Save the date and buy tickets now,they’re selling out fast! https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical

• Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
• Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
• Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM

Directors gave out info about the January & February calendars, playbill ads, and costumes.  For most info, visit the musical webpage.Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information

Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here:  Yearbook Order Form

Well Wishers Ads:  If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here:  Well Wishers Info

Tissues and School Store Need Supplies

Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

Teacher requests 

From Ms. Laing: Can you please mention to HSA that Hair Care is a YouthNet Club that will be launching Thursday, January 10th.

From Ms. Amaral:  I want to make sure my students have the materials and experiences they need to succeed, so I just created a request for my classroom at DonorsChoose.org: Flex Our Brains With Flexible Seating. If you chip in to help my students, you'll get awesome photos and our heartfelt thanks. Thanks so much, Aggie Amaral, 6th Grade Mathematics
https://www.donorschoose.org/project/flex-our-brains-with-flexible-seating/3745687/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=teacherhub&utm_term=teacher_257624&rf=directlink-dc-2018-12-teacherhub-teacher_257624&challengeid=70047
Achieve - Calling all Hosts! 

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email 100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.

MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959

Special Ed Update

Upcoming in January:
Faster Than Normal: The Gift of ADHD, January 10, 7:30 PM at Tuscan School, 25 Harvard

• A workshop for Parents of children with ADD/ADHD with Peter Shankman, Author, Entrepreneur & TED Talk Lecturer
• Turbocharge Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain
• Presented by The Parenting Center & Elementary School PTAs

Using Effective Behavior Strategies with Our Kids to Help Them Create Peace & Harmony at Home & at School, January 15, 7:00 p.m. in the District Meeting Room

• Join this one-time group and...
• Learn common behavioral triggers and how to identify behavioral triggers., adolescents, and young adults
• Learn techniques to improve and enhance communication with your children
• Learn valuable strategies to maximize the attention you are giving to on task behavior.
• Learn ways to establish effective limits and boundary setting.
• Led by Dr. Penny Petcher, School Psychologist and District Behavior Management Specialist. Questions? Contact Dr. Penny Petcher, ppetcher@somsd.k12.nj.us 

SEPAC SOMA's January Monthly meeting: Renay Zamloot, Education Advocate presents: How to Become Your Child's Best Advocate  

January 16, 7:00 pm in the MMS Auditorium 

ALL ARE WELCOME. JOIN US.

Ms. Zamloot’s hands-on, practical approach to parent empowerment, based on her 20+ years of experience in the field, will equip you with tools and strategies to be used at your child’s next IEP meeting. Her unique perspective on the IEP process and unconventional communication style will change the way you view your role as an IEP team member. Ms. Zamloot is not an attorney and her ideas should not be construed as legal advice. 

Also in January at The Parenting Center (BOE Building 525 Academy):

Jan 7 Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More with Mr. Stoudemire & Nurse Porter 7:30-9PM
Jan 14 Special Siblings 4:00-5:30  (Grades 5-8, drop off with snacks, for siblings of people with special needs)
Jan 14 (PM) Screen Smart Kids 7:00-8:30 PM
Jan 16 ADD/ADHD Support Group 7:30-9:00 PM
Jan 15 Selective Mutism Support Group 7:00-8:30 PM

More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf

Coming up in February: Restorative Practices – Building Relationships & Resolving Conflicts at Home & at School With: Tanya Lewis, SOMSD Restorative Practices Professional Development Consultant 7:30pm, Clinton School

Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!

Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families. 

Gratefully yours,



Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019 
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com

Hello MMS Families -

Happy New Year!  We hope that you had a wonderful break with your children.  

Thanks to everyone who helped make 2018 such a wonderful year for our kids and the staff at MMS.  We are looking forward to a terrific 2019!

As always, please feel free to reach out to us if you have anything you’d like to share or want to know about MMS - we are always happy to help!

A Few Key Dates:

• December 10 - Jan 4 - Youthnet signups, Classes begin Jan 7, 2019
• January 2 - School resumes
• January 21 - Schools Closed in observance of MLK Jr. Day
• January 22-  Orchestra Concert 7pm
• January 23 - Band Concert 7pm
• February 1 - Trivia Night - save the date!
• February 5 - 4-hour day

YouthNet - Registration Ends Soon!

YouthNet registration for Winter 2019 has opened and students can register through Jan 4, 2019. Most classes begin Jan 7th, unless noted. Forms should have come home with your student, but you can also get detailed information online here. http://www.somayouthnet.org/middle-school-clubs.html

Musical Updates

Directors gave out info about the January & February calendars, playbill ads, and costumes. For most info visit the musical webpage,https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/
MMS Musical tickets are now on sale!  You can purchase your tickets online at https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/ or fill out a paper order form that will be sent home with your students on Tuesday 12/18 and return to the main office.  

Yearbooks!

Hard to believe, but it’s time to order yearbooks! The Yearbook Club advisors no longer accept paper order forms, checks, or cash for pre ordered yearbooks.  Please mail this form with payment to the address highlighted on the order form. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.  Please see the attached forms with information on ordering the 2018-2019 yearbook.
Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Info

Special Ed Update

Faster Than Normal: The Gift of ADHD, January 10, 7:30 PM at Tuscan School, 25 Harvard

• A workshop for Parents of children with ADD/ADHD with Peter Shankman, Author, Entrepreneur & TED Talk Lecturer
• Turbocharge Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain

• Presented by The Parenting Center & Elementary School PTAs 

Using Effective Behavior Strategies with Our Kids to Help Them Create Peace & Harmony at Home & at School, January 15, 7:00 p.m. in the District Meeting Room

• Join this one-time group and… Learn common behavioral triggers and how to identify behavioral triggers. Learn techniques to improve and enhance communication with your children, adolescents, and young adults. Learn valuable strategies to maximize the attention you are giving to on task behavior. Learn ways to establish effective limits and boundary setting. Led by Dr. Penny Petcher, School Psychologist and District Behavior Management Specialist Questions? Contact Dr. Penny Petcher,ppetcher@somsd.k12.nj.us.

SEPAC presents Renay Zamloot, Education Advocate  January 16, 7:00 pm in the MMS Auditorium.

• Renay Zamloot, Education Advocate will share with everyone HOW TO BECOME YOUR CHILD'S BEST ADVOCATE. Ms. Zamloot’s hands-on, practical approach to parent empowerment, based on her 20+ years of experience in the field, will equip you with tools and strategies to be used at your child’s next IEP meeting. Her unique perspective on the IEP process and unconventional communication style will change the way you view your role as an IEP team member. Ms. Zamloot is not an attorney and her ideas should not be construed as legal advice.

Also in January at The Parenting Center (BOE Building 525 Academy):

• Jan 7 Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More with Mr. Stoudemire & Nurse Porter 7:30-9PM
• Jan 14 Special Siblings 4:00-5:30  (Grades 5-8, drop off with snacks, for siblings of people with special needs)
• Jan 14 (PM) Screen Smart Kids 7:00-8:30 PM
• Jan 16 ADD/ADHD Support Group 7:30-9:00 PM
• Jan 15 Selective Mutism Support Group 7:00-8:30 PM
• More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf

Also in February:

• Restorative Practices – Building Relationships & Resolving Conflicts at Home & at School With: Tanya Lewis, SOMSD Restorative Practices Professional Development Consultant 7:30pm, Clinton School

Tissues and School Store Need Supplies

​Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

Teacher Requests

From Ms. Laing: Can you please mention to HSA that Hair Care is a YouthNet Club that will be launching Thursday, January 10th.

From Ms. Amaral:  I want to make sure my students have the materials and experiences they need to succeed, so I just created a request for my classroom at DonorsChoose.org: Flex Our Brains With Flexible Seating. If you chip in to help my students, you'll get awesome photos and our heartfelt thanks. Thanks so much, Aggie Amaral, 6th Grade Mathematics

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/flex-our-brains-with-flexible-seating/3745687/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=teacherhub&utm_term=teacher_257624&rf=directlink-dc-2018-12-teacherhub-teacher_257624&challengeid=70047

Achieve - Calling all Hosts!

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.

No Frills and Fundraising - Still Time to Donate!

MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here.

Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!

Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.

MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959

Gratefully yours,

Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com

Hello MMS Families -

Happy Holidays from your MMS HSA! The week is full and we have a few new reminders for families this week. YouthNet classes for Winter have been announced and fliers should have come home - there are some returning favorites and a few new exciting classes. There is a link below if you need it.

MMS Musical Tickets are on sale! Buy Now!

It’s also Battle Time!! MMS Battle of the Classes has begun and Spirit Week is in full swing, details below but special note tomorrow is Pajama Day!!  
Lastly, tomorrow we will also be celebrating our amazing staff on with our annual Staff Holiday Luncheon. Our event team has been busy preparing for the event, but if you have time to help out or can donate something yummy, your efforts would be truly appreciated! Please see details below for more information. We could still use your generous support!  Click Here

A Few Key Dates:

• December 10 - Jan 4 - Youthnet signups, Classes begin Jan 7, 2019
• December 17-21 Spirit Week, Battle of the Classes!
  • Mon. 12/17:  Pajama day
    • Dress in your comfiest pajamas
  • Tues 12/18:  Character day
    • Dress as your favorite character from movies, tv, sports or books
  • Wed. 12/19:  Future day
    • Dress as your future self or as if you're from the future
  • Thurs. 12/20:  Sports day
    • Represent your favorite local or national team
  • Friday 12/21:  Colors
    • Dress in your grade’s colors:
      • 6th grade- white
      • 7th grade- black
      • 8th grade- red
• December 17 - Staff Luncheon (see details below)
• December 17 - BOE Meeting 7:30, 525 Academy Street
• December 21 - 4-hour day, Winter Break begins
• December 24 - 31, Winter Break
• January 1 - Winter Break
• January 2 - School resumes
• January 22-  Orchestra Concert 7pm
• January 23 - Band Concert 7pm
• February 1 - Trivia Night - save the date!

YouthNet

YouthNet registration for Winter 2019 has opened and students can register through Jan 4, 2019. Most classes begin Jan 7th, unless noted. Forms should have come home with your student, but you can also get detailed information online here. http://www.somayouthnet.org/middle-school-clubs.html

Battle of the Classes!

The MMS Battle of the Classes has begun! The winter battle where students band together as a grade and battle for pennies, box tops, canned goods, good behavior points and overall bragging rights. Culminating on a final day where kids get to be kids - rising to full Cougar pride in the Battle of the Classes. Yes, the Fun has begun, read below for all the ways your student can help earn points for their class. With the official battle on 12/21!

1. Canned Food Drive - As part of the ongoing commitment to MAPSO Cares Food Pantry collection, MMS is the host school for December. We are collecting Non Perishable Food Items. Bring in to your 1st period teacher for 1 pt towards Battle of the Classes.For more information on MAPSO Cares, contact the MAPSO Project Coordinator @ Sophieb626@gmail.com! *Please check expiration dates on donated items!*
2. Box tops - Student Council is collecting Box Tops. Please bring in for battle points. These can be given to your Team leaders.
3. Pennies, Pennies, Pennies.  The Penny Wars have begun. Look for your grade collection containers in the cafeteria thru 12/19
4. Spirit Week begins 12/17 and the Official Battle is 12/21. Students will battle to the finish for bragging rights, who will win? 6th? 7th? 8th?  

Musical Updates

Friday was an all casts and crew meeting, Directors gave out info about the January & February calendars, playbill ads, and costumes. For most info visit the musical webpage, https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/
MMS Musical tickets are now on sale!  You can purchase your tickets online at https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/ or fill out a paper order form that will be sent home with your students on Tuesday 12/18 and return to the main office.  

Yearbooks!

Hard to believe, but it’s time to order yearbooks! The Yearbook Club advisors no longer accept paper order forms, checks, or cash for pre ordered yearbooks.  Please mail this form with payment to the address highlighted on the order form. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.  Please see the attached forms with information on ordering the 2018-2019 yearbook.
Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Info

Special Ed Update

• Special Siblings Dec 17 (drop off grades 5-8) 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
• ADD/ADHD Parent Group, December 19, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Tissues and School Store Need Supplies

Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

Teacher requests

From Ms. Laing: Can you please mention to HSA that Hair Care is a YouthNet Club that will be launching Thursday, January 10th.
From Ms. Amaral:  I want to make sure my students have the materials and experiences they need to succeed, so I just created a request for my classroom at DonorsChoose.org: Flex Our Brains With Flexible Seating. If you chip in to help my students, you'll get awesome photos and our heartfelt thanks. Thanks so much, Aggie Amaral, 6th Grade Mathematics
https://www.donorschoose.org/project/flex-our-brains-with-flexible-seating/3745687/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=teacherhub&utm_term=teacher_257624&rf=directlink-dc-2018-12-teacherhub-teacher_257624&challengeid=70047

Achieve - Calling all Hosts!

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.

No Frills and Fundraising - Still Time to Donate!

MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here.

Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!
Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.

MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959

Gratefully yours,

Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com

Hello MMS Families -

Brrr.. it’s getting cold out there but there sure is a buzz in the air at MMS! Pennies and cans of food from your pantries are likely disappearing, and suddenly all your FULL cereal boxes and packaged goods have rectangles cut out of them. Yes, it is that time of year. The MMS Battle of the Classes has begun! 6th grade families are most likely scratching their heads wondering, what is that? While 8th grade and returning families know exactly what that means. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year, MMS Cougar spirit is in full swing. See below for all details.
A gentle reminder, there is a teacher professional development day this week which means a 4 hour day this Tuesday, December 11. Please make sure your student remembers there is no lunch service that day. We will be celebrating our amazing staff on Monday, December 17 with our annual Staff Holiday Luncheon.  If you have time to help out or can donate something yummy, your efforts would be truly appreciated! Please see details below for more information. We could use your generous support!
We still need your support to reach our financial goals as we enhance the Cultural Arts offerings that we want to bring to our students.  Please see the link below to make a donation.

A Few Key Dates:

• December 7-21 - Battle of the Classes!
• December 11 - 4-hour day, Staff Development
• December 12 - Title I information dinner 6pm, Seth Boyden Elementary
• December 17 - Staff Luncheon (see details below)
• December 17 - BOE Meeting 7:30, 525 Academy Street
• December 21 - 4-hour day, Winter Break begins
• December 24 - 31, Winter Break
• January 1 - Winter Break
• January 2 - School resumes
• February 1 - Trivia Night - save the date!

Battle of the Classes

The MMS Battle of the Classes has begun! The winter battle where students band together as a grade and battle for pennies, box tops, canned goods, good behavior points and overall bragging rights. Culminating on a final day where kids get to be kids - rising to full Cougar pride in the Battle of the Classes. Yes, the Fun has begun, read below for all the ways your student can help earn points for their class. With the official battle on 12/21!

1. Canned Food Drive - As part of the ongoing commitment to MAPSO Cares Food Pantry collection, MMS is the host school for December. We are collecting Non Perishable Food Items. Bring in to your 1st period teacher for 1 pt towards Battle of the Classes.For more information on MAPSO Cares, contact the MAPSO Project Coordinator @ Sophieb626@gmail.com! *Please check expiration dates on donated items!*
2. Box tops - Student Council is collecting Box Tops. Please bring in for battle points. These can be given to your Team leaders.
3. Pennies, Pennies, Pennies.  The Penny Wars have begun. Look for your grade collection containers in the cafeteria. 12/7 thru 12/19
4. Official Battle is 12/21. Students will battle to the finish for bragging rights, who will win? 6th? 7th? 8th?  

Yearbooks!

Hard to believe, but it’s time to order yearbooks! The Yearbook Club advisors no longer accept paper order forms, checks, or cash for pre ordered yearbooks.  Please mail this form with payment to the address highlighted on the order form. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.  Please see the attached forms with information on ordering the 2018-2019 yearbook.
Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Info

Staff Holiday Luncheon

The annual MMS Teacher and Staff Appreciation Holiday lunch will be held on December 17th. Please consider making a donation or volunteering your time.  See details on attached sign up genius here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48aead29a13-teacher1
Special Ed Update
Special Siblings Dec 17 (drop off grades 5-8) 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
ADD/ADHD Parent Group, December 19, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
December SEPAC meeting will be a social event for families, details coming

Achieve - Calling all Hosts!

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.

Title 1 information Dinner

Please see the invitation to the MMS/Serh Boyden combined Title I information night next Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 6pm at Seth Boyden Elementary School located at 274 Boyden Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040.  Dinner will be served. Come hear from both school principals and staff about programming offered to students in need of more academic support. Click here for details. See you there!

Parenting Center Toy Drive

Due to a higher than usual demand for toys for our South Orange Maplewood School District families this school year, the 2018 Holiday Toy Drive has been extended until Friday, December 14th.  Therefore, there is still an additional opportunity to make a child's holiday wish come true! Your continued generous support is required to meet the desires of all of our needy families. As a reminder, this year we've made it easier with our Amazon Gift Registry and "go fund me" accounts.  Click on the links below to donate today!

Amazon.com gift registry:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1C8Y5M2GPVY4O
Or make a tax-deductible donation at:  www.gofundme.com/somsd-parenting-center-toy-drive  Or send a check to the:  SOMSD Parenting Center~525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040

The Parenting Center offers their sincere thanks for your support! Donation boxes are in main office!

No Frills and Fundraising - Still Time to Donate!

MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here.

Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!
Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.

MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959

Musical Updates

Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us).  For most info visit the musical webpage, https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/

Superintendent Search

You should have received an email from the district Friday detailing the process for the Superintendent Search. For more information please click here

Tissues and School Store

We mentioned on our News on Waffles segment to be on the lookout for TISSUES. It’s already been a busy season of allergies and colds.  If you are at the store and can pick up some extra boxes, the MMS staff would greatly appreciate it! The student council runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic.Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

MightyNest

Discover innovative products for a healthy home & earn money for Maplewood Middle School!
MightyNest's dual mission is to help families create healthy homes AND raise money for each customer's school.  Every product, including reusable lunch gear, body care, cleaning supplies, kitchenwares and more, was handpicked to help families live healthy lives.  To get started, simply join our school fundraiser here then choose your membership type. All members receive Free Shipping and up to 30% off hundreds of MightyNest's durable, safe products. The best part is that you will raise money for our school every month.

The most popular membership is the MightyFix. For $10/month you'll receive one amazing product each month that helps your family live healthier and greener while earning $1 each month for our school. The product is always worth more than $10 retail, ships free and you also get free shipping on anything else you add to your MightyFix.

• Get your first month of the MightyFix for only $5 when you use promo code SCHOOLFIX5
• New members who signup for the annual MightyFix subscription earn an extra $8 for our school during the first year, for a total of $20 to our school! If you use the promo code SCHOOLFIX5 you can get a bonus two months free with an annual subscription.
• Our school must earn $100 by May 31st to earn our payout check, so the sooner you sign up, the better for our school!

Other membership options include healthy body care, natural feminine care, and home essentials. Please check it out!

Gratefully yours,


Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
​

Hello MMS Families -

Happy December!  It’s hard to believe that this year is almost over!

We will be celebrating our amazing staff on Monday, December 17 with our annual Staff Holiday Luncheon. If you have time to help out or can donate something yummy, your efforts would be truly appreciated! Please see details below for more information.

Thanks to everyone who donated to your MMS HSA on Giving Tuesday!  We still need your support to reach our goals and we enhance the Cultural Arts offerings that we want to bring to our students. Please see the link below to make a donation.

A Few Key Dates:

December 11 - 4-hour day, Staff Development
December 17 - Staff Luncheon (see details below)
December 17 - BOE Meeting 7:30, 525 Academy Street
December 21 - 4-hour day, Winter Break begins
December 24 - 31, Winter Break
January 1 - Winter Break
January 2 - School resumes
February 1 - Trivia Night - save the date!

HSA eBlast update

Our mailing list is now complete with all families' email information as provided by the District. If you need to update your information please follow the MailChimp links below.

Yearbooks!

Hard to believe, but it’s time to order yearbooks!

The Yearbook Club advisors no longer accept paper order forms, checks, or cash for pre-ordered yearbooks.  Please mail this form with payment to the address highlighted on the order form. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Please see the attached forms with information on ordering the 2018-2019 yearbook.
Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Info

Staff Holiday Luncheon

The annual MMS Teacher and Staff Appreciation Holiday lunch will be held on December 17th. Please consider making a donation or volunteering your time. See details on attached sign up genius here: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48aead29a13-teacher1

6th Grade Update :

If you haven’t had a chance to fill out the survey, please take a moment to do so.  This survey is being distributed to collect information on student attendance for a potential field trip for to Ellis Island Thursday, December 20th. Please take a moment to fill out the Google form linked below to help us plan accordingly. Thank you.
https://goo.gl/forms/ZuJ7dGfm0qM83hLs1

Special Ed Update

This Monday, with our own Mr. Stoudermire & Nurse Porter: Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More, Dec 3, 7:30 - 9:00 pm, Parenting Center (BOE Building, 525 Academy St).

Parents will discuss and practice with the School Social Worker and School Nurse how to take care of their children, themselves, and each other as they parent teens in Middle School. We’ll explore strategies on how to support, guide, and direct children to succeed in Middle School - to be ready to face the day and have enough resilience to get through it. Questions? Please contact Eric Stoudemire, MMS School Social Workerestoudem@somsd.k12.nj.us or Julie Porter, MMS School Nursejporter@somsd.k12.nj.us Meetings will be held 7:30 - 9:00 pm on the first Monday of each month.

Also on Monday:

Calming Anxiety and Building Self Esteem for your child: Monday, December 3 from 7:30-8:30pm at the Maplewood Memorial Library.

For Parents & Caregivers - Come join Beth Cosentino, a NJ Parent Fellow from Understood, as she explains the ins-and-outs of anxiety and stress, what to look for in your own child and how to help. We'll also delve into how to boost self esteem for every student, with or without learning and attention issues. Plus, there will be plenty of time for sharing and discussion.   Registration recommended but not required  https://bit.ly/2DkBwNa

Family Support Groups at the Parenting Center (BOE Building, 525 Academy St) in December:

Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More Dec 3, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

2E (Twice Exceptional) Parent Support Group, December 5, 9:30 am
Special Siblings Dec 17 (drop off grades 5-8) 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
ADD/ADHD Parent Group, December 19, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
December SEPAC meeting will be a social event for families, details coming

Letters From Anne and Martin

A dramatic presentation of kindred spirits from parallel worlds - Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. at CHS on December 4.  For more information and to buy tickets, please click here

No Frills and Fundraising - Still Time to Donate!

MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here.

Visiting Mentor Program

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher!  The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise. If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!

Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email.  We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.

MMS Library Volunteers needed!

I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school.  You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule).  This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better!  Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959

Musical Updates

Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us).  For most info visit the musical webpage,https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/

Superintendent Search

You should have received an email from the district Friday detailing the process for the Superintendent Search. For more information please click here

Tissues and School Store

We mentioned on our News on Waffles segment to be on the lookout for TISSUES. It’s already been a busy season of allergies and colds.  If you are at the store and can pick up some extra boxes, the MMS staff would greatly appreciate it! The student council runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic.Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist

MightyNest

Discover innovative products for a healthy home & earn money for Maplewood Middle School!

MightyNest's dual mission is to help families create healthy homes AND raise money for each customer's school.  Every product, including reusable lunch gear, body care, cleaning supplies, kitchenwares and more, was handpicked to help families live healthy lives.  To get started, simply join our school fundraiser here then choose your membership type. All members receive Free Shipping and up to 30% off hundreds of MightyNest's durable, safe products. The best part is that you will raise money for our school every month.

The most popular membership is the MightyFix. For $10/month you'll receive one amazing product each month that helps your family live healthier and greener while earning $1 each month for our school. The product is always worth more than $10 retail, ships free and you also get free shipping on anything else you add to your MightyFix.

• Get your first month of the MightyFix for only $5 when you use promo code SCHOOLFIX5
• New members who signup for the annual MightyFix subscription earn an extra $8 for our school during the first year, for a total of $20 to our school! If you use the promo code SCHOOLFIX5 you can get a bonus two months free with an annual subscription.
• Our school must earn $100 by May 31st to earn our payout check, so the sooner you sign up, the better for our school!

Other membership options include healthy body care, natural feminine care, and home essentials. Please check it out!

Gratefully yours,

Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
​
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com