MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
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From the Principal's Corner
Click here for Principal Gronau’s weekly update.
Hello MMS Families!
We hope you had a fantastic weekend. It was great to see so many of our families at Back to School Night. We were thrilled at how many families volunteered to help the HSA and we had a record night selling Spirit Wear. Thank You!
As promised, here is a quick and easy way to join the MMS HSA. Click here to Join. You can also learn more about your MMS HSA, including Board members and meeting dates, how to get involved, or to donate, PLEASE click here.
A reminder that there is NO SCHOOL Wednesday September 19th in observance of Yom Kippur.
A Few Key Dates:
9/19 No School - in observance of Yom Kippur
9/28 Picture Day - All Grades
10/1 Cultural Arts Assembly - All Grades
10/9 4 Hour Day - Staff development
10/11 General Meeting - HSA
10/18 Title 1 Info Meeting @Seth Boyden
White Envelopes/Emergency Forms
The first day of school your students received a white envelope. Please complete and return all emergency forms to the school.
Tissues
We mentioned on our News on Waffles segment to be on the lookout for TISSUES and also cleaning wipes. 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.
No Frills and Fundraising
The 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.
YouthNet at MMS
YouthNet offers an Extended Enrichment Program for all MMS students. The program runs until 6 pm and follows the school calendar. MMS teachers offer individual homework help to students enrolled. Visit www.somayouthnet.org for more information. No child is denied due to financial reasons.
YouthNet’s after school club program flyer will be coming home this week. These offerings begin first week of October.
Maplewood Library
Emily Witkowski is the teen librarian at Maplewood Memorial Library and the Hilton Branch Library. There are several programs targeted to Middle School families throughout the year.
Varsity Orchestra Through the South Orange Maplewood Adult School!
- 9/20 Surviving and Thriving in Middle Schools. Monique Bostic, local mom and licensed clinical social worker, will be at the Main Library at 3:30 pm to give 10 tips for surviving and thriving in middle school. This program is geared towards 6-8 graders and pizza will be served. Click here for information.
- 10/4: Homework Battles: Strategies to help your child is being offered on Thursday October 4th, from 7:30-8:30 pm at the Maplewood Main Library. Click here for details and registration information.
Don’t miss this chance for your young musician to make music with their peers in an encouraging, inclusive and inspiring environment, led by talented and engaging instructors who have deep experience working with children. Designed to augment the school music instruction, our orchestras allow young musicians to develop their musical talent, experience being part of an ensemble, learn about music theory, grow friendships with other young musicians, and perform at our twice-yearly concerts. Orchestras meet one evening a week at Columbia High School. Register online at the SOMAS website.
Hola Festival
Join Hola! Fest NJ 2018 at The Woodland from 12 to 6 pm. part of Maplewood’s first Hispanic Heritage festival, a free community event that will entertain the entire family.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
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MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************ From the Principal's Corner Click here for Principal Gronau’s welcome letter. Hello MMS Families! We hope that your children had a great first couple of days of school! Thanks so much to our amazing parents, staff and volunteers who ensured that our kids had a smooth and exciting welcome to MMS!! To learn more about your MMS HSA including Board members and meeting dates, how to get involved, or to donate, PLEASE click here. A reminder that there is NO SCHOOL Monday or Tuesday September 10 & 11 in observance of Rosh Hashanah. A Few Key Dates: Rosh Hashanah – District Closed There will be no school on Monday and Tuesday September 10 & 11. MMS HSA Meeting Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 in the Library Media Center Back to School Night Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 13 from 6:45pm – 9 pm for Back to School Night! A welcome will take place in the auditorium. Please take the opportunity to see what a day in the life of your middle schooler is like! See the classrooms, meet the teachers and principal, and much more! A reminder that this is a 4-hour day; students will be dismissed at 12:30. Special Ed/504 Families Meet and Greet There will be a Meet and Greet with Principal Gronau for families of students with IEPs and 504s on Thursday, September 13th from 6:15 - 6:45pm, prior to the Back to School Night. For more information, or to volunteer to help with the event, contact Special Ed Liaison Kiersten Carlson-Williams at lissenden@verizon.net. White Envelopes/Emergency Forms The first day of school your students received a white envelope. Please complete and return all emergency forms to the school. There is a lot of great info in there from your HSA as well including our welcome letter here. Also included was our No-Frills Fundraiser flyer here. Thank you! YouthNet at MMS Youth Net offers an Extended Enrichment Program for all MMS students. The program runs until 6 pm and follows the school calendar. MMS teachers offer individual homework help to students enrolled. Click here for more information or visit www.somayouthnet.org for more information. No child is denied due to financial reasons. More info on YouthNet’s after school club program will also be available at Back to School night. These offerings begin first week of October. Achieve Newstead 5k The 15th annual Achieve Newstead 5K is on Saturday, September 15. The race starts at 9 am at the South Mountain School Annex at 112 Glenview Road in South Orange. Please click here for more information. Gratefully yours,Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019 mmshsainfo@gmail.com debcathol@gmail.com szknutsen@gmail.com MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************ From the Principal's Corner Click here for Principal Gronau’s welcome letter. Hello MMS Families! We hope you have been enjoying a wonderful summer and Labor Day weekend! School begins this week on Thursday, September 6 for 6th and 7th grade and Friday, September 7 for 8th grade (welcome new families!). We can’t wait to have all of the students back in MMS. It’s been a busy summer and we have so many things to look forward to! Schedules were mailed out last week so if you haven’t received your student’s yet, it should be on its way. A Few Key Dates September 6 – First day of school, 6th & 7th grade September 7 – First day of school, 8th grade Doors open at 8:12 First class begins at 8:20, dismissal is 3:05. We could use your help on the first days! Your MMS HSA is teaming with MMS staff to roll out the red carpet and welcome the students with cheers and fanfare. We would really love to have lots of parents there to show support for the kids. It will only take about 30 minutes on Thursday and Friday – please click here to join the fun. Rosh Hashanah - District Closed There will be no school on Monday and Tuesday September 10 & 11 in observance of Rosh Hashanah. MMS HSA Meeting Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 in the Library Media Center. Back to School Night Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 13 from 6:45 pm – 9 pm for Back to School Night! A welcome will take place in the auditorium. Please take the opportunity to see what a day in the life of your middle schooler is like! See the classrooms, meet the teachers and principal, and much more! A reminder that this is a 4-hour day; students will be dismissed at 12:30. Special Ed/504 Families Meet and Greet There will be a Meet and Greet with Principal Gronau for families of students with IEPs and 504s on Thursday, September 13th from 6:15-6:45 pm, prior to the Back to School Night. For more information, or to volunteer to help with the event, contact Special Ed Liaison Kiersten Carlson-Williams at lissenden@verizon.net. White Envelopes/Emergency Forms The first day of school your students will receive a white envelope. Please complete and return all emergency forms to the school. There is a lot of great info in there from your HSA as well including our welcome letter here. Also included was our No-Frills Fundraiser flyer here. Thank you! YouthNet at MMS Youth Net offers an Extended Enrichment Program for all MMS students. The program runs until 6 pm and follows the school calendar. MMS teachers offer individual homework help to students enrolled. Click here and here for more information or visit www.somayouthnet.org for more information. No child is denied due to financial reasons. More info on YouthNet’s after school club program will also be available at Back to School night. These offerings begin first week of October. Achieve Newstead 5k The 15th annual Achieve Newstead 5K is on Saturday, September 15. The race starts at 9 am at the South Mountain School Annex at 112 Glenview Road in South Orange. Please click here for more information. Gratefully, Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019 mmshsainfo@gmail.com szknutsen@gmail.com debcatholt@gmail.com  MMS Supply List 2018-19 School Year (REVISED 8.7.18).pdf
Please find the revised school supply list for the upcoming school year at MMS. The countdown begins! We look forward to our learners returning next month! MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************ Dear MMS, **** THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER **** Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau. Battle of the Classes is finally here! This week is the final FULL week and packed with fun events for the iconic MMS Spirit Week. Student Council is also currently collecting non-perishable items, Box Tops for Education and change for Penny Wars in the cafeteria. All nonperishable items are donated to MapSo Cares, through our CHS representative, and then distributed to local food banks as needed. Help MMS continue the tradition!
DATES TO REMEMBER 6/11 Battle of the Classes/Spirit Week BEGINS! 6/13 Community Forum Event at SOMS 7:30pm 6/14 Board of Education Meeting 7:30 6/15 Battle of the Classes & Poetry Grammys 6/18 Ice Cream Social 6/19 4-hour Day, & 7th grade pool party 6/20 4-hour Day, LAST DAY grades 6 & 7; and 6th grade pool party 6/21 4-hour Day, LAST DAY grade 8 8th GRADE PARENTS 6/13 Trip to Frog Bridge 6/19 8th grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6/21 Moving Up Ceremony at MMS (AM ceremony) FROG BRIDGE 8th graders go to Frog Bridge this week! The students received the attached reminder form at a meeting last week. Click here for the Reminders! 8th GRADE DINNER DANCE CHAPERONES In order to have a successful 8th grade Dinner Dance we need your help! The planning committee is looking for several parent chaperones to make sure everything runs smoothly. 6th and 7th grade parents preferred but if you are the parent of and 8th grader and he/she is OK with you chaperoning, that is fine too. Please see the attached Sign Up Genius: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0F48A8AC2BA2F85-parents 8th GRADE - HONOR YOUR TEACHER CAMPAIGN ACHIEVE The deadline has passed, but there is one final push for the Achieve Annual Honor Your Teachers Campaign. Click here for information. HELP WITH 8th GRADE MOVING UP The 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony is Thursday, June 21. We need everyone's help to make the Reception special while our 8th graders and their families celebrate together. Please sign up to contribute food, money, or your time to help give our 8th graders & their families a really special day! We encourage our 6th & 7th grade families to donate & help at the reception to allow our 8th grade families time to enjoy the day. Thank you so much!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a49abad2b0-8thgrade 8th GRADE DINNER DANCE ATTIRE DONATIONS Let’s make sure all of our 8th graders feel great at the Dinner Dance! We are looking for dresses, shirts, shoes, polos, shoes, etc. If you have something to donate please bring it to the Guidance office next week. All donations are appreciated!! POOL PARTY - 6th AND 7th GRADE Permission slips are due for both 6th and 7th grade pool parties. If your student’s form didn’t make it home, no worries, your MMS HSA Is here to save the day! Click here for 6th Grade Permission Slip Click here for 7th Grade Permission Slip CHS POP UP SHOP CHS Has asked for us to forward the following information. Volunteers and donations are needed to help senior students find their perfect look at the free CHS prom pop up shop! Clothing donations (new or gently used dresses, suits, shoes, accessories etc) can be dropped off at Gleasons Cleaners, 7 West Parker Avenue in Maplewood. Please click HERE to donate or lend items such as curtains, racks and hangers to make the shop pop! Please click HERE to assist with alterations or as "sales" assistants or stylists (no current senior parents or any students please)! Or please click HERE for information about how to contribute to the CHS senior fund! SUMMER LEADERSHIP TRAINING CONFERENCE As part of the New Jersey Association of Student Councils MMS participates in a summer Leadership Training Conference. This is a three night overnight camp in July at the College of New Jersey. This is an opportunity available for current Student Council members or current MMS students that might want to explore joining Student Council next year. This is also a great opportunity for current graduating 8th graders to attend and join their CHS peers, who often serve as counselors for the camp. If your student is interested please visit this site for more information -- http://www.ltcnj.org/index.html The sign up and registration for the camp can be found here --https://njasc.wufoo.com/forms/z59s68m0bbqlzi/ Students or families with questions can contact Ms. O'Sullivan. *Student Council does offer a few partial scholarships to help defray costs; please reach out to Ms. O'Sullivan! FUTURE POLICE ACADEMY The Maplewood Township Police Department is seeking applicants to participate in the future Police Academy. For more details click here. “THE MMS MAKERSPACE PROJECT” (UPDATE!) You have heard us talking about the MMS MakerSpace Project and we have been asking for your support. Thank you to all that have already contributed to help us give MMS students access to the newest tech tools for their school-work! Your MMS HSA is contributing $5,000 to the fund in preparation for the upcoming school year. This contribution will allow the project team to get moving over the summer on the next phase of the initiative. We’ll update you on our progress and hope to open the new MakerSpace at the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year! In partnership with the HSA, Dara Gronau, Evyn Degnan (the MMS Media Lab Leader) and several MMS parents, “The MMS MakerSpace Project” has put together a plan to open a new “MMS MakerSpace” in the Computer Lab adjacent to the MMS Media Center. We want to create a space that will allow students to create work driven by their MMS teachers, explore their curiosities and present their passions withmodern tech tools. As envisioned, the space will include state-of-the art video cameras, a new large presentation screen, computers with video/audio editing tools and other creative-suite programs, larger 3-D printers and large-scale printers, architecture/robotics kits, augmented reality tools and more allowing MMS students a hand-on experience with the tech tools of today and tomorrow. Please consider donating to this very important effort. Click here for more information and to donate via PayPal. Or, please write a check, payable to: the MMS HSA with a note “For MMS MakerSpace” and have your child deliver to his/her homeroom teacher. BOX TOPS Clip and save your Box Tops and please send them in with your MMS Student! Each Box Top is worth $.10 for our school! Also, the Box Top donations are being tracked by grade to help each class win points for Battle of the Classes!! It’s a win-win! BOE STUDENT RECOGNITION We know there are more students to recognize, don’t be shy! Each month the Board of Education recognizes students at board meetings. If you know a student who deserves recognition - in or out of school - please contact Principal Gronau. SCHOOL STORE Our school store is always on the lookout for donations! If you’re making a Costco run, please consider picking up some extra items and donating them. The School Store is run by our wonderful Student Council and uses Cougar Cash for purchases. You can even help without leaving home! Click to order from the school store Amazon wish list! SPECIAL ED LIAISON UPDATE New! Special Siblings, a youth-led support group, along with Laura Reichgut, LCSW, for siblings (grades 5-8) of people with special needs. The first meeting is this Tuesday, June 12, 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm, in the Parenting Center Meeting Room, 3rd Floor at 525 Academy Street (behind CHS). Snacks will be provided. ************************************ VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!! MMS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER The Media Center needs parent volunteers to shelve books, organize sections, check in/out books and help students throughout the day. This is a great opportunity to be at MMS beyond Back to School and School in Action Nights! Volunteer for as much or as little as you would like. Check out the Media Center Class Schedule and signup directly on the Google Sheet Click here! Feel free to contact Tracey Clarke (HSA Special Projects) with any questions: tlclarke226@gmail.com Check here for more information on what is happening in the MLC. Gratefully, Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents, Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt mmshsainfo@gmail.com szknutsen@gmail.com debcatholt@gmail.com MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************ Dear MMS, **** THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER **** Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau. We hope that you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Back to school this week and counting down to the end of the year! There is a lot of information in this email, please make sure to read everything. We trust everyone received the email from the district where SOMSD invited you to attend a community meeting to discuss the long range facilities & integration plan. Click Here for flyer. Community Forum Dates*
DATES TO REMEMBER 5/28 Memorial Day - No School 5/29 Choral Concert 7 PM 6/3 MMS Garden Day 11am-2pm 8th GRADE PARENTS 5/30 Tours of CHS, 6-8:30 pm 6/1 8th grade ADULT Fundraiser 6/13 Trip to Frog Bridge 6/19 8th grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6/21 Moving Up Ceremony at MMS (AM ceremony) 8th GRADE FUNDRAISER Liz Hochberg and Mike Schloff have generously offered to host a fundraising party at their home for all MMS 8th grade parents/guardians (adults only). The event has a suggested donation of $20/person and all funds raised will go toward costs for the dinner dance. Please join us for some cocktails and light food as we celebrate the end of middle school for our 8th graders! http://www.mmshsa.org/8th-grade-fundraiser-2018.html 8th GRADE CONDUCT REMINDER Please review the attached Conduct Reminder for your 8th Grade student. If you have a current 8th grader, please sign and return the attached form by tomorrow, Tuesday, May 29, 2018. Click here for the letter/form. 8th GRADE DINNER DANCE CHAPERONES In order to have a successful 8th grade Dinner Dance we need your help! The planning committee is looking for several parent chaperones to make sure everything runs smoothly. 6th and 7th grade parents preferred but if you are the parent of and 8th grader and he/she is OK with you chaperoning, that is fine too. Please see the attached Sign Up Genius: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0F48A8AC2BA2F85-parents 8th GRADE DINNER DANCE ATTIRE DONATIONS Let’s make sure all of our 8th graders feel great at the Dinner Dance! We are looking for dresses, shirts, shoes, polos, shoes, etc. If you have something to donate please bring it to the Guidance office next week. All donations are appreciated!! 7th GRADE BRACELETS 7th Grade MMS bracelets are still available! Battle of the Classes is coming soon. There is still time to get "Be afraid, here comes 7th grade” bracelets to wear to the battle or to wear in support of your 7th grader, black slogan on a black bracelet, $1 each from any of the team leaders! All profits go back to the 7th grade for trips and The Poetry Grammys. Please have your 7th grader see Mrs. Tavares, Ms. Schlatmann or Mr. O’Dell to purchase one for themselves or for you. Thank you! TOURS OF CHS, Wed. 5/30, 6 - 8:30 PM CHS invites students and their parents/guardians to join members of our CHS student body on this Wednesday, May 30 for tours of our building. These tours are designed for small groups of students and their parents/guardians to walk our building with current students, hear first hand some of our 'tips and tricks' for a smooth transition, and ask any questions they may have to our current students. MMS GARDEN DAY 6/3 Garden day has been rescheduled to Sunday, June 3. Please join Ms.Silva and the MMS garden club, they can use as many hands as possible. The garden bed and MMS rocks could use some extra TLC. A special thanks to the Achieve Foundation for supporting this initiative. CHS POP UP SHOP CHS Has asked for us to forward the following information. Volunteers and donations are needed to help senior students find their perfect look at the free CHS prom pop up shop! Clothing donations (new or gently used dresses, suits, shoes, accessories etc) can be dropped off at Gleasons Cleaners, 7 West Parker Avenue in Maplewood. Please click HERE to donate or lend items such as curtains, racks and hangers to make the shop pop! Please click HERE to assist with alterations or as "sales" assistants or stylists (no current senior parents or any students please)! Or please click HERE for information about how to contribute to the CHS senior fund! FUTURE POLICE ACADEMY The Maplewood Township Police Department is seeking applicants to participate in the future Police Academy. For more details click here. PARENTING THE FORTNITE ADDICT Every so often a game comes along that conquers the hearts, minds and thumbs of gamers everywhere. Fortnite: Battle Royale is the latest victor in this category. Thanks to Principal Gronau for sharing this article. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/well/family/parenting-the-fortnite-addict.html “THE MMS MAKERSPACE PROJECT” Help us give MMS students access to the newest tech tools for their school-work! In partnership with the HSA, Dara Gronau, Evyn Degnan (the MMS Media Lab Leader) and several MMS parents, “The MMS MakerSpace Project” has put together a plan to open a new “MMS MakerSpace” in the Computer Lab adjacent to the MMS Media Center. We want to create a space that will allow students to create work driven by their MMS teachers, explore their curiosities and present their passions withmodern tech tools. As envisioned, the space will include state-of-the art video cameras, a new large presentation screen, computers with video/audio editing tools and other creative-suite programs, larger 3-D printers and large-scale printers, architecture/robotics kits, augmented reality tools and more allowing MMS students a hand-on experience with the tech tools of today and tomorrow. In order for this to happen, we need financial support from MMS parents. Please consider donating to this very important effort. Click here for more information and to donate via PayPal. Or, please write a check, payable to: the MMS HSA with a note “For MMS MakerSpace” and have your child deliver to his/her homeroom teacher. We’ll update you on our progress and hope to open the new MakerSpace at the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year! BOX TOPS Clip and save your Box Tops and please send them in with your MMS Student! Each Box Top is worth $.10 for our school! Also, the Box Top donations are being tracked by grade to help each class win points for Battle of the Classes!! It’s a win-win! BOE STUDENT RECOGNITION We know there are more students to recognize, don’t be shy! Each month the Board of Education recognizes students at board meetings. If you know a student who deserves recognition - in or out of school - please contact Principal Gronau. SCHOOL STORE Our school store is always on the lookout for donations! If you’re making a Costco run, please consider picking up some extra items and donating them. The School Store is run by our wonderful Student Council and uses Cougar Cash for purchases. You can even help without leaving home! Click to order from the school store Amazon wish list! MIDDLE SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY CLINIC See attached flyer on a spring field hockey clinic for middle schoolers! Click here ************************************ VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!! MMS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER The Media Center needs parent volunteers to shelve books, organize sections, check in/out books and help students throughout the day. This is a great opportunity to be at MMS beyond Back to School and School in Action Nights! Volunteer for as much or as little as you would like. Check out the Media Center Class Schedule and signup directly on the Google Sheet Click here! Feel free to contact Tracey Clarke (HSA Special Projects) with any questions: tlclarke226@gmail.com Check here for more information on what is happening in the MLC. Gratefully, Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents, Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt mmshsainfo@gmail.com szknutsen@gmail.com debcatholt@gmail.com Dear MMS,
We hope you are drying out from all the rain but we are sure you agree that it was wonderful to end the weekend with a little sunshine and warmth. We added a few more dates for 8th graders, please make sure to read everything. We trust everyone received the email from the district where SOMSD invited you to attend a community meeting to discuss the long range facilities & integration plan. Click Here for flyer. Community Forum Dates*
DATES TO REMEMBER 5/23 Orchestra Concert 7pm 5/28 Memorial Day - No School 5/29 Choral Concert 7 PM 6th GRADE PARENTS 5/25 Field Trip to the Liberty Science Center 8th GRADE PARENTS 5/22- 5/23 NJSLA TESTING 5/23 CHS Athletics Info Session, 6:30 PM CHS Auditorium 5/30 Tours of CHS, 6-8:30 pm 6/1 8th grade ADULT Fundraiser 6/13 Trip to Frog Bridge 6/19 8th grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6/21 Moving Up Ceremony at MMS (AM ceremony) 8th GRADE FUNDRAISER Liz Hochberg and Mike Schloff have generously offered to host a fundraising party at their home for all MMS 8th grade parents/guardians (adults only). The event has a suggested donation of $20/person and all funds raised will go toward costs for the dinner dance. Please join us for some cocktails and light food as we celebrate the end of middle school for our 8th graders! http://www.mmshsa.org/8th-grade-fundraiser-2018.html TOURS OF CHS CHS invites students and their parents/guardians to join members of our CHS student body onWednesday, May 30, from 6-8:30 PM, for tours of our building. These tours are designed for small groups of students and their parents/guardians to walk our building with current students, hear first hand some of our 'tips and tricks' for a smooth transition, and ask any questions they may have to our current students. CHS ATHLETICS INFOMATION NIGHT Please join CHS at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, May 23, in the CHS Auditorium for an information session on participating in high school athletics. Columbia HS Athletics and Activities Director Mr. Busichio will present information about high school sports, summer practices, state and district physical examination requirements, and concussion and cardiac protocols and testing. We recommend that you attend withyour student so that you can discuss information about practices, participation, eligibility, etc afterward. CHS POP UP SHOP CHS Has asked for us to forward the following information. Volunteers and donations are needed to help senior students find their perfect look at the free CHS prom pop up shop! Clothing donations (new or gently used dresses, suits, shoes, accessories etc) can be dropped off at Gleasons Cleaners, 7 West Parker Avenue in Maplewood. Please click HERE to donate or lend items such as curtains, racks and hangers to make the shop pop! Please click HERE to assist with alterations or as "sales" assistants or stylists (no current senior parents or any students please)! Or please click HERE for information about how to contribute to the CHS senior fund! FUTURE POLICE ACADEMY The Maplewood Township Police Department is seeking applicants to participate in the future Police Academy. For more details click here. Dear MMS,
We hope everyone had a relaxing and happy Mother’s Day weekend. A special thank you to all the volunteers who helped plan and pull off an amazing Teacher Appreciation week. From massages and sweet treats to a tremendous luncheon, the perfect ending was concluding the week with margaritas (virgin of course). Our MMS teachers definitely felt the love. Please take the chance to read the HSA email as there are so many dates that we are sure you don’t want to miss! Lastly, the Superintendent will be unveiling the District’s Long Range Facilities Plan at the Board of Education Meeting on Monday, May 14th. This will be an introduction to the plan, including what the district proposes to do to relieve overcrowding, integrate all of our schools, and repair and upgrade our facilities to enhance our learning spaces. You should have received an email today from the district. Here is a portion of the email to the SOMSD community: “The Board of Education meeting agenda is available here, and the meeting starts at 7:30pm. The entire meeting, including the presentation on the Long Range Facilities Plan, will be available to watch via livestream, and will be posted on our website by Thursday, May 17, 2018.” DATES TO REMEMBER 5/14 BOE Meeting 7:30 PM 5/16 Band Concert 7 PM 5/17 School in Action Night 7 PM ½ day dismissal 12:30pm 5/20 MMS Garden Day 11am 5/23 Orchestra Concert 7pm 5/28 Memorial Day - No School 5/29 Choral Concert 7 PM 6th GRADE PARENTS 5/25 Field Trip to the Liberty Science Center 7th GRADE PARENTS 5/14 Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo (Don't forget to pack lunches, water and sunscreen!) 8th GRADE PARENTS 5/22- 5/23 NJSLA TESTING 6/1 8th grade ADULT Fundraiser 6/13 Trip to Frog Bridge 6/19 8th grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6/21 Moving Up Ceremony at MMS (AM ceremony) SCHOOL IN ACTION MMS would like to see you and your children at MMS at 7:30pm on Thursday, May 17, 2018! The evening will begin with a musical performance from our Select Choir. Please circulate this flyer to any incoming 6th grade families. They are invited as well! **IMPORTANT - This day, Thursday, May 17, is a HALF DAY for MMS STUDENTS. The school day ends at 12:30pm. Breakfast will be served but lunch will not be served. 8th GRADE FUNDRAISER The Schloff family has generously offered to host a fundraising party at their home for all MMS 8th grade parents/guardians (adults only). The event has a suggested donation of $20/person and all funds raised will go toward costs for the dinner dance. Please join us for some cocktails and light food as we celebrate the end of middle school for our 8th graders! [You may Purchase tickets/DONATE and/or RSVP] PARENTING THE FORTNITE ADDICT Every so often a game comes along that conquers the hearts, minds and thumbs of gamers everywhere. Fortnite: Battle Royale is the latest victor in this category. Thanks to Principal Gronau for sharing this article. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/well/family/parenting-the-fortnite-addict.html “THE MMS MAKERSPACE PROJECT” Help us give MMS students access to the newest tech tools for their school-work! In partnership with the HSA, Dara Gronau, Evyn Degnan (the MMS Media Lab Leader) and several MMS parents, “The MMS MakerSpace Project” has put together a plan to open a new “MMS MakerSpace” in the Computer Lab adjacent to the MMS Media Center. We want to create a space that will allow students to create work driven by their MMS teachers, explore their curiosities and present their passions with modern tech tools. As envisioned, the space will include state-of-the art video cameras, a new large presentation screen, computers with video/audio editing tools and other creative-suite programs, larger 3-D printers and large-scale printers, architecture/robotics kits, augmented reality tools and more allowing MMS students a hand-on experience with the tech tools of today and tomorrow. In order for this to happen, we need financial support from MMS parents. Please consider donating to this very important effort. Click here for more information and to donate via PayPal. Or, please write a check, payable to: the MMS HSA with a note “For MMS MakerSpace” and have your child deliver to his/her homeroom teacher. We’ll update you on our progress and hope to open the new MakerSpace at the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year! BOX TOPS Clip and save your Box Tops and please send them in with your MMS Student! Each Box Top is worth $.10 for our school! Also, the Box Top donations are being tracked by grade to help each class win points for Battle of the Classes!! It’s a win-win! BAND CONCERT Wednesday, May 16 is the Spring Band Concert. Children should arrive in white tops and black bottoms at 6:30 PM. Concert begins at 7. Please click on the flyer for more details. MMS GARDEN Do you have a Green Thumb? Thank you to a few of the parents who have already expressed interest in helping with the MMS Garden. Students have decorated the rocks and the garden club has already planted seedlings, now we need help to prepare the garden beds. If you are free Sunday, May 20th at 11am we would love to have some hands to dig, prep and get the garden going. Sign up here ->www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080B44A9AC28A02-mmsgarden BOE STUDENT RECOGNITION We know there are more students to recognize, don’t be shy! Each month the Board of Education recognizes students at board meetings. If you know a student who deserves recognition - in or out of school - please contact Principal Gronau. SCHOOL STORE Our school store is always on the lookout for donations! If you’re making a Costco run, please consider picking up some extra items and donating them. The School Store is run by our wonderful Student Council and uses Cougar Cash for purchases. You can even help without leaving home! Click to order from the school store Amazon wish list! MIDDLE SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY CLINIC See attached flyer on a spring field hockey clinic for middle schoolers! Click here ************************************ VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!! MMS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER The Media Center needs parent volunteers to shelve books, organize sections, check in/out books and help students throughout the day. This is a great opportunity to be at MMS beyond Back to School and School in Action Nights! Volunteer for as much or as little as you would like. Check out the Media Center Class Schedule and signup directly on the Google Sheet Click here! Feel free to contact Tracey Clarke (HSA Special Projects) with any questions: tlclarke226@gmail.com Check here for more information on what is happening in the MLC. Gratefully, Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents, Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt mmshsainfo@gmail.com szknutsen@gmail.com debcatholt@gmail.com Hello 8th grade families!!
We're getting down to the wire here! So we thought it would be useful to send a quick note with some important end-of-year dates and info: Friday, June 1st: Party for 8th Grade Parents/Guardians -- The Schloff family has generously offered to host a fundraising party at their home for all MMS 8th grade parents/guardians (adults only). The event has a suggested donation of $20/person and all funds raised will go toward costs for the dinner dance. To RSVP, please click on the Evite HERE and join us for some cocktails and light food as we celebrate the end of middle school for our 8th graders! If you can't attend but wish to donate, please click HERE. Wednesday, June 13th: Frog Bridge Field Trip -- Permission slips for Frog Bridge were due last week. If your student has not yet returned her/his permission slip, please make sure it’s done as soon as possible. You can find the permission slip HERE. [Any family who finds their child’s participation in this trip an economic hardship should contact us ASAP to make arrangements.] Tuesday, June 19th: Dinner Dance -- Tickets for the annual 8th grade dinner dance at Maplewood Country Club will go on sale the week before the event. Please save the date -- the dance is an honored tradition and always has fabulous turnout! Thursday, June 21st: Moving Up -- Each graduate will receive three (3) tickets to 8th grade Moving Up sometime during that last week of school. The ceremony is held in the gym, and directly following the MMS HSA will host a reception on the front lawn of the school for the 8th graders and their families. That’s it for now. We’ll be in touch in the coming weeks as more specifics become available. In the meantime, please reach out with any questions. Your MMS HSA 8th Grade Coordinators, Kathleen & Sandra Kathleen Bailie kbailie1@gmail.com Sandra Kosik sandrabkosik@gmail.com Dear MMS,
**** THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER **** Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau. Well that was fast! Looks like we went directly from winter to summer! A reminder to please be on the lookout for information regarding end-of-year activities, as this time of year is always busy! It‘s allergy season and that means that hand sanitizer is in high demand. Please consider sending your student in with a box or package of hand sanitizer wipes! The teachers would certainly appreciate it. Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Your MMS HSA has several fun things planned for the week! Please click here to donate to the Teacher Luncheon that will take place on Thursday, May 10 -- we need your help to make this a fabulous event for our amazing staff!! DATES TO REMEMBER 5/11 MMS Idol / Start of Battle of the Classes 5/14 BOE Meeting 7:30 PM 5/16 Band Concert 7 PM 5/17 School in Action Night 7 PM 5/20 MMS Garden Day 11 AM 5/23 Orchestra Concert 7 PM 5/28 Memorial Day - No School 5/29 Choral Concert 7:30 PM 6th GRADE PARENTS 5/25 Field Trip to the Liberty Science Center 7th GRADE PARENTS 5/14 Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo (Permission Slip due Monday, May 7, click here for a copy) 8th GRADE PARENTS 5/8- 5/11 PARCC TESTING 5/22- 5/23 NJSLA TESTING 6/13 Trip to Frog Bridge 6/19 8th grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6/21 Moving Up Ceremony at MMS (AM ceremony) TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS COMING! MAY 7-11 We are putting the finishing touches on the schedule for Teacher Appreciation Week. Thanks to all of the parents who stepped up to make this a great week for our teachers! There is a sign-up sheet for the luncheon. If you can’t get to the school but would like to donate an item or some $$, please contact Deb Holt at DebCatHolt@gmail.com or Sara Knutsen at szknutsen@gmail.com. The schedule of events: Monday - Massage Monday Tuesday - “We are Lucky to Have You!” Wednesday - “Salty & Sweet” Thursday - Staff Luncheon - Click here to help! Friday - Margaritas and chips! “THE MMS MAKERSPACE PROJECT” Help us give MMS students access to the newest tech tools for their school-work! In partnership with the HSA, Dara Gronau, Evyn Degnan (the MMS Media Lab Leader) and several MMS parents, “The MMS MakerSpace Project” has put together a plan to open a new “MMS MakerSpace” in the Computer Lab adjacent to the MMS Media Center. We want to create a space that will allow students to create work driven by their MMS teachers, explore their curiosities and present their passions withmodern tech tools. As envisioned, the space will include state-of-the art video cameras, a new large presentation screen, computers with video/audio editing tools and other creative-suite programs, larger 3-D printers and large-scale printers, architecture/robotics kits, augmented reality tools and more allowing MMS students a hand-on experience with the tech tools of today and tomorrow. In order for this to happen, we need financial support from MMS parents. Please consider donating to this very important effort. Click here for more information and to donate via PayPal. Or, please write a check, payable to: the MMS HSA with a note “For MMS MakerSpace” and have your child deliver to his/her homeroom teacher. We’ll update you on our progress and hope to open the new MakerSpace at the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year! MMS IDOL The Final of MMS Idol will take place after school on Friday, May 11. Tickets are $5 per student but go down to $3 with the donation of two non-perishable food items. All items collected will be counted toward Battle of the Classes. See flyer here. BOX TOPS Clip and save your Box Tops and please send them in with your MMS Student! Each Box Top is worth $.10 for our school! Also, the Box Top donations are being tracked by grade to help each class win points for Battle of the Classes!! It’s a win-win! BAND CONCERT Wednesday, May 16 is the Spring Band Concert. Children should arrive in white tops and black bottoms at 6:30 PM. Concert begins at 7. Please click on the flyer for more details. MMS GARDEN Do you have a Green Thumb? Thank you to a few of the parents who have already expressed interest in helping with the MMS Garden. Students have decorated the rocks and the garden club has already planted seedlings, now we need help to prepare the garden beds. If you are free Sunday, May 20th at 11am we would love to have some hands to dig, prep and get the garden going. Sign up here ->www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080B44A9AC28A02-mmsgarden BOE STUDENT RECOGNITION We know there are more students to recognize, don’t be shy! Each month the Board of Education recognizes students at board meetings. If you know a student who deserves recognition - in or out of school - please contact Principal Gronau. SCHOOL STORE Our school store is always on the lookout for donations! If you’re making a Costco run, please consider picking up some extra items and donating them. The School Store is run by our wonderful Student Council and uses Cougar Cash for purchases. You can even help without leaving home! Click to order from the school store Amazon wish list! MIDDLE SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY CLINIC See attached flyer on a spring field hockey clinic for middle schoolers! Click here CHS MARCHING BAND OPEN HOUSE Come to the CHS Marching Band Open House! Thursday, May 3 starting at 6 PM. Stations for each section of the marching band will be set up and students can meet with current marching band members -- and even try out some drums! The CHS Cougar Marching Band is one of the most visible and respected performing ensembles at Columbia High School. “The Pride of Columbia” has a rich tradition of musical excellence, visual pageantry, dedication, and pride which is carried from generation to generation within the band. For information and links, visit their Site! ************************************ VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!! MMS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER The Media Center needs parent volunteers to shelve books, organize sections, check in/out books and help students throughout the day. This is a great opportunity to be at MMS beyond Back to School and School in Action Nights! Volunteer for as much or as little as you would like. Check out the Media Center Class Schedule and signup directly on the Google Sheet Click here! Feel free to contact Tracey Clarke (HSA Special Projects) with any questions: tlclarke226@gmail.com Check here for more information on what is happening in the MLC. Gratefully, Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents, Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt mmshsainfo@gmail.com szknutsen@gmail.com debcatholt@gmail.com |
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