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Maplewood Middle School Home and School Association
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MMS HSA News Week 40

6/1/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 40
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
MMS Families,

Our nation is quite literally under fire. Perhaps you feel powerless over these larger issues, perhaps you are tired or paralyzed by grief and anger. Setting aside our own personal feelings, our students are watching. And what they see are people, many close to their age, protesting. And they are asking questions that may impact their views for many year to come.

Amid COVID-19, let us acknowledge the many injustices that have led us to this week, and let us ask the hard questions to those in positions to do something, big or small.

Here are a few useful resources being discussed over social media:
  • Teaching about race, racism and police violence: Resources for educators and parents by Valerie Strauss | The Washington Post (July 11, 2016)

  • “America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020)   

  •  How you can be an ally in the fight for racial justice on idea.TED.com  
  • Community Coalition on Race and information on Implicit Bias
 
In terms of this week, take a look at Superintendent Taylor's wrap up for last week  

For those with incoming 6th graders, Welcome to Middle School is scheduled for June 9th @ 7:30 pm. (virtually) For more information visit: https://bit.ly/3d0v64S

Stay safe,

Veronica and Kelly   
T-shirts and signs have been ordered for all 8th grade students.  We ordered a variety of sizes to accommodate those who did not complete the Google form indicating a specific size.  If you did NOT submit a form, please email your child's name and home address for delivery purposes. 

If you have not done so already, please consider making a $5 donation to offset some expenses. 

Stay tuned for additional details on other year-end activities.
Welcome to Middle School!
On Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m., MMS will hold a virtual Welcome to Middle School event for incoming 6th grade families. Click here to connect to the WebEx. Meet our new assistant principals and other school staff as we share with you what to expect for 6th grade!
Cougar Tutors
Cougar Tutors is a math tutoring service started and run by CHS students. We offer affordable remote tutoring sessions over Zoom or FaceTime. We tutor students in all subjects through pre-calc. To learn more or book a session visit www.cougartutors.com or contact Mac Krause.
Free Emergency Childcare at the Y!
The Y is offering free emergency childcare for all essential workers at the East Orange and Livingston branches.For more information or to register, click here. 
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
New Update! Food Support Now Available For All District Students
SOMSD Food Service will now provide meals to any district students and siblings under the age of 18, including the District’s out-of-district placements, and those attending charter schools regardless of eligibility status.

For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Columbia High School  

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
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MMS HSA News - Week 39

5/28/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 39
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
MMS Families,

Hoping you had a restful Memorial Day weekend! As you know, Memorial Day provides us a moment to pause and honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It also unofficially marks the beginning of our summer and this one will probably be quite memorable.

A few updates to share:
  • In case you missed it, here is the District'slatest update on distance learning 
  • The 8th Grade Moving up Ceremony is on June 24. As part of the celebration, student contributions are being requested. See here for directions on how to submit your favorite quotes and poems.
  • Rising 7th Graders: There is still time to select your student's music ensemble and related arts preference. You will see the option in Google classroom.
  • For students with items in school lockers, the District is awaiting guidance from the State on how to provide access to any belongings. Stay tuned!
Enjoy the short week!
Veronica and Kelly
T-shirts and signs have been ordered for all 8th grade students.  We ordered a variety of sizes to accommodate those who did not complete the Google form indicating a specific size.  If you did NOT submit a form, please email your child's name and home address for delivery purposes. 

If you have not done so already, please consider making a $5 donation to offset some expenses. 

Goodbye video: We asked each 8th grade student to submit 2-3 photos from their time at MMS. (Pics should be in and around MMS or at MMS activities.)    Deadline was Friday, May 22 but we will take photos through today.   Email photos to mfitzp100@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for additional details on other year-end activities.
Achieve's Exciting Virtual Maker Madness!
May is Maker Madness Month! Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to  4:30 p.m. throughout the month of May, Achieve Makers will be posting project ideas and live experiments for you to try at home. Check our Facebook page Events tab for hands-on learning opportunities and fun with materials you probably have on hand at home.

 
Welcome to Middle School!
On Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m., MMS will hold a virtual Welcome to Middle School event for incoming 6th grade families. Click here to connect to the WebEx. Meet our new assistant principals and other school staff as we share with you what to expect for 6th grade!
Cougar Tutors
Cougar Tutors is a math tutoring service started and run by CHS students. We offer affordable remote tutoring sessions over Zoom or FaceTime. We tutor students in all subjects through pre-calc. To learn more or book a session visit www.cougartutors.com or contact Mac Krause.
Free Emergency Childcare at the Y!
The Y is offering free emergency childcare for all essential workers at the East Orange and Livingston branches.For more information or to register, click here. 
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
New Update! Food Support Now Available For All District Students
SOMSD Food Service will now provide meals to any district students and siblings under the age of 18, including the District’s out-of-district placements, and those attending charter schools regardless of eligibility status.

For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Columbia High School  

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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MMS HSA News - Week 38

5/20/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 38
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Families - we are getting close to the "finish" line for this academic year. This past week, many of us began planning for next year. As you know, a lot continues to be up in the air for our district, the country and the world. 

We offer a few resources to share as you continue planning:
  • Here is the Math Night video for incoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The Math selection deadline was last Friday, May 15 through PowerSchool so if you did not yet register, please reach out to Kim Beane. 
  • Keep a lookout for information about Cultural Arts selection in your inboxes this week.
  • The district has hired a Mandarin teacher for MMS. Only 5 classes will be available and the current plan is to start with the incoming 6th and 8th grade. Sorry incoming 7th grade families (your HSA co-presidents included).
  • The Extended Summer Year (ESY) program will be offered this summer but it is not yet clear how it will be delivered (in person or remote). 
Memorial Day Weekend starts this Friday, May 22. There will be no home assignments or school work. Mayor McGehee reminds us to keep our social distancing practices in mind, suggesting a face mask when outdoors.

Veronica and Kelly
We have finalized plans to honor our 8th grade graduates.  Sadly, with school closed for the remainder of the year, we will obviously not be holding the traditional dinner dance and moving up ceremony but we came up with a few things to mark this special occasion.

1)   Each child will receive a congratulatory lawn sign with a space for you to "Sharpie" in your child's name. These will be delivered to you, date TBD.
2)   The 8th grade team leads are designing and ordering class T-shirts for each child.
3)   Goodbye Video - we will create a goodbye video.   Please have your child submit 2-3 photos of themselves or with friends in and around MMS - or at an MMS activity preferably - to be included in the video.
4)   Online yearbook signing - actual yearbooks will also be distributed and we will set up an online signing page on Instragram where each child can put up a photo of themselves with a memory of their time at MMS (or a quote) and other kids can send them their congrats.

As we were not really able to fundraise, we would ask for a voluntary contribution of $5 per child to cover the expenses of the signs/T-shirts. (Note: If you are unable to make the contribution, your child will still receive the T-shirt and sign).

What do you need to do?

1) Please complete this Google form ASAP with your child's T-shirt size.
2) If you can, make a $5 contribution to the MMS Paypal account.
3) Please ask your child to submit pics to mfitzp100@gmail.com for goodbye video. Please submit by May 22.
4) Stay tuned for more info on the online yearbook.

Let's try to please keep the lawn signs/T-shirts a secret in order to surprise the kids!

Stay tuned for updates on delivery dates etc. And please reach out with any questions.
Virtual Community Meeting Hosted By the CCR
The Community Coalition on Race (CCR) is hosting an online discussion on housing insecurity, food insecurity and the digital divide on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. Registration closes Monday, May 18.
Welcome to Middle School!
On Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m., MMS will hold a virtual Welcome to Middle School event for incoming 6th grade families. Click here to connect to the WebEx. Meet our new assistant principals and other school staff as we share with you what to expect for 6th grade!
Cougar Tutors
Cougar Tutors is a math tutoring service started and run by CHS students. We offer affordable remote tutoring sessions over Zoom or FaceTime. We tutor students in all subjects through pre-calc. To learn more or book a session visit www.cougartutors.com or contact Mac Krause.
Free Emergency Childcare at the Y!
The Y is offering free emergency childcare for all essential workers at the East Orange and Livingston branches.For more information or to register, click here. 
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
New Update! Food Support Now Available For All District Students
SOMSD Food Service will now provide meals to any district students and siblings under the age of 18, including the District’s out-of-district placements, and those attending charter schools regardless of eligibility status.

For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Columbia High School  

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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MMS HSA News - Week 37

5/13/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 37
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend!

Thank you to everyone who helped make it a special time for our MMS team last week. Here is a Kudo Board we sent on-behalf of the MMS HSA in case you missed it.

Last week, we also learned that school buildings would not be opening for the rest of the academic year. We know it's disappointing, especially for our 8th grade families. Know that we are working hard to make sure we make reaching this milestone special.  

For our 6th and 7th grade families, Math selection in PowerSchool must be completed by Friday, May 15. The Math Night recording should be available Monday or Tuesday for families who missed the earlier sessions.   

On a lighter note, our teachers and staff joined The Next Move Challenge which is a must see if you missed it.

There will be "no school" on Friday, May 22, which is technically a give back day.

Hope you have a great week!
Veronica and Kelly
Student Council Food Donation
Kids in the Student Council Google Classroom were talking about wasted food so we decided to donate whatever was left (which was quite a lot) from the school store to local places!  Aren't our kids amazing?!

We were able to donate to local families as well as the Maplewood Police Department, the South Orange Rescue Squad and the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad.
Luminaries in Action: Let Us Be the Light!
Beloved Community in Solidarity, Remembrance and Hope Sunday, May 17 from 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. SOMA neighbors are invited to step outside to wave lights and share messages of solidarity, honoring all we have gone through over the past two months. Click here for details.
Support Service Industry Employees
MAPSO Virtual Tip Jar, a digital platform designed to support service industry employees affected by COVID-19 has launched! The platform provides residents with direct-to-account “tipping” to their personal PayPal, Cash App and Venmo banking apps.
Cougar Tutors
Cougar Tutors is a math tutoring service started and run by CHS students. We offer affordable remote tutoring sessions over Zoom or FaceTime. We tutor students in all subjects through pre-calc. To learn more or book a session visit www.cougartutors.com or contact Mac Krause.
Free Emergency Childcare at the Y!
The Y is offering free emergency childcare for all essential workers at the East Orange and Livingston branches.For more information or to register, click here. 
Interested in Expanding Cultural Arts?
Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA launched a new weekly artist video series earlier this month - Arts Connection! Every Monday, see a new teaching artist in action and help your student stay CONNECTED to and INSPIRED by the arts while away from school.
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
New Update! Food Support Now Available For All District Students
SOMSD Food Service will now provide meals to any district students and siblings under the age of 18, including the District’s out-of-district placements, and those attending charter schools regardless of eligibility status.

For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Columbia High School  

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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MMS HSA News - Week 36

5/4/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 36
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
It's time to celebrate our teachers! This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and we will be celebrating MMS teachers and staff with "at a distance" activities throughout the week. Please contribute in sending positive energy and thoughts to our teachers! 

Here's the plan:
  • Monday - Parent/Student Videograms:  This day is about individual appreciation. Student and parents are encouraged to send a short video clip to their teachers. Consider the question: "What makes your teacher special?" 
  • Tuesday - MMS HSA Teacher Appreciation: The HSA will be sharing a special Kudos Board to all teachers and staff.  
  • Wednesday - Team Teacher Cards: HSA team leads are preparing special digital cards for MMS teachers by grade. 
  • Thursday - Teacher Digital Gift Cards: We are supporting local businesses with digital gift cards to teachers in lieu of a physical gift.
  • Friday - Special Announcement
In other news, we hope to know by Monday whether school will reopen this year. We will update our community as soon as we know the implications for MMS. In addition, several of you have asked about 8th grade end-of-year activities. You should have received an update from HSA 8th Grade Coordinators. Please reach out to Maureen Griffis and Mel Rose with any questions, thoughts and/ or suggestions.

Have a great week!
Veronica and Kelly
Support Service Industry Employees
MAPSO Virtual Tip Jar, a digital platform designed to support service industry employees affected by COVID-19 has launched! The platform provides residents with direct-to-account “tipping” to their personal PayPal, Cash App and Venmo banking apps.
Cougar Tutors
Cougar Tutors is a math tutoring service started and run by CHS students. We offer affordable remote tutoring sessions over Zoom or FaceTime. We tutor students in all subjects through pre-calc. To learn more or book a session visit www.cougartutors.com or contact Mac Krause.
Achieve wants to hear from YOU!
How are we doing? What would you like to see more of in the future? Please take five minutes to complete this survey that will help Achieve Foundation with our strategic plan. 
Free Emergency Childcare at the Y!
The Y is offering free emergency childcare for all essential workers at the East Orange and Livingston branches.For more information or to register, click here. 
Interested in Expanding Cultural Arts?
Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA launched a new weekly artist video series earlier this month - Arts Connection! Every Monday, see a new teaching artist in action and help your student stay CONNECTED to and INSPIRED by the arts while away from school.
SEPAC NEWS
The next SEPAC meeting is Tuesday, May 5 at 8 p.m. via zoom. Topics to be covered include: Regression and Re-Entry; Compensatory Services; and Distance Learning. If there is a topic you want addressed, please email Malia Rulon Herman.
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
New Update! Food Support Now Available For All District Students
SOMSD Food Service will now provide meals to any district students and siblings under the age of 18, including the District’s out-of-district placements, and those attending charter schools regardless of eligibility status.

For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Columbia High School  

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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MMS HSA News - Week 35

4/30/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 35
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Another Week of Distance Learning Has Passed
How is everyone doing now that the governor has announced that schools will be closed until May 15? 
Your HSA representatives - Lynne Daley, Kelly Harris and Veronica Olazabal - have been busy over the past week helping to interview candidates for assistant principal. The plan is to have a new AP in place by this summer. In addition, our wonderful nurse Julie Porter (who has been the district's lead nurse for some time) will be relocating to the South Mountain Annex as of May 1 to support the district's kindergarten registration. The district has assured us that we will have medical support in place once we do return to school. This week, we also mourned the loss of one of our parents. Click here to find out how you can help the family.  

A few important updates to flag for you:
  • Math Night for your rising 7th and 8th grader has been set to Thursday, April 30. Webex details to go out this week. Registration is happening now through PowerSchool and the deadline is Friday, May 15. If you did not receive an email or have questions, reach out to Kim Beane.
  • Teacher Appreciation week starts on Monday, May 4! Please send your teacher a video-gram that day reminding them how appreciative your student is of their support. We are working on additional activities including online group cards. Stay tuned!
  • Interested in running for the HSA Board? We are looking to fill a few leadership spots next year, including 8th grade coordinators, a Sun-Shine committee point person, fundraising chair and cultural/ fine arts representatives. Please reach out to Kelly (kellyannharris@gmail.com) or Veronica (volazabal@gmail.com) if you are interested. And don't be surprised if we reach out to you because you are especially talented in any of the above!
  • Finally, Superintendent Taylor shared an update on the district's integration plan. Click here for the video.
We know it's hard and that many of you continue to juggle remote work with homeschooling and parenting. It's amazing to see so many of you going above and beyond to help others during this time.  We are a resilient community and will recover from this - stay strong!

Veronica and Kelly
Free Emergency Childcare at the Y!
The Y is offering free emergency childcare for all essential workers at the East Orange and Livingston branches.For more information or to register, click here. 
Interested in Expanding Cultural Arts?
Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA launched a new weekly artist video series earlier this month - Arts Connection! Every Monday, see a new teaching artist in action and help your student stay CONNECTED to and INSPIRED by the arts while away from school.
SEPAC NEWS
The next SEPAC meeting is Tuesday, May 5 at 8 p.m. via zoom. Topics to be covered include: Regression and Re-Entry; Compensatory Services; and Distance Learning. If there is a topic you want addressed, please email Malia Rulon Herman.
Math Registration for 6th and 7th Graders!
Maplewood Middle School Math Parent Information Night is on April 30, online at 7 p.m. via Webex. Details to come. The last day to select a math course for 2020-21 is May 15.
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8!
Let's celebrate our teachers! Details forthcoming. In the meantime, please plan to email your teachers a video of your student starting Monday, May 4.
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
School Lunch Service To Continue
For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Columbia High School  

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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MMS HSA News - Week 34

4/20/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 34
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Tomorrow distance learning resumes!
Also, this week - even during a pandemic - environmental leaders around the world will commemorate Earth Day.  Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. 2020 will mark 50 years of celebrating Earth Day.  
In researching Earth Day for this newsletter, we found that it was a book from 1962 -- Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller Silent Spring - that would stir this environmental movement. This book, which sold more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries, raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the inextricable links between pollution and public health.  Earth Day 1970 would come to provide a voice to this emerging environmental consciousness and put environmental concerns on the front page. 

Columbia High School's Environmental Society will be celebrating Earth Day with some events.  

Good luck this week!  :) 
Kelly & Veronica 
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
School Lunch Service To Continue
For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Columbia High School  

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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MMS HSA News - Week 33

4/16/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 33
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

It's Spring Break??

Spring Break officially started on Friday, April 10 and runs through this week, "returning" to distance learning on Monday, April 20. Everyone's circumstances are different we know, however, we hope this week is restful for your student and provides them a moment to read a book, video chat with family and friends, take a walk (with a face mask) etc. If you know of anyone in need of food assistance, breakfasts and lunches for the week of April 12 through 17 will be available from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Columbia High School, Seth Boyden and South Orange Middle School.

A few announcements while we have your attention:
  • This past week was Assistant Principal Week. Our Assistant Principals are: Mr. Louis Brown and Mr. Michael Chiles. Please show your school spirit by sending them an email of gratitude.         
  • We have received many questions on how to submit schoolwork and have pulled together guidance with tutorial links here.
  • You may have heard that the governor is keeping schools closed indefinitely. Our own district updated its coronavirus page.
Want to make a difference? We have a number of HSA Board positions open for next year at each grade level as well as for other positions such as fundraising and events. Please reach out if you are interested or just curious in serving. We are also accepting nominations. Send an email expressing your interest or sharing your nominations. For more information about the MMS HSA Board, see our website. 

Don't forget to send your student's teacher a video-gram of appreciation! We are all in this together and as we reach the "peak," a positive note goes a long way for all of us.

Wishing you health and safety during this time of Passover, Easter and Spring Break,
Veronica and Kelly
8TH GRADE FAMILIES ...
Yearbooks will be distributed and the deadline to order - April 15 -- is coming up quickly. If you did not get a well wisher ad in and would like one, I am sure they will make accommodations for you.
As always. no student will be denied a yearbook due to lack of funds. Please reach out to Ms. Gronau at dgronau@somsd.k12.nj.us.

Yearbooks on Sale!
Yearbooks are on sale! Don't wait until it is too late. Order your copy today! Order and payment must be received by April 15, 2020. To order online, click here. Our school code is 6667.
Teacher Video-grams!
Our teachers are working hard in this new remote world too! Why not email them a video-gram with a short note of appreciation? I am sure they would love seeing your students' smiles!
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
National Assistant Principals Week was April 6–10, 2020! Our Assistant Principles are: Mr. Louis Brown and Mr. Michael Chiles. Let’s honor and recognize the contributions of our assistant principals to the success of students at MMS.Here are sample cards your student can send.

 
School Lunch Service To Continue
For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Maplewood Middle School
• South Orange Middle School
• Columbia High School Every School Day

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
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MMS HSA News - Week 32

4/6/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 32
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Hello MMS families,

As we enter week No. 4 of distance learning, our teachers are top of mind. They, like many of us, are working triple jobs -- parenting, home schooling and teaching our kids. Why not consider sending them a videogram or an email with a small note of appreciation?  I am sure they would love to hear how it's going for your students, how they are seeing the world and what they would like to learn more about. 

On distance learning, a few useful resources to keep us organized follow:
  • Teachers are offering office hours this week. Please see this compiled list for team office hours.
  • Here is guidance for navigating Google Classroom which might be handy.
  • There is now a page on the HSA website with information about distance learning.
In terms of what to expect from now until June: 
  • We will be canceling any trips planned for the rest of the term. 
  • Our 8th Grade Coordinators are considering how to make this year special for students moving up to the high school next year. More details forthcoming.
  • On a positive note, planning for the yearbook is still on with details on how to purchase in this newsletter.
  • As planned, interviews for our Assistant Principal will start up again during the week of April 20th.
Spring Break starts this Friday, April 10 and while many of you will continue to work (physically and remotely), we hope the week provides some time to  relax and restore during this unprecedented moment. 

Stay strong, stay positive and let's continue to keep our Covid-19 numbers down by practicing social distancing.

Veronica and Kelly 
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning, please click here.
School Lunch Service To Continue
For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Maplewood Middle School
• South Orange Middle School
• Columbia High School Every School Day

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
8TH GRADE FAMILIES ...
Yearbooks will be distributed and the deadline to order - April 15 -- is coming up quickly. If you did not get a well wisher ad in and would like one, I am sure they will make accommodations for you.
As always. no student will be denied a yearbook due to lack of funds. Please reach out to Ms. Gronau at dgronau@somsd.k12.nj.us.

Yearbooks on Sale!
Yearbooks are on sale! Don't wait until it is too late. Order your copy today! Order and payment must be received by April 15, 2020. To order online, click here. Our school code is 6667.
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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MMS HSA News - Week 31

4/3/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 31
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Dear MMS Community: 

We know you are on triple duty -- working, parenting and teaching from home -- all while striving to keep your household healthy.  The struggle is real!  We want to also acknowledge our  teachers and administrators, and all that they do while also on duty at home.   

One thing that we have been dealing with in our homes is anxiety.  Children, as well as adults, are likely to experience anxiety in this uncertain time. Several resources have been created by mental health experts on how to have age-appropriate, fact-based and reassuring conversations with your students about the outbreak and the steps they can take to stay healthy.

How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus, Kids Health
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource, National Association of School Psychologists
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Please reach out if there are resources you or your students need!  We are here for you.  

Just like work and school, our next HSA meeting will be "virtual."  More details to come on the exact date, time and online tool.  

Kelly & Veronica 

 
Distance Learning
For more information on this week's schedule for distance learning, please click here.
School Lunch Service To Continue
For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Maplewood Middle School
• South Orange Middle School
• Columbia High School Every School Day

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.
 
Year end is quickly approaching and we have just four months left until our 8th Graders say goodbye to MMS. Activities can get expensive for our eighth graders  -- that’s why we have some dedicated fundraising efforts this Spring. 

First up, we have the  MATCH Madness fundraiser.  For every dollar you donate, a generous group of 8th grade parents has agreed to match it dollar-for-dollar up to $500 total! Please click HERE to help raise at least $1,000 for our 8th grade events. This event will start immediately and run through March 31.

Plans are under way for a second fundraiser in late April. We'll be back with details in a few weeks.  

In the event that any planned 8th grade activities are canceled, we will return all donations collected.
 
HSA Meeting
The next HSA meeting will be a virtual meeting. The date has not yet been determined.
Join The MMS HSA
YouthNet
HSA News Submission Form
No Frills Fundraiser
MMS Makerspace
Team Sites






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