MMS HSA
Maplewood Middle School Home and School Association
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For 5th grade Parents - Getting Ready for Middle School!

2/27/2018

 
Please see our flyer for information and join us on: 
​
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
7:30 PM  at  Maplewood Middle School
7 Burnet Street, Maplewood
OR

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

7:30 PM at South Orange Middle School
70 North Ridgewood Rd, S.O.

MMS HSA Weekly Update #25

2/25/2018

 
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
Hello MMS! 

**** THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER ****
Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau.

We hope everyone had a chance to view the amazing performances this weekend of the MMS MUSICAL – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version). Each show was sold out and packed. A special thank you to the fabulous show directors, staff, cast and crew.
 
We also wanted to share that our students are showing their support to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. In partnership with MMS Principal Dara Gronau, your MMS HSA helped organize a student banner of support to be sent to Marjory Stoneman Douglas in response to a national initiative to show support to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas students who will return back to school on 2/26.  (See photo link here.) Entitled "Never Again! We Stand With You", the banner is laminated and will hang in the halls of the high school along with banners from other schools, churches and groups from around the country. The banner was printed at the Local South Orange UPS Store and owner George Berkeley was so touched by the initiative that he printed and shipped the banner at no charge after hearing. He also printed a second banner to hang at MMS so our students can remember what a good thing they did.

The MMS HSA would like to send a special thank you to the entire MMS community, specifically Dawn Yoselowitz and Robin Miller Wiener for highlighting this initiative; To Ms. Gronau and Dr. Ficarra for their quick support; and to the UPS Store and George Berkeley for going above and beyond.
 
*At this point there is nothing we can share related to how the school would handle a potential student led demonstration in the district. We relayed the concerns and inquiries of parents and have been informed the administrations are discussing.  We will share as we find out details.
 
As always we appreciate your support. We are recruiting for next year's Board, so please consider getting involved! And if you have any MMS updates you’d like covered in the Eblasts feel free to email us with additions.
 
Dates to Remember
2/26          Transition to CHS for 8th Graders 7:00 PM
2/27          Special Ed PTO Meeting
3/22          5th Grade - Getting Ready for Middle School 
 
GRADE UPDATES

  • 7th
    • The students participated in a slogan contest to create a 7th Grade MMS bracelet. The slogan that the grade chose was "Be afraid, here comes 7th grade” and they are excited to wear these for Battle of the Classes. The winning slogan is on black bracelets for students and parents to purchase for $1 each from any of the team leaders! All profits go back to the 7th grade for field trips and The Poetry Grammys.
      Buy one for your 7th grader and for yourself, it’s an easy way to help support the class. Please have your 7th grader see Mrs. Felder, Ms. Schlatmann, Mr. O’Dell or Ms. Miller to purchase.


  • 8th
    • Columbia High School Counseling Department Invites you to join us for our “Transition to High School” Meeting for 8th Grade Parents. Monday, February 26, 2018 at South Orange Middle School Auditorium @7:00 p.m.
      Attached please find the flyer inviting you to an informational session about 9th grade course selection at CHS for the 2018-19 school year.   It will be held at SOMS but is open to all current 8th grade families.  SOMS is the only location with a large auditorium not currently being used for upcoming musical productions.  We hope you can attend this important session.
 PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY
Please take a moment to respond to the parent/guardian survey (link below). The goal is to hear from at least 40% of our families. We want to hear from you!
https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/climate/Parents.php
 
SPED PTO MEETING - SECONDARY EDUCATION
ATTENTION, Middle School and High School grade level parents and guardians (and 4th & 5th grade parents who are looking ahead!)
Is SPED PTO’s next meeting on Tuesday, February 27th, 7:30-9 pm, at the BOE building, 525 Academy, Maplewood, on your calendar? IT SHOULD BE! The featured topic is the Special Education Experience: Secondary Grades and the target audience is YOU!

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!


************************************
 
VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!
 
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Want to knock the socks off our teachers with gratitude? Please consider chairing one day during the week of May 7-11.  We would like to come up with a special program for each day, for example: Massage Monday, Treats Tuesday, etc.  Please contact Sara Knutsen at: szknutsen@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved!
 
WANT TO JOIN THE MMS HSA EXECUTIVE BOARD?!? IT’S FUN!!!
We are in the process of putting together the slate for next year’s HSA Executive Board and would love to have YOU join!  We have two opportunities: 1) you can join the Board or 2) serve on this year’s Nominating Committee. 
 
If you are interested in being on the board or serving on the Committee, please e-mail Deb Holt or Sara Knutsen. 

SANDY HOOK PROMISE MMS LEADER NEEDED
Seeking Promise Leaders for every SOMSD SCHOOL
A Call to Action! Are you heartsick from our nation's gun violence tragedies,and want to make a difference in your child's school?

Jennifer Ostrega Gold, Sandy Hook Promise Leader in SOMSD since 2016 will lead an informational phone call on Friday, 2/23 at 8:45AM, sharing the violence prevention programming available to our district. Contact jostregagold@gmail.com to receive dial in info for the call. 

EBLAST HELP
Interested in helping get the MMS word out?  We are looking for assistance managing the weekly eblast.  If interested, please contact Thea at: theacogandrew@gmail.com
 
FIELD DAY Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host it’s first-ever Field Day this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA.  It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community but we will need help planning it. Please contact Deb Holt or Sara Knutsen if you’d like to volunteer.

 
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.
 
FUNDRAISING
Go No Frills OR Host an MMS Money Maker! You choose how you want to raise the money and how it will be spent!  Please reach out to Fundraising Co Chairs Mel Rose melrosenj@gmail.com or Gabrielle Graziano at gabriellept@aol.com.  They can also help you come up with great Fundraising ideas.
 


Gratefully,

Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents,
Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt
mmshsainfo@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com


MMS HSA Weekly Update #24

2/19/2018

 
Hello MMS! 

**** THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER ****
Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau.
 
Your MMS HSA hopes you enjoyed a long, snow filled weekend and believe most of you should have received report cards in your mailboxes!  As we return to school tomorrow a gentle reminder on the traffic pattern - please avoid idling in teacher parking spots at drop off, specifically on Salter. Please be mindful these are earmarked specifically for teachers. We don’t want them late to teach our kids! (And we don’t want you getting an unnecessary ticket.)
 
The buzz is in the air. Our Musical Week has finally arrived! We could not be prouder of the MMS students and staff. Tickets are distributed this week and there are some limited tickets available. See below for details.
 
As always your we appreciates your support, we are recruiting for next years Board, please consider getting involved! And if you have any MMS updates you’d like covered in the Eblasts feel free to email us with additions.
 
Dates to Remember
2/20          Board of Ed Meeting 7:30 pm
2/23          MMS Musical  7:30 PM
2/24          MMS Musical  7:30 PM
2/25          MMS Musical  2 PM
2/26          Transition to CHS for 8th Graders 7:00 PM
2/27          Special Ed PTO Meeting
 
GRADE UPDATES

6th
  • Thanks for all your support for the hot chocolate days this winter. The MMS Team Leaders are busy planning activities for the spring. Stay tuned for updates in the upcoming eblasts.
7th
  • The students participated in a slogan contest to create a 7th Grade MMS bracelet. The slogan that the grade chose was "Be afraid, here comes 7th grade” and they are excited to wear these for Battle of the Classes. The winning slogan is on black bracelets for students and parents to purchase for $1 each from any of the team leaders!

    All profits go back to the 7th grade for field trips and The Poetry Grammys.

    Buy one for your 7th grader and for yourself, it’s an easy way to help support the class. Please have your 7th grader see Mrs. Felder, Ms. Schlatmann or Mr. O’Dell to purchase.
8th
  • Columbia High School Counseling Department Invites you to join us for our “Transition to High School” Meeting for 8th Grade Parents. Monday, February 26, 2018 at South Orange Middle School Auditorium @7:00 p.m.
    The purpose of this meeting is to:
    • Review graduation requirements
    • Provide a general overview of the course offerings at CHS
    • Highlight courses offered in 9th grade
    • Review key terms and definitions for high school academics
    • Describe the course selection process
     
    You’re also invited to the College Fair at CHS. All parents & students are invited to the Columbia High School College Fair on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 7-9 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.  More than 120 representatives will provide information on colleges, careers, gap year options and the military.   We hope to see you there!
 
PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY
Please take a moment to respond to the parent/guardian survey (link below). The goal is to hear from at least 40% of our families. We want to hear from you!
https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/climate/Parents.php
 
 
2018 MMS MUSICAL – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
This week is the 2018 MMS Musical and it is not to be missed! Show dates are 2/23, 2/24, 2/25.
  • TICKET DISTRIBUTION
    They will be distributing tickets to cast and crew this Tuesday - 2/20!  Non cast and crew can pickup starting Wednesday. Tickets will also be available to be picked up at "Will Call" before each performance.

    Please keep in mind that all seats are assigned and that the musical staff will not be able to change any seats on the nights/day of performances. Contact mmsmusical@gmail.com with any ticket questions or requests.

    Limited Reserved ($10) tickets are still available for all three performances!  Tickets can be purchased online at https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/ or by sending in the attached order form with cash or check payment to the main office at MMS.
  • SHOW WEEKEND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    The directors need LOTS of help to make show weekend a success. Please sign up using the SIGN UP GENIUS  to see how you can help out the cast and crew. The jobs are listed in order of need, so please try to sign up in priority order!
 
SPED PTO MEETING - SECONDARY EDUCATION
ATTENTION, Middle School and High School grade level parents and guardians (and 4th & 5th grade parents who are looking ahead!)

Is SPED PTO’s next meeting on Tuesday, February 27th, 7:30-9 pm, at the BOE building, 525 Academy, Maplewood, on your calendar? IT SHOULD BE! The featured topic is the Special Education Experience: Secondary Grades and the target audience is YOU!
 
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!


************************************
 
VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!
 
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Want to knock the socks off our teachers with gratitude? Please consider chairing one day during the week of May 7-11.  We would like to come up with a special program for each day, for example: Massage Monday, Treats Tuesday, etc.  Please contact Sara Knutsen at: szknutsen@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved!
 
WANT TO JOIN THE MMS HSA EXECUTIVE BOARD?!? IT’S FUN!!!
We are in the process of putting together the slate for next year’s HSA Executive Board and would love to have YOU join!  We have two opportunities: 1) you can join the Board or 2) serve on this year’s Nominating Committee. 
 
If you are interested in being on the board or serving on the Committee, please e-mail Deb Holt or Sara Knutsen. 

SANDY HOOK PROMISE MMS LEADER NEEDED
Seeking Promise Leaders for every SOMSD SCHOOL
A Call to Action! Are you heartsick from our nation's gun violence tragedies,and want to make a difference in your child's school?

Jennifer Ostrega Gold, Sandy Hook Promise Leader in SOMSD since 2016 will lead an informational phone call on Friday, 2/23 at 8:45AM, sharing the violence prevention programming available to our district. Contact jostregagold@gmail.com to receive dial in info for the call. 

EBLAST HELP
Interested in helping get the MMS word out?  The HSA is looking for assistance managing the weekly eblast.  If interested, please contact Thea at: theacogandrew@gmail.com
 
FIELD DAY Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host it’s first-ever Field Day this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA.  It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community but we will need help planning it. Please contact Deb Holt or Sara Knutsen if you’d like to volunteer.

 
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.
 
FUNDRAISING
Go No Frills OR Host an MMS Money Maker! You choose how you want to raise the money and how it will be spent!  Please reach out to Fundraising Co Chairs Mel Rose melrosenj@gmail.com or Gabrielle Graziano at gabriellept@aol.com.  They can also help you come up with great Fundraising ideas.
 


Gratefully,

Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents,
Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt
mmshsainfo@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com

MMS HSA Weekly Update #23

2/11/2018

 
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
Hello MMS! 
 
In case you missed it last week, we have several fun events planned for the MMS community this spring: partnering with the South Mountain YMCA, MMS is planning it’s first-ever Field Day, scheduled for this June; Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up too – May 7-11; and finally, the HUB is planning a celebration of the African Diaspora and Haitian Flag Day for the evening of May 18.  Please see descriptions below and ways to get involved!!
 
Also a reminder that the Library Media Center has big plans – your support of this initiative is greatly appreciated.  Please reach out to LMC Special Projects Chair Tracey Clarke at tlclarke226@gmail.com for ways to get involved.  If you missed it last week, please take a moment to view her video on the project.
 
And as always, thanks to the entire MMS community for your continued and valuable support!!  Enjoy the coming long weekend! Winter break takes place Friday, February 16 - Monday, February 19; school resumes on Tuesday, February 20.
 
Dates to Remember
2/16          No School - Winter break
2/19          No School - Winter break
2/20          Board of Ed Meeting 7:30 pm
2/23          MMS Musical  7:30 PM
2/24          MMS Musical  7:30 PM
2/25          MMS Musical  2 PM
2/27          Special Ed PTO Meeting
 
PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY
Please take a moment to respond to the parent/guardian survey (link below). The goal is to hear from at least 40% of our families. We want to hear from you!
https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/climate/Parents.php
 
VALENTINE’S DAY “WOOT WOOT” CART!
Every so often Your MMS HSA takes a “Woot Woot!” cart filled with snacks and drinks around the halls of MMS and offers refreshments and light snacks to our hard-working MMS staff!  We are planning a very special “Woot Woot” cart for this coming Tuesday, February 13, and hope that you can help us!
 
Instead of bags of chips and granola bars, we would like to bring special home-baked (or store-bought) treats to our staff in honor Valentine’s Day.  So if you are baking in the next couple of days, please consider making a few extra cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc so we can make Tuesday’s cart awesome!
 
If you’d like to donate, please contact Sara Knutsen at: szknutsen@gmail.com. She will be collecting the baked goods at her house and bringing them to the school on Tuesday.  If it is easier to send items in with your child, they can be dropped in the front office to Ms. Beatty.
 
To sign up, click here!
Thanks so much in advance for making this a great day for our teachers!!
 
2018 MMS MUSICAL – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
Coming soon is the 2018 MMS Musical and it is not to be missed! Show dates are 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
Tickets are on sale now – don’t miss out. Click here to buy - https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical
 
MMS Musical families - Make sure your performer comes to ALL February rehearsals.
Also, we are still in need of:
--Volunteers to help with painting and set work (*Contact Mr. Palmgren (rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us)
--Help chaperoning the Full-cast rehearsals (Click for the sign-up genius here)
--Talented (or at least capable) sewers to help with the Leads' costumes  (*Please reach out to Ms. O'Sullivan ASAP!  mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us)
THANK YOU!
 
Questions on all things MMS Musical – please visit the Musical Website. Click here - (https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical)
 
SPED PTO MEETING - SECONDARY EDUCATION
ATTENTION, Middle School and High School grade level parents and guardians (and 4th & 5th grade parents who are looking ahead!)

Is SPED PTO’s next meeting on Tuesday, February 27th, 7:30-9 pm, at the BOE building, 525 Academy, Maplewood, on your calendar? IT SHOULD BE! The featured topic is the Special Education Experience: Secondary Grades and the target audience is YOU!

Hear from our seasoned school liaisons, SPED PTO executive board members and SEPAC leadership about their personal experiences and share your own with others who can relate and have similar questions and concerns. District guest likely to attend. Outstanding opportunity to network with other parents. (New people are showing up at every SPED PTO/SEPAC meeting!)

ALL ARE WELCOME.
 
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.
Wish List: 
Bottles of water: (a very popular item)
Gatorade: (a huge hit at Snack Attack, so it'd be great to be able to offer it to kids for Cougar Cash who can't afford Snack Attack)
Chips and popcorn - any and all kinds: cheezits, goldfish, smartfood: (pretzels don't seem to sell that well)
Nutrigrain type Bars: (and/or other similar snack bars)
Rice Krispie Treats
Candy (any and all kinds): (this is another big hit at Snack Attack, so it'd be great to be able to offer it to kids for Cougar Cash who can't afford Snack Attack)
Small Boxes of Cereal : (a huge hit)
Chocolate Milk Boxes: (sells out every time!)
 
You can even help without leaving home! Click to order from the school store Amazon wish list!
 

************************************
 
VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!
 
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Want to knock the socks off our teachers with gratitude? Please consider chairing one day during the week of May 7-11.  We would like to come up with a special program for each day, for example: Massage Monday, Treats Tuesday, etc.  Please contact Sara Knutsen at: szknutsen@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved!
 
WANT TO JOIN THE MMS HSA EXECUTIVE BOARD?!? IT’S FUN!!!
We are in the process of putting together the slate for next year’s HSA Executive Board and would love to have YOU join!  We have two opportunities: 1) you can join the Board or 2) serve on this year’s Nominating Committee. 
 
If you are interested in being on the board or serving on the Committee, please e-mail Deb Holt atdebcatholt@gmail.com or Sara Knutsen at szknutsen@gmail.com. 
 
EBLAST HELP
Interested in helping get the MMS word out?  The HSA is looking for assistance managing the weekly eblast.  If interested, please contact Thea at: theacogandrew@gmail.com
 
FIELD DAY Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host it’s first-ever Field Day this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA.  It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community but we will need help planning it.  Please contact Deb Holt (debcatholt@gmail.com) or Sara Knutsen (szknutsen@gmail.com) if you’d like to volunteer.
 
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.
 
FUNDRAISING
Go No Frills OR Host an MMS Money Maker! You choose how you want to raise the money and how it will be spent!  Please reach out to Fundraising Co Chairs Mel Rose melrosenj@gmail.com or Gabrielle Graziano at gabriellept@aol.com.  They can also help you come up with great Fundraising ideas.
 


Gratefully,

Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents,
Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt
mmshsainfo@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com

Weekly Update #22

2/4/2018

 
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
Hello MMS! 

**** THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER ****
Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau. 


Congrats to the Trivia Night Team and our Fundraising Chairs for a wildly successful Trivia Night Fundraiser!  A reminder that tomorrow, Monday, February 5 is a 4-hour day; students will be dismissed at12:30.

Even though Spring seems far away, there are several fun events planned for the MMS community and we will need your help making sure they are successful.  Partnering with the South Mountain YMCA, MMS is planning it’s first-ever Field Day, scheduled for this June – please be on the lookout for ways you can get involved and help make this day amazing for our kids!  Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up too – May 7-11, and the HSA will need chairs for each day, Monday-Friday, to ensure this is a spectacular week of celebration for our terrific staff. Finally, the HUB is planning "Haitian Flag Day and African Diaspora Celebration", a celebration of Haitian heritage and culture, for the evening of May 18. 

Also a reminder that the Library Media Center has big plans – your support of this initiative is greatly appreciated.  Please reach out to LMC Special Projects Chair Tracey Clarke at tlclarke226@gmail.com for ways to get involved.  If you missed it last week, please take a moment to view her video on the project.

And as always, thanks to the entire MMS community for your continued and valuable support!!

Dates to Remember
2/5            Half Day (12:30 Dismissal)
2/16          No School - Winter break
2/19          No School - Winter break
2/23          MMS Musical  7:30 PM

2/24          MMS Musical  7:30 PM

2/25          MMS Musical  2 PM
2/26         Board of Ed Meeting 7:30 pm


TRIVIA NIGHT!! A Heartfelt Thank You from Alix Clyburn:
My first thought when I woke up this morning was how grateful I am to all of you. Thank you for coming to Trivia Night--YOU make the night so fantastic.  
 
How?
* First of all, and most importantly, you raised a TON of money for MMS. You guys are generous and good-hearted souls. We are sorting out the financials now but it's considerable. Thank you!
 
* Then there's just your fabulous spirit. Your game willingness to subject yourself to this absurd competition. I mean, honestly, who CARES that Nokia was first to market with an internet phone?! Thanks for playing!
 
* We love you for being the type of guests who clean up after yourselves, who pitch in and help when we face last-second technical glitches (Evan, Katie, Alex), and who politely put up with all our charming snafus along the way.
 
* We also love all the local people/businesses that donated time, money, and service to us:  
- Robert Northfield for his amazing generosity!
- Laura Himmelein who donated all her magic and red balloons while also putting on other events--that room was thanks to her talent,
- Dara Gronau for being such a fabulous emcee (and MMS principal),
- The MW Police, for keeping the inter-team hostility at bay,
- Parkwood and Sutagao for the yumminess,
- Janine Kavner and Joe Territo for the screen, 
- Wine Barrel, for donating a percent of their sales to MMS this week,
- All the gift basket donors: Able Baker, East Side Fitness, Open Table, Staynd, NJPAC, and especially D&I!
 
* Finally I personally want to thank the team. Jeff and I might write the Qs and be onstage, but  Amy Jo Curran, Gabrielle Graziano, Mel Rose, Kathleen Bailie, and Laura Himmelein are the ones who--with all of you--make it a party.
 
And if we are truly living in a world where our president was once in a movie with Bo Derek called Ghosts Can't Do It, we need all the parties we can get.
 
Love, 
Alix
 
2018 MMS MUSICAL – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
Coming soon is the 2018 MMS Musical and it is not to be missed! Show dates are 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
Tickets are on sale now – don’t miss out. Click here to buy - https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical

MMS Musical families - Make sure your performer comes to ALL February rehearsals.
Also, we are still in need of:
--Volunteers to help with painting and set work (*Contact Mr. Palmgren (rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us)
--H
elp chaperoning the Full-cast rehearsals (Click for the sign-up genius here)
--Talented (or at least capable) sewers to help with the Leads' costumes  (
*Please reach out to Ms. O'Sullivan ASAP!  mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us)
THANK YOU!

Questions on all things MMS Musical – please visit the Musical Website. Click here - (https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical)
 
ACHIEVE GRANTS
If you would like to help complete the Achieve Grants for our teachers that were only partially-funded,tomorrow, Feb 5 is the DEADLINE!  Please take a look at the outstanding grants.  Your MMS Teachers thank you!
 
Spotlight on Ms. Reisman’s Expresssion Through Woodworking…  See this article. So amazing!
See link here: http://njmakersday.org/index.php/2017/12/26/featuredmaker-mikeschloff/

  • Please click HERE to donate to the teachers at MMS.
Aggie Amaral Flexible Seating Helps Flex Brain Muscles ($2629)
Michael Berezny Creators of YouTube ($3124), 2018 Poetry Grammys! ($2200), Bored in Class? Need Help in Math? There's a Flocab for That! ($500)
Kelli Dios Saturday Academy Adventures ($1060)
John Faherty iPads for Inquiry ($10,471), Audio Out ($140)
Meredith Hansen Model UN ($3520)
Anna Herstatt Principal’s Breakfast ($1445)
Debra Hwang MM Science Fair ($925)
Maureen O’Sullivan Current Events in the Classroom ($250), Aesthetics Abound ($2472), Let’s Wake Up Waffles! ($2290)
Melissa Parks IPads & Digital Books for ELL ($2184)
Michele Reisman Expression Through Woodworking ($6961)
Elizabeth Schwartz Shared Technology Solution ($834)
Samantha Selikoff Everyone Can Invent ($1872), Middle Schoolers Rock ($3900)
Debra Silva “We Rock!” ($979)
Lorraine Sudol Inspire Us ($722)
Melissa Tavares Flexible Seating Project ($557)
Ryann Varney MMS Moves Minds ($900)
Heather Vorona Let’s Take A Seat ($2290)
 
(Please note: The amounts represent the total needed to fully fund the grant proposals. Staff members can begin implementing their programs with partial funding. Any and all donations will be appreciated and are fully tax-deductible)!
 
For a list of all of the Achieve grants awarded this year, please click HERE.  Thank you!
 
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. 

Wish List: 
Bottles of water: (a very popular item)
Gatorade: (a huge hit at Snack Attack, so it'd be great to be able to offer it to kids for Cougar Cash who can't afford Snack Attack)
Chips and popcorn - any and all kinds: cheezits, goldfish, smartfood: (pretzels don't seem to sell that well)
Nutrigrain type Bars: (and/or other similar snack bars)
Rice Krispie Treats
Candy (any and all kinds): (this is another big hit at Snack Attack, so it'd be great to be able to offer it to kids for Cougar Cash who can't afford Snack Attack)
Small Boxes of Cereal : (a huge hit)
Chocolate Milk Boxes: (sells out every time!)
You can even help without leaving home! Click to order from the school store Amazon wish list!


************************************

VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Want to knock the socks off our teachers with gratitude? Please consider chairing one day during the week of May 7-11.  We would like to come up with a special program for each day, for example: MassageMonday, Treats Tuesday, etc.  Please contact Sara Knutsen at: szknutsen@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved!
 
FIELD DAY Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host it’s first-ever Field Day this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA.  It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community but we will need help planning it.  Please contact Deb Holt (debcatholt@gmail.com) or Sara Knutsen (szknutsen@gmail.com) if you’d like to volunteer.


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.

 
FUNDRAISING
Go No Frills OR Host an MMS Money Maker! You choose how you want to raise the money and how it will be spent!  Please reach out to Fundraising Co Chairs Mel Rose melrosenj@gmail.com or Gabrielle Graziano at gabriellept@aol.com.  They can also help you come up with great Fundraising ideas.


Gratefully,

Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents,
Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt
mmshsainfo@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com

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