MMS HSA News - Week of Oct. 12

10/19/2020

MMS HSA News - Week of Oct. 12
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Did we catch your attention?

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. If you watched the last presidential debates, you know this is quite an issue in our country. On this note, last week we celebrated Week of Respect and highlighted the critical role a positive school climate, free from harassment and bullying, has on student achievement. Sadly, most kids are not aware of the types of behaviors that reinforce in-group and out-group dynamics and so let's all do our part to encourage empathetic and inclusive norms! A few suggestions for your students by a group called "Stomp out Bullying" are: 1) Make a friend with someone you don't know at school and 2) Challenge others to be kind. For more suggestions for both you and your student, take a look here and here.

REMINDERS:

Half Day! Tuesday, October 13th is an early Dismissal Day. Virtual School will conclude at 12:15pm.
School Science Opportunity! Does your student love science and want to explore more topics in depth? Please join the SciFest (Science Fair) meetings at 3:15 on Mondays. Here is the link to join: https://meet.google.com/ttd-oaqm-qmv
School Newspaper Opportunity! Is your student interested in sharing their voice with a wide audience? There will be an MMS World Newspaper meeting Next Thursday at 3:15. Here is the Google Classroom info: ahttps://classroom.google.com/c/NjM0OTI2NTc2MTFa?cjc=dhy43da
Parent Feedback! Do you have suggestions on how to make this virtual time more engaging? Come to an HSA Meeting this Thursday at 7pm. Reach out to mmshsainfo@gmail.com to learn how to connect.

Have a great week,
Veronica and Kelly

Photo Credits: Ilayza Macayan on Unsplash

Calling all sixth-grade parents! Don’t forget to provide vaccination proof for your students. If you haven’t already, please mail, scan or fax the documentation to School Nurse Hilary Conway. You can also email her to confirm the date of the medical appointment booked for the missing vaccination(s). Tdap and Meningococcal are required under the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Administrative Code, Chapter 14. You can reach Ms. Conway at hconway@somsd.k12.nj.us; phone (973) 378-7660 Ext. 3009; or fax 973-378-2081.

New Spirit Wear will be available to purchase beginning later this week! Be on the lookout for a link to the spirit wear website where you can place your order. Items available will include hoodies, masks, long sleeve T-shirts, tie dye T-shirts and regular T-shirts.

NJ voters can now register online!
No need to print and send in a form. This is so quick and easy to fill out, and also to share with others! Voter registration for the Nov. 3 election ends on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Click here for more details or to update your registration!

Learn About Your Board of Education Candidates!

Monday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.: The Presidents Council and League of Women Voters is hosting a Board of Education Candidate debate. Come learn about the BOE candidates perspectives on integration, distance learning, facilities improvement, testing and communications! Click here to watch the debate,

Middle School Childcare Program Survey
The MAPSO Youth Coalition is looking to create a comfortable space for Middle Schools to attend online school and interact after school safely. We plan to provide free WiFi access, healthy snacks, schools supplies and more. Please use this form to let us know how this can best serve your family!

Last Chance to fill out the Census! The census is safe, easy and important and only comes around once every ten years. A complete Census count is vital to ensure that we get our fair share of government funding-including funding for our schools as well as fair political representation! Your response is fully confidential.

Hilary Conway, School Nurse

Where I worked last: I began my career in school nursing at Stevens Cooperative School in Hoboken. I then became a nursing supervisor for Catapult Learning, working with schools in Bergen county. I am a member of the community and a SOMSD parent so I am thrilled to be at MMS in my home district!

Why I decided to become a school nurse: It is imperative that children are healthy in order to succeed in school. As I began working in schools, I really enjoyed teaching kids about their health and encouraging them to take an active role in staying healthy. When I was a child in school, the school nurses were always so loving and kind and were great role models for me. As a high school student, I volunteered in the nurse's office, and I knew that school nursing could be the perfect fit for me.

Favorite Book: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle

Favorite Activity: Riding bikes with my son Collin

If I could interview anyone, it would be former First Lady Michelle Obama because she made a daily difference in the lives of people, especially our nation's children, while in the White House. She began the Let's Move initiative in schools to encourage children and their families to stay active. She promoted healthy eating habits and gained national attention for being the first woman since Eleanor Roosevelt to plant a vegetable garden at the White House.

My favorite thing about middle school is: Middle school students are fun, spontaneous and energetic. They can also be serious, inquisitive and refreshingly honest. As they find their way in the world, they think for themselves, form their own opinions and are hopeful about making a difference in the world around them.

A little bit more about me: I grew up in Indiana and I met my husband Frank while in college there. I moved to NJ in 2002 and to South Orange in 2016. I absolutely love this community and how welcoming people are. We have a son named Collin, a fourth grader at Jefferson Elementary, and a very spoiled shiba inu named Ghost.

My best virtual learning tip for parents: Teachers, families and children are all new to navigating the world of remote learning. With humor and patience, we will figure it out together.