MMS HSA NEWS - Week of Oct. 5

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MMS HSA News - Week 5 MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION As we sat down to write this week's HSA newsletter, we were reminded that this week is (along with about 5 other "Awareness" events) "Mental Health Awareness" week.  This topic, of course, has been top of mind and hits close to home.   Last week the Parenting Center along with the PTAs held a seminar on "Emotional Support for Secondary Students during Covid" - and we think we speak for everyone -- administrators, teachers, students, parents, families - when we say that it is a tough time (#2020).   For our students, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused schools around Maplewood/South Orange to close, it resulted in a plethora of different reactions.   Kelly's daughter, Kate, for example, at first loved the online environment and finally felt confident enough to interact in class. But as time has gone on, Kate is now feeling the effects of social isolation and the forced physical distance between her, her friends and her teachers.  That stress, by itself, is enough - but combine that with the external environment and it almost is too much to handle (especially for middle schoolers).  This is all a long way of saying that our students and families are not alone in feeling stress and anxiety, and while it can be hard to ask for help, there are resources!    For additional childcare support, the South Mountain Y has been running its School Age Child Care program successfully and safely for the last 4 weeks and now has additional spots available for full and half days. The Y is there to help with virtual learning, enrichment, arts, sports and socialization in proven safe settings with fantastic staff mentors. If you are undecided or need more information, please email Leah at lgreene@metroymcas.org. And, if there is other support that you believe would be helpful - please let us know.  We hope that this Newsletter at the very least can help ensure that our community is getting important and timely information.  Thank you again to those that keep MMS and the HSA running!  Kelly and Veronica 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! Election day is Nov. 3! Learn about your Board of Education candidates! Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.: The Community Coalition on Race is hosting a Virtual Candidates Night focusing on the candidates' perspectives on social justice and. Click here to register.  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, Week of Respect The Week of Respect begins Oct. 5 and this year's theme is “Together Everyone Achieves More.” Here is the schedule for this week: Monday Oct. 5: “I Am” poem.  Tuesday Oct. 6: Wear grade level colors for Spirit Day.  Eighth grade wears red; 7th wears black; and 6th wears white.  Wednesday Oct. 7: Tik Tok Challenge with teams Thursday Oct. 8: Dress Up Like Your Hero! Friday Oct. 9:  Classroom Activity and MMS RESPECT Walk at 2:30 p.m. sharp in front of MMS.  We will walk in UNITY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCE AS A PRIORITY, escorted by MPD to show Unified effort of togetherness with RESPECT as the common thread.   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! Speaker Series: Social Media During the Pandemic" with Lauren Muriello School Media Specialist Lauren Muriello, LPC is a licensed psychotherapist and Founder of Well Being Therapy Center & Level Up Teens. Her expertise includes adolescent development, parenting, and educating communities on the impact of social media on the developing mind. Lauren has given presentations to hundreds of students, parents, and school professionals on these important topics. This event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct 8 at 7:30 p.m. Click here to join. Support SOMA Shares SOMA Shares provides daily food support for district families by offering shelf-stable groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and school/art supplies (all new, unopened and unexpired). We have collection points all over SOMA so you can easily drop off at your nearest or most convenient spot. Email sbnews@sethboyden.com for a list of collection points. 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. Jennifer Castano, special education and 8th grade math intervention   Where I taught last: West Orange Public Schools Why I decided to become a teacher: Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions. I am passionate about helping my students tap into their full potential and sharing my love for math. Favorite Book: Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate Favorite Activity: baking If I could interview anyone, it would be Katherine Johnson because: I would like to hear about her experience working for NASA as a mathematician and about her contributions to successful spaceflights. Her achievements were truly inspirational! My favorite thing about middle school is: watching students begin to blossom into their own as individuals. Middle school marks the beginning of a world of possibilities! A little bit more about me: I will always be a proud pirate of Seton Hall University! I enjoy yoga and recently added bike riding as a hobby. My best virtual learning tip for parents: Making a “To Do” list can help with starting on track and staying on track. The feeling of being overwhelmed can come in many forms virtually, but if you stay on top of your assignments by making a daily list of what needs to get done, then you’ll be better off in the long run.       On the Calendar Oct. 5-9: Week of Respect Oct. 8: Community Coalition on Race Board of Education (BOE) Candidate Forum Oct. 8: Parenting Center Speaker Series "Social Media During the Pandemic" with Lauren Muriello. Oct. 12: Presidents Council and the League of Women Voters BOE Candidate Debate Oct. 13: Half day  Oct. 15: HSA meeting 10/15 - Learning Disabilities Parent Support Group Oct. 22:  SEPAC meeting  Join The MMS HSA YouthNet HSA News Submission Form No Frills Fundraiser MMS Makerspace Team Sites

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