Blog Archives

MMS HSA Weekly Update #21

1/28/2018

Hello MMS!

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

Trivia Night is this week - watch your inboxes for information on how we can make this an amazing Fundraiser for MMS. Bring cash for Mulligans. If you didn’t remember to get your tickets, look for the other ways to participate in community involvement.
Special shout out to Special Projects Chair – Tracey Clarke, for putting together the video on Library Media Center. We could use anytime you have to support this initiative.

Thanks to the entire MMS community for your continued and valuable support!!

Dates to Remember
2/1    8th grade mixer with MMS-SOMS, 7pm CHS
2/2 Trivia Night
2/5 Half Day
2/16, 2/19 No School
2/23    MMS Musical  7:30 PM
2/24 MMS Musical  7:30 PM
2/25 MMS Musical  2 PM

TRIVIA NIGHT!!
Trivia Night has sold out! Thank you to all the amazing families and staff who signed up to attend. If you didn’t buy your tickets in time, we hope you will look for other ways to support the HSA. Interested in helping with the event? The organizers could use your help with set-up and clean-up! Click here.

8TH GRADE MMS/SOMS MIXER
MMS/SOMS 8th Grade Mixer: Attention all 8th graders! This Thursday, February 1st from 7 PM to 9 PM in the CHS cafeteria there is an 8th grade mixer with both MMS and SOMS students. You won't want to miss it! DJ, dancing, photo booth, snacks, and prizes. Show up with your friends and make some new ones!
- Permission slips went home this weekend or you can click here and print.
- A signed permission slip + $5 is your ticket to the event. Hand in the slip and the money to an HSA volunteer during 8th grade lunch this Tuesday 1/30, Wednesday 1/31, or Thursday 2/1. Tickets will not be sold at the door Thursday night.
- We need help to make this event a success! Please click here to see the Sign Up Genius to donate some items, funds, or your time.
- Any questions? Email Kathleen Bailie

2018 MMS MUSICAL – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
Please Save the Dates for the 2018 MMS Musical, 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!
Questions on all things MMS Musical – please visit the Musical Website. Click here!

ACHIEVE GRANTS
The Achieve Foundation awarded more than $64,000 to teachers for grants this year! Because Achieve receives so many extraordinary proposals, some grants are partially funded. Now you can contribute to these eligible projects through Achieve’s Direct Grant Funding campaign. Please consider donating DIRECTLY to one or more of these MMS projects of your choice.

Spotlight on Ms. Reisman’s Expresssion Through Woodworking…  See this article. So amazing!

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!

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

VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!

EBlast Help
Interested in helping get the MMS word out? MMS HSA is looking for assistance managing the weekly eblast. If interested, please contact Thea at: theacogandrew@gmail.com

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

SPRING FAIR Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host its first-ever Spring Fair this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA. It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community!

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 #20

1/21/2018

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

It appears we have a full week of school ahead for the students at MMS and two concerts. Amazingly, our MMS Trivia Night is Sold Out, so use this as a lesson and please don’t miss the opportunity to see our amazing musical show! There are still tickets available.
As always, your financial support of the MMS HSA is also appreciated. We are just half way to our $12k No Frills Fundraising Goal, there is still time to contribute to MMS. Click here to donate or send a check (made out to MMS HSA) or cash via your child’s backpack to: MMS HSA Treasurer Mary Ellen Dawkins.

Thanks to the entire MMS community for your continued and valuable support!!

Dates to Remember
1/22 Board of Education Meeting, 7 PM BOE Building
1/23 Orchestra Concert, 7 PM at MMS
1/23 Special Ed PTO, 7 PM BOE Building
1/24 Band Concert 7 PM at MMS
1/24 Parenting Center’s Growing up in the Digital Age, 7:30 PM Tuscan
2/1 8th grade mixer with MMS-SOMS, 7 PM CHS
2/2 Trivia Night
2/5 Half Day
2/16, 2/19 School closed
2/23 MMS Musical 7:30 PM
2/24 MMS Musical 7:30 PM
2/25 MMS Musical 2 PM

ORCHESTRA AND BAND CONCERTS
This week our orchestra and band students perform at MMS. Orchestra performs Tuesday, 1/23, and Band Wednesday, 1/24. Both concerts begin promptly at 7 PM. If your student is performing and you need more details, see below for information from the teacher. Your MMS HSA will be collecting donations for the Fine Arts department, please bring $$ if you can. Suggested donation $5, but we will take more!
Orchestra – Click Here
Band – Click Here

TRIVIA NIGHT!!
Trivia Night has sold out! Thank you to all the amazing families and staff who signed up to attend. If you didn’t buy your tickets in time, we hope you will look for other ways to support the HSA. Interested in helping with the event? The organizers could use your help with set-up and clean-up! Click here to Sign up.

8TH GRADE MMS/SOMS MIXER
Attention 8th grade families: Our MMS/SOMS 8th grade mixer is coming up! The event is Thursday, February 1st from 7 PM to 9 PM in the CHS cafeteria. Your kids will be bringing home permission slips, or click HERE to print at home. HSA volunteers will be collecting permission slips + $5 cash during 8th grade lunch on 1/30, 1/31, and 2/1. Please encourage your kids to show up! This mixer is a tradition between the two middle schools and is always extremely well-attended. It's going to be a lot of fun, with a DJ, dancing, photo booth, snacks, and prizes. But we need your help to make it all happen! Please see this Sign Up Genius HERE to contribute items, your time, or funds to the event. Thank you!

2018 MMS MUSICAL – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
Please Save the Dates for the 2018 MMS Musical, 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 Tickets.
Questions on all things MMS Musical – please visit the Musical Website: https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical

SPECIAL ED PTO MEETING
Tuesday, January 23rd, 7:30-9 pm at BOE building, 525 Academy, Maplewood. Hear from our school liaisons and SPED PTO executive board members about their personal experiences and share your own with others who can relate and have similar questions and concerns. Special guest will outline the transition from PreK to Kindergarten. Outstanding opportunity to network with other parents. ALL ARE WELCOME! Meeting will include an update by SEPAC on their recent advocacy efforts on behalf of the Special Education community.

ACHIEVE GRANTS
The Achieve Foundation awarded more than $64,000 to teachers for grants this year! Because Achieve receives so many extraordinary proposals, some grants are partially funded. Now you can contribute to these eligible projects through Achieve’s Direct Grant Funding campaign. Please consider donating DIRECTLY to one or more of these MMS projects of your choice.

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!

CHOOSE KIND: MMS Cares-Supporting our Maplewood Senior Citizens
MMS has begun a partnership with the township to connect our students to seniors in the community. This might include spending time with them, helping them learn a bit about technology, or helping with tasks around their homes. Parent/guardian permission will be required and students will only be permitted to go in groups of 3-4. More information is forthcoming.

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

VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!

EBlast Help
Interested in helping get the MMS word out? MMS HSA is looking for assistance managing the weekly eblast. If interested, please contact Thea at: theacogandrew@gmail.com

MMS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
he 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

SPRING FAIR Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host its first-ever Spring Fair this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA. It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community!

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 Musical!

1/16/2018

Please visit the website to Buy Your Tickets Now!

MMS HSA Weekly Update #19

1/15/2018

Hello MMS!

Congratulations and thank you to the students and staff of MMS for the thoughtful and moving Silent March through Maplewood Village in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was truly an exceptional experience to behold. Thanks also to the MMS Select Chorus for their incredibly moving and inspiring performance of “We Shall Overcome.” It was an amazing day for students and staff alike.
A reminder that if you plan to drive your students, please remember the traffic flow patterns around the school have changed. There are also a few reminders below to hopefully help you ease back into all things MMS.
As always, your financial support of the MMS HSA is also appreciated. We are just half way to our $12k No Frills Fundraising Goal, there is still time to contribute to MMS.  Click here to donate or send a check (made out to MMS HSA) or cash via your child’s backpack to: MMS HSA Treasurer Mary Ellen Dawkins.

Thanks to the entire MMS community for your continued and valuable support!!

Dates to Remember

1/15 No School – MLK Day – District Closed
1/22 Board of Education Meeting
1/23 Orchestra Concert 7pm at MMS
1/24 Band Concert 7pm at MMS
2/1 MMS 8th grade mixer with SOMS at CHS
2/2 Trivia Night

ORDER NOW! SPIRIT-WEAR Online Store OPEN for 2018!
You asked and we listened! The Maplewood Spirit Wear Store reopens for 2018, now through January 19! All orders are custom, click here for details. (https://kixnstix.com/spirit/maplewood_middle_school_2018/)

TRIVIA NIGHT!!
SAVE THE DATE!  Over half of our tickets are sold so please order your tickets if you’d like to join in the fun!
Please mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun for our biggest fundraiser of the year! Do you know which country allowed women to vote first? How about which finger nail grows the fastest?
If you know the answers, or even if you don't, COME HAVE FUN at trivia night. Donate your dollars to MMS and show off your most trivial assets. Teams of ten compete for tacky statues and bragging rights. No team? No problem! We will find a team for you.
The Woodland
60 Woodland Rd., Maplewood
7pm-10pm

Appetizers/light snacks will be provided
Click HERE to purchase tickets! Have questions? Contact melrosenj@gmail.com

MMS/SOMS Mixer AT CHS
8th grade families: Save the Date Thursday, February 1st from 7pm-9pm for the MMS/SOMS 8th GRADE MIXER held in the CHS cafeteria. There will be a DJ, dancing & games, a photo booth, snacks & desserts, prizes & giveaways. Be on the lookout next week for a permission slip. Your kids will tell you they don't want to go, but EVERYONE ends up going. So just mark the date, send them to school with the signed slip & $5 cash, and tell them it'll be fun. And if not, it's just 2 hours! We'll need help to make this event a success, including chaperones, collecting permission slips during 8th grade lunch, and donations of snacks. Thank you in advance! Any questions? Contact Kathleen Bailie at kbailie1@gmail.com

2018 MMS MUSICAL – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
Please Save the Dates for the 2018 MMS Musical, it is not to be missed. Show dates are 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
*Advanced ticket sales are currently open to cast, crew and staff members.

Want to help? See below for a list of current needs;
1) Volunteers for Building & Construction on Saturday's in January and February (9am - 3pm)
2) Volunteers to feed our Saturday Volunteers & Crews on Saturdays in January and February (noon) - pizza and cases of water are greatly appreciated!
**Interested volunteers for #1 or #2 can contact Mr. Palmgren (rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us)!
3) Donations of prom dresses, ball gowns, artificial Christmas trees.
**Donations can be dropped off any Saturday in January (9am - 3pm)
Musical Website for families involved click here (https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical)

IF YOU HAVE A CHILD IN THE MUSICAL:
1) Questions about remaining January rehearsals?
Please find on the MMS Musical Website to review the rehearsal calendar.
2) We hope you took advantage of your opportunity to pre-order tickets and add ons!
If not, please visit the MMS Musical Website for both electronic versions and paper copies.
3) Interested in an advertisement for the playbill? The due date is this Tuesday, 1/16!
Visit the MMS Musical Website and print out AD JOURNAL FORM and send with attention to Ms. Bradshaw.
4) During February we rehearse ALL week, including Tuesdays!
This year with an incredibly shortened tech week is it more important than ever that cast members plan to attend every rehearsal in February.
5) In order to make full cast rehearsals more comfortable, we move students into classrooms and ask that parents chaperone during those times. Can you help chaperone?
Please visit the Sign Up Genius and help make our February rehearsals comfortable and productive.

6) Volunteers are need to deliver posters this week (1/16 - 1/19) to stores and businesses in the following locations:
- Three (3) Maplewood/South Orange local libraries
- Springfield Avenue stores and businesses
- South Orange Avenue stores and businesses (including South Orange train station)
- Millburn Avenue stores and businesses
- YMCA
- Winchester Gardens
- Other community groups
Please contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us) for more information.

7) Dessert Party Coordinators (2 - 5 people needed):
On Friday and Saturday night, following the performances, cast/crew and friends and family are invited to the cafeteria to celebrate the success of the show.
Each cast/crew member is required to donate at least one dessert on Friday night to contribute towards feeding the cast/crew and their families some snacks.
Each year dessert party coordinators organize the decoration and cleanup of the cafeteria both pre and post show, purchasing cups and napkins to accompany the post-show snacks, organizing the large jugs of water and/or juice, and adding any special touches that generally blow everyone away!
Please contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us) with your interest in Dessert Party Coordinating.

8) Concessions Coordinators (1 -2 people needed):
For all three performances concessions are sold during intermission.
The concessions coordinators organize the purchase and transportation/delivery of bulk candy, snacks and water as well as price and organize the sale of concessions for all three performances.
Concessions Coordinators also work with the Ms. O'Sullivan to organize and craft the CandyGrams that are delivered during each performance.
Please contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us) with your interest in Concession Coordinating.

Thanks for your continued patience and support,
MMS Musical Directors

ACHIEVE GRANTS
The Achieve Foundation awarded more than $64,000 to teachers for grants this year! Click here to read about a special project featured at MMS!

Because Achieve receives so many extraordinary proposals, some grants are partially funded. Now you can contribute to these eligible projects through Achieve’s Direct Grant Funding campaign. Please consider donating DIRECTLY to one or more of these MMS projects of your choice…

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)!

Please click HERE for more information about each grant and to donate online today! For a list of all of the Achieve grants awarded this year, please click HERE. Thank you!

MATH COUNTS CLUB
Ms. Felder is looking for more members of the Math Counts club! The Club has students of all ability levels that have an interest in problem solving. The Math Counts Club will be entering national contests for prizes. Please contact Ms. Felder at: jfelder@somsd.k12.nj.us to join or for more information!

CHOOSE KIND: MMS Cares-Supporting our Maplewood Senior Citizens
MMS has begun a partnership with the township to connect our students to seniors in the community. This might include spending time with them, helping them learn a bit about technology, or helping with tasks around their homes. Parent/guardian permission will be required and students will only be permitted to go in groups of 3-4. More information is forthcoming.

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

VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!

EBLAST HELP
Interested in helping get the MMS word out? MMS HSA is looking for assistance managing the weekly eblast. If interested, please contact Thea at: theacogandrew@gmail.com

MMS LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
The Library Media Center needs parent volunteers to check out, stack books, and help students print out documents through-out the day. Feel free to contact Tracey Clarke (HSA Special Projects) with any questions: tlclarke226@gmail.com or check out the signup
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit?usp=sharing

SPRING FAIR Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host its first-ever Spring Fair this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA. It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community!

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 # 18

1/7/2018

Hello MMS!

Seems like we will actually get a full week of school in starting tomorrow and that temperatures are going to get to a more normal range, thankfully!
A reminder that if you plan to drive your students, please remember the traffic flow patterns around the school have changed. There are also a few reminders below to hopefully help you ease back into all things MMS.

Dates to Remember
1/8          Youth Net clubs begin this week
1/8          Musical Tickets on sale to the public
1/12 MLK Peace March
1/15       No School – MLK Day – District Closed
1/22 Board of Education Meeting
1/23       Orchestra Concert 7pm at MMS
1/24       Band Concert 7pm at MMS
2/1 8th Grade Mixer with SOMS at CHS
2/2 Trivia Night

ORDER NOW! Spirit-Wear Online Store Open for 2018!
You asked and we listened! The Maplewood Spirit Wear Store reopens for 2018, now through January 19! All orders are custom, click here for details. (https://kixnstix.com/spirit/maplewood_middle_school_2018/)

TRIVIA NIGHT!!
SAVE THE DATE! Please mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun for our biggest fundraiser of the year! Do you know which country allowed women to vote first? How about which finger nail grows the fastest?
If you know the answers, or even if you don't, COME HAVE FUN at trivia night. Donate your dollars to MMS–a school in great need of your dollars–and show off your most trivial assets. Teams of ten compete for tacky statues and bragging rights. No team? No problem! We will find a team for you.
The Woodland
60 Woodland Rd., Maplewood
7pm-10pm
Appetizers/light snacks will be provided

Click HERE to purchase tickets!   Have questions? Contact melrosenj@gmail.com

2018 MMS Musical – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
Please Save the Dates for the 2018 MMS Musical, it is not to be missed. Show dates are 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
*Advanced ticket sales are currently open to cast, crew and staff members. Public ticket sales will start on January 8th.

Want to help? See below for a list of current needs;
1) Volunteers for Building & Construction on Saturday's in January and February (9am - 3pm)
2) Volunteers to feed our Saturday Volunteers & Crews on Saturdays in January and February (noon) - pizza and cases of water are greatly appreciated!
**Interested volunteers for #1 or #2 can contact Mr. Palmgren (rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us)!
3) Donations of prom dresses, ball gowns, artificial Christmas trees.
**Donations can be dropped off any Saturday in January (9am - 3pm)

Musical Website for families involved click here (https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical)

ACHIEVE GRANTS
Even though MMS received a generous number of fully-funded Achieve grants this year, there are still some teachers who only received partial funding. Below please find a list of our teachers who are still looking for full funding for their projects. You can help support the MMS projects of your choice through Achieve's Direct Grant Funding campaign.

John Faherty
Maureen O'Sullivan
Lorraine Sudol
Melissa Tavares
Debra Hwang
Anna Herstatt
Debra Silva
Michael Berezny
Aggie Amaral
Meredith Hansen
Ryann Varney
Samantha Selikoff
Melissa Parks
Kelli Dios
Michele Reisman
Elizabeth Schwartz
Heather Vorona

For a list of all of the Achieve grants awarded this year (including those of the teachers listed above), please click HERE.

To donate, please click here for more information about each grant and to make your tax-deductible donation online.

Choose Kind: MMS Cares-Supporting our Maplewood Senior Citizens
MMS has begun a partnership with the township to connect our students to seniors in the community. This might include spending time with them, helping them learn a bit about technology, or helping with tasks around their homes. Parent/guardian permission will be required and students will only be permitted to go in groups of 3-4. More information is forthcoming.

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

VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!

MMS Library Media Center
The Library Media Center needs parent volunteers to check out, stack books, and help students print out documents through-out the day. Feel free to contact Tracey Clarke (HSA Special Projects) with any questions: tlclarke226@gmail.com or check out the signup HERE.

Spring Fair Chairpeople Needed!
MMS will host its first-ever Spring Fair this year in conjunction with the South Mountain YMCA. It promises to be a great day of fun for our MMS community!

FUNDRAISING

As always, your financial support of the MMS HSA is also appreciated. We are just half way to our $12k No Frills Fundraising Goal, there is still time to contribute to MMS.  Click here to donate, it is that simple. Or send in a check or cash, we will take it!

Or host a 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 #17

1/1/2018

Hello MMS!

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

Happy 2018!
BRRRR, it sure is cold outside. We hope you had a wonderful and safe holiday break. As we come back to school this week, it looks like the artic breeze will continue. If you plan to drive your students, please remember the traffic flow patterns around the school have changed. There are also a few reminders below to hopefully help you ease back into all things MMS. As always, your financial support of the MMS HSA is also appreciated. We are just half way to our $12k No Frills Fundraising Goal, there is still time to contribute to MMS.  Click here to donate, it is that simple. Or send in a check or cash, we will take it!

Dates to Remember
1/2          School Resumes
1/5          Last day to register for Youth Net
1/8          Youth Net clubs begin this week
1/8          Musical Tickets on sale to the public
1/15 No School – MLK Day – District Closed
1/23 Orchestra Concert 7pm at MMS
1/24 Band Concert 7pm at MMS

WINTER YOUTH NET REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
The Winter Youth Net flyer is out and registration is open through this week. Don’t miss out, there are lots of great NEW offerings! Clubs will begin the second week in Jan. Click here for details.

Spirit-Wear Online Store Open for 2018
You asked and we listened! The Maplewood Spirit Wear Store reopens for 2018.  All orders are custom,click here for details.

2018 MMS Musical – Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)
Please Save the Dates for the 2018 MMS Musical, it is not to be missed. Show dates are 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
*Advanced ticket sales are currently open to cast, crew and staff members. Public ticket sales will start on January 8th.

Want to help the Musical? See below for a list of current needs;
1) Volunteers for Building & Construction on Saturdays in January and February (9am - 3pm)
2) Volunteers to feed our Saturday Volunteers & Crews on Saturdays in January and February (noon) - pizza and cases of water are greatly appreciated!
**Interested volunteers for #1 or #2 can contact Mr. Palmgren (rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us)!
3) Donations of prom dresses, ball gowns, artificial Christmas trees.
**Donations can be dropped off any Saturday in January (9am - 3pm)

Musical Website for families involved click here.

Choose Kind: MMS Cares-Supporting our Maplewood Senior Citizens
MMS has begun a partnership with the township to connect our students to seniors in the community. This might include spending time with them, helping them learn a bit about technology, or helping with tasks around their homes. Parent/guardian permission will be required and students will only be permitted to go in groups of 3-4. More information is forthcoming.

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VOLUNTEER & HELP NEEDED!!

MMS Library Media Center
The Library Media Center needs parent volunteers to check out, stack books, and help students print out documents through-out the day. Feel free to contact Tracey Clarke (HSA Special Projects) with any questions: Please email Tracey: tlclarke226@gmail.com or check out the signup.

FUNDRAISING

Trivia Night
SAVE THE DATE! Please mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun for our biggest fundraiser of the year! February 2, 2018 at The Woodland. Come and show off your knowledge of pointless useless information. There will be fabulous food and you are welcome to bring whatever your drink of choice will be for the evening. Keep your eyes peeled for when ticket sales begin. Tickets always go fast, the Woodland has limited capacity and you don't want to be left out in the cold. Question: What is celebrated on February 2nd and has been since 1887? Please don't be fooled...the questions for Trivia Night are always much more challenging than this one.

MMS Money Makers!
Who will be the host of the next Money Maker? It could be you! You get to choose where your fundraising efforts get utilized. To learn more, or to volunteer to host an event, please reach out to Fundraising Co Chairs Mel Rose melrosenj@gmail.com or Gabrielle Graziano gabriellept@aol.com. They can also help you come up with great Fundraising ideas.

No Frill$
This easy way to contribute to your school is still available. There is no expiration on this fundraiser. Not interested in throwing a party, or attending one? Click here to donate, it is that simple. Or send in a check or cash, we will take it!

Gratefully,

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

szknutsen@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com