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Maplewood Middle School Home and School Association
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MMS HSA News Week 22

2/26/2017

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Hey MMS! Did you make it to see The Addams Family over the weekend? From the talent of the acting & singing & dancing on stage to the musicians, the costumes, the choreography, the set, the props, the technical work -- whew! It was a true collaboration of many many efforts! It would sound like one of those Oscar speeches we’re about to hear to try to name every person to thank, but of course we must highlight the tireless dedication and commitment of the show’s four directors -- THANK YOU Mrs. Bradshaw, Ms. Duffey, Ms. O’Sullivan, and Mr. Palmgren! You are a phenomenal team and MMS is so lucky to have you!

Lots more to talk about. Here you go …


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


I SHALL NOT BE SILENT: Last week in school all students saw a screening of the documentary film I Shall Not Be Silent, co-produced by MMS parent Rachel Fischer. I Shall Not Be Silent is a documentary about Rabbi Joachim Prinz, a powerful voice for justice who spoke out in Nazi Germany and then, after immigrating to the U.S., in segregated America. Rabbi Prinz spoke at the 1963 March on Washington, where he proclaimed that "America must not become a nation of onlookers. America must not remain silent." For more information on this important film please visit the website at http://www.prinzdocumentary.org/. Tomorrow, Monday, February 27th, the film's producers will come to MMS to speak with 8th graders about the connections between different forms of oppression as illustrated in the film and Prinz's model of how to be an ally. Thank you so much to Rachel and to all of the film’s producers for so generously donating their time and expertise to help educate our student body on this significant and relevant topic.

THE RIGHT TO DREAM: To culminate Black History Month, on Tuesday, February 28th all MMS students will attend an important assembly about the struggle and sacrifice for civil rights in America. The Right to Dream recreates a student's coming of age as an African American in Mississippi during the 1950's and 1960's. This program illuminates the issues of civil rights, leading audiences to understand how the fight against prejudice has shaped our history. For more information on this compelling story please visit the website at http://www.livingvoices.org/rtd/rtd.html. Thank you to HSA Cultural Arts chairs Morgan Hillis and Sarah Morrison for once again bringing such influential programming to MMS, and thanks to all of you who support your HSA so that we may provide our students with these meaningful enrichment opportunities.

MMS WATER BOTTLES: Student Council is still selling those great MMS water bottles for $5 in the School Store during lunch and after school. Check them out below! ​
Picture
SCHOOL STORE: The MMS School Store is a huge hit with the kids and is integral in promoting and making meaningful the school’s Cougar Cash reward system. Please consider helping to keep the store fully stocked. Click HERE for a list of suggested items, though anything your kid would like would be appreciated! You may drop any donations in the Main Office, or contact Mr. Kaplan at bkaplan@somsd.k12.nj.us to arrange for delivery. And thank you!

TURNING STRESS INTO SUCCESS: On Tuesday, February 28th at 7:30pm at Tuscan, join licensed psychologists Dr. Dan Gallagher and Dr. Neal Litinger for a conversation about instilling calm confidence in our kids. All the info is in the flyer HERE.

COMMUNITY FORUM FOR IMMIGRANTS: On Thursday, March 2nd at 7pm in the Seth Boyden library, local immigration experts will be on hand to answer questions and explain how new executive orders and enforcement policies might affect immigrants in our communities. Please see the flyer HERE for all of the info.

Ok everyone! Have a wonderful week. Looks like it’s February that’s going out like a lamb. Enjoy it!

Kathleen Bailie & Alan Stephenson
your MMS HSA Co-Presidents
kbailie1@gmail.com    
wunderdogny@aol.com
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It takes a Village!

2/22/2017

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Our MMS students have been hard at work at the musical for months now. They've had an amazing experience. They've learned skills. They've made friends. They've gained confidence. They've had fun. And you've gotten dozens and dozens of hours of free childcare! 

Now it's time to give back! Can you spare a little time this weekend to help out? The musical directors need chaperones for the holding rooms during the performances and parent volunteers to help break down the set on Sunday afternoon. Please see the Sign Up Genius and help out!

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/20f084ba5af2da7fb6-theaddams


(Of course -- all help gladly accepted from any MMS parent, whether your kid is involved in the show or not!)

THANK YOU!!

** Please note: If your student is involved in the Musical and you haven't been receiving the emails, please contact Ms. O'Sullivan at mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us and she will be sure to add you to her general distribution list. **
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MMS HSA News Week 21

2/12/2017

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Hi MMS! This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week. MMS teachers & staff will be talking to the students about this simple yet profound concept and how to put the intention into action. Here are some cool ideas we found online -- please feel free to share them with your children. Perhaps they’ll inspire all of our kids (and us!) to bring a little more kindness into our world:
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-stories/66-10-kindness-week-ideas-for

It’s a short week (schools are closed Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 20th in observance of Presidents’ Day), but still lots of great stuff going on at our school ...

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

FIELD TRIP TO SEE HIDDEN FIGURES: The 6th and 7th graders are seeing Hidden Figures this week on Thursday, February 16th. If you need the permission slips they are HERE (6th) and HERE (7th).

ATTENTION 6th GRADE PARENTS & GUARDIANS: You’re invited to an Independent Reading Projects Celebration in the MMS Library on Thursday, February 16th from 2:15pm - 3:05pm, sponsored in part by your HSA. Come join your students for a slice of pizza and a drink and browse through all of the great work your 6th graders are so proud to display and present. Please click HERE for all of the information.

PANERA FUNDRAISER: Panera Bread at 495 Prospect Ave. in West Orange is donating a percentage of sales on Wednesday, February 15th to MMS as a fundraiser for the PBIS committee. Please click HERE for all of the information and please dine at Panera on Wednesday to support our school!

BLACK HISTORY MONTH STUDENT CONTESTS: MMS is holding two contests to encourage our students to learn about and draw inspiration from the month-long celebration of Black History Month. As added incentive your HSA has sponsored Amazon gift cards as prizes for the top 3 contest winners. All of the information on the Essay Contest can be found HERE. For information on the Art Contest please contact Ms. McCourt (mmccourt@somsd.k12.nj.us) and Ms. Reisman (mreisman@somsd.k12.nj.us). We hope you all discuss these contests with your children and help persuade them to participate!

MMS WATER BOTTLES: Student Council is selling MMS water bottles for $5 in the School Store during lunch and after school. Kids can quench their thirst and show school spirit all while helping to support all of the excellent work done by our amazing Student Council. Plus these water bottles look great -- check them out below. Please encourage your kids to get their water bottles now while supplies last!
Picture

​SCHOOL STORE:
The MMS School Store is a huge hit with the kids and is integral in promoting and making meaningful the school’s Cougar Cash reward system. Please consider helping to keep the store fully stocked. Click HERE for a list of suggested items, though anything your kid would like would be appreciated! You may drop any donations in the Main Office, or contact Mr. Kaplan at bkaplan@somsd.k12.nj.us to arrange for delivery. And thank you!


PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE MMS MUSICAL: Please consider lending a few hours to chaperone the students in their holding rooms in-between their rehearsing time. Click HERE for the Sign Up Genius to reserve your time slot. It’s the easiest volunteering you’ll do all year! Bring a book or some work and hang in the classroom with some kids to give them a break from the auditorium. Thank you!

MMS MUSICAL TICKETS: Tickets sales for the MMS Musical are ongoing. There will be three performances: Friday, February 24th at 7:30pm; Saturday, February 25th at 7:30pm; and Sunday, February 26th at 2pm. Check out the Musical website HERE for all the info on the show, to purchase tickets via Pay Pal, or to print a paper order form. Additional paper order forms are available in the Main Office. Any questions? Please reach out to Ms. O’Sullivan at mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us.

MMS YEARBOOKS: The MMS Yearbook sale is ongoing. The yearbook is organized by MMS teachers Ms. Hansen (mhansen@somsd.k12.nj.us) and Ms. Varney (rvarney@somsd.k12.nj.us), who can be contacted with any questions. The flyer outlining how to order online or in school can be found HERE. And information on purchasing a “Well Wisher” for an 8th grade student to include in the yearbook can be found HERE.

Thanks everyone!

Have a great week,
Kathleen Bailie & Alan Stephenson

your MMS HSA Co-Presidents
kbailie1@gmail.com    
wunderdogny@aol.com
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MMSA HSA News Week 20

2/5/2017

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Hello MMS! Wishing you all a Super Sunday. Please read thru all the happenings at our awesome school in-between commercials …

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


MMS TRIVIA NIGHT: The numbers are in and we are blown away by the generosity of this MMS community! Thanks to all of you, MMS Trivia Night 2017 far exceeded passed years’ numbers and even our most hopeful expectations for this year -- we estimate that the evening will have earned over $12,000 for our school! Incredible! This is sorely needed money that will be used to, among other things, provide enriching academic and cultural programming for our children, make field trips and extracurricular activities available and accessible to all students, and beautify our school in significant ways to help make the building more welcoming for staff & students alike. And while there are countless people to thank for this success, we’d like to specifically mention the altruism of the winners of our 50/50 raffle, who so generously donated their entire cash prize back to MMS. These awesome people would like to remain anonymous, but you know who you are! And thanks again to all of you. We had a blast Friday night and can’t wait for next year.

ATTENTION 6th GRADE PARENTS & GUARDIANS: You’re invited to an Independent Reading Projects Celebration in the MMS Library on Friday, February 16th from 2:15pm - 3:05pm, sponsored in part by your HSA. Come join your students for a slice of pizza and a drink and browse through all of the great work your 6th graders are so proud to display and present. Please click HERE for all of the information.

MMS WATER BOTTLES: Student Council is selling MMS water bottles for $5 in the School Store during lunch and after school. Kids can quench their thirst and show school spirit all while helping to support all of the excellent work done by our amazing Student Council. Plus these water bottles look great -- check them out below! Please encourage your kids to get their water bottles now while supplies last!

Picture

SCHOOL STORE: The MMS School Store is a huge hit with the kids and is integral in promoting and making meaningful the school’s Cougar Cash reward system. Please consider helping to keep the store fully stocked. Click HERE for a list of suggested items, though anything your kid would like would be appreciated! You may drop any donations in the Main Office, or contact Mr. Kaplan at bkaplan@somsd.k12.nj.us to arrange for delivery. And thank you!

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE MMS MUSICAL: Please consider lending a few hours to chaperone the students in their holding rooms in-between their rehearsing time. Click HERE for the Sign Up Genius to reserve your time slot. It’s the easiest volunteering you’ll do all year! Bring a book or some work and hang in the classroom with some kids to give them a break from the auditorium. Thank you!

MMS MUSICAL TICKETS: Tickets sales for the MMS Musical are ongoing. There will be three performances: Friday, February 24th at 7:30pm; Saturday, February 25th at 7:30pm; and Sunday, February 26th at 2pm. Check out the Musical website HERE for all the info on the show, to purchase tickets via Pay Pal, or to print a paper order form. Additional paper order forms are available in the Main Office. Any questions? Please reach out to Ms. O’Sullivan at mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us.

MMS YEARBOOKS: The MMS Yearbook sale is ongoing. The yearbook is organized by MMS teachers Ms. Hansen (mhansen@somsd.k12.nj.us) and Ms. Varney (rvarney@somsd.k12.nj.us), who can be contacted with any questions. The flyer outlining how to order online or in school can be found HERE. And information on purchasing a “Well Wisher” for an 8th grade student to include in the yearbook can be found HERE.

Thanks everyone!

Have a great week,
Kathleen Bailie & Alan Stephenson
your MMS HSA Co-Presidents

kbailie1@gmail.com    
wunderdogny@aol.com
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