Blog Archives

Welcome to Middle school at MMS - 3/27/18 Recap

3/29/2018

Thanks to all the incoming families who attended the Welcome to Middle School event at MMS!

The staff at MMS and the MMS HSA were so happy to meet you. Here are some quick links to the materials discussed:

If you know any students or families who missed the event, please feel free to share these documents.

Warmly,
Your MMS HSA
mmshsainfo@gmail.com

MMS HSA Weekly Update #29

3/25/2018

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

Spring has Sprung! Let’s hope the snow is behind us because this winter is getting a little ridiculous. As many probably know, we are over our allotted snow days this school year and as a result MMS will be making up the days during spring break. As long as we don’t have any more winter storms, classes will be held 4/9, 4/10 and 4/11. A formal reminder should be coming from the district.

Lastly, it is BUDGET time so we once again encourage all to attend Monday’s Special board meeting as well as chime in where needed on the budget process for the district.

Dates to Remember
3/26         BOE Special Meeting 7:30 PM
3/27         5th Grade - Getting Ready for Middle School 7:30 PM
3/27         SEPAC/SPED PTO 7:30 PM
3/30         District Closed/No School - Good Friday
4/2           1/2 Day School
4/12-4/13 Closed for Spring Break*
*Note, MMS will have school 4/9, 4/10, 4/11

GRADE UPDATES

6TH GRADE PARENTS
Please consider volunteering the evening of March 27 at the 5th grade “Getting Ready for Middle School” event. Email Debcatholt@gmail.com or szknutsen@gmail.com and let us know!

7th GRADE PARENTS
The 7th graders are still selling bracelets! Send in your student with $1 to support the funding drive. The 7th Grade Coordinators also need volunteers to help with the 8th Grade Dance and Graduation. Stay tuned for more details in next week’s eBlast.

8th GRADE PARENTS
Save the date for June 19th for the 8th Grade Dinner Dance.

Yearbook
Last day to order yearbook is March 30 - this Friday!
Website: www.yearbookordercenter.com
School Code: 6667
Cost: $30
Also, please see attached forms: Info for ordering and Form for placing a well-wisher Ad for your 8th grader!
Deadline March 30!
Any questions, please email Ms. Hansen. mhansen@somsd.k12.nj.us

UPDATE FROM SPECIAL ED LIAISON - Out of District Placements!
Attention parents of children in Out of District placements and anyone else with an interest in the subject.Is SPED PTO’s next meeting on Tuesday, March 27th, 7:30-9 pm, at the BOE building, 525 Academy, Maplewood, on your calendar? IT SHOULD BE! The featured topic is SPECIAL EDUCATION: The Out of District Experience and the targeted audience is YOU! Hear from SPED PTO executive board members and the SEPAC/SPED PTO OOD liaison about their personal parental experiences. Share your own with others who can relate and have similar questions and concerns. Transportation will be among the topics covered, with Paul Roth, SOMSD Business Administrator, addressing the subject. Outstanding opportunity to network with local parents. (New people are showing up at every SPED PTO/SEPAC meeting!)

ALL ARE WELCOME! PLEASE JOIN US.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST
It’s not too late to encourage your student to apply for the MMS Women’s History Month Essay contest. Click here for more details. There are some great Gift card prizes!! Deadline 4/18.

STUDENT RECOGNITION
Each month the Board of Education recognizes students at board meetings. If you know a student who deserves recognition - in or out of school - please contact Principal Gronau.

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. Pick a day and agrab a friend. It only takes an hour! Please contact Deb Holt DebCatHolt@gmail.com or 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.

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 #27

3/18/2018

Hello MMS Families!

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

We hope everyone had a wonderful week and weekend. Sara and Deb met up at St. James Gate on Saturday to honor St. Patrick and to also make sure we covered all the MMS HSA needs for the week.

To kick off this week we have to say how so proud we are of our MMS students and staff on how they handled the March 14 National School walkout - with such grace and without incident. Here are some photos from the FB Page if you didn’t see them. Thank you to the MMS administration for the continued support of our student and community voice.

Lastly, it is BUDGET time so we once again encourage all to attend Monday’s board meeting as well as chime in where needed on the budget process for the district.

Dates to Remember
3/19         BOE Meeting 7:30 PM
3/27         5th Grade - Getting Ready for Middle School
3/27         SEPAC/SPED PTO 7:30 PM
3/30         District Closed/No School - Good Friday

GRADE UPDATE

6TH GRADE PARENTS
Please consider volunteering the evening of March 27 at the 5th grade “Getting Ready for Middle School” event. Email Debcatholt@gmail.com or szknutsen@gmail.com and let us know!

7th GRADE PARENTS
Permission slips and 7$ CASH are due tomorrow for the Field Trip to walk to see Wrinkle in Time on on 3/29. Did the permission slip not make it home? Never fear - your MMS HSA is here. Click here.

UPDATE FROM SPECIAL ED LIAISON - Out of District Placements!

Attention parents of children in Out of District placements and anyone else with an interest in the subject.Is SPED PTO’s next meeting on Tuesday, March 27th, 7:30-9 pm, at the BOE building, 525 Academy, Maplewood, on your calendar? IT SHOULD BE! The featured topic is SPECIAL EDUCATION: The Out of District Experience and the targeted audience is YOU! Hear from SPED PTO executive board members and the SEPAC/SPED PTO OOD liaison about their personal parental experiences.Share your own with others who can relate and have similar questions and concerns. Transportation will be among the topics covered, with Paul Roth, SOMSD Business Administrator, addressing the subject. Outstanding opportunity to network with local parents. (New people are showing up at every SPED PTO/SEPAC meeting!)

ALL ARE WELCOME! PLEASE JOIN US.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST
It’s not too late to encourage your student to apply for the MMS Women’s History Month Essay contest. Click here for more details. There are some great Gift card prizes!!

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. Pick a day and agrab a friend. It only takes an hour! Please contact Deb Holt DebCatHolt@gmail.com or 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.

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 #26

3/4/2018

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

In partnership with MMS Principal Dara Gronau, your MMS HSA helped organize a student banner of support which was sent to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in response to a national initiative to show support to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas students who returned back to school on 2/26. (See photo here and HSA Facebook page.) Entitled "Never Again! We Stand With You," the banner is laminated and hangs among several others from around the nation showing support for the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas. 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. There is also a banner hanging in the main hall at MMS, stop by and see it if you can.

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.

As always your we appreciates 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
3/19         BOE Meeting 7:30
3/27         5th Grade - Getting Ready for Middle School
3/30         District Closed/No School - Good Friday

A Note From the District about the National Walk-Out Day on March 14
Dear SOMSD Community,
You may have heard about the National School Walkout being planned for March 14 at 10am. This is a national, student-powered initiative, intended to spark action to keep our schools and our communities safe from gun violence. SOMSD has been working with the Police Departments in both towns, as we plan how to support student participation while also ensuring student safety.

SOMSD schools will provide students with an opportunity to participate in the national observance with activities on school property.

Elementary Schools – schools are devising plans which are developmentally appropriate and build on existing efforts to promote kindness, belongingness, inclusion, community, and school safety. Please note: Marshall and Montrose are not planning to participate, given the young age of all of their students.

Middle Schools – activities are being planned by students, who are consulting with administration to ensure that the plans protect student safety.

High School – Student groups are working together with the leadership of the CHS Student Council to plan for CHS’s participation. The organizers are coordinating with CHS administration, in order to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Please note: these events are mostly being planned by students, and are intended for students. We ask that parents/guardians and other adults not attempt to participate in these school-based events, since adults joining in would create security risks.
We have been asked if students will be subject to disciplinary action or “cuts” if they choose to participate. These events are supported by the schools and the district, and students who choose to participate will not be marked absent or disciplined. If any students choose not to participate, their choice will be respected and we will provide appropriate adult supervision.

If you have questions about the specific plans for your school, please contact your principal.
Sincerely,
South Orange Maplewood School District

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

6TH GRADE PARENTS
Please consider volunteering the evening of March 27 at the 5th grade “Getting Ready for Middle School” event.  See flyer here for more details.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST
The school will be running a Women’s history month essay contest and your HSA will be sponsoring prizes for the winning essays!

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.

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

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