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Maplewood Middle School Home and School Association
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MMS HSA Weekly Update #4

9/24/2017

 
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
Dear MMS Families: 

Hope everyone had a lovely long weekend and for those of you who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we wish you a sweet and healthy New Year.
 
We think we are off to a great start this year and look forward to keeping the momentum going!
 
****THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER**** 
Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau.
​
Notes for this week:
 
Picture day is coming up!
MMS Picture Day is scheduled for Friday, September 29.  Please check your child’s backpack for the flyer and order form.
 
Didn't get the Flyer? See below for online link.  Our code is 18-44MM if needed.
 
https://lorsstudio.onlinephotocart.com/prepay/18836456?code=18-44MM
 
Immunizations Needed!
We are almost there!  Immunization forms are still needed from about 100 6th graders.  Please click here for a note from MMS School Nurse Julie Porter.
 
MMS Money Makers Fundraising Initiative
Are you ready to become a MMS Money Maker?  This new fundraising initiative lets you decide how you want to raise money and where it goes.  
 
Step # 1
Choose from a list submitted by teachers of projects/ideas they want to do for your kids but lack the funds to do so.  For a complete list, please reach out to your Fundraising team or Co-Presidents.
 
Step #2 
Choose a Money Maker idea.  This can be anything  - cocktail party, Halloween contest, Bingo/game night, wine tasting event, bake sale, backyard movie, dog walking, poker party, bring a speaker into your home, chili cook-off, sell unwanted items online. The possibilities are endless!   
 
Step# 3 
Implement your Money Maker idea anytime between now and December 31, 2017.  
 
To learn more about Money Makers or to volunteer to host an event, please send Fundraising Chair Mel Rose a message at melrosenj@gmail.com.  
 
 
MMS Garage Sale! Benefitting the Money Maker Initiative
Mel Rose, Fundraising Co-Chair, will kick off MMS Money Makers with a huge yard sale on Saturday September 30th. She will be collecting items you no longer want but that someone else might.  These include - home goods, kitchen items, toys, electronics, art, sports equipment, Halloween costumes.  Anything but clothes. She is happy to pick up or you may drop off.   
 
To arrange for a donation to the yard sale send Mel a message at melrosenj@gmail.com.  
 
Spain Trip
This past Spring Break, April 2017, Senor Peña organized a trip to Spain using Passports educational group travel company. Nineteen students from both South Orange and Maplewood Middle schools attended. The trip was an amazing learning experience for the students.  After such success, Senor Peña has decided to plan another trip for our current 8th grade students which would take place during Spring Break 2018. 
 
Please click on the attached flyer and photos for more information on what a fabulous experience this trip is!
 
Diwali Festival Coming Up At The Woodland!
Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the most widely celebrated South Asian holidays.  For the first time, Diwali comes to Maplewood as a grand celebration of South Asian Arts and Cultural Festival. Free and open to the entire community, DiwaliFest NJ will be curated to offer a distinctive and authentic experience of South Asia that reflects the tremendous artistic and cultural diversity of the region.
Diwali Fest NJ takes places this Fall 2017 at:
     The Woodland
     60 Woodland Road, Maplewood NJ
     October 22, 12:30-6:30 pmFor more information, visit http://diwalifestnj.org/
 

In case you missed last week’s email update:

Youth Net After School Clubs
Your child wants to do more at MMS?  Sign up for a Youth Net Club!  Youth Net Clubs are after school clubs that run for 6 weeks in the Fall, Winter, and Spring; each club ends at 4:15.  Registration is $40 per session no matter how many clubs your child wants to participate in.  First session begins in October and includes a wide array of offerings such as: Fitness, Model UN, Board Games, Gardening and so much more!

See attached flyers here for more details: Youth Net Details, and Youth Net Permission Slip
 
Student Council
The Student Council would like to get the MMS School Store up and running so students can spend their Cougar Cash and we need YOUR help!  Please consider donating snacks and other items (gift certificates, supplies, etc) to the MMS School Store.  You can donate directly from our Amazon Wishlist (https://amzn.com/w/2XWAR0OJ0D1H8) or pick up extra snacks on your next trip to your favorite store!  All donations can be left in the main office to the attention of Ms. O'Sullivan and/or the MMS School Store.   Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan - mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us 
 
Extended Enrichment Period (EEP)
EEP is an after-school tutoring program that runs throughout the entire school year.  Tutoring sessions are run by MMS teachers in the Library.  Tutoring ends at 6:00 pm, but children don’t have to stay the entire time.  All students enrolled receive a free snack and access to the gym for recreation also. 
 
Additionally, students who take part in the EEP can sign up for YouthNet Clubs at no cost!
 
For more information and registration forms, please visit somayouthnet.org, or get the forms in the main office and bring to Mr. Degnan (in the library).  If you have questions, please reach out to: youthnetplus@gmail.com.  (There is a fee for the program but scholarships are available if needed.)
 
MMS Musical!
The MMS Musical this year is Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella!  The Musical Interest Meeting will take place on Monday 9/25, after school in the auditorium.  Anyone who is interested in auditioning for cast or joining Art Crew or Stage Crew should attend this meeting.  The dates for this year's musical are February 23, 24, 25 - 2018.  Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan - mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us 
 
Interested in working on the MMS Musical as a Student Director?  Do you have the time to commit to daily rehearsals?  If so, attend the Student Director Interest Meeting in Ms. O'Sullivan's room (130 - across from the library) on Wednesday 9/27.   Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan - mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us 
 
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is a “real time” program that allows students and parents to track assignments, grades, etc.  For any parents that are looking for PowerSchool login and password information please email Evyn Degnan – edegnan@somsd.k12.nj.us
 
Parents have the ability to create their own profiles as long as they have their child’s login information. For further assistance on creating a parent profile please use the following information:

 
If you need your parent account to be reset please contact – Rosann Voorhees, at rvoorhee@somsd.k12.nj.us.

Maplewood Middle School Parents Workshop via Conference Call
Social Media and Tips for Keeping Everyone’s Sanity with the Devices will be hosted by Principal Gronau on Tuesday, September 26 at 8 pm.  The conference call will be lead by parenting coach and author Amillah Williamson; this is sure to be an informative evening!  Please see the attached flyer for more information and log-in instructions.
 
Save the Date
The district will hold a middle school curriculum night held at SOMS on October 11 for both Middle Schools, all supervisors will be present.
 
HSA Communications: Your MMS HSA over the past few years has been working really hard to make sure communications among central office, school administration, faculty & staff, and families is clear and transparent and frequent. The best ways to stay informed are to make sure you’re receiving this eblast to your email, visit your HSA website at http://www.mmshsa.org/, and join our two Facebook pages: MMS HSA at https://www.facebook.com/MaplewoodMiddleHSA/ and Maplewood Middle School Families at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mmshsa/ 
   
That’s it from us for now. Thanks, all!
 
Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents,
Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt
mmshsainfo@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com 
debcatholt@gmail.com

MMS HSA Weekly Update #3

9/17/2017

 

MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
************************************
 
****THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER**** 
Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau.
​
Dear MMS Families:
 
Thank you to everyone who came out on Thursday evening for our amazing Back to School Night!  It was a great opportunity to meet your child/children’s teachers, connect with friends, and learn more about your MMS HSA.
 
We have a lot of information included in this newsletter so please take a moment and review it, and feel to reach out if you have any questions.
 
We’re looking forward to another great week at school!  Remember that there is no school on Thursday, September 21 and Friday, September 22 in observance of Rosh Hashanah. 
 
Youth Net After School Clubs
Your child wants to do more at MMS?  Sign up for a Youth Net Club!  Youth Net Clubs are after school clubs that run for 6 weeks in the Fall, Winter, and Spring; each club ends at 4:15.  Registration is $40 per session no matter how many clubs your child wants to participate in.  First session begins in October and includes a wide array of offerings such as: Fitness, Model UN, Board Games, Gardening and so much more!
 
See attached flyers here for more details: Youth Net Details, and Youth Net Permission Slip
 
Student Council
The Student Council Interest Meeting took place Friday 9/15, after school in Ms. O'Sullivan's room (130 - across from the library).  Anyone who missed the meeting and is interested can touch base on Monday, 9/18, with Ms. O'Sullivan, Mr. Kaplan or Mr. Palmgren.  Applications for Student Council are due on Tuesday, 9/19.  Please click here for the link to the application. 
Questions?  Contact Mr. Palmgren - rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us or Mr. Kaplan - bkaplan@somsd.k12.nj.us
 
The Student Council would like to get the MMS School Store up and running so students can spend their Cougar Cash and we need YOUR help!  Please consider donating snacks and other items (gift certificates, supplies, etc) to the MMS School Store.  You can donate directly from our Amazon Wishlist (https://amzn.com/w/2XWAR0OJ0D1H8) or pick up extra snacks on your next trip to your favorite store!  All donations can be left in the main office to the attention of Ms. O'Sullivan and/or the MMS School Store.   Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan - mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us 
 
Extended Enrichment Period (EEP)
EEP is an after-school tutoring program that runs throughout the entire school year.  Tutoring sessions are run by MMS teachers in the Library.  Tutoring ends at 6:00 pm, but children don’t have to stay the entire time.  All students enrolled receive a free snack and access to the gym for recreation also. 
 
 Additionally, students who take part in the EEP can sign up for YouthNet Clubs at no cost!
 
For more information and registration forms, please visit somayouthnet.org, or get the forms in the main office and bring to Mr. Degnan (in the library).  If you have questions, please reach out to: youthnetplus@gmail.com.  (There is a fee for the program but scholarships are available if needed.)
 
MMS Musical!
The MMS Musical this year is Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella!  The Musical Interest Meeting will take place on Monday 9/25, after school in the auditorium.  Anyone who is interested in auditioning for cast or joining Art Crew or Stage Crew should attend this meeting.  The dates for this year's musical are February 23, 24, 25 - 2018.  Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan - mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us 
 
Interested in working on the MMS Musical as a Student Director?  Do you have the time to commit to daily rehearsals?  If so, attend the Student Director Interest Meeting in Ms. O'Sullivan's room (130 - across from the library) on Wednesday 9/27.   Questions?  Contact Ms. O'Sullivan - mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us 
 
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is a “real time” program that allows students and parents to track assignments, grades, etc.  For any parents that are looking for PowerSchool login and password information please email Evyn Degnan – edegnan@somsd.k12.nj.us
 
Parents have the ability to create their own profiles as long as they have their child’s login information. For further assistance on creating a parent profile please use the following information:

If you need your parent account to be reset please contact – Rosann Voorhees, at rvoorhee@somsd.k12.nj.us.

Maplewood Middle School Parents Workshop via Conference Call
Social Media and Tips for Keeping Everyone’s Sanity with the Devices will be hosted by Principal Gronau on Tuesday, September 26 at 8 pm.  The conference call will be lead by parenting coach and author Amillah Williamson; this is sure to be an informative evening!  Please see the attached flyer for more information and log-in instructions.
 
Save the Date
The district will hold a middle school curriculum night held at SOMS on October 11 for both Middle Schools, all supervisors will be present.
 
HSA Communications: Your MMS HSA over the past few years has been working really hard to make sure communications among central office, school administration, faculty & staff, and families is clear and transparent and frequent. The best ways to stay informed are to make sure you’re receiving this eblast to your email (if not, sign up HERE), visit your HSA website at http://www.mmshsa.org/, and join our two Facebook pages: MMS HSA at https://www.facebook.com/MaplewoodMiddleHSA/ and Maplewood Middle School Families at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mmshsa/ 
 
Ms. Gronau’s weekly letter will also be featured (at the top) in The Principal’s Corner. Lastly, if there are questions you feel aren’t being addressed, please reach out and ask us! We are here to help.
  
That’s it from us for now. Thanks, all!  

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

szknutsen@gmail.com 
debcatholt@gmail.com

MMS HSA Weekly Update 2

9/10/2017

 
 
****THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER**** 
Please click HERE for this week’s message from Ms. Gronau.
​
Dear MMS families - 
​
Thank you to all the families that came out to welcome the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to their first week back to school! It was exciting to see the smiling faces as the students walked the red carpet, reunited with friends and staff, and navigated the halls with excitement and anticipation. #MMSlife.

Here’s what you need to know about week 2 :
​

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT - September, 14th **Doors open 6:35pm:  This Thursday is our MMS Back to School Night. Please join Ms. Gronau at 6:40 for opening remarks and a keynote from Amillah Williamson in the MMS Auditorium. Families will then head to classrooms at 7pm. *bring your schedules!
Your MMS HSA will have a few tables in front of the auditorium, please stop by during the evening and find out how you can get involved!

4 HOUR DAY -  September 14th : Please note Thursday is also a 4 hour day. We know that the days can be confusing. Please refer to the district website for official school closing and 4 hour days. Here is the District Calendar.

1ST DAY FORMS –  A Gentle reminder to send in your forms from the white envelope if you have not already.

CPA/FINANCE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – CPAs or finance background needed to join our finance committee. We need you!  Please email our Treasurer Mary Ellen Dawkins medawkins1@gmail.com or Volunteer Coordinator Bethany Joseph bethanyjoseph@gmail.com for more information.

HSA NO-FRILLS FUNDRAISER: Hopefully by now you saw the flier, either via email last week or jammed into your student’s backpack, but we need your support. Every penny donated to the No-Frills Fundraiser is sorely needed and goes directly to specific, important programming and enrichment for our children. The money is put to excellent use. And it only takes a few minutes. Please? Thank you! Here’s the link: http://www.mmshsa.org/no-frills-2.html

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Please note below the upcoming events;
  • September 20 - ADHD/ADD Parent Support Group meeting, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm, 525 Academy Street in Maplewood.
  • September 26 - Joint General Meeting with the Special Education PTO and SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee), 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm, 525 Academy Street in Maplewood.
  • Mark your calendar!  October 24 is the 3rd Annual Special Education Back to School Night hosted by SOMSD Department of Special Services.  Time & location will be announced soon
 
HSA COMMUNICATIONS: Your MMS HSA over the past few years has been working really hard to make sure communications among central office, school administration, faculty & staff, and families is clear and transparent and frequent. The best ways to stay informed are to make sure you’re receiving this eblast to your email (if not, sign up HERE), visit your HSA website HERE, and join our two Facebook pages: MMS HSA at https://www.facebook.com/MaplewoodMiddleHSA/     and
Maplewood Middle School Families at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mmshsa/ 
 
Ms. Gronau’s weekly letter is featured above (top of email!) in The Principal’s Corner. Lastly, if there are questions you feel aren’t being addressed, please reach out and ask us! We are here to help.
 
That’s it from us for now. Thanks, all!
 
Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents,
Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt
mmshsainfo@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com 
debcatholt@gmail.com

MMS HSA Weekly Update 1

9/4/2017

 
Hello MMS Families -

We hope you are enjoying the last few moments of summer and that all had a Happy Labor Day!  We know, the Countdown has begun… just a few more hours before the doors open and the red carpet is rolled out for MMS Students. We are very excited for the school year and there is so much to talk about. Here are just a few things for the week:

Schedules: Schedules were mailed out last Thursday and we hope by now all students have received their letters. Receiving the full schedules ahead of the first day of school was new this year at MMS and while exciting for the students; it can also bring so many more questions for parents and caregivers. We have heard a few. What is Dance? Creative Computers? What happens in P8? We have relayed the questions already received to Ms. Gronau and the district will be communicating all curriculum questions in the next few days. We know it’s hard, but please be patient, they will communicate shortly!

First Day of School
  • Doors open 8:12 am
  • 1st class begins at 8:20am
We could use your help 1st Day! Your MMS HSA is teaming with MMS to roll out the red carpet and welcome the Students with cheers and fan fare. We could really use your support! It will only take about 30 minutes on Wednesday (6th/7th) and Thursday (8th) – please join the fun. Click Here to help
​
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 14th from 7pm-9pm. Don’t miss this chance to see the school from the inside, meet our wonderful new principal, get to know your child’s teachers, and much more!

WHITE ENVELOPES/EMERGENCY FORMS: The first day of school your students will receive a white envelope. Please complete and make sure to return all emergency forms to the school and any other mandatory info from those white envelopes. There is a lot of great info in there from your HSA as well, including the Co-Presidents’ welcome letter HERE, our HSA membership form is HERE, and our No-Frills Fundraiser Flyer HERE. Thank you!

YOUTHNET AT MMS: 
Extended Enrichment Program: YouthNet offers an Extended Enrichment Program for all MMS students. The program runs until 6pm at MMS and follows the school calendar. MMS teachers offer individual homework help to students in extended enrichment.
After-school Clubs and Classes: The catalogue for Fall 2017 clubs will be available September 17th and clubs begin the first week of October. Meanwhile, please visit the YouthNet website www.somayouthnet.org for more information. No student is ever denied access to YouthNet programming for financial reasons. This is really an incredible organization and we are so lucky to have it in our community. Please consider supporting YouthNet and getting your students involved! More info on YouthNet will also be available at Back to School Night.
This year the South Orange /Maplewood Invitational Golf Outing is donating all its proceeds to YouthNet. The event is September 18th, click HERE for more information.
​
MMS ONLINE DIRECTORY: New this year, you no longer have to register for a directory through MMS. All families who opt in for information to be shared with the district will be included in the MMS Directory. This will be available mid-October. A special thanks to Jenny Winters for all your hard work over the past few years. Please make sure you have signed up for the eblast and tell your friends.  

We encourage all families to follow our Facebook page at @MaplewoodMiddleHSA or click HERE

ACHIEVE FOUNDATION NEWSTEAD 5K: The 15th Annual Achieve Newstead 5K is this Saturday, September 16th! The race starts at 9am at the South Mountain School Annex, 112 Glenview Road in South Orange.  Click HERE for more info!

Best,
Your MMS HSA coPresidents 2017-2018
Sara Knutsen & Deb Holt


mmshsainfo@gmail.com

szknutsen@gmail.com 
debcatholt@gmail.com

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