Hello MMS Families!
We hope you had a wonderful weekend enjoying the fall weather. We have a full week of school this week and this week is also a busy one, from BOE Meetings to Back to School Night for 504/IEP Students, to MMS Musical Auditions to Superintendent Searches. No matter what your position might be, the district is facing many changes and we encourage all families to get involved, support your choices and exercise your right to vote!
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far for our MMS Bathroom Inspiration Project… Great News, we have a chairperson - Thank you to Zakiyyah Hasan for stepping up. We also have a handful of volunteers already, but if you want to get involved it’s not too late, please let Zakiyyah know at thegreatestchef@gmail.com!
We are in full outreach for our Membership Drive and No Frills Fundraiser, please consider joining and donating if you have not already. To learn more about your MMS HSA, how to get involved, or to donate, PLEASE click here!
A Few Key Dates:
10/15 BOE Meeting 7:30 - 525 Academy Street
10/15 School Violence Awareness Prevention Week
10/18 Special Ed Back to School Night
10/20 Day in Band
10/26 6th Grade Canteen
11/3 Parents/Guardians Night Out! *NEW! Save the date...
11/6 No School - Staff development
11/8 No school - NJEA Convention
11/9 No school - NJEA Convention
11/21 7th Grade Block Party
We would love to hear more from you. See below for ways to give us your feedback;
About your Student? Each month the Board of Education recognizes students who have done something extraordinary. We would love to hear about what your student is doing and make sure recognition is given. We know there are more students to recognize, don’t be shy! If you know a student who deserves recognition - in or out of school - please contact Principal Gronau at dgronau@somsd.k12.nj.us.
About MMS? Do you have a positive story about MMS or the Principal and staff? We’d love to hear them and post on our Facebook page. We are so excited with all of the terrific feedback we’ve been hearing since school started and thought it would be fun to share some of the stories with the rest of the MMS community! Please send to Deb or Sara at: debcatholt@gmail.com or szknutsen@gmail.com.
School Violence Awareness Prevention Week
MMS is participating in School Violence Awareness Prevention Week. The week students will participate in student centered activities that help them familiarize themselves with other students and create opportunities for a strong student environment. Planned so far is a No Student eats alone Day and It Starts with Hello Day.
Visiting Mentor Program
Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher! The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise.
If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!
Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email. We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.
Day in the Band (CHS)
7th and 8th grade musicians wanted! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 20 for A Day in the Band, including practice, drill, and lunch with the Columbia High School Cougar Marching Band! This exciting free event is open to all SOMA 7th and 8th graders including musicians, non-players who want to march, future color guard, and kids who just want to be part of the Pride of Columbia (we will train). Sign up here, details to come. GO BAND! https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/Page/2936
6th Grade Canteen 10/26
Save the date for the most attended 6th grade event of the year. The 6th grade canteen (social) planning is underway. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at MMSHSAINFO@gmail.com and a grade coordinator will get back to you. The event is immediately after school and tickets go on sale soon.
6th Grade Immunization Document: Did it leave the backpack?
A Note from Julianne Porter, School Nurse
I am happy to report that I have received proof of immunization from 200 sixth graders. I am looking forward to collecting approximately 89 more! If you sent medical forms via your teen’s backpack, please take a moment to check that the documents were actually removed from the backpack’s deep pockets.
If the medical forms are still in your child’s backpack, please consider the following options for getting them to me: (1) mail to the address below; (2) FAX to the number below; (3) scan to the email below, or (4) hand-deliver to me – I would love to meet you!
Please Note:
· “Children must meet New Jersey’s immunization requirements to be enrolled in school. This is the law!” – NJ Department of Health
· If your child is not eleven years old yet, proof of Immunization is due two weeks after your sixth-grader turns eleven years old
· Failure to comply with this NJ State regulation may result in the exclusion of your child from school
Thank you for helping to comply with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Administrative Code, Chapter 14, which concerns the immunization of students. The goal is to protect your child and the school community from the spread of communicable disease.
Please feel free to call me with questions, concerns, or hardship. I am happy to help.
Sincerely,
Julianne Porter, RN, CSN
School Nurse
Maplewood Middle School
7 Burnet Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040
PH - 973-378-7660 x3009
FAX - 973-378-5247
jporter@somsd.k12.nj.us
Notes from the Teachers:
From Colleen Miller:
I have 6 bean bags in my room, plus a “super bean bag” chair. I’m wondering if we have any sewing parents who wouldn’t mind sewing me some “pillow cases” for them so I can clean the surfaces easily? I’d even buy the materials!
From Nurse Porter:
Are you an RN looking for a new and rewarding experience with hours that support your family's schedule? Please consider becoming a Substitute School Nurse for our outstanding SOMSD nurses.
School nurses support student success by providing health care through assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children within the school setting. School Nurses increase student attendance, decrease early dismissals, and even save lives.
Please feel free to contact Julie Porter, MMS Nurse and School Nurse Leader, with questions. You may also go right to Human Resources to pick up a sub packet at the Board of Education Building, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood.
From Anna Herstatt:
Please visit DonorsChoose.org. Ms. Herstatt is requesting earbuds for my team. Perhaps members of the community might be willing to donate individually or through their company.
Musical Updates
At this point any interested MMS students should have completed their dancing and acting auditions.
We continue this week with more singing auditions and then start callbacks.
The cast list will be posted on 10/26. Questions? Contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us)
All Art Crew submissions were due on Friday, 10/12. The Art Crew List will be posted on 10/18. Questions? Contact Mr. Palmgren (rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us)
10/25 (3:15 pm - 4:00 pm in the auditorium) is a mandatory meeting for all Art Crew and all auditioning Stage Crew. 11/1 & 11/2 will be the first two days of Stage Crew auditions.
For most info visit the musical webpage, https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/
Special Ed Update
The Special Education 2018-2019 Back-to-School Night will be held Thursday, October 18, 2018, 7:00pm – 9:00pm in the Columbia High School Auditorium. The traditional event is being planned to allow for the interaction between parents and members of the child study team. This event is open to everyone who has questions regarding Special Services, your child does not need to already utilize district special services (IEPs or 504s).
Upcoming Family Support Group meetings:
(All meetings at the BOE Building, 525 Academy St unless otherwise noted):
Parents/Caregivers: These are kids only, drop-off meetings. There is an adult present to help guide and support the discussion. Questions? Emailsomaspsibs@gmail.com
You should have received an email from the district Friday detailing the process for the Superintendent Search. For more information please click here
Tissues and School Store
We mentioned on our News on Waffles segment to be on the lookout for TISSUES. It’s already been a busy season of allergies and colds. If you are at the store and can pick up some extra boxes, the MMS staff would greatly appreciate it! The student council runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic.Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist
No Frills and Fundraising
MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here.
Parent’s and Guardian’s Night Out - Save the Date 11/3 @ O’Reilly’s
MightyNest
Discover innovative products for a healthy home & earn money for Maplewood Middle School!
MightyNest's dual mission is to help families create healthy homes AND raise money for each customer's school. Every product, including reusable lunch gear, body care, cleaning supplies, kitchenwares and more, was handpicked to help families live healthy lives. To get started, simply join our school fundraiser here then choose your membership type. All members receive Free Shipping and up to 30% off hundreds of MightyNest's durable, safe products. The best part is that you will raise money for our school every month.
The most popular membership is the MightyFix. For $10/month you'll receive one amazing product each month that helps your family live healthier and greener while earning $1 each month for our school. The product is always worth more than $10 retail, ships free and you also get free shipping on anything else you add to your MightyFix.
Varsity Orchestras through the South Orange Maplewood Adult School!
Don’t miss this chance for your young musician to make music with their peers in an encouraging, inclusive and inspiring environment, led by talented and engaging instructors who have deep experience working with children. Designed to augment the school music instruction, our orchestras allow young musicians to develop their musical talent, experience being part of an ensemble, learn about music theory, grow friendships with other young musicians, and perform at our twice-yearly concerts. Orchestras meet one evening a week at Columbia High School. Register online at the SOMAS website.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
We hope you had a wonderful weekend enjoying the fall weather. We have a full week of school this week and this week is also a busy one, from BOE Meetings to Back to School Night for 504/IEP Students, to MMS Musical Auditions to Superintendent Searches. No matter what your position might be, the district is facing many changes and we encourage all families to get involved, support your choices and exercise your right to vote!
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far for our MMS Bathroom Inspiration Project… Great News, we have a chairperson - Thank you to Zakiyyah Hasan for stepping up. We also have a handful of volunteers already, but if you want to get involved it’s not too late, please let Zakiyyah know at thegreatestchef@gmail.com!
We are in full outreach for our Membership Drive and No Frills Fundraiser, please consider joining and donating if you have not already. To learn more about your MMS HSA, how to get involved, or to donate, PLEASE click here!
A Few Key Dates:
10/15 BOE Meeting 7:30 - 525 Academy Street
10/15 School Violence Awareness Prevention Week
10/18 Special Ed Back to School Night
10/20 Day in Band
10/26 6th Grade Canteen
11/3 Parents/Guardians Night Out! *NEW! Save the date...
11/6 No School - Staff development
11/8 No school - NJEA Convention
11/9 No school - NJEA Convention
11/21 7th Grade Block Party
We would love to hear more from you. See below for ways to give us your feedback;
About your Student? Each month the Board of Education recognizes students who have done something extraordinary. We would love to hear about what your student is doing and make sure recognition is given. We know there are more students to recognize, don’t be shy! If you know a student who deserves recognition - in or out of school - please contact Principal Gronau at dgronau@somsd.k12.nj.us.
About MMS? Do you have a positive story about MMS or the Principal and staff? We’d love to hear them and post on our Facebook page. We are so excited with all of the terrific feedback we’ve been hearing since school started and thought it would be fun to share some of the stories with the rest of the MMS community! Please send to Deb or Sara at: debcatholt@gmail.com or szknutsen@gmail.com.
School Violence Awareness Prevention Week
MMS is participating in School Violence Awareness Prevention Week. The week students will participate in student centered activities that help them familiarize themselves with other students and create opportunities for a strong student environment. Planned so far is a No Student eats alone Day and It Starts with Hello Day.
Visiting Mentor Program
Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Rachel Fisher! The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise.
If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!
Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email. We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.
Day in the Band (CHS)
7th and 8th grade musicians wanted! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 20 for A Day in the Band, including practice, drill, and lunch with the Columbia High School Cougar Marching Band! This exciting free event is open to all SOMA 7th and 8th graders including musicians, non-players who want to march, future color guard, and kids who just want to be part of the Pride of Columbia (we will train). Sign up here, details to come. GO BAND! https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/Page/2936
6th Grade Canteen 10/26
Save the date for the most attended 6th grade event of the year. The 6th grade canteen (social) planning is underway. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at MMSHSAINFO@gmail.com and a grade coordinator will get back to you. The event is immediately after school and tickets go on sale soon.
6th Grade Immunization Document: Did it leave the backpack?
A Note from Julianne Porter, School Nurse
I am happy to report that I have received proof of immunization from 200 sixth graders. I am looking forward to collecting approximately 89 more! If you sent medical forms via your teen’s backpack, please take a moment to check that the documents were actually removed from the backpack’s deep pockets.
If the medical forms are still in your child’s backpack, please consider the following options for getting them to me: (1) mail to the address below; (2) FAX to the number below; (3) scan to the email below, or (4) hand-deliver to me – I would love to meet you!
Please Note:
· “Children must meet New Jersey’s immunization requirements to be enrolled in school. This is the law!” – NJ Department of Health
· If your child is not eleven years old yet, proof of Immunization is due two weeks after your sixth-grader turns eleven years old
· Failure to comply with this NJ State regulation may result in the exclusion of your child from school
Thank you for helping to comply with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Administrative Code, Chapter 14, which concerns the immunization of students. The goal is to protect your child and the school community from the spread of communicable disease.
Please feel free to call me with questions, concerns, or hardship. I am happy to help.
Sincerely,
Julianne Porter, RN, CSN
School Nurse
Maplewood Middle School
7 Burnet Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040
PH - 973-378-7660 x3009
FAX - 973-378-5247
jporter@somsd.k12.nj.us
Notes from the Teachers:
From Colleen Miller:
I have 6 bean bags in my room, plus a “super bean bag” chair. I’m wondering if we have any sewing parents who wouldn’t mind sewing me some “pillow cases” for them so I can clean the surfaces easily? I’d even buy the materials!
From Nurse Porter:
Are you an RN looking for a new and rewarding experience with hours that support your family's schedule? Please consider becoming a Substitute School Nurse for our outstanding SOMSD nurses.
School nurses support student success by providing health care through assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children within the school setting. School Nurses increase student attendance, decrease early dismissals, and even save lives.
Please feel free to contact Julie Porter, MMS Nurse and School Nurse Leader, with questions. You may also go right to Human Resources to pick up a sub packet at the Board of Education Building, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood.
From Anna Herstatt:
Please visit DonorsChoose.org. Ms. Herstatt is requesting earbuds for my team. Perhaps members of the community might be willing to donate individually or through their company.
Musical Updates
At this point any interested MMS students should have completed their dancing and acting auditions.
We continue this week with more singing auditions and then start callbacks.
The cast list will be posted on 10/26. Questions? Contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us)
All Art Crew submissions were due on Friday, 10/12. The Art Crew List will be posted on 10/18. Questions? Contact Mr. Palmgren (rpalmgre@somsd.k12.nj.us)
10/25 (3:15 pm - 4:00 pm in the auditorium) is a mandatory meeting for all Art Crew and all auditioning Stage Crew. 11/1 & 11/2 will be the first two days of Stage Crew auditions.
For most info visit the musical webpage, https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/
Special Ed Update
The Special Education 2018-2019 Back-to-School Night will be held Thursday, October 18, 2018, 7:00pm – 9:00pm in the Columbia High School Auditorium. The traditional event is being planned to allow for the interaction between parents and members of the child study team. This event is open to everyone who has questions regarding Special Services, your child does not need to already utilize district special services (IEPs or 504s).
Upcoming Family Support Group meetings:
(All meetings at the BOE Building, 525 Academy St unless otherwise noted):
- Special Siblings: Oct 15, 4-5:30 PM Youth led support group, with Laura Reichgut LCW, for siblings (Grades 5-8) of people with special needs.
Parents/Caregivers: These are kids only, drop-off meetings. There is an adult present to help guide and support the discussion. Questions? Emailsomaspsibs@gmail.com
- Selective Mutism: Oct 16, 7-8:30 PM
- ADD/ADHD: Oct 17, 7:30-9 PM
- SEPAC, Oct 24, 7:30-9 PM Features a presentation by Understood.org on creating an IEP binder. This takes place at Montrose school (click here to register, event is free, registration is to reserve a binder. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understoodorg-iep-binder-building-workshop-tickets-50575115532?ref=eios&aff=eios)
- Screen Smart Kids: October 29 - Are you considering giving your child their first smart phone? or have you recently? Learn how to work together with your child to set up a ‘cell phone contract’ that best suits your family’s needs. Screen Smart Kids is a support group for parents who are interested in exploring the ways in which technology, smart phones and social media are impacting their kids’ developing minds. This group will equip families to best address the challenges of our technology immersive culture. Questions? Contact Claire Kaplan claireskb@gmail.com or Stephanie Bourgeois
- Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More Nov 5, 7:30-9 (First Monday of each month) Parents will discuss and practice with the School Social Worker and School Nurse how to take care of their children, themselves, and each other as they parent teens in Middle School. We’ll explore strategies on how to support, guide, and direct children to succeed in Middle School - to be ready to face the day and have enough resilience to get through it. Questions? Please contact Eric Stoudemire, MMS School Social Worker estoudem@somsd.k12.nj.us or Julie Porter, MMS School Nurse jporter@somsd.k12.nj.us
You should have received an email from the district Friday detailing the process for the Superintendent Search. For more information please click here
Tissues and School Store
We mentioned on our News on Waffles segment to be on the lookout for TISSUES. It’s already been a busy season of allergies and colds. If you are at the store and can pick up some extra boxes, the MMS staff would greatly appreciate it! The student council runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic.Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist
No Frills and Fundraising
MMS HSA raises funds through an ongoing No Frills fundraiser, Money Maker (Host your own, seed your own) initiatives, Adults only Trivia Night, and other grade specific events during the school year. Without the support of families, we would not be able to provide the supplemental support to the students and staff. To donate now Click Here.
Parent’s and Guardian’s Night Out - Save the Date 11/3 @ O’Reilly’s
MightyNest
Discover innovative products for a healthy home & earn money for Maplewood Middle School!
MightyNest's dual mission is to help families create healthy homes AND raise money for each customer's school. Every product, including reusable lunch gear, body care, cleaning supplies, kitchenwares and more, was handpicked to help families live healthy lives. To get started, simply join our school fundraiser here then choose your membership type. All members receive Free Shipping and up to 30% off hundreds of MightyNest's durable, safe products. The best part is that you will raise money for our school every month.
The most popular membership is the MightyFix. For $10/month you'll receive one amazing product each month that helps your family live healthier and greener while earning $1 each month for our school. The product is always worth more than $10 retail, ships free and you also get free shipping on anything else you add to your MightyFix.
- Get your first month of the MightyFix for only $5 when you use promo code SCHOOLFIX5
- New members who signup for the annual MightyFix subscription earn an extra $8 for our school during the first year, for a total of $20 to our school! If you use the promo code SCHOOLFIX5 you can get a bonus two months free with an annual subscription.
- Our school must earn $100 by May 31st to earn our payout check, so the sooner you sign up, the better for our school!
Varsity Orchestras through the South Orange Maplewood Adult School!
Don’t miss this chance for your young musician to make music with their peers in an encouraging, inclusive and inspiring environment, led by talented and engaging instructors who have deep experience working with children. Designed to augment the school music instruction, our orchestras allow young musicians to develop their musical talent, experience being part of an ensemble, learn about music theory, grow friendships with other young musicians, and perform at our twice-yearly concerts. Orchestras meet one evening a week at Columbia High School. Register online at the SOMAS website.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
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