Hello MMS Families -
Brrr.. it’s getting cold out there but there sure is a buzz in the air at MMS! Pennies and cans of food from your pantries are likely disappearing, and suddenly all your FULL cereal boxes and packaged goods have rectangles cut out of them. Yes, it is that time of year. The MMS Battle of the Classes has begun! 6th grade families are most likely scratching their heads wondering, what is that? While 8th grade and returning families know exactly what that means. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year, MMS Cougar spirit is in full swing. See below for all details.
A gentle reminder, there is a teacher professional development day this week which means a 4 hour day this Tuesday, December 11. Please make sure your student remembers there is no lunch service that day. We will be celebrating our amazing staff on Monday, December 17 with our annual Staff Holiday Luncheon. If you have time to help out or can donate something yummy, your efforts would be truly appreciated! Please see details below for more information. We could use your generous support!
We still need your support to reach our financial goals as we enhance the Cultural Arts offerings that we want to bring to our students. Please see the link below to make a donation.
A Few Key Dates:
Battle of the Classes
The MMS Battle of the Classes has begun! The winter battle where students band together as a grade and battle for pennies, box tops, canned goods, good behavior points and overall bragging rights. Culminating on a final day where kids get to be kids - rising to full Cougar pride in the Battle of the Classes. Yes, the Fun has begun, read below for all the ways your student can help earn points for their class. With the official battle on 12/21!
Hard to believe, but it’s time to order yearbooks! The Yearbook Club advisors no longer accept paper order forms, checks, or cash for pre ordered yearbooks. Please mail this form with payment to the address highlighted on the order form. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please see the attached forms with information on ordering the 2018-2019 yearbook.
Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Info
Staff Holiday Luncheon
The annual MMS Teacher and Staff Appreciation Holiday lunch will be held on December 17th. Please consider making a donation or volunteering your time. See details on attached sign up genius here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48aead29a13-teacher1
Special Ed Update
Special Siblings Dec 17 (drop off grades 5-8) 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
ADD/ADHD Parent Group, December 19, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
December SEPAC meeting will be a social event for families, details coming
Achieve - Calling all Hosts!
It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.
Title 1 information Dinner
Please see the invitation to the MMS/Serh Boyden combined Title I information night next Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 6pm at Seth Boyden Elementary School located at 274 Boyden Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Dinner will be served. Come hear from both school principals and staff about programming offered to students in need of more academic support. Click here for details. See you there!
Parenting Center Toy Drive
Due to a higher than usual demand for toys for our South Orange Maplewood School District families this school year, the 2018 Holiday Toy Drive has been extended until Friday, December 14th. Therefore, there is still an additional opportunity to make a child's holiday wish come true! Your continued generous support is required to meet the desires of all of our needy families. As a reminder, this year we've made it easier with our Amazon Gift Registry and "go fund me" accounts. Click on the links below to donate today!
Amazon.com gift registry: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1C8Y5M2GPVY4O
Or make a tax-deductible donation at: www.gofundme.com/somsd-parenting-center-toy-drive Or send a check to the: SOMSD Parenting Center~525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
The Parenting Center offers their sincere thanks for your support! Donation boxes are in main office!
No Frills and Fundraising - Still Time to Donate!
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.
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.
MMS Library Volunteers needed!
I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school. You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule). This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better! Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959
Musical Updates
Questions? Contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us). For most info visit the musical webpage, https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/
Superintendent Search
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
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.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
Brrr.. it’s getting cold out there but there sure is a buzz in the air at MMS! Pennies and cans of food from your pantries are likely disappearing, and suddenly all your FULL cereal boxes and packaged goods have rectangles cut out of them. Yes, it is that time of year. The MMS Battle of the Classes has begun! 6th grade families are most likely scratching their heads wondering, what is that? While 8th grade and returning families know exactly what that means. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year, MMS Cougar spirit is in full swing. See below for all details.
A gentle reminder, there is a teacher professional development day this week which means a 4 hour day this Tuesday, December 11. Please make sure your student remembers there is no lunch service that day. We will be celebrating our amazing staff on Monday, December 17 with our annual Staff Holiday Luncheon. If you have time to help out or can donate something yummy, your efforts would be truly appreciated! Please see details below for more information. We could use your generous support!
We still need your support to reach our financial goals as we enhance the Cultural Arts offerings that we want to bring to our students. Please see the link below to make a donation.
A Few Key Dates:
- December 7-21 - Battle of the Classes!
- December 11 - 4-hour day, Staff Development
- December 12 - Title I information dinner 6pm, Seth Boyden Elementary
- December 17 - Staff Luncheon (see details below)
- December 17 - BOE Meeting 7:30, 525 Academy Street
- December 21 - 4-hour day, Winter Break begins
- December 24 - 31, Winter Break
- January 1 - Winter Break
- January 2 - School resumes
- February 1 - Trivia Night - save the date!
Battle of the Classes
The MMS Battle of the Classes has begun! The winter battle where students band together as a grade and battle for pennies, box tops, canned goods, good behavior points and overall bragging rights. Culminating on a final day where kids get to be kids - rising to full Cougar pride in the Battle of the Classes. Yes, the Fun has begun, read below for all the ways your student can help earn points for their class. With the official battle on 12/21!
- Canned Food Drive - As part of the ongoing commitment to MAPSO Cares Food Pantry collection, MMS is the host school for December. We are collecting Non Perishable Food Items. Bring in to your 1st period teacher for 1 pt towards Battle of the Classes.For more information on MAPSO Cares, contact the MAPSO Project Coordinator @ Sophieb626@gmail.com! *Please check expiration dates on donated items!*
- Box tops - Student Council is collecting Box Tops. Please bring in for battle points. These can be given to your Team leaders.
- Pennies, Pennies, Pennies. The Penny Wars have begun. Look for your grade collection containers in the cafeteria. 12/7 thru 12/19
- Official Battle is 12/21. Students will battle to the finish for bragging rights, who will win? 6th? 7th? 8th?
Hard to believe, but it’s time to order yearbooks! The Yearbook Club advisors no longer accept paper order forms, checks, or cash for pre ordered yearbooks. Please mail this form with payment to the address highlighted on the order form. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please see the attached forms with information on ordering the 2018-2019 yearbook.
Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Info
Staff Holiday Luncheon
The annual MMS Teacher and Staff Appreciation Holiday lunch will be held on December 17th. Please consider making a donation or volunteering your time. See details on attached sign up genius here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48aead29a13-teacher1
Special Ed Update
Special Siblings Dec 17 (drop off grades 5-8) 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
ADD/ADHD Parent Group, December 19, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
December SEPAC meeting will be a social event for families, details coming
Achieve - Calling all Hosts!
It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization. Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district. Register as a host at tinyurl.com/nhd2019 or email100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.
Title 1 information Dinner
Please see the invitation to the MMS/Serh Boyden combined Title I information night next Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 6pm at Seth Boyden Elementary School located at 274 Boyden Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Dinner will be served. Come hear from both school principals and staff about programming offered to students in need of more academic support. Click here for details. See you there!
Parenting Center Toy Drive
Due to a higher than usual demand for toys for our South Orange Maplewood School District families this school year, the 2018 Holiday Toy Drive has been extended until Friday, December 14th. Therefore, there is still an additional opportunity to make a child's holiday wish come true! Your continued generous support is required to meet the desires of all of our needy families. As a reminder, this year we've made it easier with our Amazon Gift Registry and "go fund me" accounts. Click on the links below to donate today!
Amazon.com gift registry: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1C8Y5M2GPVY4O
Or make a tax-deductible donation at: www.gofundme.com/somsd-parenting-center-toy-drive Or send a check to the: SOMSD Parenting Center~525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
The Parenting Center offers their sincere thanks for your support! Donation boxes are in main office!
No Frills and Fundraising - Still Time to Donate!
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.
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.
MMS Library Volunteers needed!
I know you all are wondering what goes not over in the mysterious land of MMS...well here is your chance to get a little sneak peek into middle school. You will not be working in your child's class like in the elementary schools but just helping out in the library in general. Mr. Degnan needs the most help during his MMS investigates class (highlighted in blue on the schedule). This is a cool class that he teaches and would love a parent to be there to do some projects, filing, man the desk and just be an extra set of eyes and hands. He would love whatever time whenever you can give it but if you can make the MMS Investigates class time that would even be better! Just type in your name in the spot that you can volunteer. Please do not delete anyone's name that is already there. Library signup https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/170PmsHyDvQG9S2c0e0YJB1y4IMTWJmWplKnPRzvcSV8/edit#gid=1195897959
Musical Updates
Questions? Contact Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us). For most info visit the musical webpage, https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical/
Superintendent Search
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
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!
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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