Hello MMS Families -
Just a reminder that tomorrow the district is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Due to the delayed opening last Friday, the 19th Annual Michele Turner Martin Luther King Jr. Silent Peace March will take place this Friday January 25th, from 9:17-10:07. The March will begin on the sidewalks surrounding MMS, go through Maplewood Village, and return back to the front of the school. If you are around town it is a beautiful recognition.
We have updated key dates and a few new ones for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events!
A Few Key Dates:
Orchestral Performance
Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, January 22nd at 7 pm. All three grades will be performing 1 to 3 pieces for you. If all runs smoothly, they will be done within the hour. Please stay for the whole event. It is very important for the younger grades to see what is expected of them as they progress through the orchestra program here at MMS.
Here are a few details:
- Concert start time: 7 pm, Student Arrival Times: 6th grade: 6:15 --- 7th grade: 6:30 --- 8th grade: 6:40. Please remind students to bring instruments and music. Concert Attire: If possible, all black. If no, the darkest colors you have.
Band Concert Update
Maplewood Middle School Concert Bands, Honors Wind Symphony, and Honors Jazz Ensemble. Wednesday, January 23rd, 2018 @ 7:00 PM in the Maplewood Middle School Auditorium. MMS Concert Dress- White collared shirt, black pants, black belt, black socks and shoes. White blouse or shirt, black pants or skirt, black socks or tights, black shoes. A black or black and white dress is also approved. No Jeans or Sneakers!! All students performing in the concert should arrive at the band room door no later than 6:30 PM.
Please contact Mr. Balas at Cbalas@somsd.k12.nj.us with any questions!
Musical
Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Maplewood Middle School Presents The Wizard of Oz! Save the date and buy tickets now,they’re selling out fast! https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical
Teacher Updates:
From Ms. Graham:
"Special Wednesday Club Offering: Curls on the Move, run by Ms. Graham (**Starts March 6th**). Curls on the Move (COTM) is a hair, health, and self-care curriculum specifically for adolescent girls of African Descent. The club focuses on hands on learning opportunities, self-esteem building, physical activities and more! See Ms. Graham in Room 153 if you are interested in joining. Cost is a separate fee of $60 total for the winter and spring session (12 weeks). More information forthcoming in February!"
From Miss Ogando:
Dear Parents and Guardians: As you may know, our district’s Middle Schools (South Orange and Maplewood) have been participating in an AileyDance Kids residency program since September as a result of a partnership between South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. It’s been an honor to partner with one of the most celebrated and renowned modern dance companies in the world.
Wrapping up this year’s program and launching the school district’s observance of Black History Month, commemorating the culture and contributions of African Americans, we invite you to celebrate your child’s achievements with their classmates and school community in a Main stage performance at SOPAC on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 7 pm. reservations are required and can be secured by visiting the SOPAC website at www.sopacnow.org or calling the SOPAC Box Office at 973-313-2787.
Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information
Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here: Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Ads: If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here: Well Wishers Info
Tissues and School Store Need Supplies
Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also 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
Achieve Grants
Congratulations to our MMS teachers who were awarded fully funded grants this year, Amazing!
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 email 100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.
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
Special Ed Update
Coming up in February:
Feb 6th Restorative Practices – Building Relationships & Resolving Conflicts at Home & at School With: Tanya Lewis, SOMSD Restorative Practices Professional Development Consultant 7:30 pm. At Marshall.
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.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
Just a reminder that tomorrow the district is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Due to the delayed opening last Friday, the 19th Annual Michele Turner Martin Luther King Jr. Silent Peace March will take place this Friday January 25th, from 9:17-10:07. The March will begin on the sidewalks surrounding MMS, go through Maplewood Village, and return back to the front of the school. If you are around town it is a beautiful recognition.
We have updated key dates and a few new ones for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events!
A Few Key Dates:
- January 21 - Schools Closed in observance of MLK Jr. Day
- January 22- Orchestra Concert 7pm
- January 23 - Band Concert 7pm
- January 25- MMS MLK Silent Peace March at 9:17am (rescheduled)
- February 1 - Trivia Night - Sold Out
- February 5 - 4-hour day
- February 22nd- 24th - The Wizard of Oz
- Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
- Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
- Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM
- February 8 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art
- February 8th - Table Tennis Tournament
- March 12 - Columbia (CHS) Counselors visit MMS
- March 18 & 21 - 8th Graders visit Columbia (CHS) during day (details to follow)
- April 1 - Well Wisher Orders due for yearbook - see below
- April 15th - Yearbook orders due (all grades)
- May 8th - 8th grade Night at CHS 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Information is forthcoming.
- May 23rd - 8th Grade Field Trip to Medieval Times
- Trivia Night - Sold Out!
Hey Brainiacs...You think you have all the answers, all the time? Prove it at the MMS Trivia Night!
Friday, February 1st @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd.
Experience the Taste of Maplewood with an array of food from restaurants around town.
Teams of up to 10 will compete for bragging rights and a shiny trophy. Come with your own team or we will find you one.
Email: trivianight@mplevents.com with questions or Click here for the flyer. Sponsored by POLLOCK PROPERTIES GROUP
- No Frills / 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
Orchestral Performance
Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, January 22nd at 7 pm. All three grades will be performing 1 to 3 pieces for you. If all runs smoothly, they will be done within the hour. Please stay for the whole event. It is very important for the younger grades to see what is expected of them as they progress through the orchestra program here at MMS.
Here are a few details:
- Concert start time: 7 pm, Student Arrival Times: 6th grade: 6:15 --- 7th grade: 6:30 --- 8th grade: 6:40. Please remind students to bring instruments and music. Concert Attire: If possible, all black. If no, the darkest colors you have.
Band Concert Update
Maplewood Middle School Concert Bands, Honors Wind Symphony, and Honors Jazz Ensemble. Wednesday, January 23rd, 2018 @ 7:00 PM in the Maplewood Middle School Auditorium. MMS Concert Dress- White collared shirt, black pants, black belt, black socks and shoes. White blouse or shirt, black pants or skirt, black socks or tights, black shoes. A black or black and white dress is also approved. No Jeans or Sneakers!! All students performing in the concert should arrive at the band room door no later than 6:30 PM.
Please contact Mr. Balas at Cbalas@somsd.k12.nj.us with any questions!
Musical
Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Maplewood Middle School Presents The Wizard of Oz! Save the date and buy tickets now,they’re selling out fast! https://sites.google.com/site/mmsmusical
- Friday, February 22nd - 7:30 PM
- Saturday, February 23rd - 7:30 PM
- Sunday, February 24th - 2:00 PM
Teacher Updates:
From Ms. Graham:
"Special Wednesday Club Offering: Curls on the Move, run by Ms. Graham (**Starts March 6th**). Curls on the Move (COTM) is a hair, health, and self-care curriculum specifically for adolescent girls of African Descent. The club focuses on hands on learning opportunities, self-esteem building, physical activities and more! See Ms. Graham in Room 153 if you are interested in joining. Cost is a separate fee of $60 total for the winter and spring session (12 weeks). More information forthcoming in February!"
From Miss Ogando:
Dear Parents and Guardians: As you may know, our district’s Middle Schools (South Orange and Maplewood) have been participating in an AileyDance Kids residency program since September as a result of a partnership between South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. It’s been an honor to partner with one of the most celebrated and renowned modern dance companies in the world.
Wrapping up this year’s program and launching the school district’s observance of Black History Month, commemorating the culture and contributions of African Americans, we invite you to celebrate your child’s achievements with their classmates and school community in a Main stage performance at SOPAC on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 7 pm. reservations are required and can be secured by visiting the SOPAC website at www.sopacnow.org or calling the SOPAC Box Office at 973-313-2787.
Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information
Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here: Yearbook Order Form
Well Wishers Ads: If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here: Well Wishers Info
Tissues and School Store Need Supplies
Tissues are always in demand! Please consider sending your sniffling child back to school in the new year with a new box for their homeroom. Also, The student council also 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
Achieve Grants
Congratulations to our MMS teachers who were awarded fully funded grants this year, Amazing!
- Evyn Degnan, Maureen O'Sullivan, Brian Kaplan, Aloysius Phillips, Marc Kessler, Heather Vorona, Lorraine Sudol, Amy Pitucco
- Maureen O'Sullivan, Christine Kleinwaks, Meredith Hansen, Debra Silva
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 email 100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more.
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
Special Ed Update
Coming up in February:
Feb 6th Restorative Practices – Building Relationships & Resolving Conflicts at Home & at School With: Tanya Lewis, SOMSD Restorative Practices Professional Development Consultant 7:30 pm. At Marshall.
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.
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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