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Dear MMS,
We hope you had a lovely weekend! A reminder that Monday, April 2, is a 4-hour day. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 PM.
Last week MMS hosted the incoming 5th graders and their parents at the “Getting Ready for Middle School” night. It was a great evening showcasing our amazing staff and incredibly poised 6th grade representatives. It seemed that all who attended left happy and impressed!! Thank you to everyone who made it such a success!! See the recap HERE
Finally, your HSA has been busy planning for next year! We are almost finished putting together the Slate for next year’s Board but we are still looking for volunteers for the following positions: Fundraising, 7th grade coordinator, and Communications. If you may be interested in any of these opportunities, please contact either Sara at szknutsen@gmail.com or Deb at debcatholt@gmail.com Thank you!!
Dates to Remember
4/2 1/2 Day School, children are dismissed at 12:30
4/12-4/13 Closed for Spring Break*
** Note, MMS will have school 4/9, 4/10, 4/11 **
4/23 Board of Ed Meeting 7:30 PM
4/24 SPED - PTO IEP Workshop
4/28 Achieve Maker Madness
GRADE UPDATE
6TH GRADE PARENTS
Be on the lookout for Field Trip permission slips.
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, a sign up genius will be coming!
8th GRADE PARENTS
Save the dates!!!!
6/13 - Trip to Frog Bridge
6/19 - 8th grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club
6/21 - Moving Up Ceremony at MMS (AM ceremony)
MMS GARDEN
Do you have a Green Thumb? Have you ever noticed how beautiful the Maplewood Garden is? We could use your help this spring. MMS 6th grade teacher Debra SIlva received a $1300 Achieve Grant to continue to help grow our garden along with a separate grant for a program called “Maplewood Rocks” (painted rocks with words of kindness). She is looking for volunteers to help with either or both projects which will take place late April, early May. If interested, please email Deb Holt at debcatholt@gmail.com.
SPRING YOUTHNET
Spring YouthNet sign-ups are now! Looking for some fun, active and engaging clubs for your student this spring? See the attached forms for available YouthNet clubs and the sign-up form. There is something for everyone! Clubs begin April 9 so make sure you sign up soon!
If you have any questions, contact Diane Malloy at: youthnetplus@gmail.com or Colleen Miller at: cmiller@somsd.k12.nj.us.
PARENT BOOK CLUB
“Are We Raising Spoiled Kids?” On April 19 the Maplewood Library will be leading a discussion for Financial Capabilities Month with Nancy Wheeler of Financy. It's a Parent Book Club where everyone will be asked to read a chapter from Ron Lieber's The Opposite of Spoiled entitled "Are We Raising Materialistic Kids?". The chapter is copied and available at the circulation desks of both the Main Library and the Hilton Branch Library. Please see this flyer for more information.
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 - MAY 7-11
We are putting the finishing touches on the schedule for Teacher Appreciation Week. Thanks to all of the parents who stepped up to make this a great week for our teachers! If you can’t get to the school but would like to donate an item or some $$, please contact Deb Holt DebCatHolt@gmail.com or Sara Knutsen at: szknutsen@gmail.com.
The schedule of events:
Monday - Massage Monday
Tuesday - “We are Lucky to Have You!”
Wednesday - “Salty & Sweet”
Thursday - Staff Luncheon - be on the lookout for a sign-up Genius!
Friday - “Flower Friday”
*** 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! 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
Dear MMS,
We hope you had a lovely weekend! A reminder that Monday, April 2, is a 4-hour day. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 PM.
Last week MMS hosted the incoming 5th graders and their parents at the “Getting Ready for Middle School” night. It was a great evening showcasing our amazing staff and incredibly poised 6th grade representatives. It seemed that all who attended left happy and impressed!! Thank you to everyone who made it such a success!! See the recap HERE
Finally, your HSA has been busy planning for next year! We are almost finished putting together the Slate for next year’s Board but we are still looking for volunteers for the following positions: Fundraising, 7th grade coordinator, and Communications. If you may be interested in any of these opportunities, please contact either Sara at szknutsen@gmail.com or Deb at debcatholt@gmail.com Thank you!!
Dates to Remember
4/2 1/2 Day School, children are dismissed at 12:30
4/12-4/13 Closed for Spring Break*
** Note, MMS will have school 4/9, 4/10, 4/11 **
4/23 Board of Ed Meeting 7:30 PM
4/24 SPED - PTO IEP Workshop
4/28 Achieve Maker Madness
GRADE UPDATE
6TH GRADE PARENTS
Be on the lookout for Field Trip permission slips.
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, a sign up genius will be coming!
8th GRADE PARENTS
Save the dates!!!!
6/13 - Trip to Frog Bridge
6/19 - 8th grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club
6/21 - Moving Up Ceremony at MMS (AM ceremony)
MMS GARDEN
Do you have a Green Thumb? Have you ever noticed how beautiful the Maplewood Garden is? We could use your help this spring. MMS 6th grade teacher Debra SIlva received a $1300 Achieve Grant to continue to help grow our garden along with a separate grant for a program called “Maplewood Rocks” (painted rocks with words of kindness). She is looking for volunteers to help with either or both projects which will take place late April, early May. If interested, please email Deb Holt at debcatholt@gmail.com.
SPRING YOUTHNET
Spring YouthNet sign-ups are now! Looking for some fun, active and engaging clubs for your student this spring? See the attached forms for available YouthNet clubs and the sign-up form. There is something for everyone! Clubs begin April 9 so make sure you sign up soon!
If you have any questions, contact Diane Malloy at: youthnetplus@gmail.com or Colleen Miller at: cmiller@somsd.k12.nj.us.
PARENT BOOK CLUB
“Are We Raising Spoiled Kids?” On April 19 the Maplewood Library will be leading a discussion for Financial Capabilities Month with Nancy Wheeler of Financy. It's a Parent Book Club where everyone will be asked to read a chapter from Ron Lieber's The Opposite of Spoiled entitled "Are We Raising Materialistic Kids?". The chapter is copied and available at the circulation desks of both the Main Library and the Hilton Branch Library. Please see this flyer for more information.
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 - MAY 7-11
We are putting the finishing touches on the schedule for Teacher Appreciation Week. Thanks to all of the parents who stepped up to make this a great week for our teachers! If you can’t get to the school but would like to donate an item or some $$, please contact Deb Holt DebCatHolt@gmail.com or Sara Knutsen at: szknutsen@gmail.com.
The schedule of events:
Monday - Massage Monday
Tuesday - “We are Lucky to Have You!”
Wednesday - “Salty & Sweet”
Thursday - Staff Luncheon - be on the lookout for a sign-up Genius!
Friday - “Flower Friday”
*** 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! 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