Hello MMS Families -
On Thursday MMS hosted current 5th graders who will join MMS next year as the new class of 6th graders! It was a great night and I know that the parents and kids are excited to join our MMS community. Thanks to everyone who made them feel so welcome!
A very special thank you to the many MMS parents who have volunteered to be a part of the MMS HSA for the 2019-2020 school year -- the Board is full and we are thrilled with the great group of parents who are going to lead the MMS HSA next year. You’ll be in great hands!
Spring YouthNet brochures and permission slips are now available! Please see the link below to sign up.
We have updated key dates along with the new, confirmed date for the MOVING UP CEREMONY for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events!
Best,
Sara & Deb
A Few Key Dates:
On Thursday, April 4, Newberry Award-winning author Kwame Alexander is coming to MMS! This is a very special opportunity for our kids. Books are available for sale so please take a moment to purchase one and get an autograph from Kwame!
On April 4, Newberry Award-winning author Kwame Alexander will be visiting MMS with Kip Wilson as a part of his Versify Tour! A special thanks to Library Media Specialist Evyn Degnan for organizing. Please click HERE to purchase their latest books and for more information!
Spring YouthNet Sign Ups
Spring YouthNet is here! Please take a look at what is on offer for Spring and take a moment to sign up -- lots of fun opportunities! Click HERE for more information.
YouthNet - Curls on the Move
Still Room! Special Wednesday Offering Curls on the Move with Ms. Graham. Curls on the Move (COTM) is a hair, health, and self-care curriculum specifically for adolescent girls of African Descent, but all are welcome. Hands-on learning opportunities, self-esteem building, physical activities and more... See Ms. Graham in Room 153 for more information and registration. Cost is $40 for the spring session.
A Note from Nurse Porter
Please see the attached sheet for important information regarding seasonal allergies. Click HERE for the flyer.
Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information
Well Wishers Ads DUE MONDAY APRIL 1 -- If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here: Well Wishers Info
Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here: Yearbook Order Form
Kids & Screen Time
April 1 - Back by popular demand...Screenagers! This film looks at the dangers of too much screen use and the need for families to discuss its place in their lives. This movie is great for grades 3 and up, so please parents, grandparents, caregivers, and kids come and view... guaranteed to open a great dialogue. Please see flyer HERE
School Supplies
Kids in Need!
Pencils or notebooks lying around? PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN! As we enter the final semester of the year, teachers and students could use some extra supplies. Please drop off extra notebooks, paper and folders to the grade team leaders or Ms. Miller.
Fundraising
At the Parenting Center in April:
• April 1: Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More- 7-9:30 PM, BOE Building, 525 Academy
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)
• April 23: Raising Children to be Emotionally Healthy Eaters With : Suzanne Rubinetti, L.C.S.W, Eating Disorder Specialist 7:30 @ Tuscan School
Also coming up in April at the BOE Building:
More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
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
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.
Teacher Updates
From Mr. Kessler: New YouthNet Club in the Spring - Challenge 24 is a fun math game where students compete against each other to find a way to add, subtract, multiply or divide 4 given numbers to get to 24. The game builds terrific number sense in a fun and challenging environment. Members of the club will be selected to go on a field trip to Millburn Middle School in June, where we will compete against other Essex County schools at a Challenge 24 tournament. A bunch of kids competing against each other showing off their math skills... what could be better? I would like to invite students of all abilities to come out and join the fun and learn something too.
From Ms. Amaral: Ms. Amaral is running a Donors Choose campaign for flexible seating in her classroom. Any contributions would be much appreciated! To donate, visit https://www.donorschoose.org/ and enter our zip code - 07040. Find the campaign led by "Ms. A" and contribute as you see fit!
Digital Backpack
Please click below for links to this month’s Digital Backpack -- lots of great information and resources on what’s happening for kids in our community!
Cougar Baseball Camp
Code the Future
Jaguar Outdoor Track Season
Summer Rocket Camp
Tae Kwon Do Spring
South Orange Activities
Please see the links below to the many activities that South Orange offers to residents of both South Orange and Maplewood.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
On Thursday MMS hosted current 5th graders who will join MMS next year as the new class of 6th graders! It was a great night and I know that the parents and kids are excited to join our MMS community. Thanks to everyone who made them feel so welcome!
A very special thank you to the many MMS parents who have volunteered to be a part of the MMS HSA for the 2019-2020 school year -- the Board is full and we are thrilled with the great group of parents who are going to lead the MMS HSA next year. You’ll be in great hands!
Spring YouthNet brochures and permission slips are now available! Please see the link below to sign up.
We have updated key dates along with the new, confirmed date for the MOVING UP CEREMONY for 8th grade families - please take a read. We would love to see you at the community events!
Best,
Sara & Deb
A Few Key Dates:
- Monday, April 1 - Well-wishers orders for yearbook due!!
- April 4 - Author visit to MMS - Kwame Alexander!
- Monday, April 15 - Yearbook orders due
- April 15 - 19 - SPRING BREAK
- April 25th - Math INFO Night at the Middle School
- Wednesday, May 15th - 7th Grade Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo
- Thursday, May 16 - School in Action - Save the date
- Monday, April 1 Well-wishers orders for yearbook due - last day!
- Monday, April 15 Yearbook orders due
- Wednesday, May 8 8th Grade Night at CHS, 6:30-8:30pm (Info to follow)
- Thursday, May 23 Field trip to Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ - Permission slips coming home soon
- Tuesday, June 18 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club
- Friday, June 21 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9am
- Monday, June 24 8th Grade Certificates handed out, last day of school for 8th grade (tentative, pending emergency days)
On Thursday, April 4, Newberry Award-winning author Kwame Alexander is coming to MMS! This is a very special opportunity for our kids. Books are available for sale so please take a moment to purchase one and get an autograph from Kwame!
On April 4, Newberry Award-winning author Kwame Alexander will be visiting MMS with Kip Wilson as a part of his Versify Tour! A special thanks to Library Media Specialist Evyn Degnan for organizing. Please click HERE to purchase their latest books and for more information!
Spring YouthNet Sign Ups
Spring YouthNet is here! Please take a look at what is on offer for Spring and take a moment to sign up -- lots of fun opportunities! Click HERE for more information.
YouthNet - Curls on the Move
Still Room! Special Wednesday Offering Curls on the Move with Ms. Graham. Curls on the Move (COTM) is a hair, health, and self-care curriculum specifically for adolescent girls of African Descent, but all are welcome. Hands-on learning opportunities, self-esteem building, physical activities and more... See Ms. Graham in Room 153 for more information and registration. Cost is $40 for the spring session.
A Note from Nurse Porter
Please see the attached sheet for important information regarding seasonal allergies. Click HERE for the flyer.
Yearbooks and Well Wisher Ads Order Information
Well Wishers Ads DUE MONDAY APRIL 1 -- If you’d like to place an ad for your child, orders are due on April 1, 2019. Details here: Well Wishers Info
Yearbooks: Order your yearbooks now, orders end on April 15, 2019. Details here: Yearbook Order Form
Kids & Screen Time
April 1 - Back by popular demand...Screenagers! This film looks at the dangers of too much screen use and the need for families to discuss its place in their lives. This movie is great for grades 3 and up, so please parents, grandparents, caregivers, and kids come and view... guaranteed to open a great dialogue. Please see flyer HERE
School Supplies
Kids in Need!
Pencils or notebooks lying around? PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN! As we enter the final semester of the year, teachers and students could use some extra supplies. Please drop off extra notebooks, paper and folders to the grade team leaders or Ms. Miller.
Fundraising
- 8th Grade
March Match Fundraiser! 8th grade activities can get expensive -- that’s why we have a March Match program for the 8th grade. For every dollar you donate, a group of 8th grade parents will match it up to $500! Please click HERE for a “no frills 8th grade donation” that could raise at least $1,000 for our 8th graders in need!
ALSO, If anyone would like to host an 8th grade fundraiser, we would be most grateful. Last year some families raised significant funds with a small event. OR - you can donate directly to the 8th grade fund HERE.
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
At the Parenting Center in April:
• April 1: Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More- 7-9:30 PM, BOE Building, 525 Academy
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)
• April 23: Raising Children to be Emotionally Healthy Eaters With : Suzanne Rubinetti, L.C.S.W, Eating Disorder Specialist 7:30 @ Tuscan School
Also coming up in April at the BOE Building:
- April 3 2E (Twice Exceptional) Parent Support Group 9:30 AM
- April 8 Special Siblings 4:00-5:30 PM Youth led support group, with Laura Reichgut LCW, for siblings (Grades 5-8) of people with special needs, drop off, snacks provided.
- April 8 Screen Smart Kids 7PM
- April 10 ADD/ADHD Parent Group 7:30-9PM (change of day due to Spring Break)
- April 16 Selective Mutism Parent Group 7-8:30 PM
More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
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
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.
Teacher Updates
From Mr. Kessler: New YouthNet Club in the Spring - Challenge 24 is a fun math game where students compete against each other to find a way to add, subtract, multiply or divide 4 given numbers to get to 24. The game builds terrific number sense in a fun and challenging environment. Members of the club will be selected to go on a field trip to Millburn Middle School in June, where we will compete against other Essex County schools at a Challenge 24 tournament. A bunch of kids competing against each other showing off their math skills... what could be better? I would like to invite students of all abilities to come out and join the fun and learn something too.
From Ms. Amaral: Ms. Amaral is running a Donors Choose campaign for flexible seating in her classroom. Any contributions would be much appreciated! To donate, visit https://www.donorschoose.org/ and enter our zip code - 07040. Find the campaign led by "Ms. A" and contribute as you see fit!
Digital Backpack
Please click below for links to this month’s Digital Backpack -- lots of great information and resources on what’s happening for kids in our community!
Cougar Baseball Camp
Code the Future
Jaguar Outdoor Track Season
Summer Rocket Camp
Tae Kwon Do Spring
South Orange Activities
Please see the links below to the many activities that South Orange offers to residents of both South Orange and Maplewood.
- South Orange 2019 Pickleball Spring & Summer
- South Orange Baseball 2019
- South Orange 2019 Tennis Spring & Summer
- South Orange 2019 Spring and Summer Sports USSI
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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