Hello MMS Families -
Welcome back from Spring break! We hope you and your students had a nice week and are ready to return back to finish up the year. The rest of the year will be busy -- there is a lot to keep track of and we will have requests for help. We will do our best to gather and get you the the information, so please try to read each week.
Spring has sprung and so has the pollen. Yep, it’s Allergy season which brings running noses and sneezing. Please consider sending in more tissues! Your teachers will thank you.
Middle School math packets were sent out before break. Click here for online form and read below for more details.
You should have received an email from the district on NJSLA testing, see below. Click here for details as well as an email from Dr. Ficarra. Click here for Dr. Ficarra letter
Spring YouthNet for most classes should begin this week, announcements will be made at school.
Best,
Sara & Deb
A Few Key Dates:
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
8th Grade Dates
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)
7th Grade Update
The 7th Grade field trip to Turtleback Zoo! We need chaperones. A great opportunity to check out the zoo animals and hang with your middle schooler.
When: May 15th
What: We are looking for 15 chaperones for the trip.
Details: Chaperones are asked to arrive at Maplewood Middle School between 9 and 9:15 am and will ride on the buses with students to and from the zoo. The buses will arrive back at Maplewood Middle School by 2:30 pm.
Please sign up if you are interested and able (you may have to pay for your admission to the Zoo unless of course you have a family membership).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084AA5A82DA46-7thgrade1
Math Packets and NJSLA Testing
Middle School math packets were sent out before break. Click here for online form
SOMSD Middle School Math Course Selection
You will select a math course for your child for the 2019-2020 school year. The chart in the link shows the courses available at each grade level. The letter mailed home contains information about each course and your child's math performance.
Additionally, You should have received an email from the district on NJSLA testing, see below, Click here for details as well as an email from Dr. Ficarra. Click here for Dr. Ficarra letter
Join the Columbia High School Marching Band!
For the first time ever, 8th grade students will have the opportunity to experience the band while still in Middle School! Please see the attached flyer for more information and details. It’s a great opportunity!
Master Class Dance Day with CHS Dancers
Have your dancer join in the Special Dance Company for a day of dance. Your K-8th grader will experience first-hand what it’s like to be a part of this amazing group. Please see attached flyer for info!
Spring YouthNet
Spring YouthNet begins! Some classes may still have availability. 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.
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
Spring Match Fundraiser!
8th grade activities can get expensive -- that’s why we have a Spring 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.
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
Special Ed Update
For 8th grade families to keep in mind for future AP, ACT & SAT testing:
“Kids who get testing accommodations through an IEP or a 504 plan can often get the same accommodations on the ACT & SAT.
Your child’s high school can be helpful in the application process.”
For 8th grade families to keep in mind for future AP, ACT & SAT testing. 9th graders who want to take the AP World History test next year & will need accommodations, should start the process early next Fall because it can take a few months to set up: at CHS, contact Mr Matt Endlich (mendlich@somsd.k12.nj.us) for assistance with obtaining testing accommodations.
Students with an IEP or 504 Plan may receive test accommodations if they have been approved by the College Board for SAT, SAT Subject tests, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 & AP Exams . See more details on requirements at the College Board website: https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities.
The ACT test requires a separate process, see the ACT site for details: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/accommodations.html
More details can be found at UNDERSTOOD.ORG: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/tests-standards/how-to-apply-for-sat-and-act-accommodations?fbclid=IwAR0Swnrv2hR4XdcQDXp5gV1RmWEco9-k6L6Y1-VS7xS9k0CITWm4-txOf1c
https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
At the Parenting Center in April:
• 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
Next SEPAC MEETING: May 22 - General support for all families / end of year wrap up
More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
Teacher Updates
Tissues, please.
Digital Backpack
Please click HERE for April’s Digital Backpack featuring information from around our two towns!
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
Welcome back from Spring break! We hope you and your students had a nice week and are ready to return back to finish up the year. The rest of the year will be busy -- there is a lot to keep track of and we will have requests for help. We will do our best to gather and get you the the information, so please try to read each week.
Spring has sprung and so has the pollen. Yep, it’s Allergy season which brings running noses and sneezing. Please consider sending in more tissues! Your teachers will thank you.
Middle School math packets were sent out before break. Click here for online form and read below for more details.
You should have received an email from the district on NJSLA testing, see below. Click here for details as well as an email from Dr. Ficarra. Click here for Dr. Ficarra letter
Spring YouthNet for most classes should begin this week, announcements will be made at school.
Best,
Sara & Deb
A Few Key Dates:
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
8th Grade Dates
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)
7th Grade Update
The 7th Grade field trip to Turtleback Zoo! We need chaperones. A great opportunity to check out the zoo animals and hang with your middle schooler.
When: May 15th
What: We are looking for 15 chaperones for the trip.
Details: Chaperones are asked to arrive at Maplewood Middle School between 9 and 9:15 am and will ride on the buses with students to and from the zoo. The buses will arrive back at Maplewood Middle School by 2:30 pm.
Please sign up if you are interested and able (you may have to pay for your admission to the Zoo unless of course you have a family membership).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084AA5A82DA46-7thgrade1
Math Packets and NJSLA Testing
Middle School math packets were sent out before break. Click here for online form
SOMSD Middle School Math Course Selection
You will select a math course for your child for the 2019-2020 school year. The chart in the link shows the courses available at each grade level. The letter mailed home contains information about each course and your child's math performance.
Additionally, You should have received an email from the district on NJSLA testing, see below, Click here for details as well as an email from Dr. Ficarra. Click here for Dr. Ficarra letter
Join the Columbia High School Marching Band!
For the first time ever, 8th grade students will have the opportunity to experience the band while still in Middle School! Please see the attached flyer for more information and details. It’s a great opportunity!
Master Class Dance Day with CHS Dancers
Have your dancer join in the Special Dance Company for a day of dance. Your K-8th grader will experience first-hand what it’s like to be a part of this amazing group. Please see attached flyer for info!
Spring YouthNet
Spring YouthNet begins! Some classes may still have availability. 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.
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
Spring Match Fundraiser!
8th grade activities can get expensive -- that’s why we have a Spring 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.
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
Special Ed Update
For 8th grade families to keep in mind for future AP, ACT & SAT testing:
“Kids who get testing accommodations through an IEP or a 504 plan can often get the same accommodations on the ACT & SAT.
Your child’s high school can be helpful in the application process.”
For 8th grade families to keep in mind for future AP, ACT & SAT testing. 9th graders who want to take the AP World History test next year & will need accommodations, should start the process early next Fall because it can take a few months to set up: at CHS, contact Mr Matt Endlich (mendlich@somsd.k12.nj.us) for assistance with obtaining testing accommodations.
Students with an IEP or 504 Plan may receive test accommodations if they have been approved by the College Board for SAT, SAT Subject tests, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 & AP Exams . See more details on requirements at the College Board website: https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities.
The ACT test requires a separate process, see the ACT site for details: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/accommodations.html
More details can be found at UNDERSTOOD.ORG: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/tests-standards/how-to-apply-for-sat-and-act-accommodations?fbclid=IwAR0Swnrv2hR4XdcQDXp5gV1RmWEco9-k6L6Y1-VS7xS9k0CITWm4-txOf1c
https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
At the Parenting Center in April:
• 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
Next SEPAC MEETING: May 22 - General support for all families / end of year wrap up
More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
Teacher Updates
Tissues, please.
Digital Backpack
Please click HERE for April’s Digital Backpack featuring information from around our two towns!
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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