Hello MMS Families -
Happy May! Hard to believe but we only about 7 weeks left of school!
As we’ve mentioned, spring has sprung and so has the pollen. It’s Allergy season which brings running noses and sneezing. Nurse Porter has asked us to remind parents of a few tips and of course, the teachers would really appreciate extra tissues.
Granola Bars and Fruit Cups Please! We have also been made aware that the HUB is in need of snacks. They are unable to meet the demand for snacks for students who come in after school. Their budget for snacks is limited and the number of kids coming in needing some sustenance between lunch and going home has increased. If you are able, please send in with your students or drop at the school. Please label - For HUB. Thank you!
Teacher Appreciation Week begins tomorrow! If you would like to donate to the Breakfast on Friday, please see the sign up Genius HERE. Also, I’m sure the teachers and staff would love any additional gesture of thanks from our students.
The schedule for the week is:
Monday -- potted herbs
Tuesday -- salty & sweet
Wednesday -- PM “pick me up”
Thursday -- make your day brighter -- highlighter and lottery ticket
Friday -- bagels and coffee, please see Sign Up Genius HERE
Middle School Math Course Selection was due this past Friday, May 3.
Additionally, you should have received an email from the district on NJSLA testing, see below.6th grade starts Tomorrow. Click here for details as well as an email from Dr. Ficarra. Click here for Dr. Ficarra letter
Best,
Sara & Deb
Testing Dates
Grade 7: Monday (5/6/19) – Wednesday (5/9/19)
Grade 8: Monday (5/13/19) – Wednesday (5/15/19)
*Make-Up Dates are (5/20/19 – 5/24/19) if needed*
NJ Student Learning Assessment (Science)
TESTING SCHEDULE
Grade 8: Tuesday (5/21/19) – Wednesday (5/22/19)
*Make-Up Dates are (5/28/19 – 5/31/19) if needed*
A Few Key Dates:
Week of May 6th - Teacher Appreciation Week *Stay tuned for daily needs
Monday, May 6th - 6th Grade Field Trip to the Intrepid
Wednesday, May 15th - 7th Grade Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo -- CHAPERONES NEEDED!
Wednesday, May 15th @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Band Concert (please see flyer below)
Wednesday, May 15 - Conversations on Race Discussion - please see info below
Thursday, May 16th - School in Action night at MMS
Saturday, May 18th - the Unrun, www.unrun.com
Wednesday, May 22nd @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, May 29th @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Chorus Concert
8th Grade Dates
Wednesday, May 22 8th to 9th Grade Parent Program and Parent Tour at CHS (Info to come)
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 6:30 - 9:30 pm
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 - URGENT
Zoo Field Trip
We still NEED chaperones for the 7th grade field trip! Our kids can’t go unless we have enough adults to accompany them on this trip. PLEASE SIGN UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084AA5A82DA46-7thgrade1
8th Grade Dinner Dance Chaperones
Each year (so that the 8th graders can enjoy themselves at the dance without their parents) 7th grade parents chaperone this wonderful end-of-year celebration. We’ll need several parents to be on-hand at the dance the evening of Tuesday, June 18. This is a great way to volunteer if helping out during the work day is challenging. The Sign Up Genius is HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054aaca82aa02-8thgrade
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
Conversations on Race: The Invention of Race and Its Implications
May 15th at 7:30, Seton Hall University
The Community Coalition on Race and Seton Hall University invite you to attend a conversation on race led by Dr. Nell Irvin Painter, author of the New York Times bestseller The History of White People, in which she discusses both the invention of race and also the frequent praise of "whiteness" for economic, scientific, and political ends. There is no charge for this event. Because of extremely limited parking, free shuttle service is being offered from the lower Columbia High School parking lot on Parker Avenue. Please click HERE for more information on the event and HERE to reserve seats on the shuttle.
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!
Please Help the HUB
The Hub is in need of snacks, please send in granola bars and fruit cups to the attention of HUB or Guidance. Thank you!
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
Next SEPAC MEETING: May 22 - General support for all families / end of year wrap up, details to follow
Also coming up in May at the BOE Building:
May 6 7:30 - 9:00PM Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More Parents
May15 ADD/ADHD Parent Group 7:30-9PM
May 20 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.
More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
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
Teacher Updates
From Ms. O’Sullivan
I created a DonorsChoose.org classroom request. Here is the link - PD to Reawaken the Spirit of Inquiry! Give to my classroom by April 29, 2019 and your donation will be doubled thanks to DonorsChoose.org. Just enter the code LIFTOFF during checkout and you'll be matched dollar for dollar (up to $50).
In return, you'll get awesome photos of your gift in action and our heartfelt thanks.
Thank you so much,
Maureen
Digital Backpack
Please click HERE for May's Digital Backpack featuring information from around our two towns! Also, please take a look at the below links for additional information.
Special Siblings
UnRun Flyer
Cougar Baseball Summer Camp
Flag Football
KickzSoccerCamp2019
Cool Rocket Scientist Summer Camp
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
Happy May! Hard to believe but we only about 7 weeks left of school!
As we’ve mentioned, spring has sprung and so has the pollen. It’s Allergy season which brings running noses and sneezing. Nurse Porter has asked us to remind parents of a few tips and of course, the teachers would really appreciate extra tissues.
Granola Bars and Fruit Cups Please! We have also been made aware that the HUB is in need of snacks. They are unable to meet the demand for snacks for students who come in after school. Their budget for snacks is limited and the number of kids coming in needing some sustenance between lunch and going home has increased. If you are able, please send in with your students or drop at the school. Please label - For HUB. Thank you!
Teacher Appreciation Week begins tomorrow! If you would like to donate to the Breakfast on Friday, please see the sign up Genius HERE. Also, I’m sure the teachers and staff would love any additional gesture of thanks from our students.
The schedule for the week is:
Monday -- potted herbs
Tuesday -- salty & sweet
Wednesday -- PM “pick me up”
Thursday -- make your day brighter -- highlighter and lottery ticket
Friday -- bagels and coffee, please see Sign Up Genius HERE
Middle School Math Course Selection was due this past Friday, May 3.
Additionally, you should have received an email from the district on NJSLA testing, see below.6th grade starts Tomorrow. Click here for details as well as an email from Dr. Ficarra. Click here for Dr. Ficarra letter
Best,
Sara & Deb
Testing Dates
Grade 7: Monday (5/6/19) – Wednesday (5/9/19)
Grade 8: Monday (5/13/19) – Wednesday (5/15/19)
*Make-Up Dates are (5/20/19 – 5/24/19) if needed*
NJ Student Learning Assessment (Science)
TESTING SCHEDULE
Grade 8: Tuesday (5/21/19) – Wednesday (5/22/19)
*Make-Up Dates are (5/28/19 – 5/31/19) if needed*
A Few Key Dates:
Week of May 6th - Teacher Appreciation Week *Stay tuned for daily needs
Monday, May 6th - 6th Grade Field Trip to the Intrepid
Wednesday, May 15th - 7th Grade Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo -- CHAPERONES NEEDED!
Wednesday, May 15th @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Band Concert (please see flyer below)
Wednesday, May 15 - Conversations on Race Discussion - please see info below
Thursday, May 16th - School in Action night at MMS
Saturday, May 18th - the Unrun, www.unrun.com
Wednesday, May 22nd @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, May 29th @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Chorus Concert
8th Grade Dates
Wednesday, May 22 8th to 9th Grade Parent Program and Parent Tour at CHS (Info to come)
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 6:30 - 9:30 pm
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 - URGENT
Zoo Field Trip
We still NEED chaperones for the 7th grade field trip! Our kids can’t go unless we have enough adults to accompany them on this trip. PLEASE SIGN UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084AA5A82DA46-7thgrade1
8th Grade Dinner Dance Chaperones
Each year (so that the 8th graders can enjoy themselves at the dance without their parents) 7th grade parents chaperone this wonderful end-of-year celebration. We’ll need several parents to be on-hand at the dance the evening of Tuesday, June 18. This is a great way to volunteer if helping out during the work day is challenging. The Sign Up Genius is HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054aaca82aa02-8thgrade
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
Conversations on Race: The Invention of Race and Its Implications
May 15th at 7:30, Seton Hall University
The Community Coalition on Race and Seton Hall University invite you to attend a conversation on race led by Dr. Nell Irvin Painter, author of the New York Times bestseller The History of White People, in which she discusses both the invention of race and also the frequent praise of "whiteness" for economic, scientific, and political ends. There is no charge for this event. Because of extremely limited parking, free shuttle service is being offered from the lower Columbia High School parking lot on Parker Avenue. Please click HERE for more information on the event and HERE to reserve seats on the shuttle.
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!
Please Help the HUB
The Hub is in need of snacks, please send in granola bars and fruit cups to the attention of HUB or Guidance. Thank you!
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
Next SEPAC MEETING: May 22 - General support for all families / end of year wrap up, details to follow
Also coming up in May at the BOE Building:
May 6 7:30 - 9:00PM Navigating the Middle School Years- Cliques, Squads , Bullying & More Parents
May15 ADD/ADHD Parent Group 7:30-9PM
May 20 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.
More information for all of these can be found here: https://www.theparentingcenter.info/resources/2018-19-Parent-Groups.pdf
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
Teacher Updates
From Ms. O’Sullivan
I created a DonorsChoose.org classroom request. Here is the link - PD to Reawaken the Spirit of Inquiry! Give to my classroom by April 29, 2019 and your donation will be doubled thanks to DonorsChoose.org. Just enter the code LIFTOFF during checkout and you'll be matched dollar for dollar (up to $50).
In return, you'll get awesome photos of your gift in action and our heartfelt thanks.
Thank you so much,
Maureen
Digital Backpack
Please click HERE for May's Digital Backpack featuring information from around our two towns! Also, please take a look at the below links for additional information.
Special Siblings
UnRun Flyer
Cougar Baseball Summer Camp
Flag Football
KickzSoccerCamp2019
Cool Rocket Scientist Summer Camp
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
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