Hello MMS Families -
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you celebrating!
This Thursday, May 16, is school-in-action night at MMS which means it’s a 4-hour day for our students. It’s a wonderful evening showcasing the many terrific things happening at our school!
A huge thank to all of the volunteers who made Teacher Appreciation Week so special for our teachers, staff, Nurse Porter and administrators! I know they truly appreciated all of the thoughtful gestures and delicious treats. We hope you enjoyed the photos we posted to our Maplewood Middle School Families Facebook page.
At last week’s Board meeting we approved the slate for the 2019-2020 MMS HSA Executive Board, here are your leaders for next year!
Also, if you didn’t get a chance to purchase Kwame Alexander’s book, The Undefeated, or Kip Wilson’s book, White Rose, click HERE as we have a few copies left. There is also an option to purchase a book to donate to a teacher/classroom!
Finally, 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 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)
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:
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 - ½ Day of School and School in Action night @7 PM- 9 PM 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
Friday, June 21st Last day School, 6th and 7th Grade!
Friday, June 21st. 6th grade pool party, dismissal from Maplewood Town Pool
8th Grade Dates
Thursday, May 23rd - Field trip to Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ
Tuesday, June 18th - 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6:30 - 9:30 pm **We are looking for a parent to volunteer to take photos at this event**
If you are interested, please contact Adrianna Donat: adrianna.donat@gmail.com and/or Thea Cogan-Drew: theacogandrew@gmail.com. Thank you!
Friday, June 21st 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9am!
Monday, June 24th 8th Grade Certificates handed out, last day of school for 8th grade
Fundraising
“It’s Never Too Late” No-Frills Fundraiser!
Even though the school year is almost over, our students still have lots of activities coming up. If you meant to donate and didn’t get around to it, or if you already have donated but would like to give more, now’s your chance!
Your MMS HSA can always use more funds to help subsidize the costs for many of these events and provide scholarships to students who may not be able to afford these opportunities. Plus, thanks to the tireless work of our Treasurer, Mary Ellen Dawkins, we now have received non-profit status and are a 501c3!!!
If you are able, please take a moment to click HERE to donate to our “It’s Never Too Late” No-Frills Fundraiser.
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.
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:
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
Special Needs Athletic Classes & Peer Mentorship
Please see the attached flyer for information for the Special Needs Athletic Classes & Peer Mentorship programs run by the Community First Sports Club. Click HERE for more info.
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 Mother’s Day to all of you celebrating!
This Thursday, May 16, is school-in-action night at MMS which means it’s a 4-hour day for our students. It’s a wonderful evening showcasing the many terrific things happening at our school!
A huge thank to all of the volunteers who made Teacher Appreciation Week so special for our teachers, staff, Nurse Porter and administrators! I know they truly appreciated all of the thoughtful gestures and delicious treats. We hope you enjoyed the photos we posted to our Maplewood Middle School Families Facebook page.
At last week’s Board meeting we approved the slate for the 2019-2020 MMS HSA Executive Board, here are your leaders for next year!
- Presidents - Veronica Olazabal & Kelly Ann Harris
- Treasurer - Jessica Adler
- Recording Secretary - Jessica Greenberg
- Communications/Website - Suzanne Rowland
- Special Ed - Pam Donoghue
- Cultural Arts - Tracey Clarke & Rachel Fisher
- Fine Arts - Sara Knutsen
- Events - Mitch Center & Marian Ezell
- Fundraising - Beth Dobrish & Teal Paynter
- 6th Grade Reps - Lynne Daley, Sarah Iozzo, Amy Hayes & Wendy Moskowitz
- 7th Grade Reps - Yves Hart, Caryn Emmons & Ally Cherins
- 8th Grade Reps - Maureen Griffis & Mel Rose
- Special Projects: Library - Sheri McKinstrie, MakerSpace - Richard Marks
- Teacher Rep - Mr. Brian Kaplan
Also, if you didn’t get a chance to purchase Kwame Alexander’s book, The Undefeated, or Kip Wilson’s book, White Rose, click HERE as we have a few copies left. There is also an option to purchase a book to donate to a teacher/classroom!
Finally, 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 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)
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:
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 - ½ Day of School and School in Action night @7 PM- 9 PM 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
Friday, June 21st Last day School, 6th and 7th Grade!
Friday, June 21st. 6th grade pool party, dismissal from Maplewood Town Pool
8th Grade Dates
Thursday, May 23rd - Field trip to Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ
Tuesday, June 18th - 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6:30 - 9:30 pm **We are looking for a parent to volunteer to take photos at this event**
If you are interested, please contact Adrianna Donat: adrianna.donat@gmail.com and/or Thea Cogan-Drew: theacogandrew@gmail.com. Thank you!
Friday, June 21st 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9am!
Monday, June 24th 8th Grade Certificates handed out, last day of school for 8th grade
Fundraising
“It’s Never Too Late” No-Frills Fundraiser!
Even though the school year is almost over, our students still have lots of activities coming up. If you meant to donate and didn’t get around to it, or if you already have donated but would like to give more, now’s your chance!
Your MMS HSA can always use more funds to help subsidize the costs for many of these events and provide scholarships to students who may not be able to afford these opportunities. Plus, thanks to the tireless work of our Treasurer, Mary Ellen Dawkins, we now have received non-profit status and are a 501c3!!!
If you are able, please take a moment to click HERE to donate to our “It’s Never Too Late” No-Frills Fundraiser.
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.
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:
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
Special Needs Athletic Classes & Peer Mentorship
Please see the attached flyer for information for the Special Needs Athletic Classes & Peer Mentorship programs run by the Community First Sports Club. Click HERE for more info.
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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