Hello MMS Families -
On this long Memorial Day weekend, we wanted to take this time to honor our fallen military who answered America’s call to service and paid the ultimate price. “We thank you and we remember you.”
We also want to take this time to remember Mrs. Latoya Deck, a beloved MMS staff member who unexpectedly passed away this past week. Her passing will affect the many staff members and students she worked with daily. School counselors are available for any student or staff member wishing to talk about this sad event. We wanted all families to be aware of the situation so that you can discuss this with your child, as appropriate. Please contact the school if you feel that further follow-up with your child would be helpful. Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to her family, colleagues and friends.
Lastly, please help us in celebrating our Teachers and Staff for the annual Spring luncheon on May 31st. We know the asks are a lot at the end of the year, but if you can contribute we greatly appreciate it. Most needed items are salads/sides, desserts and of course we always appreciate cash donations. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48aead29a13-lets1
Best,
Sara & Deb
Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents
Testing
*Make-Up Dates are (5/28/19 – 5/31/19) if needed*
A Few Key Dates:
Monday, May 27th - SCHOOL CLOSED
Wednesday, May 29th @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Chorus Concert
Thursday, June 20th 4 Hour day
Friday June 21st 4 Hour day & Last day School, 6th and 7th Grade!
-- 8th Grade Moving Up ceremony 9 am.
Monday, June 24th Half Day and Last day of school, 8th grade only
8th Grade Updates
Wednesday, June 12th - Pool Party, Students will walk after lunch and will be dismissed from the pool at 3:05. Parents are to make arrangements for students to either walk home or be picked up at that time. Permission slips to come. Cost $2.
Wednesday, June 12th - Incoming parents information night 7 PM at Columbia, click HERE for flyer. (NOTE, This is a PARENTS/GUARDIAN only event!)
Tuesday, June 18th - 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6:30 - 9:30 pm. See attached letter and permission slip from Principal Gronau.
Friday, June 21st 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9am! See attached letter from Principal Gronau.
Monday, June 24th 8th Grade Certificates handed out, last day of school for 8th grade. Open fun gym, details to follow!
7th Grade Updates
Thursday, June 20th - 7th grade Pool Party
8th Grade Dinner Dance Chaperones Needed for June 18th! We need 7th grade parents to chaperone the 8th grade Dinner 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
6th Grade Updates
Friday, May 31, 3:15-4:30 - 6th Grade Canteen
Paper and online permission slips & payment options available soon
Friday, June 21st - 6th Grade Pool Party
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.
Achieve Foundation/Honor Your Teacher
Thinking of end-of-year gifts for your child’s teachers? Not surprisingly, the gifts teachers appreciate most are their students’ heartfelt expressions of thanks. Make a donation to Achieve in honor of one or more of your child’s teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, crossing guards – any staff member in any SOMA school - and we’ll print your personal messages on note cards and deliver them to your designated staff members in June. Proceeds from Honor Your Teacher Tributes will be directed toward next year’s Achieve Teacher Grants. The deadline to order year-end tributes is Friday, June 14, but why not get a jump on it and order now?
Ordering Honor Your Teacher tributes is easy - do it today! Follow this link
https://tinyurl.com/HonorSOMSD to complete the tribute form.
You can pay via PayPal as long as your total order is for $10 or more.
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!
Leadership Training Conference
This July the New Jersey Association of Student Councils will run it's 64th annual summer Leadership Training Conference. All current members of MMS Student Council are invited to explore this opportunity. You're also welcome to attend if you're not a current Student Council member and thinking about being one next year.
The Leadership Training Conference is an overnight camp that takes place at The College of New Jersey in Ewing Township. The registration fee is $450.00 and includes housing, meals and all conference activities. The dates for this year's LTC are July 10 - 13 and July 14 - 17.
Check out more registration information here!
Scholarship opportunities may be available. Please inquire with Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us).
Special Ed Update
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:
The ACT test requires a separate process, see the ACT site for details
More details can be found at UNDERSTOOD.ORG:
Community Updates & Digital Backpack
Please click HERE for May's Digital Backpack featuring information from around our two towns!
Maplewood Makos
Are you a Swimmer? Makos Tryouts on Sunday May 26 & Sunday June 2, 8am-10am at the Maplewood Community Pool. Click HERE for details.
Field Hockey
Is your daughter interested in Field Hockey? Click HERE to learn more about a clinic run by CHS players!
Neighborhood Wifi Pilot
Calling all Maplewood residents, ages 14 and over! Voting has begun in Maplewood’s first-ever “participatory budgeting process” and continues until 5/31. You can vote for two proposals on how to spend $50,000 allocated in Maplewood’s budget. We urge you to cast one of your votes for the Neighborhood Wifi Pilot using this link: https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/administration/pages/participatory-budgeting-program
The Neighborhood Wifi Pilot seeks to address the local “digital divide” by exploring and testing the feasibility of providing free and/or subsidized wifi-based internet to neighborhoods on the eastern side of town, as part of a larger effort to offer a cheaper alternative for internet access to businesses and residences throughout the community.
Access to online resources is essential to the full realization of educational and economic opportunities. The "digital divide" refers to the gap between those that have unrestricted access to technological resources and those that do not. According to the PEW Research Center, some 15% of households with school-aged children do not have high speed access to the Internet. 17% of all teenagers report they are often or sometimes unable to finish homework due to a lack of technological resources. Locally, 39% of MMS students did not access Google Suite for Education after 5 pm with an IP address outside of school last year. Online access does not just make homework more convenient. In Maplewood schools, students are expected to access Google classroom after school to determine assignments, complete schoolwork, and engage in dialogue with classmates. Residents use connectivity to make kindergarten registration appointments, register their children for courses at CHS, and access PowerSchool. College applications are completed online. Beyond the school setting, online Township resources include Public Works and Cultural Affairs event schedules, emergency snow and storm information, and Recreation Department registration. Moreover, economic opportunities require online access, such as job applications and online educational programs. Homebound seniors on fixed incomes would benefit from online access to reduce isolation and increase safety.
Brought to scale, the proposal envisions a community-wide, self-sustaining Wifi network, funded by fees from its users, with enough surplus generated to provide ongoing free or reduced-price service to those in need.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
On this long Memorial Day weekend, we wanted to take this time to honor our fallen military who answered America’s call to service and paid the ultimate price. “We thank you and we remember you.”
We also want to take this time to remember Mrs. Latoya Deck, a beloved MMS staff member who unexpectedly passed away this past week. Her passing will affect the many staff members and students she worked with daily. School counselors are available for any student or staff member wishing to talk about this sad event. We wanted all families to be aware of the situation so that you can discuss this with your child, as appropriate. Please contact the school if you feel that further follow-up with your child would be helpful. Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to her family, colleagues and friends.
Lastly, please help us in celebrating our Teachers and Staff for the annual Spring luncheon on May 31st. We know the asks are a lot at the end of the year, but if you can contribute we greatly appreciate it. Most needed items are salads/sides, desserts and of course we always appreciate cash donations. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48aead29a13-lets1
Best,
Sara & Deb
Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents
Testing
*Make-Up Dates are (5/28/19 – 5/31/19) if needed*
A Few Key Dates:
Monday, May 27th - SCHOOL CLOSED
Wednesday, May 29th @ 7 PM MMS Auditorium -- Chorus Concert
Thursday, June 20th 4 Hour day
Friday June 21st 4 Hour day & Last day School, 6th and 7th Grade!
-- 8th Grade Moving Up ceremony 9 am.
Monday, June 24th Half Day and Last day of school, 8th grade only
8th Grade Updates
Wednesday, June 12th - Pool Party, Students will walk after lunch and will be dismissed from the pool at 3:05. Parents are to make arrangements for students to either walk home or be picked up at that time. Permission slips to come. Cost $2.
Wednesday, June 12th - Incoming parents information night 7 PM at Columbia, click HERE for flyer. (NOTE, This is a PARENTS/GUARDIAN only event!)
Tuesday, June 18th - 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club 6:30 - 9:30 pm. See attached letter and permission slip from Principal Gronau.
Friday, June 21st 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9am! See attached letter from Principal Gronau.
Monday, June 24th 8th Grade Certificates handed out, last day of school for 8th grade. Open fun gym, details to follow!
7th Grade Updates
Thursday, June 20th - 7th grade Pool Party
8th Grade Dinner Dance Chaperones Needed for June 18th! We need 7th grade parents to chaperone the 8th grade Dinner 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
6th Grade Updates
Friday, May 31, 3:15-4:30 - 6th Grade Canteen
Paper and online permission slips & payment options available soon
Friday, June 21st - 6th Grade Pool Party
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.
Achieve Foundation/Honor Your Teacher
Thinking of end-of-year gifts for your child’s teachers? Not surprisingly, the gifts teachers appreciate most are their students’ heartfelt expressions of thanks. Make a donation to Achieve in honor of one or more of your child’s teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, crossing guards – any staff member in any SOMA school - and we’ll print your personal messages on note cards and deliver them to your designated staff members in June. Proceeds from Honor Your Teacher Tributes will be directed toward next year’s Achieve Teacher Grants. The deadline to order year-end tributes is Friday, June 14, but why not get a jump on it and order now?
Ordering Honor Your Teacher tributes is easy - do it today! Follow this link
https://tinyurl.com/HonorSOMSD to complete the tribute form.
You can pay via PayPal as long as your total order is for $10 or more.
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!
Leadership Training Conference
This July the New Jersey Association of Student Councils will run it's 64th annual summer Leadership Training Conference. All current members of MMS Student Council are invited to explore this opportunity. You're also welcome to attend if you're not a current Student Council member and thinking about being one next year.
The Leadership Training Conference is an overnight camp that takes place at The College of New Jersey in Ewing Township. The registration fee is $450.00 and includes housing, meals and all conference activities. The dates for this year's LTC are July 10 - 13 and July 14 - 17.
Check out more registration information here!
Scholarship opportunities may be available. Please inquire with Ms. O'Sullivan (mosulliv@somsd.k12.nj.us).
Special Ed Update
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:
The ACT test requires a separate process, see the ACT site for details
More details can be found at UNDERSTOOD.ORG:
Community Updates & Digital Backpack
Please click HERE for May's Digital Backpack featuring information from around our two towns!
Maplewood Makos
Are you a Swimmer? Makos Tryouts on Sunday May 26 & Sunday June 2, 8am-10am at the Maplewood Community Pool. Click HERE for details.
Field Hockey
Is your daughter interested in Field Hockey? Click HERE to learn more about a clinic run by CHS players!
Neighborhood Wifi Pilot
Calling all Maplewood residents, ages 14 and over! Voting has begun in Maplewood’s first-ever “participatory budgeting process” and continues until 5/31. You can vote for two proposals on how to spend $50,000 allocated in Maplewood’s budget. We urge you to cast one of your votes for the Neighborhood Wifi Pilot using this link: https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/administration/pages/participatory-budgeting-program
The Neighborhood Wifi Pilot seeks to address the local “digital divide” by exploring and testing the feasibility of providing free and/or subsidized wifi-based internet to neighborhoods on the eastern side of town, as part of a larger effort to offer a cheaper alternative for internet access to businesses and residences throughout the community.
Access to online resources is essential to the full realization of educational and economic opportunities. The "digital divide" refers to the gap between those that have unrestricted access to technological resources and those that do not. According to the PEW Research Center, some 15% of households with school-aged children do not have high speed access to the Internet. 17% of all teenagers report they are often or sometimes unable to finish homework due to a lack of technological resources. Locally, 39% of MMS students did not access Google Suite for Education after 5 pm with an IP address outside of school last year. Online access does not just make homework more convenient. In Maplewood schools, students are expected to access Google classroom after school to determine assignments, complete schoolwork, and engage in dialogue with classmates. Residents use connectivity to make kindergarten registration appointments, register their children for courses at CHS, and access PowerSchool. College applications are completed online. Beyond the school setting, online Township resources include Public Works and Cultural Affairs event schedules, emergency snow and storm information, and Recreation Department registration. Moreover, economic opportunities require online access, such as job applications and online educational programs. Homebound seniors on fixed incomes would benefit from online access to reduce isolation and increase safety.
Brought to scale, the proposal envisions a community-wide, self-sustaining Wifi network, funded by fees from its users, with enough surplus generated to provide ongoing free or reduced-price service to those in need.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
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