Hello MMS Families -
This week is the last FULL week of school and also our last weekly email. It is a busy week filled with a lot of fun activities. A special congratulations to our 8th graders who will be moving up on Friday. Dinner dance permission slips will be collected tomorrow during lunch. Please don’t forget if you have time and are available to volunteer in a few activities this week please check the sign-up geniuses.
We wanted to thank you for all your support this past year. A special thank you to the outgoing MMS HSA board, to our newly appointed incoming members and to Principal Gronau and the MMS staff.
It has been a pleasure serving as your MMS HSA co-Presidents. Have a safe and healthy summer!
Best,
Deb & Sara
Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents
A Few Key Dates:
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
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. Submit Permission Slips THIS week.
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, June 21st - 6th Grade Pool Party, Permission slips still to come
Donations Needed -- Dinner Dance Pop Up Shop
Thanks so much to everyone who has donated dresses for our Dinner Dance Pop-Up Shop! We are still accepting donations for both girls and boys clothing -- especially boys clothes and shoes for both boys and girls. Any accessories would be great too!
Please drop off clothing, shoes and accessories at the Guidance office.
Please direct your child/children to the Guidance office to browse the Pop-Up Shop for Dinner Dance attire.
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.
9th Grade Schedules
9th Grade schedules are up on Powerschool. 2019.2020 Course Schedules will be available this evening on PowerSchool. Please find attached letter from Mr. White, Interim Director of Guidance and a Schedule Change Request Form. https://msg.schoolmessenger.com/m/getdocument.php?s=dMqfw0NZ-sE&mal=347a8c75698fad521757b45a383dd561d173512a5e00e88059b83155fa0aa2df&p=
Summer Reading
Summer reading lists are now available.
https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/maplewood/headlines/2019/06/12/blast-off-into-summer-reading/
Linked above please find the links to summer 2019 reading lists. The Maplewood Public Library YA librarian Sara, our own Media Specialist Mr. Degnan, and the SOMS, CHS and SOPL librarians have worked hard on this list. The titles look great!
Summer Meals from Hunger Free New Jersey
New Jersey has made great progress on serving summer meals to more kids, with a 38% increase since 2015! Still, just a quarter of low income children receive this summertime nutrition. If you would like to know more about assistance or get more information on the program, please visit njfoodforthought.org for resources and downloadable flyers.
If you want hard copies, contact Nancy Parello from @centerforfoodaction at nparello@cfanj.org.
Let’s work together to make sure all New Jersey children receive the nutrition they need to be healthy and return to school in September ready to learn
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.
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
Join Field Hockey
If your daughter would like to play Field Hockey at Columbia please visit www.chsfockey.com.
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!
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
This week is the last FULL week of school and also our last weekly email. It is a busy week filled with a lot of fun activities. A special congratulations to our 8th graders who will be moving up on Friday. Dinner dance permission slips will be collected tomorrow during lunch. Please don’t forget if you have time and are available to volunteer in a few activities this week please check the sign-up geniuses.
We wanted to thank you for all your support this past year. A special thank you to the outgoing MMS HSA board, to our newly appointed incoming members and to Principal Gronau and the MMS staff.
It has been a pleasure serving as your MMS HSA co-Presidents. Have a safe and healthy summer!
Best,
Deb & Sara
Your MMS HSA Co-Presidents
A Few Key Dates:
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
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. Submit Permission Slips THIS week.
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, June 21st - 6th Grade Pool Party, Permission slips still to come
Donations Needed -- Dinner Dance Pop Up Shop
Thanks so much to everyone who has donated dresses for our Dinner Dance Pop-Up Shop! We are still accepting donations for both girls and boys clothing -- especially boys clothes and shoes for both boys and girls. Any accessories would be great too!
Please drop off clothing, shoes and accessories at the Guidance office.
Please direct your child/children to the Guidance office to browse the Pop-Up Shop for Dinner Dance attire.
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.
9th Grade Schedules
9th Grade schedules are up on Powerschool. 2019.2020 Course Schedules will be available this evening on PowerSchool. Please find attached letter from Mr. White, Interim Director of Guidance and a Schedule Change Request Form. https://msg.schoolmessenger.com/m/getdocument.php?s=dMqfw0NZ-sE&mal=347a8c75698fad521757b45a383dd561d173512a5e00e88059b83155fa0aa2df&p=
Summer Reading
Summer reading lists are now available.
https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/maplewood/headlines/2019/06/12/blast-off-into-summer-reading/
Linked above please find the links to summer 2019 reading lists. The Maplewood Public Library YA librarian Sara, our own Media Specialist Mr. Degnan, and the SOMS, CHS and SOPL librarians have worked hard on this list. The titles look great!
Summer Meals from Hunger Free New Jersey
New Jersey has made great progress on serving summer meals to more kids, with a 38% increase since 2015! Still, just a quarter of low income children receive this summertime nutrition. If you would like to know more about assistance or get more information on the program, please visit njfoodforthought.org for resources and downloadable flyers.
If you want hard copies, contact Nancy Parello from @centerforfoodaction at nparello@cfanj.org.
Let’s work together to make sure all New Jersey children receive the nutrition they need to be healthy and return to school in September ready to learn
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.
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
Join Field Hockey
If your daughter would like to play Field Hockey at Columbia please visit www.chsfockey.com.
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!
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
RSS Feed