MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
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From the Principal's Corner
Click here for Principal Gronau’s weekly update.
Hello MMS Families!
We hope you enjoyed your weekend. First off, we have a full week of school this week and we wanted to also highlight a few reminders. Please remember, this Friday is Picture Day. Youthnet forms also went out last week, don’t forget to send your slip back if you are interested! Some classes fill up quickly.
We are also proud to announce our Visiting Mentors Program. Do you have a skill or a story that can be turned into a middle school lesson? Calling on adults in SOMA to share your work and expertise with Maplewood Middle School students! Send us an email today at mmsHSAinfo@gmail.com if you want to get involved.
We are excited to announce we are launching a Bathroom Inspiration Project at MMS. Taking inspiration from elementary schools in our own district and across the country, we are seeking a chair(s) and volunteers to help create this atmosphere for daily inspiration and positivity. We would love to have families and students involved. Email now if interested.
We are in full outreach for our Membership Drive and No Frills Fundraiser, please consider joining and donating if you have not already. To learn more about your MMS HSA, how to get involved, or to donate, PLEASE click here!
A Few Key Dates:
9/25 SEPAC Meeting - 7:30-9 pm, Columbia High School, D16
9/27 Musical Info Meeting - 3:15 pm, Auditorium
9/28 Picture Day - All Grades
9/28 Student Council Info Meeting - 3:15 pm, Room 130
10/1 Cultural Arts Assembly - All Grades
10/9 4-Hour Day - Staff Development
10/11 General Meeting - HSA
10/18 Title 1 Info Meeting @Seth Boyden (Evening, time TBA)
10/20 Day in Band
Picture Day
Picture day is Friday September 28th. Save time and order online using code: 19-44MM Click Here to Order Ahead. Just a few notes, new families who are accustomed to the HSA or PTA running these days as a fundraiser, this is a school run program. The funds raised from picture day are managed by the school trust not your HSA. We may need a few last minute volunteers, be on the lookout. Also, a gentle reminder to your student their photos end up in the school yearbook, may help you guarantee a smile.
Bathroom Inspiration Project - Chair and Committee needed
As a result of our co-Presidents' Money Maker Fundraiser last year, we have decided to direct the $1500 raised to promote an atmosphere of daily positivity. Beautifying the bathrooms at MMS. If you are interested in leading this, or just helping out, please let us know via email. We encourage families and students to get involved. This year we will once again hold our Money Maker events. If you have a funding initiative you believe important, consider holding an event! Last year we raised $7500 with three amazing events.
MMS Musical INFO Meeting
Follow the yellow brick road to this year’s MMS Musical production of The Wizard of Oz! If you have an interest in being part of the cast or behind the scenes in Art crew or Stage crew, there will be a meeting this Thursday, September 27th in the Auditorium at 3:15 pm to learn important information about signing up and auditions. See you there!
Student Council
Interested in making a difference in your school and community? Join the MMS Student Council! There will be an interest meeting in Ms O’Sullivan’s room 130 on Friday, September 28th at 3:15 pm.
Join the Student Council and make a difference!
Visiting Mentor Program
The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise.
If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!
Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email. We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.
Superintendent Search
You should have received an email from the district Friday detailing the process for the Superintendent Search. For more information please click here
Tissues and School Store
We mentioned on our News on Waffles segment to be on the lookout for TISSUES. It’s already been a busy season of allergies and colds. If you are at the store and can pick up some extra boxes, the MMS staff would greatly appreciate it! The student council runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist
No Frills and Fundraising
The 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.
YouthNet at MMS
Youth Net offers an Extended Enrichment Program for all MMS students. The program runs until 6 pm and follows the school calendar. MMS teachers offer individual homework help to students enrolled. Click here for more information or visit www.somayouthnet.org for more information. No child is denied due to financial reasons.
YouthNet’s after school club program flyer will be coming home this week. These offerings begin first week of October.
SEPAC
EXPERIENCE the NEW SEPAC. Tuesday, September 25th 7:30-9 pm, Columbia High School, D16 SPED. PTO and SEPAC have merged to form a new version of SEPAC, (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee), ONE organization meeting BOTH the advocacy and support needs of the SOMA special education community.
Emily Witkowski is the teen librarian at Maplewood Memorial Library and the Hilton Branch Library. There are several programs targeted to Middle School families throughout the year.
10/4: Homework Battles: Strategies to help your child is being offered on Thursday October 4th, from 7:30-8:30 pm at the Maplewood Main Library. Click Here for details and registration information.
Day in the Band (CHS)
7th and 8th grade musicians wanted! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 20 for A Day in the Band, including practice, drill, and lunch with the Columbia High School Cougar Marching Band! This exciting free event is open to all SOMA 7th and 8th graders including musicians, non-players who want to march, future color guard, and kids who just want to be part of the Pride of Columbia (we will train). Sign up here, details to come. GO BAND! https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/Page/2936
Varsity Orchestras through the South Orange Maplewood Adult School!
Don’t miss this chance for your young musician to make music with their peers in an encouraging, inclusive and inspiring environment, led by talented and engaging instructors who have deep experience working with children. Designed to augment the school music instruction, our orchestras allow young musicians to develop their musical talent, experience being part of an ensemble, learn about music theory, grow friendships with other young musicians, and perform at our twice-yearly concerts. Orchestras meet one evening a week at Columbia High School. Register online at the SOMAS website.
HOLA Festival
Join Hola! Fest NJ 2018 at The Woodland from 12 to 6 pm on Saturday September 29th. Be a part of Maplewood’s first Hispanic Heritage festival, a free community event that will entertain the entire family.
Gratefully yours,
Deb Holt & Sara Knutsen
MMS HSA Co-Presidents 2018-2019
mmshsainfo@gmail.com
debcatholt@gmail.com
szknutsen@gmail.com
************************************
From the Principal's Corner
Click here for Principal Gronau’s weekly update.
Hello MMS Families!
We hope you enjoyed your weekend. First off, we have a full week of school this week and we wanted to also highlight a few reminders. Please remember, this Friday is Picture Day. Youthnet forms also went out last week, don’t forget to send your slip back if you are interested! Some classes fill up quickly.
We are also proud to announce our Visiting Mentors Program. Do you have a skill or a story that can be turned into a middle school lesson? Calling on adults in SOMA to share your work and expertise with Maplewood Middle School students! Send us an email today at mmsHSAinfo@gmail.com if you want to get involved.
We are excited to announce we are launching a Bathroom Inspiration Project at MMS. Taking inspiration from elementary schools in our own district and across the country, we are seeking a chair(s) and volunteers to help create this atmosphere for daily inspiration and positivity. We would love to have families and students involved. Email now if interested.
We are in full outreach for our Membership Drive and No Frills Fundraiser, please consider joining and donating if you have not already. To learn more about your MMS HSA, how to get involved, or to donate, PLEASE click here!
A Few Key Dates:
9/25 SEPAC Meeting - 7:30-9 pm, Columbia High School, D16
9/27 Musical Info Meeting - 3:15 pm, Auditorium
9/28 Picture Day - All Grades
9/28 Student Council Info Meeting - 3:15 pm, Room 130
10/1 Cultural Arts Assembly - All Grades
10/9 4-Hour Day - Staff Development
10/11 General Meeting - HSA
10/18 Title 1 Info Meeting @Seth Boyden (Evening, time TBA)
10/20 Day in Band
Picture Day
Picture day is Friday September 28th. Save time and order online using code: 19-44MM Click Here to Order Ahead. Just a few notes, new families who are accustomed to the HSA or PTA running these days as a fundraiser, this is a school run program. The funds raised from picture day are managed by the school trust not your HSA. We may need a few last minute volunteers, be on the lookout. Also, a gentle reminder to your student their photos end up in the school yearbook, may help you guarantee a smile.
Bathroom Inspiration Project - Chair and Committee needed
As a result of our co-Presidents' Money Maker Fundraiser last year, we have decided to direct the $1500 raised to promote an atmosphere of daily positivity. Beautifying the bathrooms at MMS. If you are interested in leading this, or just helping out, please let us know via email. We encourage families and students to get involved. This year we will once again hold our Money Maker events. If you have a funding initiative you believe important, consider holding an event! Last year we raised $7500 with three amazing events.
MMS Musical INFO Meeting
Follow the yellow brick road to this year’s MMS Musical production of The Wizard of Oz! If you have an interest in being part of the cast or behind the scenes in Art crew or Stage crew, there will be a meeting this Thursday, September 27th in the Auditorium at 3:15 pm to learn important information about signing up and auditions. See you there!
Student Council
Interested in making a difference in your school and community? Join the MMS Student Council! There will be an interest meeting in Ms O’Sullivan’s room 130 on Friday, September 28th at 3:15 pm.
Join the Student Council and make a difference!
Visiting Mentor Program
The MMS HSA is compiling a list of Visiting Mentors: individuals who will talk to middle school students about their work and/or how they apply math, science, language arts and fine arts skills in their professions. We are creating a list that will be available to MMS teachers so they can invite community members into their classrooms to share their stories and expertise.
If your work involves math, science, language arts skills and/or the arts – or an interesting combination of these areas - and you can imagine turning that work into a lesson or speaking with middle schoolers about it, please contact us at MMSHSAinfo@gmail.com!
Let us know your name, profession or skill, what classes you see yourself working with (math, science, social studies, music, etc), cell phone number and email. We will add you to the spreadsheet and then you may hear from an MMS teacher! This is a first-time effort, so let’s make ourselves available to our community’s kids and see what happens! Thank you MMS Families.
Superintendent Search
You should have received an email from the district Friday detailing the process for the Superintendent Search. For more information please click here
Tissues and School Store
We mentioned on our News on Waffles segment to be on the lookout for TISSUES. It’s already been a busy season of allergies and colds. If you are at the store and can pick up some extra boxes, the MMS staff would greatly appreciate it! The student council runs a school store and accepts donations, please make sure to send in food allergy compliant snacks. They even have an Amazon Wishlist if getting to the store is too hectic. Click Here for MMS School Store’s Amazon Wishlist
No Frills and Fundraising
The 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.
YouthNet at MMS
Youth Net offers an Extended Enrichment Program for all MMS students. The program runs until 6 pm and follows the school calendar. MMS teachers offer individual homework help to students enrolled. Click here for more information or visit www.somayouthnet.org for more information. No child is denied due to financial reasons.
YouthNet’s after school club program flyer will be coming home this week. These offerings begin first week of October.
SEPAC
EXPERIENCE the NEW SEPAC. Tuesday, September 25th 7:30-9 pm, Columbia High School, D16 SPED. PTO and SEPAC have merged to form a new version of SEPAC, (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee), ONE organization meeting BOTH the advocacy and support needs of the SOMA special education community.
- Meet the 2018-2019 SEPAC leadership and school liaisons
- Learn about the issues we plan to advocate for this year
- Hear about dynamic upcoming programs and events
- Share your suggestions and concerns
- Network with other parents who have similar experiences and can relate
Emily Witkowski is the teen librarian at Maplewood Memorial Library and the Hilton Branch Library. There are several programs targeted to Middle School families throughout the year.
10/4: Homework Battles: Strategies to help your child is being offered on Thursday October 4th, from 7:30-8:30 pm at the Maplewood Main Library. Click Here for details and registration information.
Day in the Band (CHS)
7th and 8th grade musicians wanted! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 20 for A Day in the Band, including practice, drill, and lunch with the Columbia High School Cougar Marching Band! This exciting free event is open to all SOMA 7th and 8th graders including musicians, non-players who want to march, future color guard, and kids who just want to be part of the Pride of Columbia (we will train). Sign up here, details to come. GO BAND! https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/Page/2936
Varsity Orchestras through the South Orange Maplewood Adult School!
Don’t miss this chance for your young musician to make music with their peers in an encouraging, inclusive and inspiring environment, led by talented and engaging instructors who have deep experience working with children. Designed to augment the school music instruction, our orchestras allow young musicians to develop their musical talent, experience being part of an ensemble, learn about music theory, grow friendships with other young musicians, and perform at our twice-yearly concerts. Orchestras meet one evening a week at Columbia High School. Register online at the SOMAS website.
HOLA Festival
Join Hola! Fest NJ 2018 at The Woodland from 12 to 6 pm on Saturday September 29th. Be a part of Maplewood’s first Hispanic Heritage festival, a free community event that will entertain the entire family.
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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