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MMS HSA News - Week 30

3/23/2020

MMS HSA News - Week 30
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Dear MMS Families,

This is one our generation's most trying times -- protecting the health of many of those who came before us, while ensuring the economic survival and growth of the country.

As we enter into week #2 of home school, we wanted to provide an update on where we are and what we know:

At this point, you know that your student should be reaching out to their Period #1 teacher each morning by 10 a.m. for attendance purposes. Apologies for the confusion last week.
Chromebooks will be distributed on Monday and Tuesday. A voicemail and letter went out to families who requested this resource via last week's survey. Sixth and 7th grade pickup is 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday. Eighth grade pickup is Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All pickups are at the main entrance of MMS on Burnett. Please share with your networks.
At this time, there are no WiFi hotspots being provided by the district. However, if your student needs hard copies of their assignments, reach out to your teachers. The District has committed to this resource.
For more information on the District's current guidelines, please see Dr. Taylor's last note.
And here is a recent article in the NYTimes on homeschooling.

During the last Board of Education Meeting, the BOE approved the budget proposed by Dr. Taylor, which included $50,000 to provide financial access to qualifying students for school-related activities and events. More to come on this but given where we are all at the moment, this is positive news.

Finally, a shoutout to the amazing people who are continuing to support our school and school community, Media specialist Evyn Degnan spent the weekend setting up the Chromebooks for the students who will pick them up this week. And the custodial staff is continuing to work at the school to support the lunch program as well as maintain the building.

This is our new normal so please do not hesitate to reach out to us, other HSA members, your student's teachers, friends and neighbors via phone, video chat, social media, etc. with any questions and thoughts to ensure we stay connected.

Your MMS HSA,
Veronica and Kelly

Black History Month Book Raffle Winners!
Here are the Black History Month Book Raffle winners!
Thank you again to the Maplewood Library, Words Bookstore, and the families that donated books! This is a PERFECT time to have a new book to read!

School Lunch Service To Continue
For students who receive free or reduced lunch, packed lunches will be distributed every school day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18 at:
• Seth Boyden School
• Maplewood Middle School
• South Orange Middle School
• Columbia High School Every School Day

No one will be denied a meal.

If your family needs additional food support …
If you feel that you will need food support during our school closure, please let us know and we will arrange for a food delivery for your family. Call Karen Weiland at: 973-762-5600, X1850 or email at kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us
Please leave your name and phone number and we will contact you with details.

Please speak slowly and clearly & please repeat your phone number twice. If you request food support we will share your contact information with a community volunteer who will make a food delivery to your home.

If you are able to help ...
... our friends and neighbors with a food donation, please add your name to the SignUp Genius linked below. Families are in need of shelf-stable foods such as pasta, soups and more. The Parenting Center has linked a list of needed foods on the SignUp Genius and will reach out to you with an address to deliver the groceries.

Donate Food

Year end is quickly approaching and we have just four months left until our 8th Graders say goodbye to MMS. Activities can get expensive for our eighth graders -- that’s why we have some dedicated fundraising efforts this Spring.

First up, we have the MATCH Madness fundraiser. For every dollar you donate, a generous group of 8th grade parents has agreed to match it dollar-for-dollar up to $500 total! Please click HERE to help raise at least $1,000 for our 8th grade events. This event will start immediately and run through March 31.

Plans are under way for a second fundraiser in late April. We'll be back with details in a few weeks.

In the event that any planned 8th grade activities are canceled, we will return all donations collected.

HSA Meeting
The next HSA meeting will be a virtual meeting. The date has not yet been determined.

Join The MMS HSA

YouthNet

HSA News Submission Form

No Frills Fundraiser

MMS Makerspace

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MMS HSA News - Week 29

3/16/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 29
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Dear MMS Families:

We are entering uncharted territory as we start our first week of school closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Things are changing very quickly and we'll try to keep you updated as best as we can.

To that end, we just received word that to increase social distancing, effective 6 a.m. on Monday, March 16, the Township of Maplewood is closing all public playgrounds and enclosed recreational court facilities (basketball courts, paddle tennis courts, and tennis courts) until further notice. Appropriate signage and fencing will be added to enforce this decision.

Also, as you'll read below, distance learning starts Wednesday. If you don't know much about Google classroom, we're sharing this helpful Google Classroom Tutorial.

We do have a great community and we suspect we'll be relying on each other more than ever in the coming weeks.

The NJ Department of Health has set up a hotline to answer questions from the public about COVID-19. It is open 24/7 and available in multiple languages. Call 1-800-222-1222.

For more information visit:

NJ Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control

By Friday, March 27, the Administration will make a decision regarding either the resumption of school and after-school activities for Monday, March 30 or the continued closure of school.

We will continue to provide updates when we have them.

Veronica and Kelly

Distance Learning Planned
Distance learning via home instruction will begin Wednesday, March 18. All students will have access to Google Classroom and teachers will provide assignments for two weeks. Parents will be receiving letters early next week with information on accessing the classroom portals. If you do not have Internet access and need a hard copy of assignments, please contact your child’s teacher via email or contact our District office with your child’s name, school, grade, and teacher name at info@somsd.k12.nj.us or (973) 762-5600.

All field trips, athletics, school-based activities/events, and ancillary programs are canceled effective March 13 until further notice. While schools are closed, there will be no access permitted into the building, except to select personnel and approved visitors.

Donate Food

Building Closures in Maplewood
In case you missed it, Mayor Frank McGehee declared a state of emergency in Maplewood which has a number of implications including reducing the number of people coming into our community for gatherings and minimizing the number of people from going out to gatherings. The following buildings are closed until March 31: The Woodland, The Burgdorff, De hart Community Center, 106 Burnett Senior Building, and 1978 Springfield Ave Art Center.

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX
A Census postcard with an ID number for your household should arrive in your mailbox early next week. Be sure to look for it! If you have questions, go to https://2020census.gov. Remember to include your children and any other individual currently living with you. If you are asked for information like your Social Security Number or bank account number, this is NOT the official U.S. 2020 Census, and may be fraud. Click here for more information.

HSA Meeting
The next HSA meeting will be a virtual meeting. The date has not yet been determined.

Join The MMS HSA

YouthNet

HSA News Submission Form

No Frills Fundraiser

MMS Makerspace

Team Sites

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MMS HSA News - Week 28

3/9/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 28
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

MMS Families,

I know it's hard not to be distracted by Covid-19 and the upcoming March 10 primaries. (New Jersey doesn't vote until June!) But can we pull you away from these headlines for a moment and share that the Circus is coming to MMS?!

This week, students will experience fun activities Tuesday through Friday during PE with The Circus Center. As this is an HSA inaugural event, we would love to hear what your students think after the week via the MMS Families Facebook page.

In other news, "Welcome to MMS" (for incoming 6th graders) is set for March 19 at 7 p.m. Please let your friends in elementary school know. (The SOMS date is the same.)

Finally, the District did recently shared Update #3 on the status of Covid-19.

Stay safe and don't forget to wash your hands!

Veronica and Kelly

NJ Circus Center Workshop
On Tuesday, March 10, MMS will welcome the N.J. Circus Center for four days of workshops in PE, with all grades. This is our first circus experience at MMS, and should be a fun way for kids to engage in teamwork while challenging themselves with new skills. Photos to come!

FeedSoMany! Donations
MMS continues to support FeedSoMany! March is Cooking Oil Month so we will be collecting canola and olive oils. Your students can drop donations in the blue bin next to the security desk. Thanks for your generosity!

HSA Meeting
The next HSA meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the MMS Library.

SEPAC Meeting
The next SEPAC meeting will be Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the District Meeting Room at 525 Academy St. in Maplewood. The meeting will focus on out-of-district placements.

Yearbooks on Sale!
Yearbooks are on sale! Don't wait until it is too late. Order your copy today! Order and payment must be received by April 15, 2020.

Download the yearbook order form or order online. Our school code is 6667.

You can also order a Well Wisher online. Send a message to a special 8th grader! Your Well Wisher must be ordered by April 1, 2020.

Join The MMS HSA

YouthNet

HSA News Submission Form

No Frills Fundraiser

MMS Makerspace

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MMS HSA News - Week 27

3/2/2020

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MMS HSA News - Week 27
MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

March is here! With the days getting noticeably longer here in SOMa, the sun coming out, and the flowers peeking out of the ground, we are fueled with fresh energy. And even if you feel spring is still far away, 2020 has definitely gained full speed by now!

It would be foolish for us not to mention something about the COVID-19 virus, especially as the first case in Manhattan has been confirmed. Two key things to review:

OK, now back to our regularly scheduled programming:

A HUGE shoutout to the cast and crew and everyone else involved in making the MMS Musical "13" a success! Your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed.

March is Women's History Month. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote. New Jersey was the only state that, in adopting her first constitution, recognized women’s right to suffrage. The photo above is of New Jersey women welcoming suffrage leaders from San Francisco in 1915.

In our community, officials in Maplewood and South Orange have planned a host of unique events to highlight women's history and accomplishments. Some will be arts events, others about history, and others just about celebrating.

The officials have also partnered with the area business districts to relaunch SOMAWomen.org, the official website of SOMA Celebrates Women's History. You can learn about upcoming events and businesses can post promotions and offerings on the website.

Upcoming MMS events:

HSA Meeting: Wednesday, March 18
Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m. 6th graders): Welcome to Middle School (incoming
24 Tuesday, March PD For Staff (Half Day):
8th Grade Band Concert + Honors Wind Ensemble: Thursday, March 26

HSA Meeting
The next HSA meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the MMS Library.

SEPAC Meeting
The next SEPAC meeting will be Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the District Meeting Room at 525 Academy St. in Maplewood. The meeting will focus on out-of-district placements.

Join The MMS HSA

YouthNet

HSA News Submission Form

No Frills Fundraiser

MMS Makerspace

Team Sites

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