Mooresville Middle School
Community Newsletter -- December 2, 2022
A Message from Mr. Kosal:
Together we make a family!
Praise:
- More instructional time is a positive.
- I like that you are moving Imp Time to later in the day when it would be more beneficial for kids that need help in certain areas.
- All students get their level of intervention whether they are behind or ahead.
- Wednesday club activity time.
Concerns:
- Mandatory intervention in reading/math even for the kids who are excelling seems like a punishment for them. MMS response -- we believe all students need to be challenged and grow academically, whether they're grade levels behind or solely in Honors classes. In fact, when MMS viewed its growth numbers from last year, some of the poorest growth in the school came from students that didn't attend a reading / math intervention. Students may have even passed the test, sure, but they didn't continue to grow academically or experience the rigor needed to prepare them suitably for the next grade (or Honors-level class) as was expected. The Exact Path online program will work with every MMS student at their level (determined by a diagnostic benchmark test) on the specific skills they're struggling with in Reading and Math, which will help supplement the rich instruction students are receiving from their teachers in class each day to help all kids grow even beyond what is predicted of them.
- Students need built in breaks and physical activity. I strongly oppose getting rid of SHAC time. MMS response -- MMS agrees that taking breaks and participating in physical activity is a good thing for students! That is why all students are required to take Health / PE class during both 7th & 8th grade years. Our teachers and administration team is also collaborating on a schedule where students will be outside within non-tested Core classes approximately 2-3 times per week for fresh air and exercise. Teachers will be providing brain breaks in the classroom and movement to help students stay awake and on task. However, SHAC time (i.e. middle school recess) is not a usual piece of middle school schedules -- elementary, yes; secondary, no. The unstructured time during SHAC has also led to misbehavior and discipline incidents. MMS feels that because our students aren't being as prepared as they could be for college or careers that are to come, the focus of our school day needs to be on academics and not recess.
- 2 minutes to change class seems crazy. MMS response -- students currently have 3 minutes to transition between classes. Being that core classes are all within the same hallway, that 3 minutes is already too much time. Since September, only 1/2 of each grade level transitions at one time (i.e. team transitions), which has greatly reduced the traffic and discipline incidents in the hallways between classes. Also, students at MMS currently don't use the bathrooms between classes anyhow: they use the E-Hall Pass system which monitors how many students can safely be in the restroom at any one time. MMS feels that 1-minute deduction will give students even more of a purpose in getting to class on time and not engaging in misbehavior in the hallways.
- Core starting right away is hard for the students that are still sleepy. MMS response -- our school day does begin at 7:20am (not a building-level decision) and we expect students (and parents) to honor that by getting students to school on time. We also request that parents help us out by ensuring their students come to MMS rested and ready for school each day. Students will have a chance to eat breakfast between 7:00 - 7:20am so they have enough energy for their school day. As always, MGSD bus transportation can be set up for students to utilize to avoid parents fighting the Mooresville traffic and the car-rider line, if that's a concern. Ultimately, we feel that starting classes at 7:20am rather than Imp Time will provide more urgency for academics within our school day.
Thank you to all the parents that provided feedback, both using the form and also via emails or calls. Change is often hard (and uncomfortable) but we at Mooresville Middle School believe these changes will help our Red Imps be more successful, both this year and in years to come. Further details will be coming to parents via Newsletters and Parent Square messages from MMS throughout December.
Here's what you'll find in this week's newsletter:
- Meet our three new Red Imp staff members
- Upcoming Concerts for Band / Ukulele / Chorus / Theater / Dance
- Early College open house sessions
- Order MMS Yearbooks today!
- Coffee with Mr. Kosal - December 9th
- Upcoming home athletic events
- free online tutoring for 8th grade Math / Science
- Toys for Tots holiday drive starts next week
- PTSO announcements
- Holiday Laptop Discount Sale
- Crosby Scholars information
- and more!
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope everyone as a refreshing and fun weekend!
Mr. Kosal, interim principal (pkosal@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Brown, 7th grade assistant principal (kbrown@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Richardson, 8th grade assistant principal (tabitharichardson@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Mr. Kuhn, assistant principal (gregorykuhn@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Mr. Miller, assistant principal intern & MMS media center coordinator (justinmiller@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Clark, MMS Athletic Director (annclark@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
A big WELCOME to new MMS Staff Members:
Ms. Kathleen Hamm
Ms. Danielle McPhill
Ms. Mikayla King
Open Houses for Early Colleges
Crossroads (Crossroads Arts and Science Early College) -- Located on Statesville High School Campus
Monday, November 28th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
--------------------------------
CCTL (Collaborative College of Technology & Leadership) -- Located on Mitchell Community College Campus
Tuesday, November 29th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00AM to 12:00PM
---------------------------------
ASEC (Agriculture and Science Early College) Located on North
Iredell High School Campus
Tuesday, December 13th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
---------------------------------
Link to Early College website:
Order your Yearbook today!
If you have not ordered the 2022 - 2023 Red IMP yearbook for your child, we encourage you to visit Jostens Yearbooks and order your copy today. Yearbook price starts at $40.00 when you choose No Thanks to Personalization. Please contact Ms. Lindsey at jenniferlindsey@mgsd.k12.nc.us for questions.
Coffee with Mr. Kosal - December 9th
P.S. In 2023, we'd like to offer evening sessions for parents to attend also to hear from Mr. Kosal and ask questions about MMS. Be on the lookout in January for blurbs in the Community Newsletter about this!
Fine Arts Department Concerts - December 8 & 9
We hope you'll attend the Band / Chorus / Ukulele Concert @ the Mooresville High school PAC at 6:00PM on Thursday, December 8th.
Also, the MMS Dance classes have their showcase performance at the Mooresville High PAC on Friday, December 9th at 6:00pm. Should be an awesome display of the Fine Arts skills from some very talented Red Imps!!
This week's message from our MMS PTSO:
Mark your calendars for our next PTSO meeting. Wednesday, December 7th, from 8:30-9:30am at MMS. We will discuss upcoming events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. We hope you can join us!
Coming soon - "You've Been Elfed" holiday grams! Grams will be for sale Dec 12 - 15 from 7:00-7:30am in the main hallways and also during lunchtime in the cafeteria. Students may visit the gram table to purchase candy canes to send to their friends. Your choice of sweet, sour, mint or mystery candy cane for just $1 each. Grams are delivered to students during imp time on Friday, Dec 16. Parents: you will be able purchase grams online for your student, their friends or even the staff of MMS ($3 minimum). Watch for the link in next week's newsletter. PTSO also needs your help to sell and fill these treats for our students. If you can help us please sign up here Elf Gram Help.
Mark your calendars for donuts. Yes, donuts! MMS PTSO and Down For Donuts are hosting our next spirit day fundraiser! Come join us on Saturday December 17 7:30-2:00. Pre-orders will be available so you're sure to get your favorites! 10% of sales will benefit MMS.
On Monday December 19 PTSO will be providing hot cocoa and cookies for our December staff appreciation. We are in need of cocoa toppings, store bought cookies and paper products for this event. If you can donate anything please sign up here Dec TA sign up and bring your items to the front office no later than Fri. Dec. 16. No time to shop but want to help? You can make a monetary donation towards the purchase of teacher appreciation items Donate for staff appreciation event.
We still have plenty of Red Imp items for sale. We will be coming to the home basketball game next Monday to sell spirit items.To purchase online visit our square online store. Items will be given to your student at school. Contact us via email redimpsptso@gmail.com to purchase with cash. Thank you for supporting and showing off your red imp spirit! PTSO store
Please join our PTSO facebook group. This online community is for parents/guardians of MMS students and MMS staff. We will share information from the PTSO, MMS and MGSD. It is also a place for you to connect with other parents/guardians and the PTSO. We hope you'll join us! Follow us on Facebook!
Thank you for your support! Questions for the PTSO? E-mail us at redimpsptso@gmail.com
MYA Red Imp Lacrosse (club in the community)
Find us on Facebook @Mooresville MYA Red Imp Lacrosse or www.mooresvilleyouthathletics.org/lacrosse
Upcoming Red Imp Athletic Events:
- Monday, December 5th - home Varsity Basketball vs. Knox
- Thursday, December 8th - home Wrestling vs. West Rowan
We hope to see the community show up to support our MMS athletes!
Free Online Tutoring for Students
When they sign up, they will get an email from NCVPS with the link for their session, and a link to cancel or reschedule if needed. Please reinforce to students that they should be respectful of tutors' time and not be "no-shows" if they sign up for a time.
Students who do not have Internet access at home or need a quiet place to attend tutoring are welcome at the Selma Burke Community Center.
We hope your students will take advantage of this "EDvantage"!!
Crosby Scholars information
Parents,
Would your child benefit from personal development activities centering around bolstering leadership, interpersonal skills, and community engagement? Check out our partner program, Crosby Scholars. This organization partners with Iredell-Statesville schools to provide these resources to middle school students for FREE. All who apply are accepted!
To watch a quick informational video on the program click here, To sign up to join Crosby Scholars, go to www.crosbyscholarsiredell.org and click the red "Apply Now" button to join.
Crosby Scholars assists with scholarship,career exploration, technical and social refinement, community service, leadership,career exploration and much more!
The deadline to join is December 15th! For more information, contact the MMS 8th grade guidance counselor, Ms. Kathryn Buff (kathrynbuff@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Toys for Tots drive at MMS
Mooresville Middle School will have a collection box in the main office for the annual Toys for Tots drive, sponsored by the Mooreville High School NJROTC.
The toy drive begins on Monday, November 21, and will be conclude on Tuesday, December 13th. We encourage all that are able to donate new, unwrapped toys for families in need this holiday season. Thank you for your generosity!
Results from Feed NC food drive (Student Government Imp Time)
The Friday before Thanksgiving was the final pick up for the Feed NC food drive. I am humbled and so blessed to be working with so many students, families and staff that went above and beyond to support our local community.With that being said, we had tremendous support from so many homeroom teachers. Thank you to all of the Homerooms that participated!
The Student Council awarded the top three homerooms that had the most items donated.
Final Standings:
3rd Place - Mr. Rhyne's Homeroom (29 items)
2nd Place- Ms. Adam's Homeroom (70 items)
1st Place- Wright's Homeroom (83 items)
Honorable Mentions:
Ms. Stowell's Homeroom (27 items)
Ms. Ketchie's Homeroom (24 items)
Our Grand Total of items donated to Feed NC is 320!! So impressive Red Imp Family!! Thank you again for all of your support! ~ Mrs. Orlando
How to alert MMS of a student absence:
The email address for parents to alert MMS about student absences is: MMSAttendance@MGSD.k12.nc.us
Parents can upload doctor's notes as well. We hope this process will be easier on everyone instead of always sending a note with the student that gets lost so easily!
Are you a Motivator??
The Motivators are ways for family / community members to volunteer time during the school day to monitor hallways and our campus grounds while also getting to know MMS students and staff. We love to have extra adult presence in the building to support our students and help out when needed. If you have at least one hour a week, we would love to have you volunteer.
Email Ms. Brown for more information. kbrown@mgsd.k12.nc.us
MMS Social Media Handles - follow us!
Facebook: @mooresvillems
Instagram: mooresvillems
Twitter: @mooresvillems
Website: https://mms.mgsd.k12.nc.us/
Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!
As always, thank you for your support of the hard work we do every day at MMS! Please feel free to contact the interim principal, Mr. Kosal if you have questions or concerns. Thanks again!
Email: pkosal@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Website: https://mms.mgsd.k12.nc.us/
Location: 233 Kistler Farm Road, Mooresville, NC, USA
Phone: (704) 658-2720