MMS Principal Newsletter
December 9, 2019 @MMSCougarPride
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Reminder-12/10/19 is a 12:30 dismissal
Request for Classroom Library Donations
Greetings and Updates from Ms. Gronau
Greetings MMS Families,
We ask that you continue to speak to your child and review the cell phone policy with them. We continue to remind students over the P.A. regularly and during lunch periods. The MMS administration confiscates cell phones of students who are not following the policy.
Last week's advisory focused on being an ally and using language to stand up for others to prevent bullying, intimidation and harassment in our school. Students sat in concentric cirlces and worked in pairs to practice language of support to their peers and made it their own own (photo from advisory below). We drew inspiration from the quote: "Strong people stand up for themselves. Stronger people stand up for others."
Questions about Saturday Academy and if it is a fit for your child? Contact Ms. Gronau or your child's school counselor.
The Hub/Family Connections is a wonderful resource we are fortunate to have at MMS through a Maplewood Municipal grant. If you would like your child to participate in individual and group sessions during the school day or in the social support through recreation after school programming, please contact Ms. Candice at cebbesen@familyconnectionsnj.org.
IMPORTANT NOTES
-Remember to purchase yearbook well wishers! Scroll up!
-Reminder to please send Ms. Gronau your good news/recognition worthy events of your child's academic, social, social activism, community service, and artistic achievements. We would like our MMS kids to be recognized at upcoming board meetings! Email at dgronau@somsd.k12.nj.us!
The 5 Keys to Middle School Child Resilience and Success
The 5 Keys to Middle School Child Resilience and Success
The MMS faculty and staff ask that you support our work with your child in the following ways:
1) Encourage a Growth Mindset-Having a growth mindset fosters resilience. Use the language of yet. I don’t understand this “yet.” Emphasize the importance of hard work as opposed to innate intelligence. “I did well because of my effort. I’ll do better next time.”
2) Encourage 1-2 Good Peer Relationships-Friends should be a source of support. Often our middle schoolers try to maintain large groups of close friends and that is challenging for anyone of any age! Encourage your child to have 1-2 solid and supportive peer friendships and keep it light and simple with the larger groups.
3) Ensure 9-11 Hours of Sleep Please! Sleep is the best way to foster resilience. Research shows that kiddos this age need 9-11 hours to be at their best. When your child is well-rested, everything is better. Technology is the #1 enemy of sleep! As a school community, we recommend that you keep technology out of your child’s bedroom at night to encourage healthy and consistent sleep.
4) Encourage Coping Strategies-Coping is personal. Everyone does it differently. Encourage your child to think about healthy ways to relax and give them permission to do it!
5) Facilitate Time/Connection with a non-familial adult-Good connections with non-familial adults are very important for your child. They hear things differently from non-familial adults. Encourage your child to participate in a club or activity. Children need our perspective. They are always changing and growing. As adults we can attach a growth mindset to their personality development and their peer interactions.