MIDDLE MATTERS
Everything in the Middle School that matters
Volume 4
PRINCIPAL'S CORNER
Happy December!
We have a full calendar of events for the month of December. The next 14 days of school will be very busy. We have seen many parents come in to watch some of the middle school winter sports, activities and competitions. Holiday music concerts are in full swing.
In this issue...
- Mental Health Support During the Holidays
- Social/Emotional Learning
- Students of the Month
- December Calendar
- Getting a Handle on Stress
- And much more...
Mental Health support during the Holidays
Toys for Tots
Our MMS Book Fair is a Success!
Thank you to all of the visitors to our recent book fair! We love seeing families enjoy our media center spaces while connecting with each other about books. Because of the high level of support, our media center will add more than 200 free books to our collection. The students will be very excited to check out the new titles!
An extra shout-out goes to our Parent Involvement Committee for coordinating the staffing of our book fair during conferences.
STUDENT FOCUS
Social/Emotional Learning at the Middle School:
As noted in October's newsletter, our district adopted a curriculum to help students learn about how to handle emotions and conflicts, while maintaining a positive, resilient attitude. Sixth grade is using The Second Step and 7th/8th grades are using The 7 Mindsets curriculums. These lessons are delivered during their M&M (advisory time).
Look for the monthly theme in this corner.
December:
6th Grade = Mindsets
7th and 8th grade = We are Connected
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
6th-Grade
"Be kind and don't swear."
6-2: Claire Paumen
" Don't stress about the small things!"
7th-Grade
"Stay humble and kind even if bad things happen."
7-2: Mackenzie Brendemuhl
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time.”
8th-Grade
“Keep trying because it’s all you can do.”
8-2: Sophie Rosh
"Get involved, be strong in the face of adversity, and be proud of who you are."
Monticello Middle School's Daily Magic Studio News Announcements Now Streaming on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIVm-2Q60pxDvPghOAAtlEA
Please note: Due to our building's streaming needs, each broadcast features 5-10 minutes of static content before the announcements. Please scroll towards the end to view the day's content.
Photo Use Authorization
December Calendar
Friday, December 6
MidTerm 2nd Quarter
8th Grade Orchestra Concert 7 pm @ MHS
Thursday, December 12
7th Grade Orchestra Concert 7 pm @ MMS
Monday, December 16
8th Grade Choir Concert 7 pm @ MHS
Tuesday, December 17
7th Grade Band Concert 7 pm @ MMS
December 23 - January 1
No School - Winter Break
Winter Orchestra Concert Details
8th Grade Orchestra & High School Orchestras Concert—Monday, December 9th
Meet at High School for tuning & mass rehearsal with high school – Arrival time 5:00 p.m. for mass rehearsal with high school orchestra – pizza party between rehearsal & concert! The concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
7th Grade Orchestra Winter Concert – Thursday, December 12th
Meet at Middle School for tuning & warmups @ 6:15 p.m. Concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
6th Grade Orchestra Winter Concert – Thursday, January 16th
Meet at Middle School for tuning & warmups @ 6:15 p.m. Concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
*Concert attire is black dress pants/nice black shirt/black socks/black dress shoes. (NO skirts/dresses)
*Cello/Bass players will need to bring their own instruments from home.
*Parent volunteers are needed and appreciated – let Mrs. Schettler-Stein know if you are willing & able!
See Mrs. Schettler-Stein ASAP if you need to borrow an outfit! (If you would like to donate concert outfits/shoes from previous years that are too small now, please let Mrs. Schettler-Stein know. Thanks!)
These are also on the Middle School Orchestra Website!
NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Dress for the weather
Reminder to parents that with the cold weather upon us, students should dress for school appropriately. There may be times when traveling that they become stalled on the road or some other emergency may occur. Be Prepared.
Please call the health office with any questions or concerns.
STUDENT CENTER SPOTLIGHT
Stress
Looking towards the end of the year, this can be a season of stress. School is in full swing and our schedules outside of school are getting busier by the day. Children and teenagers are likely feeling the stress too.
NORMAL STRESS
Stress is our body responding to pressure or a threat we are feeling. The stress response helps us to work well under pressure. It raises your focus and alertness. It prepares you to go straight into a challenge, like a class presentation or tough opponent at a sporting event, and is a part of learning and growing.
GETTING A HANDLE ON STRESS
- Be realistic- Don’t try to be perfect. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Ask for help when you need it.
- Get a good night’s sleep- Make sure you are getting all the sleep your body needs. Which might mean going to bed earlier than you want.
- Make time for fun- When schedules get busy, make time for things you enjoy doing.
- Find the upside- Focus on what you did well under stress and what you learned.
- Exercise and eat well- We sometimes forget about moving our bodies and fueling our bodies when we are stressed. Under stress, our body needs to move. Eating well helps stabilize our bodies.
- Build positive relationships- Fill your life with people who want the best for you. People who will support you and you feel you can ask them for help. People you can trust by sharing what you are going through.
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/stress.html?WT.ac=en-t-stress-center-a#catproblems
We Scare Hunger
Thank you to all students who assisted our MMS and MHS Interact students in collecting donations this Halloween. Over 600 pounds of food were brought to the Monticello Food Shelf with the help of our Rotary volunteers. MMS students also donated two full tubs of candy that will be sent to our troops. Blue Star Mom's will send the candy to military personnel, along with the many cards our MMS students made on Veteran's Day to support those who serve.
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
UPCOMING ATHLETIC SEASON:
Boys 7/8 Basketball practice starts on Wednesday, January 2nd from 2:45-4:30
Registration can be done online @ http://www.monticello.feepay.com
Reminder: 1st time athletes need to have a current physical on file
Middle School game schedule can be found online at www.mississippi8.org
SPEECH TEAM:
Speech team is looking for students who have or want to develop the ‘gift of gab’!!! Students can present a selection from an author or their own work. Speech can be done solo, or as a duet. Coaches work with students in selection and preparation for meets.
6th - 8th gr. students are eligible to participate in Speech.
Practice is 2 / week beginning in December.
There will be 5-6 meets where students travel to surrounding schools
Fee is $60.00 and can be registered for online @ http://www.monticello.feepay.com
Middle School game schedule can be found online at www.mississippi8.org
Questions: contact Abbey Veldhuizen @ abbey.veldhuizen@monticello.k12.mn.us or Michelle Thompson @ michelle.thompson@monticello.k12.mn.us
WEIGHT LIFTING PROGRAM FOR GRADES 6-8:
Runs Monday - Thursday from 2:30 - 3:30
Complete an emergency card for registration
No fee to participate in this program
Contact Mr. Hageman with questions @ jonathan.hageman@monticello.k12.mn.us
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parent Involvement Meeting
Monday, Jan 13, 2020, 06:00 PM
800 Broadway Street East, Monticello, MN, USA
Monticello Middle School
Website: https://www.monticello.k12.mn.us/Domain/9
Location: 800 Broadway Street East, Monticello, MN, USA
Phone: 763-272-2000
Twitter: @MMS_Leader