Millis Middle School
Weekly Community Newsletter
Archived MMS Weekly Newsletter
week ending 2/9/24
NUT FREE PRODUCTS- Snacks and body sprays- please be careful!
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
This week we had a successful school-wide launch of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System and the Signs of Suicide (SOS) curriculum with our seventh graders.
We also had a wonderful celebration of Mrs. Leman and Mrs. Blessing for School Counselor Appreciation week. We love our counselors!
Several PLT's began working on our Black History Changemakers Hall of Fame and we wish a Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate this weekend!
Black History Month
As we embark on the month of February, it is the perfect time to honor and celebrate the significance of Black History Month. This annual observance, which originated in the United States, is also recognized as African-American History Month. It offers a splendid opportunity to delve deeper into the vast and remarkable heritage of Black culture, accomplishments, and contributions that have shaped history.
During this special month, we take a collective journey to acknowledge and appreciate the important achievements, resilience, and struggles of Black individuals throughout time. School-wide and classroom lessons and activities will be happening throughout the month of February.
100th day of school!
It's amazing that we have reached the midway point of the school year! It's tremendous to see how much our students have grown and progressed since the beginning of the year. Their dedication and hard work truly shine through. We encourage you to celebrate this milestone with your child and acknowledge their efforts and achievements. Please reach out to us if you need assistance with your PowerSchool login information.
We are asking students to make sure that they fill their water bottles prior to starting their classes. We have limited refilling stations and we've noticed that a number of students are missing class time by standing around the "water coolers". We definitely value the student's hydration, and we don't want them to miss too much instructional time.
MCAS Testing
MCAS TESTING is coming up April 4 -11, 2024 and May 13-24, 2024. Please avoid scheduling family appointments and vacations during these windows of time. Thank you!
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPALS TO STUDENTS
Hello MS Students & Families,
We wish to clarify a few expectations as we've just passed the HUNDREDTH day of school! Wahoo! We recognize that none of this information is new. Please see us if you have questions.
1. Paper towels and trash should not be left around the halls or bathrooms. Trash found clogging toilets, sinks, floors will mean more bathroom monitoring
2. Please fill your water bottles by 8AM, and plan to refill as needed during your lunch time.
3. In the halls, please move to the sides to allow others to pass. Be mindful of others. Keep hands to yourself.
4. Cafeteria: eat, seat, be neat and kind.
5. Spirit week next week:
- Monday 2/12: Crazy Hat day
- Tuesday 2/13: Look Alike day (dress like a celebrity, a friend, movie character, etc.)
- Wednesday 2/14: Valentine Attire day (Hearts, red or pink)
- Thursday 2/15: Student & Teacher Swap (Students dress like teachers and vice versa) (respectfully) examples: Collared shirt and tie, or Cardigan
- Friday 2/16: Cozy Clothes and blanket day, with cozy reading time
We have some cool PLT projects happening for Black History Month and School Counselor Appreciation Week. Lunar New Year, All School Assembly, Pep Rally and February vacation are coming soon! So many good things! We know you can realign to these few expectations and continue to shine. Thank you for bringing your best self to school each day!
Thank you,
Mrs. Hurley & Mrs. Rao
PS: The TALENT SHOW will be rescheduled for March 15th!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS TIPS FOR PARENTS
Here are some tips that are geared to Middle Schoolers, to help your student achieve their very best! Each week we will share a tip. We hope you can incorporate these tips into your daily routines with your child or children:
WEEKLY TIP #4 - BE INVOLVED
Participate in school programs and events, such as open houses and conferences, and regularly check your school's website for updates. PowerSchool and Google Classroom can give your detailed information regarding your child's academic progress. Please don't hesitate to reach out to teachers with questions and concerns.
Together we can help your student be the best that they can be!
Mass Partnership for Youth Parent Services
Mass Partnership for Youth (MPY) is an organization that supports schools and other youth programs in the state. They also have an extensive library of resources for parents. MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students' families thrive. Parents can watch or just listen to experts who get right to the point solving big and small challenges. Each Library includes 10-minute videos and handouts, The science behind child development and parenting is abundant. Peace At Home Parenting experts translate it into easy-to-use, strategies for long-lasting change. Tap into the power of the brain-body-behavior connection to gain clarity and confidence to help your family thrive.https://peaceathomeparenting.com/mpy-solution-libraries/
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS COMING UP
February
12th - Student Council's Spirit Week
- Monday: Crazy Hat day
- Tuesday: Look alike day (dress like a celebrity, a friend, movie character, etc.)
- Wednesday: Valentine Attire day (Hearts, red or pink)
- Thursday: Student & Teacher Swap (Students dress like teachers and vice versa) (respectfully) examples: Collared shirt and tie, or Cardigan
- Friday: Cozy Clothes and blanket day, with cozy reading time
16- All School Assembly & Winter Sports Pep Rally
19 - 23rd - February Vacation, No School
March
1st - Aedan Wetherbee Comedy Show Fundraiser - MHS Auditorium
11th - Professional Development Day - No School
15th - Annual Talent Show
29th - Early Release Day, dismissal @ 10:55 am
April
4 - 11th - MCAS Testing
12th - Early Release Day, dismissal @ 10:55 am
15 - 19th - April Vacation - no school this week
MAY
17th - Early Release Day, dismissal @ 10:55 am
13 - 21st - MCAS Testing
27th - Memorial Day, no school
March 1st Fundraiser
Aedan's Story
Aedan Wetherbee is a courageous 15-year-old from Millis, MA who is battling CNS primary, ALK+ Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL). ALCL is a rare form of brain cancer - rare due to Aedan’s young age and the cancer’s location in his brain. Since June 2023 Aedan has been receiving treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology Department. Despite the scary and emotional rollercoaster of treatment which has included intense chemotherapy, stem cell retrieval, and cancer spreading in his body, Aedan has continued to impress his medical team, family, and friends with his positive attitude. In November Aedan received the wonderful news that he is in full remission. Thankfully doctors found a bone marrow donor match and a transplant is scheduled for February 2024. Once he receives his bone marrow transplant Aedan will spend eight to ten weeks inpatient at Boston Children’s Hospital and one year in quarantine at home.
If you have any questions please feel free to email any of the following folks.
Michelle Panciocco mpanciocco@millisschools.org
Shannon Graham sgraham@millisschools.org
Beth Morrill bmorrill@millisschools.org
Thank You for Your Support!
Mr. Kendrick, one of our PE teachers, organized a cornhole tournament to raise funds for Aedan Wetherbee, a Millis sophomore who is currently waiting for a bone marrow transplant due to a rare type of brain cancer. The Millis staff and students enjoyed the friendly competition as they helped raise money for Aedan. Please consider making a donation to Aedan's gofundme page to help relieve the stress of paying the medical bills. Aedan has continued to impress his medical team, family and friends with his unbelievably positive attitude! Thank you to Mr. Kendrick for his efforts and raising over $3,000 for Aedan!
Host Family needed in the fall for Spanish Consular Classroom Assistant
Would you enjoy sharing your home with our incoming Spanish Consular Classroom Assistant beginning in late August? Please see the attached letter.
WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING
Grade 7
Mrs. Hickey's science classes are testing their bridge projects that they have been working on. This was a tremendous engineering project including all sorts of real-life challenges including budgeting for supplies, testing capacity and making several iterations of their bridges. Great job, Grade Seven!!
SPORTS
Please click on the link below for Middle School sports schedules
Boys Tennis Interest Form - Spring 2024
We will be offering Boys Tennis at the JV level for grades 7 - 12 this spring again. If interested, please complete the form below.
Thank you!
Millis Senior Projects
SENIOR PROJECT: FUNDING A SERVICE DOG FOR MILLIS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Paige Zarnofsky, a senior at Millis High, is seeking donations for her senior project. She is fundraising for a service dog for the middle school. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a significant rise in students’ mental health issues at the middle school level. We’ve seen the benefits of having our beloved Harry, the service dog, at the high school level. We would love for our middle school students to be able to have the same opportunity. I’m hoping our community can come together and make this happen for our middle school students. Any donations or sharing this senior project is greatly appreciated. If interested in donating or have any questions you can reach Paige through email at paizar24@millisschools.org. Thank you!