MP Middle Messenger
Week 21 - 1/31/2020
Week 21 - Hello Semester 2!
This week saw the start of Semester 2 and Quarter 3. Grades are being finalized - next week PowerSchool will reflect the locked grades, however the grades as posted will likely not change unless you have an incomplete or a special situation. Please check final grades, and if your child qualified for honor roll (3.5 GPA or higher, which is more A's than B's, all A's, or all A's and one C) our ceremony will be the morning of February 20. I hope you can join us in celebrating their academic achievement!
Next week has out first boys basketball game and wrestling meet. Come check them out on Thursday! (See calendar for a schedule of their upcoming games and matches.)
Parents - A note of concern: last week we had students participate in a TikTok challenge that involved "sparking out" an electrical outlet using a wall plug and completing the circuit with an additional piece of metal. This is an online challenge meant to be filmed and distributed that is extremely dangerous. Luckily for the student, they were unhurt and the damage was just a destroyed electrical outlet. This particular challenge may result in a fire, electrocution, and/or electrical damage - all in the pursuit of social media likes. Participation in online videos and photos can result in real-world police charges, as this could result in potential arson charges, or students who take and send undressed photos to friends (or distribute someone else's private photo) could be charged with possession and/or distribution of pornography. These are life altering stakes that need to be a regular discussion if you are trusting your child with a smart phone. If you have never learned how to use parental controls, I recommend visiting your cell phone provider's store - they will teach you how to monitor and keep your children safe.
For Q3 I will be including different posters connected to various social media outlets for information use. If your child has a smart phone, please talk to them regularly about how to be smart and safe online, as well as actively monitor their digital presence on any/all playforms they are spending time on (such as SnapChat, Twitter, Facebook, Discord, or many others.) Just like how schools and families teach safety in the community, we must also teach digital safety - both in school and at home. Please make a point to have regular conversations with your children about being smart and safe online.
These posters may require you to zoom to read the text - they are worth your time! This week's poster is focused on Online Challenges such as the TikTok challenge that destroyed an outlet at the school last week.
Important Dates and Events Coming Up!
February 6: 5 pm: Boys Basketball Home Opener vs Bull Run MS
February 6: 6 pm: Middle School Talent Show!
February 6: Wrestling @ Bull Run MS
February 11: 5 pm: Boys Basketball vs Metz MS @ MPMS
February 11: Wrestling @ Metz MS
February 13: 5 pm: Wrestling Home Opener vs Reagan MS @ MPMS
February 13: Boys Basketball @ Reagan MS
February 17: NO SCHOOL due to Presidents' Day Holiday
February 19: 5 pm: Boys Basketball vs Parkside MS @ MPMS
February 19: Wrestling @ Marstellar MS
February 20: Q2 Honors Ceremony: 7:45 am start in MPMS Auditorium
February 20: Family Market at MPHS
February 21: 5 pm: Boys Basketball vs Marstellar MS @ MPMS
****Note: All MPMS Athletic Events require the purchase of a ticket at the door.****
****$3 for adults, $1 for students****
Meet a New Teacher @ MP Middle School!
Ms. Wilson is our new ITRT, who is responsible for teaching teachers new way to integrate technology in the classroom, as well as helping them do innovative technology related classroom activities. She is originally from San Diego. She can be found in her office between the main office and the nurse's office..
Quick Facts about Ms. Wilson:
-Attended Brigham Young University- Idaho B.S and National University (Master’s Degree)
-Majored in Elementary Ed, Educational and Instructional Technology
-Likes Going to the Beach, Collecting Sea Glass
-Enjoys Going to the Movies, Knitting, Crocheting, Photography
-Loves Ice Skating, Technology
When you see her in the building, at a school sporting event, or in the community, please welcome Ms. Wilson to Manassas Park!
Reminder - School Starts at 7:25!
Especially when it rains or is extremely cold, we see an increase in the number of parents driving. This creates a longer than normal backup on Euclid Ave, which may lead to tardiness to school. As a reminder, 3 tardies to school in the same quarter results in an after school detention.
Please continue to use the same arrival procedures in all weather events to keep things moving smoothly, and leave a little early on rainy/cold mornings just in case there are more parents driving than normal.
Thank you!
Check out this week's Teacher Tweets!
2019-20 MPMS SOL Test Schedule!
Save the date(s)!
SOL tests are critical days for the assessment of students and the school.
Please make sure that you do not schedule any trips that would pull your student out of school on or immediately before the following SOL testing dates.
Completed! Semester 1 Grade 8 Civics and Science 8 SOL: January 15, 2020
Grade 8 Writing SOL - Multiple Choice Section: March 17, 2020
Grade 8 Writing SOL - Short Paper Section: March 19, 2020
Read Aloud Testing (only for those with this accommodation, all grade levels): Week of May 11-15, 2020
Math 6 and Geometry SOL: May 19, 2020
Reading SOL for All Grades (6-8): May 21, 2020
All 8th Grade Math SOLs (except Geometry): May 27, 2020
All 7th Grade Math SOLs: May 28, 2020
Semester 2 Grade 8 Civics and Science 8 SOL: May 29, 2020
The 2020 Census is coming to MP! Check out below to see what you need to know!
Reminder for Walkers/Bike Riders In the Morning!
Crossing Guards are an integral part of the team that gets your children to school safely each day. Please note that crossing guards are at their posts beginning at 6:30 am each school morning. As the mornings are dark and many motorists utilize the Bloom Quarry intersection, please help ensure your children are not crossing intersections before crossing guards are in place. Crossing Guards are prohibited from directing traffic, but their presence will assist in safe road crossing for all pedestrians.
Help the Middle School - Here are the Many Different Fundraisers That Are Always Running!
Box Tops: Please continue to snip and send your box tops to school with your students! Or, you can now scan in your box tops using their app - Click here to see more: https://www.today.com/parents/there-s-whole-new-way-collect-box-tops-education-t159507
Shoparoo
Shoparoo is an app that allows you to take a picture of your receipts (from any store )and upload them. When you reach $50, they will mail a check to the school. It doesn’t cost anything and it is an easy way for us to raise some money for our school! Just make sure you choose Manassas Park MS when you set up your account to start earning!
Harris Teeter Together in Education Program
Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. Harris Teeter has donated over $28.7 million to Together In Education schools since 1998! When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to. There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn. All you need to do is go to https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education and click the “Link Your School Today” button. Either log in to your “My Harris Teeter” account or create one using a valid email address and make sure your VIC Card is connected to your online account. Once you are logged in, use code 6643 to add Manassas Park MS to your account so you can start earning for your school!
Shutterfly
Shutterfly is an online photo printing service. You can print photos, canvases, holiday cards and more! If you use the link: https://www.mpms.ShutterflyStorefront.com Shutterfly will donate 8% of your purchase to the school. Be sure to follow our specific MPMS link and purchase using a web browser, not the Shutterfly phone app.
Staples Classroom Rewards
Staples Classroom Rewards program helps parents give 5% of their Back to School purchases directly to their child’s teacher. Teachers will enroll in the program and parents can easily visit the site, select their child’s teacher and enter in their receipt number and purchase amount. This will be automatically added to the teacher’s classroom account. Sales can be donated until 9/15/19 so be sure to get your receipts entered for your students classroom account!
Can't Come to a School Board Meeting? Watch from Home!
Are you the Parent of a Special Education Student?
Also, the Greater Prince William County Special Education PTA is a great resource and support group for parents of children enrolled in special educational programs. They organize events and information sessions for parents, students, and staff.
Connect with us on Twitter!
If you want to see what Mr. Sieloff is reading regarding educationally focused articles and more MPMS, MPHS, and MPCS likes and retweets, follow him @MattSieloff
If you want to be the first to know about any school delays or cancellations, follow our Superintendent @MPCSmcdade
There are also a number of teachers who are showing off what's going on in class on Twitter. If you like their tweets above, follow them!
Check us out!
Matt Sieloff, Principal
Email: matt.sieloff@mpark.net
Website: mpark.net
Location: 8202 Euclid Avenue, Manassas Park, VA, USA
Phone: 703-361-1510
Twitter: @MattSieloff