Good Evening Mustang Families,

This coming week marks the 9th month in the lunar year observed by our Muslim families which signals the beginning of Ramadan on March 22. Ramadan is an important time for families that involves fasting, prayer, self-reflection, charity, and community. This is all done to improve oneself and ultimately improve the greater community. Ramadan is a chance for Muslims to re-examine the way they have lived their lives over the past year and set goals to live better lives in the year to come. It’s a special time for Muslims to pray and find peace and contentment. And it’s also a time for family and community: this month is filled with gatherings and social events. Families will often cook together and kids get to stay up late during communal prayers and eat some of their favorite treats with friends and family. As part of the fast, healthy adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, and negative thoughts from sunrise to sunset for 29 or 30 days depending on the schedule of the moon. Each year, more and more of our Marshall students participate in fasting during Ramadan. This is an important decision for the student and family and we at Marshall want to make sure our Muslim students feel safe and supported as they take this important step in their lives.

I hope you can join me in supporting them during this special month. You may say things like “Happy Ramadan” or “Ramadan Mubarak” or simply say great job on observing Ramadan or fasting. If your student learns that another student is fasting, please encourage them to be respectful during lunchtime and breaks. Regardless of our individual faiths and religious practices, it's times like this when we can all learn from our friends and share in the appreciation and commitment to personal, cultural, and spiritual growth.

Have a great week and Ramadan Mubarak,

Josh Way, Ed.D

MMS school needs your feedback! Please take a few moments to complete an online survey so we can learn more about your opinions about our school. This survey is an opportunity to communicate your perceptions about MMS. This letter explains the survey and, at the bottom of the page, provides your URL and access instructions. This survey closes March 24th, 2023.

MMS is excited to host the San Diego School Police and San Diego Police Department emergency training on the Marshall campus during spring break, March 27-31st. All week, officers will be training and practicing how to respond to active threats on a school campus. We're excited that Marshall is hosting, so school police can learn the ins and outs of our site. Volunteers will be needed on Friday, March 31st from 8:30-12:30 to act as role players. To sign up, fill out this google form.

Also, please be aware there will be heightened police activity on campus during spring break.

Enrollment forms for Summer School are now available until April 14th. Fill out the paper enrollments forms and turn in the MMS front office. You can download the forms here: English; Spanish; Vietnamese; Tagalog

Enrollment forms are not necessary for students who are already enrolled in the ESY through their IEP. Marshall Middle School is not a Summer School host site this summer.

Did you know there are 39 languages spoken at MMS? Let’s celebrate all the many different countries and cultures represented at MMS at our first ever FESTIVAL OF CULTURES! It will be on Wednesday, May 10 at lunch. We are looking for students who would like to host a country table, perform a cultural dance or song, or make a video sharing their culture. If you’d like to participate, fill out this Google Form and more information will be sent to you!

Marshall Middle Parents!

Here is a quick reminder of our special events coming up:

• The Marshall Market will be open during lunch every Wednesday in March! Visit our Student Store (vinyl stickers, mechanical Smencils, keychains, erasers, and more!), check out Games (Jenga, Connect 4, Uno, Corn Hole, cards) and make Suggestions for ASB.

• Save the Date for the Spring Dance! The Red Carpet Gala Dance is Friday, April 28th from 5-8 pm. More information coming soon!
• ASB needs your song suggestions for our lunchtime music playlist! Please fill out this form if you want us to play your favorite song. Song Suggestions form: https://forms.gle/4tySJUEhfpPtNp99A

Be sure to check out our new logos to our ApparelNow shop, so there are more options for customizing your Marshall Spirit Wear! All proceeds help fund ASB activities on campus, so be sure to check it out! Show your school spirit all year!

Website: https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/marshallmiddleasb/home

ApparelNow: https://apparelnow.com/marshall-middle-school-spiritwear

TikTok: @theactualmarshallasb

Instagram: @asb.marshall

Facebook: @Marshall ASB

Students have a lot more power and influence than we think. More and more evidence is pointing to bringing students into the planning and implementation of school programs and activities, especially school climate and anti-bullying programs. This article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education explains that while the adults on campus need to create the systems, structures, and classroom environments that promote safety and a welcoming environment, students need to be brought into the process to help build a healthy student culture. Even in middle school, their insights and imagination can be powerful tools in creating a successful school climate to tackle bullying and other behavior issues.