MiMS Newsletter
“Enter to Learn, Strive to Achieve!”
The MISSION of Middletown Middle School is to engage students as 21st century learners who strive to achieve their goals. We support students through rigor and active participation within a culture of cooperation, organization, determination and excellence to prepare our students for college and careers.
“The Vision of Middletown Middle School is to challenge students of all abilities to achieve excellence in a wide range of academic and cultural pursuits. Students are equipped to meet the demands and opportunities of the 21st century by receiving a differentiated, effective, and rigorous curriculum. Staff believe and demonstrate that all students can master the essential 21st century skills. The culture of Middletown Middle will include high expectations for all, frequent monitoring of student progress, multiple opportunities for student learning, high levels of engagement, exceptional communication, and daily purposeful integration of technology. We will make it a priority to recognize the academic and extracurricular achievements of our school community. Middletown Middle School will have highly-motivated professional staff and authentic partnerships between the school and home.”
Value Statements
Teachers actively engage students by interacting, moving around the classroom, and allowing them to own their learning.
Staff will have knowledge of the whole student so that lessons provide challenge and rigor for all abilities.
Teachers facilitate lessons where students are engaged, not merely compliant.
Teachers facilitate lessons that allow for students to lead and take risks.
Staff will make authentic learning opportunities a priority in the classroom.
Staff collaborates to promote 21st century student learning.
Calendar
A Message from Mr. Fer
“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.”
-Chinese Proverb
Over the past year, the Middletown Middle School community has journeyed from participating in full virtual instruction, shifting to hybrid and then shifting once again to welcome as many students as possible four days a week. The quote above affirms the attitude and perspective of every student, parent and teacher throughout this pandemic experience. As an educational community, we have taken a very hard journey together and done so one step at a time AND kept going despite the level of difficulties and challenges faced at each turn.
The last month here at MiMS has seen more students learning in person since March 2020. It has been an incredible journey that was anything but easy, however, it has taught us amazing lessons about the way we learn, teach and interact with one another. We have learned so much more about how to reach out and connect with people on a social and emotional level because maintaining that connection has been absolutely critical to the success of our students, staff and families. As I speak with staff members during our end of the year meetings, what has become more and more apparent is that, as a community, we have grown closer together and been able to strengthen and/or create ties with one another that will serve us well in subsequent years.
“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.”
-Frank A. Clark
So, where has this year led us? Well, we have not yet arrived because the lessons learned this year have been applied to our current situation and will need to be put into practice as we enter the 2021-2022 school year. However, we know that the path we have followed this year was fraught with challenges and obstacles, but where it has and will lead us promises to be extraordinary. Our students have elevated their capabilities for acquiring information as well as the ability to demonstrate their understanding of content in ways not done prior to this school year. Our staff have managed to stretch themselves in how they deliver instruction, relate to students and address their needs elevating their professional capabilities to super hero levels! Knowing all of this and looking eagerly towards the beginning of a new school year in August, I could not be more excited at the possibility for students and staff to experience the GREATEST year ever! How else could we look at the upcoming school year other than with a perspective that is full of hope and optimism? I hope you will join me in looking forward to next year, but also celebrating the successes AND the struggles of this year. For it is in both that we will realize all of the wonderful things that are in store for us in 2021-2022.
I wish all of you the very best summer and hope you enjoy quality time with your family and friends and make wonderful memories together. Have an amazing summer everyone!
Honored to serve,
Paul Fer
Principal
Builders Club
The Builder’s Club at MiMS is a student-led service organization for middle school students. The club provides opportunities for students to work together to provide service for our community.
Some members of our group recently shopped at Safeway for the Middletown Food Bank. The students were broken into 5 groups each with their own budget. They created lists of the Food Bank’s neediest items as well as adding items they thought would be essential for families. These students did a great job and had a lot of fun helping others.
Cafeteria Information
Middletown High school will be an open site to pick up meals for the Summer
Mrs. Lisa and Mrs. Pam would like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Summer!
Counseling Dept
Counseling Office Secretary/Registrar: Chrissy Farron (240-236-4206)
6th grade School Counselor: Ashley Frushour (240-236-4205)
7th grade School Counselor: Liz Bohan (240-236-4256)
8th grade School Counselor: Rachel Butts (240-236-4220)
Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive
The annual Stuff the Bus school-supply drive begins on July 6 and continues through August 4. Local businesses and citizens are encouraged to donate necessary supplies for Frederick County families in need.
Please click this link for a flyer on donation information and locations . or this flyer for the Spanish translation.
Families in need of school supply assistance should click on the following links for pick up information. Please click for a flyer on distribution dates . or this flyer for the Spanish translation.
For questions, please contact Pam Miller, FCPS CASS Coordinator at 240-236-5390 or Joyce Kwamena-Poh, Director of Operations and Human Resources of United Way of Frederick County at 240-578-4009.
FCPS Information
PTSA
Our new board for 2021-2022 is:
Yanira Gordon- President,
Sarah Schwartz-Vice President
Hannah Pillow-Treasurer
Chara Embrey- Secretary.
As always- we hope you will join us!
School Pictures
All students who had pictures taken by Lifetouch had a picture preview packet, with school ID printed.
We still have MANY packages remaining for pick up!
Packages are in the front office and may be picked up during regular school hours.
Picture items left after June 17th will be discarded.
Questions about pictures or yearbooks? Email Dianne.Thompson@fcps.org THANK YOU!
Yearbooks
YEARBOOKS
Sales will continue through June OR until books are SOLD OUT!
There are fewer than 75 books remaining.
You must pre-order to secure a yearbook!
We will not have extras for sale.
All orders are placed online via https://yearbookforever.com/ Please search Middletown Middle School to shop at our yearbook store. $35 Yearbook Only.
Delivery is expected AFTER June 18th. Pick Up arrangements will be communicated via our Find Out First email system once they are here and ready to go!
Arts at MiMS
The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Middletown Middle School held its first annual awards ceremony virtually to honor students.
Theatre Department Awards:
6th grade- Melanie Gerner, Tristan Kopelman, and Bethany Vandre
7th grade- Eden Bishop, Molly Pillow, and Tegan Yarmus
8th grade- Miranda Hall, Alexa Maly, and Colin Rivera
Visual Arts Department Awards:
6th grade - Mairead Hoyt, Aubrey Michaels, Kit Varnadore
7th grade - McKenzie Hargest, Jacob Keeler, Alaina Strader
8th grade - Alayna Hu, Caroline Kulina, Alivia Lipinski
Band and Orchestra Awards:
6th Grade - Caleb Crouse, James Bowman, Allison Tross
7th Grade - Searlait Hoyt, Kayla Knapp, Jack Pillow
8th Grade - Ragan Ganley, Addison Fell, Zachary Clabaugh
Mrs. Pilarcik: Visual Arts
It has truly been a fabulous year in visual arts. Although we faced many challenges, we were able to see students shine through the arts. Below are some recent artworks completed by our 7th and 8th graders. Have an amazing summer!!
Ms. Schuckers-Creative and Visual Arts
7th Grade Creative Arts and 6th Grade Visual Arts Students
If anyone from last year or this year that has Ms Schuckers and would like their portfolios or artwork please contact Ms Schuckers to get your work - Email karey.schuckers@fcps.org
Thank you to all my creative students for your drive and dedication this year! It has been such a wonderful year to see the creativity continue to grow even during these unique times. thank you students and have a wonderful summer
-Karey Schuckers
Theatre Arts
Lost Arts is a showcase idea that came about during the time of Covid as we prove that great art still happened within Middletown Middle School. The struggle may be great at times, but Art can help us through. Thank you to all students and staff who contributed to the Lost Arts Showcase. We are so proud of you!
Here is the link to the video.
Band/Orchestra
Middletown High School Marching Knights
Registration for fall 2021 now open!
Drumline auditions are June 7th and 8th at 3 - 4:30 with audition videos due June 4th.
Go to http://mhsknightsmusic.net/home/Marching.html for repertoire and info.
Please register by June 4th. The commitment fee must be paid in order to audition.
Dance Line auditions are June 8th at 3:00.
Please contact, Matthew Shearer, matthew.shearer@fcps.org, with any questions.
Career & Technology Education
Mr. Seiler- Pre-Engineering Grade 8 - Students will be finishing up the airplane unit by designing and building a plane, if there is time left in school.
CSI Grade 7 - Students will be concluding their study in game development in CODE.org
Tech Expo Grade 6 - Students will be studying about leaders in the engineering field.
I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and will see you next year
Mr. Dulberger: 7th grade Invention & Innovation (CTE) - The 7th grade Invention and Innovation students are applying the Engineering Design Process unit one last time! This time the students are designing, programming and beta testing their very own video game. During our computer science and robotics unit students have been introduced to basic programming concepts, block based coding, and problem solving strategies. The students were given a lot of choice during this fifth and final unit with a playlist and project options. Despite the challenges we’ve faced during the 2020-2021 school year, Invention & Innovation students have used a growth mindset to persevere and think critically about real world problems and careers. Thank you for your support and dedication to our class this past semester. We certainly have some future engineers, inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovators among us! Have a great summer!
6th grade Visual Arts - The 6th grade visual artists have worked very hard this year to create some incredible artwork! As we near the last day of school students will be finishing up their Term 4 Studio Project. For this final part piece students will take or create an original piece and turn it into a mosaic! This project also concludes our unit with the principles of art. Thank you families for your support and dedication to our class this past school year. Each student has demonstrated their ability to express themselves through the arts in their own unique way. Have a great summer!
Mrs. Ledford: Food Science students were able to wrap up this year with our food preparation unit and the nutrition unit. We learned how to make "eggs-in-a- frame" and tried our hand at "cake mix cookies". Hopefully, students will practice those hand dish washing skills at home, as well as a little cooking! Our basil plants grew and are headed to some local student gardens. Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing summer!
Mrs. Stuart: 7th and 8th grade Life Skills are finishing our Child Development Unit. Students learned about keeping kids safe especially while babysitting, basic first aid, appropriate games and activities, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the 4 styles of parenting, diapering and feeding babies and toddlers, as well as jobs and careers in the area of Child Development.
Mrs. Duvall: In Lab 21, we are finishing up our 3D printing unit! Students names are being drawn from a 3D print raffle system to see whose designs will be printed. Next week, we are finishing up the school year with a review of the things we've learned by playing a Goosechase Scavenger Hunt game! Mrs. Duvall thanks all of her students for their hard work this school year, and wishes everybody a great summer!
Language Arts
7th Grade-Seventh grade ELA: Thank you for an incredible year! We consider ourselves fortunate to have such wonderful students and families! You have adapted and grown with us every step of the way! We can't thank you enough! Have a GREAT summer!
From Mrs. Karajeh: This is my last year here at Middletown Middle. It saddens me to go. I will cherish every memory made here and am so grateful for each precious moment with your students. Thank you for helping me grow into a greater teacher each day!
8th Grade-Students are reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet! After practicing writing Shakespearean sonnets, students are interpreting this iconic play to determine themes still applicable today. Please encourage your son/daughter to return any novels and books assigned. Have a great summer!
Literacy Specialist
Check out Frederick County Public Library’s Summer Challenge program!!
Also, take a few minutes to look at the fantastic book recommendation links! FCPL has compiled an extensive list of books for all readers. See if there is one in there for you!
(https://www.fcpl.org/learn/book-recommendations)
What's happening in Math?
As summer break begins, many of us are looking forward to some lazy days by the pool or at the beach. We often find ourselves immersed in a favorite book that we have been wanting to read. Now imagine filling a lazy beach day with fractions, or stretching out in the back seat on a road trip and practicing long division. For many of us, summer and mathematics just don’t seem to mix. Here are some tips to beat the summer math slump:
Highlight the math in everyday activities. When shopping, help kids calculate change or discounts. Calculate the miles per gallon while on a road trip. When watching a baseball game, talk about what players’ statistics mean. When cooking, try halving or doubling a recipe.
Play math games. Games like Yahtzee, Racko, Blokus, and Monopoly all rely on skills necessary for math, such as counting, categorizing, and building. Even playing with blocks and assembling jigsaw puzzles can help kids learn spatial skills and recognize patterns.
Find small ways to practice math at home. While worksheets alone won’t solve summer math slump, small amounts of practice with basic formulas can help. Problem-of-the-day math calendars are a great way to practice basic math problems on a small scale. Here are links to summer calendars for each grade level:
Students Entering 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, Algebra 1, and Geometry.
Completed summer packets may be turned in next fall to receive a prize.
Media Specialist
Summer reading programs
Keep your children reading with one of these great summer reading programs!! All are free to join and many have prizes for students that complete the challenge!
Frederick County Public Library
Washington County Public Library
25 Book Challenge - Celebration
In September our literacy specialist, Mrs. Casey, and the school librarian, Mrs. Poscover challenged students to read 25 books before June1st. Despite the odd year, 11 students met the challenge!!! On the 8th and the 10th of this month students gathered in the media center to celebrate their achievement. Students had a donut celebration, received a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble and were able to choose a free, brand new book to jump start their summer reading. A GREAT time was had by all.
Overdue Library Books???
All students who have overdues have been contacted. If you are unsure if your child is one of them please contact Mrs. Poscover for that information. mary.poscover@fcps.org Books can be returned at any time to the box at the front of the school.
E-books sources
FCPL - Frederick County Public Library’s site. Access to a lot of digital content and ebooks. Students can use the following code to access all materials:
119829 + their 8 digit student ID#
Sora - FCPS’s new ebook platform has hundreds of fantastic books and is easy, easy, easy to use. Try this new product today!!
Physical Education
Thank you parents for a great year! We hope that the summer and backyard games that we have worked on this spring are something that you and your family will enjoy! We are looking forward to seeing students back in the fall all 5 days! Ready to rock and roll!
Be on the look out for information about PE uniforms and spirit wear for sale in August!
Rising 9-12 graders interested in Fall 2021 sports.
Middletown High School Fall 2021 "Meet the Coaches"
Middletown High School
Fall 2021 "Meet the Coaches"
Meetings Begin Monday, June 7
Are you a rising 9th through 12th grade student enrolled at Middletown High School and interested in participating in a fall sport? MHS fall coaches will hold information sessions for their programs in order to provide:
- Summer Plans
- Conditioning
- Wednesday, August 11 Start Information
- Paperwork
- General Coaches Philosophy and Program Objectives
See link, below, for meeting schedules and coach contact information:
FCPS Athletic Info
FCPS Athletic Start Dates for 2021-2022
Fall Sports Start August 11, 2021
Winter Sports Start November 15, 2021
Spring Sports Start March 1, 2022
Online Registration... will open for Fall sports in July
Science
7th Grade- Happy JUNE! Happy almost summer!
THANK YOU so much to all of the 7th grade students, parents, family, and friends!! YOU were an amazing part of Science class!! This year, we learned outstanding science facts about the excellent Earth's Processes, the importance of Energy, the coolness of Chemistry, exciting Ecosystems, humbling Human Impact, and more. Thank you for your dedication to learning. Thank you for making this world a better place and reaching for your goals! Dream big, enjoy science, and good luck in all of your classes next year. Ms. Martz and Ms. Staley thank you so much for an outstanding year!!
8th Grade-Students in science we have been learning about waves, specifically sound and light waves. We applied our knowledge light waves by seeing if light is absorbed by our solar ovens; if light is absorbed then we could melt chocolate and enjoy a tasty treat S'mores! Finally, we will end the school year with some chemistry magic by making ice cream in a baggie! Have a great summer everyone and thank you for making the best of this year and creating memories.
Social Studies
7th Grade-Ms. Emerick's and Mr. Bittner’s classes will spend the remainder of the school year investigating the colonization of the New World. We will also determine reasons for the forced immigration of African slaves, address the different causes for English settlement, and identify how geography influenced economic differences among the regions of the thirteen British colonies. This is where students will pick up next school year in 8th grade. Thank you all for a wonderful year! It was a unique and challenging for all, but the students persevered and showed considerable grit. Have a great summer!
8th Grade-In American Studies I, we are finishing the Closing of the West and will end the year with a study of the Industrial Revolution. This is where students will pick up as 9th graders in American Studies II. On our last day of class, we will have a National Park Service Living Historian coming in to present information about the lives of Civil War soldiers. Topics covered will include what life was like for soldiers during the Civil War, and, as per student request, local Civil War history and prisons of the war.
Mrs. Kefauver and Mr. Wishner would like to thank our hard-working 8th grade students and their families for working with us throughout this challenging year. We wish you all the best in high school and can't wait to hear about all of the wonderful things you do!
World Languages
All world language, French and Spanish students. Ms. Burrall and Ms. Toombs would like to thank you for your hard work and participation in our language classes this year. We wish our 8th grade students good luck next year in high school with your continued language studies and hope to see our 6th and 7th grade students continuing in languages next year! Keep practicing whenever you can over the summer and see you in August!