MIDDLE MATTERS
Everything in the Middle School that matters
Volume 2
PRINCIPAL'S CORNER
November Happenings!
We are one quarter into the school year already. Wow-how time flies. We continue to have a great start and are excited about what is coming up in November.
Veterans Day November 9th
On Friday, November 9th, we will be honoring our veterans and those currently serving in our military in a school-wide program. We will have both the VFW and American Legion Post be part of our program. Students were asked to bring in a photo of family members who have or are currently serving our country. Their picture will be shown on the screen as part of the program.
Give to the Max Day - Thursday, November 15, 2018
Give to the Max day is Thursday, November 15th. On this day many corporate and local organizations will match any funds raised for nonprofit endeavors. MMS is a partner school with PeaceMaker Minnesota. Our partner status gives us an opportunity to raise funds and contribute to the conflict resolution programs here at MMS. Any funds raised on that day will be matched two to one through PeaceMaker corporate sponsors. Please consider clicking on the link below to contribute. Thank you to The Peacemaker Foundation for partnership with MMS and the local and Corporate Sponsors.
Middle School PeaceMaker website
PeaceMaker Minnesota will cover all credit card processing expenses for gifts made through the link above.
Fall Conferences Nov. 15th and 20th
Fall Student-led conferences, are November 15th & 20th. At the August “Back to School Day” we asked parents to sign up for a fall conference time using the MyConferenceTime website.
If we don’t have a time set up for you, we will be calling you asking you to pick a conference time.
When school started in September, we challenged each student to prepare themselves for the upcoming school year. We asked them to envision a very successful school year and to identify specific progress that they would be proud of come the end of the year. At conferences, your child should be able to share the progress they've made so far this school year. They should be able to identify goals they would like to accomplish by spring.
Report Cards available November 15th.
Please, notify the office if you would like a hard copy mailed to your home.
Book Fair
Dates to Remember
Nov. 9 - Veterans Program
Nov. 15 - Conferences 4-8 p.m.
Nov. 20 - Conferences 4-8 p.m.
Nov. 21-26 - Thanksgiving Break - No School
STUDENT FOCUS
Student of the Month
6th-Grade
"Be kind, friendly, happy and always have a positive attitude."
6-2: Audriana Pearson
"Always believe in yourself and give your best, no matter the situation. If someone says you can't, prove them wrong."
7th-Grade
"If you aren't positive, the world will crush you with its troubles."
7-2: Carter Block
"The smallest things can make the biggest difference."
8th-Grade
" Figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life and work towards that every day."
8-2 Quintin Brooks
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" ---Wayne Gretzky
Photo Use Authorization
NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Dear Parents/Guardians of Sixth Grade Students
Upon entry into the 7th grade, the following immunizations are required by law:
An adult dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) after age 11, The second dose of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Three doses of Hepatitis B (HBV), Two doses of Varicella, one dose of Menactra (meningococcal).
If your child has already had these immunizations, they do not need to repeat them. If you wish to declare a conscientious objection or a medical exemption, the necessary form is available at the health office or can be found on the MMS website under student center tab and then form.
Clinics do not automatically fax over your child's immunization record. Please, either have an updated immunization record faxed over to the Middle School Health Office or have your child drop off a copy of their record as they get their required 7th-grade immunizations. Please call the health office with any questions or concerns.
Middle School Health Office Phone: (763) 272-2120 or Fax (763)272-2109
Health Alert: Dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping.
STUDENT CENTER SPOTLIGHT
T.A.C. (Teens Against Chemicals) will be educating their peers on chemical use during Chemical Awareness Week in November.
They will be sharing statistics of chemical use and encouraging their peers to be chemical free. Here are a few current statistics in regards to chemical use amongst adolescents.
- Thousands of young people start smoking cigarettes every day.
Each day, more than 3,200 people younger than 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette.
Each day, an estimated 2,100 youth and young adults who have been occasional smokers become daily cigarette smokers.
Drinking by underage persons (ages 12 to 20) has declined. Current alcohol use by this age group declined from 28.8 to 22.7 percent between 2002 and 2013.
While the use of many street drugs is on a slight decline in the US, abuse of prescription drugs is growing. In 2007, 2.5 million Americans abused prescription drugs for the first time, compared to 2.1 million who used marijuana for the first time.
Among teens, prescription drugs are the most commonly used drugs next to marijuana, and almost half of the teens abusing prescription drugs are taking painkillers.
It’s always important to have a conversation with your child about the dangers of chemical use. Follow the Student Center on Twitter @MSStudentCenter to get more information about chemical and mental health.
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
Activities, Clubs & School Sponsored Groups
MMS offers many extracurricular opportunities for 6th-7th-8th-grade students beyond sports like Speech, Music groups, reading & math clubs.
Details on Middle School Website ~ https://www.monticello.k12.mn.us/domain/171
Upcoming Athletic Season:
Boy Swim/Dive & Girls Gymnastics registration & information meeting is Monday, Nov. 5th at 6:00 @ Monticello High School These are 7-12 programs run through the high school Boys ⅞ Wrestling practice starts Monday, Nov. 19th from 2:45 - 4:30 Register online @ http://www.monticello.feepay.com Middle School wrestling meet schedule can be found online at www.mississippi8.org
Weight Lifting Program for 6-8th grades
Starts Nov. 12 and runs Monday - Thursday from 2:30 - 3:30
Complete an emergency card for registration
No fee to participate in this program
Girls 7-8 Soccer Wraps up with their season at the Stadium on 10-15-18
Homecoming was a huge success at MMS ~ lots of participation, energy and school spirit.
Parent Involvement
We could use your help with 2 events on Thursday, November 15th.
- We will be distributing the fundraiser cookie dough that evening and are in need of volunteers from 3-5:30 pm and from 5:30-8 pm. Please click the link to sign up if you can help out: Cookie Dough Pick-Up
On that same day, the MMSPI will be hosting our annual Staff Appreciation Soup Supper. Please join us in expressing our gratitude for the wonderful staff at MMS by signing up to bring soup, cookies/bars, fruit or veggies, etc. so that they can have a warm, home-cooked supper on this long day of conferences.
Please click the following link to sign up: Soup Supper Sign Up.
Thank you so much for helping us to make these events successful! We appreciate it as do the MMS staff and students!
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