MMS Principal Newsletter
October 2, 2017 @MMSCougarPride
Week of Respect at MMS -Be an Upstander
The theme for the Week of Respect at MMS this year is "Be an Upstander." There will be grade level activities and quotes and video clips on News on Waffles from October 3-6, 2017. We want our kids to think about what it means and why it matters to speak out and speak up when someone is being mistreated or left out. In so doing, we will create a safe and welcoming place for all of our students. On Friday, all grades will attend the Wonder Project assembly sponsored by your HSA. We also encourage our teachers to weave in the theme of being an upstander into their lessons and discussions with students as they deem appropriate. We'd love for you to do the same at home!
Looking for MLK Club Student Members at MMS
We are looking to reinvigorate the MLK Club at MMS. Arielle Wegbreit is the new club advisor. Please encourage your child to join. We'd like to make this the special club it once was at MMS with events and service projects that honor Dr. King's legacy and recognize and highlight the contributions African American people have made to our country and to the world. This club will also take the lead planning MLK day and Black History Month events at MMS. We even hope to organize an oratory contest this year! For more info, contact Ms. Wegbreit at awegbrie@somsd.k12.nj.us.
Save the dates! Upcoming Parent/Guardian Events at MMS
Wednesday, October 11
Middle School Curriculum Information Night (7pm at SOMS for both middle schools). District supervisors and teachers will be on hand to share information about the middle school academic program.
Thursday, October 12
Open HSA meeting at 7pm. MMS leadership team will share information about the HIB communication process and steps we are taking to continually reduce HIB concerns in our school.
Thursday, October 20
The first Coffee and conversation with the principal will be held in the MMS library. There will be 9am and 3:30pm time slots for your convenience. Parents and guardians are invited to come in and chat with the principal in an informal setting. The goal is build relationships with our MMS families.
Greetings from Ms. Gronau
Can you believe last week was only the first full week of school we've had? It has been a busy September and now things are in full swing.
I encourage as many of you who are able to do so to attend the upcoming events highlighted in the "Save the Dates." We want our families to be as informed as possible and we aim to be accessible to answer questions and share ways that you can support MMS academic and extracurricular programming.
Have a wonderful week.
--Ms. Gronau, MMS Principal
Maplewood Middle School Remind App Code @k92d29
This year, the MMS Principal has added a school-wide "Remind App" as another way to communicate with families. Many of your child's teachers will share Remind class codes for you and your child to stay up to date about class events and assignments. As needed, the MMS Principal will periodically use the Remind App to share important info with our school community. Our Maplewood Middle School school-wide code Remind code is listed above (@k92d29). The link below explains how to begin getting notifications. It's a simple way to stay in touch. Join us!
https://help.remind.com/hc/en-us/articles/203179887-How-do-I-join-a-class-
Thank you HSA volunteers!
Thank you MMS HSA board member Bethany Joseph for coordinating a team of great parent/guardian volunteers for picture day! It went off with out a hitch because of all of the extra hands we had helping our kids. The photo studio said we were a model school!
Growth Mindset in MMS Math Classrooms
Special shout-out to the MMS Math teachers who are focused on cultivating a growth mindset in MMS classrooms. Check out this bulletin board that highlights the power of yet! We love this Ms. Felder and Mr. Berezny! What a great message to send to our students.
Ryan O'Dell's archetypes in literature
Mr. O'Dell is tapping into students' interests by using comics and superheros to help students recognize and create their own archetypal characters. He has partnered with a toy company to have students create their own action figures. This has middle schooler written all over it! Great job, Mr. O'Dell.