Mooresville Middle School
Community Newsletter -- August 19, 2022
A Message from Mr. Kosal:
Together we make a family!
We hope you find this Newsletter informative about what's happening at MMS, so please take some time to review the updates. If you have questions, always feel free to call the school or email the admin team members listed below.
In this newsletter, you'll read about:
- Immunization requirements - important!
- Email address to alert MMS of absence / provide doctor's note
- Required InfoSnap form for parents to complete - urgent
- MMS Teacher and Staff Member of the month - August 2022
- How to be a parent volunteer for MMS / MGSD
- News (and school spirit clothing) from the MMS PTSO
- Car-rider procedures @ MMS *important updates*
- MMS Cell Phone Policy
- MMS Tardy Policies
- School Picture Days
- Additional School Safety Measures for MGSD
- Upcoming "Coffee with Mr. Kosal" event
- MGSD's upcoming Picnic in the Park event
- How to follow MMS on social media
Thanks for reading, and I hope the first full week of school treated you well, Red Imp families!
Mr. Kosal, interim principal (pkosal@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Brown, 7th grade assistant principal (kbrown@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Richardson, 8th grade assistant principal (tabitharichardson@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Mr. Akelman, Assistant Principal of Instruction (dakelman@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Clark, MMS Athletic Director (annclark@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
7th Grade Immunization Requirement:
Please remember to submit 7th grade student's required Meningitis (MCV) and TDap vaccination records to the school nurse. Records can be dropped off in the front office or e-mailed to the school nurse at LauraCrenshaw@MGSD.k12.nc.us.
The deadline to submit records is September 9th. Exclusion from school will begin on September 12th if records are not received, as stated by NC state law. Contact the school nurse with any questions or concerns.
How to alert MMS of a student absence:
The email address for parents to alert MMS about student absences is: MMSAttendance@MGSD.k12.nc.us
Parents can upload doctor's notes as well. We hope this process will be easier on everyone instead of always sending a note with the student that gets lost so easily!
MMS Congratulates:
Mr. Michael Fulton!
Ms. Lori Degasperis!
First School Dance of the Year: Friday, 8/26
This week's message from the MMS PTSO:
COMING NEXT WEEK!!! MMS PTSO spirit wear webstore!!! Show off your Red Imp spirit by purchasing one of our 2022-23 spirit wear items! Prices range from $12-$28 in sizes youth Medium - Adult 4XL. Watch for a link to begin ordering next Friday. There's something for everyone! (see pictures below for a sneak peek!)
Also, please join our PTSO facebook group! This online community is for parents/guardians of MMS students and MMS staff. We will share information from the PTSO, MMS and MGSD. It is also a place for you to connect with other parents/guardians and the PTSO. We hope you'll join us! https://www.facebook.com/groups/mooresvillemiddleptso
Finally: save the date for the first PTSO meeting of the year. Sept 7th, 8:30am at MMS. Come meet the PTSO executive board and hear about what is planned for this school year. The PTSO is also seeking volunteers to lead the following events and fundraising efforts: Teacher Appreciation, Spirit Nights, Grams, Fundraising and general volunteers. If you plan on volunteering with us, please complete this district required SecureVolunteer: SecureVolunteer Background Check. If you have already completed this process please remember to renew it prior to expiration.
Questions for the PTSO? E-mail us at redimpsptso@gmail.com Thank you for your continued support!
Parent Volunteers Wanted!
Parents of Red Imp students: We need Parent Volunteers this year for a number of school- and district-based groups! Use the QR code shown at right OR click here to fill out an interest form for:
- PTSO for MMS
- Mooresville Motivators (mentors)
- School Improvement Team
- MGSD Parent Advisory Committee
- MGSD Calendar Committee
We appreciate your support of MMS and MGSD for this coming year!
MMS Bell Schedule for 2022-23
Notes on the MMS Bell Schedule (change on logging tardies):
Students may enter MMS at 7:00am. The bell for 1st period rings at 7:20am.
Upon entering the building, students may purchase breakfast at one of the two breakfast carts in the main hallway.
Students will report directly to Imp Time (homeroom) / 1st period. If they need to leave (bathroom, see another teacher, go to main office, etc.), following the MMS policy (i.e. using E-Hall Pass) will be required.
Students on late buses will be excused from tardies.
** change ** Any student arriving after 7:20am will have their MGSD ID card scanned and will be marked as "tardy to school." Tardy tickets will no longer be used and district-issued ID cards will be used instead. (amended by School Leadership Team, 8/17/22)
2022-23 Tardy Policies:
Late to Imp Time / 1st period (after 7:20am):
3 tardies -> student meets with counselor
6 tardies -> counselor-parent conference;
8 tardies -> phone admin-counselor-parent conference;
10+ tardies -> face-to-face admin-counselor-parent
Late to Class (periods 2-7):
1st & 2nd tardy = verbal warning from teacher ( document in EdHandbook)
3rd tardy = teacher-student conference w/ teacher call to parent;
4th tardy = lunch detention with teacher call to parent;
5th tardy & beyond = Office referral
** MMS will be using PBIS / positive reinforcement of “No Tardy Parties” once each quarter during the school day. Only students that have not been marked tardy that quarter will be able to attend.
** Please help us maximize our instructional time with kids by getting your student to school before 7:20am each day. We greatly appreciate your help!
Upcoming Red Imp Athletics:
C'mon out to support our Red Imp athletes next week! Scheduled home events (4:00pm start time) at Mooresville Middle School are:
- Football vs. Knox on Tuesday, 8/23
- Tennis vs. Knox on Thursday, 8/25
- Softball vs. Southeast on Thursday, 8/25
Lockers at MMS
Note: because of the size of MMS and the use of laptops for every class, most students do not have time nor need to visit their lockers between classes. It is not recommended for students to get a hallway locker, but we do provide this option in case of need.
Additional Safety Measures within MGSD schools
In addition, the NC Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently directed law enforcement agencies within DPS (Alcohol Law Enforcement, Community Corrections, Special Operations, and Intelligence Unit, State Capitol Police, and the State Highway Patrol) to conduct regular security checks at schools and community colleges statewide. As part of this effort, MGSD is partnering with the Mooresville office of the DPS. As a result, a probation officer from that office will be stopping by our school campuses each week to check in and be visible.
We are truly excited to continue our partnership with MPD and welcome DPS to the MGSD family!
Coffee with Mr. Kosal
MMS Social Media Handles - follow us!
Facebook: @mooresvillems
Instagram: mooresvillems
Twitter: @mooresvillems
Website: https://mms.mgsd.k12.nc.us/
The Red Cart Project @ MMS
The Red Cart Project is a joint effort by Mooresville Kindness Closet, United Way of Iredell County and Well Equipped Period (MGSD). The Red Cart Project is supporting area schools by putting menstrual hygiene products (MHPs) in 24 bathrooms in five schools and supporting over 2,500 students, including students at Mooresville Middle School.
For more information on this initiative and way you can support the program, click this link to see a pamphlet OR visit the Red Cart Project website.
*Update* Car-rider procedures at MMS:
- When entering from Kistler Farm Rd, there will be TWO lines for cars to form. The staff member with the reflective vest will signal when it's your line's turn to pull up.
- Do not stop to drop your student off by the awning -- we need cars to pull ALL THE WAY UP. Please follow the directions of the staff members on duty.
- Students waiting in the afternoon for their ride must remain behind the yellow safety line on the sidewalk and should wait until their car comes to a stop before approaching.
- It is great for students to socialize with friends, but they must stay alert and watch for their ride. When one car is excessively waiting, the whole line is impacted.
- Please remind students that the front lawn of the school is still school property and therefore our MGSD Student Code of Conduct and MMS school rules still apply.
- * update * All students walking off campus MUST have a parent permission form on file in the MMS front office.
- * update * No students can be picked up via car at any location except for the car-rider line. Students will not be allowed to use the crosswalk to the staff parking lot during car-rider dismissal due to safety reasons.
Thanks for helping us make a safe and efficient car rider line this year at MMS!
Mark your calendars!
School Picture Days
Mark your calendars: MMS school picture days are planned for September 13th (7th grade) & 14th (8th grade).
Further information and order forms will be provided for families closer to these dates.
Make-up picture day is scheduled for September 28th.
Have questions or concerns?
Email: pkosal@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Website: https://mms.mgsd.k12.nc.us/
Location: 233 Kistler Farm Road, Mooresville, NC, USA
Phone: (704) 658-2720