MP Middle Messenger
Week 5: 10/2/2020
Let's Talk About Testing!
As we approach the halfway point of first quarter, we will be moving from smaller quizzes and start taking bigger tests, including some standardized tests such as STAR testing. Having accurate results when testing is very important, as that tells teachers what students know and don't know, which shapes lesson planning to meet the needs of students. While good grades are important, accurate testing data is more important - because if students get a great score on a test, but don't understand the information, teachers will incorrectly believe the concepts are well taught, instead of taking time to reteach a skill to their class.
So when you see a big test on the Monday assignment newsletter for your student's grade level, do your best to use the MAPS acronym to help us get accurate testing data through a positive testing environment for all students:
•Monitor – Stay nearby where your child is testing to ensure they remain focused, but avoid hovering and distracting.
•Atmosphere – Provide a quiet area at a table or desk that is free from distractions. Students may need headphones for the assessment.
•Prepare – Ensure your child is well rested and has a good breakfast.
•Support – Students should complete the test independently. The purpose of these assessments is to help teachers understand what your child knows. Some assessments may be used for a grade. If they get stuck or ask for help, simply encourage them to choose the best answer and then move on to the next question.
The official letter from MPCS concerning testing can be found by clicking the button below.
Go through this week's newsletter to see updates from the Library, Counseling, as well as some examples of student work turned in this week. MPMS is doing some exceptional things - check them out!
And as always, if you have questions or challenges, please call MPMS at 703-361-1510. Our office is open from 8:00-3:00 every weekday, and we are here to support the entire MPMS community - students and parents!
October is Bully Prevention Month
Library Bookmobiles start on Monday, October 5th!
Scroll down to the library updates section for a video on how to reserve the book you want!
Need Tech Support?
If your child is experiencing any technology trouble, please email it.support@mpark.net. They will assist with any technology needs and repairs.
If you need a Wifi hotspot, they are available! Please email it.support@mpark.net to arrange a pick up at MPMS.
Check out some Student work from this week!
Ms. Bollinger's Class is Reading Hunger Games
A comic from one of Ms. Bollinger's students!
Student Design for a Foot Orthosis with Mr. Kinane
Meet a New Face @ MP Middle School!
Ms. Nicole Kmiec is our new 7th Grade Mathematics teacher, coming to Manassas Park from her hometown of Scranton, PA!
Quick Facts about Ms. Kmiec:
-Attended Shippensburg University!
-Majored in Middle Level Education!
-Likes to go hiking and do arts and crafts!
-Enjoys spending time with family and her puppy, Moose!
-Loves teaching all her great seventh-grade students!
When you see her in the middle school or in the community, please welcome Ms. Kmiec to Manassas Park Middle School!
Keep your MP Device up and running!
If your device isn't working well or needs a physical repair, email it.support@mpark.net to schedule a repair with our IT team.
Don't delay - we want to make sure everyone is ready to learn every day!
Any finally, if you have any tech questions at all, email the IT team at it.support@mpark.net at any time. They will be happy to help you!
A celebration of student progress from Ms. Alhawsawi!
These season pictures are from my newcomer class and half of these students are truly newcomers to this country. We had to start teaching them the English alphabet and how to click on an online link. It is truly a great feeling to witness their quick learning journey. Even though learning virtually could have added extra challenges for novice learners, these students are up to the daily challenge. They are learning English and online technology and are doing fantastic . I’m very proud of all of them.
Ms. Alhawsawi's Class Drawing Seasons on Jamboard
Ms. Alhawsawi's Class Drawing Seasons on Jamboard
Ms. Alhawsawi's Class Drawing Seasons on Jamboard
Pick Up a WEEK's Worth of Food on Monday!
Now you can pick up 5 lunches and 5 breakfasts at a time for your child(ren).
This drive-thru style pick-up will be held at FOUR locations every Monday.
8:30 – 11 am at Cougar Elementary via Cougar Court
11:30 am - 12:30 pm at the MP Community Center/Dog Park
1:30 - 2:30 pm at Sandstone Way & Manassas Drive
3:30 – 6 pm at Manassas Park Middle School
Meals are limited to one set of meals per child, per week.
Meals must be picked up on Mondays only.
Proof of enrollment, or bringing a child(ren) to pick up, is required for parents to pick up meals. Proof of enrollment can include a student ID card, report card, or any other school communication containing the students name(s). If you need assistance with providing proof, the food services department can make an ID badge which you can use for future visits.
If your children are not school aged, our food services team will work with you to provide a proof should you wish to pick up without children in the future. Please talk to them during the pick-up time slots noted above.
We hope that replicating our Summer Feeding Program and adding an additional pick up location and window will permit more families to take advantage of this FREE service.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve as many people in our community as possible.
MPMS School Counselor Update!
MPMS Library Updates!
The Library Bookmobiles will start in October!
Log in to the library catalog and put the book on Hold
Pick up the book at the following locations:
In the MPMS Main Office
From the Library Bookmobiles on Mondays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Manassas Park City Library
Manassas Park Community Center
September is Public Library Card Sign-Up Month!
In addition to your school library, you can get two public library cards to access even more resources. For the new Manassas Park City Library, sign up with your parents present by clicking here https://manassasparkcitylibrary.org/get-a-library-card/. Use your home (not school) email address. If you do not have a Prince William County Public Library card, you can sign up here as well https://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/library/Pages/How-To-Get-A-Library-Card.aspx.
Read Aloud Accommodation During Asynchronous/Independent Learning
Canvas has a very helpful feature for students that may need to have directions read aloud to them or benefit from hearing something as well as reading it themselves.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
To get started, click on the play button that you will see hovering inside Canvas
LISTEN TO THE CONTENT
Simply click the Listen button to listen to the content of a web page:
For additional directions click on the following link.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GoNEmP6_Ys0uxY7Z_iTwMDXUNEN5qNCQNtr99fZ7Auw/edit?usp=sharing
Looking for Child Care Support for Elementary School Age Children? Check out MP Parks & Rec!
Parents are our Partners - Keep us up to date on your contact information!
If you do not have an email address, please set one up, as email is the most commonly used communication tool for Canvas announcements and teacher updates. Any gmail, yahoo, msn, mail.com, etc. address will work. Just set it up, put it into PowerSchool's parent portal, and check it to stay up to date on what is going on at MPMS with your child.
We greatly appreciate your help and want to keep you informed! Together we will make remote learning work for your child.
Monday Grade Level Updates!
Our hope is that this due date list will help you check up on your child's progress and make sure all assignments are turned in on time - so PowerSchool never has a missing assignment or a zero.
Let us know how it goes - and let us know if you have any ideas on how to help you support your children's education at home!
Middle School Sports!
If your child is getting an annual physical with their pediatrician and plans to play a sport this school year, please have your doctor fill out the sports physical form (link below.)
Sports physicals are good for the entire school year, so any completed this fall will still be valid for a potential winter or spring sports season.
Please Make Sure All Debts are Paid!
Please pay and settle all outstanding fines (technology obligations, library fines, etc.) as soon as possible. Payments can be made by cash or check or online at myschoolbucks.com. If you are paying for a technology obligation by check, please make checks payable to MPCS.
If you have any questions or need to know what your student owes, please contact Mrs. Wence, the Bookkeeper, in the front office. 703-361-1510, x17102 or via email at kim.wence@mpark.net.
Thank you for your assistance.
Can't Come to a School Board Meeting? Watch from Home!
Connect with us on Twitter!
If you want to be the first to know about any school delays or cancellations, follow our Superintendent @MPCSmcdade
There are also a number of teachers who are showing off what's going on in class on Twitter. If you like their tweets above, follow them!
Check us out!
Matt Sieloff, Principal
Email: matt.sieloff@mpark.net
Website: mpark.net
Location: 8202 Euclid Avenue, Manassas Park, VA, USA
Phone: 703-361-1510
Twitter: @MpMiddle