The Mustang Round Up
February 6, 2023
Marshall Celebrates Black History Month
Good Evening Mustang Families,
Each year during February we celebrate Black History Month by honoring the history, teachings, contributions, and achievements of African-Americans. This month, we have a Matters That Marshall video for our students to learn more about our namesake Thurgood Marshall and reflect on the contribution of other Black Americans. In classrooms, our teachers will take opportunities throughout the month to highlight the great thinkers and contributors from the African-American community within their content areas.
As we celebrate Black History Month and continue to create a more inclusive campus, parents, we need your help. With just a few days into February, we've had incidents of students making inappropriate comments regarding Black History Month. Of course in middle school we know students are learning the nuances of race and what's appropriate to say and do and what's not. We are all learning how to undo the legacy of racism and build a more just and inclusive society, but the middle school age is a time when our students need the most attention. Parents, please take the opportunity to remind your student that making derogatory comments towards another person because of their race, skin color, or culture is not acceptable. It does not matter if comments are directed at a friend, words hurt even if they are meant as a joke. It's unfortunate that I need to use the message to share this information, but the number of incidents in the past couple of weeks has been surprising and you need to know as parents so we can partner in this. As research points out, talking about race and racism with kids can actually be one of the most effective ways to counteract racism. If you need help, here are some resources, on how to talk to kids about race and racism.
Thank you for your support and together we can carry on the legacy of Thurgood Marshall,
Josh Way, Ed.D
THIS WEEK! What I Wish My Parents Knew Presentation- Monday, February 6th
We are excited to announce that our Marshall parents are invited to a special experience called “What I Wish My Parents Knew” on Monday, February 6th from 5 – 6:30pm in the SRHS Library. What I Wish My Parents Knew is hosted by Scripps Ranch High, in partnership with the SRHS Foundation. The event is a mental health and wellness resource fair as well as a venue for adults to understand the child perspective of pressure and difficulties that children face today. Each year this has been an extremely powerful night, with mental health and wellness organizations around the county sharing resources and important information. The event is highlighted by a panel of SRHS students who share the obstacles they face in today’s society and how that affects them mentally. It is one of the most memorable nights of the year so you don’t want to miss it. The event is free and all families are welcomed to attend.
Check out our What I Wish My Parents Knew Promo Video featuring some students on our student panel.
Attention 8th Grade Parents- High School Articulation Information
High School course selection process is here.
On January 23rd, students watched an articulation video in their English classes about how to select and register/request for next year’s classes in their Student Portal. Students also received a hard copy of the Articulation Card and Support Document to use while choosing classes. The video, PDF copies of the handouts and additional information for the articulation process have also been uploaded onto the 8th Grade Student/Parent Info page on the SRHS Counseling website. Electronic submissions of course requests in the Student Portal and the Articulation Card submitted to their English teacher were both due by Friday, February 3.
On March 7th and 8th, SRHS Counselors are visiting Marshall to meet one-on-one with students during P.E. class to confirm class choices and answer any scheduling questions students have. Please make sure to review all the materials posted, read the course descriptions on the counseling website and attend the zoom meeting if you have follow up questions, to assist in the decision making process.
Announcement- Student Passwords Were Change January 31st.
As a way to tighten the security of our district network and student information, the district reset all student passwords last Tuesday, January 31st.
Please be sure your student logs out of all devices they were previously logged into and re-log back into with their new password. Routinely logging out is a good way to ensure others cannot access their account.
MMS Spelling Bee Winners!
The Thurgood Marshall Middle School Spelling Bee had thirty-one students in 6, 7, and 8th grade compete to become the 2023 MMS Spelling Bee Champion. There were two semi-finalists who received the same exceptional 48/50 score on the initial exam: Nishka Reddy (8th grade) and Kamryn Liu (8th grade). Nishka and Kamryn were challenged by Ms. Chalupsky and Dr. Schulze to spell words aloud from the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee School Competition List. In the 5th round of competition, a winner emerged. (Afterward, these two kind-hearted competitors challenged each other with even more words!)
Our 2023 Marshall Middle School Spelling Bee winner is Kamryn Liu! She will advance to compete in the San Diego County Spelling Bee in March. Nishka will be the alternate.
Congratulations to all of the participants, semi-finalists, and finalists! Best of luck to Kamryn!
NEW EVENT- Festival of Cultures!
Did you know there are 39 languages spoken at MMS? Let’s celebrate all the many different countries and cultures represented at MMS at our first ever FESTIVAL OF CULTURES! It will be on Wednesday, May 10 at lunch. We are looking for students who would like to host a country table, perform a cultural dance or song, or make a video sharing their culture. If you’d like to participate, fill out this Google Form and more information will be sent to you!
Who's Who at Marshall...
MMS is excited to introduce you to our Associate Principal, Lauryn Edwards. Mrs. Edwards has stepped in this year and made a great impact on our administrative team. She has not only worked to keep our current systems and practices going, but has brought a wonderful energy and spirit to our Health Wellness Committee, starting the Teens Make Health Happen Club. Here's more about Mrs. Edwards:
How many years in education?- Over a total of 13 years, I have taught almost all grades from Preschool through 6th grade. I have been a Multiple-subject Classroom Teacher, a Health and Wellness Teacher and a Physical Education Teacher.
Why middle school?- I was ready for a new challenge and wanted to increase my breadth of experience within varied educational settings.
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?- I love to ski in the winter, hike in the spring, stand up paddleboard in the summer and cook and watch football in the fall. Go New Orleans Saints!
What impact do you hope to make at Marshall?- I hope to utilize my management and community building skills to develop and nurture positive relationships with staff, students and community stakeholders.
ASB Corner
Marshall Middle Parents!
Here is a quick reminder of our special events coming up:
- Since February is around the corner, The ASB is going to be selling Valentine's Grams February 6-10.
Save the Date: ASB is organizing a Spring Dance with a red carpet theme on Friday, April 28th from 5:00-7:00.
Be sure to check out our new logos to our ApparelNow shop, so there are more options for customizing your Marshall Spirit Wear! All proceeds help fund ASB activities on campus, so be sure to check it out! Show your school spirit all year!
Website: https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/marshallmiddleasb/home
ApparelNow: https://apparelnow.com/marshall-middle-school-spiritwear
TikTok: @theactualmarshallasb
Instagram: @asb.marshall
Facebook: @Marshall ASB
Some Things to Consider...
"What is going on with kids these days?" If you haven't said it out loud, then I'm sure you've thought it. The things our kids say, do, and think often boggle us. There is no shame in thinking COVID and the recent civil unrest has left our kids on a less desirable trajectory than previous generations. But wait...what do we really know about this generation? Emerging research is showing that this generation is responding in a surprisingly resilient way and building movements to transform our world for the better. In this article in Forbes, NCEE CEO Vicki Phillips argues that the Gen Z generation is actually quite all right. They are changing the global landscape by developing powerful organizations for social and environmental change and developing breakthrough technologies at younger ages than ever before. Enjoy.