Hello MCMS Families,

Can you believe it is finally here? Back to school time! We are so excited to be welcoming our learners back to school. Thank you all for your attendance at our Back to School Night and Open House! We had so many families in the school!

On the first day of school, learners will go to their Baron Times for the whole day. They will engage in our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) lessons and get familiar with their computers. Learners will learn where their lockers are and will receive their agendas. All learners will have the opportunity to review expectations and key components of their handbooks and will discuss how to be difference makers at MCMS at grade-level meetings led by Dr. Nemeth. Finally, we will end our day with a big "Back to School" kick-off assembly.

Here at MCSD, we truly believe that "when we ignite passion and purpose, learners become difference makers." We are excited to see what this year holds for our learners. We will be focusing on one Difference Maker trait per month to highlight learners. For September our focus will be on being a Responsible Citizen. We will focus on learners being responsible both at school and in the community. We are looking forward to a great month!

Please check out the rest of the newsletter for a more detailed description of all you can expect in the 22-23 school year!

We are Barons... We are Difference Makers!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your continued support!

Sincerely,

Krystle Nemeth

We would like to welcome our NEW MCMS Learning Facilitators and wish the best of luck to our current Middle School Learning Facilitators moving into new positions this school year!

• Elizabeth Bender - Assistant Principal - Welcome back to MCSD!
• Rachel Moyer - 5th/6th Grade Art (board approved in September)
• Adrian McCoy - 8th Grade ELA
• Dana Sick - FLEX - Welcome back to MCMS!
• Laura Ortiz - New .5 ESL Teacher
• Taylor Wiederrecht - 6th Grade ELA
• Shane Neiffer - 8th Grade Science
• Kandis Sharp - 7th Grade Science
• Ashley Stank - Moved from 7th Grade to 5th Grade Math
  
• Jonas Atkinson - Itinerant Emotional Support
• Janelle Groff - 5th and 6th Learning Support (Janelle will be on maternity from the start of the year through January 2nd)
• Alexander Schweizer - Long-Term Substitute for Music (Megan Wagner)
• Kelly Shreiner - 7th/8th Grade Learning Support Para
  
• Nicolle Maioriello - 7th Grade Math
  
• Heather Ginder - PCA
  
• Sally McCauley - PCA (shift of position)
  
• Denise Hess - 5/6 Learning Support (shift of position)
• Sue Voegele - 5/6 Learning Support Substitute (August 30 - January 2nd)
• Jane Phillips - ES Substitute (August 30 - October 31st)
• Kasey Kreider - Long Term Substitute Health and PE for Kristin Schimp

September 5th, 2022 - No School

September 6th, 2022 - First Day of School

September 8th, 2022 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 PM in the MCMS Media Center

September 21st/22nd, 2022 - Hearing Screening

September 22nd, 2022 - Baron Breakfast @ 6:45 AM

September 26th, 2022 - School Board Meeting at MCSD District Office

September 30th, 2022 - Picture Day

September 30th, 2022 - Sign-Off on Learner Handbook (see link below)

October 13th, 2022 - Paint Night at MCMS! 6:00 - 7:30 PM

To provide learners with an opportunity to get assistance on schoolwork (not just homework), Manheim Central Middle School is proud to offer Learner Support Time (LST) after school for ANY learner wishing to get additional assistance. Learner Support Time will begin on Monday, October 3rd, 2022.

Fifth and sixth grades will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays and seventh and eighth grades will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:50 until 3:55 PM. LST will be staffed with at least one (typically two) MCMS learning facilitators who can assist learners. This free service is available whenever students need it. The schedule for LST will be posted on the school calendar. To access go to manheimcentral.org – Schools – Middle School – Events Calendar.

We just ask that we have documented prior approval from parents for all learners participating (see form below). Learner Support Time is held in the Media Center, and students will be dismissed out the main entrance to the Middle School. All learners will be dismissed at 3:55 PM, so we also ask that parents are prompt in picking learners up if they stay the entire time. All communication should occur by 12:00 PM the day you would like your child to participate in LTS. Please feel free to send in the attached form to the main office or contact Manheim Central Middle School at 717-664-1700.

If you would like your child to regularly participate in Learner Support Time, please complete the attached form. Forms are also available in the Main Office!

The Health and Physical Education Department has developed the following uniform policy for learners in grades five through twelve: Learners MUST wear a standard uniform consisting of:

1. Plain maroon or black gym shorts

• No short running or cheering shorts

2. T-Shirt

• Option 1: Gray t-shirt- PLAIN or it can also have an MCSD related message

• Option 2: White t-shirt- must have some MC-related printing on the front; NO PLAIN WHITE

3. Athletic socks

4. Gym shoes/sneakers- No boots of any type.

Samples of acceptable and unacceptable uniforms may be viewed on the web pages of Physical Education Teacher.

Uniforms may be purchased at a variety of stores including: Shaub’s Dry Cleaning- 22 South Main Street, Manheim 665-2221

Longenecker’s True Value- Manheim Shopping Center Doe Run Road, Manheim 665-2491

Please be advised that a form will be coming home with your child on the first day. This form is for our nurse. Please complete the half-sheet of paper and send it back with your child by September 9th, 2022.

Each learner will receive an agenda on the first day of school. It is expected that each learner carries their agenda with them each day. Many facilitators have learners write down assignments for each class. They also must use this to sign out of class to use the restroom, go to the nurse or office, or any other location in the building. If lost they will need to purchase another at the office for $5.00.

We love to share what our learners are doing here at MCMS, but if you would not like your learner's photo taken and sent out in newsletters, posted on Facebook, and published in the yearbook, we understand. We are aware this question was asked on Registration Gateway and our numbers are much higher than in years past, so we want to be sure we are getting an accurate count. Please fill out this form if you DO NOT want your child's photograph to be taken. Please fill out the form for each MCMS child in your household. Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdArojBdoPvJ_DpfrNtfWKrv_dhZFKejg6R6ayGJt9OX39Axw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Doors will open for learners at 7:15 AM. For safety, we ask that learners are not dropped off prior to 7:15 AM.

If you are dropping off a 5th or 6th grader, you will utilize the car loop near the district office off of Hamaker Road. Learners will then enter door 29. Please be sure that you are utilizing the car loop in the district office parking lot and not parking in the district office spaces (when learners have to walk across the parking lot, it can be dangerous as cars are continuing to loop through the lot).

The 7th and 8th-grade loop is located in front of the middle school main office entrance. Learners will enter the building through door 2.

Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding these procedures.

Our school day begins at 7:40 AM.

When leaving school, a staggered dismissal schedule will be utilized, beginning at 2:40 PM. Walkers will be the first dismissed, then car-riders, wave 1 bus students, then wave 2 bus students.

All car riders can be picked up at 2:45 PM in the front loop near the main office entrance. For safety, please be aware of crosswalks and learners who may be utilizing them as you are waiting in line. Reminder, you will need to loop through the back parking lot at the afternoon dismissal. Please follow the traffic cones. We need this added loop to allow for the increased number of cars at parent pick-up so that the car line does not spill out onto Stiegel Valley Road.

Our grades will be updated each Tuesday and Thursday. Please utilize the Home Access Center by following the steps below:

1. Go to www.Manheimcentral.org.

2. Click on ‘Parents’.

3. Click on 'Home Access Center' and input your credentials.

If you want to see grades in ‘real-time’ (without waiting for the progress report which is generated on Thursday afternoons), follow these additional steps:

4. Select ‘Classes’.

5. Select ‘Full View’.

This will allow you to view all assignments, grades for each assignment, and overall grade as well.

All student emergency information (medical, contact, etc.) must be updated annually. We will again be using Back to School Gateway to electronically update records. You will find the link on the district website parent page through Friday, September 9, 2022. Please edit the information for all your learners individually at your earliest convenience. https://cas.mcbarons.manheimcentral.org/cas_Manheim/login

There will be many opportunities to volunteer here at Manheim Central Middle School! Whether it is helping out at school functions, chaperoning field trips, or helping out a club or sports team, we welcome volunteers as partners in your child’s educational experience. Please note, all volunteers need the proper clearances and paperwork on file with the district. This process can take some time, so we encourage anyone wishing to volunteer to begin filling out the forms now. Forms and instructions are located on Manheim Central’s district homepage under ‘Parents’ and ‘Volunteering’ (see link below). Please note, once initial clearances have been obtained, they are good for 5 years.

Manheim Central Middle School’s dress code policy can be found in full in the MCMS Handbook. The following represents the essential components of this policy:

All clothing must cover stomach, back, chest, upper thighs, and undergarments. Shoes must be worn at all times. No bare feet, slippers, or socks only are permitted.

School officials will impose limitations on dress or attire which interferes with the teaching and learning process, disrupts the educational climate, or constitutes a health or safety hazard. Learners dressed inappropriately will be required to change. Repeated violations of the dress code may result in further disciplinary action.

Two processes were implemented at MCMS to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all learners. Safe 2 Say Something is a state-wide initiative that allows learners to anonymously report safety issues. Reports can be made which come directly to school personnel as well as law enforcement which allow for a quick response to a potentially life-threatening situation such as suicide ideation, drug use, etc. All middle school learners were trained on this reporting system last school year. This year, 5th grade learners as well as any learners new to our school will be trained so they are aware how to access and use the system. The website can be found at https://www.safe2saypa.org/ although tips can be reported through a phone call or available app download.

Additionally, our MCMS Learner Appointment Scheduling system helps to make it more accessible for learners to report something or ask for help. This system allows learners to schedule an appointment with the administration or one of our school counselors. These appointments can be academic, socio-personal, or safety-related. This is just another tool that MCMS gives learners to increase their ability to self-advocate as well as handle issues and conflict in a healthy and proactive way. We encourage all learners feeling overwhelmed by an issue to schedule an appointment. Please also feel free to encourage your child to access this!

We are excited to announce that Manheim Central Middle School will be engaging in our Baron Breakfasts for the 22-23 school year! Baron Breakfast centers around our core components of being a Difference Maker. One parent with their child will be encouraged to attend! We will communicate specifics on how to sign up closer to the date of each event. The schedule for the 2022-2023 Baron Breakfast Events at MCMS is outlined below.

Dates for the Baron Breakfast events for the 22-23 School Year are:

• September 22nd, 2022
• November 10th, 2022
• January 26th, 2023
• March 23rd, 2023
• May 25th, 2023

If you would like to donate for any of these events, please reach out to Mr. Huber: huberma@manheimcentral.org. Thank you!

Looking to get more involved in your child's school? Enjoy helping to plan events and strengthen our school community? Join our Manheim Central Middle School PTO! Info can be found on our website or by clicking this link.

Meetings are scheduled bi-monthly at 7:00 PM in the Middle School Media Center and via Zoom. We meet on the following dates this year:

• September 8th, 2022
• November 10th, 2022
• February 9th, 2023
• April 6th, 2023
• May 11th, 2023

Please reach out if you are interested in joining!

Amazon Smiles:

Did you know you can support Manheim Central Middle School PTO by shopping on Amazon? Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Manheim Central Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization. Be sure to make Manheim Central Parent-Teacher Organization your supporting charity if you want to be part of this. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support Manheim Central Middle School PTO today by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com

Manheim Central Middle School is a School-Wide Title 1 School. This means

• all learners are eligible to receive additional supports as needed.
  
• the program promotes improved instruction school-wide for all learners.
• Title 1 funds can be used to provide professional development for staff to provide instructional supports that benefit all learners.
• all classroom teachers, encore teachers, and paraprofessionals must be highly qualified (see letter below).
• all parents are eligible to participate in parent events.

You will receive a letter next week. This letter lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child. You can also access this letter below and on the MCSD website.

Pennsylvania law requires students to have updated immunizations. All learners entering grades Kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th grade are required to have immunizations prior to the start of school. The deadline to submit all updated immunization records is October 31st. It is important that you provide the school with a copy of the updated immunization record as soon as possible.

7th graders are required to have:

• Tdap
• Meningococcal (MCV4)

Information on free immunization clinics for those who do not have insurance coverage can be found on the district website. Contact the school nurse with any questions. The deadline to submit all updated immunization records is October 31 in order to avoid exclusion from school.

Medical forms for mandated physical and dental exams, medication orders, and actions plans for the 22-23 school year were sent home with designated learners at the end of the school year. All forms may be scanned and emailed to the school nurse (forwooda@manheimcentral.org), or returned on the first day of school. We greatly appreciate your attention to this matter!

Our school is partnering with Weis Markets in the Weis 4 School Program where we can earn money for our school simply by shopping. When you shop at Weis, scan this barcode to register your Weis Club Card with the middle school. You only need to do this once.