MP Middle Messenger
Week 22: 2/19/2021
Returning Forward: What Changes Will Affect My Student?
MPCS is moving to a hybrid schedule! With this change, there will be a number of timing/process changes that will affect ALL students - both those who will be starting to come back to the building and those who will continue to work remotely through the end of the year.
This week and next week's newsletters will include a LOT of different information connected to these changes. Please read closely!
1. Return Forward Dates
2. Identification of what Zone you live in for hybrid learners. Zone 1 will come to the building on Tuesdays and Thursday, Zone 2 will come into the building on Wednesdays and Fridays.
3. February 25 & 26, March 1: New Asynchronous days for ALL students
4. New school bell schedule starting on 3/2. School will now be from 7:25-2:15 for ALL students.
5. WIDA Access Testing will occur for MPMS in March
And finally - the bottom of the newsletter will have updated from our School Counselors, Library, how to watch School Board Meetings, and the bus stops and schedules for students returning to the Middle School on April 6.
Thanks for reading and being connected to the MPMS family!
Return Forward Dates
What Zone Do I Live In?
https://5share.com/5maps/public/kmlMap.html?a=mpzones
On the map below:
Blue = Zone 1 = Tuesday/Thursday come into school
Green = Zone 2/3 = Wednesday/Friday come into school
***Note, if viewing on a mobile device, turn your phone horizontal to see the google map tool.
Schedule Change: New Asynchronous Days Next Week
Bell Schedule Change Starting March 2 for ALL MPMS Classes
February 25, February 26, and March 1 will be asynchronous work days for students to complete assignments independently.
On March 2, MPMS will return to our traditional 7:25-2:15 bell schedule, with in-person students eating breakfast from arrival until 7:25 in their homeroom.
Our current A/B alternating day schedule does not work for our in-person learners, so MPMS will be moving to an 8 period day that is the same every day. Both in-person and remote learners will work on the same bell schedule. This includes taking a much shorter lunch break at the same time as their in-building peers, as well as much shorter gaps between classes.
Please discuss with your child, and have them talk with their teachers if they have any questions!
Hybrid Bell Schedule: Starting March 2nd
WIDA Testing Information for ESOL Students
ESOL Testing Information!
On Monday, February 22 at 6:00pm, there will be a parent information night!
EL Parents – we invite you to join the ESOL team to learn more about the WIDA ACCESS Test. We will share information about testing schedules, transportation and mitigation strategies. We look forward to seeing you! The links to the meetings will be sent out in an email.
Padres DE EL – te invitamos a unirte al equipo de maestros de ESOL para obtener más información sobre la Prueba de WIDA ACCESS. Compartiremos información sobre los horarios de las pruebas, el transporte y las estrategias de mitigación. ¡Esperamos verte! Los enlaces a las reuniones se enviarán por correo electrónico.
Important Dates Coming Up!
February 25 & 26: All students are completing asynchronous assignments
February 26: Picture retake day at MPMS (See below for details and appointments)
March 17: 8th Grade Writing SOL Writing Prompt Test
March 26: End of 3rd Quarter
April 6: All Hybrid students return to MPMS according to zone
May 11-June 4: Reading 6-8, Math 6-8, and Science 8 SOLs will be conducted.
Picture Makeup/Retake Day is Rescheduled for February 26!!
- Parents who did not order the first time but would like to can go to www.mylifetouch.com and use picture day ID EVTB7Z6C4. If they purchased the first time and did not have their students photo taken, that order will flow to this picture. If parents want a retake, they must bring in the original pictures to have a new package re-entered into the system for this new photo.
- Teachers can get their pictures taken, just come by when they are available on February 2.
- Students must sign up for a time slot using the sign up genius link. Click here to sign up for your photo appointment: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FABAA2EA3FF2-mpms1
- When entering the school, all must wear a facemask covering their nose and mouth. Your photo appointment should take less than 5 minutes total!
- To all students – these pictures will be used for the yearbook. So, feel free to come and take a student picture for the yearbook. If you like the pictures and want to buy a picture package, you can or if you don’t want to buy the pictures, that’s okay too.
Want to Remember 2020-21? Purchase a MPMS Yearbook!
This is a school year unlike any other! Be sure to remember it with a 2020-21 MPMS Yearbook! For only $30, you can have a memento of this school year.
Not going to Picture Day, but still want your photo in the Yearbook? Here is how to submit!
Families can submit a headshot (face and shoulders) instead of using a school photo this year. All submissions must be in before March 15.
To submit your photo, it’s super easy: go to this website - https://forms.gle/amTFmDaJ2C1kNegH8
For all Yearbook and Cougar Express links - check out the LinkTree! This includes surveys for the yearbook, how to purchase a yearbook, and access to our digital newspaper, the Cougar Express! https://linktr.ee/mpmsnewsyb
Lastly - if you have any questions or a problem with submitting your photo, email Ms. Miller at corinne.miller@mpark.net. She will be able to help make sure everything is ready for the yearbook!
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!
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!
MPMS School Counselor Update!
Words of Wisdom from MPMS Students!
This week, our wisdom comes from a sixth grader.
Challenges this year: Waking up at 8am
Words of Wisdom: "You are amazing! You are strong and I'm also struggling. But, trust me! We will get through this together. Things may not be good for you right now but it will soon. Remember you’re special and that’s why you’re a good sibling, kid, and friend. People love you for who you are. Stay strong for me ok? :)"
Words of Wisdom - How to Participate!
The counselors have created a new page on our canvas titled: Words of Wisdom from Middle Schoolers. If you want to see the post from last week, Check out our page here: Words of Wisdom from Middle Schoolers. https://mpcs.instructure.com/courses/8408/pages/words-of-wisdom-from-middle-schoolers
We'll be posting in the announcements and on the page weekly, so be sure to check it out! If you'd like to submit a word of wisdom OR ask a question to your fellow middle schoolers, fill out this form. https://forms.gle/63U782vF4sDoaYeAA
MPMS Multicultural Night!
DON’T FORGET!!!!
We are at just under a month until we celebrate our annual Multicultural Night! The Counselors and I have been working through ways in which we can make this happen virtually, while still having some fun! I sent out emails a few months back and am here to announce that we will be hosting Multicultural “Night” during the week of March 1st – March 5th. Along with different restaurant participation, we would love to create a video that offers unique creations by our students/family and staff members. This will be shared on Friday, March 5, 2021. We could really use your help getting the word out and would LOVE for you to participate.
Different ideas for flipgrid videos: singing, dancing, cooking your favorite dish / family recipe, show and tell, storytelling, family history, family traditions, cultural celebration or any talent / hobby that you enjoy most! All submissions are welcome and encouraged to allow Multicultural Night to be about togetherness and community. Here is the link for flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/roach0011
*** We are only accepting Videos up until Sunday, February 28, 2021 (11:59pm).
Restaurants that are participating March 1-5:
1. Preston’s Pub - $6.00 Cheese Pizza
2. The Bone BBQ – 15% Discount
3. Bella Vita – 10% Discount AND Complimentary hot drink/dessert
**** Please note that when going to the restaurant, or if students/families have questions about how to receive the perks, that they mention “Manassas Park Middle School Multicultural Night”.
MPMS Library Updates!
The Book Fair ends THIS SUNDAY!
Take a look around with Mrs. O'Connell!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVX96Jw4Cd8
Click here to see our Book Fair Home Page! https://www.scholastic.com/bf/mpms
- 100% Online
- Delivery to your home (FREE for book orders over $25)
- Huge selection of popular books for all ages
- Bargain books available
- Spanish books available
- All purchases benefit YOUR library!
Check Out the Book Fair with Ms. O'Connell!
You can get print books from our library! Here’s how:
- Log in to the library catalog (http://destiny.mpark.net) and put the book on hold BEFORE 9:00 am Monday morning.
- WAIT for an email from Mrs. O’Connell telling you that your book is ready. The email will tell you which Bookmobile location has your book.
- Pick up the book from the Library Bookmobiles on Monday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
- Manassas Park City Library
- Manassas Park Community Center
The Bookmobile will not run on Monday, February 1st, since it is a Teacher Workday.
Food Distribution - CANCELLED THIS WEEK!
*****DUE TO PREDICTED BAD WEATHER, DISTRIBUTION ON MONDAY FEBURARY 1 IS CANCELLED!******
Now you can pick up 5 lunches and 5 breakfasts at a time for your child(ren) for FREE!
This drive-thru style pick-up will be held at FOUR locations every Monday.
***Please note the time adjustment at CES and MPMS, if that is your preferred pickup site.
From 9:00 to 11 am at Cougar Elementary via Cougar Court
From 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the MP Community Center/Dog Park
From 1:30 to 2:30 pm at Sandstone Way & Manassas Drive
From 4:00 to 6 pm at Manassas Park Middle School
Meals are limited to one set of meals per child, per week.
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.
Sign up for a Manassas Park City Library Card!
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.
Middle School Sports!
2/19/2021 Update: 8th graders interested in trying out for HS Spring Sports must be registered no later than April 5. All physicals must be turned in no later than April 6. A decision on regular MS spring sports has not been made yet. A final decision should be made by the end of March. All students interested in MS spring sports must also have their physicals turned in no later than April 6.
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