MAMS Monthly
Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School - December 2021
Mr. Wells' Principal's Message
Greetings MAMS Family,
I hope that everyone was able to spend some quality time with friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving weekend. As you can imagine, it has been an emotional weekend for our MAMS Family due to the recent tragic news regarding one of our students. I would like to thank all of the members of the District Crisis Team, especially our wonderful School Counselors and Case Managers for all of the support they provided our students with during this difficult time.
Our Counseling Team will continue to be available for any student wishing to speak with them. Additionally, I have attached some resources to assist with addressing this difficult topic with your child. If you have any questions or would like some additional support, please complete the Counselor Request Form or contact the MAMS Information Desk at MAMSinfo@marsd.org and a member of our team will reach out to you.
With the first marking period over and our Parent-Teacher Conferences finishing up this week, it is important to continue to monitor the Parent Portal for up to date information on how your child is performing.
Congratulations to all or our students that made the Honor/Merit Roll for the 1st Marking Period.
MARSD Strategic Planning
The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District is partnering with the NJ School Boards Association to engage in the Strategic Planning Renewal Process. All members of the school community are encouraged to participate in this important process. Please mark your calendar for the dates below to become actively involved in shaping the future of the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District through the Strategic Planning Process.
Strategic Planning Two-Day Conference - The “Main Event” Click Here to Confirm Your Attendance!
◆ January 21, 2022 ~ 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM ~ MRHS Media Center &
◆ January 22, 2022 ~ 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM ~ MRHS Media Center
- State of the School / State of the Community Report Presentations
- Review of Beliefs and Mission
- Development of District Vision, Goals, & Objectives
Upcoming Events
- Dec 1-3: Half Day- Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Dec 1-3: PTSO Book Fair- during Specials and during Conferences
- Dec 9: Student-Faculty Basketball Game
- Dec 10: PTSO Winter Painting Party
- Dec 14: Equity Team presents: "Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot" documentary screening Please register: https://forms.gle/an6VjCMb7vYm8mr88
- Dec 15: 6th Grade Internet Safety Presentation (7th and 8th TBD)
- Dec 21: 6th Grade Band & Chorus Concert
- Dec 22: 7th & 8th Grade Band & Chorus Concert
- Dec 23: Half Day
- Dec 24-Jan 3: School Closed for Winter Break
MAMS PTSO Winter Painting Party
The MAMS PTSO sponsors the 2nd annual Holiday Painting Party on Friday, December 10, 2021 after school from 2:45pm-4:15pm. (Late bus will be available for students.) The cost is $15 per student. (Cost includes an 8x10 canvas, a snack, and water.) Any questions please email Jennifer Lorig at jc323ml@gmail.com.
Sign up Here (The form is mandatory to attend! Deadline is December 8th)Seen Around the Building
Sports Section
Have you ever played soccer? Here at MAMS, there are girls and boys soccer teams! Tryouts began on the second day of school. The Girls’ coach is Mr. Scheuing, and the Boys’ coach is Mr.Deegan. They are both very nice and welcoming. Practice is often 5 days a week. There normally is a game every week for the first couple weeks of school, sometimes more than one. If it's a home game the bus picks up at MAMS around 3:15 and will take you to Strathmore Elementary School. All of the games start at 4:30. If it's an away game, the bus will pick you up and take you to the other team's school. Team members can choose their own numbers, but some numbers only come in some sizes. The uniform is a white and maroon jersey, socks, and a pair of maroon shorts. We play every team only once. The MAMS soccer team has a chant that everyone says before the game: “HUSKIES ON 3! HUSKIES ON 3! 1, 2, 3 HUSKIES!” Sixth graders don't get that much playing time, but after games end, there is an extra ten minutes where anyone who didn’t get a lot of playing time gets to play for fun! You can pick any position to play during those extra minutes. In the real game, there are two 35 minute halves.
Club Connection
Band Concert by Enoch Ogunade
The band concert takes place on December 21, 2021 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the school’s auditorium. The concert is a time where the Band and Chorus groups come together to make music for people to watch. Everyone involved in this concert has been practicing their sounds and how they play to make the concert fun and interesting for everyone. The band is supposed to practice every week in preparation for the concert and to learn the correct ways to play our instruments like posture, how to read the music and the finger placements so we can produce the right sounds.
STEAM Club interview by Enoch Ogunade
- What do you do in STEAM Club? We made cardboard pinball machines! The next project is to make Franken-animals.
- How often do you meet? Every two weeks on Tuesdays
- What should students know about STEAM Club? STEAM Club is geared toward students who want to be creative but still have a little bit of science fun. We hope to see more students come out to join the club!
Peer Buddies interview by Enoch Ogunade
- What do you do in Peer Buddies? We do activities with students in the school to encourage friendship and help to promote a positive school environment.
- How often do you meet? Two times per month
- What are some of your upcoming events? We will be doing Cookie Decorating. We are also planning a dance with the Civic Leadership Academy at the High School to take place in May.
Peer Leadership
Peer leadership will be hosting the Student-Faculty Basketball Game this year. See the flyer below.
Student Equity Team
On December 14th, the MAMS Team will travel to MRHS to have a meetup with their Student Equity Team as we plan for events in our schools to spread awareness about inequities and take action to create change.
The pictures below show members of the Team working on various activities.
Bulletin Board construction
Planning for an Equity Podcast- Details tba!
Preparing to present at the Board of Education Meeting
MAMS Family Meeting
THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER IS BACK OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Here’s how to visit the library...
Study Hall: Students who have a study hall period can request a pass from their teacher to visit the library to borrow books.
Lunch:
You have the option to visit the library after you eat lunch!
Just borrow a “library lunch pass” from the library before you report to the cafeteria. Please note that a limited number of passes will be available.
Spend the rest of your lunch period reading or quietly doing work in our comfy seating area, the MAMS Book Sanctuary!
Please contact your School Librarian, Mr. Gross, with any questions. zgross@marsd.org
Counselor's Corner by Ms. LoStocco, Ms. Leach, and Ms. Lyttle
You are now in the second marking period. In less than 45 days, you will be halfway through this school year! Keep your good study habits going strong with the tips below. If you find that you are still struggling in your classes, don’t be afraid to email your teachers or counselor for help!
If you are getting distracted at home…
Set up a work space for yourself. Working on homework from your bed or couch makes it difficult to pay attention and even take notes! Choose a space where you have space to spread out your notes, Chromebook, and any writing materials you need. Dress it up with a candle or flowers, or a snack and good drink to make it more enjoyable and comfortable!
If you have trouble with time management…
Try the Pomodoro Technique! This asks you to work on one single task for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. It involves setting a timer, and having an even balance between the things you want to do, and have to do. You’ll be surprised at how much you accomplish in a small amount of time if you focus!
If you are feeling overwhelmed…
Make use of an agenda, planner or notebook to keep track of your past and future assignments, and your upcoming tests and quizzes. Make up your own system for how to organize everything, and mark down what you’ve completed and are still working on. If you are in need of a notebook, let us know!
If you are feeling stressed or anxious…
Take a break during the day to spend some time outside! You might be surprised at how different you feel after stepping outside, without your electronics, to take a walk around your neighborhood to clear your mind.
Counselors' Good Apples
Congratulations to the recipients of the November Counselors Good Apples Program:
6th Grade - Malik Brown, Sean Glock, Francesca Magliozzo
7th Grade - Jenna Walling, Antonio Fernandez, Carissa Badolato
8th Grade - Michael White, Shane Gallagher, Kaylyn Miano