Mooresville Middle School
Community Newsletter -- December 23, 2022
A Message from Mr. Kosal:
Together we make a family!
On Monday, the winners of last week's Holiday Door Decorating contest were announced - check out the creativity of our winning Imp Times (Ms. Mentzer & Ms. Coffey)! And last Wednesday was also our Winterfest day where students participated in PBIS celebrations AND the annual MMS tradition of a "Santa Pull" occurred: teachers played Santa and classes raced to pull them down the football field first. Hot cocoa and candy canes made the cold air bearable to our students. Congratulations to our winning classes: Ms. Hamilton (7th grade) and Ms. Orlando (8th grade)!
Finally, before we transition to a new bell schedule next semester (see below) and start a new individualized learning platform (Exact Path), I hope that all our MMS families have a chance to slow down, reflect on the successes of our students during 1st semester, and rest up with family & friends during the holiday break. They say "you can't pour from an empty cup" -- I hope all Red Imp students have the opportunity over Winter Break to fill cups back up with rest, relaxation, and fun times with family & friends. Happy Holidays, MMS... bring on 2023!
Here's what you'll find in this week's newsletter:
- How students will receive 2nd semester class schedules
- Bell schedule for 2nd semester classes
- Information on Exact Path for parents
- Order MMS Yearbooks today!
- Iredell County Early Colleges - apply now
- free online tutoring for 8th grade Math / Science
- PTSO announcements
- and more!
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope everyone as a refreshing and fun weekend!
Mr. Kosal, MMS principal (pkosal@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Brown, 7th grade assistant principal (kbrown@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Richardson, 8th grade assistant principal (tabitharichardson@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Mr. Kuhn, assistant principal (gregorykuhn@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Mr. Miller, assistant principal intern & MMS media center coordinator (justinmiller@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Ms. Clark, MMS Athletic Director (annclark@mgsd.k12.nc.us)
Winter Break begins on Thursday, December 22... Second semester begins on Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Pictures of Wednesday's MMS Santa Pull event:
Imp Time Holiday Door Decorating Stand Outs:
Ms. Coffey's room
Ms. Mentzer's room
Ms. Greene's room
MMS Plan for Distributing 2nd Semester Schedules:
If students do not bring this printed out schedule with them on 1/4/23, here's where they should report to get a copy that morning:
- 7th grade students report directly to their first core class (will be the same as first semester). A paper copy of their second semester schedule will be waiting for them there.
- 8th grade students will report to the MMS cafeteria where they will pick up the paper copy of their new schedule. Because electives will change and their 1st period will now be a new elective class, 8th graders will need that paper in order to know where to report to 1st period.
Information on Exact Path - new MMS intervention tool for ALL students
Exact Path includes a computer-adaptive assessment (called a diagnostic) and instructional supports designed to supplement both what students are currently learning AND reteach skills that might have been missed in past grade levels. After the initial diagnostic testing (detailed below), Exact Path creates an individual learning path for each unique student, allowing them to work on the skills that they need at their own pace. Teachers also can view students' learning paths to help monitor their progress, provide instructional support, and adapt instruction if needed. All students in grades 7 & 8 at Mooresville Middle School will be using Exact Path four days each week in their restructured Imp Time classes during semester #2 this year.
We are thrilled that our students have the opportunity to improve their skills in reading / math and fill in learning gaps that very likely still exist from remote learning! Our goal is to get ALL students to grow and achieve, to be better prepared for high school, and have a wide variety of options for post-graduation. Teachers will be reviewing expectations with students and going over the Exact Path program with them at the very beginning of next semester. Please let me or Mr. Justin Miller (emails below) know if you have questions about the Exact Path program!
Note: Students Tardy to School
Students' first class will be an academic one - core in 7th grade and elective in 8th grade. Students' grades may be impacted when they are late and miss class content, so please help us by getting students to school on time during 2nd semester. Thank you!
Applications OPEN for Iredell county Early Collleges
Below are links to each school's website where the application is located:
Agriculture and Science Early College (ASEC)- https://asec.issnc.org/
Crossroads Arts and Science Early College- https://crossroads.issnc.org/
Collaborative College for Technology and Leadership (CCTL)- https://cctl.issnc.org/
Students only need to complete one application regardless of which schools (either one, two or all three) they want to apply to attend. On each website under the "Application" section there is a three step process that students/parents must follow to complete the entire application process. Teachers are aware that students will be emailing them to request recommendations. Ms. Whittenburg, MMS data manager, also knows that parents will be emailing her to request records be released to Iredell Statesville Schools. Please email or call Ms. Buff, 8th grade counselor, if you have any questions.
Order your Yearbook today!
This week's message from our MMS PTSO:
Mark your calendars for our next PTSO meeting: Wednesday, January 4th, from 8:30-9:30am at MMS. We will discuss upcoming events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. We hope you can join us!
Are you looking for a special Mooresville gift? We still have Mooresville Tervis cups and MMS items for sale. To purchase online visit our square store. Items will be given to your student at school. Contact us via email redimpsptso@gmail.com to purchase with cash. Thank you for supporting and showing off your red imp spirit! PTSO store
Please join our PTSO facebook group. This online community is for parents/guardians of MMS students and MMS staff. We will share information from the PTSO, MMS and MGSD. It is also a place for you to connect with other parents/guardians and the PTSO. We hope you'll join us! Follow us on Facebook!
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. See you in the new year! Thank you for your support! Questions for the PTSO? E-mail us at redimpsptso@gmail.com
Free Online Tutoring for Students
When they sign up, they will get an email from NCVPS with the link for their session, and a link to cancel or reschedule if needed. Please reinforce to students that they should be respectful of tutors' time and not be "no-shows" if they sign up for a time.
Students who do not have Internet access at home or need a quiet place to attend tutoring are welcome at the Selma Burke Community Center.
We hope your students will take advantage of this "EDvantage"!!
Are you a Motivator??
The Motivators are ways for family / community members to volunteer time during the school day to monitor hallways and our campus grounds while also getting to know MMS students and staff. We love to have extra adult presence in the building to support our students and help out when needed. If you have at least one hour a week, we would love to have you volunteer.
Email Ms. Brown for more information. kbrown@mgsd.k12.nc.us
How to alert MMS of a student absence:
The email address for parents to alert MMS about student absences is: MMSAttendance@MGSD.k12.nc.us
Parents can upload doctor's notes as well. We hope this process will be easier on everyone instead of always sending a note with the student that gets lost so easily!
MMS Social Media Handles - follow us!
Facebook: @mooresvillems
Instagram: mooresvillems
Twitter: @mooresvillems
Website: https://mms.mgsd.k12.nc.us/
Thanks for reading!!
Have a fantastic holiday break, Red Imps families! Please feel free to contact Mr. Kosal if you have questions or concerns.
Email: pkosal@mgsd.k12.nc.us
Website: https://mms.mgsd.k12.nc.us/
Location: 233 Kistler Farm Road, Mooresville, NC, USA
Phone: (704) 658-2720