MMS Principal Newsletter
September 25, 2017 @MMSCougarPride
Parent/Caregiver Workshop Conference Call-8pm on Sept 26, 2017
Attached to the newsletter is the information for our September 26 conference call. Our parent/caregiver coach Amillah Williamson will lead a call about managing devices and social media. Ms. Gronau will participate on the call to share school policy and other important info. We hope you'll participate for all or part of the call! A reminder will be sent out again tomorrow.
Friday, September 29 is Picture Day at MMS!
September 29 is picture day. Our code is 18-44MM. The link is below if your child did not bring home the flyer. There will be make-up pictures later in the school year for those who miss it.
https://lorsstudio.onlinephotocart.com/prepay/18836456?code=18-44MM
Resource Spotlight-Common Sense Media
Greetings from the MMS Principal
We are proud of our many accomplishments at MMS. Last year, our student attendance was the best among secondary schools in SOMSD and our Algebra I and Geometry scores were the best in SOMSD. Most recently, at our first visit from NJDOE, we were noted for the positive climate and culture in our school. We were also noted for students' engagement, our use of technology, and our teachers' positive efforts to reach the middle school learner through use of choice in the classroom. The stage is set for us to have a breakthrough year.
As your HSA continues to seek out our families to support our school, I will personally and consistently do the same. We need actively engaged MMS families. We need families to advocate to meet the needs of our school as it relates to equitable facilities, staffing, and resources. More information will come as we near budget season. Stay tuned!
Best,
Dara Crocker Gronau, MMS Principal
PowerSchool Help
Parents and guardians have the ability to create their own profiles as long as they have their child’s login information. For further assistance on creating a parent profile please use the information above.
For any MMS parents and guardians that are looking for PowerSchool login and password information please email Evyn Degnan, MMS Media Specialist– edegnan@somsd.k12.nj.us
Maplewood Middle School Remind App Code @k92d29
This year, the MMS Principal has added a school-wide "Remind App" as another way to communicate with families. Many of your child's teachers will share Remind class codes for you and your child to stay up to date about class events and assignments. As needed, the MMS Principal will periodically use the Remind App to share important info with our school community. Our Maplewood Middle School school-wide code Remind code is listed above (@k92d29). The link below explains how to begin getting notifications. It's a simple way to stay in touch. Join us!
https://help.remind.com/hc/en-us/articles/203179887-How-do-I-join-a-class-
You're Invited to a screening of "Without a Net: the Digital Divide in America"
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/critical-conversations-part-1-without-a-net-tickets-38068382557
The event is a screening of a new documentary presented by Verizon called "Without a Net: the Digital Divide in America." The film explores how the Digital Divide in education and how it's impacting millions of students across America. Immediately following the film screening, there will be a panel discussion.
The event will be hosted by the Greater Essex County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 - 19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.
Today, Jack and Jill boasts 230 chapters nationwide, representing 40,000 family members. The mothers of Greater Essex County chapter are long-time residents of South Orange and Maplewood as well as surrounding communities such as West Orange and Montclair. Many of our families have children who attend school within SOMSD including Columbia High School. This event is the first of a series of events called "Critical Conversations" that we plan to host throughout the school year.