MMS News & Notes
January 6, 2023
From the Principal
MMS Parents and Guardians,
Good afternoon. I am hopeful you all had a restful Holiday season and was able to spend some time with family and friends. A New Year provides us with opportunities to reflect upon the past year and set some goals for the next. The end of the 2nd marking period is only three weeks away. I would encourage you to review with your child his/her grades and be sure all work has been completed. It also is a great time for students to set some goals for the 2nd semester along with identifying some areas of strength and growth from the first half of the year.
Thank you for all the support you have given to your child, the teachers/staff and my administrative team. This first half of the year has been wonderful and I cannot wait to see the growth the kids make during the 2nd semester. Take care and hope this New Year is the BEST one yet!
Joel A. Yohn, MMS Principal
Student Emergency Forms
- Student Emergency forms must be filled out EVERY year for each student. We still have a lot not yet completed for the year. Please complete this task by the end of today if you have not yet done so.
- Sign on to the Community Web Portal here to complete the STUDENT EMERGENCY FORM
- Directions can be found on the MASD website here.
- If you need any assistance with the Community Portal, please contact Maggie Stern - mastern@mbgsd.org.
MMS Yearbook
MMS Yearbook Sales Now UNTIL MARCH 31, 2023
Pre-order your Mechanicsburg Middle School online at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/ and enter school code #1212223 to reserve a copy of the 2022-2023 edition. Be sure to reserve a copy NOW to guarantee that your student receives one at the end of the year. Limited copies may be available for sale at the time of delivery but are not guaranteed.
IMPORTANT DATES
DISTRICT CALENDAR
- January 16, 2023 (MLK Recess - School Closed)
- January 17, 2023 (Act 80 Day - No school for students)
- February 10, 2023 (THON 6-9pm; registration required)
- February 17, 2023 (Act 80 Day - No school for students)
- February 20, 2023 (Presidents' Day Recess - School Closed)
- March 17, 2023 (Professional Development Day - No school for students)
- April 6, 2023 (Snow Make-Up Day - School is in Session)
- April 7-10, 2023 (Spring Recess - School Closed)
- April 11, 2023 (Act 80 Day - No school for students)
- May 1, 2023 (Professional Development Day - No school for students)
- May 29, 2023 (Memorial Day Recess - School closed)
MMS Mini-THON
Wondering what all the buzz is about? The MMS Annual Mini-THON is weeks away! Check out the link for more information about the event and registration form. https://middleschool.mbgsd.org/apps/news/article/1702634
JA YES! Day Volunteers Needed
On Tuesday, March 28th students will be participating in Junior Achievements YES! Each grade will be rotating through a variety of activities related to career paths and economic success for the future (Your Economic Success!)
We are in need of 90 volunteers to help us run the activity stations. Please refer to the link below for more information. If you have any additional questions please email Melissa Meyer at mmeyer@masdstudent.org
PTO NEws
Fundraisers
Donation Drive: $30 per child but any amount will be appreciated.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Upcoming Meetings
Next PTO meeting will be in-person and by Zoom on Wednesday Jan 18th at 6:00pm in the MMS Middle School library. Join us for updates on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, etc. We will be switching gears to start planning for next school year. PTO volunteers will be needed to fill vacant roles for areas such as Hospitality Committee, Book Fair and other things. Please consider volunteering for the PTO as these positions do not require a big time commitment and it’s a great opportunity to support students, teachers and school. In addition, Holly Laufer from the Wildcat Foundation will be discussing Wildcat Foundation news, updates and ways to get involved.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84303716340?pwd=djd4Qm56a05tS2dKd3JjU1daYTlJdz09
Meeting ID: 843 0371 6340 Passcode: 356450
· January 18
· March 15
· May 17
Please let us know if there are any potential speakers or topics you would like to hear about!
English Language Development Program
If your child is currently identified as an active English Learner in the English Language Development Program at MMS, they will be assessed with the WIDA ACCESS test on Mon. 2/6/23 – Thurs. 2/9/23 to determine their progress toward English language proficiency. The test will measure your child’s level of English proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The results of this assessment are used to determine if a child is ready to be exited from the language instruction program and no longer be identified as an English learner. Please speak with your child about the importance of getting a good night's sleep, eating breakfast, and doing their best on the test. If you have questions about the annual assessment please reach out to your child's ELD teacher Mrs. Snelbaker msnelbaker@mbgsd.org
Follow Us
Find us on Facebook or Twitter
Facebook: Mechanicsburg Middle School PTO
Twitter: @MMS_PTO
Breakfast
Please be reminded to inform your child that breakfast will be free for all students through the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Students will be eligible for (1) free breakfast per day. This change is applicable to breakfast only and will not affect a student’s eligibility status for lunch (free, reduced, or paid). This change will become effective October 1, 2022.
HEALTH SERVICES
Great news! Our school has partnered with Smile Program Mobile Dentists to offer in-school dental care on January 31 and February 3, 2022.
This dental care is usually at no cost to you. All insurance is accepted including Medicaid and CHIP. For those without insurance, a low cost self-pay option and grants are available.
The in-school dental program saves you time and provides a safe and comfortable place for your child to receive gentle dental care from licensed local professionals and fulfills the school dental health requirement.
Dental care includes a complete dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants when necessary, and in some cases, restorative care such as fillings.
Sign up your child today at www.myschooldentist.com. We also have paper forms in the health room. If you need a form or assistance, please call Mrs. Kessler at 717-691-2454.
Reminder to 7th Grade Parents – If your child has been examined a private dentist, please submit your child’s dental health report as soon as possible in order to fulfill the state dental screening mandate. If you would like your child examined by the Mobile Dentist, please return completed form by January 20th.
A few reminders from Health Services:
6th grade students:
Physical exams: All 6th grade students are required to have a physical exam. If your child had a physical exam any time during 5th grade, that will be accepted. Please login into your child’s patient portal, if possible, and send a copy in to school. If your student has an upcoming exam scheduled, please have the Physical Exam form completed by their health care provider.
7th grade students:
Dental exams: All 7th grade students are required to have a dental exam. If you have an upcoming exam scheduled for your student, please have the Dental Exam form completed by their dentist. If you do not have a dentist, the Mobile Dentist will visit our school in January. Please contact the health room if you would like your child to be seen by the Mobile Dentist.
Medication in school/Health Care Plans: If your child has medication they require during the school day, please have the appropriate form completed by their health care provider. Medications must have the prescription label attached and have a written order.
All physical, dental, medication and care plan forms can be found here on the MASD website:
https://www.mbgsd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=838633&type=d&pREC_ID=1820507
If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s health, please contact Mrs. Kessler (717) 691-2454 skessler@mbgsd.org, or Mrs. Kresge (717) 691-2453. Thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Mechanicsburg Area School District is privileged to offer a weekend food distribution program free of charge for those in need. Weekly non-perishable and easy to prepare foods will be made available to middle school students and their families who pre-register with The M.M.S. Marketplace. Please register by scanning this QR Code or email Mrs. Coffman at mcoffman@mbgsd.org to be included in the program.
MASD employment opportunities
TITLE I PARENT INFORMATION
Transportation
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
- Please be reminded that students will not be permitted to enter the building prior to 8:10 a.m. Students choosing to purchase breakfast will follow a “grab and go” procedure. All students will be reporting directly to their homeroom (School starts at 8:30 a.m. – Tardy bell).
- PM parent pick up will begin at 3:20 p.m. Please continue to follow the traffic patterns to maintain the highest level of safety for our kids.
- Please refer to the website for bus transportation listing.
- We do not allow students to ride buses they are not assigned to unless there is an emergency situation. If it is an emergency you would need to contact the Transportation Supervisor at awarzynski@mbgsd.org or (717) 691-4517.
AM PARENT DROP OFF & PM PICK UP PROCEDURES
In an effort to accommodate an anticipated large number of vehicles, the following drop-off and pick-up traffic patterns have been created.
Group A Car Riders (Last Name A-L):
Will enter from the North Entrance “A”.
Will follow the map below.
- Please note – school vans will also be using this entrance – please bear left, as the vans will pass on the right to proceed around the building.
- Cars are reminded to pull all the way to the end of the unloading/loading area at the stop sign.
Group B Car Riders (Last Name M-Z):
Will enter from the South Entrance “B”.
Will follow the current drop-off/pick-up procedures.
- Cars are reminded to pull all the way to the end of the unloading/loading area.
Mechanicsburg Middle School
1750 S. Market Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: (717)691-4560
Fax: (717-791-7977
Follow us on Twitter @MMS_principals, MMS_PTO, and on the PTO Facebook Page