Weekly Update
From the Desk of the Principal
March 22, 2024
Dear Masconomet Middle School Families,
I realized that this message never went out on Friday afternoon as intended, so here it is!
In preparation for MCAS exams which begin on Tuesday, April 2 for 7th graders, please keep in mind some tips as well as expectations for students. Here is a link for further information about MCAS testing from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education if you are interested as well. I realize that the MCAS exams can provoke some anxiety and worry in your child. Your reassurance that they have been preparing to take these tests this school year will be helpful, as well as helping them maintain a healthy balance of understanding this is one set of tests that do not affect their grades, but it is important to take the tests seriously. Here are some additional tips to help your child prepare for test days:
- Go to bed on time the night before
- Eat a nutritious breakfast
- Arrive to school on time!
Cell phones and smartwatches are not allowed to be in a pocket on test days. While students must keep phones in backpacks or lockers everyday, we know sometimes that does not happen. On an MCAS day, according to test protocols, teachers must collect devices from students or instruct them to put them in backpacks. A small package of gum, mints, or hard (Lifesaver-type) candies is permitted on test days. If they become a distraction, the teacher will instruct the student to refrain from eating them.
MCAS testing typically runs smoothly and students cooperate with test protocols and work hard, so I am sure that will be the case again this year!
Have a great weekend! Please see below for this week's updates.
Upcoming Dates:
April 2 & 4: Grade 7 ELA MCAS
April 9 & 11: Grade 8 ELA MCAS
April 15-19: Spring Recess
MS Parent Guide
Please check out our new Middle School Parent/Caregiver Guide . Use this quick reference guide for middle school related items including an F.A.Q. section.
Project 351 Clothing Drive
Our Project 351 students organized a clothing drive as their community service project this year. Please donate any clean, gently worn or new children's clothing, sizes 0 to adult medium, to the drive. Collection boxes are located in the main entrance lobby and at the end of each team hallway. The drive runs from March 25-April 5 and donations will be sorted by team members and dropped off to Cradles 2 Crayons for distribution to needy families. Thank you for your support!
Scholastic Art Awards
Good news! Due to an error in the reporting of the original Scholastic Art Awards, it turns out that our students received more awards than originally thought. Masconomet Middle School earned a total of 23 awards at the Middle School level, almost twice that of any other middle school program, public or private, in the state of Massachusetts!
Here is the list of this year's winners!
Silver Key Winners: Grace Bellardino, Georgia Staley (2 Silver Keys!), Nate Gregoire-Allis, Emma Shi
Honorable Mention Winners: Maya Fischl, Juliana Iannaccone, Dorothy Hussey, Adelaide Eisenberg, Brooke Hogan, Alexis Durgan, Clara Emig.
NEW SOCCER PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Meet the CAPE ANN MARINERS!!
Masco Youth Soccer is excited to join Ipswich Youth Soccer and Hamilton-Wenham Youth Soccer to launch CAPE ANN MARINERS TOPSoccer starting April 10 and running through May 29, 2024.
Cape Ann Mariners TOPSoccer is a FREE community-based program for children and teens (ages 3-17) with physical, emotional, or intellectual disabilities, whose emphasis is being active, developing skills, making new friends, and having fun! Organized locally by youth soccer association volunteers, TOPSoccer enables thousands of young athletes across the country to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family. Learn more about TOPSoccer: https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/topsoccer/
PLAYERS register for FREE at https://www.ipswichyouthsoccer.org/
VOLUNTEERS AND BUDDIES signup for FREE at Cape Ann Mariners Adult Volunteer & Youth Buddy Sign-Up
Full details can be found on the flyer linked here, also attached in a PDF. Please help us reach potential players and volunteers by sharing this flyer with all your friends and networks, especially those with children or teens who think soccer isn't an option for them. Cape Ann Mariners TOPSoccer will make it happen!
MCAS Dates
Pease see below for this year's MCAS dates for both grades.
Tri-Town Council
Please click here for this week's TTC update.
Library Update
Please click here for this week's MS Library update!
--
Philip B. McManus, Ed.D.
Principal
Masconomet Regional Middle School
Email: pmcmanus@masconomet.org
Website: masconomet.org/ms
Location: 20 Endicott Road, Boxford, MA, 01921
Phone: 978-887-2323
Student Council members travelled to Essex Tech High School today for a leadership conference with other area schools. Guest speakers (front middle) posed with Masco students for a picture.
Mission Statement
8 White Museum of Science Field Trip
Each 8th grade team travelled to the Museum of Science on separate days, and here are a few pictures from the 8 White trip!