M.M.S. News & Notes
October 30, 2020
From the Principal
I am hopeful this week's M.M.S. News and Notes finds you and your family well. Although it is hard to imagine, November 10 is approaching very quickly marking the end of the 1st marking period. Please take time with your child to log into Sapphire and confirm he/she has completed all assignments to date. We have seen an overall improvement with students' work completion, but there is still work to be done. Please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher(s) and/or grade level counselor with any questions.
Joel Yohn
UPDATES
Important Dates
- November 9 - Virtual PTO Meeting 7pm (Topic: Helping Parents Navigate Google Classroom)
- November 10 - End of Marking Period 1
- November 10 - Picture Retake Day (Group B Students)
- November 12 - Picture Retake Day (Group A, C Students)
- November 16 - Report Cards Posted to Sapphire
- District Calendar
SAPPHIRE COMMUNITY PORTAL
The link to the video below outlines the process in creating a Community Web Portal account and navigating the Sapphire site once an account is created. This resource is one additional way for parents/guardians to keep track of assignments and grades for each student in their household.
Student Belongingness Survey
This year, our school will participate in a School Belongingness Survey facilitated by the University of Pennsylvania. This student survey will help answer the question, “To what extent do students feel a sense of belonging in our school community?” Please follow the link below associated with how your student is learning this year for more information on the survey.
MMS CAOLA Belongingness Survey letter
STUDENT CHROMEBOOKS
Cold/Inclement Weather
As the cold temperatures begin, please send your child dressed for the weather. Lockers were provided for students to store their coats and umbrellas only. If your student is in need of a coat or cold weather clothing, please contact the school counselor or school nurse.
From the Nurse
Cold and flu season is here! Please continue to remind the kids that one of the best ways to keep themselves and others from getting sick is to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Sixth and Seventh grade students: Physical exams are due for 6th graders, and dental exams are due for 7th graders. If your child has an upcoming appointment, please provide the school nurse with a copy of the visit printout, or take a form along. Forms are located on the district webpage under District Services-Health Services-Health Forms.
If you have any health-related concerns about your student, please contact Mrs. Kessler at skessler@mbgsd.org or 717-691-4560.
November Parent Conferences
General Reminders
STUDENT EMERGENCY INFORMATION
The student emergency information form is in the electronic backpack on the Sapphire home screen. This will need to be updated, or information confirmed, so that we have all of the most up to date emergency contacts. In addition, there will be other permissions for you to approve for your child to participate in various activities. If you have not yet completed this please do so today.
MASD TAKE HOME MEALS
Please encourage your son or daughter to eat breakfast and lunch at school on his/her face to face days and to also take meals home for remote days! Your students participation helps to sustain our food service program.
Due to recent changes by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), all student meals are free through the end of the 2020/2021 school year. Students will not be charged for meals. Please note that the "free meal" is applicable for regular breakfast and/or regular lunch only. Additional a la carte items will continue to be charged to student accounts. If you have any questions please contact the Food Services Dept. at (717) 691-4523 or email kmarlin@mbgsd.org.
Take Home Meals are available in the commons for students to pick up during dismissal for his/her remote learning days at home. These meals are also free through the end of the 2020/2021 school year.
INFORMATION FOR REMOTE DAYS
Although we are noticing an overall improvement, there are still too many students who are not completing their assigned work on the remote days. Please reinforce the importance of these remote learning days and do not hesitate to have them email their teachers with any questions and/or concerns. Additionally, have them follow the proposed remote schedule so they are working in those specific class assigned for each remote learning day.
NEED TO DROP SOMETHING OFF AT THE M.M.S. OFFICE?
Only essential visitors are permitted to be in the building. If you need to drop something off please use the intercom system outside the front office to speak to the office staff. You should leave the item on the desk outside the main office. Please make sure you have the name on it as to who it is to go to. The office staff will be out right away to pick it up.
DAILY HEALTH MONITORING CHECK
Thank you for continuing to refer to the following Daily Health Monitoring Check that includes symptoms to be looking for prior to sending your child to school each day. All students should be screened for illness before they leave to go to school every day.
AM PARENT DROP OFF AND PM PICK UP
- Please be reminded that students will not be permitted to enter the building prior to 8:10 AM. Students choosing to pick up a free breakfast will follow a “grab and go” procedure. All students will be reporting directly to their 1st period class (8:30 AM – Tardy bell to Period 1).
- PM parent pick up will begin at 3:00 PM. Please continue to follow the traffic patterns to maintain the highest level of safety for our kids.
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
Please click District’s Health and Safety Plan for an overview.
Mechanicsburg Middle School
1750 S. Market Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: (717)691-4560
Fax: (717-791-7977
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