MAMS Monthly
Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School - November 2021
Mr. Wells' Principal's Message
Greeting MAMS Family,
I cannot believe that we have entered the month of November, and we are quickly approaching the end of Marking Period 1. Recently, I had the opportunity to present at the Board of Education Meeting regarding our return to full time in-person instruction and the difficulty many students have had with the transition back to a full day. Let’s face it, it has been a difficult transition for many of us adults as well. What students have endured over the past 2 years has been unprecedented, but I am confident that Together we will get students back on track and reinstitute the routines and structure for students to be successful.
Parents/ Guardians - We cannot do this alone; we will need your support. In an article posted on kidshealth.org titled 10 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in Middle School, the author states the following:
“Parental support plays an important part in helping preteens and teens succeed in middle school. But as students grow more independent during these years, it can be hard for parents to know which situations call for involvement and which call for a more behind-the-scenes approach.”
Here are 10 ways to keep your child on track for academic success in middle school:
Attend Back-to-School Night and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Visit the School and Its Website
Support Homework Expectations
Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn
Instill Organization Skills
Teach Study Skills
Know the Disciplinary and Bullying Policies
Get Involved
Take Attendance Seriously
Make Time to Talk About School
As I discussed at the beginning of the Board meeting, It takes a village to raise a child, and we are in this Together and Together we will prevail. Thank you once again for your support.
Michael C. Wells
Principal
Upcoming Events
- November is Native American Heritage Month
- Nov. 1-5 is Ally Week
- Nov. 2- Election Day Go with your families to vote!
- School closed Nov. 4-5
- Nov. 10- Internet Safety & Bullying Prevention Presentation by the Sheriff's Office
- Nov. 11- Veteran's Day
- Nov. 17- Half Day- New Marking Period begins!
- Nov. 24- Half Day
- School closed Nov. 25-26 for Thanksgiving
- Nov.30-Dec 3 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
The 2021-2022 “Parent-Teacher Conferences” are scheduled for the following dates and times::
- Tuesday, November 30, 2021 - 6:00pm-8:40pm
- Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - 1:05pm-2:25pm
- Thursday, December 2, 2021 - 6:00pm-8:40pm
- Friday, December 3, 2021 - 1:05pm-2:25pm
These eight-minute conferences are an opportunity for you to discuss your child’s progress and performance as well as gain an understanding of what will be covered in the coming months. This is also a great opportunity for teachers and parents/guardians to share information that will foster opportunities for success.
The Parent Portal will be opened for conference scheduling on Monday, November 15th and close on Tuesday, November 30th. All conference slots are on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have trouble securing a designated time, please contact your child's school counselor or case manager, as they may be able to assist.
Governor’s Educator of the Year
The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District is proud to announce that we will once again participate in the New Jersey Department of Education Governor’s Educator of the Year Program (GEOY). This celebratory program integrates the Teacher of the Year Program with the Governor’s Teacher/Educational Services Professional Recognition Program to continue to recognize our state’s best teachers and educational services professionals.
Do you know an educator who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program by completing this nomination form template and returning it to the building principal by Friday, November 19th. Administrators, staff members, students, parents and community members are encouraged to participate.
Arts Middle School Program
We are excited to announce that we will once again be offering students the opportunity to apply for the Arts and Education program through Arts High.
Due to the still present state of the pandemic and the transportation shortages we are now facing, Arts High will again be offering their award-winning program in a virtual but live and interactive format for Spring 2022. Please log on to www.ArtsHigh.net for information and class descriptions.
After an audition process on December 4th, accepted students in good academic and social standing will have the opportunity to participate in Arts High-Grades 6-8. Courses taught by professional artists, all successful in their field, will include Visual Arts Drawing & Painting, 3D, Anime, Photography, Film Making, Vocal Music Musical Theater, Jazz Improv, Acting, Modern Dance, and Creative Writing. Classes will run one afternoon a week for twelve consecutive weeks. The Application deadline is November 15, 2021. Please Contact the Arts and Education Center at 732-566-2787 or debbie@artsandedcenter.org for more information.
"Word on the Street"
The password is "CANDY"
A unicorn, a cow, and a pumpkin walk into a school...
Pretty Sus
New Teacher Spotlight
Student Council
Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Student Council is currently accepting donations for the MAMS Make-A-Meal Thanksgiving Food Drive. The homeroom with the most donations will win a bagel breakfast. Donations will be collected, from classrooms, by student council members, on the following dates: Mon., 11/1 Wed., 11/3 Tues., 11/9. Thur., 11/11. Mon., 11/15 (final collection).
Thank you for supporting this important cause.
Sports Section
Winter Sports & Intramurals
The Family ID registration link for Winter sports participation is now open!!! The November 9th, 6:59pm deadline for registering in Family ID and submitting an updated sports physical to the School Nurse for participation in Winter Sports and Intramurals is quickly approaching.
District Nurses from both the High School and Middle School will be available to accept all sports physical paperwork at the main entrance to Matawan Regional High School, on Tuesday, November 9th from 4:00pm - 7:00pm.
Important: If you have already registered in Family ID and submitted a sports physical for Fall participation, you still must re-register in Family ID for Winter participation. (Family ID registration is required before the start of each season.)
Please be sure to contact the School Nurse or the Athletics Office by phone at 732-705-5346 or by e-mail at athletics@marsd.org if you have any questions concerning the expiration date of your child’s sports physical.
Club Connection
E-Sports by LeRoy Osborne
Until the E-Sport lab is built there will only be a Rocket League Competitive team. Once the esport lab is built we will hold meetings for friends. That information will be posted here. :) Minecraft Friendlies will be on Fridays for those who have their own Java accounts and will be run virtually. If you play Minecraft on a computer attached are the directions to join the Garden State eSports server. This week is Bed Wars!! **If you play Minecraft on an Xbox, Playstation or Switch you CAN NOT join this server. ** But you can follow along on the Garden States Twitch account and cheer on the MAMS team. :)
Speech and Debate by Camila Leon Gomez
Debate is an amazing way to connect in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to make friends and to practice social and communication skills. Even if you don’t want to do the competitions, you can still go to the debate meetings and be on the team! You are welcome to show up to our next meeting on November 11th with Mrs. Nilsen in room 113.
Multicultural Club by Taylin Taylor
The Multicultural Club explores different cultures through food. The goal of the Multicultural Club is to bring cultural awareness to the MAMS community, explore multiculturalism in a fun way, and enjoy different cultures. We also watch movies and try different food around the world. Multicultural Club meets in Room 205 with Mr. Tarrazi.
African American Student Union by Taylin Taylor
The African American Student Union is a club where students promote black inclusivity and activism in the community. They also celebrate diversity and black excellence and Black History Month. See Ms. Scatorchia or the MAMS Student and Parent Calendar” for more information.
Safe Space by Bianca Verzes and Charlotte Ng Christopher
Safe Space is a club that unites students who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies. After we interviewed a couple of students that were comfortable sharing their perspective and idea of this club, we came to a conclusion that this club is very accepting and fun. Some club members told us that this is definitely a place for all people. One member stated, "What happens in the club, stays in the club." This is an important commitment each member made to each other by signing a contract.
One of their most recent projects was making posters and flyers for their Movie Night. all donations are going to the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. They are also preparing for Ally Week, a national youth-led effort encouraging students to be allies with the LGBT community and standing against bullying, harassment and name-calling. Ally week was founded in 2005. This year, Ally week is November 1-5. Be an ally!
Math Club by Samara Ventriglia
Math Club is a great way to get together and practice your math! Math club is also a great way to be with your friends for a little more time after school. Math Club meets from 2:45-4:00 in room 201. Check the calendar for dates. The math club teacher, Ms. Hynes is one of the greatest math teachers ever met. She's kind and VERY good at math. Come join us at math club it’s as easy as Pi, And who doesn't like Pi!
"The Izzi"
Teamwork
Success!
MAMS Family Meeting
Reminder: Make sure to follow locker times. You don't want to use them at the wrong time!
Only use your locker at these specific times:
- When you first walk into the building, or before your first period class. Make sure to use your time wisely and carry items for all the classes you need before you can access your locker again. Take out all the essentials you need for your first few classes!
- You can access your locker before lunch and after. Make sure to bring whatever you need for the next block of your classes.
- 6th grade only- Before your 9/10 period ONLY IF YOU HAVE GYM! Don’t use your locker if you don’t have gym as your 9/10 period. You should already have what you need.
- At the end of the day
Counselor's Corner by Ms. LoStocco, Ms. Leach, and Ms. Lyttle
If you are wondering exactly what a school counselor can help you with, take a look below!
School counselors can give you tips and support to solve problems and make sound decisions. Chances are, whatever problem you have, your counselor has seen it before - and has lots of good advice on how to help you work through it. Counselors can give you tips on standing up for yourself if you're being bullied, managing stress, talking to your parents or teachers, and dealing with anger and other difficult moods.
Here are some tips to help you finish the first marking period strong!
If you have trouble with time management…
If you feel like you are working literally all day but still not getting enough done, try planning your day out hourly, and sticking to it. You can even use the time slots to schedule snack breaks or brain breaks for yourself! You can use this type of a template: Hourly Schedule
If you are feeling overwhelmed…
Remember that DONE is better than perfect. Ask your teachers, your counselors, and your parents for help. Start with the small things, and work through them one at a time. If you are constantly looking at the big picture, or the whole list of things that must get done, you will never start.
If you are feeling anxious or stressed…
Think about how you begin your day. What if you were to wake up 5 or 10 minutes earlier than normal to set up how you want to tackle your schoolwork, set up a workstation, or think about things you are grateful for or excited about.
Counselor's Good Apples
Congratulations to the following students that have been nominated by their teachers for the October Counselor's Good Apples program:
6th Grade - Philippe Laporte, Sophia Grimaldi, Erick Olvera
7th Grade - Asher Pauciello, Brayden Smith, Gabriella Marroquin
8th Grade - Sophia Robinson, Jason Shonk, Kiera Guadagno
Just for Fun Section!
Journalists
Journalists who contributed to this month's edition are: Taylin Taylor, Yoog Patel, Olivia Neely, Bianca Verzes, Imaan Ali, LeRoy Osborne, Charlotte Ng Christopher, Maya Gordon, Samara Ventriglia, and Brielle Estrada.
To join the school newspaper OR contribute to future publications, contact Ms. Raiola in Room 112.