MMS News & Notes
February 3, 2023
From the Principal
MMS Parents and Guardians,
Greetings! It's hard to believe February is upon us. The 3rd marking period is underway and the sixth and seventh grade students have transitioned nicely into their new encore classes. 8th graders are in the process of selecting classes for high school and we are finalizing plans for our transition activities to begin for our incoming 6th graders. To say the least, things are moving quickly at MMS.
We have been talking a lot to the kids about the after-school Mechanicsburg Activities Program that begins February 28th. There is more information provided below but please consider getting your child involved. With almost 20 clubs, there is a great chance that one of them will appeal to your child. Remember, when kids feel connected there is a much better chance of them striving academically, socially and emotionally.
Knowing that Puxatawny Phil has determined we should keep our snow shovels ready for six more weeks of winter, please pay extra attention to the information below regarding Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs). These will go into effect IF we have additional snow day(s).
I hope you all have a great weekend and let us know how we can assist. Take care.
Joel A. Yohn, MMS Principal
Student Emergency Forms
- Student Emergency forms must be filled out EVERY year for each student. We still have 332 emergency forms 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.
Flexible Instructional Day (FID)
Due to the January 25th snow day we have now used both built-in snow days. Please note will now be in school on both April 6, 2023 and on June 9, 2023 (half day).
It is also important to note that for any future weather-related cancellations we will be using Flexible Instructional Days. On a Flexible Instructional Day, students are required to sign-in to virtual classes. Attendance will be taken. We would follow our Flexible Instructional Day Schedule.
Mechanicsburg Activities Program (MAPS)
In conjunction with Mechanicsburg Area Parks and Recreation, the Middle School is excited to bring back our after school activities program (MAPS). We have many staff members at the middle school who are ready to share some enriching experiences for our students. With a wide variety of offerings, there is something for everyone! Getting involved in clubs is one of the best ways to build strong connections with peers and adults and increase a sense of belonging within our school community. Please review the activities with your child and encourage them to participate!
A listing of our clubs can be found digitally on the middle school web page, the Mechanicsburg Parks and Recreation webpage, and hard copies are available for students to pick up in the main office at the Middle School. Financial assistance is available for students who are in need. Clubs will be held Tuesdays and Wednesdays, February 28-March 29, from 3:30 pm-5:00 pm.
Click on the link for more information and the required registration paperwork.
https://4.files.edl.io/276c/01/26/23/183615-dfb8e7d7-4d24-400f-9b37-5eb6ccd0b3a7.pdf
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
- February 10, 2023 (THON 6-9pm; registration required by 1/25/23)
- 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)
- April 25-27, 2023 (MMS PSSA ELA Testing Gr 6-8))
- May 1, 2023 (Professional Development Day - No school for students)
- May 2-3, 2023 (MMS PSSA Math Testing Gr 6-8)
- May 4-8, 2023 (MMS PSSA Science Testing Gr 8 ONLY)
- May 16-17, 2023 (MMS Keystone Algebra Testing)
- May 29, 2023 (Memorial Day Recess - School closed)
- June 9, 2023 (Snow Make-Up Day - School is in Session) Early Dismissal
JA YES! Day Volunteers Needed
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 still in need of 44 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
Information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U922Ukn07Ep6F2zkFfN0SI0TfCqvMgAu/view?usp=share_link
Direct link to volunteer form: https://form.jotform.com/212213285279051
PTO NEws
THON
Please consider donating a couple hours of your time to volunteer for THON on Friday, February 10th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Lots of volunteers are still needed. It’s a fun event that benefits an amazing cause. Money raised that night goes to Four Diamonds which provides funding for children getting treatment for cancer. There are still several volunteers needed to hand out ice cream, etc. If you’re not available to attend that night, consider donating a case of water or one of the other items still needed for the event. https://ttsu.me/22zezd
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
Hospitality committee would like to have a treat for the teachers and staff on Tuesday, February 14th. Some of the items will be purchased through PTO. https://ttsu.me/bwr99n
GET INVOLVED!
It is starting to feel like the end of the school year is going to be upon us before we know it!. The current MMS PTO is looking for a few more parents that would like to get involved in the 2023/2024 school year, as a couple members have children that will be moving onto the High School. Please start thinking about ways you can get involved with the Middle School PTO next year. We would love to have conversations with you about what exactly we do. There might be some misconceptions, as it is not a big time commitment and there are small ways to get involved with different projects.
For example, we are looking for someone to help with the Spring Sub Sale. We are available to walk someone through the process, as it is not a lot of work (R&K does the big stuff). It’s an easy way for the PTO to make money a couple times a year. The donation option gives sandwiches to families in the district, which are much appreciated (and the school social workers deliver them). Other examples of ways to help are through Book Fair and Hospitality Committee. If you would like to hear more, please contact us at mms.pto.info@gmail.com.
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
· 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
HEALTH SERVICES
February is dental health month. We recently discussed how student can keep their teeth healthy over morning announcements:
- Remember the rule of 2: brush your teeth two times daily, for 2 minutes at a time. Visit the dentist 2 times per year.
- Make sure you floss every day.
- Rinse your mouth after brushing.
- Be sure to eat healthy foods, and crunchy foods such as apples and carrots help keep your teeth clean by removing bacteria from your teeth while you chew.
- Cut out sticky foods like gummy candy and chewing gum
- Cut out or cut down on sweets and drinking soda.
- If you don’t eliminate them, be sure to brush your teeth after drinking sugary drinks.
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.
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