MAMS Monthly
May 2022
Mr. Wells' Principal's Message
We are one week away from the unofficial start of summer… With only 22 days of school left it is essential that students finish the 2021-2022 school year strong. Please make sure to monitor the parent/student portal for up to date information on grades and reach out to your child’s teacher, school counselor or case manager with any questions.
Subscription Bussing
Last Call!!! Applications for subscription bussing for the 2022-2023 school year are now being accepted. Please Click Here for additional information. Please note all applications are due by Tuesday, May 31st.
Athletics/ Intramurals
The Family ID Registration Link is currently open for signing up for participation in athletics and co-curricular activities during the summer months and during the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. All of our athletic offerings and co-curricular activities, including marching band, color and winter guard, unified special olympics, challenger, intramurals and weight room can be found within Family ID.
The deadline for registering in Family ID is June 2nd.
The deadline for submitting sports physical paperwork for participation during the summer months and during the 2022-2023 school year is June 6th.
Our school nurses will be collecting sports physical paperwork at one district location at the high school main entrance on June 6th from 3:00pm - 6:00pm.
Important: After submitting an updated sports physical, registration in Family ID is required before the start of each season; Summer, Fall, Winter, & Spring.
Please be sure to contact your school nurse or the Athletic Office by email at athletics@marsd.org if you have any questions concerning the expiration date of your child’s sports physical.
Upcoming Dates
May
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
NJSLA- May 3-5 (ELA), 10-12 (Math), 17-18 (Science 8)- May 20- "Minding Your Mind" Mental Health Assembly
- May 20-21- Relay For Life at MRHS
- May 23- Principal/Student Roundtable Meeting @2:45 in Media Center
- May 24- Chorus Concert @7
- May 25- Band concert @7
- May 26-NJHS Induction Ceremony @6
- May 27- Half Day
- May 30- Memorial Day
- May 30-June 1- School closed
June
June is Pride Month
- June 3- Gun Violence Awareness Day- Wear Orange!
- June 8- Pride Month Dance Party Mixer! All are welcome! Sign up here- Wear Rainbow colors!
- June 10- Student Council Elections
- June 15- 8th Grade Dance- Sterling Gardens @6:30 Permission Slip here
- June 16- 8th Grade BBQ
- June 17- Juneteenth Observed at MAMS- Wear Red!
- June 19- Juneteenth
- June 20- School closed for Juneteenth (Observed)
- June 24 and 24- half days
- June 24th- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! 8th Grade Graduation- @MRHS 10am
School Happenings
POSP Dance
The MAMS Peer Buddies had their annual POSP Dance with the Civic Leaders at the High School on Friday night, May 6th. Each year, the MAMS Peer Buddies partner with the HS Civic Leaders to host a themed dance in May. We have food, games, prizes, and many activities. The MAMS Peer Buddies run the Sensory Room, which is filled with board games, coloring, crafts, activities, and soft music. We make decorations in the theme and run the room. This year the theme was the 70's and 80's. Everyone had a great time! See the evidence in the picture below!
In Person Author Visit: Adam Gidwitz
On April 25th, our students were lucky to be visited IN PERSON by author Adam Gidwitz. Adam wrote the Grimm series (which includes A Take Dark & Grimm that is now a hit show on Netflix), The Inquisitor's Tale, and The Unicorn Society series (including the first book that was set right here in New Jersey!). He kept the crowd engaged as he shared the story of his middle school years and how he became a writer. Pictures below!
Check out his website!
On Wednesday, May 11th, some of our 7th grade students got to participate in a virtual author visit with Francesco Sedita and Scott Seraydarian, authors of The Pathfinders graphic novel series. The authors showed us pictures as they told the story of how they came to write a novel together. They let us in on the secrets of their writing process and even gave us some clues about the 3rd book in the series that's coming out this summer and a sneak peek at the cover! Pictures below!
Check out their website!
Club Connection
The MAMS Equity Team and Safe Space are teaming up for a DANCE PARTY! Get ready to party it up with us on June 8th right after school. Sign up for the late bus if you'll need it. See the flyer below. Register here.
June 8th will be a Rainbow Spirit day! ~Dress to impress in your rainbow best!~
Student Council elections for the 2022-2023 school year will take place on Friday, June 10, 2022. Current 7th Grade students interested in running for the Matawan Aberdeen Middle School’s Student Council President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary and current 6th grade students that wish to run for grade level representatives to the MAMS Student Council should contact Ms. Helen Bebel hbebel@marsd.org or Ms. Brianna Scatorchia bscatorchia@marsd.org for more information.
Sports Section
Come cheer on the Huskies at their last home game on May 19th!
Noteworthy Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders
I.M. Pei was a Chinese American architect. He designed the Multi-airline Terminal at JFK International Airport, the JFK Memorial library, and many famous landmarks. He was born in Guangzhou, China and came to the US in 1935 for college. He couldn't return to China due to the outbreak of WWII.
H.E.R researched by Theo Restaino and Cailey McByrne
H.E.R. was born Gabriella Wilson. She is a Black Filipina American singer and mucian. She can play 5 instruments. H.E.R stands for "Having Everything Revealed". She performed on The Today Show when she was 10 years old and released her first song when she was 14.
Franklin Chang-Diaz researched by Kenny Muller
Franklin Chang-Diaz was the first Costa Rican astronaut. He severed on 7 space missions.
Kamala Harris researched by Christian Ramirez and Max Ivers
Kamala Harris was born to parents who emigrated from India and Jamaica. She went to Harvard University. She is a trailblazer because she if the first female, first black, and first South Asian American to hold the office of the Vice President of the United States of America.
Lia Cirio researched by Gaby Bruno and Ja'Niyah Gordon Anderson
Lia Cirio is a principal ballerina for the Boston Ballet. She got a lot of hate and encountered biases in ballet being Filipina American, but she remains hopeful because audiences are being more accepting.
Sunisa Lee researched by Taylin Taylor
Sunisa Lee is the first Hmong American to represent the US in the Olympics. She was the fifth straight US gymnast to win the highest spot in the Women's All-Around. She's not only an innovator for the Hmong community but for all young woman in all communities.
Vera Wang researched by MeganLauren Gagneron
Vera Wang was the daughter of affluent Chinese immigrants and had a privileged childhood. She wanted to be a figure skater, but she didn't make the Olympic team in 1968. She was the youngest fashion editor at Vogue magazine, working as a senior editor for 15 years. She opened a bridal boutique at age 40.
Sandra Oh researched by Preston Miller & Daniel Bautista
Sandra Oh was born to middle class Korean immigrants. She struggled to find a job at first in American because she was Korean. She was the first Asian doctor on Grey's Anatomy. She also acted in Killing eve, Phineas and Ferb, and Turning Red. She was the first Asian woman to host the Golden Globes and to win two Golden Globe awards.
Mamie Tape researched by Justin Wilcox and Jocelyn Joseph
Mamie Tape was born to Chinese immigrants, and when she was eight years old, she was denied entry into a public school. Her family filed a lawsuit and won. She was trailblazer because she was the only Chinese American at her otherwise all-white school.
Padma Lakshmi researched by Grace Caruncho and Ava Schoener
Padma Lakshmi came to America from India with her mother when she was just four years old. She is a model, a cook and cookbook author, and television host. She got her signature scar in a car accident.
Jeremy Lin researched by Eden Colleton and Tyler Baptiste
Jeremy Lin is the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese decent to play in the NBA. He is known for his humble lifestyle and devotion to God. He trailblazed a path for other Asian Americans to play basketball.
Philip Vera Cruz researched by Zain Elbanna
Philip Vera Cruz was born in the Philippines. He was a farmer who joined the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. He fought for labor rights and helped lead the Delano Grape Strike in 1965.
PTSO Info
Counselor's Corner
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Here is a list of how you can improve your mental health!
- Value yourself- Treat yourself with kindness! Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.
- Take care of your body- Taking care of yourself physically helps take care of yourself mentally! It’s important to eat nutritious meals, get enough sleep, and drink plenty of water.
- Surround yourself with good people- Spend time with the people who make you the happiest! Make plans with friends and family members who support you. Seek out activities where you can meet new people, like a club here at school!
- Volunteer- It feels good to do something for someone who is in need. Whether it’s holding the door open for someone or volunteering
- Practice Mindfulness- Relaxation exercises and mindfulness can improve your state of mind. Try mediation or even just going for a walk.
- Exercise- Exercise relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood.
- Ask for help!- When you are having a bad day, do not hesitate to reach out! During the school day, you can fill out a counselor request form to see your school counselor. Tell a trusted adult when you are in need of support.
Want to join the MAMS Monthly Team as a Student Journalist?
We are in need of reporters to cover school events, journalists to write articles and content to share, poets, artists, photographers, etc.
Meetings are held once or twice per month, but content can also be shared all year via email or by joining our GClassroom. Email me if you'd like an invite to our 22-23 GClassroom.
Email: araiola@marsd.org
Website: https://www.marsd.org/Domain/338
Location: Room 112
Phone: 5412