Help the SOMSD PTAs, HSAs, Parenting Center, Cougar Cares & The Achieve Foundation support nearly 225 SOMSD families in our school community experiencing food insecurity this holiday season. 

Use the QR Code or donate at https://givebutter.com/akpnue

We had GREAT WEATHER for our 2-day Walkathon! Your students walked, ran, danced, sang and had a blast! 

We are tallying the results and winners and receiving checks but in the meantime...There's still time to Register, Send Pledges and DONATE! 

Register on the pledgestar website...it's FREE (the winning grade receives Battle of the Classes points for participation) 

Send Pledges by email, text or social media...it's FREE to send pledges (5 pledges gets you Cougar Cash, 10 pledges gets you a chance for a Greenway or Starbucks Gift Card)

Donate $25 or whatever you can! ($25 a student gets us to our goal!) 

Questions? Email walkathon@maplewoodmiddleschool.org 

Send Pledges by email, text or social media...it's FREE to send pledges

5 pledges gets you Cougar Cash               

10 pledges gets you a chance for a Greenway or Starbucks Gift Card

Donate $25 or whatever you can! ($25 a student gets us to our goal!) 

Questions? Email walkathon@maplewoodmiddleschool.org 

If your student missed picture day or you need a retake, listen for the announcement on Friday, November 1 for Picture Retakes. Time and location TBD. 

If you are getting retakes, please have your student bring the original photos with them. 

Please complete this form if you are interested in your child participating in the Yondr pilot for the South Orange Maplewood School District at MMS: MMS Yondr interest form  

The form will remain open and students will receive pouches on a first come first served basis.  The start date for the Yondr pilot at MMS is November 11, 2024.

What is the Yondr Pilot at MMS?  Each student will be assigned a Yondr pouch specific to them that they must place their phone in before they enter school each day.

The Yondr pouch can be kept with them during the school day, but their phone must be in it before they enter MMS.  

The Yondr pouch is the student's responsibility; they must bring it to school every day.

Any student not participating in the Yondr pilot must keep their device stored in their locker.  

If an MMS student has their device on them during the school day not in a Yondr pouch, it will be confiscated and a caregiver will have to come and pick it up.  

Students will be reminded of this daily via Canvas and P.A. announcement.  

Have more questions?  Join Ms. Gronau's Yondr pilot office hours on October 29 at 3:30pm!  

Link to meeting here:  meet.google.com/vkq-hsgm-ugv

Find our updated MMS student and caregiver handbook with our updated cell phone policy at MMS here: MMS Directory.Student and Caregiver Handbook.Restorative Practices Overview.2024-2025 (1).pdf 

It's HERE! Walkathon is just DAYS AWAY! This is our BIGGEST FUNDRAISER of the year! We NEED YOUR HELP! 

CURRENTLY WE ARE 75% TO OUR $$ GOAL AND HAVE LESS THAN 25% OF STUDENTS REGISTERED

Register Your Student on the pledgestar website...it's FREE (the winning grade receives Battle of the Classes points for participation) 

Using your computer or phone's browser:

• Go to http://pledgestar.com/Maplewoodmiddle
• Click “Not Registered For This Year’s Event”
• Enter your name and email address, then click “Submit”
• Follow the instructions on-screen to register Walker(s) and add family and friends

Send Pledges by email, text or social media...it's FREE to send pledges

5 pledges gets you Cougar Cash               

10 pledges gets you a chance for a Greenway or Starbucks Gift Card

Donate $25 or whatever you can! ($25 a student gets us to our goal!) 

Questions? Email walkathon@maplewoodmiddleschool.org 

Please sign up for a Volunteer shift this THURSDAY, 10/24 and/or FRIDAY, 10/25. Students will walk during their PE Classes (Thursday is a B day and Friday is an A day) 

Grades and Times are noted in the sign up genius. 

SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER

For October, our school district continues offering parents informative sessions that provide understandable information on educational pedagogy and new initiatives being implemented to benefit students. Join us for: 

New Jersey Tiered System of Supports
October 24th at 7:30 pm at Seth Boyden Elementary School

Join us to learn how NJTSS supports all students, whether they need intervention or enrichment. This framework provides tailored academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports to ensure every student meets their full potential. This session is conducted by the Department of Curriculum & Instruction and the Department of Access & Equity. 

Join us for Social Media: Strengthening Caregiver Connectivity, an insightful workshop designed for parents navigating the challenges of raising children in the digital age, on November 4, 2024, at 6:00 pm. This virtual workshop via WebEx is being conducted with Effective School Solutions, a district partner that helps school districts implement culturally inclusive mental health and behavioral support programs that improve care, strengthen outcomes, address trauma, and maintain students in their home district.

We'll explore the growing role social media plays in students' lives, how it meets their needs, and, more importantly, how you can help them find fulfillment in the real world. You'll learn practical strategies to strengthen your connection with your child and encourage more offline activities while fostering a healthier balance between their online and offline worlds.

WebEx virtual meeting information will be sent in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your engagement in the important conversation surrounding the special education audit recently completed for SOMSD. We value your input and would like to hear your questions, concerns, and feedback regarding the audit findings. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey so we can address your needs effectively.

Your responses will remain confidential, and the feedback will be used to guide our future planning and communication.

Complete the Survey HERE