SEPAC SOMA Cup Chats: Out of District Families
Do you have a child in an out-of-district school? SEPAC SOMA is hosting a meetup exclusively for parents of neurodiverse students with an out-of-district placement, whether it's through SOMSD, unilateral or private.
Please share with friends and neighbors who might not be looped into SOMSD-centered channels of communication.
Questions? Please email oodsoma.spedliaison@gmail.com
Friday, April 26 @ 9:30am
Sew Leana, 12 W. South Orange Ave (near SOPAC)
SEPAC SOMA Resource Fair 5/4, 3-5pm
The very first SEPAC SOMA Resource Fair is less than two weeks away! Stop by to connect with local therapists, groups and organizations in the South Orange-Maplewood area who provide inclusive opportunities and services to individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC SOMA).
Questions? Email info@sepacsoma.org.
Saturday, May 4 @ 3:00-5:00pm
Columbia High School Cafeteria
Upcoming 8th Grade Events
Save the Dates for these Upcoming 8th Grade Field Trips/Events
April 17- Medieval Times
April 25- MPAC Field Trip Money DUE $30
May 2- MPAC
June 17- Harbor Hills Field Trip
June 18- HSA Dinner Dance at Maplewood Country Club
June 20 Moving Up Ceremony (*note that this is held on the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL)
8th Grade MPAC & Challenge Day Permission Slips DUE
Upcoming Mayo Performing Arts Center Field Trip
Please complete this form using a caregivers email, as listed in PowerSchool, as a permission slip for the upcoming Mayo Performing Arts Center field trip on Thursday, May 2nd. The cost is $30 which must be paid in cash by Thursday, April 25th. More details are in the form, as well as information on financial assistance.
COMPLETE THE PERMISSION FORM HERE
For questions please email your student's team leader.
Challenge Day Update
As we are approaching Challenge Day, on April 24th and 25th, we are going to begin the process of randomly scheduling 8th grade student participants who have not responded to our initial form. Our goal is to have a group reflective of our entire 8th grade class of 2024!
Challenge Day has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for secondary students across the district over the past several years and is a great opportunity to make connections with peers before the transition to high school. Attached is a copy of an invitation letter from Challenge Day if you are interested in learning more about the program.
If you have concerns about your student participating please reach out to Mr. Kassalow at pkassalo@somsd.k12.nj.us
Read More
Restorative Justice Nights 4/29, 6:30pm
Join Dr. Gilbert and Mrs. Waibel to learn more about how we can create a restorative culture in the SOMA community and our schools.
To register, visit the following URL:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSejZqcig2WQXd.../viewform
Walk-ins welcome
Monday, April 29, 6:30-8:30pm
525 Academy Street
Read MoreSpecial Services Caregiver Workshops
Dear South Orange & Maplewood School District Families,
Please click on the following link for a schedule of upcoming Spring Caregiver workshops.
Sincerely,
The SOMSD Special Services Department
Read MoreSpringfest is Saturday, May 18 11am-2pm
Save the Date! Springfest 2024 is Saturday, May 18 from 11am - 2pm. Play a few rounds of Bingo, complete the Scavenger Hunt, help spruce up the MMS grounds.
Food, Drinks & MMS Spiritwear will be available for purchase.
Open to ALL current and future MMS Students and Families
Email springfest@maplewoodmiddleschool.org for more information.
Read MoreWelcome to Middle School Event 4/24
April 17, 2024
Dear MMS Class of 2027 Students and Caregivers,
My name is Dara Gronau and I’m your MMS principal! Our team looks forward to welcoming the MMS Class of 2027 to middle school in a few short months.
You are invited to join us at our Getting Ready for Middle School event at 7:00pm next Wednesday, April 24 at Maplewood Middle School. The event is open to caregivers and to students. We will give you a taste of what to expect when your 6th graders walk through our doors next September. You’ll meet your counselor, the MMS leadership team, and some of our fabulous MMS 6th grade team leaders and instructors.
Don’t worry if you can’t attend! We will share our slides with our caregivers following the event. Please find our flier for the event here.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see what’s happening at MMS! https://www.instagram.com/mms_
What to do next
-
Students: If you’d like to ask our student and staff panel a question about middle school at our April 24 event, use this form! It’s optional, but we love hearing directly from our students! Submit as many questions as you’d like.
6th grade response form panel Q&A
-
Students and Caregivers: Start thinking about what Math class and what Elective class you’d like to take next year. You will receive a separate email about how to select courses in PowerSchool later this week. Your course selections must be submitted in PowerSchool by May 16, 2024.
-
Save the dates! Join us on May 16 for School in Action Night! 7-9pm in person at MMS.
Join us May 18 for MMS Springfest 10am-2pm!
Course Selection Notes
-
Mandatory Classes will be scheduled for you (ELA, Science, Social Studies, Phys. Ed., Health and Lunch).
-
You’ll select your courses (Math and Electives)
-
All students must select either:
-
Math-Gr 6 (Grade Level Math)
-
Pre-Algebra -Gr 6 (an accelerated course which includes Grade Level and Pre-Algebra concepts).
-
-
All 6th grade students must select one of the following:
-
Band (Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion)
-
Orchestra (String Instruments)
-
or Chorus (Singing)
-
-
Students who elect to be in Band or Orchestra and also want to participate in Chorus should select Band or Orchestra. Once the year starts, the Band, Orchestra and Chorus teachers will work out a schedule for the students to also participate in Chorus.
-
You cannot participate in both Band and Orchestra.
-
All students must choose either Mandarin Chinese or Spanish for a World Language.
-
All students must choose one of the following: Art 2D, Art 3D, Creative Computing and Design, or Dance.
You are guaranteed your one choice. We will also assign you to one of those classes.
We need your course requests by May 16, 2024.
You can reach out to me any time with questions. I’m here to help! We will see you next Wednesday!
Ms. Gronau
Principal, Dara Gronau: dgronau@somsd.k12.nj.us
Assistant Principal, Louis Brown: lbrown@somsd.k12.nj.us
Assistant Principal, Peter Kassalow: pkassalo@somsd.k12.nj.us
6th Grade School Counselor, April Battle: abattle@somsd.k12.nj.us
Read MoreSchool In Action Night 5/16
MMS School in Action Night will be on Thursday, May 16th.
Come see what our talented MMS students have done this year.
Experience art exhibits, musical performances, lab demonstrations, literary projects & much more!
Please note this is a 4-hour day for students with 12:30pm dismissal.
This event is open to all current and future MMS students and families.
Read More
Spring Spiritwear Sale now until 5/20
The Spring Spiritwear sale is LIVE! Support MMS and get your limited edition spiritwear while it lasts.
Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://nk-graphics.com/MMS_FALL_22/shop/home to place your order.
Sale ends May 20.
Read MoreUpcoming Dates to Know
