Attention 6th and 7th Grade Families: We need donations (cookies, cupcakes and water) and a few volunteers on Monday, June 26 to help make our 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony special for students and their families. 

The Moving Up Ceremony Mingle has a NEW LOCATION- it will be held at the courtyard on Maple Ave (not the front door). Please sign up if you can. View the sign up genius here. 

The MMS HSA will be hosting several events for students this week, in recognition of National Crown Day, which is observed on July 3rd. National CROWN Day is a day of solidarity for the human rights of Black women, men, and children to wear their natural hair boldly, and proudly, without the fear of being discriminated against in school or the workplace.

The CROWN Act, which stands for “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists or bantu knots. It was passed into law on July 3, 2019.

On Wednesday, June 14th, Butterfly Naturals will return for “I Love My Hair”: A Hands-on Natural Hair Care Tutorial in room 142 from 2-4pm. The session is free and open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students of any gender on a first come, first serve basis. Sign up here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRSLNInqOU2opQkiv7zhD4KiQlhfcMbCy9r68iKNJ1svWlOA/viewform?usp=sf_link

The mission of Butterfly Naturals is that every child regardless of race or ethnicity is able to grow up loving their hair and being comfortable and proud to wear their natural hair as their crown without bias or discrimination. This informative, fun, and interactive workshop is designed to promote inclusivity, diversity, cultural awareness, self-love, and self-efficacy! The goal is for students to say, "I love my hair and I love yours too!"

Discrimination based on hair is often linked to cultural or ethnic biases. Research has shown that children of color, particularly Black children, are more likely to experience hair-related bullying than their peers. The workshop encourages all students to appreciate and embrace their own hair, as well as the hair of their peers. By teaching students about the diversity of hair types and styles, we can encourage acceptance of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds and reduce discriminatory attitudes and microaggressions.

Click here for more information.

The MMS HSA will be hosting several events for students this week, in recognition of National Crown Day, which is observed on July 3rd. National CROWN Day is a day of solidarity for the human rights of Black women, men, and children to wear their natural hair boldly, and proudly, without the fear of being discriminated against in school or the workplace.

The CROWN Act, which stands for “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists or bantu knots. It was passed into law on July 3, 2019.

Today, Monday, June 12th, all MMS students will participate in the assembly, "I Love Your Hair" presented by Butterfly Naturals and sponsored by the MMS HSA. We thank our MMS HSA Diversity Equity and Inclusion chairperson, Ms. Lawson, for her leadership.

While the HSA is not able to fully fund all of the end of year events for all our 231 8th graders, we have raised substantial funds through our fundraising to help many, many families!

Please contribute whatever amount you are able to our end of year activities cost and the HSA will cover the rest. 

Payments may be submitted by cash to your student’s first period teacher or Click here to pay online. 

Each year our District's formal Board approved calendar includes three inclement weather days (or snow days) to be used during the academic school year.  This year, circumstances did not require the use of any inclement weather days, as such we were able to provide the following,

• A closure in recognition of Eid al Fitr (April 21, 2023);

• A closure for the June 6th Election; and,

• As is our established tradition, close the Friday before Memorial Day as a ‘give back day’ in recognition of the hard work and dedication of our staff and students.

Therefore, please be reminded that on Friday, May 26, 2023, the South Orange and Maplewood School District will be closed for both staff and students.  Our schools and offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 30th.

Chorus Concert - 5/17

Orchestra Concert - 5/25

Band Concert - 5/31.  

The concerts will be in the MMS Auditorium. The doors open at 6:45pm and show starts at 7:00pm. Students should wear all black with any color footwear they choose. 

While the HSA is not able to fully fund all of the end of year events for all our 231 8th graders, we have raised substantial funds through our fundraising to help many, many families!

Please contribute whatever amount you are able to our end of year activities cost and the HSA will cover the rest. 

Payments may be submitted by cash to your student’s first period teacher or Click here to pay online.