The Walkathon is THIS Thursday, 10/26 and Friday, 10/27! 

Have you registered your walker? https://pledgestar.com/maplewoodmiddle/ (It's FREE)

The class with the most REGISTERED WALKERS will win Battle of the Classes points! 

Once you're registered, SEND 5 PLEDGES (It's FREE). All Students who SEND 5 PLEDGES will receive Cougar Cash! 

Click here for detailed information and instructions.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Pick a day, pick a shift! Sign up to volunteer here. 

If you placed an order during the Fall Spiritwear sale, items have arrived! Check your student's backpack as items were delivered to student homerooms and will be distributed. Questions? Contact spiritwear@maplewoodmiddleschool.org

Missed out and want to order? Stay tuned...a holiday pop-up sale is coming! More info to come!

Asking on Behalf of the MMS Social Workers and Social Work Interns: 

ISO Tween/teen-friendly, new or gently used items for a mindfulness/social work/ pullout testing space: 

- a loveseat (small), clean, no stains or tears

- bean bag chairs, floor cushions or "poofs" for the floor for kids to sit on (like Moroccan floor cushions) - vacuumed, without stains or tears (please no lice - kidding not kidding)

 -large cozy pillows for a corner - fun colors, designs or sequins welcome

- cool posters (not motivational, but fun - maybe music groups, bands, DJs?)

- LED lights or similar

- low maintenance plants (windowsill size and floor) that can live with limited light

- sensory items (fidgets/fidget cubes/rubiks, koosh balls, glitter tubes with water, etc.) 

- a medium Bluetooth speaker with decent sound 

Things we don't want: 

- rugs

- blankets

- putty or slime (nothing that cannot be Lysoled!)

Smaller items can be dropped off to Room 23 (basement). Larger items can be delivered to the Main Office (contact Alli Joseph to arrange timeline ajoseph@somsd.k12.nj.us

Q1 Progress Report Cards are ready to view in PowerSchool. Visit 

http://somsd.powerschool.com/

MMS is presenting Mean Girls this February! To find out how to audition for the cast or crew of Mean Girls, visit tinyurl.com/meangirlsauditiondoc

SONG/MONOLOGUE AUDITIONS on October 16, 18, 19, 20, and 23 

DANCE AUDITIONS on October 25

CALLBACKS on October 26, 27, and 30

CAST ANNOUNCED October 31

STAGE CREW/ART CREW October 18

COSTUME CREW Contact Mrs. Kleinwaks

STAGE MANAGER Complete Google Interest Form

*Students must be logged in to their school account to access forms. 

Yearbook sales are OPEN! Purchase your copy at the REDUCED PRICE of $20 until 1/15/24. After 1/15, the price will be $25. 

Visit yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 6667. Deadline to order is 4/15/24.

SOMSD has recently acquired a subscription to Tutor.com, a 24/7 online tutoring service for students in grades 3 through 12. This resource is easily accessible through students' Google accounts, much like Canvas. 

Please encourage your students to access Tutor.com via the little boxes "waffle" in the top right corner of their Google page.

For detailed instructions on accessing Tutor.com, please refer to these Tutor.com How To Videos

Attached is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers regarding the District’s switch from the My Payments Plus system to the PaySchools system. 

The lists are available in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish at the following links

English 

Haitian Creole 

Spanish 

There are currently 28 registered walkers for 8th Grade! 

https://pledgestar.com/maplewoodmiddle/

The Grade with the most registered walkers will win Battle of the Classes points (it's FREE TO REGISTER) 

Want to hear a song? Submit your playlist request here. 

Want to Volunteer? Sign up here.

Celebrate your 8th Grader with a Yearbook Dedication. Visit Yearbookordercenter.com use code 6667. Select your Ad Size, Template and Add your Photos/Messages. 

Orders are Due by February 14, 2024.

Questions? Email Mary-Alice Zavocki mzavocki@somsk.k12.nj.us or Ryann Giusti rgiusti@somsd.k12.nj.us

There are currently 44 registered walkers for 7th Grade! 

https://pledgestar.com/maplewoodmiddle/

The Grade with the most registered walkers will win Battle of the Classes points (it's FREE TO REGISTER) 

Want to hear a song? Submit your playlist request here. 

Want to Volunteer? Sign up here.

There are currently 49 registered walkers for 6th Grade! 

https://pledgestar.com/maplewoodmiddle/

The Grade with the most registered walkers will win Battle of the Classes points (it's FREE TO REGISTER) 

Want to hear a song? Submit your playlist request here. 

Want to Volunteer? Sign up here.

The 6th Grade Field Day is now Friday, October 27 from 8:30-10am. Students should wear sneakers and bring their water bottles. 

COLLEGE TRANSITION WORKSHOP: Matt Endlich’s annual presentation on transitioning to college with an IEP or 504 is a GREAT meeting for juniors, seniors and their parents/guardians to learn about the process. Click here for more info and click here to register (by 10/24, please).

Wednesday, October 25 @ 7:00pm
◉ Columbia High School Auditorium

More info about these events and the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee

Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds and various lifestyles, experience, and interests.

Equity ensures everyone has access to the same treatment, opportunities and advancement. Equity aims to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of certain groups. 

Equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge as well as make adjustments to fix imbalances.

Inclusion builds a culture of belonging by actively inviting contribution and participation of all people.

You can reach out to this year's MMS HSA DEI Advocacy Liaison, Myani Lawson, at myani.lawson@maplewoodmiddleschool.org with any concerns, feedback and ideas or sign up to join the committee on our Volunteer Interest Form.

Diwali Fest NJ 2023 Promises Family Fun with Food, Dance, Music & Children’s Activities. 

ADMISSION: FREE!

SOMA Cross-Cultural Works has once again partnered with the Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture to host the 6th annual Diwali Fest NJ, a unique multicultural celebration of Diwali (Festival of lights) and South Asian arts and culture for the whole community.

Supported by volunteers from South Orange and Maplewood, Diwali Fest NJ provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy and celebrate together as friends and neighbors. 

Please remember to carry cash as some of the vendors at the event may not accept electronic forms of payment. 

Carry your picnic blankets and chairs and be prepared to ENJOY!!! and have a time of your life!

Urgent need: Help us stock our “pantry” and prepare care packages for students and families over the long upcoming Fall Break. 

Here’s how you can help:

*One-time and/or monthly subscription purchases from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/330HM6QZA3IM0...

*Cash donations via our partners at SOMA Justice https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/SOMAJustice/SOMAShares

*or share items (chewy granola bars, gummy snacks, Rice Krispie treats, etc.) directly by reaching out for a list of our drop-off locations.

Thank you and please share in your networks! 

SOMA Justice - Addressing Race and Inequality

Maplewood Police Department is hosting Trunk or Treat on Monday, October 30 at DeHart Park (120 Burnett Ave) from 4 - 8pm.

We are looking for volunteers to decorate their cars and provide candy! 

Contact MPD Community Engagement Unit at (973)761-7613 or email Det. Sgt. Scott Reeves SReeves@maplewoodnj.gov

PRIZES AWARDED to the BEST DECORATED CAR!