MUMS Family Newsletter

Dear MUMS community,

I hope this message finds you healthy and free from any impacts Tuesday evening's storm may have caused.

This week we settled into new Exploratories and finished up summative assessments and missing work in anticipation of the Quarter end. We enjoyed some new Exploratories that are ideal for snowy weather and are hopeful that we get some fresh snow soon, so we can enjoy it!

We hope that you are able to join us next Wednesday 01.17.24 for our Winter Friends of MUMS meeting where we will discuss our budget, fundraising and social events as well as the 8th grade trip. We will meet in the Library from 7:00-8:00 pm.

Please remember that there is no school on Monday or Tuesday 01.15 & 01.16 for students.

As always, If you have questions generally, please reach out to us at mwisell@acsdvt.org (Michaela)

or zjerome@acsdvt.org (Zach) or dhunt@acsdvt.org (Dustin) or by calling the MUMS office at 802-382-1600 or by visiting the MUMS website for more information.

- Michaela, Zach & Dustin

Michaela Wisell, Principal

Zach Jerome, Assistant Principal

Dustin Hunt, Dean of Culture and Climate

• January 15th & 16th - No school for students
• January 17th - Friends of MUMS Meeting (7:00-8:00)
• January 18th - Options-based response drill
• January 19th - Quarter 2 ends
• January 22nd - Quarter 3 begins
• January 24th - 8th Grade Visit to PAHCC

Mr. Barnes's 8th Grade Design students are using the Design Cycle to create electric guitars! On the day I visited, they discussed the ATL of "Managing Time and Tasks Effectively" to help them complete this project in the number of classes they have left before the end of the quarter. They also discussed the ATL of "Collaboration" and how to share responsibility equitably and productively.

They went over the Design criteria being assessed while looking at the rubrics for Design. Reflection is a big part of the project as students write and discuss how well their plans worked, how they made adjustments, and what they would do differently next time. Of course, they also get a chance to demonstrate their electric guitars to the class at the end of the quarter!

Thanks, Mr. Barnes, for providing a terrific hands-on, collaborative, process-driven experience for our MUMS students!

Pam Quinn and Eileen Sears, MYP Coordinators

Dear MUMS Families,

Earlier this year, our district shared an overview of our ACSD safety practices and our efforts to keep our community safe. You can find that information here. At Middlebury Union Middle School, we practice safety drills designed to ensure that our students and staff are familiar with how to be safe in an emergency. Some months, we practice what to do if we need to evacuate the building. Other months we practice what to do when unsafe people or hazards enter our school.

We are required to practice two options-based drills - one in September and one in January. Options-based drills introduce students to various strategies in response to a threat, such as when to evacuate from the school or remain in a classroom. Please know that all options based drills are trauma informed and age appropriate. This means the drills are performed in a way that is sensitive to the emotional well-being of our students.

We will be holding our second options-based drill on January 18th, 2024.

We use the A.L.I.C.E protocol for a response to an active threat. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff, and visitors. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During an “options based drill” all of the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no visitors will be permitted to enter the building at that time.

We know that this is an emotional topic for parents and caregivers and want to assure you of a few things:

• The adults in our building work together to plan and ensure students feel safe and we remind them that the drill is practice.

• We talk with students in a developmentally appropriate way before and after each drill and our practice is developmentally aligned.

• We are available to support families. We will share resources below to help you talk with your child about these experiences and invite you to reach out at any time.

I want you to know about it in advance and be able to talk with your children about it when they come home. Here are a few resources to support those conversations:

1. Talking with Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Educators (NASP)

If you have questions or would like to connect please reach out to me directly

Best,

Michaela Wisell

Principal

Wednesday, January 17th at 7:00 join us in the MUMS library for the winter Friends of MUMS meeting. Pizza, and planning for the 8th grade trip, social events, and more!

ACSD schools are participating in the 802 Smiles Network, which promotes dental health programs in Vermont schools. This means your child is eligible for a free dental screening at school and may be eligible to receive preventive dental services at no cost to you. All you have to do is to fill out the online consent forms by February 1st, 2024. We also have paper forms that will be sent home.

The registered dental hygienist can provide the following free services:

• Dental Screening (simplified dental check-up)

• Fluoride Varnish (brush-on liquid that can help prevent cavities)

• Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) (brush-on combination of silver and fluoride that can help stop cavities from getting bigger)

• Dental Cleanings (helps keep the mouth healthy and clean!)

• Oral Health Education (teaches students how to brush, floss, maintain good oral health)

• Dental Sealants (a thin layer of material placed on back teeth to prevent decay)

Our schools will be served by dental hygienist, Michael Messina. If you choose to participate, Michael will send you a follow-up letter after your child’s screening explaining the services provided, whether additional treatment is recommended, and help connect you to a dental professional, if needed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school’s dental hygienist, Michael Messina at michaelmessina.rdh@gmail.com or our school nurse.

If filling out the forms online are too difficult, please ask your child about paper registration forms that were handed out during TA to your child. Filled out paper forms should be delivered our school Nurse Elizabeth Palko.

As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we know that social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students’ success in school and in life. To support this learning, we first need to understand how students are doing. Last year, a group of teachers and administrators identified research-backed SEL measurement tools and selected the Panorama surveys. This year, we will again be using Panorama as a tool. The survey will be given a total of three times (fall, winter, spring), and it takes students about 10-15 minutes to complete. We will use the data we collect to reflect on student learning and strengthen our programs and instruction to help all students succeed.

In the next month, we will provide a survey to our K-12 students. Students in 3rd-12th grades will self-reflect on skills related to self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. For grades K-2, teachers will complete a much shorter survey on the same topics about each student in their class. We ask that all students participate, because their feedback will provide valuable insights to help us improve and adapt our district to support all students.

Please notify us if you wish to opt your child out of taking the survey by emailing mcurran@acsdvt.org with your child’s name, grade, and TA teacher by January 19th, 2024.

Thank you in advance for supporting this important work. If you have any questions please contact your school principal or Courtney Krahn, Director of Teaching and Learning (ckrahn@acsdvt.org; 820-382-1276).

There has been a request to reinvigorate our School Store in time for the Holidays. For those of you interested in purchasing "MUMS Gear" please use this link.

Staff Wish List

• Our Staff Wish List includes lots of things you might have around your home unused, like magazines (for Ms. Ambrose's classes), milk crates (for Ms. Cosgrove's classes), tools, scrap wood, craft supplies and more!

REMINDER

Flu and covid are on the rise!

If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL.

Fever 100.4 and greater

Chills

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Flu like symptoms- general malaise, body aches

The student must be symptom free for at least 24 hours (without the use of medications) before returning to school.

It is strongly encouraged to test your child for covid. Unfortunately, the school is unable to provide covid tests to students at this time, we should be getting more in- but a very minimal amount. Please check your local pharmacy, online, or the local health department. The federal government is also offering 4 free covid tests to each family, see the following website www.covid.gov

Hand hygiene! Encourage your child to hand wash frequently and utilize hand sanitizer. Cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. And don't forget to schedule your child for their annual flu shot and covid booster!

Following these guidelines will help stop widespread flu and covid throughout the school. If you have any questions please reach out. Thank you!

Elizabeth Palko BSN RN

MUMS School Nurse

802-382-1207

epalko@acsdvt.org

We are so excited to welcome parents and community members back into our buildings this year! If you are interested in substitute teaching or volunteering this year, please start an application now!

If you are interested in joining our new Friends of MUMS group, email friendsofmums@gmail.com