Shark Bytes
October 22, 2023 - Community Newsletter
Dear Monomoy Middle School Families,
Thank you to all the families who came to MRMS for conferences. It was great to see so many families in the building creating that home to school connection that we know is so valuable to increasing student engagement and achievement. As we move past our first progress note, I want to remind families of our district-wide attendance policy as written in the student handbook, in the case that you begin to receive communication from us around your student's attendance. As our approach is progressive, initial communication will come to families from our homeroom teachers or the school nurse.
"Daily attendance is part of our school’s overall accountability measures, based on requirements from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Massachusetts defines Chronically Absent as missing at least 10% of days enrolled (e.g., 18 days absent if enrolled for 180) regardless of whether the absences are considered excused, unexcused and/or for disciplinary reasons. Under these accountability measures, our school is responsible for reducing the number of students who are chronically absent – those who miss eighteen (18) or more days in a year for any reason. While a limited number of absences due to illness, injury, legal or medical situation, or urgent family matter is natural in any school year, absences for family vacations, missing the school bus, or other non-urgent reasons are not appropriate.
To limit the number of chronically absent students, our school will take the following steps:
- When a student reaches six (6) absences, regardless of reason, a school administrator or their designee will reach out to reaffirm the importance of daily attendance and to offer support and assistance.
- When a student reaches nine (9) absences, regardless of reason, a school administrator or their designee will reach out to discuss and document the concerns and to offer support and assistance.
- When a student reaches twelve (12) absences, regardless of reason, the school will reach out to arrange a meeting between the household and school officials to explain potential legal consequences for continued absences and to offer intervention services."
Thank you all for your collective efforts to get our amazing students to school every day!
In partnership,
Abby Dudley
Principal
ANNOUNCEMENTS
School Council: We will have our first school council of the year on Monday, October 30th from 4-5 pm in the MRMS library. This is a group of parents, guardians, school staff, and school administration that looks at the needs and direction of the school, and offers input for school improvement. Please RSVP to Mrs. Dudley if you are planning to attend on the 30th.
Costume Social: We will be hosting our annual MRMS Costume Social on 10/27. Thank you to the senior class for arranging this. There is a suggested 5 dollar donation and snacks will be available for students to purchase.
- 5th grade students are invited from 5-6:15pm
- 6/7th grade students are invited from 6:30-8pm
Students are not allowed to wear masks, carry and fake weapons, or wear anything that is overly gruesome with the potential to be actually scary.
Dance Donations: We are looking to set up a Costume themed photo booth for Friday's dance. If you have any props from old costumes that you would like to donate, please drop them off in the front office before Friday. Examples are funny glasses, fun hats, signs to hold, etc.
Bike and Scooter Riders: If your child rides a bike or scooter to school, please review the following expectations with them as we want to ensure that all children are arriving and departing from school safely. All bikes and scooters need to be placed on a bike rack. These are located outside the 5th grade entrance and outside of Ms. Cortese's room in the back loop. When departing school, please walk your bike or scooter until you are safely away from traffic and off the school property. Thank you for keeping everyone safe.
Lost and Found: Our lost and found is overflowing and will be emptied at the end of this week. During lunches, we will encourage students to search for lost items, and any remaining items will be removed at the close of the week. If you know your child is missing an item, please encourage them to visit the lost and found.
Unity Day: Thanks to Ms. Rice and Sgt. Massey for arranging our Unity Day activities. Students and staff had the exciting opportunity to unite our community by joining hands to circle the school and wrap around the space that unites our MRMS community.