Middle School Student Hours: 7:35 AM - 2:25 PM

Email Attendance & Dismissal Changes to msattendance@umtsd.org

Nurse Emails to msnurse@umtsd.org

October 2: Community Wellness Fair @ 5:00 PM

October 3: No School (Students/Teachers)

October 10: 10th Annual Pink Out

October 18: Early Dismissal @ 11:00 AM

On social media, there has been a popular trend featured on Tiktok, Instagram, Snapchat, and various other platforms. The "trend" focuses around the red "Sprayground" tags and Nike Elite zipper pulls, in which an individual tries to "collect" the tags or pull on zippers of some kind. Due to the popularization of this trend, some students have chosen to replicate it for amusement purposes. We are asking parents/guardians to please speak with your student about this and remind them to respect other's property and adhere to the code of conduct. Additionally, we are encouraging all students to keep expensive or sentimental items at home. Thank you for your partnership to support our students.

If you were unable to attend our Back to School night, Mrs. Franczkowski showed a short video where she addresses some concerns, especially with social media trends.

Do not hesitate to contact your grade level administrator or student services provider as listed below.

• Grade Level Administrators
• Shannon Franczkowski, Principal, Grade 7 Administrator, sfranczkowski@umtsd.org
• Kevin Burke, Assistant Principal, Grade 6 Administrator, kburke@umtsd.org
• Daneyelle Jordan, Assistant Principal, Grade 8 Administrator, djordan@umtsd.org
• School Counselors
• Brian Haupt, School Counselor, Last Names A-K (all grade levels), bhaupt@umtsd.org
• Jennifer Haney, School Counselor, Last Names L-Z (all grade levels), jhaney@umtsd.org
• Katie Beck, School Counselor, Emotional Support Program, kbeck@umtsd.org
• School Nurse
• Mary Nally, School Nurse, mnally@utmsd.org

Help us help you and please fill out the form below! The purpose of this form is to gather some information about students that can be communicated to teachers (ex. contact information, allergies, etc.) It also serves as a reminder to some expectations this year in the second part of the form.

Please review the important arrival procedures to ensure a safe and orderly drop-off.

Drop Off Procedures

• Car Riders: Drivers should enter the parking lot directly off of Orangemans Road and follow the one way traffic pattern. Cars will pull up to the end of the parking lot while following the orange cones. Students should exit the vehicle at the sidewalk and enter the building from the main entrance. On the map below, student drop off will occur at the image of the Golden Bear. Please follow the directions of the staff and signage. Thank you!
• For everyone's safety, drivers should not make "U" or "K" turns on Orangemans Road to drop off a student. Car riders should exit the vehicle in the designated drop off locations.
• Bike Riders: Students who ride a bike will report to the rear of the bus port to park their bikes. Students will then enter the building through the bus port.
• Bus Riders: Students who take a bus will enter the building from the bus port.
• Walkers: Students will enter the building through the main entrance.

Start Times & Late Arrival Procedures

UMMS doors open at 7:35 AM on typical school days and 9:35 AM on two-hour delayed schedules. All students are expected to be in their assigned homeroom by 7:50 AM and 9:50 AM on two-hour delayed schedules. Students who arrive at homeroom after 7:50 AM will report to the main office and be marked late.

Breakfast

Students who choose to eat breakfast will do so in the cafeteria between 7:35 AM and 7:50 AM. Students are expected to report to homeroom directly following breakfast.

For the upcoming 2024-25 School Year, the District will again be offering optional Technology Insurance at $20 per student. This will cover accidental damage to device for the first incident.

Optional Technology Insurance must be purchased by October 1, 2024.

• All students entering 6th-grade must have a physical examination
• Submitted by December 15, 2024
• All students entering 7th-grade must have a MCV & TDAP vaccine
• Submitted by September 3, 2024.

Be sure to check our website for the full calendar of athletics & activities events.

NOTE: Only 7th & 8th Grade Students Can Participate in Sports.

We're kicking off our 7th year of UMMS's #ProjectLIT Book Club! This is a book club for students, families, and staff to come together. Click here to learn more!

All you have to do to attend is read the book. If you haven't attended before or you're new to the middle school, this is the perfect time to start! All families are welcome!

A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner

*Where? UMMS (specific room TBD)

*When? Tuesday, October 29 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM-ish

*What? Powerful group discussions, fun activities, & exciting trivia!

If you are interested in attending, click this link to complete the Sign Up Genius.

How do I get the book?

• Check with your literacy teacher or the UMMS Library
• Check the UM Public Library
• Purchase a copy

Thank you for your interest in building with the LEGO Club. Please see the information below:

• Meetings will mostly be held once a month in the middle school library. If you are unable to attend a meeting, please email me. See all tentative dates below, but check the Club Calendar and morning announcements for any changes.
• October 16th, November 13th, December 11th, January 15th, January 29th, February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, May 7th
• Report to the tables in the Library by 2:30 pm.
• All school rules apply. Students attending should be interested in working with others and building with LEGOs for the ENTIRE time!
• Mrs. V’s Contact Information: LValentine@umtsd.org or 215-674-4185 ext. 3604
• To attend, please complete the following information and return the bottom portion to Mrs. Valentine by September 25th. Participation may be limited.

What are the challenges you are facing as parents, guardians, and educators? Our presenters will address the potency of today's cannabis, other substances, impaired driving, and more, with a special focus on teens and emerging adults.

We'll also provide a tour of our Mock Teen Bedroom,* which helps adults to identify signs of substance use, and trends that put kids at risk, such as cannabis, vaping, and alcohol.

Together, we'll develop the tools we need to support young people!

*Attendees must be 21 years old to tour the "Mock Teen Bedroom"

All money raised will go directly towards students and teachers through HSA events, classroom materials, and special projects. Click the button below and click 'Add Registrant' to add your student to the appeal. We need your support! Campaign runs 9/19 - 10/11.

Students who raise $35 or more will receive a t-shirt for their donation!

CHIP covers uninsured children and teens up to age 19 – and no family earns too much to qualify. With nearly 128,000 uninsured children in Pennsylvania, this is great news for families!

CHIP provides quality, comprehensive health insurance for routine doctor’s visits, prescriptions, dental, eye care, eyeglasses, mental health, and much more. CHIP covers uninsured kids who are not eligible for Medical Assistance. For many families, CHIP is free – for others, it is low cost.

Learn more at the links below:

• ENGLISH
• SPANISH

UMMS Bears, Empathy, Achieve, Resiliency

Scan QR codes on the Conference Resource below to assist and support our students and families.

BELONG:

• Clubs & Activities: A list of after school options for all students.
• Athletics: PIAA available to 7th & 8th grade students
• UMMS eCommunicator: Weekly emails containing important information

ACHIEVE:

• ELO: After school academic support on Wednesday with late bus transportation home, contact a counselor to sign up
• HAC: Access student's grades through Home Access Center

EMPATHY:

• Food & Holiday Help: We have resources to help families experiencing financial need or food insecurities. Email a counselor or Principal.

RESILIENCY:

• Aldersgate: Ongoing group and individual student support around various pre-teen related topics, speak to your counselor for more information or scheduling.

Students should not be calling or texting parents/guardians to pick them up when not feeling well during the school day. All students are required to see our school nurse, Ms. Nally who will determine if there is a need to send the student home. Then the nurse will contact parents/guardians to pick up the student.

Students are expected to have their ID cards out and ready to scan at the cashier for breakfast, lunch and snack purchases. If students are in need of a replacement student ID card they can get a new one by stopping by to see tech aides in room CAO3. New cards cost $5.00 and can be paid through the obligations online portal.

• BREAKFAST and LUNCH MENUS
• Breakfast is FREE for ALL Students during the 2024-2025 school year.
• Lunches are at cost. Visit our website for meals and snacks price list.
• Free / Reduced Meals information and application is available on our website.

This year, lockers are done by request. If your student feels the need to use a locker, this can be done by contacting their corresponding guidance counselor and setting up a meeting.

Brian Haupt: bhaupt@umtsd.org ( A-K )

Jennifer Haney: jhaney@umtsd.org ( L-Z )

We're excited to announce that we have transitioned to a new platform for processing applications and renewals.

If you have already been approved and are in our system, no action is required. The change only applies to new applicants and those renewing their applications.

For assistance with the online volunteer registration, please refer to the Volunteer Guide for an overview, or contact Human Resources Specialist, Matthew Mastrogiovanni, at mmastrogiovanni@umtsd.org for support.

• Attendance: Please email MSattendance@umtsd.org for student absences, late arrival, or if you need to sign your student out early for the day.
• School Nurse: Visit our website to learn about health and dental requirements & to access the medication permission form.
  

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