MMS 6th Grade Parent Information

Transitioning to middle school can be a very big, but exciting transition for kids and parents! We want to share this information with you now, so you can start talking to your student about moving up to middle school. We also have made some changes that we think you need to be aware of, and we have some tips that might be helpful for you as parents!

Vision: Inspired learning for individual success.

Mission: An exemplary learning community – every student, every day.

Core Values: Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, Commitment, Respect, Responsibility, Relationships

Next year, our 6th graders will rotate classes like a traditional middle school student. All students will have different teachers each class period, with different student groups every hour. They will have a morning elective 1st or 2nd hour, that is selected for them based on their Advisory teacher. They will also have an afternoon elective, 5th or 6th hour, with Music (either band or choir, already selected by students and parents) and Physical Education on an even/odd day schedule.

Start and Dismissal Times

Full-Day
7:40 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.

Doors open at 7:25

Wednesday Delayed Start
8:40 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.

Half Day
7:40 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Bell Schedules

6th Grade Full Day (could potentially change for the 2024-2025 school year)

1/2 Day

Late Start Wednesday

Calendars

Mason Middle School Google Calendar

Mason Middle School 1 page calendar

MPS District Calendar

Ingham ISD Common Calendar (winter break, spring break to 2026-27)

Students participate in a 6 period schedule, with classes 50 minutes each. Students also have an hour WIN or Advisory daily that appears in their schedule as a 0 hour. Students have 4 minutes to pass in between classes. Lunch times are based on 4th hour teacher.

Everyday students should bring:

• Planner (planners will be provided for students)
• Charged Chromebook (mouse if preferred)
• Pencil
• Water Bottle

MMS General School Supply Lists - Check here for a general list of what is needed for each grade. Teachers will communicate more specific supplies to students the first week of school.

Some things students may have with them daily, but not need them in the classroom.

Hats/Hoods: Hats should be left in lockers and hoods should be down during class times. If a student has a religious or cultural need for a hat or head covering, please contact Ms. Hilker.

Backpacks: Students are encouraged to use backpacks to carry their supplies to and from school. During school hours, backpacks are to remain in lockers until the completion of school.

Phones: Students are allowed to have phones on them but phones should not be visible at all times in order to not disrupt learning activities. If a teacher wants a student to use phones, they will let them know during class. Phones should be on silent during school hours. Phones are not allowed during PE or in any bathrooms or locker rooms at any time. Phones can be used during lunch times. If students need to text or call their parents during the school day, they should request a pass to go to Student Services to complete this.

Earbuds: Earbuds can be used during lunch or if needed for a learning activity or with teacher permission.

MMS Athletic Director: Mary Hilker
MMS Assistant Athletic Director: Erik Cargill
MMS Athletic Secretary: Dana Koot

6th Grade Sports- Cross Country (fall), Sideline Cheer (fall), Competitive Cheer (winter), Wrestling (winter), Track and field (spring)

7th and 8th Grade Sports- Cross Country (fall), Football (fall), Sideline Cheer (fall), Volleyball (fall), Basketball (winter), Competitive Cheer (winter), Wrestling (winter), track and field (spring)

A variety of clubs are offered throughout the year at MMS and information can be found on the daily announcements or the club bulletin board near the entrance. Students interested in starting a new club should request a meeting with Mr. Berryhill to discuss the club formation process.

Past club examples include Leos Club, Chess Club, SAGA Club, Book Club, Robotics Club, D& D Club, and Fitness Club.

Additional after school enrichment opportunities can be found at the Mason Community Education site.

All students get a 30 minute lunch period and can go outside if they want once they are done eating. All students will have free breakfast and lunch available to them this school year, however please still complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase a la carte each day during lunch. A la carte can be purchased using E-funds for School Lunch or using cash.

Monthly Lunch Menu

Free and Reduced Meal Application

E-funds for School Lunch

A La Carte Pricing

Volunteer and Background Check

Prescription Medication Form

Non-prescription Medication Form

MPS Transportation Website and Contact Info

Pick Up/Drop Off Procedures

Bus Drop Off and Pick Up

The front (west) traffic circle will be for school bus traffic only from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. every day. Visitors and parents may use the front traffic circle from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

North Parking Lot

Students may be dropped off and picked up in the north parking lot near the gym doors. Students dropped off in the north parking lot near the gym doors should use the sidewalk to proceed to the cafeteria in the morning. Students that would like to be picked up in the afternoon using the north parking lot should gather near the gym doors to be picked up. All drivers should use the full traffic circle in the north parking lot as indicated with the blue arrows on the map above.

South Parking Lot

Students may be dropped off and picked up in the south parking lot along the sidewalk (north side of the parking lot). Students dropped off in the south parking lot should use the sidewalks to proceed to the cafeteria or main entrance to enter the school. Reminder - 8th graders are the only grade level allowed to gather in the courtyard near the main entrance prior to the first bell (7:25 a.m.). Students from any grade may choose to walk to the cafeteria to wait for the first bell. All drivers should use the full traffic circle in the south parking lot as indicated with the blue arrows on the map above.

Late bus procedures - Begins October 18th. Late bus will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. STUDENTS MUST SIGN UP BY 11:45AM in order to ride that day. Students sign up by putting their name and address on the late bus form, have the teacher or staff they are staying with sign it and then turn it in to the main office by 11:45am. Forms are available in the main office and in many classrooms. Registered students should be waiting at the front doors at 3:20 to catch the late bus. They will leave promptly. Students that did not sign up by 11:45am will not be allowed to board the late bus. Please note that the late bus is for students that are staying after school with a teacher for the purposes of academic help, club attendance or make-up tests.

Principal: Mr. Ted Berryhill berryhillt@masonk12.net

Secretary to the Principal: Ms. Laurel Ritter ritterl@masonk12.net

Assistant Principal: Ms. Mary Hilker hilkerm@masonk12.net

Secretary to the Assistant Principal:

Skylert Notifications - the primary way school wide information is shared via email, phone, text

Skyward Family Access - Parents/guardians can access their child's demographic information, grades, attendance, discipline, and Food Service account balance information via Internet, anytime, day or night using Skyward Family Access. To obtain your Login ID and Password (if you don't have it), please call our Skyward Analyst at (517) 676-6494 between 8am and 4pm. To get to the Skyward Family Access website, click here

How to check grades on Skyward

Receiving notifications on the Skyward App

Attendance and Absences - If an absence is necessary, parents/guardians should call the school office (676-6514) the morning the student is absent, giving the student’s name, grade and reason for absence.

The Student Services office houses our 3 Student Advisors; Mrs. Ziehmer, Mrs. Hamers, and our Student Services Secretary, Mrs. Koot. Students can schedule a meeting with their Advisor by sending an email or stopping by to sign up on a meeting request form.

Illness or injury - If students are feeling ill or have been injured at school, they should report to Student Services with a pass before contacting home. There is a phone available in student services for any student that needs it or they may use their own.

Student Services Secretary

Mrs. Dana Koot
kootd@masonk12.net

Student Advisors

Student Last Name A-L

Mrs. Danielle Ziehmer
517-676-6514 x2474

ziehmerd@masonk12.net

Student Last Name M-Z

Mrs. Jennifer Hamers
516-676-6514 x2472

hamersj@masonk12.net

Students with IEPs and 504s

Mrs. Erin Toodzio-Hook

517-676-6514 x2476

toodzioe@masonk12.net

Old Newsboys Form - If a child is eligible for the free or reduced lunch program at school, he/she is eligible to receive a voucher from The Old Newsboys to purchase a pair of shoes or boots. The Old Newsboys works in conjunction with a few defined retailers, in Lansing and surrounding areas, where the vouches can be redeemed. Forms should be returned to Student Services.

OK2SAY - Anyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools.

Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

WIN stands for "What I Need" and occurs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for 1 hour. During this time, all students attend a class that is based on their NWEA scores and teacher input. Students may participate in activities to help increase their success in ELA or Math or provide them extra opportunities for additional challenge in a subject.

WIN placements occur for an entire marking period (about 12 weeks) and are reassessed before the end of each trimester.

Advisory takes place each Wednesday. All students attend this 1 hour class and are assigned to an Advisory teacher that they have another time during the day. These teachers stay the same all year. Advisory is an opportunity for school wide lessons that focus on Positive Behavior (PBIS), Grade level keys to success, character lessons, social emotional learning and diversity, equity and inclusion themes.

PBIS is Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is an approach schools use to promote school safety and good behavior by teaching students about behavior expectations and strategies.

Check out our MMS Behavior Matrix to be successful at MMS every day.

NWEA Benchmark Assessments drive student instruction.

Mason Middle School uses NWEA for its benchmark assessments in the fall, winter, and spring. The data collected during the benchmark periods allow teachers to make adjustments to their instruction in class based on what the students are ready to learn in their perspective grades. Additionally, it allows for teachers to provide interventions, enrichments, and support for students at the appropriate level. Individual student progress reports are going to be made available once students have completed the assessments. Click on the links below for more information about the NWEA.

NWEA Parent Information Slideshow

NWEA MAP Growth Parent Guide

NWEA RIT Reference Brochure