Monroe Middle School
Principal Newsletter
December 2024
December's theme at MMS is EMPATHY! This month, we’re focusing on the importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Empathy helps us build stronger relationships, foster kindness, and create a supportive community. Whether it’s being a good listener, offering a helping hand, or simply showing compassion, small acts of empathy can make a big difference. As we prepare for the holiday season, let’s remember to extend care and understanding to those around us. Together, we can cultivate an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Let’s make December a month of kindness and connection!
Important Upcoming Dates
December 4
Dress Up Day: Hawaiian Day
December 13
Choral Holiday Extravaganza - MHS PAC, 7pm
December 14
Choral Holiday Extravaganza - MHS PAC, 7pm
December 17
Blood Drive - MMS Upper Gym, 11:45am-5:30pm
December 19
Senior Holiday Party - MMS Upper Gym, 8:45-10:30am
December 20
Dress Up Day: Ugly Sweater
December 23rd - January 1st
Winter Break - No School
January 2
School Resumes
MMS Fundraiser Kick-Off
January 8
Dress Up Day: College Apparel
Click here for the School District of Monroe 2024-25 District Academic Calendar
MMS Student of the Month
Kamryn Smith - MMS Student
Kamryn is an outstanding human being. He is always kind, positive, respectful and considerate. He goes out of his way to support peers and staff. He strives to do his best academically and serves as a role model for other middle schoolers. He is actively involved in the student council, and he shows up whenever they need help. We are so lucky to have him at MMS and we want him to know how much he is appreciated by all of his teachers.
MMS Staff of the Month
Amy Lee - Special Education Support Staff
As an educational assistant, Amy is amazing at connecting with students and supporting their emotional and social growth. She builds strong, trusting relationships, making every student feel valued and supported. Amy is great at helping students work through challenges like emotional regulation and social skills. She encourages positive interactions and teaches them how to express themselves in healthy ways. Amy also provides valuable insights, helping to ensure students get the support they need. For all these reasons, I’m proud to nominate Amy for the Staff Excellence Award. She’s a true asset to our school community!
Brrr, it's cold!
As the chilly weather settles in, we want to emphasize the significance of ensuring your child is equipped with warm winter outerwear. Despite the cold, we strive to provide outdoor recess opportunities whenever possible, allowing children to benefit from fresh air and physical activity. To facilitate this, we request that parents ensure their children are adequately prepared for the winter months with coats, hats, and mittens. This small effort ensures that our students can continue to enjoy outdoor activities safely, promoting their overall well-being during the winter season. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students warm and comfortable during this time.
MMS Inclement Weather Plans
There will be no requirements for the first and second days of inclement weather days this school year.
Beginning on the third day of inclement weather and beyond, asynchronous learning will be the expectations for students. Students should access their Schoology Weekly Work at a Glance. Students can reach out to their teachers via email throughout the school day.
Students should turn in all completed work to the teacher or on Schoology. Reading can also always be supplemented with learning tasks.
Save the Date!
MMS Builder's Club and Junior Optimists are hosting a Blood Drive on December 17th from 11:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Monroe Middle School. Your donation could help save lives, and we encourage everyone to come out and support this important cause. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make a difference in our community. Sign up by using THIS LINK and search for Monroe Middle School.
Senior Holiday Party
Monroe Middle School invites you to the Senior Citizen Holiday Party on December 19th from 8:30-10:30 AM, sponsored by the Student Council. Enjoy refreshments, Bingo, and delightful performances by the Band and Choir. Please RSVP by December 16th to 608-328-7120—we hope to see you there!
Holiday Extravaganza
Join us for the 3rd annual MHS Theatre Holiday Extravaganza on December 13th and 14th, featuring performances from our choirs, jazz band, and theatre students. Proceeds support MHS Theatre, PAC equipment, and the Monroe School Arts Booster Club, benefiting arts activities district-wide!
Important Reminders
The playground before school is unsupervised until 7:35am.
Please consider not having your student arrive until adult supervision is in place.
Attendance Reminders:
All absences must be called in to the main MMS office line at 608-328-7120 by 11am on the day of the absence in order to be excused. Parents/guardians must speak with or leave a message for the office staff in order for the absence to be documented properly.
If your student is arriving to school late or needs to leave school early, parents/guardians may excuse their student by calling the main MMS office line at 608-328-7120.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are coming up on January 23rd, and we’re excited to connect with you about your student’s progress! These meetings are a valuable opportunity to celebrate achievements, discuss areas for growth, and collaborate on strategies for success.
Keep an eye on your email in the near future for sign-up information. If you’re unable to attend, please connect with your child’s teacher about alternative arrangements.
Shark Tank Style
Money and Marketing students created pitches in Shark Tank like style to potential investors! Students needed to find a problem within the community and the solution had to inspire their business idea, they did amazing!
MMS Science
MMS Science students explored their passions in a recent project!
They made connections to what interests them to topics in science. Students used credible resources to create projects of their choosing!
Food Service Heroes
Our amazing Food Service Staff provided quite the pre-break meal throughout our district. We're very thankful for them and their hard work!
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Join Our Team as a Substitute!
Want to make an impact, meet amazing students and staff, and have a flexible schedule that works for you? Subbing is the perfect way to support our schools and community! Whether you’re stepping into a classroom or lending a hand in other roles, every day is a new adventure where you can truly make a difference.
Interested? Swing by the District Office on the 3rd floor of the public library or check out our website to learn how you can join the fun. Let’s make a difference together!
School Report Card for Monroe Middle School
The School District of Monroe is thrilled to announce the release of the School Report Card for Monroe Middle School, and the news is cause for celebration! This year’s score marks an improvement over last year, showcasing the hard work, determination, and collaboration of our entire school community.
Principal Matt Brown couldn’t be prouder, sharing, “The MMS report card score is a direct reflection of our amazingly hard-working staff and students. Our staff is committed to pushing our students in all facets of their middle school education, which extends well beyond academic learning. I am extremely proud of the processes and systems we have established over the last school year to best determine individual student needs and growing skills across all content areas. We are not done and still have room to grow!”
This achievement highlights a year of growth and dedication, from students who embraced challenges to teachers and staff who went above and beyond to support their learning. The focus on individualized support and innovative strategies has made a meaningful difference, and the results speak for themselves.
While we take a moment to celebrate, we’re also looking ahead. With a continued commitment to excellence, Monroe Middle School is ready to tackle new goals, strive for even greater success, and ensure every student has the tools to thrive.
Congratulations to the staff, students, and families of MMS for this fantastic achievement! Here's to continued growth, learning, and teamwork in the years ahead. Go Cheesemakers! 🧀🎉
#HealthyLiving
Teaching kids about nutrition at a young age can help prevent childhood obesity and promote lifelong healthy habits.
1). Make Learning a Part of Daily Life
Grocery Store Adventures: Let kids pick out a new fruit or vegetable to try or toppings for a homemade pizza.
Label Reading: Teach older kids to read nutrition labels and make informed choices (the less ingredients, the better)
2). Leach by Example
Be a Role Model: Kids are more likely to adopt habits they see in you.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise healthy choices instead of criticizing poor ones.
3). Encourage Mindful Eating
Taste Exploration: Help kids identify flavors & textures to appreciate food.
Eat Slowly: Teach them to chew thoroughly & recognize when they're full.
Family Meals: Share meals together to model good eating behaviors.
4). Make It Fun & Interactive
Cooking Together: Involve kids in meal preparation. Let them wash vegetables, stir batter, or set the table.
Hands-On Activities: Grow a small garden or visit a local farm to show where food comes from.
All Foods Fit: Teach that occasional treats are fine as part of an overall healthy diet.
Smart Swaps: Introduce healthier alternatives to favorite snacks (air-popped popcorn instead of chips).
Did you know?
Holiday History
Did you know that the largest Christmas tree ever recorded was a magnificent Douglas fir that stood over 221 feet tall? This incredible tree was displayed in 1950 in Seattle, Washington. To put that into perspective, that’s taller than an 18-story building! Imagine how many ornaments and lights it would take to decorate such a massive tree!
Snow Globe Magic
Did you know that the world’s largest snow globe was created in 2018 in Ohio? This enormous holiday masterpiece measured over 12 feet tall! Inside the globe was a cozy Christmas scene complete with a decorated tree, gifts, and even falling snow. It set a new standard for festive displays and brought the magic of snow globes to life on a massive scale.