Hello MCMS Families, (needs updated)

We only have 14 short school days in December, but they are packed with a lot of learning as well as exciting activities to get the community involved! This month, we have our Family Movie Night where we will be showing a classic holiday favorite: Home Alone. Also this month, our learners will be showcasing their talents at our amazing Winter Concerts. We will also celebrate the month with some festive activities that will be brought to you by our Student Council!

We continue to work toward building literacy in all academic areas with our learners. Learners who read an additional 15 minutes each day will make much more growth than their peers who do not read 15 minutes each day. This independent reading is vital for the development of reading skills. Encourage your learners to make reading for 15 minutes at home a part of their daily routine!

This month, our Character Trait at MCMS is choices and our Difference Maker Trait focus is on being a Critical Thinker.

As always, thank you for all that you do! We are so thankful for your support and appreciate your ongoing feedback! Have a great December!

Sincerely,

Krystle Nemeth and Elizabeth Bender

Each Cycle Day 1 our learners will engage in class meetings. We will continue our Character Dares in the 23-24 school year. Learners will receive dares in school and we will also share out a Family Character Dare monthly with families! This month's dare is "Their Thing."

December 1st - MS Movie Night 6:30 PM

December 4th - School-wide Spelling Bee

December 4th-8th - MS Book Fair

December 7th -Half Day for Learners - MS Dismissed at 11:45 AM (no lunch served)

December 7th - No Learner Support Time

December 12th - No Learner Support Time

December 12th -Chorus Winter Concert (evening) 7:00 PM - MCMS Auditorium

December 14th -Orchestra Winter Concert (evening) 7:00 PM - MCMS Auditorium

December 19th -Band Winter Concert (evening) 7:00 PM - MCMS Auditorium

December 22nd - BOC Concert Assembly (during the school day)

December 22nd - Half Day for Learners - MS Dismissed at 11:45 AM (no lunch served)

December 25th - January 1st - Winter Break - No School

January 2nd - Back to School

January 5th - MCMS Bingo Night 6:30-8:30 PM Middle School cafeteria

January 15th - No School MLK day

January 18th - Baron Breakfast 6:45 - 7:35 AM - MCMS cafeteria

January 24th - End of 2nd Marking Period

January 25th - Tentative In-service Day -No School

Analytical: Alexx examines information in a very careful manner. Mrs. Bunty shares that Alexx is able to tackle challenging problems in math. She applies logical reasoning and mathematical skills while being detail-oriented and creative in her thinking.

Laser-focused: Alexx is laser-focused during independent work, group work, and whole group discussions. Mrs. Bullock states that Alexx always maintains focus and is a reliable group leader when working with others to analyze literature.

Enthusiastic: Alexx gets excited about learning, especially when given the opportunity to express voice and choice in her assignments. Mr. Peters stated that Alexx was particularly excited about the topic she chose for her World History Top 10 project. So much so that she started looking up things the night before we started research in class.

eXemplary: Alexx cares deeply about the work she produces. The 7th grade team noted that Alexx is one of the most conscientious learners we have and it is a privilege to teach her. Her attention to detail and desire to produce high-quality work is unsurpassed among her peers.

eXtremely humble in her daily interactions with peers, facilitators, and teammates.

Attentive: Alexx is very focused on her learning in the classroom. Facilitators mentioned that Alexx is always making eye contact with the teacher and consistently participates in classroom and partner discussions. She is always aware of what is expected and looks to get the most out of her learning opportunities.

Newsworthy student-athlete: In addition to her outstanding grades as a learner, Alexx also excels at field hockey. Coach Reiner states that Alexx showed up to practice each day looking for ways to grow as an athlete. She worked as hard in practice as she did in games. Never once did she hear a complaint from her. As a result, Alexx was our middle school’s leading scorer this season, tallying 18 of the 36 goals.

Determined: Alexx is determined to do her best and portray her best self. Alexx seeks feedback and strives to improve her work. She demonstrates a growth mindset in her writing and aims to be better each day.

Reflective: Alexx is very reflective of the work she produces. She is always looking for ways to improve and grow as a learner.

Awesome learner to have on our team! The 7th-grade team is privileged to have a learner like Alexxandra on our team.

5th Grade:Carsten Bourassa, Annie Detter, Ella Pierce, Liam Hay, Alesana Colon, Maggie Reed

6th Grade:David Olsen , Quincy Margiotta , Seth Harris, Abigail Stuart, Adalie Lindberg, Kaia Tinelli

7th Grade:Sophie Flowers, Kaiden Snapp, Kenley Kerstetter, Zeke Miller (not in photo)

8th Grade:Owen Wisniewski , Camryn Heisey , Wanda Mattei Medina , Dylan Henninger

5th Grade: Phillip Bowden, Jacob Helm, Morgan Fahr, Logan Rohrer, Jakob Medina

6th Grade: Johnny Lundgren, Ally Waynick, Eden Bucher, Jaxon Alghrim (not in photo), Ella Weaver (not in photo), Elia Boer (not in photo)

7th Grade: Sophia Ruzyllo, Reese Gibble, Ian Charles, Tyeler Piefer, Riley McCormick (not in photo)

8th Grade: Josh Lopez Maldonado, Leah Foreman , Katrelle Fox , Nate Cook , Mia Dominguez

The MCMS PTO will be holding a Book Fair from December 4th-8th, 2023.

Volunteer sign up for the book fair

Here is our Book Fair Home page

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/mcmiddle

Please note that starting January 2, 2023- all volunteers or visitors to the school buildings will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement, acknowledging the confidentiality requirements required to serve as a volunteer or visitor in the Manheim Central School District. The Confidentiality Statement is listed below, and will be posted in the sign in area of every building.

Confidentiality Statement:

No visitor/volunteer shall be permitted to access, review, disclose, or use confidential student information, or participate in conversations in which confidential student information is discussed. Examples of such information include, but are not limited to, the following: grades or other measures of academic performance, class standing, standardized or other test scores, attendance records, disciplinary history, intelligence test scores, personality and interest test scores, individualized education plans, health data, family background information, teacher or counselor ratings and observations, and any other verified or unverified information contained in a student’s file maintained by the teachers, administrators or schools within the school district. Each volunteer shall keep strictly confidential all information s/he may learn, during the course of performing services, about the students enrolled in the school district.

This means that, as a visitor/volunteer, by merely entering this facility you signify the acceptance of the Manheim Central School District’s confidentiality policy for volunteers, as provided above. Any information regarding any type of health-related or education-related issues, or anything regarding student grades or records, is strictly confidential and is protected by FERPA laws. Anything you learn, hear, or see in any of our District facilities or at any school-related function in your service as a volunteer, must remain confidential. Any transmission of confidential student information via verbal or written means, or via social media, is strictly prohibited and will result in the immediate release from volunteer service. If, at this time, you do not agree to this requirement, you will be instructed on how to proceed by administration.

Your continued use of the school gate guardian check in system implies your ongoing agreement to these terms and conditions. If you do not agree to this confidentiality, you will be unable to volunteer. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy please contact the Manheim Central School District administrative team.

A final reminder that you have an obligation and responsibility to keep student information learned in the course of your volunteer service completely confidential.

We are excited to announce that Manheim Central Middle School will be engaging in our Baron Breakfasts for the 23-24 school year! Baron Breakfast centers around our core components of being a Difference Maker. One parent with their child will be encouraged to attend! We will communicate specifics on how to sign up closer to the date of each event. The schedule for the 2023-2024 Baron Breakfast Events at MCMS is outlined below.

Sign up here

Dates for the Baron Breakfast events for the 23-24 School Year are

• January 18, 2024
• March 21, 2024
• May 23, 2024

We will be losing a parking lot due to the upcoming construction that will be taking place at the Baron Fields. Therefore, parking for the November Baron Breakfast will be in the parking lot that is located near the two baseball fields (near White Oak Road and Stiegel Valley Road). After parking, walk by the varsity baseball field and towards the Middle School cafeteria. If you need parking accommodations, please contact me individually, and we will accommodate you.

This temporary change will ensure that there will be enough parking spaces for our staff in the faculty parking lot.

Thanks!

Matt Huber

5th Grade Math

717-664-1752

If you would like to donate for any of these events, please reach out to Mr. Huber: huberma@manheimcentral.org. Thank you!

Looking to get more involved in your child's school? Enjoy helping to plan events and strengthen our school community? Join our Manheim Central Middle School PTO! Please fill out this google form if you would like to be part of what we do here at the middle school

Meetings are scheduled bi-monthly at 7:00 PM in the Middle School Conference Room and via Zoom. We meet on the following dates this year:

• February 13, 2024
• April 9, 2024
• May 14, 2024

Looking ahead: Save the Date to volunteer October 2nd, for Baron Challenge Day. More details will be coming but if you are interested in helping and don't have your volunteer clearances on file with the district please contact longa@manheimcentral.org.

Please reach out if you are interested in joining!

To provide learners with an opportunity to get assistance on schoolwork (not just homework), Manheim Central Middle School is proud to offer Learner Support Time (LST) after school for ANY learner wishing to get additional assistance. Learner Support Time will begin on Monday, October 2nd, 2023.

Fifth and sixth grades will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays and seventh and eighth grades will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:50 until 3:55 PM. LST will be staffed with at least one (typically two) MCMS learning facilitators who can assist learners. This free service is available whenever students need it. The schedule for LST will be posted on the school calendar. To access go to manheimcentral.org – Schools – Middle School – Events Calendar.

We just ask that we have documented prior approval from parents for all learners participating (see form below). Learner Support Time is held in the Media Center, and students will be dismissed out the main entrance to the Middle School. All learners will be dismissed at 3:55 PM, so we also ask that parents are prompt in picking learners up if they stay the entire time. All communication should occur by 12:00 PM the day you would like your child to participate in LTS. Please complete the form below. If you have questions, please contact Manheim Central Middle School at 717-664-1700. Hard copy Forms are also available in the Main Office!

There will be many opportunities to volunteer here at Manheim Central Middle School! Whether it is helping out at school functions, chaperoning field trips, or helping out a club or sports team, we welcome volunteers as partners in your child’s educational experience. Please note, all volunteers need the proper clearances and paperwork on file with the district. This process can take some time, so we encourage anyone wishing to volunteer to begin filling out the forms now. Forms and instructions are located on Manheim Central’s district homepage under ‘Parents’ and ‘Volunteering’ (see link below). Please note, once initial clearances have been obtained, they are good for 5 years.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved the use of Flexible Instruction Days (FID) as an alternate form of instruction in place of a day otherwise canceled due to inclement weather. PDE will count this as a full day of school and MCSD would not need to use a snow make up day. The District has been approved to use up to a maximum of five (5) FID for the 2023-2024 school year.

On a FID Day, learners will complete work from home. The FID is an asynchronous (not live) school day that is run on a 2-hour delay schedule. Assignments will be handed out in advance and attendance is determined by work submission. All work must be completed and submitted electronically by the end of the FID for a student to be “present”. In the event work is completed with pencil/paper, it can be turned in at the start of the next school day for attendance. Regular attendance procedures apply for excused/unexcused absence.

We will use our Blackboard email system to notify parents 24-48 hours that there is potential for an FID day. We would then use our phone system, local news, and social media to announce on the day of the FID. Traditional Snow Day Closures may still be used.

Our grades will be updated each Tuesday and Thursday. Please utilize the Home Access Center by following the steps below:

1. Go to www.Manheimcentral.org.

2. Click on ‘Parents’.

3. Click on 'Home Access Center' and input your credentials.

If you want to see grades in ‘real-time’ (without waiting for the progress report which is generated on Thursday afternoons), follow these additional steps:

4. Select ‘Classes’.

5. Select ‘Full View’.

This will allow you to view all assignments, grades for each assignment, and overall grade as well.

Watch this video here:

How to Login to Schoology for Parents (screenpal.com)

OR Read Below:

To access SCHOOLOGY:

- Go to www.schoology.com

- Click on Sign Up in the upper right-hand corner

- Click on Parent

- Register for a free account using your email address and access code.

USER NAME: your email address ACCESS CODE: call the school for this code

This will connect you with your child’s account

If you have more than one child within our district, left-click on your name in the upper right-hand corner; then click Add Another Student.

Order your yearbook today @ Jostens.com. The yearbook price increases from $25 to $30 after November 10th!

Our school is partnering with Weis Markets in the Weis 4 School Program where we can earn money for our school simply by shopping. When you shop at Weis, scan this barcode to register your Weis Club Card with the middle school. You only need to do this once.

Parent Newsletter

Email: nemethk@manheimcentral.org
Website: https://www.manheimcentral.org/Domain/9
Location: 261 White Oak Road, Manheim, PA, USA
Phone: 717-664-1700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCMSBarons/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Twitter: @MCMiddlSchool2