

MUMS Family Newsletter
December 15th, 2023
Dear MUMS community,
We hope this message finds you well!
As we glide into our last few weeks of the 2023 calendar year, we want to express our sincere gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do to support our MUMS community. We are so grateful for volunteer efforts, dance planning, the Fun Run, donations and your physical presence at our events. Additionally, we are thankful for your partnership. With out you all, our efforts to provide a high-quality, equitable, and varied learning environment that inspires a passion for learning and growth among our students wouldn't be possible.
We hope that you have a restful break with your family and look forward to welcoming students back in 2024!
As always, If you have questions generally, please reach out to us at mwisell@acsdvt.org (Michaela)
or zjerome@acsdvt.org (Zach) or dhunt@acsdvt.org (Dustin) or by calling the MUMS office at 802-382-1600 or by visiting the MUMS website for more information.
- Michaela, Zach & Dustin
Michaela Wisell, Principal
Zach Jerome, Assistant Principal
Dustin Hunt, Dean of Culture and Climate
Save the Dates!
- December 22nd through January 1st - Winter Break
From our MYP Coordinators
As part of their Adventure Unit in Language & Literature, 6th graders on Teams 1 and 2 have been writing creative narratives from the perspective of climbers on Mount Everest. Students spent time researching Mount Everest prior to this assignment and are incorporating information from their research into their narratives. This assignment asks students to pick a specific, dramatic moment in time that might occur during a climb up Mount Everest, and to focus on using strong sensory language to make the story engaging for the reader. Through this assignment, students are delving into the inquiry question of "What can we learn about the world, people within the world, and ourselves through adventure stories?" Thank you to Ms. Bauer and Mr. Petrosino for offering students this great writing experience!
Below, enjoy these excerpts from four 6th graders’ stories:
Excerpt #1:
The cold seeps through my layers of clothing as my older sister and I guide Palmina and Elza, two enthusiastic women from Portugal, up Sagarmatha. We are about to cross the deepest crevasse on our journey and I can feel their nervousness and excitement radiate through me.
Excerpt #2:
Nima watched in terror from the other side of the crevasse. I tried to move toward the other side but the process was too slow. The ladder slipped and fell down taking me with it! I scrambled at the snow and ice at the side of the cliff as I fell. The top of the crevasse grew smaller as I fell.
Excerpt #3:
I was born in Kathmandu, where I was raised. At the age of 6, my grandpa died on Mt. Everst down a crevasse. Ever since then, I have wanted to be a Sherpa. I don’t know why, but the thought of having one of the most dangerous jobs in the world seemed exciting to me.
Excerpt #4:
The 3 ladders tied together to make a bridge to cross the deep crevasse are wobbling under my weight. It's about 50 feet across. I look down and all I see is cold icy walls dropping into a void of darkness. I'm filled with adrenaline and fear.
Pam Quinn and Eileen Sears, MYP Coordinators
Spirit Week - Week of December 18th through 21st
We will celebrate the end of 2023 next week with an assembly, staff competition and spirit week! Please ask your students to share about our "minute to win-it" competitions each day during lunch as well as our Staff vs. Student Towel Volleyball competition on Thursday afternoon.
The information most important for you to have is that next week is MUMS Spirit Week. If students haven't already, they will receive information about these events throughout the next week in the daily bulletin. Please encourage your child to direct any questions to their T.A. first and if questions persist they can connect with Dustin.
Monday- PJ/comfy day
Tuesday- Beach day
Wednesday- Twin Day
Thursday- Dress as your team color
Team 1-Purple
Team 2- Orange
Team 3- Blue
Team 4- Red
MUMS School Store
There has been a request to reinvigorate our School Store in time for the Holidays. For those of you interested in purchasing "MUMS Gear" please use this link.
Help with the staff wish list!
Staff Wish List
- Our Staff Wish List includes lots of things you might have around your home unused, like magazines (for Ms. Ambrose's classes), milk crates (for Ms. Cosgrove's classes), tools, scrap wood, craft supplies and more!
Memo. From Nurse Palko
REMINDER
Flu and covid are on the rise!
If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL.
Fever 100.4 and greater
Chills
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Flu like symptoms- general malaise, body aches
The student must be symptom free for at least 24 hours (without the use of medications) before returning to school.
It is strongly encouraged to test your child for covid. Unfortunately, the school is unable to provide covid tests to students at this time, we should be getting more in- but a very minimal amount. Please check your local pharmacy, online, or the local health department. The federal government is also offering 4 free covid tests to each family, see the following website www.covid.gov
Hand hygiene! Encourage your child to hand wash frequently and utilize hand sanitizer. Cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. And don't forget to schedule your child for their annual flu shot and covid booster!
Following these guidelines will help stop widespread flu and covid throughout the school. If you have any questions please reach out. Thank you!
Elizabeth Palko BSN RN
MUMS School Nurse
802-382-1207
Volunteer, Substitute & Join our Friends of MUMS Group!
We are so excited to welcome parents and community members back into our buildings this year! If you are interested in substitute teaching or volunteering this year, please start an application now!
If you are interested in joining our new Friends of MUMS group, email friendsofmums@gmail.com
Follow us on social media!
48 DEERFIELD LANE
MIDDLEBURY, VT 05753
TELEPHONE: 802-382-1600