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In this issue: Message from Jackie, More Important Dates, School Lunch Info, New Visual Arts Program, Staffing Changes, Parent Meetings - Sign Up Now, Traffic Rules, New Dress Code, Urgent Volunteer Needs, Introducing School Pages, and Don't Forget to RSVP for the Leadership Picnic |
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Message from Jackie
Dear MMS Families,
The Mountain Middle School staff is looking forward to partnering with you in the important work of growing and learning for each of our students this year. This newsletter contains information you need to know about heading back to school. It includes drop off and pick up instructions, dress code changes, sign up for mandatory school meetings, and much more.
We have several great volunteer opportunities, including cooking at the Leadership Picnic, helping with the Back to School Picnic, and helping in the garden this Friday!
Teachers, parents, and community members need to work together to create successful students. I encourage you to be an active part of our school community. There will be many opportunities throughout the year to get involved at Mountain Middle School.
Here are some ways to show your child that you support and are a participant in our project-based environment:
Role model the attitude "School's important!"
Ensure your child attends school every day and arrives on time
Actively oversee your child's academic work on a daily basis.
Contact teachers {Link to Teacher Directory} when you have questions or concerns
Attend conferences, MMS activities, presentations of learning and exhibitions. A technology orientation meeting is mandatory for parents with their student. You can reserve a spot here.
At Mountain Middle School, we recognize that middle level students experience great changes intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically during the years between elementary and high school. As a learning community our goal is to help each of our students to integrate these changes with the knowledge, skills, and habits of heart and mind needed for success in school and, more importantly, throughout life.
We have enhanced our dedicated, caring staff that are committed to help students successfully transition through these challenging years. Read more about the staff changes below.
-- Jackie
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MMS Student Leadership Picnic - August 18th
Reminder e-mail for log-in is: MMS, password is: 2012
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Edgemont Ranch Picnic Grounds
-- 8th Graders - Arrive 10 a.m.
-- 6th/7th Graders - Arrive at noon
-- Parents can pick their kids up at 3:30
The leadership picnic will be supervised by Mike Madden and Heather Study. Mike and Heather will teach team-building and craft activities to the 8th graders starting at 10. Then all 6th and 7th graders are invited to join for a picnic lunch at noon. The 8th graders will then lead team building and crafts for the rest of the afternoon.
Kids should be prepared to be outside for the day. So bring hats and sunscreen, and wear tennis shoes. Lunch will be provided by parent volunteers.
Please contact Heather with any questions.
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Save the Date - PTSO Inaugural Meeting - September 11th @ 6pm.
In these times of tight budgets, parent groups everywhere are having to fill in the gaps, and so are we. Our number one goal is to get more parents connected to the school. Building parent involvement in education is the number one thing we can do to create a great school and improve student performance.
Here are a couple of ways you can help - please pick one!
This Friday!!!! from 9:30 to 2:00 - Clean up the grounds. RSVP Here or just come. Join us this Friday to get the grounds ready for the school to open. Please bring your own tools. Contact Teresa @ 303-249-5647 with any questions.
Help Grill & Serve Food for the Leadership Picnic this Saturday. Let Sue know if you can help @ 759-1347
| PTSO Back to School Potluck - August 23rd from 5 to 7 | | |
Please bring your family and join the Mountain Middle School family for a potluck supper for all MMS students. Join in food and fun and hear a welcome from our Head of School, Jackie Oros.
For dishes to bring, here are the assignments by last name:
A to I - Salads and Sides
J to S - Main Dishes
T to Z - Desserts (bars & cookies are easy to grab)
Families are also welcome to donate hotdogs.
Please sign up here for potluck donations. We need volunteers to help set up, clean up, help organize and a couple of other random needs.
If you can, a $5 per family donation will help defray the costs of the event.
Parking might be difficult. Please consider biking, walking, or some other creative way of arriving at our potluck supper.
Feel free to contact Sue with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
A limited number of MMS logo student planners ($8) and water bottles ($12) will be available for sale at the picnic. Look for other cool new logo merchandise there too. It all benefits the PTSO and helps our school.
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| School Lunches - Important Info | | |
All students must bring their own lunches for the first two weeks of school. Ordering information will become available the week of August 27th, and we will resume our "catered" lunch program after Labor Day.
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Dress Code
The purpose of the Mountain Middle School dress code is to create a professional, safe and respectful community where students can place their focus on learning. Dress codes contribute to a positive school culture and can set the tone for serious work.The MMS dress code allows students to distinguish themselves personally without academic distraction. The dress code is in effect from the start of the school day until the end of the school day. Students are always allowed to change into athletic wear for X-blocks and for after-school activities. Students should wear the appropriate clothing with modesty and in a neat fashion.
Students may wear a short or long sleeve top with a collar or finished neck. Shoulders must be covered. Exposed mid-sections are not acceptable. Logo shirts are acceptable.
Outside jackets must be taken off at the beginning of the day. Sweatshirts with hoods will be allowed. Hoods may not be worn in the building.
Bottoms
Appropriate school attire includes long pants, Jeans in good repair, shorts or skirts - each worn with the waistband at the waist.
Girls may wear skirts, dresses and shorts of an acceptable length, no shorter than 3 inches above the knee. Leggings under short skirts are acceptable.
Shoes, Jewelry & Accessories Open toed footwear is allowed exceptduring project work where safety is a concern. Teachers will be responsible for letting students know when open toed footwear is not appropriate.
Earrings are allowed but staff may request students remove their jewelry if it poses a safety issue within a specific activity. (Example: No large hoops for trust falls!)
Hats, hoods, bandannas, do-rags, and sunglasses are not allowed to be worn inside the school building.
Text on clothing or buttons that promotes violence, alcohol, gangs, tobacco or drugs is prohibited, and clothing that is associated with a gang is not permitted.
When students are presenting their works they must wear professional dress. Click here to see the specifics of Professional Dress. |
New Visual Arts Program
Theater Arts will be replaced with Visual Arts led by Brenda Macon. The students have loved her SIG and after school programs.
A good visual arts program is vital for the development of 21st Century Skills. Ms. Macon's quality program will also promote active, engaged learning and strengthen literacy. In addition, the key components of the MMS Visual Art program are aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts. The four standards are:
- Observe and Learn to Comprehend
- Envision and Critique to Reflect
- Invent and Discover to Create
- Relate and Connect to Transfer
We are certain that Brenda will add an element of excellence to our students and staff that will resonate in beautiful project work.
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| Traffic Rules | | |
Please observe the following traffic rules to ensure that everyone arrives at school safely and on time. Please look at the instructions closely - they really do help everyone get through drop off and pick up quickly.
From the North
Cars must turn right onto W. 30th St and then right on W. 2nd Ave. Drop off in front of school. Proceed to W. 32nd St. Take a right and then left on HWY 550 at the Light.
From the South
Cars must turn left on W. 29th St. and then right on W. 2nd Ave. Proceed 1 1/2 blocks to school drop off in front of school. Take 1st right on W. 31st. St. and then right on Hwy 550.
Biking to School
MMS Encourages students to use alternative forms of transportation when commuting to school. Students should furnish their own locks if intending to store bikes in front of the building. For guidance on biking and walking safely, please visit the school site here.
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Staff Changes
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6th Grade Math/Science
Josh Dalley & David McMillan will share math and science responsibilities. Josh will also be the Math Specialist for 6th grade responsible for all students with ALP's.
New Math Specialist
 Meet Melissa Watters. Melissa has been a project-based middle school math and science teacher for 10 years. She is originally from the Chicago area where she earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MS in Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University. She worked as an engineer at Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago before being called to the teaching profession.
It is Melissa's background as an engineer that inspired her project-based learning perspective -- engineering, after all, is the application of science and math to create solutions. Melissa is passionate about and experienced with the rich opportunities for critical thinking, problem solving, and math and science application available through project-based learning. It is her goal for her students to realize the utility and power of math as a tool to make good decisions and design needed solutions (and have fun doing it!).
Melissa has taught in Illinois and Missouri, and last year finally made the move to southwest Colorado that she has been wanting to make ever since her first visit. She taught in Dolores last year where she and her husband, Jeff, currently reside. Melissa and Jeff enjoy fishing, camping, mountain biking, and hanging out with their two dogs.
New Receptionist
 Meet Heidi, our new part-time receptionist. She is currently finishing her Elementary Education degree at Fort Lewis College and will be a full time student this semester. Heidi loves spending time with her husband and three kids. She enjoys reading, being outdoors, and cheering her kids on in sports and dance. |
Parent Meetings - Sign Up Now
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MMS requires that each parent and student attend a mandatory meeting at the beginning of the school year to review the cultural and technology expectations. These meetings are scheduled for 90 minutes on the following dates and times:
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| Introducing School Pages | | |
We listen! Last year several parents told us they would like to see better communication from us. We are doing several things to try and improve including a newsletter and a parent wiki called School Pages.
Sign in here. Look for instructions on the sign in page.
This is intended to make all of our lives easier. So, if you have any troubles signing in, or have any questions or comments we want to hear about it. Please contact Jessica at jessica.wheeler@mountainmiddleschool.org or 415-999-7931. |
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Upcoming Dates
August 18 - MMS Student Leadership Picnic - RSVP here
August 21 - 1st Day of School
First 3 Weeks of School - Mandatory Parent Meetings, Sign Up Here
PTSO Meeting
September 11th, 6 pm
September 26 - Durango Connect
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School Hours
Day Begins: 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:20 p.m.
Friday Dismissal: 2:00 p.m.
Early Arrival: Students should arrive no earlier than 7:45 a.m. unless prior arrangements have been made with a staff member
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News for the community? Item for our classifieds section?
Let Jessica know. |
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