MMS Parents and Guardians,

Happy Friday!  It’s hard to believe we will be turning our clocks back this weekend and welcoming November—where did October go?  Today marks the end of the first week of marking period 2.  Please take a few minutes to reiterate the importance of a positive start and maintaining momentum from the 1st marking period.

Also, a reminder that Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 12-13, 2025.  Sign-ups will go live this coming Monday, November 3rd at 8:00 am. Be sure to reserve your time early!

Wishing everyone a relaxing and enjoyable weekend as we settle into November.  Take care and be well!

Joel Yohn, MMS Principal

Upcoming Events

• October 31 - MMS Report Cards Posted

• November 12 & 13 - Early Dismissal 11:30 (no lunches served) Parent/Teacher Conferences

• November 25 - Early Dismissal 11:30 (no lunches served)

• November 26-December 1 School Closed

• December 24-January 2 - School Closed

MMS School Hours

• Doors open at 8:10 am for students. The tardy bell rings at 8:30 am.

• Dismissal begins at 3:20 pm for students.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the Book Fair throughout the week. 

Please sign up here to volunteer.  

ttsu.me/mmsbookfair2025

Hello MMS Families,

As October comes to a close, we are entering the second marking period which begins a fresh start for every student. The first report card is an opportunity to reflect, celebrate growth, and look ahead to new goals. Whether your student is feeling proud or a little discouraged, now is a great time to reset routines, revisit organization strategies, and build positive momentum for the weeks ahead.

Stay Connected: Sapphire & Google Classroom

Families can stay up to date on their student’s academic progress through the Sapphire Community Portal, where grades, missing assignments, and teacher comments are visible throughout the marking period. Sitting down with your child once a week to check both Sapphire and Google Classroom is a simple way to encourage responsibility and provide support.

If you’re not sure how to access either tool, here are helpful resources:

Sapphire Parent User Guide

Google Classroom Parent Guide

Time Change Tips: Supporting Students Through the Transition

This weekend (Sunday, November 3), we set our clocks back one hour as Daylight Saving Time ends. Even though we “gain” an hour, the shift in light and routine can affect students’ mood, sleep, and focus—especially during busy school weeks.

Here are a few family-friendly strategies to help students adjust smoothly:

Sleep & Routine Tips

Gradually adjust bedtime: Move bedtime 10–15 minutes earlier over several nights to help the body adjust.

Stick to a consistent sleep and wake-up time, even on weekends.

Create a calming bedtime routine: Limit screens at least 30 minutes before bed and encourage reading or quiet activities.

Keep bedrooms cool, dark, and quiet—especially important when it gets dark earlier outside.

Academic Transitions

Help students reset their homework routine by using their agenda to plan out nightly tasks.

Build in short breaks during evening study sessions to reduce fatigue and frustration.

Encourage time outside in the mornings if possible—natural light helps regulate their internal clock.

A well-rested student is more focused, emotionally regulated, and ready to engage in learning. A little preparation now can lead to smoother mornings and better nights during this seasonal transition.

Building Confidence for Marking Period 2

With new units, more projects, and rising expectations, it’s normal for students to feel a little nervous at the start of a new marking period. Encourage your child to:

Use their agenda daily to track homework, tests, and deadlines.

Ask for help early from teachers, classmates, or counselors.

Focus on progress over perfection. Each day is a new chance to learn and grow.

Final Thought

Thank you for your continued partnership as we enter Marking Period 2. Your support at home, whether it’s helping with bedtime, reviewing assignments, or simply asking how their day went makes a huge difference. As always, if your child needs support or you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your student succeed.

Warm regards,

Middle School Counseling Team
6th Grade- Emily Normand - enormand@mbgsd.org
7th Grade- Katie George - kgeorge@mbgsd.org
8th Grade- Kristie Socha - ksocha@mbgsd.org

Reminders:

7th Grade:  Dental exams are due. Dental exams during your student's 6th or 7th grade years will be accepted.

6th Grade: Physical exams are due. Physical exams during your student's 5th or 6th grade years will be accepted. Please send dental or physical exams to school with your student or upload to Sapphire.

Medications in school:  If your student needs to take any prescription medication during the school day, we will need a written physician order and the medication in the original bottle with the pharmacy label attached.

If your student has emergency medication for seizures, asthma or allergies, the required forms can be found here, along with the medication, along with the medication policy: https://mechanicsburgasdpa.sites.thrillshare.com/o/masd/page/health-forms

If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s health, please contact the health room at (717) 691-2454, or email Mrs. Kessler skessler@mbgsd.org, or Mrs. Kresge jkresge@mbgsd.org. Thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Tickets: All tickets for District 3 events must be purchased electronically through HomeTown Ticketing by clicking here.

Reminders:

• Student Entrance & ID: All Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School students should enter through the new student entrance to the right of the main gate, nearest the restrooms. Please have your MASD student ID ready—or show your student profile on Sapphire from your phone—for quick admittance. K-8 students should enter through the regular gate with their supervising adult.

• Bag Policy: Students are not permitted to bring backpacks and drawstring bags into the stadium. A small clutch or purse for personal items is permitted.

• Younger Student Supervision: Elementary and middle school students must be with a supervising adult upon entry and at all times throughout the game.

• Student Expectations: Students are encouraged to enjoy the game alongside their supervising adult. Congregating in groups at the gates, concession stand, restrooms, or grassy areas won’t be allowed. Staff and security will kindly redirect students back to their supervising adult if needed.

• School Function Reminder: Athletic events are considered school functions, so the same behavioral expectations apply as during the school day. We hope all students will be there to cheer on our athletes, color guard, and marching band!

 Thank you for helping us create a fun, spirited, and safe game-day atmosphere for our Wildcat community. We can’t wait to see you this Friday and all season long.

 Go Wildcats!

Please make sure to remind your children to check the Lost and Found!

To help maintain a safe, respectful, and distraction-free environment—especially in areas with less supervision like restrooms—we are updating our cell phone procedures this year. All student cell phones must be turned off and kept inside backpacks throughout the entire school day. Phones should not be carried on the student’s person, visible, or used at any time during school hours.

If a student is found with a phone out, in use, visible, or simply on during the school day, it will be collected by school staff.

• First offense: The phone will be housed in the main office and returned to the student at the end of the day.

• Additional offenses: The phone will be housed in the main office and must be picked up by a parent or guardian. Additional disciplinary actions may also apply.

We understand you may have concerns regarding your ability to communicate important information to your child. If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, they are welcome to use the phone in the main office. Likewise, if you need to get a message to your child, our office staff will make sure they receive it promptly.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work together to create a safe and focused learning environment for all students.

We're excited to share that, beginning this school year, our daily breakfast and lunch menus will be available online and through the MASD mobile app. You can access them anytime, anywhere - right from your phone, tablet, or computer!

Food Service Department Information

Free and Reduced School Meals

mySchoolBucks

We’re excited to announce that MMS has been selected to pilot the district’s new Attendance Automated Notification System!

What this means for you:

1.    Report absences by email only. Please send notice of your student’s absence to mmsattendance@mbgsd.org. (Phone calls are not required.)

2.    By 9:30 AM: If we have not received an email, or if you only call without emailing, your student’s absence will be marked unlawful and an automatic attendance message will be sent via text, email and phone call.

3.    During the transition: If you receive an absence notification but your student is actually present, please call the office at (717) 691-2452 to clear it up.

We appreciate your patience as this new system is rolled out districtwide. Our goal is a smooth and seamless transition.

Every Day Counts! Regular attendance builds the foundation for success—academically and socially. Missing just two days a month can make it harder for students to stay on track to read by third grade and graduate with their peers. Let’s start the season strong—healthy habits, good rest, and daily attendance make all the difference. We’re partnering with families to help every Wildcat show up strong this season. Watch for our Every Wildcat. Every Day. section in upcoming newsletters and on social media to learn more about the importance of student attendance.