MMS Parents and Guardians,

Greetings and Happy “Fist Bump” Friday!  I want to thank all the parents who were able to participate in our recent parent-teacher conferences.  We had a great turnout!  The partnership between home and school remains one of the most critical aspects to student success and we truly value the time you take to connect with us about your child’s learning and growth.

Last week, we also celebrated our first-ever “Heroes in Our Hallways” event in honor of Veterans Day.  The appreciation shown by our students was overwhelming.  As our veterans walked through the halls of MMS, lined with cheering students waving flags and applauding, you could see the gratitude reflected in both their faces and the faces of our Wildcats.  It was a powerful reminder of how important it is for our young people not only to learn about service, but to feel its significance.

A special shoutout to our very own MMS veterans — Mr. Bonora, Mr. Daft, Mr. Mundorff, and Mr. Sacra — for modeling what it means to serve with courage and heart.  We are proud and grateful to have them as part of our MMS family.

I hope you enjoy your weekend as temperatures continue to drop.  Take care and be well.

Joel Yohn, MMS Principal

Upcoming Events

• 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.

Hello MMS Families,

November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month, a dedicated time to recognize and support the many children and teens who experience grief whether from the loss of a loved one, family changes, deployment, separation, or even less recognized losses like moving, changing schools, or shifts in friendships.

Grief in kids doesn’t always look the way adults expect. It can show up as sadness, irritability, withdrawal, silliness, changes in sleep, trouble concentrating, or a dip in academic motivation. Middle schoolers are still learning how to name their emotions and often need gentle support in making sense of their feelings.

How You Can Support a Grieving Child

Here are a few simple, meaningful ways families can support their child:

Normalize their feelings.
Let them know it’s okay to feel sad, angry, confused, or even nothing at all. Grief isn’t linear.

Listen without fixing.
Kids don’t always need solutions. Sometimes they just need space to talk, cry, or sit quietly next to someone they trust.

Keep routines predictable.
Structure helps students feel grounded, safe, and connected—especially during emotionally heavy times.

Watch for changes in behavior.
Shifts in sleep, appetite, academic performance, or mood can signal that a child needs extra support.

Reach out if needed.
School counselors, community providers, and grief specialists are available to help children process big emotions in healthy ways.

A Note About the Holidays

For many families, grief can feel heavier as we move into the holiday season. Students may need extra patience, reassurance, and space to talk or reflect. Even small check-ins like, “How are you feeling today?” can go a long way.

Caregivers Matter Too

Supporting a grieving child can be emotionally taxing. Please remember:

You don’t have to have all the answers.

You are allowed to take breaks.

You deserve care, rest, and support just as much as your child.

Asking for help from friends, family, or professionals is a sign of strength.

Your wellbeing directly supports your child’s wellbeing.

Quick Academic Check-In

As we move through the second marking period, don’t forget to check Sapphire regularly to stay informed about your child’s grades, assignments, and attendance. These quick check-ins can help you notice trends early and start conversations before issues pile up.

Encourage your child to show you their Google Classroom dashboard as well.  Just five minutes together can help them stay organized and feel supported.

We're Here for You

If your child seems more emotional, withdrawn, or overwhelmed this month, please reach out. We are here to support your student in all areas of their development.

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

This month on Wildcat TV we reviewed hygiene practices for our students.  As middle school students, they should be responsible for their own hygiene every day. It’s not just about looking good; it's also about staying healthy and respecting others.

As a reminder, here’s what each student needs to do daily:

Make sure they shower and use soap. 

Use deodorant every day. 

Brush teeth at least twice a day and floss once. 

Be sure to put on clean clothes every day, especially changing socks and underwear. 

Wash hands often - As we learned last month, everyone needs to wash their hands after using the restroom and before eating. It’s the easiest way to stay healthy. 

If students arrive at school and did not have time to take care of hygiene items before school, they can stop at the nurse to get the supplies they need. 

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.

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.

Belonging & Wellness: Why Both Matter for Attendance. Students are more likely to attend regularly when they feel connected to adults and friends at school—and when they feel their best physically, too! Encourage involvement in clubs, sports, or classroom activities that make school feel like home, and help your student build healthy routines through handwashing, rest, and balanced meals. If your child feels under the weather and you’re unsure whether to send them, check with the school nurse first—many mild symptoms are safe for school. Staying connected (and well-rested!) helps every Wildcat show up and succeed. Tip: When appointments are necessary during the school day, try to send your student back afterward so they don’t miss valuable instruction.