MMS Update

Greetings MMS Families,

We hope you were all able to take some time to relax, spend time with the people you care about, and share moments of gratitude over the Thanksgiving break. We at MMS are truly grateful for our school community and for the support you offer each and every day.

As we turn the calendar to December, we prepare for a busy winter season. Winter sports begin their competitions, our Giving Tree project is in full swing, and the student council is planning some exciting events for the month ahead. Please see below for this week's updates, and here's to a wonderful winter season.

Have a great week!

PTG Holiday Dessert Bar - Thank you to the PTG for organizing a dessert bar for our staff on Wednesday, December 10th. Please see below for more information.

Early Release - There will be an early release on Wednesday, December 10th. Dismissal will begin at 11:00.

Winter Concert - We are looking forward to hearing our musicians on December 16th at 6:30 in the MMS gym.

Holiday Break - There will be no school December 22nd through January 2nd for our holiday break.

Congratulations to our 8th grade C.E.O. award winners for the first quarter! Teachers nominated these students for their outstanding demonstration of Commitment, Empathy, and Optimism. Congratulations!

Dear Merrimack Middle School Families, the Student Council is once again sponsoring a "Giving Tree Project" to support the Nashua Children's Home this holiday season. Students are invited to pick an unwrapped gift tag in the main office starting Monday, November 24th to purchase a requested item for a child in need. Please ensure all gifts are returned to Mrs. Donahoe or Mrs. Peterson with the tag attached by Tuesday, December 16th. If you have any questions or are interested in helping, please reach out to Mrs. Donahoe (alice.donahoe@sau26.org) or Mrs. Peterson (kristen.peterson@sau26.org).

Click HERE to register for the giving tree

7th grade math students budget for their Thanksgiving feasts!

As a token of appreciation, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!

• 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code 50THANKS
• 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code 40THANKS
• 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code 30THANKS

Valid through 12/01/25

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account, find your student and order using your student's student ID number (if available at your school). Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

8th grade social studies students took on the challenge of passing a bill through committee this week, and some of them might still be a little camera-shy!

• D I Basketball hosts Lurgio (boys and girls)— 4:00 PM

• D V Basketball at Rundlett (boys and girls) — 4:00 PM

Click HERE for the Ending 68 Hours Of Hunger permission slip.

Check out our new family resources page HERE

Please complete this confidential form HERE if your family is in need of additional support.

8th grade science students put the opposable thumb to the test this week by trying to tie a shoe using only four fingers! A fun and challenging way to explore how this adaptation helps us every day.

Rock Climbing - Register for January's club HERE.

Robotics - Students interested in joining our famous robotics club should email mmsftc@gmail.com to register.

Beading and Crafting Club - Starting November 17th Mrs. Richards will be holding a beading and craft club for the holiday season. Feel free to come and make gifts for your friends and loved ones. Stop by the office to pick up a permission slip. We will meet in room 105.

8th Grade Reading Ambassadors - Attention 8th grade Book Ambassadors, our first meeting is after school on Tuesday, September 9. Please stop by room 208 for a permission slip. If any other 8th grade readers would like to join, please also stop in for a permission slip!

Something Else? - If your student is interested in creating a club at MMS, simply confirm an adult advisor and the club is yours!

Staff Holiday Dessert Bar: Wed, 12/10 https://bit.ly/mms-dessertbar-2025

The MMS PTG is hosting a holiday dessert bar for our wonderful MMS staff on Wed, 12/10 (an early release day). If you have been wondering what you might do for your child's teachers this holiday season, please consider sending in your family's favorite (homemade or store bought) sweet treat! Drop off all sweet treats in the MMS main office vestibule on Wed, 12/10, between 7-9AM. Thank you for helping spread some holiday cheer!

Friday Ice Cream Day ($1/treat) https://bit.ly/mms-icecream25-26

Volunteer slots to sell ice cream are updated through February 2026. We kindly request that you do not sign-up for more than two slots in order to share the volunteer opportunities. Thank you for your support! If you have any questions, please contact Annette at volunteer@mmsptg.com.

November/December Important Dates:

• Weekly Ice Cream Sales: Fridays (during lunch periods)
• 8th Grade Trips - 3rd Payment Due: Fri, 12/5
• Drop off desserts/sweet treats for Staff Holiday Dessert Bar: Wed, 12/10 between 7-9AM
• Early Release: Wed, 12/10
• MMS Winter Concert: Tues, 12/16 [Snow Date: Thurs, 12/18]
• No School (Winter Break): Mon, 12/22 - Fri, 1/2/26
• On-going: Give 'n Go Fundraiser, donations accepted online or cash/check (payable to MMS PTG) sent to MMS main office

PTG Contact Info:

Kim Desmarais, President [president@mmsptg.com]

Liz Thomson, Fundraising [Fundraising@mmsptg.com]

Rachel Paepke, Treasurer [Treasurer@mmsptg.com]

Michelle Bouley, Secretary [secretary@mmsptg.com]

Annette Chaput, Volunteer Coordinator [volunteer@mmsptg.com]

Chrissy Drew, Member-at-Large [member@mmsptg.com]

Click HERE to Register for ASAP!

In our ongoing effort to increase school security, we have the following procedures when parents/guardians come to our school during school hours. Thank you all for your understanding.

Dismissal - If dismissing a student, we ask that an authorized dismissing parent/guardian show their ID in the foyer, and then wait in that location for the dismissed student to meet you.

Dropping off items - If a parent/guardian is dropping off an item for a student, we ask that they leave it in the designated area in the foyer.

Visiting the school - If parents/guardians are arriving for a scheduled meeting, we ask that they show their ID in the foyer and then sign in at the main office to receive a visitor pass.