MUMS Family Newsletter
January 30, 2026
Week 19
Dear MUMS community,
We had another short week with wild winter weather! With that, students showed up at school each day ready to learn and take on each days challenges! We continue to engage in our winter athletics and clubs and see lots of joy from students in those areas of their day. Additionally, we are seeing students settle into their Quarter 3 classes with confidence and excitement. We have hit our winter stride and look forward to the longer, sunnier days ahead.
We hope you all stay safe and warm this weekend and appreciate your partnership.
Best,
Michaela Wisell ~ Principal
If you have questions, please reach out to us:
MUMS office 802-382-1600 or visit the MUMS website.
Michaela Wisell, Principal mwisell@acsdvt.org
Fieh Chan, Assistant Principal fchan@acsdvt.org
Erin Jipner, Student Response Coordinator ejipner@acsdvt.org
Dustin Hunt, Athletics and Activities Director dhunt@acsdvt.org
- Feb. 4th - Early Release Day (12:45 dismissal)
- Feb. 4th - 8th graders visit the Hannaford Career Center
- Feb. 10th - Unified - Snowshoeing
- Feb. 11th - MUMS Spring Concert @ MUHS
- Feb. 13th - GMMDV Festival - Choir & Jazz
From the MYP Coordinator
Greetings MUMS Caregivers!
As we quick off quarter 3, I wanted to highlight a really special feature of the MYP program: Interdisciplinary Units!
While learning in the MYP is interdisciplinary by nature, specifically designed Interdisciplinary Units (or IDUs) involve two different courses coming together to focus on one unit of study. In our highly interconnected world, it is essential that students make connections between knowledge domains to understand the world around them.
For example, 7th grade L&L and I&S just teamed up to deliver a unit on “Stories that Live On” through wars. While the I&S teachers focused on learning about the history of WW1 and WW2, the L&L teachers read stories from these time periods from different points of view. Using their understanding of the historical time period, narrative development and character traits, students are creating “war story books”. This task asks them to synthesize their critical and creative thinking from both courses.
💡Talk to your student: Does something they are learning in one class apply to something they are learning in another? Why are skills like reading and writing important in all classes? How does math apply in science? PE? Art?
8th Grade upcoming events 2026
Important Information for 8th graders!
We are reaching out to you to remind you of three upcoming events and important information regarding your transition from 8th to 9th grade!
Wednesday, Feb 4th: Our 8th graders will be visiting the Hannaford Career Center to learn about upcoming class opportunities available to them as they transition to MUHS. This visit will be happening during Period 1, 2 and 3 of the school day.
Thursday, February 5th: MUHS school counselors will meet with 8th graders to introduce themselves and talk about what to expect in the 9th grade at MUHS. These presentations will take place during the school day at MUMS. Students will then have the opportunity during this meeting to choose the elective courses they want to take at the high school, and complete a course registration form. In early March, after MUHS counselors have all of the completed registration forms, you will receive a list of your student’s requested courses with both core MYP classes and electives for your review. Math and Language Acquisition teachers make course recommendations for each student. If you have any questions about those course recommendations, we encourage you to contact the MUMS teacher directly. Please note, these are only course requests, not student schedules. Schedules are created in late spring from these course requests and will be mailed home in early August.
VSAC Talent Search Program:
If neither you or your child’s other biological or adoptive parent have a 4 year college degree, your child may be eligible for the program! Please fill out this quick form and our VSAC Counselor will reach out to you with the application.
If you have any questions about any of this information, please feel free to contact any of the following counselors:
Laura Emilo- 8th grade School Counselor at MUMS
Sam Lewis- MUHS School Counselor (Student Last Names A- Goe)
Emily Schademan- MUHS School Counselor (Student Last Names Gom-Sal)
Adrien Preston- MUHS School Counselor (Student Last Names San- Z)
2026 8th Grade Parent Night Presentation
If you were unable to attend the 8th grade parent/caregiver night at MUHS or would like to review the information shared, here is a link to the slideshow.
Student Absences, Dismissals + Bus Notes
If your student will be absent from school, needs an early dismissal, or will take a different bus, please follow these directions:
- Absence / early dismissal: Call 802-382-1297, the MUMS attendance line, before 8:30am (helpful tip: add this number to your phone now as "MUMS attendance line")
- Early dismissal + bus notes: Students must deliver a caregiver's note to the front office when arriving at school (before TA).
- If taking a bus other than their regular bus: Students must bring a caregiver's note and have it signed by a MUMS Administrative Assistant in the front office to be valid.
