MUMS Family Newsletter

Dear MUMS community,

This week was another strange weather week and in addition to that we navigated our lack of water on Monday due to the water issues in town. Thank you for understanding how we had to pivot and being patient with us as we cancelled after school activities again. Your students rose to the occasion, were incredibly principled and flexible through it all.

Our teachers are working hard to finish up report cards this week in anticipation of a mailing early to mid week next week. Quarter 3 has begun. Students experienced a shift in their Mixt team classes and can anticipate a change to their exploratories in the next two weeks.

If you have questions generally, please reach out to us at mwisell@acsdvt.org (Michaela)

or zjerome@acsdvt.org (Zach) or dhunt@acsdvt.org (Dustin) or by calling the MUMS office at 802-382-1600 or by visiting the MUMS website for more information.

- Michaela, Zach & Dustin

Michaela Wisell, Principal

Zach Jerome, Assistant Principal

Dustin Hunt, Dean of Culture and Climate

• February 1st - 8th Grade Caregiver Info Night at MUHS 6:30pm - 8:00pm
• February 2nd - Districts Music Festival at Vermont State University - Castleton Campus
• February 3rd - DJ Skate Night 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Memorial Sports Center
• February 6th - Mardi Gras/Carnival Celebration 6:00pm-8:00pm @ MUMS
• February 7th - Early Release Day (12:45 dismissal)

When: Saturday, February 3rd from 7:00pm-9:00pm

Where: Memorial Sports Center

Click on the following signupgenius for more information about how you can support the event: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0548AFAF29AAFA7-47460514-mums

Ways you can help:

-Volunteer

-Run Concessions

-Donate snacks

-Set up

-Clean up

-Chaperone on the ice

Permission slips will get distributed in TA today.

Thursday, February 1st: Next Thursday night at 6:30pm, MUHS will be hosting the 8th grade Caregiver Information Night in the MUHS Auditorium. Departmental representatives at MUHS will highlight information about classes available to your student in 9th grade. In addition, school counselors, administrators and other key staff will share information that will help prepare students and families for the transition to high school. We hope that you will plan to attend this informative meeting. In the past, parents have found this session to be helpful in understanding academic and social activities at the high school, as well as how and where to get help when needed.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Our annual MUMS Carnival/Mardi Gras Celebration is this Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm! Come watch our Language Acquisition students in all three grades celebrate the music, food and dance of different cultures! All are invited! Thanks to Laura, Denise and Jen for setting this up!

Pam Quinn and Eileen Sears, MYP Coordinators

Dear ACSD Families,

This February, we will launch text messaging for ACSD families. This won't replace our current email/phone communication, but it will help us reach you quickly for urgent issues. We will not text you often and only for short, time-sensitive messages (like early dismissal and snow days).

To receive texts, you must opt-in. Directions to opt-in:

• Text “yes” to 67587. You will get a reply confirming your registration. If you ever want to stop, just text STOP.

• Make sure we have your wireless number in our student database. This is the number you share on school forms in August. (If you currently receive school/ACSD calls on your cell phone, we probably have your wireless number.) If not, please share it with your school.

What Is Dignity? Dignity is our way forward to build strong relationships.

“Dignity, the belief that all humans have equal worth and value, is the foundation of our work. Everyone has dignity. Everyone has the same amount. It cannot be earned or lost. Dignity is a given. It is an absolute. It is a non-negotiable right.

It may seem simple that everyone has essential value. However, the practice of using dignity to guide our interactions with each other is actually a radical shift. And while we are all born with dignity, we are not born knowing how to act in ways that honor everyone’s dignity, including our own..” from Cultures of Dignity

Video and presentation resources to explore as a family:

Let's focus on dignity, not respect video

Dignity: What it is, and why it matters

Dignity: Ten elements guide

How to practice dignity

Discussion Guide

ACSD schools are participating in the 802 Smiles Network, which promotes dental health programs in Vermont schools. This means your child is eligible for a free dental screening at school and may be eligible to receive preventive dental services at no cost to you. All you have to do is to fill out the online consent forms by February 1st, 2024. We also have paper forms that will be sent home.

The registered dental hygienist can provide the following free services:

• Dental Screening (simplified dental check-up)

• Fluoride Varnish (brush-on liquid that can help prevent cavities)

• Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) (brush-on combination of silver and fluoride that can help stop cavities from getting bigger)

• Dental Cleanings (helps keep the mouth healthy and clean!)

• Oral Health Education (teaches students how to brush, floss, maintain good oral health)

• Dental Sealants (a thin layer of material placed on back teeth to prevent decay)

Our schools will be served by dental hygienist, Michael Messina. If you choose to participate, Michael will send you a follow-up letter after your child’s screening explaining the services provided, whether additional treatment is recommended, and help connect you to a dental professional, if needed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school’s dental hygienist, Michael Messina at michaelmessina.rdh@gmail.com or our school nurse.

If filling out the forms online are too difficult, please ask your child about paper registration forms that were handed out during TA to your child. Filled out paper forms should be delivered our school Nurse Elizabeth Palko.

There has been a request to reinvigorate our School Store in time for the Holidays. For those of you interested in purchasing "MUMS Gear" please use this link.

Staff Wish List

• Our Staff Wish List includes lots of things you might have around your home unused, like magazines (for Ms. Ambrose's classes), milk crates (for Ms. Cosgrove's classes), tools, scrap wood, craft supplies and more!

We are so excited to welcome parents and community members back into our buildings this year! If you are interested in substitute teaching or volunteering this year, please start an application now!

If you are interested in joining our new Friends of MUMS group, email friendsofmums@gmail.com