Mill Middle Biweekly Newsletter

Dear Mill Middle School Families,

As we move through October, our students have several exciting opportunities ahead to connect with their peers, celebrate things that make our school community special and participate in activities that foster kindness, inclusion, and a sense of belonging at Mill.

This Friday, October 16th, we will host Fall Fest for students in grades 5 - 8, beginning immediately after school and continuing until 5:30 PM. Fall Fest provides a wonderful opportunity for students to build connections with their peers, enjoy fun games, and experience carnival-style food in a positive and welcoming environment. We look forward to seeing our students enjoy this special event!

Next week, we will celebrate Unity Week, featuring a variety of themed days designed to promote inclusion, kindness, and a strong sense of belonging throughout our school community. Unity Day will take place on Wednesday, October 21st. Please encourage your student to wear orange that day as a visible reminder of our shared commitment to kindness, acceptance, and standing together against bullying.

Additionally, this newsletter includes important information regarding parent/teacher conference registration, including when the sign-up window opens and instructions for scheduling opportunities to meet with your student’s teachers. I encourage you to review the information carefully and take advantage of this opportunity to connect with our faculty and discuss your student’s progress.

For a complete listing of upcoming events and important dates, please refer to the calendar below.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We appreciate the important role our families play in making Mill Middle School a welcoming, connected, and successful learning community.

Best regards,

Chris McDuffie
Principal
Mill Middle School

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October 16th: Fall Fest 3:45 PM - 5:30 PM

October 19th: PTSA Meeting 6:00 PM

October 19th-23rd: Unity Week

October 21st: Unity Day

October 27th: Orchestra Spectrum Concert 7th-12th grade at South 7:00 PM

November 8th: Color Crush

November 11th: Veterans Day/ No School

November 12th: Band Spectrum Concert 6th-12th grade at South 7:00 PM

November 13th: End of the 1st Marking Period

November 18th: Picture Retake Day

November 19th: Parent/Teacher Conferences (In Person) 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

November 23rd: Parent/Teacher Conferences 12:30 PM-3:30 PM (Virtual) 5:00 pm-8:00 PM (In Person)

National Bullying Prevention Month is a nationwide campaign recognized throughout the month of October to raise awareness about bullying. The Williamsville CSD recognizes Unity Day/Week as a time to create a spirit of caring, understanding, and kindness.

We have planned a different theme for each day of Unity Week. See flyer below. We are asking homebase teachers and partners to remind students about Unity Week and the things they can do to promote its positive messages.

Some questions you can disscuss at home:

• What does kindness mean to you?

• Is kindness always easy to show? Why or why not?

• What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

• How does it make you feel when you show kindness to someone else?

• How do you think others feel when you are kind to them?
• How can you show kindness to someone who is being unkind to others?

• If you could give one piece of advice about kindness, what would it be?

• Are you happy with how you treat others? What could you do differently next time?

And finally, we are also sponsoring a food drive for the Williamsville Food Pantry during the last two weeks of October. We are looking for Thanksgiving food items to support families in November. More details to follow.

Thank you for your continued support!

Please click on the clicks below to read about making an appointment for Parent Teacher Conference Days!

Parent Teacher Conferences 2026 Grades 5-6

Parent Teacher Conferences 2026 Grades 7-8

South High is once again doing our Trunk-or-Treat event this year on Wed., 10/28 from 4-6 PM. Here is a letter with all of the details. We also attached a flyer to this email that we're hoping you'd be willing to distribute to 5th and 6th grade families through your PTA communications. We were thrilled with the turnout last year, so we thank you for your continued help in spreading the word!

Thank you,

Williamsville South Student Congress

This FREE event is open to middle school students and will feature crafts and activities, 4-square, Gaga Ball, and a haunted house — if you dare!

Registration is required — NO WALK-INS!

Registration is open through October 22nd.

Register here: https://buff.ly/k30lhU6

Friday, October 23rd

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Amherst Police Community Policing & Training Facility

4220 Bailey Ave., Amherst, NY

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Williamsville East HS (Commons)

This townhall style meeting will give students, families, staff members and residents a chance to talk about any education-related issue they wish. There is no agenda or set topic.

School Board members and the Superintendent will be on hand to listen, answer questions, and discuss the latest topics impacting Williamsville schools and public education.

· Educates the general public, elementary, middle, and high school students on when and how to call 9-1-1, enhancing community preparedness and reducing anxiety associated with emergency calls

· A program that teaches students physical and mental well-being through jump rope and other active challenges

· Learn more about the Swormville Fire Department, their EMT unit, and explore an ambulance

· Learn more about the Main & Transit Fire Department, their junior firefighter program, and training exercises

· Meet and greet with the Erie County Sheriff Office’s Bomb Squad, K-9 Unit, and more

· Meet and greet with the School Resource Officers

· Learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding, how to apply direct pressure, and address wounds

· Learn how to identify overdoses and administer Narcan

There will also be several skills challenges and additional educational activities that are led by our athletic teams and staff.

Paragraph: On Tuesday, October 20th from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Williamsville South High School, the Williamsville Central School District will be hosting a Hands-Only CPR/AED event in coordination with the American Heart Association for students, families, staff, and community members.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Learn life-saving, hands-only CPR through guidance and training with the American Heart Association. Please note, individuals do not become CPR certified at this event.

Date: Monday, October 26, 2026

Time: 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Casey Middle School Cafeteria

• Accepted Insurance: IHA, BCBS, Highmark, Blue Card, Univera, NOVA, MVP, Excellus, Medicare Part B, United Healthcare, etc.

• Insurance not accepted: Fidelis, Medicaid, The Empire Plan, Molina Health

Hello Mill!

We are one week into our Bookopoly challenge and are thrilled to report that 140 students have already signed up and 298 finished books have been logged!

The purpose of this fall reading challenge is to encourage students to read in their free time, and to try different genres from what they normally read. The more they read, the more Bookopoly dollars they earn, which can be exchanged for prizes.

Students can still sign up - please feel free to share the Google Classroom Code in Homebase or in other classes to encourage participation. Teachers can enter too! We have some really cool prizes based on the Bookopoly dollars earned.

Bookopoly Rules

• All participants must be signed up via Google Classroom

• Classroom Code: 46kqqu44

• Only books read during the challenge period of October 1 - December 18th, 2026 will count for earning Bookopoly dollars
  

• There are 13 different genres, and 39 total squares
  

• Each book read can only count for one square on the board

• Each book read must be at least 40 pages long

• Each individual book must be logged completely in the Student Tracker, or it will not count
  

• Participants do not need to go in order around the board
  

• Earning Point System:

• 1 book in specific genre = B$100 (Bookopoly dollars)

• 2 books in genre = B$200

• 3 books in genre = B$300
  

• There will be designated Bookopoly Shop shopping days in the library, and bonus Bookopoly Dollars to be earned. Check WITS Mail and announcements for updates.
  

• No prizes can be collected before October 13, 2026
  

• All prizes are while supplies last.
  

• The max amount of B$ that can be earned is $7,800

If students have any questions, please send them to me, or have them check the Google Classroom for more details.

Thank you,

Mrs. Waddell

Chiavetta's Chicken Dinner Tuesday, October 20th from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Presale price $15.00 must order by October 19th. Walk up or day of the event is $18.00. Please click this dinner link to order ahead.

Thank you for your support!

Breakfast and lunch menus link

Please use the links below for up to date game schedules, changes, and cancellations:

South Sports Link

Arbiter Calendar View

Please use the link below to watch live streams of games at Williamsville South:

Williamsville South Athletics Live Stream

Program and Team specific questions can be directed to our coaches:

Williamsville South Head Coaches Email Contacts

If you are interested in purchasing any Billies Football gear, please see the online store below.. It also includes homecoming specific gear to match our uniforms for that game!

• Billies Online Team Store: Click here!!! (Store closes soon!)

Thank you for everything you do across our feeder schools to support our students in the classroom, in the hallways, and on the field. Hope to see you under the lights!

All other inquiries can be directed to my office. Looking forward to a great season watching our student athletes compete.

Go Billies!

Patrick Lester

Athletic Director / Assistant Principal

Williamsville South High School

Office: 716-626-8219

pjleste@WilliamsvilleK12.org

Main Office

Phone: 716-626-8300
Fax: 716-626-8326

Attendance: 716-626-8338

Health Office: 716-626-8333
Health Fax: 716-626-8330

Guidance: 716-626-8310

Address:

505 Mill Street

Williamsville, New York 14221