Cubs Newsletter

Girl's Basketball and Boy's Wrestling starts on Monday, but it isn't too late to get signed up! We have lower numbers than expected for Girl's Basketball, so if that was something your student was on the fence about, we encourage everyone to give it a try. Give us a call on Monday, or visit our website, or email our Activities Supervisor Mr. Leituala (leitualam@msd281.org) if you have any questions. https://mms.msd281.org/o/mms/page/sports-activities

All student athletes must have confirmation of a physical before they can participate, but if your student is interested in participating, we encourage them to show up for the first practice to meet the coaches.

Our World Cultures classes are hosting a Moscow Middle School Dance on January 9th, 2026. That is the first Friday after break. The dance will be held here in the MPR from 4 - 6 p.m. Students can buy tickets early for $4 or at the dance for $6. There will be refreshments sold, a raffle, a scavenger hunt, and dancing...😁 The students have worked very hard to plan and organize this dance, and proceeds will go to help Ukrainian refugees.

They could use some help, and are specifically looking for parents willing to help chaperone.

If you are interested in helping chaperone for the dance, please click here.

If you are interested in baking for the bake sale, please click here.

Thank you for helping out, and we hope to see your kids at the dance!

A few things to know about school dances:

• Only MMS students may attend - no friends, siblings, relatives, etc. that are not enrolled at MMS will be admitted.
• Students must have transportation to and from the dance that is arranged ahead of time. Students may not stay on campus after 2:15 on Friday to wait for the dance to start (only students in the World Cultures class that are setting up for the dance may remain on campus) and will be asked to leave campus if they are hanging around. The dance will end promptly at 6:00 p.m. and we will empty out the school so that we can get cleaned up. Rides should plan to be at MMS a little bit before 6:00 so that students are not waiting outside for long periods of time.
• Please remember that it is cold and dark at 6:00 p.m. in January.
• Middle School dances are not formal events, although students usually try to look their best. Dressing up is o.k. but student attire needs to comply with our school dress code. See the attachment below. Fancy clothes are fun, but not required.
• Students are allowed to have cell phones at the dance, but please keep in mind that school staff and other adult chaperones do not monitor or supervise student's use of personal phones and other electronic devices at these types of activities.
• No outside beverages or food are allowed to be brought into the dance or be delivered to the dance.
• School rules apply at dances, and adults are in charge. Students are expected to be respectful, kind, and to comply with adult requests. We want everyone to be safe and have an enjoyable time. We will call and ask you to pick up your student early from the dance, if needed.
• Dances are not for everyone, and some kids might not want to attend the dance - that is o.k! Sometimes students arrive excited for their first real school dance, and get overwhelmed, stressed out, frustrated, and/or sad. I've supervised many a middle school dance, and each and every time I've had to take a student (or multiple students) into the office for a break in the quiet and give them chocolate, kleenex, a listening ear, and sometimes we phone home so they can go home early. If you have any concerns about the dance or your student's readiness for these types of events, please consider waiting for the next one and make plans to do something you know they will enjoy instead.

Thank you to our Earth Club students and all the adults that helped with this year's Elf Exchange. It was a huge success. We are grateful to everyone that donated items and for those that took the time to set up, assist, and clean up after this great event. I had students tell me enthusiastically about the gifts that they had chosen for siblings, parents, and other loved ones, and how excited they were to be giving those gifts and to see them opened and enjoyed. It was quite touching, actually. I'm so grateful to get to work with such great kids, and great educators.

Every year, Moscow High School and Moscow Middle School Unite for a cause. In January, we will compete with MHS to collect the most food donations for our school and community food banks. (Not to brag, but we have won every year since...well, for the last five years at least). Our Cheer squad will unite with the MHS Cheer Squad, our band with the HS band, for an MHS home basketball game in the Bear Den. This will happen on January 14th, so stay tuned for more information.

Next Week

Monday – Girl's Basketball and Boy's Wrestling start

Friday – Dance for Ukraine! 4-6 PM in MPR

On the Calendar

1/14 – Moscow UNITE!

1/19 – No School MLK Jr. Day

1/21 – Haiti Night at MHS

1/22 – Assembly during extended HR time

1/22 – Drama Class Performance

1/22 – last day of Semester One

1/23 – No school for kids – Teacher contract day

1/26 – No school for kids – Teacher contract day

1/29 – NAEP testing

1/30 – Library kids Podcast crew field trip

Below is a link to MMS Events on our webpage where you can stay up to date with all the goings on at Moscow Middle School. Go Cubs!