Principal's Message
Hello MCMS Families,
As hard as it is to believe, we have been in school for an entire Marking Period! November is a month for taking the time to reflect and express gratitude for those people and experiences that we have within our lives. Throughout this month, we will be talking about the important Character Trait of respect and how it relates to our Difference Maker Attribute of Collaboration (which is our district-wide focus). Being respectful is not only an important life skill but also one of our MCMS school-wide rules. Additionally, November brings Fall parent conferences and Thanksgiving – both opportunities to sit down together with people who we care about to reflect on the past and plan for the future.
At MCMS, we have been working hard and have so many wonderful things to celebrate! Please see details in the newsletter below for our upcoming happenings at MCMS in November as well as some highlights of our first marking period!
We appreciate your ongoing support and effort to collaborate with us! Thank you for all you do each and every day to support your middle school learner in their education and beyond!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your continued support!
Sincerely,
Krystle Nemeth and Liz Bender
Important Dates
November 3rd - Fall Fest
- 5th and 6th grade: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
- 7th and 7th grade: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
November 7th - PTO Meeting at 7:00 PM in the MCMS Conference Room/Zoom
November 9th - Baron Breakfast - MCMS Cafeteria from 6:45 - 7:35 AM
November 10th - Picture Retake Day
November 17th at 7:00 PM
November 18th at 7:00 PM
November 19th at 2PM
November 20th - Parent Conferences 5:00-8:00 PM
November 21st - 1/2 day for Students
November 21st - Parent Conferences 12:30-3:30 & 5:00-8:00 PM
November 22nd - No School
November 23rd - No School
November 24th - No School
December 1st - MS Movie Night 6:30 PM
December 4th-8th - MS Book Fair
December 7th - 1/2 day for Students
December 12th - MS Choral Winter Concert
December 14th - MS Orchestra Winter Concert
December 19th - MS Band Winter concert
December 22nd -1/2 day for Students
December 23rd-January 1st - Winter Break
School Board Learner of the Month-Grayson Albrecht
Mrs. Rennix is thrilled to present Grayson Albrecht as our Student of the Month. His work ethic is truly commendable, as he consistently gives his best effort in all aspects of his academic and extracurricular pursuits. Grayson is one of the most hard-working learners we have ever taught, always willing to go the extra mile to understand something better, challenge himself, or clarify his understanding. He is a natural at Math, but is not prideful and he is always willing to learn more. In addition to his dedication to his studies, Grayson actively participates in sports, showcasing his athleticism and team spirit. Outside of school, Grayson likes to play baseball and basketball, and he is on the Manheim swim team.
Grayson is also involved in the school band. After starting his instrumental career on the alto saxophone, last year Grayson took on the challenge of learning the tenor saxophone and has made incredible progress ever since! In addition to balancing his involvement in sports, he practices diligently outside of school, which showed in his successful jazz band audition this year as lead tenor in this advanced ensemble.
Something that all of his teachers agree on is that Grayson exemplifies the very best qualities of kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. He is not just an excellent academic performer, but also someone who stands out for making our school community a better and more inclusive place for all. Grayson, like most sixth-graders, is at an age where children often struggle with the challenge of fitting in and seeking acceptance. But what truly sets Grayson apart is his willingness to ensure that everyone, no matter their differences, feels welcome and valued within the classroom. Grayson is always looking out for someone who needs a partner and has a kind heart that displays itself every day. In a time where kids often succumb to peer pressure, Grayson stands as a role model. Grayson treats everyone with respect and dignity and never talks down to anyone. As a 6th-grade team, we are so proud of all Grayson has accomplished already, and we can't wait to see how he continues to flourish in the rest of 6th grade! He is a world changer!
One more thing… when asked how he got to be so awesome, if it was because his parents are awesome? He said “YEP!” with a smile. Great job Mom and Dad!
Fall Fest - November 3rd, 2023
Fall Fest is happening on November 3rd, 2023 at Manheim Central Middle School. It will happen in two different waves, with the first wave being 5th and 6th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM, and the second wave for 7th and 8th from 7:00 - 8:00pm. The night is completely free and fun!
We are going to need volunteers to make this successful and you will need your clearances on file with the district. To find the links, go to the district page, click on parents, and then volunteering. Think outside the box, volunteers could be grandparents, close friends, Aunts or Uncles that enjoy this age group! If you are available, consider doing both times. Thanks for your continued support!
Emergency Communication Test - 11/3/23 at 5:00 PM
We will be testing our Emergency Communications systems on Friday, November 3 at 5PM. The purpose of this test is to check and see that our contact information and protocols for communication are up and running in case of emergency. The following will be our process for the test:
- Parents/Guardians/Staff/Admin will receive a blackboard voice and email communication on Friday.
- Hello this is the Manheim Central School District and this is NOT an emergency. This is a TEST of our Emergency Communication system. This communication has been sent to all primary and emergency contacts listed in our communication system. Primary contacts, please check with your emergency contacts to ensure they received this message. Additionally, as a reminder, note that this weekend we need to change the clocks back one hour as Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 2:00 A.M.
MCMS Picture Re-take Day
If your learner wants retakes done, they must bring their packet back to school on re-take day, even if it is only a proof. If they were absent on Picture day, they can show up with a payment envelope or without, we have a list of learners who were absent.
You can access the website here: https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/
School Name: Manheim Central Middle School
Re-take Picture Day Date: Friday, nOVEMBER 10
Picture Day ID: EVT8NPD4V
Report Cards
Manheim Central Middle School will continue to offer paperless report cards for students in 2023-24. As with our progress reports, report cards will no longer be sent home in a paper format. Instead, parent(s)/guardian(s) will need to access and review their student’s report card online via the District’s Home Access Center. Report cards will be released at 3:00 PM on November 17, 2023. More specific instructions for accessing this electronic copy are included below.
All parent(s)/guardian(s) have already been set up with a Home Access Center username and password. If you need login assistance, please contact the Middle School’s Main Office at 664-1700. For those without access to a computer, paper copies of report cards can be requested through the Middle School’s Main Office. Please contact the Middle School with any questions.
HOW TO ACCESS REPORT CARDS THROUGH THE HOME ACCESS CENTER
- Log into Home Access Center with your username and password.
- There are 4 icons on the top of the page in Home Access. The report card is available to view in the Grades screen. Click the Grades icon to open the report card page.
- The report card screen opens.
- Find the Print button on the top right of the screen and click to create a printable view of your child’s report card.
- After clicking the Print button, the report card will be converted to pdf format. It may take several minutes to complete the process.
Fall Book Fair
Volunteer sign up for the book fair
Here is our Book Fair Home page
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/mcmiddle
Baron Breakfast
Dates for the Baron Breakfast events for the 23-24 School Year are:
- November 9, 2024
- January 18, 2024
- March 21, 2024
- May 23, 2024
We will be losing a parking lot due to the upcoming construction that will be taking place at the Baron Fields. Therefore, parking for the November Baron Breakfast will be in the parking lot that is located near the two baseball fields (near White Oak Road and Stiegel Valley Road). After parking, walk by the varsity baseball field and towards the Middle School cafeteria. If you need parking accommodations, please contact me individually, and we will accommodate you.
This temporary change will ensure that there will be enough parking spaces for our staff in the faculty parking lot.
Thanks!
Matt Huber
5th Grade Math
717-664-1752
If you would like to donate for any of these events, please reach out to Mr. Huber: huberma@manheimcentral.org. Thank you!
FALL PLAY
Come and support your fellow Manheim Central Middle School friends as Baron Stage presents The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
November 17 and 18th at 7PM
November 19th at 2PM
Flexible Instruction Days
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved the use of Flexible Instruction Days (FID) as an alternate form of instruction in place of a day otherwise canceled due to inclement weather. PDE will count this as a full day of school and MCSD would not need to use a snow make up day. The District has been approved to use up to a maximum of five (5) FID for the 2023-2024 school year.
On a FID Day, learners will complete work from home. The FID is an asynchronous (not live) school day that is run on a 2-hour delay schedule. Assignments will be handed out in advance and attendance is determined by work submission. All work must be completed and submitted electronically by the end of the FID for a student to be “present”. In the event work is completed with pencil/paper, it can be turned in at the start of the next school day for attendance. Regular attendance procedures apply for excused/unexcused absence.
We will use our Blackboard email system to notify parents 24-48 hours that there is potential for an FID day. We would then use our phone system, local news, and social media to announce on the day of the FID. Traditional Snow Day Closures may still be used.
Learner Support Time
To provide learners with an opportunity to get assistance on schoolwork (not just homework), Manheim Central Middle School is proud to offer Learner Support Time (LST) after school for ANY learner wishing to get additional assistance. Learner Support Time will begin on Monday, October 2nd, 2023.
Fifth and sixth grades will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays and seventh and eighth grades will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:50 until 3:55 PM. LST will be staffed with at least one (typically two) MCMS learning facilitators who can assist learners. This free service is available whenever students need it. The schedule for LST will be posted on the school calendar. To access go to manheimcentral.org – Schools – Middle School – Events Calendar.
We just ask that we have documented prior approval from parents for all learners participating (see form below). Learner Support Time is held in the Media Center, and students will be dismissed out the main entrance to the Middle School. All learners will be dismissed at 3:55 PM, so we also ask that parents are prompt in picking learners up if they stay the entire time. All communication should occur by 12:00 PM the day you would like your child to participate in LTS. Please complete the form below. If you have questions, please contact Manheim Central Middle School at 717-664-1700. Hard copy Forms are also available in the Main Office!
Yes! Event Volunteers Needed!
I am reaching out to you today about an IMPORTANT need we have for volunteers for an event that is going on at Manheim Central Middle School on Thursday, December 7th. Junior Achievement of South Central PA will be here with their YES! program from approximately 7:45am to 11:15am and all 640, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will be participating in activities to help them gain an appreciation for the importance that financial and career decisions will play in their lives as young adults.
Volunteers will facilitate 1 activity four times during the morning with small groups of students. JA will provide training the morning of the event and as soon as you sign up you will receive a link to both written instructions and a brief training video. You do not need to have any special training or background experience to volunteer. We provide everything that you will need. Manheim Central Middle School will provide a light breakfast.
We are still in need of 27 volunteers for the day. I hope you will please join us as we spend the day impacting and inspiring our students. I hope you will also share this opportunity with other friends, neighbors and colleagues who may be interested in helping the students of our school and help us to save the day!
To sign up or for more information, please contact Shannon Baker at JA at Sbaker@jascpa.org or simply click on this link to sign up, YES! Day Volunteer Sign Up.
Parent Volunteer Information
PTO Information
Meetings are scheduled bi-monthly at 7:00 PM in the Middle School Conference Room and via Zoom. We meet on the following dates this year:
- November 7, 2023
- February 13, 2024
- April 9, 2024
- May 14, 2024
Looking ahead: Save the Date to volunteer October 2nd, for Baron Challenge Day. More details will be coming but if you are interested in helping and don't have your volunteer clearances on file with the district please contact longa@manheimcentral.org.
Please reach out if you are interested in joining!
Home Access Center
1. Go to www.Manheimcentral.org.
2. Click on ‘Parents’.
3. Click on 'Home Access Center' and input your credentials.
If you want to see grades in ‘real-time’ (without waiting for the progress report which is generated on Thursday afternoons), follow these additional steps:
4. Select ‘Classes’.
5. Select ‘Full View’.
This will allow you to view all assignments, grades for each assignment, and overall grade as well.
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK
Order your yearbook today @ Jostens.com. The yearbook price increases from $25 to $30 after November 10th!
Manheim Central Middle School
Email: nemethk@manheimcentral.org
Website: https://www.manheimcentral.org/Domain/9
Location: 261 White Oak Road, Manheim, PA, USA
Phone: 717-664-1700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCMSBarons/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Twitter: @MCMiddlSchool2