A message from Mrs. Bardwell

Well, we have made it to the end of the first 9wks. All I can say is WOW! It was a fun filled quarter. New friends, old friends, house sorting, Battle of the Bears, spirit weeks, athletics and so much more! Thank you for everything you have done to make our first 9wks a success.

As we end the first quarter, please make sure you have looked at your child's PowerSchool account to review their grades. Friday is the last day of the grading period. Any make-up work or conversations with teachers need to happen this week.

This is exam week

This year we will give cumulative 9wks assessments in each core class. The purpose of these assessments are a few things

help our students prepare for high school exam life.
help our students recall past knowledge for assessment and create the need for students to study
gives us relevant data to analyze throughout the year that we can use formatively to revise instruction

With all this in mind, we will follow the assessment calendar below. Assessments will be given this week according to this schedule.

Monday - Social Studies

Tuesday - ELA

Wednesday - Science

Thursday - Math

Battle of the Bear Results - FINAL

Thank you for your donations to our PTA for Battle of the Bears! You showed up and we are so happy! PTA more than meet their goal. They raised over $33,000. This is amazing! You donations, help keep our school strong and provide opportunities to enhance the school experience for students and teachers. We cannot thank you enough!

With the donations you have made, 10% of the amount donated will go directly to your child's house for house projects, events, and rewards. We would also like to congratulate Studiose for THE BIG WIN. By collecting the most money during Battle of the Bears they also won 200 house points for this 9wks. Laboriosi will also receive 100 house points for their second place finish. Studiose will receive their Battle of the Bear prize this week.

House shirts are on sale NOW

Does your student want a new house shirt? Place an order now, while you can.

Below are the designs for each house. The designs come in several styles

Long sleeve
Short sleeve
Crewneck sweatshirt
Hoodie sweatshirt

We also have a generic Mountain Gap shirt you can also purchase in all four house colors.

Click the graphic below to be direct to the website to purchase.

Students of the Week - Sept 28th

Lily Durnya

Student of the Week

6th Grade

Franklin Ford

Student of the Week

7th Grade

Caydien McDuffie

Student of the Week

8th Grade

Williams Wales

Student of the Week

8th Grade

Notorious D.O.G.

Service is at the heart of leadership. It is with this in mind that each of our houses will do a service project this year.

Studiose has decided to lend a paw to our four legged friends. We are asking students to bring in any of the items listed:

chew bones, dog toys
Towels, blankets
peanut butter, dog treats
dawn dish soap, hand washing soap.

We will take donations from now through Oct 2nd. Make sure students write their house on their items when they drop it off. Points will be given for donated items.

STUD-I-O-S-E, You know who - GO BLUE!

Mrs. Formby's Counselor's Corner

We are fortunate to have Tyler Cook, the Youth Outreach Coordinator at Thrive Alabama, a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary healthcare, pediatric care, behavioral health, and health education, back at The Gap this year.

Thrive Alabama offers free, engaging, and age-appropriate health education sessions designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy, informed choices.

Their curriculum serves youth ages 11–24 and covers topics such as:

Body Image & Consent
Good Hygiene Practices
Healthy Relationships

They are experienced in working with schools in Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur, and ensure all sessions are non-explicit, engaging, and tailored to school guidelines. Ms. Cook will do presentations for our students the last week in September. Presentation will be done through PE in single-gender sessions. If you do not want your student to participate, complete the opt-out form below.

Thrive Alabama Session Opt-Out Form

MGMS Athletic Information

Make sure you are game day ready

Do you have tickets?

All tickets for any HCS sporting event must be purchased on GoFan. Download the app and set up an account so you can be ready for all athletic events. Click the GoFan logo to the right to purchase tickets to athletic events.

Do you know the clear bag policy?

Metal detectors will be at every football game. Arrive early and be patient. HCS Bag Policy will be in full effect. If you bring a prohibited bag, you will be asked to return it to your car.

Individuals are encouraged not to bring any type of bags inside HCS facilities during athletic events.

Permitted Bags - The following types of bags are the ONLY BAGS permitted:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12";
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar); and
Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand).
Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a designated gate

Click the button below for the full HCS policy.

HCS Clear Bag Policy

Football season is in full effect!

Click the flyer to be directed to GoFan.

Basketball season is next up!

As we wrap up football and volleyball season, let's get ready for some hoops. You must have a current physical to tryout. See Coach Battles for questions.

All students at Mountain Gap Elementary & Middle School will receive free breakfast and lunch this year. A la cart items like chips and ice cream will be sold. You can add money to your child's lunch account on the EZ School Pay site if you would like for them to purchase a la cart items.

September's Breakfast Menu

September's Lunch Menu

What's Happening in HCS

Are you plugged-in to what is happening in HCS? Huntsville City Schools sends out their own SMORE newsletter regularly. Next time you get the email from HCS Communications with The Progress Report, make sure and click the link. In this edition of the Progress Report you will find information about the following:

Highlights from across the District
Calendar information
Capital plan highlights and much more

You can click the heading image in this story to be connected to the latest HCS newsletter.

Calling all poets!

We have a brand new writing contest for our middle school Grizzlies! We want your original poetry inspired by the prompt "A Shift in the Air." You can take this literally (cooler weather, autumn storms) or metaphorically (a mysterious turning point, a hidden secret revealed, or a sudden change in someone's life). Cozy, creepy, or nostalgic—where you take the shift is up to you! A winner will be chosen in each grade level.

Theme: A Shift in the Air
Length: No more than 500 words
Submission Deadline: Submit to Mrs. Pavlak in the library by September 30
Prizes: Bragging rights, House Points for your team, and a FREE book at the upcoming Book Fair!

Grade-level Memo

Each week teachers will compile the information for their class into one grade-level memo. You will know what your child is studying, when homework is due and when they have tests and projects. Please check the grade-level memo each week. It is the best way to stay informed.

If you need to email the teacher for a class, just click their name. It is hyperlinked to their email.

6th Grade Memo

7th Grade Memo

8th Grade Memo

Contact us

Feel free to call the office at 256-428-7720 or email us your questions. We are happy to assist you.

Heather Bardwell, Principal - heather.bardwell@hsv-k12.org

Shana Folk, Assistant Principal - shana.folk@hsv-k12.org

Erica Formby, Counselor - erica.formby@hsv-k12.org

Jennifer McLaughlin, Office Manager - jennifer.mclaughlin@hsv-k12.org

Mountain Gap Middle School

Email: mtngapmiddleschool@gmail.com
Website: https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/schools/mountain-gap-middle
Location: 821 Mtn Gap Rd Huntsville AL 35803
Phone: 256-428-7720
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountaingapp8

MGMS Weekly Memo

September 28, 2026

A message from Mrs. Bardwell

Battle of the Bear Results - FINAL

House shirts are on sale NOW

Students of the Week - Sept 28th

Lily Durnya

Franklin Ford

Caydien McDuffie

Williams Wales

Notorious D.O.G.

Mrs. Formby's Counselor's Corner

MGMS Athletic Information

Make sure you are game day ready

Do you know the clear bag policy?

Football season is in full effect!

Basketball season is next up!

September's Breakfast Menu

September's Lunch Menu

What's Happening in HCS

Calling all poets!

Grade-level Memo

Contact us

Mountain Gap Middle School

A message from Mrs. Bardwell

Battle of the Bear Results - FINAL

House shirts are on sale NOW

Students of the Week - Sept 28th Students of the Week - Sept 28th

Lily Durnya

Franklin Ford

Caydien McDuffie

Williams Wales

Notorious D.O.G.

Mrs. Formby's Counselor's Corner

MGMS Athletic Information MGMS Athletic Information

Make sure you are game day ready

Do you know the clear bag policy?

Football season is in full effect! Football season is in full effect!

Basketball season is next up!

September's Breakfast Menu September's Breakfast Menu

September's Lunch Menu September's Lunch Menu

What's Happening in HCS

Calling all poets!

Grade-level Memo

Contact us Contact us

Mountain Gap Middle School

Students of the Week - Sept 28th

MGMS Athletic Information

Football season is in full effect!

September's Breakfast Menu

September's Lunch Menu

Contact us