MPMS Cougar Pride News

Dear MPMS Families,

Second Week of School Highlights
We’ve wrapped up our second week of school, and our students are already finding their rhythm! They are learning the layout of the building, mastering their locker routines, and getting their timing down for class transitions—three minutes without a locker stop and five minutes with a locker stop. Mrs. Moore and I are thrilled to see students engaged in their learning and beginning to make connections to our school community through sports tryouts. Be sure to check out the upcoming sporting events listed below—we hope to see you there!

Arrival and Dismissal Time Adjustments:
This week, both the middle and high school are testing a new bus drop-off schedule to better support the high school’s morning start with securing cell phones in Yonder Pouches and to improve traffic flow in front of the middle school. We will shift arrivals by five minutes: the first eight buses will unload at 7:00 am, with the remainder of the fleet unloading at 7:05. Please note that the main lane will remain open from 6:45–7:00 am but will close intermittently afterward to allow buses to exit the loop. To avoid delays, we recommend dropping students off before 7:00 am for a quicker departure. Afternoon announcements begin at 2:08 with the grade levels dismissing at the following times:

6th Grade: 2:09 pm

7th Grade: 2:10 pm

8th Grade: 2:12 pm

Together as an Ohana - Cougar Family
Thank you for your continued support in helping our students start strong this year. Your partnership ensures that every child feels connected, supported, and ready to succeed!

With warm regards and Cougar PRIDE,

Kelli Huntley
Principal, Manassas Park Middle School

School hours are 7:05 am - 2:15 pm.

Manassas Park Middle School's doors open at 6:45 am daily. The tardy bell rings at 7:17 am. Please help your student arrive on time for school everyday. For changes in dismissal arrangements, contact the main office at 703-361-1510. We understand that dismissal changes are sometimes necessary after students have arrived at school. Please make changes before 1:30 pm.

Student Canvas accounts are LIVE! Our "Screen Time Savings Event" during the first four days of school was a big success. We will continue our focus on building relationships, developing classroom routines, and supporting Expectations of Excellence.

We encourage parents and guardians to sign up for Parent Portal and as an observer in Canvas. For more information about how to sign up, please contact Ms. Gibbons, MP Middle School Family Liaison at 571-361-1510.

To support a safe and engaging learning environment, please review the 2025-2026 MPMS Student Handbook with your child.

When students enter the school building, all cell phones must be powered off and put away in their backpack. Students will proceed through the Commons for a Grab & Go Breakfast and proceed to their grade level hallway. This year, all students are assigned a locker and are expected to store their backpacks, phones, lunches, and snacks during the day. Students may take snacks and their packed lunch to the Commons during their lunch period. Snacks are not allowed in the classrooms during instruction. Exceptions are made for students with documented dietary requirements or other required documentation (e.g., IEP/504 plan).

Dress Code: Clothing must cover the torso, including the midriff and undergarments, and extend to mid-thigh. Clothing should not be revealing, see-through, or promote in-appropriate content. No hats, hoods, or bandanas are allowed in the building with exceptions for religious or medical reasons. Safe and appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Parents/guardians will be contacted to bring a change of clothes for students whose clothing does not meet dress code expectations.

Prohibited Devices: Effective January 1, 2025, Virginia mandates a "bell-to-bell" cellphone ban in public K-12 schools. All student cell phones, portable electronic devices (PEDs) and wireless earbuds/headphones are prohibited and must be off and away from 6:45 am - 2:15 pm. This policy applies to all students, though exemptions exist for those with documented need included in 504 plans, individualized education programs (IEPs), or health plans. Students are expected to store their PEDs in their assigned locker throughout the day. Any visible devices will be confiscated and turned into the MPMS Main Office. PEDs are prohibited during after-school instructional events (e.g., tutoring, after-school detention, etc.) Parents/Guardians will be contacted to pick up collected devices.

Electric Hall Pass System: Students are required to have an approved electronic hall pass from an MPMS staff member to be in the hallway during instructional time. Students are encouraged to remain in the classroom during direct instructional time and utilize the restroom during independent study.

Dates To Remember

August 29: No school (Division closed-Labor Day)

September 1: No school (Division closed-Labor Day)

September 10 PTSO Meeting-Manassas Park Middle School 6:30 pm

September 17 Early Release Day (Students release at 11:30 am)

September 23 Rosh Hashanah (Division Closed)

Check out the following calendar link for the updated school calendar. Please note, there are student holidays and student early release dates throughout the school year.

Electives Schedule

Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Gold Day

Wedne3day, September 3, 202: Black Day

Thursday, September 4, 202: Gold Day

Friday, September 5, 202: Black Day

Sports Schedule

Football

09/18/25 Thur. Manassas Park @ Lake Ridge Away 6:00 PM

09/22/25 Mon. Manassas Park @ Hampton Away 6:00 PM

10/01/25 Wed. Benton @ Manassas Park Home 6:00 PM

Soccer

09/15/25 Mon. Lake Ridge @ Manassas Park Home 5:15 PM

09/17/25 Wed. Manassas Park @ Benton Away 5:15 PM

09/22/25 Mon. Saunders @ Manassas Park Home 5:15 PM

Girl's Track

09/19/25 Fri. Manassas Park @ Lake Ridge Away 5:15 PM

09/25/25 Thur. Manassas Park @ Hampton Away 5:15 PM

09/30/25 Tues. Benton @ Manassas Park Home 5:15 PM

Volleyball

09/15/25Mon. Lake Ridge @ Manassas Park Home 5:15 PM

09/17/25Wed. Manassas Park @ Benton Away 5:15 PM

09/22/25Mon. Saunders @ Manassas Park Home 5:15 PM

09/25/25Thur. Manassas Park @ Hampton Away 5:15 PM

Manassas Park Middle School is committed to ensuring safety for all students. We conducted our first fire drill on Wednesday. I couldn't be more proud of our students and staff. All students exited the building quickly and quietly. Another proud Cougar moment! We will practice each month during different times of the school day to ensure our students are well prepared should the need arise.

Additionally, we will practice bus evacuation drills on September 16th (Rain Date: September 18th). Please be aware that the drop off lane may be delayed during this time. We suggest car riders be dropped off prior to 7:00 am.

Are you ready to Read, Play, Win? The Reading Game is back and starts today with the game Master the Recipe! Play on the Library's Canvas page by September 26th for your chance to win the grand prize! Also be sure to check out the Family Literacy Board where your family could win a $50 gift card. For more information about both games, ask the librarian, reading specialists or check out the Library Canvas page.

Breakfast and lunch will be FREE OF CHARGE for all students for 2025 - 2026 school year.

We are excited to let our families know that Manassas Park City Schools will continue to participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for school year 2025-2026.

What does this mean for you and your children attending all four MPCS schools?

All enrolled students in Manassas Park City Schools are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school FREE OF CHARGE to your household each day of the 2025-2026 school year. No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.

If you have questions or need help, please contact us at Greg Taylor at gregory.taylor@mpark.net.

Please make sure that you have verified your information in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The completion of this process is required for ALL returning students.

Parents of returning students must access the PowerSchool Enrollment online forms through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://mpark.powerschool.com/public. The online forms contain demographic and emergency information you entered last year. During this process, you will verify the information is accurate or update any information that has changed. Parents will also electronically sign annual agreement forms for school district policies.

At least one parent is required to create a PowerSchool Parent Portal account. If you have multiple children in Manassas Park City Schools, you must verify information for each student, however only one parent account is necessary.

• If you have created a PowerSchool Parent Portal account in a previous school year, please use that account to log in. Please do not create a new account.
• If you have not created a PowerSchool parent account, directions can be found at https://www.mpark.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=337117&pageId=432244

How do I get started?

Visit https://mpark.powerschool.com/public and sign into your PowerSchool Parent Portal

1. Select the student you wish to verify data at the top
2. Click the ‘Registration’ link on the left side navigation menu
3. Agree to the terms and conditions
4. Click Begin Forms

If you have questions about setting up your account, please visit the PowerSchool for Parents page on our website or contact the CES main office for assistance.

This contest is open to all Manassas Park residents. Submissions must be received by close of business on Friday, September 12, 2025. Judging by residents will start the week of September 15, and end on Friday, September 26. Winners will be announced LIVE at our Fire and Fiddle Fest on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Costello Park.

This year’s photography contest is part of the City’s 50th Anniversary celebration—help us commemorate this milestone by capturing the spirit, beauty, and community of Manassas Park through your lens!
Submissions will be entered into the following categories to be voted on by residents:
Celebration of the City

Best photograph representing the Manassas Park Community: people, places, events, nature, etc., within Manassas Park

Youth
Best photograph from a photographer under the age of 18
Artist's Choice

Best overall photograph

Prizes will be given for each winner!

Submit entries at bit.ly/50thphotocontest