MMS Monthly Memo

What a busy month we've had at MMS! As we kick off a new quarter, we've celebrated our first PBIS event and enjoyed the high school musical. Our four Knowledge Bowl teams have excelled in various competitions, and our Math Teams are gearing up for a promising season. The Conservation Crew has made the most of the beautiful fall weather, collecting water samples during their outings.

Our musical ensembles are in full swing with concert season. The middle school bands performed on Thursday, November 21, followed by the orchestra and choir on Tuesday, November 26.

Additionally, the Tiger's Den is now open on Fridays after school, where students can use their Tiger Bucks —earned by demonstrating Respect, Responsibility, and Pride—to purchase snacks and beverages. Regular money can also be used.

It's hard to believe, but parent/teacher conferences are just around the corner on Thursday, December 5. Your support is crucial, and we hope to see you there!

In this edition of the Monthly Memo, we address frequently asked about topics from parents and guardians. You'll find sections on the benefits of attending parent/teacher conferences, an overview of Standards-Based Grading at MMS, and an explanation of what “Secure Building” means. Please take the time to read through it, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Peggy Reynolds, Principal

peggy.reynolds@marshall.k12.mn.us

Bennett Appel, Assistant Principal

bennett.appel@marshall.k12.mn.us

DECEMBER

4 – 2:20 Dismissal

5 – Parent/Teacher Conferences

11 – 2:20 Dismissal

15 – 2:20 Dismissal

18– 2:20 Dismissal

23-January 1 – No School, Winter Break

JANUARY

2 – School resumes

• Please drop off and pick up your child at the front main entrance. Do not use the back of the building (Door 14) for drop off or pick up.
• Please do not drop off your child in the parking lot. With the traffic from the drop off or pick up lane, it is unsafe for your child to cross to the sidewalk. We want to ensure the safety of all.
  
• Please do not park behind the Middle School. With deliveries truck and maintenance vehicles going back and forth, that area is for authorized vehicles only. Also, students should not be using the service road as a sidewalk as there is a designated sidewalk between buildings. We are asking all of this for the safety of the students and parents.

Your child may have mentioned a "Secure Building" announcement at the middle school. What is it and why do we use it? When a student or staff member experiences a medical emergency or other personal issue, we will call a "Secure Building" to protect their privacy. This year, we've also had to call an ambulance and to ensure a clear path for EMS workers, we need to keep the hallways, especially the main one, clear. The "Secure Building" announcement is not meant to cause alarm; it's simply a measure to maintain privacy and safety. Thank you for your understanding.

We are excited to invite you to our Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, December 5th. This is a valuable opportunity to receive feedback on your child's learning progress and to hear about the wonderful things happening at Marshall Middle School.

Why Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences?

• Insight into Your Child's Progress: Conferences provide a dedicated time to discuss your child's academic achievements, areas for improvement, and overall development.

• Strengthen Home-School Connection: Engaging with teachers helps build a strong partnership between home and school, ensuring that we work together to support your child's education.

• Celebrate Successes: Learn about the positive strides your child is making and the exciting projects and activities they are involved in.

• Address Concerns: If there are any concerns or challenges, conferences offer a platform to address them early and collaboratively find solutions.

Conference Schedule:

• 3:45 PM - 5:30 PM: Scheduled appointments (sign up using the Sign-Up Genius link)

• 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Teacher dinner break

• 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM: Open house style

Your participation is an important part of supporting your child's education and staying informed about their academic journey. We look forward to seeing you there!

At Marshall Middle School, we are committed to providing a clear and effective way to communicate your child's academic progress. To achieve this, we use Standards Based Grading (SBG), a system designed to measure students' understanding of specific learning standards.

How Standards Based Grading Works

In our SBG system, we use a simple 3, 2, 1 scale to indicate your child's level of understanding:

• 3: Your child understands the standard being taught. This means they have demonstrated a solid grasp of the material and can apply their knowledge effectively.
• 2: Your child is progressing towards understanding the standard. They are making strides but may need additional support or practice to fully master the content.
• 1: Your child does not yet understand the standard. This indicates that they are struggling with the material and require more targeted instruction and assistance.

Benefits of Standards Based Grading

1. Clarity and Precision: SBG provides a clear picture of what your child knows and can do. Unlike traditional grading systems that often combine various factors into a single grade, SBG focuses solely on academic achievement related to specific standards.
2. Targeted Support: By identifying specific areas where your child needs improvement, SBG allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet individual needs. This targeted approach helps ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed.
3. Encourages Growth: SBG emphasizes progress and growth over time. It encourages students to focus on learning and improvement rather than just earning a grade. This mindset fosters a love of learning and resilience in the face of challenges.
4. Transparent Communication: SBG provides parents with detailed information about their child's strengths and areas for growth. This transparency helps parents understand their child's progress and how they can support their learning at home.

At Marshall Middle School, we believe that Standards Based Grading is a powerful tool to enhance student learning and achievement. We are dedicated to working with you to ensure your child reaches their full potential. Please reach out if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support!

Phonemic awareness is an important early step in a student's journey to becoming a successful reader. In brief, phonemic awareness is the ability to identify, understand, and manipulate phonemes (separate sounds) which come from individual letters as well as letter blends in spoken words. Phonological awareness, on the other hand, is the ability to break down word parts or pieces, such as syllables, and begin to blend them together in various patterns to form words.

Students who have well-developed phonemic and phonological awareness can more easily improve reading, writing, and language comprehension skills. Building phonemic awareness begins as students learn to recognize and voice sounds as they work to decode words. Introductory phonemic and phonological awareness can be strengthened through both classroom instruction and accessing online resources which offer entry-level activities for students to practice learning basic letter sounds. A free website which can provide more information about both phonological and phonemic awareness includes the following: Phonological and Phonemic Awareness | Reading Rockets. Please check it out… It’s worth a visit! 😊

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it often brings a lot of stress to many people. Here are some common causes of holiday stress and tips to manage it:

Common Causes of Holiday Stress

• Financial Pressure: Many people feel stressed about spending too much or not having enough money for gifts and celebrations.
• Family Dynamics: Navigating family conflicts or dealing with the absence of loved ones can be challenging.
• Busy Schedules: The rush of holiday activities and obligations can lead to burnout.
• High Expectations: Putting pressure on yourself to create the perfect holiday experience can be overwhelming.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): The shorter days and colder weather can contribute to feelings of depression.

Tips to Manage Holiday Stress

• Set Realistic Expectations: Accept that things may not go perfectly and that’s okay.
• Budget Wisely: Plan your spending and stick to a budget to avoid financial stress.
• Take Breaks: Make time for yourself to relax and recharge, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
• Stay Connected: Reach out to friends and family for support, whether in person or virtually.
• Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax, such as reading, exercising, or meditating.

Remember, it’s important to prioritize your mental health during the holidays. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional.

As parents, you may find it challenging to talk with your middle school student in a way they understand the importance of staying safe online. Here is a 5-minute video overview that highlights critical points parents need to know about to help keep their kids safer online.

https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/467964 2/uiconf_id/55676482/entry_id/1_eogq2mre/embed/iframe

For additional information on Continuing the Conversation, please visit the link below for in depth videos on various topics as it relates to online safety and appropriate use.

https://neptunenavigate.com/ctc/

During the next few weeks your student will get a chance to be a part of the 100th year of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the classroom level. MMS has a long tradition, dating back nearly 20 years of hosting a spelling bee. Students get the opportunity to participate in their language arts classroom by engaging with grade-level spelling bee words provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee program.

About ten students per grade level will qualify to be a part of our school wide spelling bees. During the week of December 16th spelling bee participants will be notified via letter given to them by their Language Arts teacher including a list of study words and spelling bee information. The school wide spelling bees are scheduled for January 6th, with a make-up date of January 13th, in the District Office Professional Development Room. Immediate family members of the bee participants are invited to attend. Use door 12 to enter the building. The 7th and 8th grade bee will start at 9:15 am (block 2) and the 5th and 6th grade bee will start at 12:45 pm (block 5). Please reach out to Mrs. Vermaat at jennifer.vermaat@marshall.k12.mn.us with spelling bee questions.

Hello MPS Families,

As November comes to an end, so does my time as the School Resource Officer for Marshall Public Schools. This was the start of my 19th school year, and as some may recall, prior to being the SRO, I also worked many years in the schools as a DARE Officer. Having called MPS part of my professional home since 1997, makes this a bittersweet farewell as I progress toward my retirement.

The connections I have made as the SRO travel far beyond the walls of any school building and carry with them a mountain of memories. I know the day will come, but I hope I don’t recognize my last “Hi, Officer VanLeeuwe” from a random student in a random place. It has been a gift to be part of this work and share in the life of you and your child. Thank you for being part of the best days of my career.

Moving forward, Scott Wilson will be the new SRO. We’ve spent the month of November together making the transition. Officer Wilson comes to you with several years of law enforcement experience, and he is eager to build relationships and face the challenges ahead. He can be reached through the Marshall Police Department or your school administration. Please welcome Officer Wilson when you see him.

Be well and carry on,

Officer VanLeeuwe

This month in physical education, our 5th graders have been diving into the exciting world of pickleball! A fun combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, pickleball is a fast-paced and engaging sport that promotes teamwork, coordination, and physical fitness.

Students are learning the basics of serving, volleying, and scoring while building their agility and hand-eye coordination. Beyond the physical skills, they’re also developing sportsmanship and teamwork as they cheer each other on during games. It’s been amazing to see their enthusiasm and growing confidence on the court! Ask your student about their favorite pickleball moment—you might even inspire a family pickleball match at home! 🎾😊