The Horseshoe
Week of August 10, 2026
MAP Testing
We will administer the MAP Growth assessment on Tuesday and Wednesday. MAP is an important assessment that helps us better understand each student’s academic strengths, areas for growth, and progress throughout the school year.
Why is MAP important?
- đź“Š Measures growth: MAP helps us see how much students are learning and growing over time.
- 🎯 Identifies strengths and needs: Results help teachers determine what students already know and where they may need additional support.
- 📚 Guides instruction: Teachers use MAP results to plan lessons and provide instruction that meets students’ individual learning needs.
- đź’ˇ Sets learning goals: Students can use their results to understand their progress and set meaningful academic goals.
- 🌟 Guides placement: MAP results give us valuable insight into each student’s academic readiness, helping us place students in courses where they can be appropriately challenged and supported.
How can students prepare?
There is no need for students to “study” for MAP like a traditional test. However, students can do their best by:
- Getting a good night’s sleep before testing.
- Eating a healthy breakfast and drinking plenty of water.
- Arriving at school on time and ready to learn.
- Bringing a positive attitude and giving their best effort.
- Reading each question carefully and taking their time.
- Using strategies they have learned in class.
- Remembering that it is okay to encounter challenging questions—the goal is to show what they know and what they are ready to learn next.
Thank you for encouraging your child to take MAP seriously and to approach the assessment with confidence. We are excited to see our students are ELEVATING this year!
PSAT- 8th Grade Only
We are excited to offer our 8th grade scholars the opportunity to take the PSAT on Thursday, October 22, 2026. We strongly encourage eligible students to register and take advantage of this important opportunity. We are especially grateful to our Muller Road PTO, who is continuing the tradition of sponsoring the PSAT for our scholars. Their generosity allows our students to take the assessment at no cost to families.
Why Is the PSAT Important for 8th Graders?
- Potential Eligibility for SC Junior Scholars: PSAT performance can be used as part of the criteria for identifying students for the South Carolina Junior Scholars Program, an opportunity designed to recognize high-achieving 8th grade students and encourage continued academic excellence.
- Provides valuable academic feedback: Students receive information about their strengths and areas for growth in key academic skills.
- Prepares students for future assessments: Taking the PSAT gives students early experience with a college- and career-readiness assessment.
- Builds confidence with standardized testing: Early exposure can help students become more comfortable with the types of questions and testing environment they may encounter in high school.
This is an opportunity for our scholars to showcase what they know, challenge themselves academically, and potentially qualify for recognition through the SC Junior Scholars Program.
We encourage all eligible 8th grade students to register and participate. Thank you to our PTO for continuing to invest in our scholars and making this opportunity possible for our students!
- Registration Link
- Deadline: Friday, September 04, 2026
- Junior Scholars Program Flyer
- Junior Scholars Parent Letter
- Request for Accommodations (Due to College Board by August 31, 2026)
Agendas
This week students received their agenda books. These serve as a simple but powerful tool to help them stay organized, manage their time, and take ownership of their learning. Students should bring their agenda book to class each day and use it to record assignments, important deadlines, upcoming assessments, and reminders.
We encourage students to make checking their agenda book part of their daily routine. Before leaving class, they should make sure they have recorded what they need to complete. At the end of each day, students can use their agenda to review what is due and plan for the next day.
Remember: Write it down. Check it daily. Stay organized. ELEVATE!
POP Fundraiser
Students attended PTO's POP Fundraiser Kick Off Event this past Wednesday. Please consider actively participating is this fundraising effort, which is hosted by the MRMS PTO. More information has been posted to ParentSquare, as well as given to individual students. As always, thank you for your support of the PTO!
Car Rider Update
Thank you for your continued cooperation with our car rider drop-off and pick-up procedures. Following these procedures helps us keep our students safe while ensuring that the car rider line moves as quickly and efficiently as possible. As you plan your trip to and from campus, please keep the following reminders in mind:
- Pull all the way forward.
Please pull forward to the digital marquee, where you will see a sign that reads “Stop Here.” Pulling all the way forward allows us to safely and efficiently transition 11–12 cars at a time. When everyone follows this procedure, the line moves much more quickly. - Please do not park and walk students to the entrance.
For your child’s safety, please refrain from parking and sending your student through the parking lot to enter the building. This creates an unnecessary safety risk. If we all follow the established car rider procedures, the line will move smoothly, making this unnecessary. - Make sure you have a car tag.
Every car rider should have a car tag displayed. Car tags allow us to quickly identify your student, notify them that you are here, and get them to the car rider area as efficiently as possible. If you do not have a car tag, please email eeberlin@richland2.org with your student’s name and grade level. - Remind students to stay alert.
Please remind your student to remain attentive and watch for their vehicle when they arrive at the car rider area. We understand that students are ready to check their phones at the end of the school day, but watching for their ride should take priority.
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and making arrival/dismissal as efficient as possible.
Principal's Email: jkenely@richland2.org
Website: https://www.mrm.richland2.org
Location: 1031 Muller Road, Blythewood, SC 29016
Phone: 803-691-6851
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrmsmustangs
Instagram: Muller Road Middle School