MVMS Family Update

As we wrap up Say Something Week, we want to take a moment to thank you for your support in helping us promote the importance of looking out for one another. Over the past few days, our students have engaged in meaningful lessons focused on recognizing warning signs of crisis, reaching out to Trusted Adults, and fostering a culture of inclusion and safety.

These lessons, which align with Ohio's required instruction on suicide prevention, violence prevention, and social inclusion, are vital in empowering our students to take action when they see someone in need. By participating in Say Something Week, our students are learning that their voices matter and that small actions can make a big difference in creating a supportive school community.

We encourage you to continue the conversation at home—ask your child about what they learned and discuss the importance of speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. Together, we can ensure a safer and more connected environment for all students.

Thank you for being an essential part of this effort. If you have any questions or would like additional resources, please feel free to reach out.

Darin

Dear MVMS Families,

The countdown is on! We are just days away from our 2nd annual MVMS Academic Showcase, happening on Thursday, March 13th, from 5 to 7 PM. This is an exciting evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible learning, creativity, and achievements of our students throughout the year.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an open house style event. You do not need to be here right at 5 PM. Please feel welcome to come any time between 5 PM and 7 PM. We ask that you do not arrive before 5 PM as our staff and community partners will still be setting up for the event.

Come explore student projects, team highlights, and exhibits from our unified arts classes. Be sure to check out live demonstrations from groups like our Robotics Teams and enjoy performances from our talented musicians and ensembles scattered throughout the building.

Hidden in Plain Sight will also be at the Showcase. Hidden In Plain Sight (HIPS) is a drug awareness program for parents, providers and/or guardians. The program focuses on what parents can learn about everyday items that may be indicators of risky behavior and/or drug use for their preteen or teenager. It includes a mock teenage bedroom that parents and caregivers can inspect to understand what may be truly hidden in plain sight.

And don’t forget—food trucks will be on-site, so you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy time with family and friends in the commons. The food trucks that will be on site are Pancho's Tacos, Buddy's Local Eats, and Schmidt's!

This is a community event, so invite your family and neighbors to join in the fun!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you and showcase the hard work of our students and staff. See you on March 13th!

Next week current 6th and 7th graders will be receiving an email from their counselor asking for their Unified Arts preferences for next year. Unified Arts classes for 7th and 8th graders are a semester long unless they are taking band, orchestra, choir, or Spanish 1. Spanish 1 has limited availability and counselors will be communicating with eligible students in 7th and 8th grade to determine if they would like to take Spanish 1. If you have any questions regarding Unified Arts preferences, please reach out to Mrs. Dawn Miller at dawnmiller@mvcsd.us (6th-grade) or Mrs. LeeAnne Jurkowitz at ljurkowitz@mvcsd.us (7th-grade).

There is an MVMS Choir Concert on Tuesday, March 11th at 7 PM in the High School Theater. Come out and support our students as they have worked hard to put on what is sure to be an excellent performance!

Our new incentive program to encourage students to pass the tests or show significant growth was announced in the fall. Below are important updates and a reminder of how the program works.

This year, students who meet specific academic criteria will have the opportunity to attend a special reward trip to Kings Island on Tuesday, June 3rd. We will be utilizing school transportation and students will be placed into groups with a chaperone based upon their grade level.

How the Program Works

Our Focus: Motivating students to either pass or improve on their Ohio State Tests.

Eligibility Criteria for Students:

• Pass all OSTs for their grade level = automatic eligibility for the trip.
• If a student doesn’t pass one or more tests, they can still attend by meeting the following additional criteria:
• Show at least 3+ points of growth in the tests they did not pass.
• Have no more than 10 full absences for the year.
• No major discipline referrals in the second semester.

Grade-Level Breakdown

6th & 7th Grades:

• Pass both tests = eligible.
• Don’t pass one = meet 2 additional criteria.
• Don’t pass both = meet all 3 additional criteria.

8th Grade:

• Pass all 3 tests = eligible.
• Don’t pass one = meet 1 additional criterion.
• Don’t pass two = meet 2 additional criteria.
• Don’t pass any = meet all 3 additional criteria.

Trip Details

• Destination: Kings Island
• Date: Tuesday, June 3rd
• Cost: $25 for those who qualify (financial assistance available upon request)

How the Trip is Funded

The Cookie Dough Fundraiser remains the primary method of covering trip expenses. I am excited to announce that our Cookie Dough Fundraiser was a great success thanks to your support!

How You Can Help

• Motivate your student by reinforcing the importance of putting forth their best effort on the Ohio State Tests.

Your support makes a difference! Together, we can encourage our students to succeed and reward their hard work with an unforgettable trip to Kings Island.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education.

Continuing Open Enrollment is for students who are currently Open Enrolled to Mount Vernon School District and desire to continue open enrollment with the District for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Complete your application through the Parent Portal on the District website. Instructions for Continuing Open Enrollment are located on the Parent Resources Page.
• Continuing Open Enrolled opens March 1, students will have until April 10 to complete this process.

If your address has changed since your last application, please update your child's emergency medical form in the Parent Portal on the District website and you will also need to provide proof of residency. Instructions for Change of Address are also located on the Parent Resource Page.

If you have any questions concerning Continuing Open Enrollment, please contact Jessica Shelton jshelton@mvcsd.us or contact John Frye jfrye@mvcsd.us .

Homework help is an after school opportunity for students to receive additional help completing assignments and takes place in the Library most Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4 pm. Bussing is available to Columbia, Knox Learning Center, East Elementary, Pleasant Street Elementary, and Dan Emmett Elementary. Come prepared to work and stay on top of your assignments this school year.

If you have not done so already and want to receive text messages for delays and cancellations, please click on the button below to sign up.

At MVMS we use multiple forms of communication to keep you "in the know" of what is happening at our school. Parent updates like this one are sent at least every other week and are posted through our social media sites as well as through our website and instant alerts.

Daily announcements are posted on our website under the daily announcements tab and can be found here.

March

11- Choir Concert - 7 PM (theater)

13- Academic Showcase - 5-7 PM

18- Ensembles Recital- 6-8pm MVMS

20- March Madness Game/PBIS Assembly

20- End of 3rd nine weeks

21- Teacher PD day (no school for students)

24-28 Spring Break

31- Return from Spring Break

Click here to view the 2024-25 District Calendar.

Principal - Mount Vernon Middle School

Email: dprince@mvcsd.us
Website: http://www.mvcsd.us/mountvernonmiddleschool_home.aspx
Location: 302 Yellow Jacket Drive, Mount Vernon, OH, USA
Phone: 740-392-6867
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mount-Vernon-Middle-School-1428107840766187/
X: @DarinLPrince