MPMS Cougar Pride News

Dear MPMS Families,

Welcome back to a brand new school year! The Manassas Park Middle School staff are excited to welcome our 761 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students at 7:05 am on Monday, August 18th!

As we embark on another exciting year of learning, growth, and community at Manassas Park Middle School (MPMS), we are reminded of the theme that will guide us throughout the year—Ohana, which means family. In the Lilo & Stitch movie, we hear the powerful lesson: “Ohana means family. This theme resonates deeply with our values here at MPMS. We believe that every student, every teacher, and every family is a vital part of our school community, and together, we can create an environment where everyone feels supported, loved, and valued.

In the spirit of Ohana, we want to emphasize the importance of working together, especially when faced with challenges. Just like in any family, there will be moments of triumph, but also moments where we will need to show perseverance and grit. The challenges we face are opportunities for growth, and as a school community, we will tackle them together with a sense of grace and flexibility. When things don’t go as planned, remember that “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being there for each other.”

As we begin this school year, we want to encourage you to embrace the idea of Ohana in everything we do. Whether we are collaborating in the classroom, attending school events, or supporting our students through difficult times, let’s remember that family is the foundation of everything. We may not always get it right, but when we face challenges as a united family, there is nothing we can’t overcome.

To our students: We are excited to continue to watch you grow and thrive this year. To our parents and guardians: Your involvement and support are crucial to making this year a success. Together, as a strong family, we will make the 2025-2026 school year an unforgettable one.

With warm regards and Cougar PRIDE,

Kelli Huntley
Principal, Manassas Park Middle School

We enjoyed meeting so many amazing students, parents and guardians, and siblings at our Open House! Thank you for coming!

Class schedules were provided to students and families at Thursday's Open House and 6th Grade Orientation. If you were not able to attend, schedules are available online through PowerSchool. Our amazing school counselors will be in the grade level hallways to help guide students to their homeroom on the first day of school.

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.

At MPMS, we understand the importance for building relationships, developing classroom routines, and supporting expectations of excellence. Therefore, all students will participate in a scheduled "Screen Time Savings Event" during the first four days of school.

Student Canvas accounts will go live at 7:05 am on Friday, August 22, 2025.

Electives Schedule:

Monday, August 18, 2025: Black Day

Tuesday, August 19 2025: Gold Day

Wednesday, August 20, 2025: Black Day

Thursday, August 21, 2025: Gold Day

Friday, August 22, 2025: Black Day

Please note that students will not receive a teacher assignment until all registration requirements (new students) and online registration verification (returning students)have been completed.

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: 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. 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.)

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.

August 18: First Day of School! 1st Bell: 7:05 am, Tardy Bell 7:17 am

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)

As you prepare for the new school year, please note our school hours are 7:05 am - 2:15 pm. Manassas Park Middle School's doors will 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, please 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.

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.

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.