Trojan Times

Quarter 2 is off to a great start!! We've already had field trips and benchmark testing. This week is Spirit Week and we have our first pep rally on Friday! Next Friday, October 30, students may dress as their favorite character, just make sure their costume is school appropriate- masks should be left at home. Students may wear their costumes to our first dance that afternoon from 3-5 p.m. It's a fun time to be a Trojan!

Speaking of benchmark testing, don't forget to remind your student to make sure they charge their Chromebook each night and bring it to school with their charger each day! Being responsible is one of our 4 guiding expectations!!

In case you missed it in the last newsletter,MMS is working with the nonprofit organization Formed Families Forward (FFF) to gather feedback from staff and families about events and opportunities for families at MMS, including Parent Teacher Conferences and the afterschool tutoring program. Please see more info below and click on the link to take the survey- you could win an Amazon gift card!

Quick reminder- November 3 is Election Day and a Professional Development Day for teachers. Students do not attend.

As always, the admin team is here to assist you and your family in whatever you may need to help your student be successful this year. Together, we thrive!

With Trojan Pride,

Dr. Jessica Barger-Johnson

October 19-23- SPIRIT WEEK! (See below)

Wednesday, October 21- UNITY DAY- WEAR ORANGE

Friday, October 23- Positive Pep Rally!

Friday, October 30- Character Dress Up Day- must follow dress code; may wear hats; no masks

Fall Dance- 3-5 p.m.

November 3- Election Day- Students do not attend (Professional Development Day for teachers)

November 5- Veterans Day Band/Chorus Concert- 7 p.m.

November 6- Club Day

November 20- Club Day; School Picture Day

November 25-27- Thanksgiving Break

Benchmark Tests will be held October 15-30. These tests help us determine what skills our students have mastered and what skills they need more work on as they prepare for SOL tests in the spring. In order to simulate an SOL test session for Reading and Math benchmarks, we will run a 2 hour delay schedule on October 15 and October 21. Students should still arrive on time to school on those dates, but we will spend the first two hours of the day completing a Benchmark test. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator. Thank you for your support!

Please plan to have your student join us for our first dance of the year on Friday, October 30 from 3pm-5pm. Tickets cost $5 and will be sold next week, October 27-30. Be sure to bring in your permission form when you buy your tickets (these were given out in 7th period this week). Students must be in good standing with discipline and school fines (fines must be paid prior to purchasing a ticket).

Wednesday, October 21- UNITY DAY- Start with hello! Wear orange and start your day with hello!

Thursday, October 22- HAT DAY- Wear your favorite hat and start a conversation with someone!

Friday, October 23- GREEN & GOLD DAY- Unite in school spirit....and enjoy the PEP RALLY that afternoon!

FFF is the family partner to the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) project. FFF is collecting anonymous responses and will use them to recommend ways to strengthen family/school collaborations. Thanks for taking the time to complete this brief survey with your most honest and specific feedback. Please complete ONE survey per MMS family.

Surveys are due Friday, October 30 2026 by 5pm. Click on this link to go to the survey: https://bit.ly/MMSFamFall26

PRIZES! Once you have completed the survey, a screen will display confirming you completed the survey. Please screenshot or take a picture of that screen and follow the directions to send it in. You will be entered into a raffle for one of 8 Amazon e-gift cards The survey is anonymous and your information for the drawing will not be connected to your answers on the survey.

ACPS is sharing two important updates regarding Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments for the 2026–2027 school year:

Updated SOL Passing Scores: The Virginia Department of Education has updated the passing scores for many SOL assessments as part of a phased implementation plan. The current Pass/Approaching score is the minimum score required to pass an SOL assessment this school year. The higher Pass/Proficient standard will be fully implemented beginning in the 2028-2029 school year. Learn more about the VDOE’s Proficiency Implementation Plan.

Spring SOL Testing Window: For students in grades 7-12, end-of-course SOL assessments will take place during the final two weeks of the 2026-2027 school year: May 20 - June 3, 2027. Families are encouraged to keep these dates in mind when planning end-of-year travel or other activities.

Thank you for helping us ensure our students are present and prepared for these important assessments.

Please remember to send in excuse notes for any absences within 3 days. They may be sent to Ms. Lindsay, our office manager, at clindsay@amherst.k12.va.us

Also, please mark your calendars now for SOL testing. Testing will take place May 20-June 3. Please avoid scheduling vacations/trips, doctor's appointments, etc during this time.

Middle school girls are invited to a special Girlz Day Event presented by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Lynchburg, VA Chapter. The workshop will focus on self-care, self-empowerment, and self-esteem. It will be held on Saturday, November 7 from10:00 AM–2:00 PM at the Pearson Cancer Center

1701 Thomson Dr., Unit 200, Lynchburg, VA 24501 Admission is FREE.See the flyer below to scan the QR code.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our counseling office snacks- they have been much appreciated! We will continue to take donations, please visit our link below to see what's on our wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1A0WVR38HTCHK?ref_=wl_share