MGMS Weekly Memo
August 31, 2026
A message from Mrs. Bardwell
Progress Reports coming this week
Have you check grade lately? Progress reports come out this week.
Are you connected to your student through PowerSchool? Grades should not be a surprise if you are connected to the PowerSchool mobile app. If you need help, contact the middle school office.
Battle of the Bears starts next week!
Battle of the Bears is our PTAs ONLY fundraiser, and this year it is going to even better! This year's Battle of the Bears is going to also be a house competition. The House that raises the most money will receive 200 additional points for the first 9wks. The House in 2nd place will receive 100 points. No additional points will be given to Houses in 3rd and 4th place. Also, In the past when people donated to Battle of the Bears our teachers kept 10% of the amount donated for their classes. This year, the 10% incentive that is returned directly to the school will go to each house. Our goal this year is for each House to do a service project and a signature event. The 10% return will definitely help each house.
Mrs. Formby's Counselor's Corner
September is Suicide Awareness Month. This week I will be in 7th and 8th grade history classes doing lessons on this topic. All counseling lessons are presented via Thriveway P.A.T.H. curriculum. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Formby and erica.formby@hsv-k12.org. You can also find more information about the P.A.T.H Curriculum in the attached letter.
We love Grizzly Grands!
Our kids may be in middle school, but they still love hosting their grandparents for breakfast. We look forward to meeting all our Grizzly Grands during Grandparents Breakfast.
IMPORTANT:School-Parent Compacts
Thank you to everyone who has sent in their compacts. We are 70% complete! Several advisory classes are at 100%. If you have not signed and returned yours, please so do this week. Our school must achieve our goal of 100%.
Mountain Gap Middle School and the parents of the students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) (participating children), agree that this compact outlines how the parents, the entire school staff , and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement.
A copy of the contract that was sent home is linked in the button below for your review.
First Student Bus Tracking
Does your student ride a bus? If they do, you can track their bus through the First Student app. First download the app to your phone and enter the District Code: R7B6A
Each student must be registered in the app using their student ID (SSID) number which is available in Powerschool. You can find your students SSID in Powerschool. If you need assistance with the SSID, you can contact our office at 256-428-7720. If you need assistance with the app or other transportation issues, contact the Transportation Call Center at 256-428-6911.
For complete step-by-step directions, click the button below.
Club & Group Information
MGMS Athletic Information
Make sure you are game day ready
Do you have tickets?
All tickets for any HCS sporting event must be purchased on GoFan. Download the app and set up an account so you can be ready for all athletic events. Click the GoFan logo to the right to purchase tickets to athletic events.
Do you know the clear bag policy?
Metal detectors will be at every football game. Arrive early and be patient. HCS Bag Policy will be in full effect. If you bring a prohibited bag, you will be asked to return it to your car.
Individuals are encouraged not to bring any type of bags inside HCS facilities during athletic events.
Permitted Bags - The following types of bags are the ONLY BAGS permitted:
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12";
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar); and
- Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand).
- Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a designated gate
Click the button below for the full HCS policy.
Football season is in full effect!
Grizzlies are on the road this week!
GHS Athletic Information
All students at Mountain Gap Elementary & Middle School will receive free breakfast and lunch this year. A la cart items like chips and ice cream will be sold. You can add money to your child's lunch account on the EZ School Pay site if you would like for them to purchase a la cart items.
September's Breakfast Menu
September's Lunch Menu
What's Happening in HCS
Are you plugged-in to what is happening in HCS? Huntsville City Schools sends out their own SMORE newsletter regularly. Next time you get the email from HCS Communications with The Progress Report, make sure and click the link. In this edition of the Progress Report you will find information about the following:
- School Bus Expectations
- Fall Athletic Protocols
- Introduction of the new Deputy Superintendent
- District Celebrations, and much, much more
You can click the heading image in this story to be connected to the latest HCS newsletter.
Grade-level Memo
Each week teachers will compile the information for their class into one grade-level memo. You will know what your child is studying, when homework is due and when they have tests and projects. Please check the grade-level memo each week. It is the best way to stay informed.
If you need to email the teacher for a class, just click their name. It is hyperlinked to their email.
Contact us
Feel free to call the office at 256-428-7720 or email us your questions. We are happy to assist you.
Heather Bardwell, Principal - heather.bardwell@hsv-k12.org
Shana Folk, Assistant Principal - shana.folk@hsv-k12.org
Erica Formby, Counselor - erica.formby@hsv-k12.org
Jennifer McLaughlin, Office Manager - jennifer.mclaughlin@hsv-k12.org
Mountain Gap Middle School
Email: mtngapmiddleschool@gmail.com
Website: https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/schools/mountain-gap-middle
Location: 821 Mtn Gap Rd Huntsville AL 35803
Phone: 256-428-7720
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountaingapp8