Shark Bytes

Welcome back! I hope this message finds you refreshed and recharged. As we move into 2024, there is a lot of excitement on the horizon with Winter sports in full effect, the Spring musical warming up, and the end of the first semester coming upon us (1/25). After a long season of celebration and the break from routine that vacation means for all of us, we will be working with students and staff this week to reset all the building expectations that we taught at the beginning of the year. On Wednesday, during advisory, students will work with their homerooms to review the expectations for our common spaces, including hallways, lunch room, fresh air time, and the bus. As we work to review our expectations, we remind students of the importance of community and care for our school and all the wonderful people who walk through our doors every day. I am looking forward to a great 2024 for MRMS!

In Partnership,

Abby Dudley

Principal

Veggie Bar: Thank you to our friends at food services for setting up our veggie bar in the cafeteria! We love having all these additional options to supplement our meals.

Cartooning Club Returns! Check out Mr. Turnbull's art page to see some amazing first designs by the MRMS Cartooning Club!

Shark Den Consent Form: Congrats to Ms. Lower's math seminar for successfully completing the soft launch for the thrift store. In the new year, we will be expanding access to all grades. Students must have a parent or guardian consent form complete to "shop". Based on student interest, they will receive an invitation to come with their seminar class visit the store. Please remember that there is not any real money attached to this class project, but interested students receive a voucher that will limit their items.

Welcome New MRMS Staff: We are so excited to welcome two new staff members in 2024! Ms. Tara Lee is joining us in our 7th grade math teacher position, and Mr. Sam Gray will be joining us as an instructional assistant in our TIDE program. We are so excited to have you join our awesome school community.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES -

Mass.gov • A helpful resource that provides information on utility bills and rights Cape Cod

Times Needy Fund • 1-800-422-1446 or info@needyfund.org • Urgent financial assistance for Cape Cod & the Islands families including utilities. Payments are made directly to vendors through a voucher system

Lower Cape Outreach Council • 508-240-0694 or lcoc@lcoutreach.org • Short-term financial assistance for qualified applicants for payments of essential household services such as electricity, gas, rent/mortgage payments, and medical expenses. • Must be a resident of Brewster, Chatham, Harwich, Orleans, Truro, Wellfleet, or Provincetown.

Libby Arnold Stevens Emergency Assistance Program • 508-432-0015 or kim@hech.org • One-time emergency assistance for housing, utilities, and transportation. Payments are made directly to the service provider. • Must be a resident of Barnstable County with a year-round lease or mortgage, which is the only residence.

Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund • 508-775-0364 • Available to any Massachusetts resident with temporary financial difficulty who cannot meet an energy expense. • The resident must not be eligible for state or federal energy assistance. • Income must fall between 60-80% of the state’s median income levels.

St. Vincent's de Paul Societies • Provide emergency financial, clothing, and food assistance. Each one is independent and administered separately. Contact the one closest to where you live to ask about eligibility.

South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. • 508-746-6707 • Eligibility is based on gross income, household size, and vulnerability to heat costs. • If you are living in non-subsidized housing and your heat is included in your rent, fuel assistance can reimburse you for a portion of your rent.

School Council: We are recruiting members for our second School Council meeting on 1/8 at 4pm in the front office. Pleas email Mrs. Dudley if you are interested in joining us!

Annie the Musical: Please send any inquiries about the Spring musical to Ms. Davol, sdavol@monomoy.edu.

Clubs Canceled: The following clubs have been canceled due to enrollment under the 8 student p: Art in Your World, Dancercise, and Projects in Art.

Sports Communications: We rely directly on the coaches to communicate with families. Please reach out directly to your student's coach with sports questions, or reach out to Ms. Guillmette at kguillemette@monomoy.edu.

Winter Coats: As the weather continues to get cooler, students will still have the option to get fresh air as a part of our lunch routine. If students are choosing to go outside, please help them remember to bring proper gear for the weather. Students MUST bring their outerwear to lunch as they are not able to return to their lockers once lunch has begun.