Moscow Middle School

Dear Parents and Guardians:

On behalf of the MMS staff, thank you very much for the staff appreciation food items brought in this past week.  We are honored by the gifts and will continue to enjoy them for a while!  

It was enjoyable to meet with those of you who had conferences scheduled this past week.  We value our partnership with you in the education of your children.  If you have questions about student progress or other matters, please feel free to contact us at any time.  First quarter report cards will be coming out this coming week, and you may always log into Canvas and/or PowerSchool to monitor student progress as well.  Thanks again, everyone!

Schoolwork/Homework opportunities - Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Haley have been graciously opening their classrooms at 7:30 am each morning for students who want a quiet location to work on any schoolwork they may have.  They have been doing this for years, incidentally, and I really appreciate their commitment to student success.  Mrs. Whitney hosts a similar opportunity in her room each afternoon until 3:45 pm.  Any student who wishes a quiet, supportive environment to focus on their work during these times is welcome.  

More gifts of music - MMS is hosting a concert featuring our band, choir and orchestra programs this Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7 pm, here in the Bear Den. Thanks to Mr. Garrett, Mrs. McIntosh and all our student musicians for your hard work and for sharing your talents with us!

Veterans Day - MMS has a full school Veterans Day assembly scheduled for Friday, November 10, at 8:30 am in the Bear Den.  Thank you to all veterans for your service to our great country.  

Cub PRIDE Recognition - Each quarter our staff members are asked to nominate students they feel exemplify Cub PRIDE qualities (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence).  These nominations for kids at each grade level are then resubmitted to the staff for a vote and the winners are treated to a cookie break with me and Mrs. Summers.  All nominees and winners are recognized with a letter home, and we also recognized all first quarter nominees at last Wednesday's assembly.  We sure have a lot of great kids here, by the way!  In addition, staff members recognize students with Cub PRIDE coupons on a daily basis.  If we catch someone demonstrating one of the attributes, that student is given a Cub PRIDE couple which can be redeemed for a sticker or small piece of candy.  At the end of each quarter, we draw two names and award those winners with a gift card, this past quarter to WalMart.  Congrats to students Nick Roesler and Elliott Heckman, whose names were drawn this quarter.  Thank you to all our Cubs for demonstrating Cub PRIDE in so many ways!

This week's Cub PRIDE/CORE lesson is entitled Empathy, an incredibly important human quality, and something that we talk about and return to regularly.  Lessons:

6th Grade - Empathy-Course-1.pdf           7th Grade - Empathy-Course-2.pdf           8th Grade - Empathy-Course-3.pdf 

Clubs and other activities - Advisors showcased clubs that we currently offer here at MMS during the assembly last week.  .  Students were reminded that there is no fee or enrollment limit.  We encourage all MMS students to try out as many activities as possible while they are here with us.  

• Origami Club will meet Monday during both lunches in room 202.
• Dungeons and Dragons will meet Mondays after school in room 204.
• Earth Club will meet Thursdays after school in room 113. 
• Speak Out will meet Fridays (possibly other days) during both lunches.
• Beyblades/Cup Stacking Club meets Wednesdays at lunch in the Bear Den
• Knitting Club will meet during first lunch, Wednesdays in room 213.
• Stock Market Game Club - Tuesdays, second lunch, room 103. 

School Dance Coming Up - Speak Out is organizing a dance to take place late afternoon on Friday, November 17.  The tentative time is 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  We will update you with any changes.  We could use a few parent chaperones.  If you are interested, please email me or Mandy Strey  [email protected]

Sports this week - 

• Winter cheer begins Monday, Nov. 6, right after school in the MPR.  Practices Monday through Thursday until 4:30 pm
• 6th and 7/8 B basketball teams will practice Monday through Friday right after school in the Bear Den this week.
• 7/8 A basketball will practice Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school at McDonald School.  They have home games Tuesday and Thursday (see schedule below.)

On the calendar:

• Friday, Nov. 3                                    MMS conferences, parent contact day
• Monday, Nov. 6                                Winter Cheer begins, practices after school, MPR
• Tuesday, Nov. 7                                7/8 A Boys basketball v Jenifer, 7^th – 4:30 pm, 8^th – 5:45, MHS
• Wednesday, Nov. 8                         Fall Music concert, band/choir/orchestra, 7 pm, Bear Den
• Thursday, Nov. 9                              7/8 A Boys Basketball v Sacajawea, 7^th – 4:30 pm, 8^th – 5:45 pm, MHS
• Friday, Nov. 10                                  Veterans Day Assembly during homeroom…in the Bear Den 
• Mon/Tue, Nov. 13/14                     Healthy Youth Survey, grades 6 and 8, PE and Health classes
• Friday, Nov. 17                                  MMS School Dance, tentative time 4:30 to 6:30 pm (may be updated)
• Nov. 20 – 24                                       Thanksgiving break

Have a great week!

Bill Holman