MPSConnect is a convenient communications tool for you to connect with me. Every message comes to my desktop. Either I or another MPS staff members will do all we can to reply to your message within the next work day.
Michael E. Sharrow, Superintendent
MPSConnect Link: https://www.midlandps.org/content2/706
November 22, 2021 Volume 9 - Edition 17
Superintendent Communiqué
Midland PS District Vision Statement
Lead with respect, trust and courage.
Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture.
Enable all to achieve success.
May your day include time with loved ones,
reflection, and gratitude!
Midland Public Schools wishes you a Thanksgiving
filled with health & happiness.
MPS schedule this week...
November 24: Half day of school
November 25 & 26: No school
Thank you to our Chestnut Hill & Siebert students for sharing their thanks-filled artwork.
NOVEMBER SHINING STARS
Congratulations to Farrah Merges and Charles Supinger for being named November MPS Shining Stars.
Ms. Merges will receive her Shining Star at tonight's Board of Education Meeting.
Mr. Supinger received his Shining Star on November 11 when Board President McFarland and Superintendent Sharrow visited Charles and his wife at their home.
Thank you to both of these very deserving Shining Stars for making MPS a better place for students!
Charles Supinger, Retired Crossing Guard,
thank you for 20 years of service helping MPS students get to and from school safely!
We name MPS Shining Stars every month during the school year. If you know of an MPS team member who goes above and beyond to make MPS a better place for students, please consider nominating them for a Shining Star. Here is the link to the nomination form:
https://www.midlandps.org/Content2/shining-star-nomination-form
ESSER STUDENT/PARENT/COMMUNITY SURVEY -- PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US!
Midland Public Schools is applying to receive Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds to address the impact of COVID-19 in schools. These one-time funds are designated for short-term expenditures. MPS staff completed an initial analysis of the district's needs, reviewed evidence-based practices to meet those needs, and considered alignment to the funding requirements. Gathering input from our school community is an important component of this process. Please take a few moments to complete this short survey so we can consider your input in the overall prioritization and planning phase. The survey will remain open until Friday, December 3, 2021.
HH Dow High IB Students Share their CAS Project with Siebert Students
Four HH Dow High Seniors Laura Leiti, Ava Nelson, Hunter Roberts, and Ryan Schertzberg visited Anna Vallentine's 3rd Grade class at Siebert Elementary on November 17. These impressive Chargers presented their CAS project (Creativity, Activity, Service) as part of their International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. (All of the Chargers are former Siebert Bulldogs!)
The 3rd Grade Bulldogs learned more about freshwater pollution and what they can do to help protect the Great Lakes.
SATURDAY'S SANTA PARADE
If you were one of the many watching Saturday's Santa Parade, you wouldn't have been able to miss the Midland Public Schools' students, staff and bus in their holiday gear marching the parade route handing out pencils OR the DHS Charger & MHS Chemic marching bands as they shared their festive gift of music that added to the holiday cheer for those who lined the parade route. Kudos to our festive MPS group who spread holiday cheer on this brisk Saturday morning!
(Some of these photos courtesy of Midland Daily News.)
Thank you to the MPS teachers who decorated the MPS bus!
Congratulations to the DHS Debate Team that recently competed virtually at the Groves Falcon Invitational. Breaking to semi-finals in Varsity were the teams of Noah Black and Corrine Cai and Tony Tang and Davis Veith. The teams locked one another out and Black and Cai advanced to the Final Round losing on a 2-1 decision. Earning individual speaker awards in the Varsity division were Joseph He 12th; Evelyn Wang 9th; Tony Tang 8th; Noah Black 6th; Corrie Cai 4th and Davis Veith 3rd. Speaking awards on the Novice level were earned by Hannah Ober 9th; Lucy Tang 7th; Katherine Potts 2nd, and Christine Cai 1st. Congratulations to this impressive team for a great tournament!
Midland County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) -- Next COVID 19 Immunization Clinics & Update
Approximately 500 students between 5-11 years of age received their first COVID vaccine dose at Central Park & Siebert Elementary Schools on Nov. 10. On December 1, the second clinic will be held at Central Park & Siebert from 3-6 p.m. Students may get their 2nd dose at that time. For those students who weren't able to come last week, they are welcome to come on December 1 for their 1st dose and then schedule with the Health Department or go to another local provider (drug store possibly) for their 2nd dose. Here is the form to complete if you would like to do so before coming to the clinic: COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Form - All Doses
A free COVID Vaccine Clinic will be held Tuesday, November 23 from 2-6 pm at the Holiday Inn Conference Center on Cinema Drive in Midland for children ages 5-17 years of age. Appointments are required. Click here to register: https://midlandhealth.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1YbwCfM7PwenAkS
The MCDPH is also holding walk-in and by-appointment clinics in November and December. Here is the link for more information: https://www.co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/COVIDVaccineInformation.aspx
Do you have a child with a disability or special health care need and have questions about the vaccine? Contact the MCDPH Children's Special Health Care Services Team at 989-832-6629 for assistance. There is a flyer (COVID vaccine flyer) on the MPS Flyer Boards with more information: https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/studentflyers/ OR https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/communityflyers
On Friday, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services issued a press release entitled,
MDHHS will issue face mask advisory for the holiday season due to rise in cases of flu and COVID-19.
A quote from the Press Release, “The increases in case counts, percent positivity and hospitalizations have us very concerned,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are issuing the face mask advisory and are looking to Michiganders to do their part to help protect their friends, their families and their communities by wearing a mask in indoor settings and getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu as soon as possible if they have not already done so.”
Here is the link to the Press Release: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIDHHS/2021/11/19/file_attachments/2000888/Holiday%20Guidance%20Press%20Release.pdf
The Second Canstruction Midland Sculpture Contest took place Wednesday, November 10. Over 40 students, from the area converged on the Midland Mall early on Wednesday before it was even open to the public. By 8 AM, the students were using donated food items to construct sculptures representing “Small Things Big" as this year’s theme. The students began designing their ideas over six weeks ago by hand or using a 3D modeling program. They delivered a specific grocery list to the main event partner, the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN), who then sourced the food through local grocery stores for each of the teams. Approximately 12,000 food items were then delivered to the mall for the competition. The students opened, sorted, and sculpted for five hours to create amazing sculptures. Congratulations to Northeast Middle School who won the middle school division. Kudos to teams from HH Dow High, Midland High and Jefferson Middle Schools for participating. All the sculptures were on display through the end of that week for People’s Choice voting. Teams then deconstructed their sculptures Sunday afternoon so the approximately six tons of donated food could go on to EFPN for distribution into the community. This is a great activity linking art, science, math & community service. Kudos to the students, teachers, coaches and volunteers and to project coordinator, DHS Art Teacher, Curt Gledhill!
Northeast Middle School
Jefferson MS project in progress
HH Dow HS finished project
Midland HS project in progress
Thank You, HH Dow High National Honor Society & Key Club!
Thank you to the Charger NHS & Key Club students who volunteered at the MPS Administration Center last week to help the District get the tablet tripods assembled, asset tagged, and ready to be delivered to schools. This dedicated team worked on this project for three days after school last week!
Roses to the cast, crew and directors of HH Dow High's Drama Department who presented not one, but two outstanding fall plays at Central Auditorium this past weekend.
Performances of The Little Princess on Thursday and Saturday and The Bully Plays on Friday and Saturday treated their audiences to a couple of hours of entertainment, laughter, and, in some instances, some time for reflection and thought.
Gina Kearly was the Director/Advisor for this past weekend's performances!
Kudos to the Charger Thespian Team for all their hard work!
(Photos courtesy of Midland Daily News)
Looking for Scholarships?
The Midland Area Community Foundation is a community partner that is a champion for students for so many reasons!
One very significant reason is the many scholarships they offer each year for students who are nearing high school graduation and making plans to pursue their career dreams through postsecondary education, whether it be a college degree, a certificate program, skilled trades educational programs, etc. As a matter of fact, MACF sponsors over 250 scholarships for which students may apply. Please note the deadline to apply is February 15.
This flyer is on the MPS Student Flyer Board. Here is the link if you would like to check it out. https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/studentflyers/
Midland High's Rhapsody Rendezvous Tickets are Now On Sale!
This year’s Rhapsody Rendezvous will take place on Saturday, December 4 at the Midland Center for the Arts. There will be two shows, a matinee at 1:30 pm and an evening performance at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students.
Tickets may be purchased at the MCFTA box office or online via this link: https://cart.midlandcenter.org/events/29286
Note: when you click on the link, the MCFTA page will default to one of the two performances. To order tickets for the other performance, select the drop-down arrow, “Select Another Event.” (The MCFTA box office is closed on Mondays, but online sales will be available.)
Social-Emotional Wellbeing for Students and Adults
Here is our second resource from the Michigan Department of Education Office of Health and Nutrition Services regarding Social-Emotional Wellbeing. As you can see, this group centers on support for families.
Support for families - Every Monday at 4 pm
Parents, are you feeling anxious about your family’s safety as COVID-19 keeps spreading? Would talking it over with other parents help ease your mind? Register for a virtual support group specifically for parents of children 18 and younger, hosted by our Stay Well counseling team. In this group, we talk about all topics relating to parenting during a pandemic. Sign up for one or more sessions at: https://bit.ly/3wxAnu9
Thank you, Midland Branch of Alpha Delta Kappa!
Last week, very special deliveries were made to our MPS schools as well as the Admin Center and other MPS areas from this kind, generous, supportive sorority. Their message to the MPS staff was as follows: The Midland Branch of the Alpha Delta Kappa wishes to take this opportunity to thank all school personnel in the Midland Public Schools system for your tireless efforts, dedication, perseverance and concern for the education, health and safety of all students during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Not only did they bring some yummy treats, but they brought a folder filled with beautiful, uplifting messages of encouragement for the MPS team. Midland Public Schools is so fortunate to "reside" in this community for so many varied reasons, and this very special remembrance is one such great example. Thank you to this group of Midland women educators who are dedicated to educational excellence, altruism and world understanding.
The candy fed our sweet tooth, but their messages of support fed our weary souls. Thank you, ADK!
In this space each week, we include fun events and happenings around the District that MPS families and community members may like to attend. If you have any questions about these events, please call the school office. Phone numbers for all of the school offices are located on the District Details page of this Communique.
Here are some upcoming events in the District:
November 24: 1/2 day of school (check with your child's school for release time)
November 25-26: No School -- Happy Thanksgiving
December 1: Jefferson Orchestra Concert
December 2: Northeast Band Concert
December 4: Midland High Rhapsody Rendezvous
December 6: HH Dow High Orchestra Concert
December 7: Jefferson Band Concert
December 8: HH Dow High Band Concert
December 9: Midland High Band Concert
December 8 & 9: Northeast Drama Club presents Fowl Play
December 10: Northeast Orchestra Concert
December 13: Midland High Orchestra Concert
December 14: Woodcrest, Siebert and Adams Choir Concert
December 15: Midland High and Northeast Choir Concert
December 16: HH Dow High and Jefferson Choir Concert
December 17: Midland High Meistersingers Concert
December 20: Northeast 6th Grade, Chestnut Hill, Plymouth and Central Park Choir Concert
December 20-22: High School Exams
December 22: 1/2 day of school
December 22: End of Marking Period 2 & End of 1st Semester
December 23-31: No School -- Holiday Break
Looking Ahead:
February 1: 2022-23 Kindergarten Round-Up at all MPS Elementary Schools
March: Dow High Drama presents The Sound of Music as their spring musical
May 25: High School Graduation at Dow Diamond (DHS @ 4:00; MHS at 7:00)
May 26: Rain Date for High School Graduation
"Thanksgiving Day is a good day to recommit our energies to giving thanks and just giving." -- Amy Grant
"Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness and gratitude." -- Nigel Hamilton