M-W Middle School
"Kindness Matters"
A Message From Middle School Principal Christopher Berger
Greetings, Crusaders!
As we head into March, the Middle School is a busy place!
As a reminder, parent-teacher conferences are ongoing and will continue to take place next week. All conferences will be held virtually. You will need to schedule your conference appointment through the District appointment scheduler, pickAtime. If you have questions on how to access the pickAtime system, please contact the main office. The remaining Middle School Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on:
Friday, March 15
K-12 Early Dismissal Day - Afternoon Parent-Teacher Conferences. Students will be dismissed at approximately 11:40 a.m.
As you are aware, social media has had a profound influence on our students. On Wednesday, March 6, all students had the opportunity to learn from internationally recognized speaker and “edutainer” Robert Hackenson Jr. Students learned about social media and technology landmines and the lasting impact it can have on their future.
Additionally, Mr. Hackenson provided an assembly for parents to inform them about the hidden risks and latest trends of teens/tweens and technology. Below is a link to watch Robert Hackenson Jr.’s “Parenting in a Digital Age” presentation. The link to the on-demand presentation will be available for parents to watch within the next 30 days.
In the video below, here’s what you will learn:
How to prevent or help teens with technology addiction
What screen times actual effect is on teen mental health
Digital communication and miscommunication
Coaching your kids through hateful posting and how to be a positive bystander
Cyber safety issues with online challenges, posting personal information, and online predators
Teens and sexting (only discussed with students when age appropriate)
Your child’s digital reputation
Parenting tips and resources to help your child use technology responsibly.
Link to Parent Video: Parenting in a Digital Age presentation
To access the video use password: Monroe
Available resources from Mr. Hackenson can be found on his website:
https://dynamicinfluence.com/digital-and-social-media-resources-for-parents/
The Middle School Drama Club is excited to present this year’s performance of Little Shop of Horrors! Tickets can be purchased online and the showtimes are as follows:
Thursday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m.
We hope to see you there!
Lastly, schools will be closed for spring recess from March 25 through April 1. We hope you enjoy this time with your friends and family! When we return to school on April 2, we will be wearing blue in celebration of World Autism Awareness Day. We hope you “Light it up Blue” with us!
Best wishes,
Christopher Berger
MWMS Principal
2023-2024 Office Hours
Monday to Friday: 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM
(845) 460-6900
Check out the Daily Bulletin on PowerSchool and the Daily Announcements.
Upcoming Events
Friday, March 1 - Third Quarter Mid-Point
Saturday, March 2 - Mid-Hudson Division B Science Olympiad @ MS; Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition
Sunday, March 3 - Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition (Snow Date)
Tuesday, March 5 - Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences (K-12 Early Dismissal)
Wednesday, March 6 - Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6:00pm
Thursday, March 7 - Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences, 6:30pm
Sunday, March 10 - Daylight Savings Begins (Spring Ahead!)
Tuesday, March 12 - Professional Development (K-12 Early Dismissal)
Thursday, March 14 - MS Musical Production - Senior Citizens Event, 4:00pm
Friday, March 15 - Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences (K-12 Early Dismissal); MS Musical Production, 7:00pm
Saturday, March 16 - MS Musical Production, 2:00pm
Sunday, March 17 - MS Musical Production, 2:00pm (Snow Date)
Monday, March 18 - Modified Sports Begin; Music Boosters Scholarship Interviews @ MS, 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 19 - PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 20 - Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6:00pm
Thursday, March 21 - BLC, 3:30pm
Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29 - Spring Recess (School Closed)
NEW STAFF Spotlight
Introducing .... Mr. John Benros
Mr. Benros was a teacher for 15 years, but he is working with us this year as the interim Dean of Students.
Mr. Benros has two children- a son and a daughter, and he is also the lucky guardian of two gray bearded dragons. He referees high school football, and he coaches Little League baseball. In his spare time, you can either find him hiking or on the golf course.
We are happy to have him here at the middle school!
NEWS AND NOTES
Backstage Broadcast
The Monroe-Woodbury Middle School Drama Club is excited to present the deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors which has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.
One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows, Little Shop Of Horrors, the charmingly tongue-in-cheek comedy has been produced worldwide.
The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
Little Shop of Horrors will be presented at the Middle School Auditorium on Thursday,March 14, 2024 at 7pm, Friday, March 15, 2024 at 7pm and Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 1pm and 7pm.
You can purchase tickets HERE!
Library Corner
On February 7th, World Read Aloud Day 2024, the middle school library hosted author A.S. King for a 45-minute high-energy assembly titled, "How to Write a Good Life".
Amy asked the 8th graders to consider their past experiences while explaining how to use them positively to shape their future. Her message? Learn from mistakes rather than be defined by them. Prior to the assembly, Amy met with members of the MS book club while she answered questions such as: Where do you draw inspiration for your characters? What would you recommend an aspiring author at our age to do to get started? .
The MS book club members presented the author with a personalized welcome gift.
musical notes
On February 14th, students from the Chamber & Sinfonia Orchestras, as well as Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, came together to perform at the 17th annual MWMS Kaleidoscope Concert in the Gymnasium. This event included a "pops" element (music from film, TV, and pop music influences), as well as classical chamber music works. The evening was capped off with a reception in the cafeteria where our Music Boosters provided refreshments, and the Jazz Band provided entertainment. The Kaleidoscope Concert is one of our favorite events of the school year!
FBLA News
The Future Business Leaders of America Club attended the FBLA business competitions on February 1. Matthew Campbell placed 1st in elevator speech and 1st in the financial literacy written exam. Carly Robledo-Moses placed 1st in the FBLA concepts written exam. Congratulations to both of you!
Art Department
Ms. Angeloro's 8th grade art students created negative prints in class. They learned the printing process and created a single color print and a multi color print!
athletics
Spring Sports Start Dates:
Middle School (Modified) - Monday, March 18, 2024
Registration Opens- Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Registration Closes- Thursday, March 14, 2024
High School (JV and Varsity) - Monday, March 11, 2024
Registration Opens- Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Registration Closes- Thursday, March 7, 2024
Physicals for Modified athletes must be dated March 1, 2023 or later.
Physicals for Freshman, JV & Varsity athletes must be dated March 1, 2023 or later.
8th grade corner
parent resources
REMINDER: The state-mandated deadline for 2024-2025 school year transportation requests is April 1, 2024.
Babysitter/Childcare: If your child will be transported to or from a babysitter or childcare facility, you must submit an online Transportation Request Form no later than April 1, 2024.
Out-of-District: If your child will be attending a non-public school in the upcoming school year, you must submit your transportation request no later than April 1, 2024. If you need a copy of the form, please email at transportation@mw.k12.ny.us or Diane Gentile, Registrar at dgentile@mw.k12.ny.us.
Visit the Transportation page on the District website for more information: https://www.mw.k12.ny.us/page/transportation
🌟SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH 2024🌟
Want to get involved? Here are three ways community members can share feedback:
Community Forum
On Monday, February 12, the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education Trustees will hold a Superintendent Search Community Forum at 6:30 p.m. in Monroe-Woodbury High School's large cafeteria. The Board has engaged District Wise Search Consultants to aid in the search; representatives from District Wise will be conducting the Community Forum.
All members of the school community are invited to attend the Forum, either in person or via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89738910565
Meeting ID: 897 3891 0565
Email Feedback
All information gathered at the Forum will be included anonymously in a report prepared for the Board. For those unable to attend the meeting, or for those who prefer to provide their suggestions and opinions privately, a confidential email address has been established by the consultants:
mwsupsearch@districtwisesearch.com
DEADLINE: MARCH 22, 2024
Online survey
This anonymous online survey is designed to gather opinions on the importance of various characteristics found in effective superintendents.
Participate in the survey here: https://s.surveyplanet.com/ibgqkkmj
DEADLINE: MARCH 22, 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE: SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH 2024
Important Dates
Friday, March 1 - 3rd Quarter Mid-Point
Saturday, March 2 - Mid-Hudson Division B Science Olympiad @ MS; Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition
Tuesday, March 5 - Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences (K-12 Early Dismissal)
Wednesday, March 6 - Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6:00pm
Thursday, March 7 - Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences, 6:30pm
Sunday, March 10 - Daylight Savings Begins (turn clocks ahead one hour)
Tuesday, March 12 - Professional Development (K-12 Early Dismissal)
Thursday, March 14 - MS Musical Production - Senior Citizens Event, 4:00pm
Friday, March 15 - Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences (K-12 Early Dismissal); MS Musical Production, 7:00pm
Saturday, March 16 - MS Musical Production, 2:00pm
Sunday, March 17 - MS Musical Production, 2:00pm (Snow Date)
Monday, March 18 - Modified Sports Begin; Music Boosters Scholarship Interviews @ MS, 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 19 - PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 20 - Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6:00pm
Thursday, March 21 - BLC, 3:30pm
Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29 - Spring Recess (School Closed
