Dear Monroe-Woodbury Middle School Families,
As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our incredible school community. Each day, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to work with such dedicated students, supportive families, and caring staff members who make Monroe-Woodbury Middle School a wonderful place to learn and grow.
This time of year encourages us to reflect on the many blessings in our lives and to appreciate the people who make a difference. I am truly thankful for your partnership, encouragement, and commitment to your children’s education. Together, we continue to build a school community centered on respect, kindness, and a love of learning.
Important Upcoming Dates
November 7 – Last Day of the First Marking Period
November 11 – School Closed (Veterans Day Observance)
November 18 – Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 19 – Picture Retakes
November 21 – Half Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 26–28 – School Closed for Holiday Recess (Enjoy this time to relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones.)
I wish you and your family a joyful and restful holiday season filled with laughter, good food, and special moments with loved ones.
Warm regards,
Rafael Vasquez, Jr.
Principal
Monroe-Woodbury Middle School
IMPORTANT UPDATES
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Mrs. Francis Kick
Meet Mrs. Francis Kick, one of our dedicated guidance counselors! Fran has been supporting students for 18 years, including 13 years at Monroe High School in the Bronx before joining the MW team five years ago.
Fran's path to guidance counseling took a thoughtful turn—she was previously an art teacher but realized she wanted to use her passion for working with kids and her Spanish speaking abilities to connect with and guide students more directly. This motivation continues to drive her work today.
When she steps away from the office, Fran is an adventurer and hobbyist. She loves getting outdoors for skiing, hiking, and gardening, and she has a serious case of wanderlust, enjoying road trips down south as well as travel in Europe. She shares her home with her family, including two children (a high school-aged boy and girl) and their loyal dog, Maple Syrup, a lively beagle-boxer mix.
NEWS AND NOTES
LIBRARY CORNER
The Middle School Library is excited to announce our Fall Scholastic Book Fair!
When: Monday, November 17th - Friday, November 21st
Where: Middle School Library
Students can purchase books using an E-Wallet, cash or checks payable to:
Monroe-Woodbury Middle School
*** E-Wallets***
We highly recommend using E-Wallets for the Book Fair. Students are not able to access Apple Pay this year due to the new cell phone rules. Setting up an E-Wallet is easy and can be accessed using the link below. This will be the easiest and safest way for your child to pay for books. Thank you for your support.
Girl Scout Troop 599 spread kindness around MWMS with their “Clothespins for Kindness” located in the library!
Mrs. Woods’ 7th grade ELA classes explored spooky stories, Ms. Rizzi’s 7th grade FACS classes researched innovations in sustainability, and Mr. Ahearn, Ms. Robinson, and Mrs. Roman’s 8th grade science classes worked on energy research papers this month.
ART GALLERY
Mrs. Angeloro's 7th grade classes have been working to design dragon eyes. They created small sculptures based on their design using additive techniques. They also created oil pastel drawings of their dragon’s eye using blending techniques.
MUSICAL NOTES
Taking place on Friday, November 14th at 6pm is the 36th Annual Monroe-Woodbury Faculty & Friends Benefit Concert in the High School auditorium. Presented by the M-W Music Department and sponsored by the M-W Music Boosters, this event promises to be as exciting as ever! Come see M-W teachers (and community members) performing a variety of musical selections. All proceeds benefit the Boosters scholarship fund.
Tickets can be purchased at the door ($6/students & seniors; $12/adults). Also, viewers at home can purchase live-stream tickets. Get your tickets HERE!
Music lessons are off to a great start in preparation for our upcoming concert season in December! Don’t forget to support your favorite music teachers at their Faculty Recital on Friday, November 14, at 6:00 p.m. at the high school. They would love to see you there!
ATHLETIC ARENA
Fall sports are wrapping up here at M-W! Use the link below to see the schedule for cheering on our teams.
Let's go Crusaders!
PROTOCOLS FOR VISITORS TO SCHOOLS
Schools are a place of work and learning, and certain limits must be set for any visitation. Any visitations require principal or his/her designee approval.
The building principal or his/her designee is responsible for all persons in the building and on the grounds. For these reasons, the following rules apply to visitors to the schools:
Anyone who is not a regular staff member or student of the school will be considered a visitor. This includes any contractor or government official conducting professional or official business.
The Monroe-Woodbury School District uses a visitor management practice known as The Credential Exchange Program. The practice requires all visitors to enter the school at the main entrance where they will press the intercom button. Using the visitor intercom system, a Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will engage each visitor from inside the school and ask the individual to state their purpose for visiting. When a legitimate purpose has been stated, the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will electronically grant access to the visitor and they will enter the inside of the school or vestibule. Upon approaching the Security Desk or vestibule, all visitors will follow the Credential Exchange Program.
The Credential Exchange Program requires all visitors to produce a valid Government Photograph ID, which will be vetted by the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter through the VISITOR DATABASE. Once authorization is permitted, the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will take the printed-out visitor’s tag and insert it into the ID holder attached to a break away Orange Visitor Lanyard. The visitor will hang the Orange Lanyard around their neck and the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will maintain the visitor’s ID in the security booth or vestibule’s lock box. All visitors to the school must report to the main office upon entering the school.
Student visitors are not permitted during the school day or to functions not open to the public without advance approval from the principal.
Any unauthorized person on school property will be reported to the principal or his or her designee. Unauthorized persons will be asked to leave. The police may be called if the situation warrants. All visitors are expected to abide by the rules for public conduct on school property contained in our Code of Conduct.
Refer to individual school handbooks for additional information and requirements.
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(845) 460-6400
Check out the Daily Bulletin on PowerSchool and the Daily Announcements.
Sunday, Nov 2 - Daylight Savings Time ends (turn clocks back one hour)
Tuesday, Nov 4 - Superintendent's Conference Day, Election Day (School Closed)
Wednesday, Nov 5 - Board of Education Regular Meeting @ MS, 6pm
Friday, Nov 7 - End of First Quarter
Tuesday, Nov 11 - Veterans Day (School Closed)
Wednesday, Nov 12 - Bus Safety Drills
Tuesday, Nov 18 - Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences, 5pm
Wednesday, Nov 19 - Picture Retakes
Wednesday, Nov 19 - Board of Education Regular Meeting @ PT, 6pm
Friday, Nov 21 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (Half Day Dismissal)
Monday, Nov 24 - Modified Winter Sports Begin
Wednesday, Nov 26-Friday, Nov 28 - Thanksgiving Break (School Closed)