We've had a lot going on at MMS recently, but we certainly don't want to forget to highlight some of our Hawks who are making us proud! A big SHOUT OUT to these 3 kids for going above and beyond to get recognized!
Our 8th Grade Lady Hawks picked up another WIN over Pana Jr. High tonight! The score was 38-11. The girls will play at home again on Thursday against Central A&M. The 7th grade game will begin at 6:00 p.m. Go Hawks!
Tomorrow (Wednesday, October 2) is a 1:30 p.m. dismissal for school improvement activities. We will run an adjusted bell schedule. If transportation is different than normal, please make sure your child knows how they are getting home!
Our district is implementing IXL this year in K-12 to help build math and ELA skills through personalized learning plans that meet each student at their current levels. We have challenged our MMS students to increase their diagnostic score by 10 points (in both math and ELA) each month. Through data collected in August and September, we were thrilled to see so many students meet and exceed that goal in ELA! While there was a bit of a delay in collecting the starting diagnostic levels in math, we are looking forward to seeing even more growth in October. Students can increase their diagnostic levels when they "step into the arena" during class, but they can practice suggested skills based on their individual learning plans any time! Congratulations to our TOP 3 proficiency leaders during the month of September at MMS!!
The Lady Hawks picked up their first wins of the season last night! Both the 7th & 8th grade teams defeated Shelbyville. They will be back in action tonight at Pana Jr. High. Go Hawks!
There is a home football game on Friday, and this is a great way to support our Music Boosters while cheering on the Hawks! See you there!
We had 60 students get "perfect attendance" (with no tardies to school) during the first 30 days of school - August & September. That's 32% of our students enrolled at MMS! These students will be treated to full size candy bars... just for showing up!
Daily attendance at school is so important. In fact, alarming statistics can really add up!! We will be treating students with perfect attendance each month and hope to see that attendance percentage grow!
Our fall fundraiser kicked off today, so raffle tickets for our November daily cash raffle are available now for $10 each! Tickets can be purchased from any MMS student or by calling the office at 217-764-3367. Thanks in advance for supporting MMS!
Our fall raffle fundraiser will kick off on Monday! Tickets are $10/each and will qualify supporters at a chance to win $25, $50 or $100 each day in November! Students who sell tickets can earn Hawk Bucks, snacks, cash prizes, and a chance to be a "Staff Member for the Day." Money raised helps us to provide incentives throughout the year, classroom resources, and more. Our goal this year is 2000 tickets!
If your child received a midterm report and it hasn't been returned yet, please sign it and send it back tomorrow!
Congratulations to the 30 students who were drawn to receive Casey's pizza on Tuesday from our first Hawk Bucks raffle.
We will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. this Wednesday for curriculum development.
Girls Basketball:
Monday: HOME vs. Shelbyville; 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: AWAY vs. Pana Jr. High; 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: HOME vs. Central A&M; 6:00 p.m.
Boys Basketball Open Gyms:
Tuesday: 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursday: 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Go Hawks!
Mrs. McGuire had the opportunity to present at a state conference about school safety response plans with colleagues from ROE 39. The team did a great job and Mrs. McGuire represented Meridian well!
It's hard to believe that the 1st quarter is already half over! 1st quarter midterm reports are being sent home with students today who are earning at least one below average grade in a Core subject. If your child receives a midterm, let's work together to get them back on track for success! Consider reaching out to your child's teacher to see what they are observing in the classroom and have a conversation with your child about ways they can work towards improvement.
The midterm for 1st quarter was on Friday. Midterm reports will be sent home with students earning a below average grade in a Core subject on Wednesday. If your child receives a midterm, please sign the report and send it back. If you have questions regarding a specific subject, please reach out to that teacher.
In addition, if you are looking for ways you can help your child be more successful at school, consider the following:
-Establish a time & place at home that your child can work on homework.
-Ask to see your child's assignment notebook to verify what work should be completed (Planbook.com is also available to refer to).
-Check TeacherEase regularly to view your child's progress.
-Establish a consistent bedtime routine.
-Limit technology use during the week to help focus on academics.
Students will have the opportunity to sign up for a Casey's pizza Hawk Buck raffle this week (Monday - Thursday). At the end of the week, 10 names from each grade will be randomly drawn. These students will receive 2 large slices of Casey's cheese pizza and a Pepsi product on Tuesday, October 1. If they are selected, the cost is $50 Hawk Bucks. They should only sign up one time in any of their core classes!
Friday will be the first chance the students will have to "deposit" their Hawk Bucks during study hall. All Hawk Bucks deposited will be recorded and kept safely until the end of the year. Students are encourage to take advantage of this opportunity!
Baseball:
Monday - IESA Regional game vs. ALAH at Lovington Elementary School; 4:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball:
Monday - HOME vs. Monticello; 6:00 p.m.
Thursday - AWAY vs. Sullivan; 6:00 p.m.
Boys Basketball Open Gyms:
Wednesday - 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday - 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Go Hawks!
Mr. Bates' 6th graders have been learning about stars and recently created a huge H-R diagram in the arts hallway. This diagram shows the relationship between each researched star's temperature and luminosity.
We've got upcoming open gym dates leading up to tryouts for the boys basketball team. All participants must have an updated physical on file and should register on 8to18. Email Coach Smithers with questions at smithersjess22@gmail.com.
This Friday, September 20 is midterm for the 1st quarter. Midterm reports will be sent home with students receiving a below average grade on Wednesday, September 25.
Baseball -
Monday: HOME vs. Decatur Catholic; 4:15 p.m.
*8th graders & their parents will be recognized prior to the game at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: HOME vs. Buffalo Tri City; 4:15 p.m.
Girls Basketball -
Basketball will practice with the full team this week as they get ready for their first game on Thursday! Practices are scheduled Monday - Wednesday and Friday from 2:45 - 4:30 p.m. There will be a mandatory parent meeting on Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria.
Thursday: HOME vs. Decatur Catholic; 6:00 p.m.
Boys Basketball:
Open gym opportunities will be scheduled prior to tryouts on Monday, October 21. The first open gym is scheduled for Saturday, September 21 from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. All participants should have an updated physical on file and should register using 8 to 18. Questions can be emailed to Coach Smithers smithersjess22@gmail.com .
Go Hawks!
Good luck to both our teams as they compete today! The baseball team has a regular season game at Unity Christian at 10:00 a.m. while the softball team plays Athens in the Semi-finals of the IESA Regionals. This game is in Riverton at 12:00 p.m. Let's go Hawks!!
This week's Hawk Proud award recipient is Kameron M! Kameron was recognized by a staff member for inviting a classmate to sit with his group at lunch. We love catching our students do the right thing... especially when it involves including others! Way to go, Kam!
Our 8th grade baseball players and their parents will be recognized prior to the start of the game on Monday, September 16. Make plans to join us when the Hawks take on Decatur Catholic at 4:15 p.m. at Snitker Field.
The IESA Baseball Regional bracket has been posted! The Hawks will play ALAH on Monday, September 23 at 4:30 p.m. The game will be played at Lovington Grade School. Go Hawks!
The Lady Hawks defeated Riverton tonight 13-0 to advance on the IESA Softball Regional bracket! They will play again on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in Riverton. Go Hawks!
