MMS Bullpup Express

Newsletter Brandon Simmelink, Principal McPherson Middle School Ron Orsak, Assistant Principal 700 E. Elizabeth Phone 241-9450 Fax: 241-9456 October, 2016 McPherson, KS 67460

MMS EVENTS Monday VB-7 vs Newton & Derby North 5:00pm October 3 VB-8 @ Derby North w/Newton 5:00pm Tuesday Girls Tennis @ Pioneer League Trny 9:00am October 4 @ Derby XCountry @ Mulvane Inv 4:00pm PTO Meeting 5:30pm Wednesday Fall Sports Pictures 3:30pm October 5 Thursday FB-7 vs Hutch @ Grant 4:00pm October 6 FB-8 @ Hutch 4:00pm VB-7/8 vs Derby North 5:00pm Friday October 7 Monday Columbus Day October 10 VB-7/8 @ Maize South 5:00pm BOE Meeting 7:00pm Tuesday XCountry @ Pioneer League 4:00pm October 11 @ Rolling Acres Golf Course Wednesday October 12 Thursday FB-7 @ Valley Center 5:00pm October 13 VB-7/8 @ Goddard Eisenhower 5:00pm FB-8 @ Valley Center 6:30pm Friday October 14 Saturday VB-7/8 @ Pioneer League Trny 9:00am October 15 @ Derby

Monday 7 & 8 Orchestra/Vocal Concert 6:30pm October 17 Tuesday 7th grade Cheyenne Bottoms Field Trip 8:15am October 18 7 & 8 Band Concert 7:00pm Wednesday October 19 Thursday Fall Pops Concert 6:30pm October 20 Friday NO SCHOOL October 21 Monday Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30 to 8:00pm October 24 BOE Meeting 7:00pm Tuesday Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30 to 8:00pm October 25 Scholar’s Bowl @ Augusta 3:30pm Wednesday October 26 Thursday NO SCHOOL Pre-K — 12 October 27 Friday NO SCHOOL Pre-K — 12 October 28 Monday October 31

Lisa Goering, Grammar/Comp. My name is Lisa Goering, and while I’m the newest Grammar & Composition teacher here at MMS, I’m no stranger to McPherson schools. I attended MMS as an 8th grader, and I am a graduate of McPherson High School. My children have also attended Washington Elementary, MMS and McPherson High, and I’ve been an active member of WES and MMS PTO, MHS Booster Club Board and the MHS Choir Board. I love supporting our students in all of their activities! My husband Chris and I have three children. Our son Avery is student-teaching at Eisenhower Elementary with Mr. Carver this semester and will graduate in December from McPherson College. Our oldest daughter Emmy graduated from McPherson High last May and is spending this year in Washington, D.C. as a peacebuilding and policy associate with the Office of Public Witness through Brethren Volunteer Service. Our youngest daughter Kenzie is a junior at MHS. She plays volleyball and participates in track. I enjoy spending time with my family, snuggling with our three dogs, playing board games, watching movies and cheering on our Bullpups. John Montgomery, Physical Education/SPS I graduated from Derby High School in the spring of 2001. Upon graduation I chose to attend Fort Hays State University. While I attended FHSU I played football for five years and graduated in the spring of 2006. I followed up my undergraduate degree with a Master’s degree in Business Administration in the spring of 2008. Shortly after, I began teaching in the Leadership Studies Department at FHSU. After teaching and coaching four years at FHSU, I moved to the high school level and began teaching and coaching at Thomas More Prep-Marian in Hays, KS. While at TMP-M I was the head high school football coach (4 years), an assistant wrestling coach (2 years), and an assistant junior high track coach (2 years). I taught in a variety of capacities including high school PE and SPS classes, high school business classes, and junior high computer classes. I am very excited at the opportunity to join the wonderful teachers, coaches, and administrators in USD 418. Let’s have a great year and GO PUPS! Jody Houchen Unruh, Special Ed/SMD I grew up in McPherson and attended McPherson College for a degree in Elementary/Special Education. I have two wonderful children Charlie (6) who is in 1st grade at Eisenhower and Kamdyn (3) is attending TreeSchool & Angel Depot at St. Joseph. I enjoy spending time outside doing various activities with my husband, kids, & two dogs.

Little Locker Libraries are at MMS! Little Locker Libraries will be open for business at MMS soon! These lockers—on each floor—are designated for books that students may borrow and return when they are done. There is no official checkout system—just on your honor. It’s a wonderful way for kids to always have a book in their hand, even if they forget theirs at home. Currently, we are looking for book donations to fill our locker libraries. If you have middle school level chapter books you’d be willing to donate, please have your students bring them to Mrs. Hughes’s classroom #202 (across from the library). If you have questions, contact katherine.hughes@mcpherson.com. Happy reading!

National  School  Bus  Safety  Week  

THEME*:  “BULLY  FREE  ZONE!”  MMS joins the nation in celebrating National School Bus Safety Week, October 17-21, 2016! This is an opportunity for the entire industry to focus upon anti-bullying efforts, and to recognize the safe, efficient and reliable service provided each day by our school transportation personnel.

School bus drivers transport all sorts of children, in all sorts of weather, in all sorts of neighborhoods with a single goal: Safety.

Cheyenne Bottoms Field Trip

7th grade science students will be going on their annual field trip to Cheyenne Bottoms on October 18th from 8:15 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Students are asked to bring a disposable/recycleable sack lunch.

They will tour Cheyenne Bottoms and visit the Education Center there as well.

Note from the Nurse

If your child is sent home with a fever greater than 99.6 with other symptoms (i.e. headache, stomach ache, vomiting etc.) OR fever of 100.5 with no other symptoms, he/she will need to be symptom/fever free WITHOUT MEDICATION for at least 24 hours before returning to school. If your child is placed on antibiotics for an infection, please make sure your child has been on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school. For any questions/concerns contact Tami Malm at the Middle School, 620-241-9450 or email me at tami.malm@mcpherson.com.

Guidance Office Adjustments There has been a slight change to the students that the guidance counselors serve. The new breakdown is as follows: Jeff Allmon A - F and 6th graders last name G Joan Schieferecke H - N and 7th & 8th graders last name G Kathy Button O – Z You can contact the guidance office directly at 620-241-9470. Congratulations to our newly elected Stuco representatives for MMS: They are: EJ Hein, President Brycen Labertew, Vice President Dylan Rinker, Secretary Also to all those who ran for office, fantastic job on your campaigns and your video productions. Everyone did a great job!!

SOCTOBER Dear MMS Parents and Students, The 8th-graders in Mrs. Hughes’ and Mrs. Nye’s Core classes are helping to kick off an activity called “Soctober.” This project will help the people in McPherson guard their feet for the winter. As you may have seen in the name of the activity, we are collecting new socks throughout the month of October. Then the pairs of socks will be given to area families, families who could really use them. There will be a special paper bag placed in every Core Advisory classroom for this collection. There also will be two boxes in the school, one in the front office and one in Mrs. Hughes’s room. So, parents, please send a pair of socks to school with your student. We will only accept new socks, but they don't have to be fancy or expensive. Just one pair from Walmart or The Dollar Store is fine. Thank you for your participation and help.

Kiya Richert, 8th-grader

Community Service hours for 6th-8th graders are 5 hours per year. Some community service ideas for students could be:

*yard work for an elderly neighbor *volunteering for different activities: at church, church dinners, bible school volunteer, etc. *raking leaves for people in your neighborhood *helping out at a daycare babysitting *volunteering at the Humane Society or other agencies *picking up trash in the afternoon

Students will need to have some sort of adult supervision to vouch for their hours. This can be their parent if their parents participate in their community service or are their witness. Otherwise, they will enter their supervisor's name, such as a pastor, someone they volunteered to babysit for, their neighbor, etc. Also, summer hours prior to the school year until May will count.

FOOD 4 KIDS Because the most essential school supply is food

Food 4 Kids is a Kid-Friendly School-based Program—because the most essential school supply is food. Food 4 Kids was established for students who are food insecure and who are not getting sufficient food outside of school on a regular basis. The Food Bank provides food and supplies to Food 4 Kids schools in Kansas, which are operated in partnership with community schools. The Food 4 Kids program allows participating schools to receive food and backpacks from the Kansas Food Bank at no cost so that we can provide food to chronically hungry children. FOOD 4 KIDS FOODBAGS CONTAIN: Different foods designed to provide nutrition and calories for chronically hungry school children on weekends. Kid friendly foods that require no preparation. Kids can just “open and eat”. FOR EXAMPLE: Peanut Butter (12-ounce jar) and a sleeve of crackers—Beans and franks (pop-top can)—Beef Jerky (1 ounce)—Cereal (1-ounce bowl or box)—Fruit cups (peaches, applesauce, etc.)—Raisins (snack-size boxes)—Pudding cups—Juice boxes (apple, orange, or other juice)—Milk (aseptic pack boxes that do not require refrigeration)—Cereal bars or granola bars Please see your school counselor to sign up for Food 4 Kids at your school!! At MMS, please call Kathy Button, Jeff Allmon, or Joan Schieferecke at 620-241-9470.

JOIN YOUR FRIENDS FOR BREAKFAST EVERYDAY!

BREAKFAST IS A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN EACH DAY. BREAKFAST IS AVAILABLE 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE

START OF THE SCHOOL DAY. BREAKFAST IS FREE TO STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR

FREE MEALS. BREAKFAST IS $.30 TO STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR

REDUCED MEALS BREAKFAST IS $1.80 FOR ALL K – 12 STUDENTS

THERE ARE NEW OPTIONS ON THE MENU ITEMS DAILY

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE CALL

BILL FROESE AT 620-241-9490.

After-school tutorial began August 29th and is

available for those students wanting additional help with their studies. Tutorial will be held Monday through Thursday at 3:15 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. in

the Middle School Library.

THROUGH THE EYES OF AN EIGHTH GRADER (COMPLIMENTS OF MRS. VERNON’S PRE-AP WRITING CLASS)

OCTOBER

Things that were once vivid green are now crumpled and dead with a beautiful deep scarlet color. (I am talking about leaves on a tree if you can tell; it would be really weird if I weren’t.) When the trees start telling their stories about fall that is when you know that it is October. Time for pumpkin spice items, sweater weather, and, best of all. Halloween. This year I think I will do some special effect makeup. Who am I kidding? I will ATTEMPT to do special effect. My normal human face with fall theme makeup, dark lips and soft blush, on my right side. On the left will be something that will stop you cold. A chilling skeleton skull will be expertly painted. (I wish) I will wear a flower crown, black shirt, and a grey skirt to complete the look. Scaring little kids on Halloween might sound mean, but it really isn’t. That is what I hope to accomplish. It came to my attention that older kids have to stop trick-or-treating. Why? I have no idea, maybe to save candy for the younger kids. The way I see it I am doing them a favor by saving them from cavities. This is why growing up is a vexing task. Fall is my favorite season. It lets trees shed the pages of their stories. It also holds the holiday that is the excuse to scaring children. ~Catalina Palacios~

October Weather The tenth month of each year, October forges itself into our existence to define the beginning of our gentle autumn. A pacifying breeze tangles through our dancing hair, warm pigments begin to form into our trees, and crackling leaves begin to sway down among our sidewalks path. On average, we step foot outside into the mixed temperature that easily swaps day by day. Either if the weather cast remains balmy, individuals around all towns and cities pick between the choice of either wearing comforting clothing or the summer material they resort their styles towards. Although, some might believe that December or June are much better months than October. Majority of our population can agree that pleasant days apply more fondness with what our likings are to wear. Students gather around the hazy window frames boarded into their classrooms with expectations of viewing a murky atmosphere environment, but sometimes they’re surprised to be greeted by the sultry cast produced by our one and only sun. Many people share opinionated thoughts about the second month of autumn, but that all depends down onto their preferences upon temperature activity. If a mortal feels an attachment for the irregular spasmodic changes of our weather, than that the way they were created. The citizens who despise how much of an emotional burst our skies can act may easily disagree to those who are more fond of October, and that occurrence repeats itself every year. ~Trinity Schultheiss~

AUTUMN October is a season of pumpkin spice lattes

A season of crunching leaves beneath your feet Of changing leaves, weather, and changing clothes

Leaves of all colors Red, orange golden, brown

All came swirling down October is the season of Autumn

By: Tessa Boesker

THROUGH THE EYES OF AN EIGHTH GRADER (cont’d)

Awesome October

October is one of the best months in the calendar year. Leaves are changing colors and falling off the trees, the weather becomes crisp and cool, and Halloween is coming soon. It is a time for all of the kids to go to each house and get candy. Most important of all, Oktoberfest at St. Joseph’s is coming soon. Oktoberfest is a time to play games, try to win $10,000 and eat really good German food. Some examples of German food are bierocks, German sausage, kuchen, and a lot of other really tasty food. Bierocks are definitely my most favorite food. October is a month to sit on your porch, absorb the weather and drink pumpkin spice lattes.

~Brennan Gipson~

FALL Who doesn’t love fall? Leaves changing colors, football, pumpkins, and of course Halloween! Fall is the best time of the year at the middle school, you're probably wondering why? Sitting in class looking out of the window to the gorgeous trees outside. You get to admire the beautiful leaves changing colors! We can’t forget about the cold Friday night football games cheering on the Bullpups! Another favorite carving pumpkins, and trick-or-treating! October also means conferences which mean your first grade card of the year! Which means teachers have the opportunity to brag about you and tell your family what a great student you are! Don’t forget to soak up the weather because before you know it will be November before we know it! ~Kassidy Beam~

Upcoming Events November 1 Scholars Bowl @ ElDorado 3:30pm PTO Meeting 5:30pm November 3 Scholars Bowl 3:30pm November 5 Band/Vocal @ SCKMEA TBA November 6 Daylight Saving Time Ends—Fall Back November 7 7th grade to HCC (1/2 of students) TBA November 8 Election Day 7th grade to HCC (1/2 of students) TBA November 10 Scholars Bowl @ Clearwater 4:00pm November 11 Veteran’s Day November 12 Honor’s Music 9:00am (Band/Vocal/ Orchestra) November 14 BOE Meeting @ Central Office 7:00pm November 15 Scholars Bowl @ Hutchinson 4:00pm November 17 Scholars Bowl @ Pioneer League 4:00pm Salina Lakewood November 18 Western Kansas Orchestra Festival TBA November 19 Western Kansas Orchestra Festival TBA November 23 NO SCHOOL November 24 Thanksgiving Day November 25 NO SCHOOL November 28 NO SCHOOL BOE Meeting @ Central Office 7:00pm November 29 Boys BB-7 @ Goddard 5:00pm Boys BB-8 @ Goddard 5:00pm Girls BB-7 (A/B) vs Goddard 5:00pm Girls BB-8 (B/A) vs Goddard 5:00pm