MMS Bullpup Express

Newsletter Brandon Simmelink, Principal McPherson Middle School Kendra Cooper, Assistant Principal 700 E. Elizabeth Phone 241-9450 Fax: 241-9456 December, 2017 McPherson, KS 67460

MMS EVENTS

Friday PBR Eligibility Period 5 Ends December 1 School Dance—Vocal Sponsor 6:30 – 8:30pm Monday PBR Eligibility Period 6 Begins December 4 Boys BB-7 vs Goddard Eisen. (B,A) 4:00pm Girls BB-7 @ Goddard Eisen. (A,B) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 @ Goddard Eisen. (B,A) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 vs Goddard Eisen. (A) 6:30pm Tuesday PTO Meeting TBA December 5 Wednesday Dental Screenings @ MMS December 6 Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm Thursday PBR Activity—MMS BB Game 2:00pm December 7 Boys BB-8 vs Andover Central (A,B) 2:30pm Boys BB-7 vs Andover Central (B,A) 4:30pm Girls BB-7 @ Andover Central (A,B) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 @ Andover Central (B,A) 5:00pm Friday December 8 Monday BOE Meeting 12:00pm December 11 Boys BB-7 vs Derby North (B,A) 4:00pm Girls BB-7 @ Derby North (A,B) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 @ Derby North (B,A) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 vs Derby North (A) 6:30pm 5 – 12 Orchestra Concert @ MHS 7:00pm Tuesday Hanukkah Begins December 12 Band Concert @ MMS 6:30pm Wednesday Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm December 13 Thursday Girls BB-7 vs Hutchinson (B,A) 3:30pm December 14 Boys BB-7 @ Hutchinson (A,B) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 @ Hutchinson (B,A) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 vs Hutchinson (B,A) 6:00pm Friday PBR Eligibility Period 6 Ends December 15

Monday PBR Eligibility Period 7 Begins December 18 Girls BB-7 vs Salina Lkwd (B,A) 3:30pm Boys BB-7 @ Salina Lkwd (A,B) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 @ Salina Lkwd (B,A) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 vs Salina Lkwd (B,A) 6:00pm Tuesday Vocal Concert @ MMS 6:30pm December 19 Wednesday PBR Activity at Pops/Jazz Concert 2:25pm December 20 Pops/Jazz Concert @ MMS 2:30pm Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm Thursday NO SCHOOL-CHRISTMAS BREAK BEGINS December 21 Friday NO SCHOOL December 22 Sunday December 24 Monday December 25 Tuesday NO SCHOOL December 26 Wednesday NO SCHOOL December 27 Thursday NO SCHOOL December 28 Friday NO SCHOOL December 29 Sunday NEW YEARS EVE December 31 Monday January 1 Tuesday NO SCHOOL January 2 Wednesday Back to School January 3 Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm

On Saturday, October 14th, 5 students were honored at the 2017 Youth Writing Contest Award Ceremony held in Wichita, Kansas:

Olivia Cheatham -- 1st place in Non-fiction and 3rd place in Fiction

Samuel Houston -- 3rd in Non-fiction Nicholas Cole -- 2nd in Fiction

Jordan Vanderhoof -- 3rd in the Bill Karnowski Poetry Contest

Jordan Vanderhoof won a $25 prize for her poetry piece. Hannah Erickson -- Honorable Mention for Poetry

These young writers were also recognized at our USD 418 Board Meeting on October 23rd. Way to go!!

A NOTE FROM THE

Dental screenings will be done on Dec. 6th. All students will be screened unless they have a parent signature to opt out.

The holidays and yummy food go hand in hand. As you are baking and buying this season, please remember to clip those Box Top labels and send them with your student to turn in to his or her core teacher. The winning core gets to have a pizza party sponsored by PTO. And we all win by raising money for the MMS PTO which serves the educational needs of our students! Deadline for Box Tops will be at the end of January. Thanks in advance!

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. *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.

A few students have been participating in Kansas Scholastic Chess Tournaments representing MMS. Here are the results so far.

October 28 Smoky Valley Tournament Brendan Jones 3rd, Pierce Hamma 6th out of 28 registered with only 2 players they also placed 3rd in the team competition.

October 21 Brooks Middle School

Brendan Jones 7th out of 39, Gage Allsbury 12th

October 14 Hutch Community College at the

Cosmosphere Pierce Hamma 4th and Brendan Jones 5th out of 48 MS competitors.

Kansas Scholastic Chess website if you need any technical information. http://ksca.us/

7th Grade HCC/Community Service Day Seventh graders toured Hutchinson Community College on November 10th and 13th to explore different career options available at a community college. Students toured the Media Communication/Production Center, the Fire Science School, the School of Cosmetology and the main campus while having discussions about the different opportunities available at HCC. After lunch, students toured the McPherson HCC site. The students ended their day with an hour of community service at the Cedars, Brookdale and the McPherson Museum. Working hard at the museum and making connections with the residents were more highlights of the day.

8th Grade CTE FIELD TRIP TO MHS 8th graders had a great morning touring the CTE program at MHS. CTE Pathways toured: Health Science, Drafting, FACS, AV Communications, Comp. Apps., Robotics from our one and only Kornhaus, Carpentry, Auto Shop, Ag/Welding. We were welcomed by Brandi McWilliams and ended the day with a conversation from the CCR Advocates. Below are a few pictures of our morning:

Scholars Bowl Results Congratulations to the 8th grade Scholars Bowl team

for winning the Pioneer League meet.

7th grade received 3rd place for their meet.

Well done!!

And from our Vocal Music Dept.:

Congratulations are in order. Several MMS students auditioned for KMEA Mid-Level & KCDA Treble All-State Choirs and the students that were selected are as follows: KMEA Mid-Level All-State Choir Pierce Hamma (8th) KCDA Treble All-State Choir Emily Lange (7th)

Merris Neighbors (8th) Analicia Rocha (8th) Emalie Somers (8th) and even though they aren't in our building anymore... Heidi Allen (9th) Riley Higgins (9th) Madison Skytte (9th) I hope you get a chance to recognize these students for their amazing accomplishments!

THROUGH THE EYES OF AN EIGHTH

GRADER (COMPLIMENTS OF MRS. VERNON’S PRE-AP WRITING CLASS

Christmas Shopping One of my favorite parts of Christmas is Christmas shopping with my mom and grandma. We go shopping for a whole day to all the stores . While we are there we shop for my dad, grandpa, siblings, and my grandma (she doesn ’t know that though) . I love surprising my family with presents! But, I also love being surprised myself ! I always get surprised at Christmas! Christmas is a fun time of the year for my family; we always have a lot of fun being with each other!

-Olivia Rodriguez-

Christmas Break I am very excited for Christmas break. I can’t wait to see my family and friends from out of town. Every year we watch Hallmark movies, wrap up in warm blankets, drink hot chocolate, and eat popcorn. This is one of my favorite holiday traditions. I hope everyone else is as excited to enjoy their Christmas traditions as I am. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~Reiley Bartel~

Counting the Days Christmas is approaching, and I’m counting the days till Christmas break. One of my traditions is that the youngest child places the star on top of the tree on Christmas Eve. Each member of the family would draw a person from a hat to get a present for, kind of like secret Santa. We open up one present before we go to bed, which is usually the pajamas we wear to bed and when we open up presents Christmas morning. Once we finish opening presents, we drink hot cocoa, and if there’s snow, we go play in the snow.

~Taylor Berger~

Through the Eyes of an Eighth Grader (cont’d)

Christmas Like lots of people Christmas is my favorite

holiday or at least one of the top. To me Christmas is enjoying the fun and family that surrounds me during this wonderful time of the year. Presents, food, Christmas break and Christmas parties with friends is just a bonus to this amazing holiday. During Christmas everywhere you go is decorated and full of lively happy people with smiling faces. I love the spirit that spreads through the air when Christmas time is upon us. Over all Christmas is a time to be cherished and there is no time to be wasted without a smiling face. Have very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

~Sailor Peterson~

My Favorite Month December is my favorite month of the whole

year. Christmas is coming up, pretty much half of the school year is over already, and New Year’s Eve. Christmas in when I’m able to see majority of my family. My dad’s mom usually has a Christmas and my brother from California and my niece come down about every other year. My mom’s mom also has a Christmas so we go visit them in Derby, so I also get to see all my family in Derby including my favorite cousin. About school being half way over, it can be pretty stressful with schedule changes and big tests before Christmas break but you just have to push through and do what you got to do. Think about the positive things like Christmas, hanging out with friends and, oh yeah, sleeping in. I bet that I’m not the only one who’s totally ready for this December!

~Carly Stout~

Best of the Twelve December is my favorite month out of all twelve. I absolutely love spending time with all my family and friends. I will say a down side is the cold. I love, love snow but hate - and I truly mean hate - the cold and being sick, but those are only a few down sides. There are many upsides. Like on Christmas Eve my house family each open two presents, then set up the cookies and milk for Santa and my younger siblings always write him a cute letter. When we wake up the next morning, the tree is filled with presents. After opening all of those, we had to my nana's where we help cook and shake our presents like crazy. After the food ready we all sit at a table, hold hands and give our thanks to Jesus and God for blessing our day with lots of love and support from a beautiful and big family.

~Audrey Bailey~

The glistening snow and shiny star on the top of the tree is what gets me. Christmas time is the brightest time of the year. Thanksgiving is about to pass and after the turkey, we get to hang lights, decorations, and start sliding presents under the green tree.

~Jersey Lopez~

JOIN YOUR FRIENDS FOR BREAKFAST 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 SEVERAL OPTIONS ON THE MENU ITEMS DAILY

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE CALL BILL FROESE AT 620-241-9490.

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 Kim Krase or Jeff Allmon at 620-241-9470.

UPCOMING EVENTS January 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY—NO SCHOOL January 2 NO SCHOOL January 3 BACK TO SCHOOL Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm January 8 Boys BB-7 vs Salina South (B,A) 3:30pm Girls BB-7 @ Salina South (A,B) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 @ Salina South (B,A) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 vs Salina South (B,A) 6:00pm BOE Meeting @ Central Office 7:00pm January 9 Pioneer League Spelling Bee @ Salina Lakewood 3:30pm January 10 Winter Sports/Activity Pictures Science Olympiad TBA Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm January 11 Girls BB-7 vs Newton (B,A) 3:30pm Boys BB-7 @ Newton (A,B) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 @ Newton (B,A) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 vs Newton (B,A) 6:00pm January 15 NO SCHOOL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY January 18 Girls BB-8 vs Derby (B,A) 4:00pm Boys BB-7 @ Derby (A,B) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 @ Derby (B,A) 5:00pm Girls BB-7 vs Derby (A) 5:15pm January 19 Model UN @ WSU TBA January 20 Boys BB-8 @ Maize So. “B” Trny TBA Girls BB-8 @ Maize So. “B” Trny TBA January 22 Boys BB-7 vs Andover (B,A) 3:30pm Girls BB-7 @ Andover (A,B) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 @ Andover (B,A) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 vs Andover (B,A) 6:00pm BOE Meeting @ Central Office 7:00pm January 23 Wrestling 7/8 @ Goddard Eisen. 4:30pm January 24 Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm January 25 Girls BB-7 vs Valley Center (B,A) 3:30pm Boys BB-7 @ Valley Center (A,B) 5:00pm Boys BB 8 @ Valley Center (B,A) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 vs Valley Center (B,A) 6:00pm January 26 PBR Eligibility Period 7 Ends January 27 Wrestling 7/8 @ Valley Center “A” Inv. 8:00am January 29 PBR Eligibility Period 8 Begins Boys BB-7 vs Maize (B,A) 3:30pm Girls BB-7 @ Maize (A,B) 5:00pm Girls BB-8 @ Maize (B,A) 5:00pm Boys BB-8 vs Maize (B,A) 6:00pm BOE Meeting @ Central Office 7:00pm January 30 Wrestling 7/8 @ Maize South 4:30pm January 31 PBR Winter Class Competition & Spirit Assembly 2:00pm Mural Club Meeting 3:15pm