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2025-10-17 -- Principal's Email

Good afternoon, MMS families,

Hear ye, hear ye! What an exciting October we are having at MMS! This week, our 8th graders ventured to New Canaan Middle School to see a preview of Ken Burns’s new documentary, The American Revolution, followed by a discussion with producer Sarah Botstein. Our 7th grade teams, Mr. Monahan, and myself returned at the end of the school day from Medieval Times after a performance with themes of extending compassion and respect, followed by a rousing competition. You may be pleased to know that the Red & Yellow Knight, representing many of our MMS students, won. Thank you to the MPA for supporting costs associated with both of these curricular extension field trips. 

Congratulations to Mrs. Torre’s (331), Mr. Jarboe’s (235), and Ms. Blagys’s Flexes for winning the trivia competition, Name a Book by Its Cover, designed by MMS Librarian Denise Ryan! –Each winner will receive a book by author Victoria Jamieson, who will present to all students on Monday thanks to our MPA. All students will have the opportunity to visit the Scholastic Book Fair next week as well: Grade 6 English A on Tuesday; Grade 7 English on Wednesday; and Grade 8 English on Thursday. Purchases may be made with cash, check, or e-wallet. For more information about how the e-wallet works, or to set one up for your child(ren), please check out Scholastic’s MMS book fair website.  

I am looking forward as well to partnering with MPA representatives in virtual dialogue with Chris Balme about his compelling book Finding the Magic in Middle School. Whether you were able to read this MPA community summer book or not, I hope you’ll join the conversation at noon on Friday, 10/24 using this link. 

A few general notes:

  • The PE department will be hosting the mile fitness make up test after school on Monday. Any student who did not complete the mile test yet should report to the gyms after school on Monday, October 20th. (Students who are currently medically exempt from PE are not expected to participate in the make up test on Monday, of course.)  Please contact Mrs. Rodriguez or your PE teacher for any questions. 
  • PE classes continue to be outside into the fall. Students are encouraged to bring a warm layer on chilly days and may wish to have a change of socks/shoes if they have first or second block PE on a dewy morning.
  • As soon as we receive picture proofs and photo packages from Robert Taylor Photography, we will distribute them in Flex to be brought home. The pre-pay link is no longer available, but the proofs will contain ordering information. We anticipate receiving those in the next few weeks.
  • Make up day for pictures is scheduled for November 19.
  • Halloween is just around the corner.  Students are encouraged to wear school appropriate costumes on October 31, if they wish to do so. Please refrain from wearing inflatable costumes or costumes that would interfere with safe movement in classrooms/hallways; please keep all props, including weapon props, at home; masks are not allowed; and there should be no gore. We appreciate your understanding and support of these expectations so that those who wish to participate can enjoy a day of creativity and fun. 
  • For parents and guardians who park in the front lot before school drop off, please be mindful to leave open the two painted parking spots in the middle row near the cross walk - they are dedicated to Sunshine faculty winners each month and are a coveted prize. I know our faculty appreciates your support.

Finally, to our families celebrating Diwali in the days ahead, may the festival of lights bring you joy and peace!

Sincerely,

Kate

Kate Dimoulas (she/her/hers)
Middlesex Middle School Principal
203-655-2518 ext. 3226