August
Orientation Day – The week before school starts, each class will have an orientation time for the kids and parents to come and check out the classroom and meet the teachers. A lot of critical info regarding classroom procedures is gathered here. If you miss your class’s orientation make sure you get the handouts. This can also make the first day of school easier for your child, as they will gain some familiarity with their classroom.
Start of School – Typically the third week of August, but check the school calendar for the specific date. Remember your camera for a first day photo shoot!
Parent Nights – After school has been in session for a week or so, the West Building (Beginners-Kindergarten) classes have a parent night. These are for parents only and you will need to arrange childcare for the evening. It is a great opportunity to learn about the teaching process and meet other parents.
Extracurricular Activities – There are lots of after school studios and sports for students to sign up for through the school. These are fun and easy for parents since they take place at the school – no transport in the afternoon necessary! The team sports are played through the Oak Hall sports league, so the games themselves are offsite. They tend to fill up early and have registration deadlines, so check them out early. Different fees apply and after school hourly cost is accrued during the activity.
September
First PTO Meeting – This meeting is a general overview of the PTO and a planning session. If you want to get involved and meet other parents, this is a good place to start.
Spirit Week – Go Knights! This is a week to show your school spirit by dressing up for the different themed days. Wear lots of blue and white to school on Friday to show your school spirit! At the end of the day week is a pep rally on the big field.
Parent Nights with Kids – This is an opportunity for you to come with your child to their classroom so that they can show you what they do during the day.
Picture Day – You will have the opportunity to buy a class picture (typically $12). Packets with the individual pictures are sent home and may be purchased as well.
October
Halloween at School – Students are able to dress up on the day of the Fall Festival, while the lower grades also trick or treat throughout the school. Check with each teacher for what their class has scheduled with regard to costumes, treats, a class party, etc.
Fall Festival – This is a Halloween/Fall Festival. Each class puts together a game or food booth. There is a trunk or treat…so decorate your car trunk and bring out the candy (or a healthier option)! Everyone pitches in and helps at this fun, school-wide event that is a great fundraiser for the PTO and its activities for the rest of the year.
November
Thanksgiving Feasts – Parents have an opportunity to sign up to bring food or to volunteer at the event.
PTO Meeting
December
Book Fair – MMS hosts the Scholastic Book Fair, which helps raise money for the media center. Parents volunteer to set up, work the register, and tear down.
Teacher Appreciation Holiday gifts – Ms. Crystal usually organizes this, but parents can pitch in to arrange holiday gifts for the teachers. Parents are given lists of the school’s teachers and have the option to donate an amount of their choice to that teacher.
Holiday Performances – On the last day before break, the kids put on a holiday show with the help of their music teacher. They work on it all year and the results are rewarding for students and parents alike. Don’t forget a camera and tissue. The school day ends immediately after your child’s performance time.
January
Pay special attention to what day school is back in session. It is commonly a few days after New Years, but not always the Monday. Also, heads up, there are lots of three day weekends in this month!
February
Valentine’s Day – Valentines are passed out in class by the children. All of the valentines should be given randomly with no specific names on them. There may be a special lunch or celebration with an opportunity for parents to sign up to bring food.
March
Easter Egg Hunt – In the West Building, classes do an Easter egg hunt and usually have a small party as well. Parent volunteers bring in eggs, snacks, and help hide the eggs on the West Playground.
Picture Day – You will have the opportunity to buy a class picture (typically $12). Packets with the individual pictures are sent home and may be purchased as well.
April
Community Involvement Project – This month typically has the March of Dimes, Relay for Life, or other community volunteering opportunities. A different charity is selected by the school each year and the PTO supports the efforts.
Book Fair – There may be a second, spring book fair.
ITBS Testing – A week of standardized testing for Kindergarten through Middle School. The Kindergartners usually take their test on a different week than the East Building classes. For planning purposes, make sure that your schedule does not include traveling, doctors appointments, etc. over this week. Getting your children to school on time after a good breakfast and a full night’s sleep is paramount.
Parent Appreciation Night – Classes in the West Building perform a play or concert to show off their talents for the parents.
May (aka THE BUSIEST MONTH OF THE YEAR)
Mother’s Day Tea – Each class in the East Building does a Mother’s Day Tea event. The children prepare food and a talent show for their mothers to enjoy.
Father’s Field Day – The East Building also hosts a father’s field day in which dads come to participate in relay games and outside sports with their kids. A pizza lunch is provided.
Safety Patrol Appreciation – This is a week of saying thank you to the fifth graders who work so hard on safety patrol throughout the year. The PTO typically does a pancake breakfast, ice cream social, and the patrol has a day off to go to a water park. At the end of the week, each patroller receives an appreciation gift bag that includes sweets and mementos from parents and teachers.
Teacher Appreciation – This is a week of saying thank you to the teachers for all of their hard work and contributions to the development of our children. In the past we have decorated the teacher’s lounges, brought them breakfasts and lunches, decorated doors with artwork and cards, crafted books of thank you notes, hired massage therapists, etc. Ms. Crystal also organizes the Teacher Appreciation donation.
Sign Up for Summer Camp – In May the brochure detailing the MMS summer camps is released. Some of these camps fill up quickly, so don’t delay in signing up your child!
Yearbooks – With a cover designed by our Middle School students, the yearbook is filled with memories from the school year. During the last days of the school year, students and teachers are encouraged to sign each other’s yearbooks.
Graduation – Kindergarten and 8th Grade graduation ceremonies are scheduled in the last weeks of school.
PTO Meeting
June
End of Year Field Trips – The East Building classes take end of year field trips to Westside Pool, Blue Springs, etc. Drivers and chaperones are always needed.
End of Year Show – The End of Year Show is a theater masterpiece that 1st-8th graders work on for the entire semester. The show is performed at the PK Yonge Auditorium or another local theater. There are ample volunteer opportunities for costumes, sets, makeup, driving etc. Also, there is a cast party after the show that is organized by the PTO.
Last Day of School – See you next year!
Special Notes
On your child’s birthday there may be an opportunity to come into the classroom and have a small birthday celebration with your child. Each teacher has their own preferred routine, so please check with them.
