MMSOA Parent Newsletter

12/18-Merry Monday, Wear Christmas Colors

12/19-Toasty Tuesday, Wear your Ugly Christmas Sweater

12/20-Winter Wonderland, Wear Blue & White

12/21-No Place Like Home, Wear your PJs

12/21-Early Release Day, Dismissal at 11:50am

12/22-01/02-Winter Break, No School

01/03-Teacher Work Day, No Students

01/04-Students Return

01/05-Star Wars Club, 3-5:30 in room 205

01/08-All-State Chorus Rehearsal, 3-4pm

01/09-All-County Chorus Rehearsal, 3-4pm

01/09-Hype Team Practice, 3-4pm

01/10-Hype Team Practice, 8am

01/11-8th Grade Parent Night, 6-7pm

01/11-Report Cards Go Home

01/11-Beta Club Meeting, 7:30am in room 207

01/12-Quarter 2 Renaissance Rally

01/12-Dungeon's & Dragons Club, 3-5:30pm in room 205

Dear MMSOA Community,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share some updates with you regarding our school safety support.

First, it is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to Officer Gilliard, who has been an integral part of our MMSOA family. Officer Gilliard has recently received a well-deserved promotion and will be embarking on new adventures in Berkeley County. While we are sad to see him go, we are also excited for the opportunities that await him.

Now, on a brighter note, we are thrilled to welcome our new School Resource Officer, Officer Mindy Brenna, to the MMSOA family. Officer Mindy brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience that will undoubtedly contribute to the safety and well-being of our school community.

A little about Officer Brenna: she is a mother of four wonderful children, ages 18, 14, 10, and a precious 4-month-old. As a self-proclaimed military brat, Officer Mindy spent her formative years right here in the Lowcountry and grew up on the Charleston Air Force Base. We are fortunate to have someone with such strong ties to our community join us.

Please join us in welcoming Officer Mindy when you see her. She is genuinely excited to be a Marrington Monarch and is eager to get to know and work with each of you.

- Alison Thornley

Please join us in congratulating the following MMSOA 8th grade students as 2023-2024 South Carolina Junior Scholars from College Board based on their October PSAT score. Students will be recognized with all other Berkeley County SC Junior Scholars in May at Cane Bay High School.

Bianca Benrexi

Gracie Closson

Luke Crawford

Carter Cser

Austin James

Angelina Jenkins

Skylar Kasely

Alex Marchman

Ezra Pack

Winter Pack

Jadon Pringle-Jackson

Matthew Robinson

Hudson Singer

Sofia Wohlford

THANK YOU for getting your students to school on time this year. The tardies from last year at this time have significantly decreased. This is a huge benefit our students and teachers. Here are several things to note:

• Our students’ tardy count will not start over after the holiday break.
  
• Parents are required to come into the school to sign in any tardy students.
  

Moving over the winter break? Please be sure you contact the front office ASAP to fill out withdrawal paperwork.

The last day to turn in absent notes to clear any unexcused absences for the Ren rally is Dec. 21.

Attendance notes are due within three days of your student returning to school. You may email them in at pattersong@bcsdschools.net or send them in with your student. You can check attendance at anytime in parent portal.

Permission forms for the following events were handed out last week:

1. All-County Honor Band Clinic: January 5-6, Cane Bay High School. See email for details (select students).
2. Region Band Auditions: January 20th, West Florence High School. See email for details (select students).

If your student is attending these events, please get these forms and/or money back to me by this Thursday, December 21st!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Winter Concert.

• All County Orchestra Auditions Jan. 27, 2024
• All County Event March 8-9th
• With this ever changing weather, please make sure your instruments are not near heaters or vents. This could cause the glue to melt and the instrument will separate. In addition, do not leave your instrument in a vehicle or a old room. Extreme cold could make the wood crack.
• All Instruments must go home over winter break.

Art Majors have their major photos this Wed., 12/20 during Flex time & to therefore wear their Visual Arts shirts.

We would like to introduce the Marrington Boys Basketball Team!

Ian

Luke

Gabe

Tre

Keenan

Jorden

Mason

Coach MJ

Not Pictured: Jojo & Demarcus

Happy Holidays!

For the last week of school before winter break, the MMSOA PTSO will be hosting a Holiday Market from 7:30am-8:00am at the school!

We will have small holiday gifts, stocking stuffers, seasonal snacks and candy grams they can send to fellow students or faculty available for purchase! Candy Grams can be purchased every day and will be passed out to students and faculty/staff on Thursday, 21 December.

If you have not already joined the PTSO, Our membership form can be found here:

https://forms.gle/eHvwqYNhxDSXW7hHA

Membership dues can be paid through CheddarUp:

https://mmsoa-ptso-memberships-2023-2024.cheddarup.com

PTSO Calendar:

12/21/23 Faculty/Staff Breakfast for Holiday Spirit Day

01/26/24 Faculty/Staff lunch for Disney Spirit Day; KONA ICE coming for all students/staff

02/09/24 PTSO support for Renaissance-sponsored Valentine's Dance from 3-5pm

02/23/24 Faculty/Staff lunch for Harry Potter Spirit Day; KONA ICE coming for all students/staff

03/08/24 Faculty/Staff lunch for Red, White and Blue Spirit Day

03/20/24 PTSO Membership Meeting at 4pm at MMSOA - By-Laws and Executive Board Nominations

03/29/24 Faculty/Staff breakfast

04/24/24 PTSO Membership meeting - Board Elections!

05/03/24 Faculty/Staff lunch for Star Wars Spirit Day; KONA ICE coming for all students/staff

05/06 - 05/10/24 Teacher Appreciation Week

Our lost and found is getting pretty full! If your student is missing items, please have them visit our lost & found located in the cafeteria. Any items still in lost & found after 12/21 will be donated!