Mountain View Weekly Update

- Administration has received several reports of students throwing snow after dismissal and of inappropriate behavior after school while on school property (ie: sledding at Hilltop). Students are expected to abide by the code of conduct at all times, and behavior after school hours can be consequenced in school under certain circumstances. Please remind your child to be a positive member of the community and model the behavior promoted and reinforced in school. Thank you as always for your support.

- With Spring Break approaching, many families are in the process of finalizing their travel plans. Mrs. Austenberg and Mrs. Toth kindly remind parents to communicate their plans as soon as possible. State travel restrictions require a 10-day quarantine for anyone returning from a trip outside the immediate region. Early communication is appreciated as it will give the administration and staff time to prepare for your child to participate virtually. Thank you as always for your cooperation.

- A reminder to please review the contents of the February 19 Weekly Update for information regarding the phase IV schedule (tentative start date is March 10). Those families who have opted for a 1:00 p.m. dismissal will be contacted as the date approaches with specific information regarding dismissal. As always, please contact Mrs. Toth should you have any questions.

• A reminder that students should return two copies of the high school course selection paperwork to their home base teacher by Monday, March 1.
• Please refer to the "Freshman Conference Pre-Appointment Checklist," emailed and sent home in hard copy yesterday (2/25), for a list of action items to complete prior to your conference.
• To ensure a productive and confidential conversation, students will attend their conference from home. Parents have the option to have their child participate virtually on the day of the conference, to send their child to school in-person tardy (after the conference), or pick them up early (before the conference), as an alternative to virtual instruction.

Greetings from the HSA! We hope that you and your families are safe and well.

Did you know that each year the HSA raises more than $30,000 thanks to the continued support of all of our families? The HSA has been a huge resource for our schools through fundraising efforts and activities for the kids such as events, cultural arts programs, technology resources, campus improvements and so much more throughout the year. This year is no different, except for how we raise that money. Since in-person events and activities are not possible for now, we are reaching out to our families to see if we can all contribute to our goal of raising $20,000 to help fund this year’s major project which is replacing and improving the main structure of Hilltop’s playground.

Next week, please be on the lookout for information about donating to this year's drive! Your child will come home with information in their backpacks.

Recently, Dr. Morillo shared a thoughtful article with our district Student Wellness Committee on cognitive distortions - specific "thinking traps" we all (adults and children) succumb to when we experience stress. Some of these traps include "black and white thinking" (something is all good or all bad, with no in-between), believing that when we "feel" bad we must "be" bad, and engaging in mind reading (i.e., instead of asking your friend if they are upset with you, we assume they are and then catastrophize, imagining the worst-case scenario!). In order to continue to take care of each other during the challenges of this past year, it's important to also take good care of yourself. Recognizing and challenging our own negative thoughts (and helping our children do the same) is one way we can take good care of our own emotional health.

- 3/8 - 3/12: Freshman scheduling conferences

- 3/12: Mountain View Parent Council meeting

Email: toth@mendhamboroschools.org
Website: https://www.mendhamboro.org/o/mountain-view-middle-school
Location: 100 Dean Road, Mendham, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-543-7075
Twitter: @mendhamborosd