Pictured above: Students at the Carpenter Pre-Primary Center celebrate kindness day.
Midland Public Schools District Vision Statement: Lead with respect, trust and courage. Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture. Enable all to achieve success.
October 16, 2023
Volume 11 Edition 10
Congratulations to our MPS Shining Stars for October!
Congratulations to Midland High Athletic Director and baseball coach Eric Albright, for receiving the MHSAA Bush Award!
Eric Albright was selected as one of two recipients of the MHSAA Allen W. Bush Award for 2023, which honors individuals for past and continuing service to school athletics as a coach, administrator, official, trainer, doctor, or member of the media. The award was developed to bring recognition to people who are giving and serving without a lot of attention. Congratulations, Eric!
To read the complete article about Eric's award that was featured in the Midland Daily News, click the button below.
MPS Multicultural Calender - October
Dates of Interest for October:
- Midland County Cultural Awareness Month/Global Diversity Month - for more information and activity ideas, click here
- October 24 - United Nations Day - raises awareness to the international organization founded in 1945, for more information, click here
- October 31 - Halloween (also known as Samhain)
- October 31-November 2 - Día de los muertos - Mexican and Central American celebration that honors deceased friends and families, for more information, click here
MPS Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presents to Dear Asian Youth Chapter
On October 12th, Dow High Dear Asian Youth invited MPS Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Joy Yang Jiao to present her talk "Broaden the Horizon: On Diversity and Inclusion in our Globalized World" to the Dow High Dear Asian Youth Chapter, as well as the 7th-hour classes of Ms. Worden's IB Language and Literature 1, Ms. Pancsot's IB Theory of Knowledge, Mr. Frye's American Literature, and Ms. Berg's World History. Over a hundred students enjoyed learning from Dr.Jiao on how we define "culture"; how minorities are commonly represented and "packaged" in today's popular media; body image and our fashion industry; as well as how we define and redefine "voice" and "making a difference" in our ever-globalized, dynamic world. The talk was well received and greatly appreciated by Dow High students from a variety of backgrounds.
Adams Elementary Students Enjoy Their New Reset Area
Thanks to a generous community donor, students at Adams Elementary are enjoying a new reset area. The area is equipped with a rug, bean bags, lap desks, and sensory and mindfulness tools to be utilized by students when they notice signs of oncoming emotional dysregulation. Whether experiencing a comfortable or uncomfortable emotion, this safe space gives students a place to manage their emotions and care for themselves while remaining a part of the greater learning community. Thank you to our MPS community for your support of our students!
Jefferson Middle School CSI Students Featured in Midland Daily News
Students in Ms. Brillhart and Ms. McKane's CSI classes at Jefferson Middle School took vital measurements, including blood pressure and respiration, from community volunteers to help gather and interpret data. The data they collect will be used to complete a project the classes have been working on. Great job Huskies!
Missed the Marching Band Showcase?
The Marching Band Showcase held at Midland Community Stadium on October 11th was a spectacular display of the musical talent and skill throughout our region. All the bands were terrific! If you weren't able to attend, watch the recording by clicking on the button below!
MPS High School Students - Do you want to share your experience at MPS and have your voice heard?
Consider joining the Superintendent Student Advisory Team (SSAT)!
Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson is creating an advisory team to meet with MPS students to exchange feedback, insights, and ideas.
You can view Superintendent Miller-Nelson's message about the SSAT here:
To complete the SSAT application, click on the button below:
MPS would like to share offerings with our students who are planning for after high school!
Check this section of the Communique for updated scholarships, open houses, and other opportunities! Here are some upcoming events:
- October 28th, 10 am - 1 pm - SVSU open house - register in advance here
- November 4th, starting at 9:30 am - Northwood University fall open house - must register in advance here
- Adults ages 21 to 24 who have not yet earned a college degree can enroll in Michigan Reconnect, a tuition-free community college scholarship program. Governor Whitmer temporarily lowered the age for those eligible from 25 to 21. For more information, click here
Join MPS in celebrating National School Bus Safety Week October 16-20, 2023!
MPS would like to thank our community for promoting school bus safety, and would like to thank our bus drivers! We appreciate you! Click here to view the Michigan State Police webpage on School Bus Safety.
2nd Semester School of Choice Applications
School of Choice applications for the second semester (January 3 - May 31, 2024) will be available via your ParentVue account beginning November 6, 2023. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, November 22, 2023. All applications must be completed online through a ParentVue account. If you do not have a ParentVue account, please visit www.midlandps.org/enrollment and select 23-24 School of Choice Application, you will then be prompted to log in or create an account.
Applications for non-resident students and in-district transfers will be available, but availability will be limited based on current enrollment numbers for each building and grade. A list of buildings and grades that are available for School of Choice will be listed on the first page of the application. If you apply for a building/grade not listed, your application will be denied. Families will be notified via email of their application status by the end of the day on December 8, 2023. Please contact Becci Longstreth at enroll@midlandps.org or 989-923-5024 with any questions.
Community Resources
Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network's Backpack Buddies
In cooperation with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan (FBEM), the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network (EFPN) is offering the Backpack Buddies Program to help provide nutritious food for elementary and preschool children throughout Midland County. How it works - packages of food are distributed to enrolled children on Friday afternoons to provide food for the weekend.
Children are eligible for this program if they meet at least one of the following criteria: qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program; live in a household with Food Stamp FIP case number; or live in a household qualifying for WIC assistance. There is no cost to the family or the school to participate in the program. If you would like to enroll a child in the program please complete the enrollment form below and return it to your school’s office.
This year the program will start on September 26th. Students can enroll at any time during the school year.