Message from the Principal

Dear Mahopac Middle School Families,

We would like to take a moment to welcome everyone back to Mahopac Middle School for the 2019-2020 School Year. It was great to see our students back in the building. Our hallways  are now filled with the excitement that comes with the first few days of each new school year. 

The summer was a busy one at the Middle School . Our custodial and maintenance staff did an excellent job and the building looks great. The summer has been spent adding new opportunities for our students as well as adding to the great things that are already taking place. 

This year we have added a new class for all of our 6th grade students. The class is called Middle School Success and will focus on our students transition to their new school. The curriculum will focus on a variety of areas including Social and Emotional well being, study skills, time management and use of technology to name a few. The purpose of the class is to bridge the gaps between middle and elementary school and help our students make a smooth transition.

We are offering World Language full time in both 7th and 8th grade this year. After a successful exploratory year we are now able to give our students an opportunity to take Spanish, Italian or German everyday beginning in 7th grade. 

Our buses will once again running separately from the High School. The buses are lined up in three zones at dismissal to make it easier for them to navigate where theirs is located. Staff will be available the first few days of school to help our students find their buses. 

Below are a few reminders for the new school year:

We ask that parents drop off any forgotten items at the window in between the doors at the front entrance. This will alleviate the number of visitors entering the building. If you are picking your child up early for any reason you will be buzzed in and directed to attendance. 

Parent pick/drop off will remain in the back of the building for the morning, regular dismissal, and after school. You can get there by going through the Falls School on Myrtle avenue. Please do not drop your children off in the front of the building. With the many buses and staff pulling in at that time, it can create an unsafe situation for all that are involved.

 Student cell phones should be placed in their lockers and remain there for the duration of the school day.

Students have been scheduled in grade level lunches this year.  Students have been assigned by team, to cafeteria 1 or 2 to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for lunch. The teams will rotate throughout the year so that every team will have an opportunity to eat together.  After lunch is served the entire grade will have twenty minutes of outdoor recess together with no restrictions weather permitting. 

Students will be assigned a different locker this year. Please remember students will need to use a lock that is issued from the school.  Students should consistently use the lock. It will keep their school supplies and belongings safe. 

Be on the lookout for Chrome book information about renewing your insurance. The information will be provided via email. Chromebooks should be charged each evening in order for students to be prepared for class each day. 

As a reminder, be sure to check your emergency contact information and email address in Parent Portal. Please make sure it is updated and accurate. 

Our school year is off to a great start. We were so glad to welcome our incoming 6th graders to the Middle School and welcome back our 7th and 8th grade students . If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the Middle School cozzocrea@mahopac.org . 

 

Sincerely,

Tom Cozzocrea

Principal

News & Headlines

  • Mahopac Board of Education Recognized for Dedication to Students and Community

    The New York State School Boards Association recognized October 21 - 25 as School Board Recognition Week. A time to promote awareness and understanding of the important work performed by school board members, Mahopac Central School District (MCSD) joined all public school districts across the state to celebrate School Board Recognition Week to honor local board members for their commitment to Mahopac and its children.

    “It takes strong schools to build a strong community, and these women and men devote countless hours to making sure Mahopac schools are helping every child learn at a higher level and are ready for the future” Anthony DiCarlo, superintendent of Mahopac Schools said. “They make the tough decisions and spend considerable time studying education issues and regulations in order to provide the kind of accountability our citizens expect.”

    DiCarlo said the key work of school boards is to raise student achievement by:

    • Creating a shared vision for the future of education
    • Setting the direction of the school district to achieve the highest student performance
    • Providing accountability for student achievement results
    • Developing a budget that aligns district resources to improve achievement
    • Supporting a healthy school district culture in which to work and to learn

    “School board members give the Mahopac community a voice in education decision making. Their contribution is a year-round commitment,” DiCarlo said.

    The members serving MCSD are as follows:

    Leslie Mancuso, President
    Michael Mongon, Vice-President
    David Furfaro, Trustee
    Lawrence Keane, Trustee
    Lucy Massafra, Trustee
    Ray McDonough, Trustee
    Mark O’Connor, Trustee
    Adam Savino, Trustee
    Michael Simone, Trustee

    Mahopac Board of Education members were recognized at their monthly meeting on October 24 and honored with a reception after the meeting. 

    MMS News & Headlines

  • MMS Schedule Enhancements

    One of the most exciting moments of a middle schooler is when he or she gets her middle school schedule for the first time. Your child’s school schedule is important as it sets the path for academic achievement. 

    Mahopac Middle School has implemented schedule enhancements this school year, such as:

    MMS News & Headlines

  • SUCCESS for 6th Graders

    The Middle School is pleased to debut the "SUCCESS" class for sixth graders.  "Our goal is to bridge the gap from elementary to middle school.  We often find that incoming sixth graders need to learn the basics of being a good citizen and student as a middle schooler," said Tom Cozzercrea, Middle School principal.   This half-credit class is taught by middle school teachers and covers topics such as time management, social media use, project-based work, typing skills, technology and being a lawful member of the community.   Middle school teachers, School Resource Officer (SRO), social worker and other faculty will be contributing to the class.

    MMS News & Headlines

  • The Consequences for Vaping in Mahopac Schools

    The following is a letter to the Mahopac community from Superintendent of Schools Anthony DiCarlo, 02/08/2019:

    Dear Mahopac Community,

    I would like to take a moment to talk about a prevalent drug trend affecting our nation’s schools, as well as the response our District implements to keep our schools safe and drug-free.

    E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students. In response to the growing use of e-cigarette vaping devices among high school students, Mahopac Central School District has policies in place to prevent the use of such devices on school grounds. E-cigarette use increased seventy-eight percent among high school students in 2018. In an effort to protect the student body and curb this epidemic in Mahopac schools, the District includes the following provision in the Code of Conduct:

    “Smoking, using, possessing, or selling a cigarette, cigar, pipe, chewing tobacco, lighters, matches, e-cigarettes, vaporizers or other devices used to inhale a non-prescribed substance.”

    Any student found with any of these devices will be in violation of these provisions and may be subjected to discipline, referred to the Superintendent, and assigned sessions with the Student Assistance Counselor.

    Students found in possession of devices with liquids or oils that contain THC or CBD concentrates or other controlled substances will subject themselves to an out-of-school suspension, and referred to a superintendent’s hearing. The District is committed to curbing the use or possession of illegal substances in the schools. If found guilty at a hearing of possession of a vaping device containing THC or CBD substances, the violating student may be subjected to an extended period of out-of-school suspension.

    These measures reflect the gravity we ascribe to the objective of stopping the trend of use or possession of these devices among school-aged children.

     

    Respectfully yours,

    Anthony DiCarlo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

    Superintendent of Schools  

    MMS News & Headlines

  • 8th Grade MCSD High School Athletic Teams Guidelines

    Please be advised that for the 2018-19 school years, the Board of Education has determined that the MCSD eighth grade students cannot participate in high school level sports. The following are exemptions for high school team level "tryouts"

    - Tennis (boys and girls)

    - Wrestling

    - Gymnastics- Skiing

    - Track & Field 

    Please contact the MCSD Athletic Department for any additional information. Go Pacs!

     
    MMS News & Headlines

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