MCSD Reopening Website
Mahopac Central School District
Message from the Principal
Dear Mahopac Middle School Families,
It was an incredibly challenging Spring, but we came together and persevered and I am proud to say that we ended the 2019-2020 School Year on a high note.
Although not the way we originally envisioned them, our MMS community celebrated and welcomed students in new and unique ways. Some of the highlights of this Spring included the inaugural online publication of our school newspaper The Torch, a remote collaboration by the MMS Theatre Company performing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” to thank sponsors and the entire community for their support, the virtual orientation and MMS tour for our incoming sixth graders, the remote induction of an astounding 83 students into the National Junior Honor Society, and of course our four fantastic Moving Up Parades.
Thank you all for your commitment and diligence to making this year a success even in these extreme circumstances. Together we certainly are #MahopacStrong.
I wish you all a restful summer vacation and look forward to sharing updates with you about the Fall as I have them. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me all summer long at cozzocrea@mahopac.org.
Sincerely,
Tom Cozzocrea
Principal
News & Headlines
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Summer Reading Information for Incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians:
Over the summer months all matriculated students, grades six, seven and eight, will be required to read an assigned book. The books were chosen for relevancy to the respective grade level, and they address issues and themes which will be a center of focus during the school year in English and/or other content areas. They will help facilitate verbal development, maintain literacy skills and serve to optimize student preparation from the very first day of school in September.
Download and print this letter and list here.
We strongly recommend students and their families enjoy the books together; read aloud to one another, discuss the ideas, events, characters met, and spend some pleasant moments in the worlds these authors create.
All incoming sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students should be prepared to participate in class discussions and/or group activities related to their assigned book upon return to school in September. These books serve as the focus of English instruction during the opening days of the 2020-2021 school year. Students will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of these books during the first weeks of school via reading and writing assessments. This literature will also serve as a foundation for a number of assignments throughout the year. As an aid for recollection and comprehension, our English Language Arts Department has created a suggested summer reading outline ; it is strongly suggested that students have this outline completed when returning to school.
Reading is a pleasurable and life-long activity that educates, entertains and enriches the lives of all who participate; join us in making Mahopac Middle School a haven for avid readers.
The following list has been distributed to the Mahopac Public Library for your convenience. These books can also be obtained at local bookstores and through online shopping sites that sell books.
Incoming sixth graders must choose ONE of the following books:
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Counting by Sevens by Holly Sloan
Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac
The Detective's Assistant by Kate Hannigan
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
My Jasper June by Laurel Snyder
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Jake and Lily by Jerry Spinelli
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Pax by Sarah PennypackerIncoming seventh graders must choose ONE of the following books:
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George SpeareIncoming eighth graders must choose ONE of the following books:
Snow Bound by Harry Mazer
That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. HintonSincerely,
The Mahopac Middle School English DepartmentMMS News & Headlines -
Eighth Graders Move Up!
The muggy mid-June weather, teachers and administration gathered to hand out certificates, and non-stop cheering as each student’s name was announced felt like the typical 8th grade moving up ceremony. This year, though, instead of sitting together as a class while parents looked-on from the stands, the class was divided the class into four sections for four parades of decorated cars with a DJ playing festive music as they students and their families drove from the high school parking lot to the middle school.Teachers held hand-made signs and waved and blew kisses to the cars as they passed to reach their final destination: the front doors of the middle school where and Principal Tom Cozzocrea, Assistant Principals Allyson Fallman and Patrick Keevins and district administrators were positioned under a ballon arch. Mr. Cozzocrea called out each student’s name with the precision and enthusiasm of a ballpark announcer:“We will miss you!”“We loved having you!”“Have a great summer!”“Good luck at the high school!”The team greeted each one as he or she approached the tables to accept the moving up certificate and other goodies to commemorate this milestone in their Mahopac educational journey. The last stop in their middle school moving up adventure was a picture taken in front of the Mahopac logo background before getting back in their cars and driving out of the driveway horns beeping loudly.Check out the videos all four Moving Up Ceremonies:Congratulations MMS Class of 2020!MMS News & Headlines -
MMS Theatre Company Sends Message of Thanks to Sponsors and Essential Workers
In spite of the closure of school in March and the subsequent cancellation of the Spring production Mary Poppins, the students and staff who make up the Mahopac Middle School Theatre Company worked very hard all year and were all looking forward to a great show. Instead they prepared a special video message to the community. In an email sent out district-wide they explained, "Because we were so close to the play, we wanted to take a minute to thank our sponsors by sending out this year's program and a song for all of our essential workers. We look forward to all getting back together in the not too distant future. Please enjoy the video of our very talented students!"
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MMS Staff Work Together Remotely to Prepare a Video Message for Students
Principal Cozzocrea kicks off a special message from the MMS staff to students...spoiler alert: they miss the stduents!
MMS News & Headlines -
School Counseling Advisory Survey Closed
Thank you to those who participated in the Guidance Survey.
Participants will be contacted individually as the District moves forward with the formation of the Guidance Council.MMS News & Headlines -
Mahopac Middle School Newspaper 'The Torch' Special Edition
As a special treat during these tough times, the members of The Torch staff (with help from Mr. Zides!) have decided to publish this issue online so it can be shared widely with all students, staff, parents and community members. Enjoy!
MMS News & Headlines
