Mahopac Middle School

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

• Students go to “war” to help JennaJackPack

  It’s amazing what happens with a little competition.  As was the case for Mahopac Middle School students who raised $3,382 in a “Penny War” during January 7-18.  The money collected was given to JennaJackPack, an organization that provides comfort to children who have recently lost a sibling or parent with a backpack of treats to help brighten spirits.  
  
  JennaJackPack came to be from the tragic loss of Jenna Nolan, a Mahopac Middle school student who passed in 2014. During the difficult time of her passing, a student gave Jenna’s younger brother a backpack filled with treats to help boost his spirits.  This one kind act made such a positive impact that the Nolan family created an organization to help other children who have lost a sibling or parent by giving them a backpack of treats.

  Organized by team 7A and the middle school’s Wingmen, a group of students committed to serve their student body with acts of inclusion, empathy and connectedness, the Penny War consisted of each class team filling a large water jug with money.  

  However, the initiative was more than dropping pennies into a jug.  Collaborative strategic thinking was required as winning was determined by points.  Each penny counts as one positive point for a class team classroom. Each silver coin counts as negative points for another class team. For example, dropping a quarter in another class team’s bucket takes 25 points from their total.

  Mahopac Middle School teachers and Wingmen leaders, Jenifer Maloney and Christine McNeill, said the penny war really brought the students together in a spirited and positive way.  “It was great to see the students working together and in such a generous way. One student gave $100 of her own money. We were truly taken back with the student’s generosity and participation,” said Maloney.

  In the end, the winning team was decided by a difference of $1.80. The Wingmen personally provided Cathy Nolan with the raised funds.  

  “Seeing the students come together to help JennaJackPack is a testament of the ‘Mahopac Way.’ The Wingmen, along with Mrs. Maloney and Mrs. McNeill and team 7A, did a tremendous job,” said Tom Cozzocrea, Mahopac Middle School principal.

  For more information about JennaJackPack or to donate, please visit jennajackpack.org.  

  About the Mahopac Middle School Wingmen

  Mahopac Middle School’s Wingmen program was created by the father of a Sandy Hook shooting victim that helps students to hone their leadership skills and foster inclusion and connectedness with all students. Ian Hockley, who lost his 6-year-old son Dylan, created Dylan's Wings of Change in his memory. The foundation is committed to helping children with autism and other related conditions achieve their full potential. Out of that, they also developed the Wingman Program which the Mahopac Middle School instituted with students in 2016.

  You can follow @WingmanMMS on Instagram and Twitter

  MMS News & Headlines

• Carnival of Health

  From spin-the-wheel trivia to High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) challenges, the Mahopac Middle School cafeterias and hallways were buzzing with games, contests and activities relating health topics that impact middle school students.  

  The annual “Carnival of Health” included school and community organizations offering fun fair-themed ways to present serious health subjects such as vaping, depression, sugar intake and managing stress.

  Organized by Valarie Nierman, Mahopac High School health teacher and coordinator for health education for K-12 and the Mahopac Health Education team, the theme of this year’s fair is “Be a Pineapple” in memory Anne Tuite. When Mrs. Tuite was diagnosed with cancer in the winter of 2017, she created t-shirts with a pineapple  and the quote: “Be a Pineapple: Stand Tall, Wear a Crown, and Be Sweet on the Inside.”

  “Anne brought the concept of the health fair to our schools when she made the jump from corporate wellness to health education here in Mahopac 19 years ago. In her honor and loving memory, we made a point to have pineapple-themed decorations, table signs, and give-a-ways  to reflect Anne’s positive spirit and her ability to connect our students to our community’s health partners,” said Nierman.

  “Carnival of Health” participants include:

  1. AON PT and Wellness
  2. Biofeedback Resources International
  3. Cove Care Center
  4. Drug Crisis in our Backyard
  5. MHS STAGE Club: Student Teacher Association for Gender Equality
  6. MHS Student Assistance Counselor
  7. MMS Health Education Department
  8. MMS Physical Education Department
  9. POW'R Against Tobacco
  10. Putnam County Department of Health
  11. Putnam County Youth Bureau
  12. Putnam Hospital Center
  13. Putnam/Northern Westchester Women's Resource Center

  “Our hope for the Carnival of Health was to create a fun and open environment for our students to ask questions and learn more about important health issues that impact their age group. We also want them to know all the amazing support organizations in our school and community,” says Tom Cozzocrea, Mahopac Middle School Principal.

  MMS News & Headlines

• Curriculum Night Presentation

  Principal Tom Cozzocrea welcomed families to the Mahopac Middle School Curriculum Night on January 15th.   Please see the attached for the presentation.

   

  • eChalkMMS SITE_Curriculum Night 7 2F8 January 15 2019.pdf

  MMS News & Headlines

• Student Government Representatives Visit Blythedale Patients with Gifts

  As the custom for over two decades, Mahopac Middle School Student Government student representatives; along with their adviser and teacher, Richard Kozera, and middle school administrative assistant, Annette Simmonds, delivered over 100 toys to infant and toddler patients at Blythedale Children's Hospital is a specialty children's hospital in Valhalla, NY.  

  The students continued to spread holiday cheer by playing with several the infants and toddlers, who have complex medical and rehabilitative needs.  This is a shining example of the Mahopac Central School District’s “Mahopac Way.”

  MMS News & Headlines

• Artful Writing: Learning the Art of Calligraphy with Head and Heart

  "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

  Charles Dickens

  Just as Charles Dickens dipped his fountain pen into his inkwell to write a “A Christmas Carol” over 200 years ago, so too did the Mahopac Middle School sixth graders of  Ann Lyons art class experiment with this forgone writing form to create their own holiday-inspired calligraphy masterpiece.

  With the goal of influencing distinctive ideas for expression, Lyons began her calligraphy unit this December. The students were able to experience the art of writing by hand with instruments used for thousands of years such as the quill feather and ancient Chinese bamboo pen.  Whatever the writing instrument, Lyons explained to her students that the emphasis is on the beauty and appearance of the writing.   From Mother Teresa to Aristotle, her students gain further inspiration with poignant quotes that are artfully executed in calligraphy by Lyons and hung throughout her classroom.

  Lyons then presented the sixth graders an assignment of creating a holiday-inspired drawing incorporating calligraphy of words that reflect how they celebrate the holiday season. Combining today’s technology with what is now considered an old art form, the students used their Chromebooks for inspirational imagery to accompany the calligraphy.

  The artwork was evaluated on tactics such as expressiveness, quality of line, color and following direction.  Most importantly, the hope is for the students to share their art with loved ones for the holiday.

  MMS News & Headlines