Every student, staff, and family member is a welcomed and valued component of our MMS community. We begin each day in our DEN, which is a small group of students paired with a trusted adult who together engage in activities designed to support the specific social and emotional needs of middle-level students. While a curricular foundation is provided via the year-long lesson/activity plan, opportunities for leadership, community building, and student voice and choice abound as classes customize their activities based on the strengths, interests, passions, and needs of the students.
Ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment is part of our mission at MMS and we work to build trusting relationships beyond our DEN groups and across the school building. We work to ensure that every student at MMS has at least one trusted adult in the building. At the end of the first quarter, students complete the Trusted Adult Survey. If a student does not identify a trusted adult, their team leader is notified and a plan for strengthening relationships is developed.
6th graders, and their families, are supported in their transition to middle school, with multiple events. Our Spring 6th Grade Orientation provides an opportunity for incoming 6th graders and their families to come into the school to meet our administrators and staff and learn more about our foundation of student leadership. Student representatives from all of our clubs and activities fill tables in our gym and cafeteria as new students and families learn about all of the different offerings. Before the school year begins, incoming 6th-grade students and their families are invited to Discovery Day. Unbeknownst to the student, parents/guardians are invited to write their 6th grader an encouraging note (which is then put in the student's locker for them to discover the first day of school). During the 2023 event, staff and current students also passed out popsicles to welcome our newest Wildcats and our administrators gave every child a Mattoon Middle School water bottle.
Gestures such as our “Donut Drop” (staff pass out donuts to those dropping off a student at school) enable us to express our gratitude to families.
Celebrations of leadership and genius are shared through Wildcat and Staff Spotlights. Additional opportunities to celebrate members of our MMS community occur throughout the year during regular team and faculty meetings as well as special events. Our MMS Social Committee works to spread cheer, happiness, comfort, and fun to all of our staff. Monthly tokens of appreciation have included lunches at no cost to the staff, surprise treats in our mailbox or delivered via the coffee cart, a holiday celebration, and an annual Bon Voyage Bash at the end of every school year. Our administrators, Parent Teacher Organization, and our Student Council combined efforts to ensure our teachers felt especially loved and valued during Teacher Appreciation Week. Celebrations that week included a Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Station, a catered breakfast, a catered lunch, and treats of recognition in our mailboxes.
Several years ago, a group of students recognized that not all of their peers were able to give their loved ones a gift during the holidays. With support from staff, the MMS Holiday PAWS store was born. Each year, students take responsibility for reaching out to community businesses and partners to obtain donations. Students, as well as volunteers from the school and community, set up and operate the store, typically on the last two school days before winter break. Students shine with excitement and pride as they “purchase” gifts for their loved ones with their accumulated PAWS.
Not only are we a part of the Mattoon Middle School community, but we also celebrate being a part of the Mattoon CUSD#2 Family. Participating in shared events such as the annual Homecoming Parade (our students collaborate to build a float and participate in the parade), Green and Gold Day, and Global Leadership Day, deepen our sense of belonging.
Activities such as Spirit Week (during which a day was “Role Reversal” as staff dressed up as students and students dressed up as staff) and our annual Day of Awesome, foster community and fun.
