PACK POST - NOVEMBER 2026
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Happy November! 🍂 As we head into the heart of the fall season, there is plenty happening at MCMS! In this edition of the PACK Post, you’ll find information about upcoming parent-teacher conferences, our Student Council Fall Fest Dance and Tally Your Turkeys campaign, BE KIND Spirit Week, winter concert dates, and other important school reminders.
We’re also excited to share highlights from our classrooms, where students have been engaging in hands-on science investigations, independent reading projects, creative art activities, and more! You'll also find photos from our 7th grade science field trip to Kish Park, where students put their scientific knowledge into practice during a stream study of Kish Creek. As always, we’re proud to recognize our Huskies of the Month, Leaders of the Pack, and students who earned a spot on the October Husky Attendance Honor Roll for achieving perfect attendance!
Thank you for your continued support of MCMS and our students. We hope you enjoy this month’s PACK Post, and we wish all of our families a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Friday, November 6, 2026
PBIS Quarterly Reward Assembly in Auditorium
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Report Cards Distributed to Students
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Veteran's Day
No School for Students
Friday, November 13, 2026
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Student Council Fall Fest Dance
Monday, November 16, 2026
Be Kind Week - Kindness Makes People Feel Comfortable - Wear Comfortable Clothes
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Be Kind Week - Be Wild About Kindness - Wear Animal Print or Camouflage
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Be Kind Week - Kindness Around the World and at Home - Wear Colors or Clothing Representing International Locations, the USA, PA, or Mifflin County
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Be Kind Week - Workout Your Problems with Kindness - Wear Athletic Gear
Friday, November 20, 2026
Be Kind Week - Huskies Choose Kindness - Wear a "Be Kind" Shirt or Huksy Gear
Tally Your Turkeys Assembly in Gym
Monday, November 23, 2026 - Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Parent Conferences
See Details in the Newsletter Below
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Inservice
No School for Students
Thursday, November 26, 2026 - Monday, November 30, 2026
Thanksgiving Vacation
No School for Students
Monday, November 30, 2026
Designated Make-up Day #1
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Parent/Teacher conferences at Mifflin County Middle School will be held on Monday evening, November 23; Tuesday evening, November 24; and Wednesday morning, November 25, 2026. Conferences will be set for 10-minute intervals, and you may conference with as many of your child’s teachers as you wish. Details with specific times and scheduling instructions will be communicated shortly.
Parent-teacher conferences are available throughout the school year, not just during our scheduled conference days in November. If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss his or her academic progress or overall experience at school, you may request a parent-teacher conference at any time. To schedule a conference, please contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, and/or principal.
We recognize that the available conference times on November 23, 24, and 25 may not work for every family. We are happy to work with you to find a time that is convenient for your family and allows us to partner to support your child’s success. Please do not hesitate to reach out. We value your partnership and look forward to working together to support your child.
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Fall Fest Dance
Student Council will be sponsoring a Fall Fest Dance. The dance will be from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13. The cost for the dance is $2.00. Only Mifflin County Middle School Students may attend. The dance is casual. There will be a concession stand and games that cost a quarter to play. Proceeds from this dance will support our Tally Your Turkeys Campaign to benefit the Salvation Army.
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Tally Your Turkeys
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, Student Council organizes a campaign to help the Salvation Army raise funds to benefit our community. During this campaign, we ask students to contribute money toward our goal. Our collection time this year will be November 10 - November 19. On Friday, November 20, the Student Council will sponsor an assembly to celebrate their accomplishment. Students will have the chance to compete in relays with the faculty, learn the total amount of money raised, and see the check presented. There are also prizes for the top money-raising first periods. You can tune into MERF radio in the mornings to hear which classes are topping the “Tally Your Turkeys Leaderboard."
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In support of our ongoing goals to improve student attendance and foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environment, MCMS will be celebrating BE KIND Spirit Week November 16–20 in recognition of National Anti-Bullying Week. Throughout the week, we will encourage students to spread kindness, show respect, and help make MCMS a place where everyone feels they belong!
We are excited to continue building a school community where students feel recognized, encouraged, and proud to be part of the PACK! 💜🐾
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Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Week recognizes and brings awareness to the importance of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the education needed to provide stability and consistency to students experiencing homelessness across Pennsylvania. Under federal law, children are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence. Many people associate being homeless with living on the street, but homelessness is often hidden, especially in rural communities. To date, for the 2026-2027 school year, Mifflin County School District has identified 80 students who are doubled up with other families, living in a homeless shelter, or living in campers/RVs. To assist those in need, MCSD staff will be raising money for the district’s student homelessness fund. In exchange for a $5 donation, staff will be able to dress down on Friday, November 13, to prepare for Homelessness Awareness Week, and everyone is encouraged to wear a red shirt on Red Shirt Day on Friday, November 20, to raise awareness. |
If you are experiencing homelessness, please know that help is available. Please reach out to either of our district’s homeless liaisons:
Nicole Frazier, LSW
Kaitlin Marshall, LSW
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The MCMS auditorium will once again be filled with sounds of the winter season. Mark your calendars now for our annual winter concerts and allow our students to put you in the holiday mood. You can hear the sounds of our instrumental department on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m., which also coincides with the instrumental department's food drive for Mother Hubbard's Cupboard. One week later, on Tuesday, December 15, our choirs take the stage, also at 7:00 p.m.
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The MCMS Instrumental Ensembles are gearing up for another successful food drive for Mother Hubbard's Cupboard. Beginning November 8 and culminating with our annual winter concert on December 8, we invite all families, friends, faculty and staff to participate. Suggested donations are listed in the above graphic. Donations may be dropped off at MCMS during school hours or at our concert. Please contact Mrs. Gates at sjg88@mcsdk12.org or through ParentSquare for more information. |
Taylor Kelley was the winner of the Communities that Care Be Kind to Your Mind Poster Contest!
She created a design that shows what being kind to your mind means to you while encouraging healthy choices, such as not drinking alcohol underage.
Her winning design:
- Was recognized at halftime of the October 16 varsity football game
- Will be professionally printed and displayed throughout MCSD
- Will be featured on CTC social media & recognized in the Sentinel
Congratulations, Taylor!
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The MCMS Yearbook store is open! Order a yearbook today for $35. Yearbooks will arrive in May.
See or email Ms. Reese with questions at ldr24@mcsdk12.org. Click the link below to order:
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Mifflin County Middle School October Huskies of the Month are, from left, William Nichols (6th grade), Mattie Foltz (7th grade), Leylah Clinger (7th grade), Peyton Swanger (6th grade), Makayla Crotty (6th grade), Evan Milligan (7th grade), Katelyn Herto (6th grade), and Callen Cramer (7th grade). These students were nominated and voted on by their teachers. HOTM is a program to recognize students with strong work ethic, good grades and who display positive character. |
Mifflin County Middle School September Leaders of the Pack are, from left, Athea George (7th grade), Michael Treaster (6th grade), Jaxson Joyce (7th grade), Rowan Haffly-Greer (6th grade), Jose Salomon-Perez (7th grade), Kenna Carolus (6th grade), Rorie Bowersox (7th grade), and Summer Appleby (6th grade). These students were nominated and voted on by their teachers. LOP is a program to recognize students who model positive character traits and who make a positive difference to our school community every day. |
Click the link below to view the list of students who qualified for the October Husky Attendance Honor Roll! |
In the section, we'll take a closer look at some of the exciting learning experiences happening throughout MCMS. From creative projects and hands-on activities to meaningful classroom discussions and collaborative learning, these snapshots offer a glimpse into the great things our students and teachers are doing every day. We're proud of the learning taking place across The Pack and look forward to sharing more of it with you! |
Newsflash: Mount Everest is growing in height and shifting to the Northeast, little by little each year!
Students in Mrs. Hartman's classes have been working to create models to explain the growth and movement of Mount Everest. Students have gathered information to puzzle together the reasons for these changes. They will use these pieces as we move forward to help explain larger patterns of change across Earth's landscapes over time.
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As part of our 7th Grade English Language Arts curriculum, students in Mrs. Kratzer's classes completed their first Independent Reading Book Project this year, and they are fantastic! This assignment is designed to encourage a love of reading while strengthening students’ reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills.
Students selected an independent reading book and completed a series of logs over six weeks to demonstrate their understanding of the text. Then, students put it all together in the final project pictured below. Through this assignment, students explored important literary elements including characterization, conflict, setting, and theme.
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There has been plenty of creativity happening in the MCMS art room! Art Club members have been hard at work exploring their artistic talents, while students in art classes recently wrapped up a two-week study of pumpkins. After learning about pumpkins, getting to know their unique features, and painting their own, students participated in a fun trivia challenge. Students earned entries into a drawing for each correct answer, and the lucky winners got to choose their favorite pumpkin to take home!
Our adapted art classes have also been busy creating some wonderful projects, including collaborative magazine collages featuring colorful ice cream cones and painted pumpkins. Students put great effort into tearing and gluing magazine pieces to create their ice cream scoops and cones, as well as using texture tools and rulers to add creative details to their pumpkin paintings. We love seeing our students' creativity, hard work, and enthusiasm on display!
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On October 28 and 29, our 7th grade Science students took their learning beyond the classroom with a field trip to Kish Park to conduct a stream study of Kish Creek! During the experience, students investigated the creek's physical, chemical, and biological characteristics to assess the overall health of the stream and identify any potential environmental concerns. This hands-on learning opportunity allowed students to put their scientific knowledge into practice, explore the local environment, and experience firsthand how scientists study and monitor the health of our waterways. |
Nurse’s Contact Information:
Nurse Jennifer Staub
Email: jjs20@mcsdk12.org | 717-248-1401 ext. 6509
FLU SEASON is coming! It is not too late to make plans to have students and families vaccinated and review the importance of hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes!
Nurse’s Forms: Forms from the nurse’s office were distributed during homeroom on the first few days of school. Please take the time to fill them out and return them to the nurse’s office. This ensures that students can receive treatment and health services, such as physical and dental exams, at school. A parent/guardian must complete and sign the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication Form before a student may receive OTC medication from the school nurse. Students without a completed form on file cannot receive these medications at school. The OTC Medication Form can be found at the link below.
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Dental Information: The Smile Mobile Dentist saw 41 students in October. Thank you to all the families who chose to participate in this program! They will be at the middle school again April 12-15, 2027.
MCSD Medication Policy Reminder: The nurse’s office must receive new provider orders each school year for all prescription and over-the-counter medications. Students may not carry any medications on their person or transport them to or from school, including cough drops, medicated creams, or eye drops. The only exceptions are inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors, and diabetic supplies when a provider’s order specifically permits the student to carry them. A parent/guardian or designated adult must deliver all medications to the school nurse in their original prescription bottles or packaging, along with the required MCSD medication form completed by the prescribing provider. Please contact Nurse Staub at 717-248-1401, ext. 6509, or jjs20@mcsdk12.org if your child needs medication at school.
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Need help with homework and studying?
Check out Early Bird or the Husky Homework Huddle!
Both of these programs are available for homework help all year long!
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To help everyone stay organized, MCMS uses color-coded folders for each subject area:
- Social Studies - Red
- Science - Green
- ELA - Yellow
- Math - Blue
- Health - Light Blue
- Music - Purple
- Chorus/Band - Black
Sticking to these colors helps students (and teachers!) quickly find what they need.
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Winter sports registration is open now through November 11, 2026! Click the button below for instructions on how to register.
- Mifflin County Athletics has a new website! Check it out here: https://www.wearehuskies.com/
- Senior Citizen, Active Military, and Veteran Free Athletic Passes can be obtained at the MCHS Main Office. All passes are good for life.
- Cash Passes are now available. Passes are $40 for adults and $20 for students. Each pass is good for 12 games of your choice throughout the sports season. Passes can be picked up at the MCHS Main Office. Please have exact change.
- Get the most up-to-date athletic information on our athletic website and by following ArbiterLive.
- Check out our MC Athletics’ Facebook page and follow us on X @MCHuskySports for the most up-to-date information regarding MC Athletics.
- Many sponsorship opportunities are available to support your MC Huskies! Please contact the athletic office for more information.
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Geisinger is the official sports medicine and orthopedics provider of the Mifflin County Huskies. Geisinger supports the big dreams of Mifflin County athletics, and whether your dreams include playing in the pros, hiking, or just getting back on your feet, our doctors and healthcare professionals are here for you every step of the way. Learn more at Geisinger.org/bigdreams. |
Skyward Family Access is an excellent resource to keep up to date on your student’s academic progress, and we encourage you to access it regularly. If you need login information, please call Mrs. Murphy, the guidance secretary, at 717-242-1401 ext. 6506 for assistance. |
At Mifflin County Middle School, we strive to create a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment for all students. To support this goal, we ask that families review the Student Handbook for Secondary Education, which outlines important policies, expectations, and guidelines. The handbook can be found at the link below. We encourage parents and guardians to read through the handbook with their student to ensure everyone is familiar with school rules, attendance policies, and behavior expectations. Please note that as policy updates occur, there may be changes to the Student Handbook. |
Mifflin County Middle School is committed to maintaining a positive and responsive school environment. If you have a concern or complaint about Board policy and procedures, programs, personnel, operations or facilities, concerns should be addressed directly with the teacher, staff member or administrator involved. Many issues can be resolved through open and respectful communication. More information on complaint procedures is provided in Policy 906 of the MCSD Policy Manual (see the link above). |
Mifflin County School District School Board Policy 105.1 requires annual notification to parents/guardians and students that parents/guardians and students have an opportunity to review instructional materials and have access to information about the curriculum, including academic standards to be achieved, instructional materials and assessment techniques. Requests to review instructional materials and access information about the curriculum, including academic standards to be achieved, instructional materials and assessment techniques should be made by submitting a written request to the building principal. |
The building principal will be responsible to ensure that no student in the school is denied participation in any school program for financial reasons and that the privacy of each student is protected. The principal will use the guidelines of the free and reduced price lunch program to determine the ability of students to provide necessary school supplies. Parents/Guardians must complete the Application For Instructional Supplies and submit required documentation when requesting free instructional supplies for students. Please contact the principal for more information and to request the application. |
Please visit the Mifflin County School District website for information regarding Board Policies, Agendas, and Minutes. Information on this site also includes the current school board members and school board meeting dates. Please visit the link below. |
2 Manor Drive
Lewistown, PA 17044
Phone: 717-242-1401
Fax: 717-242-5805
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Principal
jsm33@mcsdk12.org
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Assistant Principal
ljs36@mcsdk12.org
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