FEBRUARY 1, 2026

MSMS Families,

As we conclude the month of January, I am grateful for such an outstanding start to 2026 at MSMS! Our teachers continue to deliver meaningful and engaging lessons to our students, challenging them to reach their personal best in every situation.  Collectively our students continue to achieve high levels of academic and behavioral success. I am proud of both of their efforts!  There is such value in a shared commitment, at school and at home, to being the absolute best that we can be, every day, in every situation.  We are truly striving to build the highest level of character and success within each of our students and in ourselves!

Moving into February, MSMS will be focused on Compassion.  While there are many different definitions of compassion, the one that jumps out to me is, “a deep awareness of and sympathy for another person’s suffering or misfortunes, coupled with a strong, active desire to alleviate that pain.” We will challenge and remind our students, and ourselves, what it means to feel concern and empathy for others...for the situations, circumstances, experiences, and challenges that they are faced with. At Mona Shores Middle School, we want our students to not only recognize this, but to truly feel that sense of compassion and to take action to alleviate or support.  I believe this quote captures that sense of compassion, “Learn to love without condition. Talk without bad intentions. Give without any reason. And most of all, care for people without any expectations.”   As our students move through the month of February, focused on compassion, please have conversations at home about what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to be a compassionate, caring individual, encouraging them to positively impact their school, community, and world with a spirit of compassion.  

• DECEMBER / JANUARY CELEBRATION VIDEO  ||  HERE is a video that we have made for January and have/will share via social media.  Feel free to watch it as you find time.  It simply has some pictures of our students involved in a variety of learning and social activities throughout the two months. 

• MSMS CONFERENCES  ||  Communication will be sent out this week outlining conferences at MSMS.  Families will have the opportunity to connect with content specific teachers through various modes and occur through the month of February.  As always, you can reach out and connect with any of your child’s teachers at any time, setting up a time to talk via phone, virtual, email, or face-to-face.  They would love to hear from you and support however they can.

• MONTH OF CARING @ MSMS!  ||  Get Ready to Spread Kindness & Make a Splash!
  Our Month of Caring is officially underway, and we’re inviting the entire Mona Shores community to join in the spirit of kindness, inclusion, and giving back. Throughout the month, students will be participating in activities focused on Living Boldly, Loving Big, and Passing It Along.   At the same time, we’re gearing up for our Cool School Polar Plunge! This event, scheduled for March 3,is a powerful opportunity to support Special Olympics Michigan and Unified programs that promote teamwork, leadership, and inclusion for all students.  Whether you plunge, donate, cheer, or help spread the message—your involvement makes a difference. Let’s build excitement together and show what Sailor Pride is all about!

  • Each week in February will feature a focused theme:

• Living Boldly

• Loving Big

• Passing It On

• See the Good & Be the Good

More information is linked below in the Weekly Events.

• FRIENDLY REMINDERS  ||    

  • STUDENTS NEEDING PASSES  --  If there is the need to sign a student out for any reason, PLEASE call in advance so that we can have a pass ready,  get it to your student, and then have them in the office for your pick up.  If this call occurs right before you arrive or shortly before, we are forced to interrupt the class and disrupt the teaching and learning of your students and others.  Attention to this is greatly appreciated!

With SAILOR PRIDE,

Doug Ammeraal
Principal
Email  |  ammeraad@monashores.net 
Facebook  |  Mona Shores Middle School
X (Twitter)  |  @msms_sailors
X (Twitter)  |  @dougammeraal
Instagram  |  msms_sailors
Hashtag  |  #msmspride

2025:   BE WHO YOU ARE.
MSMS FOCUS:  Culture  ||  Curriculum  ||  Literacy  ||  Effective Instruction  ||  MTSS  ||  Social Emotional Learning

Be who you are, nothing more and nothing less
Be who you are, don’t try to second guess
You ain’t gotta be the best, all you gotta do is be who you are
And you will find the very best in you.
~Michael Franti