Doug Ammeraal

Doug Ammeraal

Principal
Email: ammeraad@monashores.net
Phone: 231-332-8599
Facebook  |  Mona Shores Middle School
Twitter  |  @msms_sailors
Twitter  |  @dougammeraal
Instagram  |  msms_sailors
Hashtag  |  #msmspride

Principal's Message​

MARCH 3, 2024

MSMS Families,

With the days getting longer and more sunshine coming through (hopefully those temps rise a bit too), Mona Shores Middle School continues to be focused on being the BEST version of themselves, students and staff alike.  The past month has truly been outstanding!  Our students have been able to engage in Black History Month.  Our athletic teams are rolling and getting better every day.  Performing Arts are providing amazing opportunities for students to showcase their talents and hard work.  Upcoming this month at MSMS, March is Reading Month!  Independent reading will continue to be supported and encouraged at all grade levels.  Literacy continues to permeate our classrooms, hallways and learning experiences.  Sailor Experiences continue to engage students in a variety of meaningful and memorable ways.  Collectively, our students continue to support each other, make positive choices, and engage in their learning.  Our teachers continue to deliver high quality lessons that challenge all of our students, incorporate high levels of literacy and technology, and connect student learning to life outside of school.  Our parents are showing support and encouraging their students to reach high levels of academic and behavioral success, as well as discussing our monthly character traits at home.  It has, without question, been another outstanding month for our students, staff, and families!   I am proud to be a part of such an inspired, caring team!  It is certainly great to be a SAILOR

 As we begin the month of March, our focus will move to the monthly character trait of Positivity (Attitude).  The Dalai Lama says that, “In order to carry positive action we must develop here a positive vision.”  Throughout our lives, tough, challenging situations will arise.  Perhaps it is in our learning, athletics, families, friendships, situations, or work, but our ability to choose a positive attitude will carry a huge impact for us in dealing with these times and in moving forward.  Charles Swindoll said, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”  This month at MSMS, our Month of Caring, we will challenge our students to maintain a positive attitude, regardless of circumstances, and to continue to see their cups as half-full instead of half-empty.  We want them to know that their positivity can impact their life and the lives of those whom they encounter.   Please have conversations with your students about keeping a positive attitude, with themselves and with others.  Ask them what this positivity might look like, sound like, or feel like.  Discuss what the impact of a positive attitude might have on their relationships, grades, or self-perception.  With the sunshine and warmer temperatures around the corner, let’s all work to bring some more positivity into our lives and into the lives around us; let's maintain a positive attitude as we encounter the challenges of March and in life I know there are a number of items below, but PLEASE take the time to read through them.

  • FEBRUARY CELEBRATION VIDEO  ||  HERE is a video that we have made for February 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. 

  • MONTH OF CARING  ||  Our tenth annual Month of Caring kicks off this week!!  Each February, this year it is March, our building focuses on caring for and impacting the lives of others.  This includes donations, acts of kindness, lunch time activities, community projects and more!  This year, our students and staff will be focused and committed to The Red Glasses MovementThe Red Glasses Movement was started in honor of a very special 5-year old girl, Audrey Jandernoa, who passed away in 2018. Audrey was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect, but these were not things that defined her. Audrey was defined by her bright Red Glasses, her contagious smile, and her lack of inhibitions. She went through life like a little bulldozer, pushing her way through every door possible to achieve her goals again and again. She had a way of loving indiscriminately and without restrictions. She was a shining example of love, kindness, and courage in this world.  For more on The Red Glasses Movement, you can watch this  VIDEO LINK to learn more. 

    • THIS WEEK: SPIRIT WEEK  ||  LIVE BOLDLY

      • MONDAY  >>  “RGM Kick Off”  >>  Wear RED & WHITE Colors

      • TUESDAY  >>  “Team Up For Change”  >>  Wear JERSEYS & TEAM GEAR

      • WEDNESDAY  >>  “Be Comfortable With…”  >>  Wear PAJAMAS & LOUNGE WEAR

      • THURSDAY  >>  “Colors For A Cause”  >>  Wear a SPECIFIC COLOR

        • GREEN  for Speech Impediment

        • ORANGE for Sensory Processing

        • LIGHT BLUE for Autism

      • FRIDAY  >>  “Change The Way You Think”  >>  Teachers & Students  SWAP DAY

    • WEEKLY FUNDRAISING SALES:  $1 per item’ >> stickers, tattoos, airheads, ring pops & more

  • END OF TRIMESTER & SPRING SCHOOL  ||  The end of the trimester is Friday, March 15.  Spring School will run on Saturday, March 23 from 8:00 to 11:00.  Students who receive one or more “F” at the end of the trimester will be signed up and expected to attend.  This will provide additional support and accountability.  Please continue to encourage your student, check grades/missing work, reach out to teachers, and have your student take advantage of support opportunities.  Additionally, if they utilize their academic days in CREW, they can complete missing assignments and/or get additional support from teachers if need be.  If you have questions or need any clarity, please contact Mrs. Basse or Mr. Burrel.

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

FOCUS:  * CULTURE * CURRICULUM * LITERACY * SEL * EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION * MTSS *











MSMS FOCUS:  Culture  ||  Curriculum  ||  Literacy  ||  Effective Instruction  ||  MTSS
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MSMS FOCUS:  Culture  ||  Curriculum  ||  Literacy  ||  Effective Instruction  ||  MTSS