Dear ACSD Community,

Move up day and transition visits to MUMS were a huge success this spring. In the month of May guidance counselors and students visited all elementary schools while we had a number of individuals and small groups visit with Guidance Counselors, and Special Educators on a few different Wednesdays. Nothing was quite as exciting as finally having our 5th and 6th grade students visit on June 2 for move up day. Students had a chance to visit with lots of staff and teachers and we had a beautiful day. Move up day culminated with enjoying some ice pops out on the Girls Lacrosse Field as we announced our newest team names, and talked about meeting back in that same spot on August 24th for orientation. These are the new MUMS team names:

We hope that these communications have helped you envision what MUMS will look like as we prepare for next year.  The addition of the 6th grade at MUMS has given us the opportunity to revisit the way we do things. We are excited about the outcomes of the planning done this year and what this means for our students!  We can’t wait to see what the ‘21-’22 school year will bring and would like to highlight some of the benefits this transition to a grade 6 - 8 learning community creates for students in ACSD:

• Greater equity in level of instruction and programs including science, world language, music (band and chorus), life skills, social-emotional learning and supports

• An additional year in the Middle Years Program (MYP) where students will have access to subject-specific experts

• Greater levels of independence a year earlier

• Connection with a more diverse and larger group of peers

• Increased time (3 years) in our school community to build relationships with families and students 

• Access to additional extracurricular activities including clubs and sports

• Additional time to develop identity with the school and for the faculty to get to know and work with students 

The guiding principles of inclusion and excellence across ACSD are interwoven in the fabric of our long term plan for MUMS.  

We look forward to seeing all of you next year!  Have a great summer!

Andrew Conforti, MUMS Interim Principal 
Michael Dudek, MUMS Incoming Principal

The study of mathematics at MUMS is inquiry-based and student-centered.  As students explore different math topics, they discover that there is more than one way to solve a mathematical problem.  Our students are given opportunities to share strategies and learn from each other.  Throughout 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, the mathematics units focus on the Common Core State Standards of the Number System, Ratios and Proportional Relationships, Expressions and Equations, Geometry and Statistics, and Probability.

The definition of Oasis is as follows: something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast. The intent of Math Oasis at MUMS is to provide mathematical relief to students. We want students to feel comfortable going into their core math classes and confident that they can, and will, master the material. How will this take place? We plan to accomplish this goal by pre teaching, reteaching, and progress monitoring. Meaning that the core math skills and concepts will be previewed prior to students studying them in their core math class. Additionally, after students interact with the material in core math, the skills and concepts will be reviewed and reinforced in Math Oasis. Periodically, we will access students' basic skills to track their progress in that area.