Good evening Mustang families. This is Marla Mondora, principal of Martin Gifted and Talented Magnet Middle School, with our family message, Mustang News.  Messages will be sent weekly on Sunday evenings at 5pm. They are also housed on our school website, https://www.wcpss.net/martinms, under “Principal’s Message”. Typically, Mustang News is sent via email and text. This week, I am sending this message 3 ways: phone, email and text. If you are not receiving this message 3 ways, log into https://www.wcpss.net/schoolmessenger to update your communication preferences. You will also want to check to see if you have inadvertently blocked messages coming from us in your email and phone settings.

We are excited to welcome all Mustangs back to The Ranch tomorrow, August 29th, for our first day of school. Students are encouraged to go to bed early, making sure to set alarm clocks!

We do have several reminders for the start of the school year: 

Carpool: Families are reminded to enter and exit the carpool line from Horton Street, making right-hand turns both into and out of the parking lot. This will help keep the flow of traffic moving. Please look for walkers on Ridge Road as students will cross at both the Horton intersection and the crosswalk on Ridge. We encourage families to arrive close to 7am to allow your students ample time to get to class and get settled. Drop off can begin as early as 6:50. Students should be ready to exit the car once you reach the first entrance past the flagpoles. Please be patient during the first days of school as families re-familiarize themselves with procedures.

Yellow Bus Transportation: Families are encouraged to check PowerSchool for bus route, stop and time. This information can be found under “transportation” on PowerSchool. If you have not yet registered for transportation, please do so by visiting https://www.wcpss.net and navigating to parents - transportation - bus rider registration.

Morning Arrival: All students will report directly to 1st period or the cafeteria, if eating breakfast, when they arrive on campus. On Monday, 6th grade students only will report to the gym or cafeteria, if eating breakfast, upon arrival to campus. Grade-level teachers will be in the gym to greet students and will walk them to 1st period once carpool and bus arrival has ended. 

Afternoon Dismissal: Please review with your student the way in which they will go home on Monday. Carpoolers will wait under the canopy on the Horton Street side of the building for their rides. We do ask that students are observant and looking for their rides. Bus riders will exit the building by the media center. Be sure your student knows their route number and stop. Walkers are reminded to walk on the sidewalks and be observant of pedestrians.

Cell Phones: As we move closer to the start of the year, we do want to remind students that cell phones should be off and out of sight during the instructional day. We ask that families call the front office if they need to get in touch with their students during the instructional day. We appreciate your support in our efforts to maximize our instructional time and minimize distractions.

7^th Grade Families: As a reminder, all 7^th graders are required to have updated vaccinations on file that include a Tdap booster and Meningococcal vaccine. If your child needs one or both vaccinations, an email was sent at the beginning of August by Ms. Frechette (kfrechette@wcpss.net). If you didn't receive an email from Ms. Frechette, then your child is up to date on vaccinations for 7th grade. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Frechette.

Sixth Grade Families: There have been updates to our first day of school schedule. Please see the new schedule for the day here. When you have an opportunity, please fill out the sixth-grade registration form (must be logged in through Wake ID) .  If you are interested in volunteering on sixth-grade team days, please complete the volunteer registration. Please remember, to volunteer on campus, you must also complete the WCPSS volunteer registration process.

COVID Updates for 2022-23:  Students who have COVID symptoms or test positive for COVID must remain at home for at least 5 days and wear a mask at school on days 6 – 10.  Families may access the most current information related to COVID and schools here.

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Calendar Reminders: We do have a few events for the start of the school year we want you to have on your calendar.

• Fall Sports Tryouts begin September 6th. All required eligibility paperwork must be uploaded to Dragonfly by September 1st.

• September 2nd is an Early Release Day for WCPSS and Martin will dismiss at 12:15.

• Student Council Interest Meeting on September 7th from 2:15-3:15 in room 1031, Ms. Snider’s classroom.

• Meet the Teacher is September 8th at 6pm with a PTA general meeting at 5:30.

• Monthly Martin Family Coffee is September 16th at 8am in the Auditorium.

• 6th Grade Family Coffee is September 23rd at 8am in the Media Center.

School Meals: Students will need to know their PowerSchool numbers to purchase breakfast and lunch this year, so please help your student memorize this number. Our cafeteria is selling a la carte items this year. Please remind students they may only go through the line one time. To add funds to your student’s account, visit My SchoolBucks.

We need ALL families to complete a 2022-2023 meal benefits application so our school can be eligible for extra funding next year. Apply Online by clicking THIS LINK. Paper applications can also be requested by calling 919-588-3535 or 919-856-2920 or emailing cnsmealbenefits@wcpss.net. 

Thank you Mustangs, and have a wonderful week.