Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap - August 23, 2021
From Ms. Carnall
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for a great first week of school! Teachers and students have been making connections and getting to know each other to build relationships. Time was set aside this week to explicitly teach class and school procedures and to show how our actions relate to the six pillars of character. SPMS has experienced a growth in our enrollment and have hired several new teachers to accommodate this growth. Most teachers have been able to start with our students this week, and the rest should be starting very soon. Our content teacher leaders are working together to support classrooms with substitutes and newly hired teachers to ensure continuity of teaching and learning We look forward to another great week of getting to know each other and digging into our curriculum.
Ms. Carnall
Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Pick-UP
· While waiting to pick up or drop off your student please be mindful of not blocking entrances to local neighborhoods. We want everyone to be safe while traveling and waiting.
· Morning drop-off: You may be directed to pull forward or to pull around the loop. Either way we ask that you pull all the way forward to the cone so we may keep the flow of traffic moving. If you pull around the loop we ask your students exit on the right and move into the grass at the right. This is a change from last year as we asked that they cross into the center. In the morning, there will be no parking in the roundabout. This is for drop-off and thru traffic only.
Please be sure that all students are ready to exit the car once you pull through the gates so we can ensure an efficient drop off process.
· Afternoon pick up: Please be sure to pull all the way forward to the orange cone or as far forward as you can and have your student come to you so we may keep the flow of traffic moving.
COVID Information
You should continue to use the Student Health Screening Entry form and monitor your student for symptoms. The answers to all symptoms/questions should be no for your student to attend school. Please see the attached documents for assistance.
The COVID info web page for SJCSD families is now live at
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/covid-19/
Here you will find the most up to date information.
This site includes the COVID Dashboard, Quarantine Help Guides, directions to access online textbooks and Schoology, and Health & Safety resources.
As you know, masks are optional for all students, parents, and staff. We will continue to respect each other’s choices and personal space. We will continue with many of our protocols from last year to reduce congestion in the hallways and cafeteria. Hand sanitizer will be available in the offices, hallways and classrooms for student access. We will continue with our cleaning and disinfecting protocols from last year as directed by the SJCSD.
Parent Schoology Information
Attached you will find a Parent Schoology guide. We do ask that parents use your parent schoology account only.
We've also attached the student schoology login guide as well.
Here is the link to the 1 hour training the district did to help parents with Schoology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syiTk3Evln8
Here is the district website with FAQ and helpful links about Schoology: https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/media/edtech/schoology/schoology-for-parents/
Early Student Check Out Reminder
Students will only be released to the parent or guardian, or the Emergency Contact listed in eSchool.
A current Driver’s License or state id must be presented in the front office at that time.
No student may be signed out after 1:35 PM every day except Wednesday. The latest early check out on Wednesday is 12:35 PM.
Students who check out during the school day due to illness are not eligible to return to school that evening to participate in activities or be a member of the audience.
SSYRA Information
We are very excited to kick off a new school year with The Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Program is a statewide reading motivational program for students in grades 3 through 8. The purpose of the SSYRA Program is to encourage students to read independently for pleasure and to read books that are on, above, and below their reading level in order to improve their reading fluency. Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. Please see the attached PDF for more info. Students will get a preview of these books during orientation and will get the chance to check out their favorite, as well as learn about the prizes they can earn as they read. SSYRA books can also be found as E-books and Audiobooks on Destiny. Please see the attachment on how to access these We are looking forward to a great year in the media center! 😊
PE Uniform Update
PE uniforms purchased on Schoolpay will continued to be distributed in PE class this week. Families are still able to place orders through the link on the school website.
We ask that students present their receipts of their orders in PE class to make the process faster than looking it up. They can bring a hard copy of the receipt or have the email/screen shot on their phone for pick up. We ask you do not email the receipt if possible since there are so many PE students with up to 4 classes at a time.
*Note the PE Department are currently out of the following sizes/items (see below), however more have been ordered and they should arrive in approximately 2-3 weeks:
-Adult small shorts
-Youth large shorts
-GREY adult medium shirts (still have pink or yellow)
-GREY adult small shirts (still have pink or yellow)
-GREY youth large shirts (still have pink or yellow)
What happens if you ordered one of these items and have not received it yet? We still ask that your student presents their receipt this week so we can log it and those items will be handed out ASAP when they are received.
Incorrect size? If a student needs to exchange an item due to the wrong size, please make sure they do not write their name on it and have them bring it back the next day to exchange it.
The PE Department thanks you for your patience!
SPMS Cheer
For more information, join the SPMS Cheer Squad Group
VDZJ-TWC4-MGTVX
B
ringing spirit to the school for volleyball and basketball season, we welcome cheerleaders at any talent level! Whether learning cheer for the first time, or wanting a break from the competition team, this is the cheer squad for you!
We will have a ZOOM option for the informational meeting. Join the group to access the link or email Ms. Horton – Jessica.horton@stjohns.k12.fl.us
SPMS Volleyball
Special Message on the Marquee
SPMS National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring an opportunity to send a special birthday or congratulations message to your student via the marquee in the front of school. Cost is $25. Complete the form here to submit your request (there's a separate link in the form to pay via Schoolpay upon submitting your request). Requests are due the Friday prior to the event and will display the following week (Tuesday through Monday).
SJMSAA News
***Please note that these are NOT sponsored by SPMS. SJMSAA is it’s own entity.
SJMSAA Baseball:
Registration is open for the SJMSAA SPMS Fall Baseball season.
Tryouts are planned for next week August 25 and 26 from 4 – 6pm at Kehoe Field.
Practice days will be on Monday and Wednesday starting September 6th. The season will run into the beginning of November.
In order for you to tryout, you MUST register at www.SJMSAA.com. If you need more information, contact Coach Norton: Jnorton123@hotmail.com or Coach Singleton.
Attention all Raider Soccer players!
Registration is open for SJMSAA SPMS Boys and Girls Soccer teams for the fall season.
Tryouts are planned for the week of August 30th and games will begin in mid-October and end in December .
In order for you to tryout, you MUST register at www.SJMSAA.com. If you need more information, see Coach Singleton or Mr. Pauly.
And remember…… Raiders are #1, Baby!!
SPMS PTSO UPDATES
PTSO MEETING: September 13th, 2021 Location: TBD
Feel free to join us to see what PTSO is all about, this September meeting will cover a lot of important upcoming events.
SPIRIT WEAR: Online Store will reopen September 1st
If you ordered Spirit wear at Open House or online, the order is in process. The order should come in by the week we get back from Labor Day and will be delivered to your student’s Homeroom.
The Online Store will reopen for orders on September 1st and remain open for several weeks.
COMING SOON – Nothing Bundt Cake Sales
Please be on the look out for Nothing Bundt Cake Sales starting in September. Your student will be able to order bundtlet cakes that will be delivered to their 7th period class. This delicious fundraiser helps PTSO fund initiatives like the Raider Store, Field Studies and Class Room Grants.
RAIDER STORE - First Raider Store, September 3rd during lunch
This is a special store where students can “purchase” special items with their reward virtual points that they earn for good behavior and academic achievement. Our students are recognized for being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.
PTSO MEMERSHIP - Please join SPMS PTSO
Please support our students and teachers by joining the PTSO. Memberships are only $20 per family. Memberships are a donation and do not require volunteer hours. Members will receive discount ticket prices on events like the Neon Bash.
Thank you to the 145 Raider Families who have joined the PTSO to date.
Sign up here:
https://squareup.com/store/switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT PTSO
AmazonSmile - Shop through the PTSO link on AmazonSmile! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3741022
Now while you do your regular shopping on Amazon thru AmazonSmile, .5% of your purchase will be donated to SPMS.
Box Tops – Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts for SMPS PTSO to get Box Top credits.
Keep an eye on the PTSO website, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on what is coming up throughout the year!
Questions/concerns?? spmsptso@hotmail.com
For up to date happenings LIKE us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/SwissPointPTSO/
SPMS PTSO is on INSTAGRAM! Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/spmsptso/
Check the PTSO website for all the latest news! http://www.swisspointptso.com/