Switzerland Point Middle School
2-23-21 Raider Rap
A message from the St. Johns County School District:
Florida Department of Education does not allow districts to provide a virtual testing option for the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), Florida Standards Alternative Assessment (FSAA), or EOC’s for the 2020-2021 school year. According to the state Department of Education, “We are not considering remote proctoring or at-home testing for any of Florida’s K-12 summative or postsecondary assessments in 2020-21”.
The Florida Department of Education has in the past stated that by statute, “Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools…”.
St. Johns County School District does not have the statutory authority to exempt any student from required, state developed assessments, except as specified in Section 1008.212, F.S. which primarily addresses students with physical impairment or children who have a medical complexity as defined in Section 1008.22(9) F.S.
Thank you, Cowford Title
Band Fundraiser
Raider Families,
Please consider supporting your SPMS Band students by participating in this fundraiser! You can share with family and friends NATIONWIDE! Must order online and Apply code 902423 in the Coupon Code box during online checkout! Thank you for your support!
Updated to Quarantine Procedures
Buy Bartram Wear
BT apparel link: https://bartram-trail-athletic-boosters-apparel.myshopify.com
SAC Parent Survey
Please take a moment to fill out our parent survey. Thank you.
https://surveys.stjohns.k12.fl.us/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=8lL26925
Scheduling 2021-2022
Current 6th and 7th graders: SPMS will start the scheduling process soon! This year, the scheduling process will be all online through HAC and we are excited to share this process soon! For our current 8th graders, your perspective high school will share information with us ASAP. When it is available, we will share out to our families!
Counselors' Corner
The deadline for SJVS summer course registrations is already approaching. The final date to sign up for SJVS courses is Wednesday, February 10th, 2021. Please encourage your students to sign up for HOPE, Driver’s Ed and other summer courses with SJVS prior to the deadline.
Please stop by Guidance if you have other questions!
First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces 2021 Black History Month Theme and Student Contests
For Immediate Release: February 5, 2021
Contact: Governor’s Press Office, (850) 717-9282, Media@eog.myflorida.com
Student essay contest winners will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the theme for Black History Month in February will be “Community Champions – Celebrating the Contributions of African Americans in Florida’s Communities” and released information regarding the student art and essay contests and Excellence in Education awards.
“Countless contributions of Black Floridians continue to shape our communities statewide,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “During Black History Month, the Governor and I look forward to recognizing and celebrating these champions of service who have made Florida stronger. I encourage students from across the state to join in these celebrations and enter our art and essay contest, as well as educators that go above and beyond to serve our students.”
First Lady DeSantis is inviting students to participate in academic and creative contests based on theme, “Community Champions – Celebrating the Contributions of African Americans in Florida’s Communities.” Students in grades K-3 can participate in an art contest while students in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.
About the Student Art Contest
First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Art Contest is open to all K-3 students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Two winners will be selected.
About the Student Essay Contest
First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all 4-12 students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school student (grades 4-5), one middle school student (grades 6-8) and one high school student (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
About the Excellence in Education Award
First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle, or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school teacher (grades K-5), one middle school teacher (grades 6-8) and one high school teacher (grades 9-12). Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student.
Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.
Volunteer Florida
Black History Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
All entries must be received by 5 pm (ET) on February 26, 2021.
For more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com
Basketball Schedule
Yearbook Ads
SPMS PTSO Updates
SPMS PTSO MEETING: FEBRUARY 22, 2021 6:30 PM hosted via Zoom
Feel free to join us to see what PTSO is all about. Meeting details will be posted on our Facebook page or please e-mail susannordinpto@yahoo.com to receive details.
SPMS PTSO ANNUAL BOOK DRIVE – January 25th – February 2nd
Thank you Raider Families 832 Books were donated and will be taken to South Woods Elementary School!
Homeroom class winners are:
1st Worth
2nd Ginn
3rd Cohen
Awards will be given next week (2/8-2/12). Thank you to Culvers (free kids scoop of custard) for donating items!
THANK YOU for your support!
SPMS PTSO POPPIN BOX POPCORN SALE
HAPPENING NOW!! A scrumptious POPCORN SALE! Order your popcorn from Feb 4th through Feb 8th from The Poppin Box (a locally owned shop in Bartram Walk) and PTSO will deliver your order to your student on Feb 11th to your student’s homeroom! You can place your order via a paper order form (available in front office, homeroom or outside the media center) or online at www.swisspointptso.com. The paper order drop off box will be in front of the media center. Online sales will have a small convenience fee. These 4.5 cup bags of popcorn are perfect for your student, friends, family or SPMS Staff! A super cute Valentine's Day treat too!
https://switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso.square.site/
Thank you for your support!
STOCK THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE – FEBRUARY 8th – 12th
During Kindness Month we want to show our staff how special they are to us. Please pick out special treats to help us Stock the Teachers’ Lounge. We are asking for donations of non-perishable items to stock the teacher’s lounge full of food and drinks. Examples are:
Bottled Water Canned/Bottled Soda/Sport Drinks/Juice K Cups (coffee and tea)
Chips Crackers Breakfast/Protein Bars
Be creative but please remember of busy staff often have to eat quickly. Donations will be collected the week of Feb. 8 – 12 in the parent pick up loop or in Homeroom. Let’s make our staff feel extra special!
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We need your help too. The following board positions will be opening in the 2021-22 school year. This is a great year to join the board and show your support for our students and staff. Join this year to train for next year. Please contact susannordinpto@yahoo.com if you are interested in finding out more.
President
VP of Fundraising
VP of Membership
Spirit Wear Chair
Book Fair Chair
Concessions Chair
Communications Chair
Business Partner Chair
Swiss Point Cares Chair
RAIDER STORE - This is a special store where students can “purchase” special items with their reward virtual points that they earn for good behavior. Our students are recognized for being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.
FEBRUARY 12th
FEBRUARY 26th
PTSO MEMBERSHIP - IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN 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. Your donation helps fund many important things that take place during school like the PBIS Rewards Raider Store, Teacher Classroom Grants, and Teacher Appreciation.
Thank you to the 85 Raider Families who have joined the PTSO to date.
Sign up here:
https://switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso.square.site/
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT PTSO
AmazonSmile - Shop through the PTSO link on AmazonSmile!
Click this link to find out more! 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 PTSO! It is that EASY! Thank you for your support!
Box Tops – Please download the Box Tops app and start scanning your receipts for SMPS PTSO to get Box Top credits. Please turn in any valid paper box tops to the front office.
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/
A Note About SJMSAA
NOTICE:
The St. Johns Middle School Athletic Association (”SJMSAA”) middle school sports program is not operated or sponsored by the St. Johns County School District. SJMSAA is an independent, private non-profit corporation, which uses District middle school names and facilities under a license agreement with the District, and which is solely responsible for the operation of the SJMSAA middle school sports program and its individual teams.
Students need to register through the SJMSAA website prior to tryouts. Once a student(s) makes a team, he/she will be provided with more information on paying and filling out the required forms.
Sports listed under SJMSAA are not operated by Switzerland Point Middle School.
Media Matters
ALL SPMS students are invited to participate in the SSYRA Showcase Contest. For the contest, students will read a current Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award book and then create a project to accompany the book. They may work in groups of 3 or less. This is similar to a science fair project but for a book instead! Projects will be displayed and judged by a panel of administrators and authors!
Awards will be given for projects that come in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each category! Projects are due to Ms. Badger, in the Media Center, by May 7th and may be created/ submitted digitally or physically. Details and project guidelines are here. Contact Ms. Badger (kristen.badger@stjohns.k12.fl.us or through Schoology message) if you have questions.
2020-2021 Grade 6-8 Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award Books
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo
City Spies by James Ponti
Deep Water by Watt Key
Float by Laura Martin
Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald
Inkling by Kenneth Oppel
Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Scouts by Shannon Greenland
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Spark by Sarah Beth Durst
We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey
New Health Guidelines - ASYMPTOMATIC CLOSE CONTACTS IN THE SCHOOL SETTING
If you or a family member are diagnosed with Covid-19, please call the office to confirm your child's quarantine dates.
The CDC and the Florida Department of Health continue to recommend quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure. However, there is new guidance that allows for a close contact to return to school earlier. There are two options that may allow the close contact to return to school/work before the full 14-day quarantine period has been met:
1. The quarantine period may be shortened to 10 days from last exposure to the positive case if daily symptom monitoring indicates the close contact remains symptom free. The contact can return to school or work on Day 11. HOWEVER, it is extremely important that the contact continues daily monitoring for signs and symptoms through 14 days, as well as, practice social distancing, always wears a mask, and washes hands frequently. If signs or symptoms develop at any point, the contact should immediately isolate, seek medical care, and call the Health Department.
2. The Quarantine may be shortened to as few as 7 days if a negative PCR test result is obtained on day 6 or later from exposure to the positive case. A PCR test is required and a rapid antigen test CANNOT be substituted. The test must be collected on day 6 or after, and if it is negative, the contact can return on Day 8 of quarantine, if he or she remains symptom free. HOWEVER, it is extremely important that the contact continues daily monitoring for signs and symptoms through 14 days, as well as, practice social distancing, always wears a mask, and washes hands frequently. If signs or symptoms develop at any point, the contact should immediately isolate, seek medical care, and call the Health Department.
FAQs:
DO I HAVE TO GET MY CHILD TESTED?
No, assuming your child remains symptom-free, he or she does not need a negative test to return to school on Day 11. If they develop symptoms you should seek medical care and call the health department.
HOW DO I GET PCR TESTING?
· You can obtain PCR testing through your medical provider
· You can obtain PCR testing at a public testing site
· REMEMBER: the rapid antigen test is not accepted, it must be a PCR test
· If your child develops symptoms, seek medical care and call the Health Department
· Make sure results can be provided within 24 to 48 hours. If the results are likely to take longer than 48 hours, it may be better to quarantine through day 10 and return to school on day 11, if no symptoms. CHILDREN WITH A KNOWN PENDING TEST RESULT SHOULD NOT RETURN TO SCHOOL
IF I GET A NEGATIVE PCR TEST RESULT, OBTAINED ON OR AFTER DAY 6 FOLLOWING EXPOSURE, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
Call the Health Department to check if the result has been reported electronically in their system. If the result is reported, they will let the school know that your child may return, assuming they remain asymptomatic. If you have been notified that the result is negative but it has not yet shown up in the DOH system, you will need to provide a copy of the lab directly to the Health Department. NOTE: Please DO NOT fax or drop off copies of labs without first contacting the Health Department to make appropriate arrangements.