SHMS e-News
April 28th, 2023
Dear SHMS Families:
We finished our first week of PSSA testing. Our students did a great job. I want to thank our families for making sure our students were ready for testing. As I stated in my previous communication, we are piloting online PSSA testing this year, which requires students to have a charged Chromebook. The overwhelming majority of students came to school prepared. Thank you so much for all of your support. This first week was a success. We will continue with testing for all students next week. Math PSSA testing will take place next Tuesday (5/2) and Wednesday (5/3). Students are encouraged to get an appropriate night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast. Students should continue to bring a charged Chromebook and their calculators next week for the math assessment.
Thanks again for your support!
Dr. Chris Matsanka
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Help SHMS join in the movement to raise awareness of mental health. Throughout the month of May you will have the opportunity to engage in activities to help promote education, empowerment, combat stigma, and get involved in increasing mental health awareness. We want to affirm the idea that people are “More Than Enough” and worthy of life, love, and healing. Throughout our school building and its surroundings you will notice positive affirmations and positive messages to remind that you are “More Than Enough” and that you matter always!
Please join us during recess for Mental Health Mondays. During recess on Mondays throughout the month of May, there will be mental health awareness materials and activities provided for students. Students have the opportunity to engage in weekly self-care/mindfulness activities and receive a gift card if each activity for the week is completed. Students can submit their completed weekly activities to their grade level school counselor on Fridays throughout the month of May.
Friday, May 5th we will be kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month by students participating in a dress down day. Students are encouraged to wear GREEN for mental health awareness.
6th Grade Art
6th grade art students studied the properties of water as a solvent by experimenting with mixed media techniques. They used their knowledge of water-based media to design and prototype a process for painting with water balloons and watercolor markers.
Music News
Happy Spring from SHMS Music!! After Spring Break, believe it or not, we are just a few weeks away from our concerts! See April Calendar attached. Please note that some rehearsal days will call for combined bands and choruses. Read carefully! Our next week's schedule is outlined below:
Monday 4/10: Music Day 3 (8th Band, 6th Chorus, 6th orchestra connections-3 pm)
Tuesday 4/11: Music Day 1 (8th Chorus, 7th Band, 7th+8th Orchestra)
Wednesday 4/12: Music Day 2 (7th Chorus, 6th Band)
Thursday 4/13: Music Day 3 (6th Chorus, Combined 7th+8th Band)
Friday 4/14: Music Day 1 (Combined 7th + 8th Chorus ONLY)
SHMS SPRING CONCERTS: SAVE THE DATES!
The schedule for spring concerts will be a little different this year, as we are performing some combined pieces across grades. This gives students in 7th and 8th grades the chance to perform repertoire together, which is an exciting change! Please save concert dates below!
Tuesday May 2 at 7 pm, SHMS Auditorium : 8th Grade Band, 7th Grade Band, 7th+8th Grade Orchestra
Thursday May 4 at 7 pm, SHMS Auditorium: 8th Grade Chorus, 7th Grade Chorus, Cantabile
Tuesday May 9 at 7 pm, SHMS Auditorium: 6th Grade Band, 6th Grade Chorus, 6th Grade Orchestra