Port Susan Middle School
Family & Student Update 04/09/2023
Welcome Back!
I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break and time to relax with family and friends. Our final day of term 3 will be on Wednesday, April 12th. We will begin our term 4 schedules on Thursday, April 13th (6th grade exploratory rotation). As we approach our final quarter together for the 2022-2023 school year, take a look a the reminders below to finish the year strong. As we move through middle school and onto high school, the habits we form now are important. For our current 8th grade students, finishing in a positive way will make your transition to high school a success. Keep working hard!
PSMS Success Plan Checklist
Did I remember my materials for success - Chromebook, pencils, etc?
Did I charge up my Chromebook last night?
Did I check my homework folder for assignments and tests?
Did I use my Advisory work time wisely?
Do I know my AR goal and have my AR book?
Did I check Skyward/Google Classroom?
Is Power Hour a good option for me?
If you were absent, did you get work you missed?
Am I using my class time wisely and giving my best effort?
Am I using my To Do List to prioritize my work?
Spring Sports *Not Too Late*
Boys and Girls Track (7th & 8th grade) will continue at PSMS Monday through Friday from 2:30 - 4pm. Boys Soccer (7th & 8th grade) will begin this Monday, April 10th from 2:30-4pm at Port Susan Middle School. There is still time to sign up if you'd like to join a spring sport.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
Athletic Registration: An Athletic Registration Form must be completed either online or by hard copy prior to turning out for practice. This includes emergency contact information, insurance and the Athletic Code.
Sports Physical: All athletes must have a current sports physical (good for 2yrs) turned into the office BEFORE turning out.
ASB Card/Pay to Participate: Each participant must purchase an Associated Student Body card and Pay to Participate fee before the first contest. The ASB card is $20, Pay to Participate is $50 per sport ($100 maximum per year; Free/Reduced options for those who qualify).
State Testing
This spring your student will take the Smarter Balanced in math and English language arts. Students in grades 8 will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) or the WA-AIM science assessment.
The results from these tests will give a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to be ready for college or career. When students reach grade 10, the Smarter Balanced can also be used as a graduation pathway.
For state testing, we will provide headphones and all testing materials for students. If they'd like to use their own/personal headphones, please make sure they are WIRED and plug into our Chromebook (state testing does not allow wireless headphones).
Students will take the tests online. Our school is scheduled to take the tests:
8th Grade Science *May 1st - 2nd
Math CAT *May 8th - 12th
ELA CAT *May 8th - 12th
Math PT *May 15th - 19th
ELA PT *May 15th - 19th
Make up testing
Science by June 2nd
ELA/Math June 9th/6th
For more information about the Smarter Balanced and WCAS tests, visit: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/testing/state-testing-overview, and click on the name of the test.
PSMS Hallways & Student Work
Week of April 10th through 14th
*Square Dance Week*
Monday 04/10
Regular Schedule
Lesson Advisory
First Day Soccer 2:30-4pm
Track Practice 2:30 - 4pm
Tuesday 04/11
Regular Schedule
Academic Support Advisory
Wednesday 04/12
Late Start White Schedule
Thursday 04/13
Regular Schedule
Academic Support Advisory
Friday 04/14
Regular Schedule
Academic Support Advisory (*8th graders cafeteria if interested in football next year)
2023-24 Student Calendar here:
https://www.stanwood.wednet.edu/about/calendar/student_calendar
Linked below are previous communications. Please continue to reach out with any questions you have. You can email me directly (calmanza@stanwood.wednet.edu) or call our office at 360.629.1360
*Attention 8th grade families*
Reminder: Save the Date
Reminder: Spring Play
District Information
Dangers of Vaping
About 14% of U.S. high-school students and 3.3% of middle schoolers currently vape as of 2021, and the FDA and U.S. Surgeon General have declared it an epidemic. Research shows that vaping is dangerous, highly addictive, and harmful to a child’s health and brain development.
Frighteningly, vaping devices can also be manipulated and refilled with dangerous illicit substances, many of which can be harmful or deadly if used by an unsuspecting child. We are aware of the use of vaping devices in our community that have been laced with illegal drugs.
It is critical for families to talk with their children about the dangers of vaping and substance use. Our school administrators actively, in cooperation with our School Resource Officer, investigate and issue appropriate discipline and education on the dangers of vaping devices.
Ensuring the safety of students and staff requires an ongoing strong commitment of cooperation with our Stanwood-Camano families. As always, health and safety is our top priority.
Find facts, information, and tips on how to talk with your teen about vaping at the American Lung Association website.
Chat with a Board Member
The Board of Directors meets with constituents throughout the school year to listen and learn about the community’s opinions, suggestions, and concerns. There is no agenda for these events; they are informal, and anyone can attend.
The next event is 6-7 p.m. Tuesday April 11 at Lincoln Hill High School. Spanish interpreter will be available.
Read more about future Chat with the Board events here: https://www.stanwood.wednet.edu/school_board/chat_with_a_school_board_member
Stay safe on the bus
To keep everyone safe on school buses and to abide by state law, please follow these guidelines while on a bus:
All items — such as sports equipment, instruments, and metal water bottles — must be completely secured inside of a closed bag or instrument case.
The bus is considered an extension of the school day, and students are expected to behave in a way that is consistent with school/classroom expectations.
There are no exceptions to these rules, per WAC 392-145-021 (Washington Administrative Code) and school board policy.
We appreciate your help in making sure that our students continue to stay safe on the bus and following state law so our school buses remain in service.
Please contact us with any questions.Help us honor a staff member
To show our appreciation for certificated and classified employees, we are proud to accept nominations for a Certificated or Classified Employee of the Month award September through March.
One certificated and one classified employee are selected monthly. All award recipients will be considered for the Certificated and Classified Employee of the Year awards presented in May. Nominations are welcome from parents, community members, peers, administrators, and students.
Please let us know about some of the great deeds our staff are doing! Share personal examples of the dedication, commitment and passion these individuals have portrayed working for the Stanwood-Camano School District.
Nominate someone today! Please use this form.
Reach out if you have any questions...
Cherae Almanza, Principal calmanza@stanwood.wednet.edu
Crysty Auckland, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director cauckland@stanwood.wednet.edu
Teacher Emails
Dave Austin (6-8 Fitness & 6 Leadership) daustin@stanwood.wednet.edu
Jonathan Bletscher (6-8 Band) jbletscher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joan Campbell (6-7 Math) jcampbell@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tamara Pedersen (6-7 Math) tpedersen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Stunz (7 ELA & 6-8 Art) lstunz@stanwood.wednet.edu
Grace Gale (6 Science & 6-8 STEM/Robotics) GGale@stanwood.wednet.edu
Chelsea Hanson (6-8 ELA/Humanities) CHanson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Nate Hanson (6-8 Computers/Digital Effects) nhanson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Audrie Harrington (6/7 ELA & 7/8 Leadership) aharrington@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joshua Keaton (7/8 History) jkeaton@stanwood.wednet.edu
Seth Hills (6 Social Studies) shills@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Johnson (6-8 Assist) ljohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Wade Johnson (7/8 Science) wjohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Rebecca Klein (6/7 Science) rklein@stanwood.wednet.edu
Meghan Lawrence (6-8 PBS) mlawrence@stanwood.wednet.edu
Ellianna Martin (6-8 Math) emartin@stanwood.wednet.edu>,
Daniel Mccrumb (6 Math/Science & 7/8 Outdoor Ed) DMccrumb@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sarah Oldow (6 ELA/Social Studies) soldow@stanwood.wednet.edu
Catherine Perry (6-8 EL) cperry@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tracy Riley (6-8 ELA) TRiley@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kelcie Rocha (7/8 Math) krocha@stanwood.wednet.edu
Brad Rochon (7/8 Science) brochon@stanwood.wednet.edu
Connie Schmidt (6-8 Health) cschmidt@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sheri Schroeder (8 History & ELA) sleeschroeder@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kym Shoemaker (7/8 Math) kshoemaker@stanwood.wednet.edu
Crystal Titus (6-8 Fitness) ctitus@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kayte White (8 ELA & 6 Cultures) kwhite@stanwood.wednet.edu
Julia Zurcher (7 History & 7/8 Home Ec) jzurcher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Office Support
Jayde Piggot (6 Counselor) jpiggott@stanwood.wednet.edu
Keli Niegemann (7/8 Counselor) kniegemann@stanwood.wednet.edu
Emily Bowne (School Psychologist) ebowne@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kandyce Hansen (Speech Language Pathologist) khansen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sara Harlan (Librarian) sharlan@stanwood.wednet.edu
Amy Hart (Student Support Advocate) ahart@stanwood.wednet.edu
Taya Zavala (Mental Health Therapist) tzavala@stanwood.wednet.edu
The Stanwood-Camano School District does not discriminate in employment, programs, or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District's Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Maurene Stanton (mstanton@stanwood.wednet.edu), or the Section 504/American Disabilities Act Coordinator, Robert Hascall (rhascall@stanwood.wednet.edu) Stanwood-Camano School District, 26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292. Telephone: (360) 629-1200.