Springton Lake Middle School
Every Student. Every Day. No Matter What.
Springton Lake Middle School
Email: RSalladino@rtmsd.org
Website: https://www.rtmsd.org/2/home
Location: 1900 North Providence Road, Media, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 627-6500
Twitter: @SpringtonLakeMS
November 6, 2020
First Marking Period - That's a Wrap!
Today marks an important milestone in our school year - the conclusion of the 1st marking period. We have come a long way since the uncertainties of the summer and the start of the school year. While we are still taking things day by day and making adjustments, as needed, we are all very pleased with how things are going. Students appear to have the hang of the new daily routines and our teachers continue to tailor their lessons and instruction to this new normal. I am extremely appreciative of all of the positive and encouraging comments and emails that we have been receiving. Your support means a great deal to us! Please know that we are all in this together - and that we will continue to support one another in order to achieve the best outcomes possible for our kids. The new marking period begins on Monday. Students have a fresh start and, in some cases, new classes to attend. Here's hoping for continued success as we enter the next phase of the school year. Stay well!
For your reference, the calendar that indicates which days each cohort attends in-person is provided below.
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Coming Soon!
With the first marking period ending, we are preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences that will be held on Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th. Conferences will be held virtually via Zoom. Starting NEXT FRIDAY, I will provide in the weekly newsletter the links for you to be able to request a conference appointment with your child's team of teachers. World Language and Special Area teachers will have their own conference slots to meet with parents. Each appointment will be 15 minutes in length. While we very much enjoy meeting with parents, conferences at the middle school level are not required. Each team will have about 40 slots - while they teach well over 100 students. Please consider if there is a concern or issue that needs to be addressed. If so, please schedule a conference. If your child is thriving and they have had a successful first marking period, we ask that you consider leaving this slot open for another family. Please check back here next week for more details about scheduling a parent-teacher conference.
Morning Drop-off - REMINDER
For those parents who are dropping off students in the morning, please keep in mind that the building is not open for students until 7:30am. Our teachers are not on-duty to provide supervision until that time. If you arrive before 7:30am, we ask that your child wait with you in the car until our official opening time. Your cooperation with this matter is greatly appreciated!
School Picture Day
Picture Day for students is next week! All students are photographed annually by Life Touch, our official school photographer. These photos are used for our school records, for student identification cards, and for inclusion in the Yearbook. Families also have the option to purchase additional photographs. Students have received information in their Homerooms. Families may also order photo packages online by going to the Life Touch website and using the picture day identification code - EVTKCQH8N.
Picture Day Dates:
Wednesday, November 11th - Cohort A Students
Thursday, November 12th - Cohort B Students
Any fully-virtual student who was not photographed this past Monday may come in on Wednesday or Thursday. Please follow these steps:
1. A parent should bring the student to the front door. They will need to scan the QR code posted on the front door to do the symptom screening for the student.
2. Upon completion of the screening, the parent will show the security guard on duty that the screening is complete. The student will now enter the building.
3. Students should report to the Auditorium - parents should wait in their cars.
4. Once the student has their picture taken, they may leave the building to meet the parent.
Class Period Attendance
In an effort to ensure that students are consistently attending all classes during the days that they are learning from home, our teachers will now be tracking attendance for each class period and recording this in Schoology for parents to reference and review. Please continue to reinforce with your child that students are expected to be on time to each class and also attend all classes for the entire duration. I have shared with students that our expectations for their attendance when working virtually are no different than when they are in-person.
Parent Involvement Opportunity - F.A.R.E. Meeting
All parents are invited to get involved with F.A.R.E. - Family Alliance for Respect & Equity. The next meeting for F.A.R.E. will be this coming week - Tuesday, November 10th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Join us to learn more about what is happening at Springton Lake to support an inclusive environment that is intentionally designed to foster a sense of belonging by honoring the dignity of each and every person.
Holiday Gift Drives - TWO Opportunities to Help Our Community
With the holiday season quickly approaching, we are again preparing to help those families in need. There will be TWO different opportunities to help if you are interested and able. First, our Student Council will again be sponsoring our Spartan Giving Tree program that will begin in late November. Students will be able to take a snowflake from our tree in the main lobby in order to purchase a gift for a child. Stay tuned for more details about this program in the coming weeks. In addition. the Circle of Giving is sponsoring a similar program. Gift and monetary donations will be accepted. For more information about the Circle of Giving program, please reference this flyer.
COVID-19 Questions & Assistance
Parents & guardians who have COVID-related questions during the school day should contact our School Nurse, Ms. Hartner by email or phone - 610-627-6512. For COVID-related questions after school hours, you can reach a school district nurse. Contact information is located on the RTMSD website under District Reopening, After Hours-Covid Questions and Answers. There is a nurse available in the mornings before school from 5am to 7am, in the evenings during the week from 4pm to 10pm, and on Sunday evenings from 4pm to 10pm.
IMPORTANT REMINDER - Daily Student Symptom Screening
Parents & Guardians are required to complete an electronic symptom screening for each student. The screening will only be required for days that students are scheduled to attend school in-person. On these days, parents should look for an early morning email (check SPAM) from Rose Tree Media School District. Please make note of the following important items:
1. Please have handy your child's student ID # (lunch code) as this will be required in order to complete the screening.
2. For hybrid students, please complete the symptom screening on the days that your child should be attending in-person EVEN if they will be absent or have a need to work virtually on that day.
3. Please complete the screening PRIOR to 7:30am. A report is run at that time and students who have not submitted the screening are removed from the classroom until the response is received. I know that it is stressful and uncomfortable for students to be pulled from class.
The symptom screening is just one more way that we are working to keep students safe at school.
EVERY Student Eats FREE - Breakfast & Lunch
The Rose Tree Media School District has been approved to offer FREE breakfast and lunch to ALL students through the end of the current school year.
For students who are participating in hybrid learning, please email bsmith@rtmsd.org if you would like your student to bring home meals for their virtual days. Include your student's name, cohort A or B, and school that they attend. For students learning virtually, please use this link to sign up for lunches.
A la carte and snack items will remain available for purchase in the cafeteria. Please remember to add money to your student's account for any a la carte or snack purchases.
Visit the Food Services website for more details.
State-mandated Health Screenings
State-mandated health screenings will be starting in November. All students will have their height, weight, and vision screened. In addition, students in 7th grade will receive a scoliosis and hearing screening. Please contact Ms. Hartner, our School Nurse, with any questions about this process.
Career Day - Parent Volunteers Needed
The Guidance Department is planning to host a virtual Career Day for our students on Friday, December 18th from 8am to 10am. We are in need of parent volunteers who would be willing to present to our students. Volunteers will have the option to pre-record a presentation or present LIVE to students via Zoom. The success of our Career Day program is directly related to our ability to secure presenters from a broad range of careers and occupations. If you are able to help, please complete this very brief survey form. One of our school counselors will then be in touch with more specific information. Thank you for your consideration and assistance!
Technology Resources
Need to submit a HELP DESK ticket? Let our Technology Team help!
Need assistance with HAC or Schoology? Contact Mrs. Kelly in the Guidance Department.
Here are some tips for improving the Zoom connection on a Chromebook.
Upcoming Calendar Notes
Friday, November 6th - Last Day of the 1st Marking Period
Tuesday, November 10th - F.A.R.E. (Family Alliance for Respect & Equity) Meeting, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 11th - Picture Day, Cohort A
Thursday, November 12th - Picture Day, Cohort B
Friday, November 13th - 1st Marking Period Report Cards Published
Tuesday, November 17th - PTG Meeting, 7:00 PM
Monday, November 23rd - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 24th - Parent-Teacher Conferences, NO SCHOOL for Students
Wednesday, November 25th - NO SCHOOL for Students
Thursday, November 26th & Friday, November 27th - Thanksgiving Holiday, NO SCHOOL for Students
The Spartan Scoop - Week of November 2nd
Check our this week's editions of The Spartan Scoop.