Weekly Roundup 14
Information from SMS: Week of November 20th
Principal's Note
Our big story this week is our Day of Service. We are thankful for our district office, transportation, PTO, and the sponsors shown below that have supported this large initiative for our students. Thank you to all parents that have paid the $12 field trip fee. Thank you to those that could pay for scholarships as well. If you haven't paid for your child, we would be grateful if you could pay sometime this week. On Monday our students will make a big impact in our community. They will come home with great stories about how they made a difference.
When we return from Thanksgiving break, we have three and a half weeks until the close of second quarter and first semester. If your child has outstanding assignments, you will receive an email this week to let you know. We hope that all students will be caught up by the time they return from Thanksgiving break because December is going to be busy! Many activities are scheduled in December, both at school and outside of school. Our students will need help your help and ours to plan and organize. We want to ensure all students reach the goals they have set for themselves and finish the semester strong and feeling proud of their successes.
Nine Weeks exams will take place the week of December 12th. You can help by checking that your child completes all of his/her assignments over the next two weeks. You can use Powerschool to do this - if you don't have access to Powerschool, please contact our front office for help. Completing assignments is a way for students and teachers to gauge if students understand the concepts that will be included on the exams. If your child is having difficulties completing assignments on time, please reach out to their teachers, guidance counselor, or administrator. All of us will work with you to support your child.
Congratulations to our students who were inducted into the National Honor Society this past week. Ms. Lovell and Ms. Lorick are amazing leaders and will help guide each of you as you grow into exceptional leaders and make a difference both at Springfield and in the community.
This past Thursday, we held "Meet The Mustangs" to introduce our winter sports teams. Our basketball teams begin their games when we return from Thanksgiving. We encourage our students and parents to attend our games! The district recently published the policy that students should be accompanied by an adult who is 21 or older to attend games. For Springfield Middle School students only AND for our first home basketball game, we are doing a sign-up for students that want to come and cheer on the basketball team but need a chaperone. I will be their chaperone. Students must sign-up online by 8:00 AM the morning of the game AND must purchase a ticket using the GoFan app. Students should go home after school and return for the game. They will check in with me at the table to show their ticket and make sure they are on the sign-up list. Students are expected to stay inside at all times and remain in the gym watching the games unless using the restroom or buying concessions. We will let parents know what time students are to be picked up. We will see how this first home game goes and may extend this opportunity for other games as well.
Our first home game is Monday, November 28th against Pleasant Knoll. The sign-up for the game will be under the students tab by Monday afternoon. Again, students must be signed up by 8:00 AM on the 28th. Go Mustangs!
Our staff hopes your family has a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving Break!
This edition includes:
- Important Dates
**Below are reminders that have been posted weekly**
- Spirit Rock link
- "Away for The Day" - 2nd quarter cell phone/smartwatch/earbuds policy
- Applying to be a volunteer
- Volunteering to Read Aloud to a Group
- Yearbook
- Early Dismissal Procedure Reminder
Important Dates
- November 21st - Day of Service
- November 23rd - November 27th - Thanksgiving Break
- December 2nd - 2 hour Release Day
- December 6th - Empire Pizza Spirit Night 5-8 (10% of all sales)
- December 7th - Band and Chorus Concert
- December 12th - 16th - Book Fair
- December 12th - 16th - Nine Weeks Exams
- December 21st - Half Day for Students
- December 21st- Last Day of First Semester
WEEKLY REMINDERS (Everything below is a repeat of information that you may need to refresh yourself on.)
EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Class time is valued and we strive to interrupt class periods as little as possible.
- When your child requires early dismissal, on the day of dismissal, send a signed, handwritten NOTE to school with your child that includes date and dismissal time.
- When your child arrives at school, he/she should bring the note to Mrs. Kilyanek’s (Miss K) room and she will mark your child’s agenda with the dismissal time.
- At dismissal time, your child will meet you in our front office - please sign your child out on the front office computer.
- If your child must leave early and has not brought in a note, we will call your child to the office during the next class change. You are welcome to wait in our front office lobby.
- We realize emergencies happen - if you have one and must interrupt class time, we will ask that you first speak with an administrator.
- Students will not be dismissed after 2:40 PM. They must wait for the 3:10 dismissal bell.
"AWAY FOR THE DAY" - QTR 2 POLICY RE: CELL PHONES, APPLE WATCHES, EARBUDS, ETC.
Now that we are entering 2nd quarter and everyone is aware of the "Away for the Day" movement, we are changing the consequences. We know that at this point if students have a phone or other item on them during the day, it is because they have chosen to go against school policy.
The 2nd quarter consequences are:
1st Offense: After-school detention on the following Tuesday or Thursday (whichever comes first.) Also for 7 days, phone/earbuds/smartwatches must be turned in each morning to the front office. Students can claim the item at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense: After-school detention on the following Tuesday or Thursday (whichever comes first.) Also for 14 days, phone/earbuds/smartwatches must be turned in each morning to the front office. Students can claim the item at the end of the school day.
3rd Offense: After-school detention on the following Tuesday or Thursday (whichever comes first.) Also for 30 DAYS phone/earbuds/smartwatches must be turned in each morning to the front office. Students can claim the item at the end of the school day.
Offenses more than 3 will be handled on a case by case basis.
We ask for your support to teach our students that being present in the moment without distractions from these items is extremely important! I have to give our students a big shout out! We have so many less cell phone problems this school year. We know there are still some devices out there, but we hope those students will eventually learn to let go of their devices, as it is an addiction, and keep them in their lockers. Overall, the student body has been doing a fantastic job! Our teachers have also been doing a fantastic job by not allowing the use of these items in their classes.
Thank you again for your support! It takes all of us to teach important skills to our youth!
Applying To Be A Volunteer
We need you!
To help ensure safety, background screens for volunteers are necessary. If you have submitted your information in prior school years, please confirm with us that you are on the approved list before completing an application again. You may email Mrs. Hall at hallj@fortmillschools.org.
Please follow the link below to submit your online application to volunteer. In order to submit a background check, you must have a social security number and driver's license. Without these documents, a full and complete background check cannot be performed. You must use your full legal name when completing the form.
Helping Our Students Read
Have you ordered your yearbook yet? You don't want to miss out! It is always an amazing work put together by students and Ms. Keefer. (Don't worry - your children will have faces!)
Contact Information
Email: matkovichc@fortmillschools.org
Website: https://www.fortmillschools.org/sfms
Location: 1711 Springfield Parkway, Fort Mill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-548-8199
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smsmustangslevelup
Twitter: @SMSMustangs