Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -September 5, 2022
From Ms. Carnall
Greetings!
We hope you are enjoying your long weekend!
Thank you to everyone who made it to the Open House events held last week. We appreciate you partnering with us for a successful school year. We hope that the evening was informative and answered many of the questions you may have had.
We will begin our FAST Progress Monitoring Testing this week. Be sure to read below about modified student schedules. You will also find we have made it easier to report student absences and request early check out.
Sincerely,
Ms. Carnall
UPCOMING DATES
- September 5: No School
- September 8: FAST Progress Monitoring starts
- September 13: SAC Meeting 2:30-3:30, Interims post
- September 16: First Raider Store at Lunch (students must have their planner with their PBIS code)
- September 22:Home Volleyball Game VS. Gamble Rogers Middle School
- September 23: Neon Bash -More info to come!
- September 27: Home Volleyball Game VS. FCMS
- September 29: Home Volleyball Game VS. Sebastian Middle School
- October 14: 1st Q Ends
- October 17: Teacher Planning Day-No School for Students
- October 25: Report Cards available in HAC
Testing Update
Progress monitoring 1 (PM1) dates have been announced (see below). Students will be told of their testing room by their 1st period teacher. Testing begins promptly at 7:30. Please encourage your child to do their best, bring a pencil, and eat a healthy breakfast.
Test dates for PM1 are as follows:
6th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 1 (PM1): September 8th
7th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 1 (PM1): September 9th
8th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 1 (PM1): September 12th
6th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 1 (PM1): September 13th
7th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 1 (PM1): September 15th
8th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 1 (PM1): September 16th
Due to testing, Swiss will follow a modified bell schedule from September 8th- September 16th. Please see the attached document for the modified bell schedule.
Reporting Absences and Requesting Early Check Out
Reporting Student Absences
We are excited to share with you that we have initiated a new procedure for reporting your students who were absent. Please utilize the school website and click on attendance on the left-hand side. This will ensure that your notes are received daily and not lost in the system. We heard your requests and appreciated your suggestions on placing this on the school website. When navigating to SPMS Website, you will see it on the left side toolbar. Please refer to the school planner for guidelines on the policy and procedures for absences. Please submit within 48 hours of your child being absent.
Requesting Early Checkout Procedures:
Complete the form on our website to request early checkout. It is located on the bottom left (side bar) of the website. The form needs to be completed by 6 AM the day you are requesting early checkout. After the 6 AM cut off, please send your child in with a note to the front office like normal. Please do not request early checkout more than 2 days in advance.
Character Counts!
Each month teachers are able to nominate students who display the pillar of character for the month. Those students are invited to have donuts with us at the end of the month and receive their certificate.
We should look for students who:
- Play by the rules
- Take turns and share
- Be open minded; listen to others
- Don’t take advantage of others
- Don’t blame others carelessly
- Treat all people fairly
Running Club
Come out run with your fellow Raiders every Thursday from 2:15-3:15. All are welcome, come with a positive attitude, water bottle, and sneakers.
Runners will meet at in room 640, Mrs. Bustros.
Math Counts!
SPMS MathCounts Team – Join today!
Join our team to compete in the most exciting math competition around! Our team will meet regularly for practice as we prepare for the North Florida Chapter Mathcounts Competition held in January or February. If you are interested in learning more, join our Schoology group to receive information about our first practice. Group Code: ZTGB-MHD4-QQ5XW
Congratulations!
Congratulations to our 2022/2023 SPMS Volleyball and Basketball Cheer teams!
Hispanic Heritage Month
The Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. ( September 15 – October 15).
From September 15 to October 15 each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, histories, traditions, and cultural diversity of Hispanic/Latino/Latinx Americans whose heritage is rooted in 20 Latin American countries and territories: Spain, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. The Hispanic Heritage observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100- 402. This month we are celebrating the contributions and importance of Hispanics and Latinos to the United States. This year The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM), announced the 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Theme: “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” The theme encourages us to ensure that all voices are represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities and a stronger nation.
During this month, the students will participate in different activities during the Spanish class every Wednesday to explore different cultures and the significant contribution from our Hispanic Americans.
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
National Junior Honor Society is excited to welcome back all of our returning members! This year, Ms. Wilkie, Ms. Smith and Ms. Etheridge will be our NJHS sponsors, and we look forward to having a great year!
All returning National Junior Honor Society members, please join the Schoology group using the code C52X-BCN6-HHGXV. Be sure to complete the Intent to Return form (found in Schoology group) and turn it in to Ms. Wilkie by September 16th.
Seventh and eighth grade students: if you are interested in joining NJHS, applications will be available in the Media Center starting October 18th. Be sure to watch the morning news for more information and how to qualify! We are looking forward to a great year in NJHS!
Special Message on the Marquee
SPMS National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring an opportunity to send a special birthday or congratulations message to your student via the marquee in the front of school. Cost is $25. Complete the form here to submit your request (there's a separate link in the form to pay via Schoolpay upon submitting your request). Requests are due the Friday prior to the event and will display the following week (Tuesday through Monday). Example: if you turn in the request on Friday, September 17 then your message will be displayed on Tuesday, September 21.
SPMS PTSO UPDATES
JOIN PTSO
The SPMS PTSO is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the learning and work experience of the students and staff at SPMS.
Our membership includes teachers, administrators, parents and students.
What do we do?
Student Initiatives:
- Neon Bash-Fall Dance for students
- Raider Store-Rewards for students who earn Raider Bucks for academic and behavioral performance
- Field studies sponsorships
- Character Counts! Rewards
- 8th grade Formal Dance and 8th Grade Awards Funding assistance
Staff Initiatives:
- Classroom grants-teacher members are eligible for up to $100 in a classroom grant to purchase items to enhance their classroom
- Staff luncheons and breakfast
- Teacher Appreciation
- Annual Donation to the school for technology and other needs
How do we pay for these initiatives?
- MEMBERSHIP-this is our biggest fundraiser. By simply joining PTSO, families help us reach our goals
- Spirit Wear-PTSO sells spirit wear each fall
- Fall/Spring Fundraisers-examples include Nothing Bundt Cakes and Poppin' Box
- Business Partners-our area business help SPMS through our Partners in Education program
- Corporate Donation Matches, Amazon Smile, Box Tops and private donations
How do you join?
- A family membership is $20 for the school year. The membership includes parents and any sibling at SPMS.
- Membership form can be found at https://switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso.square.site/
We have the best volunteers at Swiss. We are excited about a wonderful and busy year 2022-23 school year making a difference at Swiss.
If you are interested in finding out how you can help contact Dawn Evans at dawnevanswebpto@gmail.com
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT PTSO
AmazonSmile - Shop through the PTSO link AmazonSmile! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3741022
While you do your regular shopping on Amazon thru AmazonSmile, .5% of your purchase will be donated to SPMS.
SPMS has earned $ 92.15 so far this year.
Box Tops – Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts for SMPS PTSO to get Box Top credits.
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/