From the Principal's Desk: July
Success & Nothing Less: Jaguar Excellence!
Happy Summer Jaguars! 40 More Days to Go!
The first official day of the new calendar school year has arrived. We are well into the planning phase for the new school year. I realize many of our Jaguars were not able to access the summer SMORE for June. Therefore, I am including the SMORE for June in the reminders. Please review at your leisure. The summer months are all about planning and preparing for the upcoming school year, including revising, revisiting, and redefining what works best and improving what does not. I have appreciated having the opportunity to hear from many of our parents and constituents. Please continue to share your feedback so that I may support our efforts in becoming excellent in all that we do!
As shared in my June's message I am eager to sign-on as your new principal, and I am excited for our new journey! I look forward to meeting with each of you and learning of all the great things happening at Sandtown. I've had the pleasure of being closely connected to your work as a thought partner in the work and a feeder school leader. I look forward to collaborating with our parents and community members to ensure "Success for Every Student" is a reality.
Thank you for the parents who were able to schedule 1:1 meetings last month. I appreciated meeting with you and learning about you and your scholar. If you did not have an opportunity to meet with me, rest assured I will hold small group meetings by grade levels and host many coffee and conversations throughout the year. I am eager to learn more about you, your scholar(s), and how we can work collaboratively on the journey ahead of us. Your passion for serving and leading in our community is very important to me and I am eager to further support your passion.
As you prepare the Jaguars for their return in August, please ensure you carve out time to allow them to rest, read, and rejuvenate: the brain thrives on relaxation and rest. You will notice that our scholars are more prepared to return by including this simple technique of relaxation in your daily schedule.
Before I close out, I want to take an opportunity to thank you for welcoming me into the home of the Jaguars-where success for every student is a priority!
Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do for the Jaguars!
Your New Partner in Education,
Principal Miley
Have an Extraordinary Summer!
Our Mission
Success for Every Student!
Our Vision
We will prepare scholars for success by establishing a mutually respectful culture that promotes high expectations, academic achievement, and personal growth.
We will develop scholars' self-awareness, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and leadership skills. We will prepare scholars to leave ready to pursue and succeed on their chosen paths.
We will provide our faculty and staff members a special place to pursue the art and science of teaching. We will provide teachers with experiences that deepen their skills and be a place where careers can flourish.
We will enhance education by setting an example as an effective, safe and accountable school by constantly investing in ways to become better at our craft. We will share our learning with colleagues in the field of education.
"Success & Nothing Less: Jaguar Excellence!"
Quote for the Summer:
Nature is infinitely creative. It is always producing the possibility of new beginnings.
Marianne Williamson
Jaguars Big Rocks-SLC Common Expectations
Common Expectations: Literacy
Gradual Release: Instructional Framework
WICOR Strategies
iReady: Grades 6-8
Common Expectations: Data Analysis & Action
District Assessments
Planning Release Days
Continuous Achievement
Common Expectations: Standards Mastery Framework
Planning for Instruction
PLC's At Work
Effective implementation of Professional Learning Communities.
Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum
Important Dates:
July 1-August 2: Registration
Summer Registration Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
8:00 AM until 1:00 PM
Thursday-Tuesday, July 4-8:
School Closed-Holiday Observance
Monday-Wednesday, July 22-24:
Summer Bridge-Sandtown Middle School (6th Grade)
(9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, July 24:
6th Grade Parent Orientation
(4:00 - 5:30 p.m.)
7th and 8th Grade Parent Orientation
(6:00 - 7:30 p.m.)
Friday, August 2-8:
District Professional Development; Welcome Back; Pre-Planning
Thursday, August 08:
SMS-Annual Open House: Sneak-A-Peek
8:30 AM – 10:30 a.m.: 6th Grade
10:30 AM – 12:30 p.m.: 7th & 8th Grades
Monday, August 12:
First Day of School
What Happening This Summer:
General Reminders
- All parents are encouraged to review the Summer SMORE over the summer for important dates to remember.
- Summer Trainings: This summer teachers and coaches have an opportunity to engage in professional development.
- Summer Bridge-6th Grade: The transition to 6th grade can become overwhelming. Please plan to join us for a 3-Day-Bridge to middle school. The students will tour the building, learn how to use their lockers, practice a full rotation to each of their classes, learn how to better manage their time, engage in understanding a block schedule, and so much more. This is an exciting time for the Jaguars, so let's ensure they are prepared for success. Please review the flyer and attached registration. Registration opens July 05 and ends on July 15.
- Parent Orientation Meetings 6th-8th Grade: We will hold parent orientations to review the basics for starting the year off on successfully. Parents will have an opportunity to meet and engage with new grade level administrators and support staff, as well as returning team members.
- Annual Sneak-A-Peek/Open House: We invite all of our parents to join us for our Annual Open House (review the class schedule, meet your child's teacher, meet our community vendors, and engage directly with PTA while signing up for your PTA membership.
August 05
- Teachers return on Friday, August 02
- Professional Development Day
August 06
- Pre-Planning: Day 1
- Classroom Preparation Time
August 07
- Pre-Planning: Day 2
- Classroom Preparation Time
August 08
- Annual Open House
6th Grade: 8:30-10:30 AM
10:00 AM – 12:00 p.m.: 7th & 8th Grades
7th and 8th Grade: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
August 09
- Pre-Planning: Day 4
- Classroom Preparation Time
- Happy Friday!
August 10-11
- Enjoy the weekend!
- School starts on Monday, August 12: The doors will open at 8:25 a.m. for all students.
Always Remember: "In the Middle"
Middle school is more than just a grade configuration, Lounsbury explains: "It doesn't matter whether a child is in a K through 8th grade school or a 6th through 8th grade school. It doesn't matter if students wear uniforms, or if boys are taught separately from girls. It's how they're taught that makes the difference." Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in the presence of a "tween" — a term commonly applied to kids falling between the ages of 8 and 13
knows this is true. Middle schoolers are a diverse, unpredictable group. Brazen and cocky one minute, timid and self-doubting the next; bored and self-conscious one day, excited and inquisitive the next — they ride the proverbial rollercoaster of emotions, abilities, and needs.
Summer Bridge: Sixth Grade Orientation
Parents and Students: Sixth Grade Summer Bridge & Orientation
Sixth Grade Summer Bridge time has arrived! We are excited to welcome our newest Jaguars to the "Middle". Middle School is a great place to grow and thrive, it's also the transitional place before the final years of your K-12 experience. We are pleased to offer our Jaguars a jump start before the year begins. Summer Bridge will be held for three half-days (Monday-Wednesday; July 22-24). Please review the flyer for more information.
- Parents may register using the link below. Registration opens on July 5-15. We will close registration a few days prior to the summer bridge to allow for ordering of food, t-shirts and other pertinent planning needs.
- Please register ASAP: The deadline is a hard deadline to ensure proper planning is possible! Please register now and pass the word on to your fellow parents and incoming sixth graders.
- Be sure to submit your scholar's summer bridge payment online using our OSP (Online School Payment System) or via cash/money order to the front office. All payments are due on or before the 17th. The fee is $15.
Sixth Grade Administrator: Deborah Blackley
Sixth Grade Grade Level Chairs: Charles Love and Antonia Washington
Volunteers Needed
We need parents to volunteer to support the Summer Bridge sessions held on Monday, July 22- Wednesday, July 24 (9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.).
Please email Ms. Tara Surratt-PTA President if you are interested. Someone from the SMS Team will reach out to you soon.
Summer Bridge Registration Form:
Grade Level Parent Orientations-Revised Time
This is a great opportunity to meet your scholar's grade level administrator.
Wednesday, July 24:
6th Grade Parent Orientation
(4:00-5:30 p.m.)
7th and 8th Grade Parent Orientation
(6:00-7:30 p.m.)
We Wear Uniforms!
Jaguar Excellence: Uniform Policy
- All students are required to wear uniforms to school every day. Uniform points are provided during the homeroom block daily.
- The standard school uniform consists of a polo top and khaki shorts or pants.
- Uniforms are worn on Monday-Thursday.
- To alleviate re-purchasing uniforms each year, we will adhere to the three year uniform trend.
- Sixth Grade: Gray/Khaki
- Seventh Grade: Royal Blue/Khaki
- Eighth Grade: Black /Khaki
- Jeans are allowed to be worn with uniforms (no ripped or frayed jeans)
- Every Friday is Spirit Wear and Free Dress Day *Students are permitted to dress out of uniforms on Friday. All students are expected to adhere to the dress code, which is strictly enforced. (No shredded, ripped or frayed jeans are allowed)
Vendors: Walmart, Old Navy, Brandhouse Ink and 3D Printing and Accessories
*All independent vendors are invited to our Annual Open House.
APEC: Before & After Care; Tutoring Assistance
The Early Bird Registration for APEC is now open. Please complete the registration process to ensure your scholar is registered for the program.
Please contact APEC directly for any questions related to the program.
Before Care: 7:00-8:30 a.m.
After Care: 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Content Corner: WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW IN CORE CONTENT
The Standards Mastery Framework (SMF) is a set of tools designed to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum and deepen personalization of the learning experience for FCS students.
The tools will include:
Learning Maps consist of
Prioritized standards
Proficiency scales
Evidence blueprints
Assessment items and tasks
Scoring guides and student exemplars
Scales for reporting student success skills
Focus Lessons
Student Support Team: Response to Intervention
Georgia educators are aligning to create a preventive framework to improve performance outcomes of all learners. Georgia's Tiered System of Supports for Students is continued implementation of Georgia's Systems of Continuous Improvement, the statewide plan to provide a tiered system of supports for the districts, schools, and students. The tiered system includes evidence-based interventions and screenings that will provide different levels of support needed to maximize student achievement and reduce behavior problems.
Connections Corner: What's happening in Connections-A New Pilot-The STEM Prep Connections Course
STEM PREP: Sandtown Middle School (SMS) will pilot a new connections course focused on STEM. Providing STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. Innovation leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy. This innovation and science literacy depends on a fostering a solid knowledge base within the STEM areas.
Course Criteria: Academic Data Criteria (Top 5-7% of the incoming sixth graders, based on Science and Math scores) will be offered an opportunity to participate in the STEM Prep Course. At this time, we only have (1) course. The long-term goal is to expand the course beyond our top 5%. We are excited to embark upon this new journey.
All of our students will complete their required Science courses. Participation in the STEM Prep as a connections course is optional. Parents will receive invitations via mail. Acceptance of participation is required by the deadline.
MORE INFORMATION FORTHCOMING
If you have any questions regarding the STEM Prep course, please reach out to Mr. Zwingmann. Mr. Zwingmann is out of the office on vacation: June 21-July 15. You may reach after July 15.
Free & Low Cost Resources from First Book Marketplace
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books, educational resources, and other essentials--including coats, snacks, and hygiene kits--to educators serving children in need. First Book provides these resources free or at low cost to schools and programs serving children in need, ages 0-18. Their purpose is to raise the quality of education for all children by making sure they have access to the resources they need to be successful in school and life.
Happy Birthday: Summer Birthday's!
Happy Birthday to All of Jaguars: June and July
It is our pleasure to wish you a very happy birthday. We wish you many more to come!
The Jaguar Family!
Student begin the instructional day at 8:55; all students arriving after 8:55 a.m. are marked tardy. Please arrive on time and ready to learn! Jaguar Excellence requires an intentional effort!