Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -August 8, 2022
From Ms. Carnall
Welcome Back!
Summer is over and we are looking forward to an amazing 2022-2023 school year here at SPMS! The first day of school is Wednesday, August 10. Since it is a Wednesday it is an early release day and students will be released from school at 12:50. We have a lot going on in the first two weeks of school. We will be holding our behavior and safety assemblies, picture day, and teaching school procedures and routines. We will also be holding several drills in the first two weeks. Please note these are just drills. We will also be taking time to get to know our students and build relationships. It will be a very busy two weeks, so please make sure your student is well rested and ready to participate!
We have a lot more information to share with you about upcoming events, clubs, school policies and procedures and much more! Be sure to scroll all the way down to the end to get all of the information. We are looking forward to working with you and your families this school year.
Sincerely,
Ms. Carnall
UPCOMING DATES
- August 10: First day of school, EARLY RELEASE @ 12:50
- August 12: Behavior expectation assemblies
- August 12-19 PTSO Popcorn and Fudge Fundraiser
- August 17: Picture day
- August 25: PTSO fundraiser items delivered
- August 29: Band Instrument rental night
- August 30: 6th Grade Open House 5:30-7:00 PM
- September 1: 7th and 8th Grade Open House 5:30-7:00 PM
- September 5: No School
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up
- Morning drop off starts at 7AM. There will not be supervision before 7 AM so please do not drop your student off earlier unless they have arranged to meet with a teacher.
- While waiting to pick up or drop off your student please be mindful of not blocking entrances to local neighborhoods or parking on their grass/private property. We want everyone to be safe while traveling and waiting.
- Morning drop-off: Your student should be ready to get out of the car as soon as you enter the gate to the school. You may be directed to pull forward or to pull around the loop. Either way we ask that you pull all the way forward to the cone so we may keep the flow of traffic moving. If you pull around the loop we ask your students exit on the right and move into the grass at the right. In the morning, there will be no parking in the roundabout. This is for drop-off and thru traffic only.
- The expectation is that students are in first period/homeroom by 725.
- Afternoon pick up: Please be sure to pull all the way forward and have your student come to you so we may keep the flow of traffic moving.
The first few days of school we will be handing out signs for car riders to put in their window. We ask that you put your student’s name, nickname or a word that you and your student agree upon. We will be announcing whatever name or word you have chosen so your child knows to get to the car quickly.
Picture Day is AUGUST 17
Your FALL PORTRAITS event at SWITZERLAND POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL is coming up.
For details about this event, please click here.
SPMS Behavior Expectation
SJCSD expectations here are a few specific to SPMS. We will be going over all behavior expectations on Friday, August 12 in our grade level assemblies.
- Arrival Time: Students must be in first period or homeroom if there is homeroom that day, by 7:25 AM.
- Hallway Transitions: In order to ensure student safety, when the bell rings 6th graders will be released. 7th and 8th graders will be held for one minute. All students are expected to arrive on time to class. We will give students time to get to know the school, their schedule and the best route for them to take the first few weeks. Tardies will be enforced starting on August 30.
- Cell phones: Cell phones are only permitted to be used in classrooms for educational purposes as directed by the teacher. All other times students must have their cellphones and earbuds off and in their backpack. Recording at anytime on the school campus or school bus is strictly prohibited and a level III offense.
- Dress Code: The SJCSD dress code will be enforced.
*No hats/hoods/headwear
*No visible undergarments
*No backless shoes
*No rips above mid-thigh
*No advertising violence, alcohol, drugs, or profanity.
Please see the attached dress code policy poster that will be hanging in each classroom.
- Gum: Gum is not permitted on campus.
- Drinks: Students may have drinks that are in bottles with lids only.
- Shoes: If a student is bringing extra shoes for gym they need to be in a backpack or locker. Students may not carry loose shoes around.
We thank you in advance for your assistance with these items.
Testing Update
Testing Update from Ms. Wilkie:
Welcome back, Raiders!
This year, Florida Reading and Mathematics testing has changed from the FSA to FAST! The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring tool that will be administered three times per year to track students’ progress in learning the Benchmarks of Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards throughout this school year.
The testing window of the first administration, Progress Monitoring 1 (PM1), in Reading and Math is August 15th- September 30th. Students will test one day in Reading and one day in Mathematics. The specific dates in which your child will test, as well as the changes to the bell schedule during testing, will be shared by your child’s teacher as well as posted under the “Testing” tab on the SPMS website once available. Results from PM1 are for informational purposes only, and information about how to access the results after testing is completed will also be posted under the “Testing” tab on the SPMS website.
FAST assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer. The questions get easier or more difficult depending on how the student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank. Each test attempt (PM1, PM2, and PM3) will present 35–40 items that will cover the entire test “blueprint,” meaning students will encounter items representative of the standards within the subject or grade level. For more information on the test design, please visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/. If you or your student would like to interact with the online testing platform or review FAST Reading or Math sample items at home, sample test materials are available at Student: Login, Please Sign In (cambiumtds.com).
In addition to the changes with the state test described above, middle school students will no longer have district midterms or final exams. However, if your child is enrolled in Civics, Algebra, Geometry or Biology, there will still be an End of Course (EOC) exam.
Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best during this test administration. If you have any testing questions, please reach out to Ms. Wilkie at Jennifer.Wilkie@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Student Council
6th Grade Sponsor: Allison Cox: Allison.ProffitCox@stjohns.k12.fl.us
7th Grade Sponsor: Catherine.Clausen@stjohns.k12.fl.us
8th Grade Sponsor: Dawn.Madden@stjohns.k12.fl.us
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!
International Thespian Society (ITS)
The International Thespian Society is an afterschool club that meets weekly to prepare for regional and state competitions in various theatrical events, based in both performance and design. This club supports all things theatrical. This year we will meet on Tuesdays after school from 2 – 3:30p.m. Our first general meeting will be Tuesday, August 23rd. Come see if this might be the afterschool club for you!
Florida Future Educators of America Club
There is a new club on campus! The Florida Future Educators of America (FFEA) is a service organization, similar to NJHS. It is a great opportunity for volunteer hours, leadership roles, and unique, hands-on experiences. If you attend and enjoy it, you can also apply to the Teaching Career Academy in high school. Meetings will be held once a month on Mondays. Pick up an application in Room 209 or contact Ms. Benetsky (Kylie.Benetsky@stjohns.k12.fl.us ) for a digital copy.
STEM FAIR
This year SPMS will be participating in the STEM fair. This is an optional opportunity for any student interested. There will be an informational meeting the second week of school, but please have your student stop by to let Ms. Donaghy know they would be interested in participating, in room 455.
Winterguard
Winterguard is often referred to as the “sport of the arts”. Combining individual strength, agility, and discipline, while interpreting music through dance using flags, rifles, and sabers, Winterguard is truly a team effort that culminates in an overwhelmingly beautiful group performance.
Since its beginning in 1994, the Switzerland Point Middle School Winterguard has continued to grow and excel. Over the years the guard has competed in the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit against other guards in our region which extends from north Florida to central Florida.
Keep an eye on this section for exciting updates from the year!
If you are interested in joining the team, please reach out! spmsguardteam@gmail.com
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.
SJMSAA Soccer News
Soccer News: Please see the attached flier for details.
- Registration for try-outs is open at SJMSAA.com as all players need to be registered to tryout.
- Tryouts will be held at Veterans Park turf field on the following dates:
- Girls Tryouts: Tuesday, 30 Aug at 3:30PM to 4:55PM and Wednesday, 31 Aug at 3:15 PM to 4:45PM.
- Boys Tryouts: Thursday, 1 Sep at 3:30PM to 4:55PM, and Friday, 2 Sep from 3:30PM to 4:55PM.
- Coaches will complete team selections in early September; Games will start in mid October.
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
Spirit Wear Order
Did you order spirit wear on the 27th or 28th? Your order is in! Stop by PTSO and grab your order during the open house!
Thank you for your support!
PTSO Popcorn and Fudge Fundraiser
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/