Smithsburg Middle School
December 2017
Principal's Message
Dear Smithsburg Students and families,
Despite the mild temperature, December is upon us and the New Year is right around the corner. We are well into our second Marking Period and our hope is that you are checking ParentVue with your child(ren) regularly and discussing their grades and assignments. Please do not hesitate to contact any of your child’s teachers if you have questions or concerns about assignments or grades.
We had a busy, fun, and productive November. Some of the activities included: A visit from BISFA, the Geography Bee, two professional development days for teachers, our 1st STAR Ceremony, the All-County Chorus Concert, an awesome science field trip to Catoctin National Park, an Art field trip to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, and our first annual, hugely successful Turkey Bowl.
Looking ahead, we have many activities and events planned for December. We have our Winter Chorus, Band, and Orchestra Concerts as well as a PTA sponsored Activity Night. Don’t forget all National History Day projects for grades 6 & 8 are due in December, get those projects in. Lastly, as we are all aware, we end the month with a long, relaxing winter break.
I continue to enjoy working at Smithsburg Middle and feel proud to serve the Smithsburg Community. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. I hope that you and your loved ones enjoy a restful and peaceful winter break.
Matt Hoffman
Principal
PTSA
PTSA News:
- The PTSA sponsored Activity Night is ,Friday, December 8th, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Admission is $5.00 and includes snacks and drinks. If parents could send in baked goods, snacks or water, that would be great! There will be raffle tickets for sale as well, or bring a canned good and get a raffle ticket for each can.
- We welcome everyone to our next meeting January 8th and February 5th at 6pm in the Media Center.
- Don’t forget to clip those BoxTops! This is an easy way to raise funds for the school.
- For PTSA reminders, we use the Remind app. Text @af4b8d to 81010.
- Like our page on Facebook “Smithsburg Middle PTSA” and our email is SMPTSA@gmail.com
Your PTSA Executive Board,
Amy Garner, Jennifer Ashbaugh, Kim Harbaugh, Becki Holmes, and Susie Burleson
Student Council
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS Advisor for this year’s Student Council: Mrs. Lisa Waters WaterLis@wcps.k12.md.us
Friday’s are SMS Pride Days; the 3rd Friday is a College Pride Day!
Important Dates
· We are also promoting a Holiday Door/Designated Area decorating competition for Homerooms; the winning Homeroom will watch a movie during their lunch time. The Homeroom teacher will decide when to host the movie. If you do not have a Homeroom, feel free to decorate anyway! Wednesday, December 20th!
Happy Holidays from Student Council!
Looking Ahead:
· January 9th WCASC Meeting @ Northern Middle School
President, Camden Barnes and 6 other officers/members can attend. Grade levels will alternate to attend County meetings. Permission Slips can be obtained from Mrs. Waters and must be signed and returned the week before on Thursday, January 4th! I will need to know if you are purchasing lunch. You must let your teachers know that you will be absent from class, and you are Responsible for any work that you miss.
· January 8th-26th Pennies for Patients
SMS will be collecting money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. There will be a competition between Homerooms! Prizes will be announced later.
· Save the Date for the next: Activity Night-March Madness 3 On 3 Basketball Tournament; March 3rd.
Student council is sponsoring an Activity Night from 6:30-8:30 pm. Admission is $5. Parents/Students are encouraged to donate snacks. Drinks will be provided. Interested students should report to the gym to sign up as soon as you arrive! Registration will end at 7:00 pm. Gift cards will be awarded to the winning teams! Rec games and a movie will also be provided. Ten Parent/Adult Volunteers are Absolutely Needed in order to make this night a success! Please contact Mrs. Lisa Waters, Student Council sponsor, at WaterLis@wcps.k12.md.us or at 301-766-8353 if you are able to help out!
iTeam
The iTeam would like to invite all parents/guardians to join our "Parent Tech-Rec Night" Google Classroom to learn more about how Classroom works and familiarize themselves with technology expectations as well as some of the same technology applications students are using for classes.
Parents/Guardians can join via their student's log in information.
- Go to: classroom.google.com (ideally on Google Chrome internet browser)
- Click the blue "Sign In" button in the middle of your screen.
- Enter your student's school email address (5/3 username + @wcps.k12.md.us).
- Enter your student's school password (wcps + school ID number: wcps123456)
- Find and click on the plus (+) sign in the upper right hand corner.
- Enter the following code: n64i9j
- The "Stream" page has been populated with SMS's Digital Driver License as well as an overview of "No Red Ink" & "CommomLit", both ELA-based resources.
FFA News
The FFA will meet December 11th from 7:30 am to 8:20 am.
Everyone is welcome to join!
- We will be making wreaths this month.
- Tickets will be on sale to Leitersburg Cinemas for $6.75!
Regular ticket $6.75 and popcorn and soda are $6.75.
Order forms are in the front office and due by December 11th!!!
Great gifts and stocking stuffers!
Thanks for your support this year!!!!
Have a healthy Holiday!
Mrs. Coleman 301-766-8353
Music Notes
Concert season is here! Mark your calendar for the following events:
The band winter concerts will be on December 12, 2017, in the SMS cafeteria. 6th grade at 6:00 pm. 7th grade at 7:00 pm. 8th grade at 8:00 pm.
The orchestra winter concert will be on December 18, 2017, at 7:00pm at Smithsburg High School.
Concert attire is black on bottom, white on top. Boys must have a collar; a tie is optional.
All-County Chorus
Congratulations to the following chorus students who participated in All-County Chorus. The concert was held on Saturday, November 18, at North Hagerstown High School. The concert was spectacular! Super Job to the following students:
Thomas Abreu, Camden Barnes, Madison Cole, Brooke Glessner, Madelyn Kesselring, Molli Keyser, Peyton Meadows, Riley Necessary, Skylar Radaker, Victoria Rice, Dane Russell, Sydney Schlotterbeck, Lynnae Snyder, Theron Summerour Frederick, and Anessa Summers.
Box Tops
Please keep bringing those Box Tops to us labeled in a baggie of 30 with your name. You can receive a Free ice cream!
Thank you!