Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -November 22, 2021
From Ms. Carnall
Good Afternoon,
During this time of year, we pause to reflect on all of things we have to be thankful for. We are thankful for our students who come to school every day ready to learn. We have students who are excelling in academics, athletics, the arts, and other endeavors who are supported and loved unconditionally by their parents and guardians. Our students benefit from the way our community consistently pulls together for the good of our school. We are grateful for your support as parents and guardians, and thankful for your trust in us as we work with your students every day. We have a faculty, staff and administrators who work tirelessly to become better educators to uplift our students, keep our buildings safe and running smoothly. We see dedicated individuals going above and beyond to make sure great things are happening in our building.
I am wishing all of you and your families a healthy, relaxing and Happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Ms. Carnall
Thanksgiving Collection
Thank you Swiss Point families for the wonderful response to the Thanksgiving Food Drive! We have 2 flatbed carts loaded with Thanksgiving cheer for many families in St Johns County.
Pajama Day-November 23
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and Swiss Point is raising funds to donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Please bring $1 to your homeroom teacher on Tuesday, November 23rd to wear pajamas all day in school. Pajamas must be in dress code! All proceeds will stay with our local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of NEFL. Thanks you for your support with this fundraiser to find a cure for diabetes!!
YEARBOOK
Want to buy an SPMS yearbook? Order online at Yearbookordercenter.com and enter our school code 359.
Food Service Update
SJCSD Families,
Please be reminded that beginning Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Meal Prices will be:
Middle/High:
Paid
Breakfast: $1.25
Lunch: $2.95
Reduced
Breakfast: $0.30
Lunch: $0.40
Prepayments into student lunch accounts can be made by using PayPAMS. The link to this service is located at https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/food/paypams/
The St. Johns County School District will return to normal food service operations December 1.. Students who qualify for free or reduced meals based on direct certification or a family income application will continue to receive meals at no or reduced costs. Students who are not eligible based on income will return to a PAID status. This return to normal operations will occur on December 1, 2021. Beginning today, October 25 through November 30, families are encouraged to complete the family lunch application if they feel they qualify for free or reduced cost meals.
Online and printable applications are located on the SJCSD Website at https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/food/free/ . Applications are also available at your student’s school or the Food and Nutrition Services Office located at 3015 Lewis Speedway, Building 7, St. Augustine, FL 32084.
Notes from Nurse Kelly
Dear Parents,
We are starting to see some non-Covid illnesses. I have attached the Illness Guidelines that St Johns County School District adheres to. Please review these guidelines to ensure the health & safety of all students. Please be on the lookout for various illnesses that are included in this messenger. As a reminder, the school district still adheres to a “No Nit” policy when it comes to lice/nits. Please see second attachment for lice policy. If you need further information on treatment of lice, please call the clinic at 904-547-8628. Please feel free to call the clinic with any questions. Thanks for your cooperation in keeping our school healthy!
Nurse Kelly
904-547-8628
Book Fair News
The in-school book fair may be over, but online shopping continues through November 28th!
Girls Recreational Lacrosse (Grades 3-8):
Please note that this is not an SPMS sponsored activity.
Registration is still open for Grizzlies Spring Recreational Lacrosse for girls in grades 3rd-8th grade. Registration will close December 31. Click here to learn more and to register:
http://www.grizzlieslaxclub.com/spring-league-3rd-8th.html
Questions? Email: grizzlieslacrosseclub@gmail.com
Ronald McDonald Pop Can Tab Collection
Character Counts! Pillar of the Month is CITIZENSHIP
To display citizenship we should do our share to make our school and community better. We cooperate, get involved, stay informed and act as a good neighbor. We display citizenship by obeying laws and rules, respecting authority, protecting the environment and volunteering. SPMS recognizes students monthly who are displaying the charter trait of the pillar of the month. Students get nominated for this recognition by their teachers. We hope your student gets “caught” displaying citizenship this month!
COVID Information
You should continue to use the Student Health Screening Entry form and monitor your student for symptoms. The answers to all symptoms/questions should be no for your student to attend school. Please see the attached documents for assistance.
The COVID info web page for SJCSD families is now live at
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/covid-19/ Here you will find the most up to date COVID information. This site includes the COVID Dashboard, Quarantine Help Guides, directions to access online textbooks and Schoology, and Health & Safety resources.
As you know, masks are optional for all adults and students. We will continue to respect each other’s choices and personal space. We will continue with many of our protocols from last year to reduce congestion in the hallways and cafeteria. Hand sanitizer will be available in the offices, hallways and classrooms for student access. We will continue with our cleaning and disinfecting protocols from last year as directed by the SJCSD.
On 9/22/2021, the Department of Health has updated their emergency rule (64DER21-15) to include student quarantines.
- Student quarantines: (3)(a) Parents or legal guardians of students who are known to have been in direct contact with an individual who received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 may choose one of the following options:
- Allow the student to attend school, school-sponsored activities, or be on school property, without restrictions or disparate treatment, so long as the student remains asymptomatic; or
- Quarantine the student for a period of time not to exceed seven days from the date of last direct contact with an individual that is positive for COVID-19.
Based on this new ruling, you have a choice whether to quarantine your child or not, if they have no symptoms. You will receive email communication if your student was a close contact providing your choices.
To be clear, if your child has NO symptoms and is on quarantine, they may return to school if you choose. This begins today. If you choose to quarantine, you need to contact the District COVID support team and report that you are opting to quarantine your child. This also begins today.
Due to this change in policy, it is more important than ever to monitor your child for symptoms and keep them home if they are not well. We want students to be in school learning and we also want children healthy and safe. We are in this together and will continue to work together to navigate this new normal.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please call 904-547-8230 for further clarification.
If your child is quarantined they should be checking Schoology daily. They should go to each teacher's updates tab for the daily/weekly assignments. All work to be completed will be available on Schoology and should be uploaded on the due date. If a student needs help or has questions they can message their teacher. Students can also access their online textbooks from home as well.
SSYRA Information
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award Program is in full swing here at Swiss! Students are enjoying earning brag tags and a variety of prizes after reading them and taking a short quiz. SSYRA books can be checked out in the library, or online as audio or e books. Please see this year’s list attached.
PE Uniform Update
- All sizes/PE uniform items are back in stock for purchase.
- The PE Uniform purchase link is back open and will remain open until 12/31/21. You can find it under Important Links on the School website.
- If you purchase a uniform from this point on, please note the following:
- Uniforms will ONLY be issued on Wednesdays at the beginning of PE class.
- Students must present their receipt for their PE uniform purchase (printed receipt or an emailed copy/screen shot on their phone)
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
http://www.swisspointptso.com/
SPIRIT WEAR: The Spirit Wear Store is now CLOSED.
Thank you to everyone who has purchased Spirit Wear!
SUPPORT SPMS AS BUSINESS PARTNER
Do you own a business or work for a business with an interest in supporting education? Our Partners in Education Program is a great opportunity to support SPMS and spread the word about your company to the local community. Sponsorships help the PTSO fund many school initiatives.
For more information, please contact Carly McCollum at cm0929@gmail.com or check out our information online on the PTSO website.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PTSO
AmazonSmile - Shop through the PTSO link on 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/