05.02.21 Port Susan Middle School
Student & Family Update
Good morning!
A message from our counselors
This week our school counselors Mrs. Niegemann and Ms. Piggott went to all classrooms to introduce themselves to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The counselors explained to students what their role is and how they are available to support students' needs in all capacities (academic, social, emotional, community resources etc.) Our counselors are available for our students both virtually and in person. Students can reach the counselors by sending an email, filling out a slip in the front office, talking with counselors in the hallways/lunchroom and also by filling out the daily check in form that is posted in their google classrooms and on our school website.
All 8th graders have registered for high school classes, and our counselors reminded students that they are available for any questions regarding the transition to high school. 8th grade students were also connected with their soon to be high school counselors. The high school counselors' names and contact information can be found on the Stanwood High School website. 6th and 7th graders were reminded that middle school registration is coming up in a couple of weeks and counselors will be available for questions regarding registration for next year's classes.
Our counselors are here to support students with anything they need. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Counselors Contact Info:
Keli Niegemann: kniegemann@stanwood.wednet.edu
Jayde Piggott: jpiggott@stanwood.wednet.edu
Parents & Students - We want your input!
Spanish Version of Parent Survey for Recovery Plan
English Version of Parent Survey
Spanish Version of 6-12 Student Survey
Covid-19 testing available
Stanwood Camano School District Families:
In the March 19th Friday Family Message we announced that the district is partnering with Seattle Children’s to conduct COVID-19 testing on district staff and students. Our nurses have completed their training program and are now doing regular screening testing for high school athletes.
We are pleased to announce that starting Monday May 3rd, we will have the capacity to offer COVID testing any symptomatic students and staff. Currently, if a student or staff member develops COVID-19 symptoms, that staff member or student and their sibling need to stay out for 10 days or until the symptomatic student or staff member has a negative COVID-19 test. With our new capabilities, we can test these individuals, free of charge, at their school. This can lead to the quick isolation of positive individuals, hopefully preventing more exposure. More importantly, this can get our symptomatic students and their siblings back to school much sooner.
The nuts and bolts of this program:
This test is a confirmatory molecular diagnostic test, similar to what you may have heard called a PCR test. This is a rapid test that gives results in 25 minutes.
These tests have a 99% sensitivity and 98% specificity, meaning that the false negative rate is 1.3% and the false positive rate is less than 2.4%
By no means are families or staff required to do Cue testing. The options of seeking testing elsewhere or waiting out the 10 days remain.
All students would need parental consent before a test can be performed.
These tests are less invasive than the older version of COVID-19 tests. The testing swab only needs to go into the nares, rather than the nasopharyngeal area.
No chemicals are introduced to the person being tested in the process. The test uses sterile, foam-tipped swabs, and activators are applied after they come out of the nose.
Middle school and high school students may self-swab. Elementary students must be swabbed by a parent or guardian, per the guidelines of the program.
The process requires the person being tested to create a QR code that links the individual to the test packet. We are not able to conduct testing without this QR code being created.
Beginning next week, if you call in to report that your student is ill with potential COVID-19 symptoms, you will be contacted by your school nurse, offering you testing for your student. You are still under no obligation to consent to this testing. It is simply a way for us to make it convenient for staff and students to get back to school.
Seattle Children’s will be responsible for managing and reporting results to public health departments as required by law.
Season 2 Sports
Starting this week! I'm so thankful that we are able to provide this opportunity for our students. Thank you Mrs. Auckland & our coaches!
Quarter 3 Report Cards
Homework Center
As you know, we have started to offer homework center from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. using the meet code "psms" on Wednesdays only. Our staff will be for all grade levels/all students to jump on if they have homework questions.
We encourage students to jump on this meet on Wednesdays if they are finishing up work &/or have any questions on assignments.
Registration & End of Year Celebrations
Registration
8th grade students who have not registered for high school courses will be supported by our school counselors for completion. In addition, our current 6th & 7th grade students, as well as incoming 6th grade students, will be receiving information on how to register for electives the week of May 10-14th.Celebrations
As a staff, we are currently brainstorming ideas to celebrate our students at the end of this school year (they deserve it!). We will continue to do this throughout the month of May and update our students & families when a plan is in place.
Purchase your Yearbook!
Looking Ahead...
Chromebook Chargers
Students - We would like to ask that you bring your chromebook as well as your charger to and from school daily. If you forget to charge your chromebook or for some reason it doesn't hold a charge, we want you to be able to charge your chromebook while at school. We appreciate your help with this!School Sack Lunches
This past week, all students had access to free grab and go lunches when they attend in person (it will also include breakfast for the following day). *This means students do NOT need to pack their own lunch if they'd like a free sack lunch provided starting this week.
Additionally, students will be able to pick up a 5-day meal bag when they leave school on either Tuesday or Friday. Students will be able to sign up for the 5-day meal bag when completing their attendance form each week.
Week of 05/03 through 05/07....
Monday (05/03):
Morning Announcements @ 7:30 a.m.
Onsite Cohort A (7:40 - 1:35 p.m.)
NO Google Meets
Cohort B & Distance Learning access work on google classroom
Office Hours 1:35 - 2:10 (ELA/HIST/BAND)
Tuesday (05/04):
Spirit Day *See information below
Morning Announcements @ 7:30 a.m.
Onsite Cohort A (7:40 - 1:35 p.m.)
NO Google Meets
Cohort B & Distance Learning access work on google classroom
Office Hours 1:35 - 2:10 (MATH/SCI/PE/HEA/COMP)
Wednesday (05/05):
Morning Announcements @ 9:00 a.m.
Grade Level Meetings (6th @ 11:15; 7th @ 12:15; 8th @ 1:15)
Homework Center Google Meet (open to all students) 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (PSMS)
Thursday (05/06):
Week 32 work drop (or clear communication from teacher)
Morning Announcements @ 7:30 a.m.
Onsite Cohort B (7:40 - 1:35 p.m.)
Google Meets **Follow Bell Schedule**
Cohort A access work on google classroom
Office Hours 1:35 - 2:10 (ELA/HIST/BAND)
Friday (05/07):
Morning Announcements @ 7:30 a.m.
Onsite Cohort B (7:40 - 1:35 p.m.)
Google Meets **Follow Bell Schedule**
Cohort A access work on google classroom
Office Hours 1:35 - 2:10 (MATH/SCI/PE/HEA/COMP)
Work Drop Dates/Attendance
Our teachers are staying as close as possible with our weekly plan and/or communicating changes with students on Thursdays through google classroom. This has been very helpful for consistency.
It is important that students check their google classrooms, school emails, and messages from teachers daily. In order to account for a full week of school attendance, we need ALL to complete our weekly offsite attendance form. Cohort A completes this first thing Monday mornings and Cohort B & Remote students complete this Thursday mornings. The form is located in grade level google classrooms (pictured below).
Have another great week!
Cherae Almanza, Principal
Crysty Auckland, Assistant Principal
360.629.1360
Ways to contact us:
PSMS Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily (360.629.1360)
"I have a Question" Link: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Link located on all google classrooms)
Homework Center: 8:30 - 2 p.m. Wednesdays (PSMS)
Send an email:
- Principal, Cherae Almanza: calmanza@stanwood.wednet.edu
- Assistant Principal, Crysty Auckland: cauckland@stanwood.wednet.edu
- Counselor, Keli Niegemann: kniegemann@stanwood.wednet.edu
- Counselor, Jayde Piggott: jpiggott@stanwood.wednet.edu
- School Psychologist, Emily Bowne: ebowne@stanwood.wednet.edu
- Student Support Advocate, Amy Hart: ahart@stanwood.wednet.edu
- EL Liaison, Mariela Hernandez Bartolomei: mhernandez@stanwood.wednet.edu
- Office Manager, Kirsti Daniels: kdaniels@stanwood.wednet.edu
The Stanwood-Camano School District does not discriminate in employment, programs, or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District's Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Maurene Stanton (mstanton@stanwood.wednet.edu), or the Section 504/American Disabilities Act Coordinator, Robert Hascall (rhascall@stanwood.wednet.edu) Stanwood-Camano School District, 26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292. Telephone: (360) 629-1200.
El Distrito Escolar de Stanwood-Camano School District no discrimina en sus programas o actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, origen nacional, edad, condición de veterano de guerra o grado militar, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, discapacidad o uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio, y ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos de jóvenes especificados. El empleado mencionado a continuación ha sido designado para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Título IX / Oficial de Acción Afirmativa y Coordinador de Cumplimiento de Derechos Civiles, Maurene Stanton (mstanton@stanwood.wednet.edu), o la Sección 504 / Coordinador de la Ley de Discapacidades Estadounidenses, Robert Hascall (rhascall@stanwood.wednet.edu), Distrito Escolar Stanwood-Camano, 26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292. Teléfono: (360) 629- 1200.