Spartan Herald November 2017
Building Community Empowering Learners Inspiring Creativity
Celebrations. Families. Pumpkins. Smiles.
Dear Schmucker Students and Families,
Celebrations. Families. Pumpkins. Smiles. All of these were plentiful at Student Led Conferences this year! We were happy to welcome so many of our students and families into our building. Students had much to celebrate and showed their accomplishments through many creative avenues. Many students made video stories of their future selves. Their Google presentations were filled with images, thoughts, and examples of all the hard work completed during first quarter. Thank you for NJHS for running a very successful pumpkin and bake sale. I know many of you took advantage of technology support offered in the IMC and stopped by to learn more about 21st Century Scholars. Adult Services also displayed their hard work at their fall sale. Additionally, congratulations to the students who won the raffle baskets. We always enjoy sharing all the great happenings here at Schmucker. We are looking forward to sharing more stories of success that will happen in the next three quarters!
We encourage all families to stay involved in our Schmucker community. You can do this by checking our website for updates and upcoming events. You can also follow us on Twitter @SMSSpartanPride. These monthly newsletters are emailed to families and you can always find them archived on our website.
We look forward to seeing all of you at future Schmucker events!
With your child in mind,
Lavon Dean-Null
Principal
Sparty Party
On Friday, October 20, Schmucker Middle School hosted its annual Sparty Party in conjunction with the Mrs. Fields fundraiser. Throughout the first quarter of the school year, students sold baked goods to raise funds supporting a multitude of events at SMS. A bonus was that those students who sold at least three items were invited to attend the Sparty Party. In the days leading up to the party, Craig Tornquist, the fundraiser representative, worked with Assistant Principal Christie Heerschop to award students with prizes for their motivated sales. Students with the highest number of sales had increased opportunities during lunch to pull the prize envelopes out of a hat. These students won various amounts of money, as well as a chance to silly string Assistant Principal Mr. Fry.
For one hour after each grade’s lunch on the day of the party itself, qualifying students went down to the gym. Students enjoyed battling each other in obstacle course competitions and inflatable tug of war! The photo booth was a big hit and students have many pictures by which to preserve these memories. Other events included tissue paper pull, dance off, limbo, and music requests. The Sparty Party was a huge success in both raising funds benefiting class events throughout the school year and providing a time for students to have fun with their peers.
Social Media & Middle School
Social media is the language of our "tweens" and teens today. While it can be a great way to connect and tell our story, there is proven research that too much time spent on social media can be a hazard to kids. Here are a few ideas to help with social media usage:
1. Delay access to social media as long as you can! This can help place greater importancde on developing personal, authentic relationships first.
2. Follow your child's accounts. Nothing is private in the digital world, and shouldn't be private to you. Make sure your child has privacy settings in place, but also place a strong emphasis on content your child is posting.
3. Create family accounts. This can allow kids to stay in touch, but with some parameters.
4. Allow social media on "large screens" only. When phones are used, there can be potential problems with reckless use.
5. Watch the clock. The average teen spends 9 HOURS connected to social media in a day. Limit this time to an hour, or limit the number of days in which they can be on social media. Sundays are "tech" free days in our home. Everyone is disconnected and we make it a day for family time.
6. Invite friends over to visit. Making sure your child is having "real" time with peopple helps to dvelop authentic relationships and create appropriate social interactions.
I hope these ideas are useful to you. As the social media trend continues to grow, it also greatly impacts our educational setting. We can all work together to help with the potential hazards!
Important Dates
Nov 2 - PTO Meeting
Nov 10 - Veterans Day Program
Nov 15 - Mrs. Fields' Cookie Fundraiser Delivery
Nov 23-24 - Thanksgiving Recess
Check out all events on our Website calendar: SMS Calendar
Please read our November PTO newsletter below:
4.o Principal's Honor Roll Breakfast
We will be celebrating our first 4.0 breakfast on Tuesday, November 21st beginning at 8:00am. If you have a child who achieved the status of Principal’s Honor Roll, he/she will receive more information in the coming weeks.
Note from the Counselors!
You can view a tutorial at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeSNq672whY
How Your Child Can Connect to Schmucker Happenings
1. Each morning students produce a newscast on WSMS that highlight upcoming events.
2. Every Monday students are emailed a Student Newsletter. This publication includes the weekly menu, important dates like athletic events and clubs, and important announcements and reminders.
2018 Science Fair
Students that are interested in participating in the science fair should see Mrs. Wagner in room 201 for a packet containing information and registration forms. This opportunity is open to students at all grade levels. Students must submit a project proposal and the necessary registration forms to Mrs. Wagner by Friday, December 15th. If enough students participate, we will hold a science fair at Schmucker Middle School on Tuesday, February 13th. If less than 7 projects are submitted, all who submit a project will advance to the regional science fair at Notre Dame on Saturday, March 3rd. Please contact Mrs. Wagner (swagner@phm.k12.in.us) if you have any questions.
SPARC
NJHS
The NJHS Bake Sale was a HUGE success! We made $664 during conference nights. Thank you to all of the NJHS students and families who made delicious goodies for us to sell. The money raised by the bake sale will be used to purchase turkeys certificates for the Student Council food baskets. These food baskets will help families in need in our SMS community! Thank you for helping the NJHS MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our community!
Advisory Schedule
We are excited to unveil our plan for Advisory Period. For years, Advisory Period served as an ideal opportunity for our students to reflect on their academic progress and set goals. During this time, teachers and students focus on building relationships that offer social/emotional support. Students will continue to start each day with Advisory Period. Listed below are the themes for each day. We look forward to all that students will accomplish during this important time of our day!
Monday: Every Spartan Sets Goals (#SpartanGoals)
Students will participate in academic reflection and goal setting.
Tuesday: Every Spartan Lives a 5 Star Life (#5StarSpartans)
Students will discuss ideas related to 5 Star themes like how students set the bar for respecting their peers.
Wednesday & Thursday: Every Spartan Works, Learns, and Succeeds Together (#SpartanLife)
During these two days, students will participate in school wide lessons or activities. During the first quarter students will learn about anti-bullying strategies and internet safety.
Friday: Every Spartan Reads (#SpartansRead)
During this period, the whole school reads!
Indiana All-Region Honor Band
Congratulations to the following students for being named to the 2017 Indiana All Region Honor Band:
7th Grade
Sarai Jean Pierre - Flute
Faisal Syed - Clarinet
Ben Wroblewski - Trumpet
LJ Benak - Tuba
8th Grade
Wesley Oke - Oboe
Will Hunter - Clarinet
Mason Wilson - Alto Sax
Cieran Mroczek - Trumpet
Shiloh Estrada - French Horn
Kaitlyn Potter - French Horn
Victoria White - French Horn
Alex Grove - Tuba
These students will travel to LaSalle Academy in South Bend on Saturday and Sunday, November 11 and 12 for their rehearsal and concert.
They will be working with Dr. Jeff Doebler, Director of Bands at Valparaiso University.
GREAT JOB students!!
Mr. Carnall
Indiana All-Region Orchestra
Congratulations to the 8th grade Schmucker orchestra members who are in the 2017 Northern Indiana All-Region Orchestra. These students will perform with the honor orchestra at Goshen Middle School on Saturday, November 11. Row one includes: Amanda Henry, Maddie Fox, Aidan Cerling and Many Baker. Second row includes: Ben Sytsma, Santiago Giraldo, Nick Sammons, Kobi Stutsman and Monica Ramirez.
WSMS
WSMS is recorded to Youtube ALMOST every day. (Technology!) If you would like to watch our daily announcements, check it out!
Here is the link to the channel if you want to publish it to parents.
Canvas
Canvas is a LMS (Learning Management System) that is used in PHM. Teachers can put content online for students, make announcements and provide assignments. All parents are enrolled in the Canvas course of their students as observers. As observers, you can see the content, but are not able to interact with it. Please access the links below to learn more.
To keep you organized, you can also download the Canvas app for your phone or tablet.
21st century scholars
Free $$ for college!
The 21st Century Scholars program is need-based assistance which will help students have the ability to go to college who otherwise may not be able to afford it. The program can save you and your family thousands of dollars on higher education past high school, as well as connect you and your student to other great resources.
The deadline for this opportunity to enroll is JUNE 30 of a student's 8th grade year. Once this date has passed, students cannot enroll while at the high school. Please take the time to visit http://scholars.in.gov/parents/enroll/ to learn more about the program and enroll your student right away before this opportunity is no longer available. Email or call your child's school counselor if you have further questions.
8TH GRADE - WASHINGTON, D.C. TRIP
Families Can Get help with Lunch & Textbook Fees
Athletics
Art Club
The Schmucker Art club is a chance for all students to use their creative energy while exploring various forms of art. Art Club is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Schmucker students. The clubs activities include individual and collaborative projects. In order to cover the cost of most of the activities and supplies there is a nonrefundable $25 supply fee due at the first meeting, November 16.Checks should be made out to Schmucker Art Club. Please fill out the following form and submit it to Mrs. Perkins no later than November 15th.
The First meeting date will be Thursday November 16th in the art room from 4-5:00pm.
Meeting Dates are on the following Thursday evenings from 4-5:30pm in room 244(the art room). Except for the first day which is only til 5:00pm. Students should plan to attend the whole meeting. Students may bring a healthy snack. Please no drinks. Please plan to have rides here promptly at 5:30 in the front of the building (door A).
November 16
November 30
December 7 ( we will be painting the holiday windows)
January 25
February 1 & 15
March 8 & 19
April 12 & 26
Art Club field trip-date, time, and place-TBA
Attendance at all meetings is necessary so that Mrs. Perkins can plan for supplies and materials for each member. Each member will be allowed 3 excused absences. Because this is a school sponsored activity all school rules and procedures will be enforced. Rule infractions or lack of attendance could result in permanent removal form the club.
Chess Club
Writing Club
Intramurals
Consent To Publish student work and photographs
PHM requires schools to receive permission from parents to publish student photos and work. If you have not returned this document, please access the link below, print the document and return signed to school. We must receive this document from every student.
Student/Family Opportunities
Medication
Also now for middle school students - pain relievers, Tums and cough drops will be supplied and provided by the school's Health Office if proper documentation is on file. This form can be obtained by clicking: NON-Prescription Medication Form This option is only available to students 12 years of age and older who follow the package instructions for people 12 years of age and older. If you or your doctor request a dosage other than the recommended dosage on the bottles/packages of our stock over-the-counter medications, documentation would be required the same as if it were a prescription medication.
transportation policy
Homework Requests
School Messenger
Protected by Raptor
Student Hours
9:00am - First Bell
9:05am - Classes Begin
4:00pm - Dismissal
4:10pm - Bus Departure
Lavon Dean-Null
Email: ldean-null@phm.k12.in.us
Website: http://schmucker.phmschools.org/
Location: Schmucker Middle School, Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN, United States
Phone: 574-259-5661
Twitter: @SMSSpartanPride