SMS Weekly Update

May 19, 2023

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Dear Archers,


Here at SMS, we are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our wonderful school community.
"THANK YOU" Banner
We are excited to finish off this school year strong!

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Upcoming Events


May 22

  • Outdoor School Luggage Drop Off, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, SMS Parking Lot

May 23-26

  • Outdoor School (see additional information below)

  • 8th Grade Science Testing

May 24

  • Early Release, dismissal at 2:20 pm

May 25

  • 5th Graders Tour SMS

May 25

  • Last Day to Check out SMS Library Books

May 29

  • Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL

May 31

  • Early Release, dismissal at 2:20 pm

  • Talent Show Dress Rehearsal

  • Parent Night for Incoming Families, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, SMS Main Gym

June 1

  • SMS Talent Show - Activity Day

June 2

  • 8th Grade Visit to the High School

June 5

  • 8th Grade Band Fun Night!

  • Marching Band Information Meeting

June 6

  • 6th and 7th Grade Forecasting is Due

June 7

  • Early Release, dismissal at 2:20 pm

  • Chromebook and Charger Check-in - Make sure to bring your devices today!

  • 5th Grade Forecasting is Due

  • SMS Bands Finale Concert, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, SHS Auditorium

June 8

  • SMS Talent Show - Activity Day

  • SMS Choir Concert, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, SHS Auditorium

June 9

  • Final Deadline for Library and Classroom Books, Textbooks and Chromebooks - All items not returned by this date will be recorded as lost and fines will be assessed.

June 12

  • Last Day of School for 8th Grade

June 13

  • Last Day of School for Students - Dismissal at 11:30 am

  • 8th Grade Promotion, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, SMS Stadium (Student drop-off at 3:00 pm)

  • 8th Grade Dance, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, SMS Commons

June 14

  • Teacher Work Day - NO CLASSES - Enjoy your summer!


The A/B Day Schedule and additional events may be viewed on the Sherwood Middle School Calendar and the Revised 2022-2023 District Calendar.

Clipart - 2023 Calendar

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Chromebook Expectations - IMPORTANT UPDATE


As we coach our students on how to be safe and responsible technology users, we’re working to remind students that intentionally damaging or altering the software of school Chromebooks is a violation of the school expectations. Often, this behavior is motivated by the desire to attempt to circumvent safety and productivity software used by teachers and staff to ensure a positive and safe digital learning environment. Additionally, school devices that are tampered with often require service from a technician in order for it to return them to working order.


Because of the importance of safeguarding students and promoting learning, we are following up with each of these instances as we would similar behavior incidents. A fee for intentional damage may be posted to the student account to cover parts and labor for servicing the altered device. The SMS admin team and staff are working to educate students on the importance of responsible school device use in our Flight Time lessons. Thank you for your partnership in helping our students be prepared to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. For more information on how to monitor your student’s school Chromebook activity, please see our parent resource here: Securly Filter Parent Instructions

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Yearbook - Free Shipping Deadline - TODAY!


The order deadline for students to get their yearbook shipped free to the school is

Friday, May 19th.


Yearbooks can still be ordered anytime, but they will include a shipping fee of $5.99 and will be shipped to your residence.


Rushed shipping will NOT ensure the book gets here before the end of the school year.


Yearbook signing events will take place on June 12th and 13th.



Make Sure to Select the Student's Flight Time Teacher

To ensure that students get their yearbook, the student's Flight Time teacher needs to be selected from the drop down box, when placing your order. This can be added under “kid settings”, if you didn’t make that selection when placing your order or are unsure that you did.
Order your 2022-2023 SMS Yearbook now. You can begin personalizing your yearbook right away with back to school photos, fall sports/activities, summer vacation memories etc. Click here for more information.

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Outdoor School Drop-Off & Pick-Up


The following information outlines luggage and medication drop-off

and pick-up for those attending Outdoor School this year.


Monday, May 22 - EVENING DROP-OFF


When: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Where: SMS main parking lot
  • The parking lot at the front of SMS
  • Look for the UHaul trucks
What: Luggage and medications to drop-off
  • LUGGAGE: Please look for the signs that indicate which camp the packed luggage is going to. There are three different camp sites, so pay special attention to make sure your child(ren)’s luggage is heading to the right location. Luggage should be clearly labeled with your child(ren)’s first and last name.
  • MEDICATION: To the right of the front entrance into SMS, there will be staff posted at desks to sign in and log medication being dropped off. Again, please look for the signs indicating the specific camp your child(ren) is going to. Medication should be in a ziploc bag, have a doctor’s note, and be clearly labeled with your child’s first and last name.

Tuesday, May 23 - MORNING DROP-OFF


When: 8:00 - 8:30am
  • While this time will be available for luggage and medication drop-off, parents are encouraged to utilize the Monday evening drop-off time to avoid traffic.
Where: Latter Day Saints church parking lot (17234 SW Meinecke Rd)
What: Luggage and medications to drop-off
  • See Monday’s instructions for luggage and medication drop-off instructions.

Friday, May 26 - RETURNING FROM ODS


When: Buses will be returning to SMS anywhere from 1:00 - 1:30.

  • Students MUST be picked up from SMS no later than 1:30 as there will be no buses to take students home.
  • Parents are welcome to arrive a bit earlier in order to gather luggage and medications before students arrive. (The UHaul will be unloaded before the buses with students arrive back at SMS.)

Where: SMS lower parking lot (by the football stadium)

What: Student, luggage, and medication pick-up

  • Remember to pick up ALL luggage and medications before heading home.
  • Once all luggage and medications are gathered, students are free to leave with the grown-up picking them up.

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SRO Reminder


Please remember to reduce your speed and stay alert when driving on campus. Recently we have noticed vehicles driving faster than appropriate when students are on campus. Please help us keep all of our students safe by reducing your speed and staying alert for students and staff on campus.

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No Squirt Guns Allowed on Campus


With the warmer weather we have noticed an uptick of students bringing toy squirt guns onto the SMS campus. As a reminder, the Sherwood School District Handbook states, "All weapons and look-alikes, such as squirt guns, may not be brought, possessed, used, or hidden on school property. Consequences may include suspension, expulsion, and referral to law enforcement." Please help us to ensure that your student is not bringing any look-alikes or squirt guns onto our campus. Thank you.


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Tissues & Disinfecting Wipes Needed!


Help SMS staff and students finish off the year feeling clean and healthy! If you are able to donate, please bring facial tissues and disinfecting wipes to the front office. Thank you!

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New Lunch Option at SMS


The Sherwood Nutrition Department has received new Oregon Farm-to-School Grant funding. These funds will be used to partner with a local business to provide sushi as a lunch option once a week. The protein in the sushi will be fully cooked, tempura shrimp. This entrée will be pre-packaged and sealed upon arrival, significantly minimizing the opportunity for cross-contamination of shellfish allergens. School nurses have also been made aware of this addition to the menu. If you have any questions about this addition, please contact the Nutrition Services department at nutrition@sherwood.k12.or.us.

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PSO Election - Vote by May 26

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SMS Forecasting


Forecasting for 23-24 is right around the corner. Forecasting is much later this year due to waiting on the Levy as that affects our scheduling for next year. Incoming 5th graders will receive their forecasting sheets during Parent Night on May 31st and those need to be completed and turned in to their classroom teachers by June 7th. Current 6th and 7th graders will receive their forecasting sheets during Flight Time on May 30th and will need to have those completed and turned into the front office by June 6th. The timeline is very short and close to the end of the school year. We will not be forecasting in August so students need to make sure they complete their forms and turn them in on time or their electives will be chosen for them. Any questions and/or concerns please reach out to the Registrar, Allison Kopp at akopp@sherwood.k12.or.us or at 503-825-5520.



Important Dates


5th Grade Visit to SMS: 5/25/23

5th Grade Parent Night: 5/31/23

5th Grade Forecasting Due: 6/7/23

6th/7th Forecasting Given Out: 5/30/23

6th/7th Forecasting Due: 6/6/23

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SMS 8th Grade Promotion

Tuesday, June 13th, 4-5:30pm

Sherwood Middle School Stadium, Southwest Meinecke Road, Sherwood, OR, USA

Gates open at 3:00 pm for student drop-off and stadium seating.

8th Grade Dance to follow, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

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State Testing


Oregon's Statewide Assessments in science, mathematics, and English language arts is underway for students in grades 3-8. Scheduled testing will take place during the school day. For additional information on the State Assessments from the Oregon Department of Education, please review the following link.


While no single test can give a complete picture of your child’s progress, statewide tests provide information to students and families, as well as to educators and administrators about what educational approaches are working and where additional resources are needed. Your child’s participation is important to ensure schools and districts receive the targeted resources they need to help all students succeed. Districts are rated on their participation levels as well as student performance on this exam.


Oregon law (ORS 329.479) permits parents and adult students to annually opt-out of Oregon’s statewide summative tests in English Language Arts and Math by submitting a form to the school the student attends. 8th grade Science requires a separate form.

English combined 30-day notice and opt-out form


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Attendance Notifications


Attendance is one of the most important factors for academic success. Studies have shown that students who regularly attend school are less likely to struggle academically as they move through middle and high school. At the same time, there are several uncontrollable factors that can make coming to school difficult, from illness, to family events, to mental health. We understand that these factors can impact a student’s attendance.


The Sherwood School District has been working on helping to inform families of their student’s attendance rates this year via electronic communications. All families will receive a new version of this communication, which is a preview of what we will be using during the 2023-2024 school year. This electronic communication will be sent to every family at the trimester progress report, and final grades.


When your family receives these electronic attendance letters, there is no action required on your family’s part.


We are here to partner with you! If you feel there is any way we can support your student in their attendance, please reach out to an administrator.


(Grade 6) Nick Sidlin, (503) 825-5506, nsidlin@sherwood.k12.or.us

(Grade 7) Kyle Virding (503) 825-5504, kvirding@sherwood.k12.or.us

(Grade 8) Emily Anderson, (503) 825-5505, eanderson@sherwood.k12.or.us

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Changes to COVID Requirements in K-12 Settings


The Oregon Department of Education and OHA has announced major updates to the current COVID-19 policies for K-12. First, effective now, a five-day period of isolation for those infected with COVID-19 will no longer be required in K-12 settings. Students with positive COVID cases will now fall under similar “when to stay home” guidance as other illnesses, which is that your ill child can return to school when they have been fever-free for 24 hours and shown overall symptom improvement. Families with sick children are encouraged to contact the school office with any questions about illness and absences.


The other major change is that effective June 17, the vaccine requirement for school staff and volunteers will be lifted. We will be opening volunteer registration for the 2023-24 school year starting July 1 -- watch for an upcoming email from our district with more information on the volunteer background check and clearance process for next year.


Please note that all volunteers in schools between now and the end of the current school year are still under the vaccine requirement through June 16. Volunteer background checks for the current 2022-23 school year will close on June 5, 2023, so any parents/guardians planning to volunteer for end-of-the-year school events must complete the volunteer form by that date. For volunteer forms, please visit our website at https://sherwood.k12.or.us/resources/volunteer-opportunities/

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Sherwood High School Equestrian Team


Does your student enjoy riding horses and would like to be part of the competitive team at the high school? If so, we would love to talk with your family about preparing to join the team as competitive members when they enter high school. We are also able to accept a limited number of 8th grade noncompeting grooms. The SHS Equestrian Team is part of the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams (OHSET) organization and welcomes beginning through advanced riders. There's a variety of events from gaming, cows and performance to choose from. You can learn more about OHSET by visiting www.OHSET. org and contacting Head Coach Paula Brown at sherwoodohset@gmail.com.

2023 SHS Equestrian Team Poster

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SHS Athletics - Youth Summer Camps


Looking for fun and engaging summer activities for your child? Check out the variety of summer camps being offered this year by our SHS Athletics teams and coaches! For information on all of this year’s SHS summer camp opportunities, please visit https://shs.sherwood.k12.or.us/athletics-activities/summer-camps/

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Pre-Kindergarten Registration for 2023-24


Pre-Kindergarten applications are open at Hawks View, Middleton, and Ridges! Our programs provide high quality early learning opportunities for typically developing children and children with developmental delays and disabilities.


There are 20 slots available at each site. The registration form can be found here. For more information or questions contact Alyssa Thompson at athompson@sherwood.k12.or.us.

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Family Connection Center


Do you have or a child age birth-to-6 years old and live in the Sherwood Community? Come join us on Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm for our drop-in community time in the Family Connection Center, Portable 42 at Hawks View. This is a chance for you and your child to come together with other children and parents of similar ages to play, build connections and community. Please email Alyssa Thompson at athompson@sherwood.k12.or.us for more information.

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Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!

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