Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -September 16, 2021
From Ms. Carnall
Good Afternoon,
I hope this finds everyone healthy and doing well. September 28 we will begin our monthly Character Counts! Chats. To align with the pillar of the month the theme of the lesson for September will be Fairness. These lessons are part of the required instruction mandated by the Rule 6A-1.094124, F.A.C.. More information can be found about the monthly chats here: https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/mental-health/instruction/middle-school/. We will be running a Wednesday Bell Schedule on that day and student will stay with their 7th period teacher to receive this required instruction.
A note to all parents who pick students up in the afternoon. Please note that we appreciate you pulling onto the grass to avoid blocking the street while waiting. However, we do need to be mindful that we have a good number of students that are bike riders. Parking on the grass endangers our bike riders by our cars being very close to the students riding their bikes on the sidewalk. Once the line has been let into the gates please try to stay on the road and off the grass to leave room for the bike riders. We appreciate your assistance with this.
Ms. Carnall
Math Textbook Adoption – We Need YOU!
Help us select the best math textbooks as we work with the district on our textbook adoption for the next few years! SPMS needs to assemble a review team to consider all of the available options and give the district our recommendation. We want parents, teachers, and community members on our team. If you are interested, please email Miriam Amatangelo at Miriam.amatangelo@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Deputy LeDoux's Corner
Good Afternoon Swiss Parents, Deputy LeDoux here to advise of some situations relating to social media here at school.
Social Media site Tiktok, is a widely popular site that most kids watch and record on a daily basis.
The current Social Media Trend is to steal school property, record their thefts also known to the kids as “Devious Lick’s” (In this context a devious lick refers to a successfully stolen item.) These stolen items are also listed under Tiktok as Devious Lick(s) Students do record and post their devious licks online for others to see, including Law Enforcement.
We have noticed this trend in Swiss Point Middle School, with kids stealing school property and causing mayhem. Items include soap dispensers, sanitizer solution, and their sanitizer dispensing stations, fire extinguishers, teacher’s supplies, pencil sharpeners and many other items.
I would like to inform you that if your child is caught stealing items, or vandalizing school property, they can be charged with the following crimes, as well as receive school discipline.
Theft-A person commits theft if he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or to use, the property of another with intent to, either temporarily or permanently. Anything Under $750.00 is a Misdemeanor and everything over that price is a Felony.
Criminal Mischief-A person commits the offense of criminal mischief if he or she willfully and maliciously injures or damages by any means any real or personal property belonging to another, including, but not limited to, the placement of graffiti thereon or other acts of vandalism as well. Anything Over the value of $1000, is a Felony.
Thank you for taking the time to review consequences of actions with your students so they understand it is not just a Tik Tok prank.
Swiss Point Middle School YRD
Deputy LeDoux
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 students. Any adult that enters the campus is required to have a mask on at this current time. 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.
If your 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. Please see the attached documents that may assist if your student is in quarantine.
SPMS MathCounts Team – Join today!
Join our team to compete in the most exciting math competition around! Our team will meet regularly for practice as we prepare for the North Florida Chapter Mathcounts Competition held in January or February. If you are interested in learning more, join our Schoology group to receive information about our first practice. Group Code: ZTGB-MHD4-QQ5XW
Graphic Novel Amazon Wishlist
The Swiss Point library is working on expanding our graphic novel section! Graphic novels only make up 7% of our collection. However, over 25% of books checked out during the first month of this school year have been graphic novels. This genre is our most popular and we struggle to keep books on the shelf because of how much they get checked out.
Graphic novels are great because they:
- often accelerate students' reading development because the illustrations provide context clues to foster meaning and comprehension.
- are also more "bite size" and approachable for struggling readers, rather than a long and daunting novel. Students feel a sense of accomplishment and are proud that they can finish a whole book, which they might not be able to do with a regular novel.
- can help prepare students for reading regular books because they still do the mental work of understanding the story elements – including the plot, narrative, character development, problem, and resolution.
If you would like to donate a graphic novel to our library, please check out our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFBHXLSG0I3J?ref_=wl_share
We appreciate your support and look forward to getting new books in student hands!
Character Counts! Pillar of the Month is FAIRNESS
To display fairness, we should play by the rules, take turns and share. We keep an open mind and listen to others. We don’t take advantage of others or blame them carelessly. 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 fairness this month!
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
All returning National Junior Honor Society members, please complete the intent to return form and turn it in to Ms. Wilkie by September 24th. We are looking forward to a great year in NJHS!
The National Junior Honor Society will be accepting applications for new members at the end of October. NJHS is an organization for 7th and 8th grade students with a 3.25 GPA or above that exemplify Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Service and Character. This organization is designed to help students develop habits to be successful in high school, college and their career. Please see Mrs. Barnes or Mrs. Wilkie for questions.
SSYRA Information
We are very excited to kick off a new school year with The Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Program is a statewide reading motivational program for students in grades 3 through 8. The purpose of the SSYRA Program is to encourage students to read independently for pleasure and to read books that are on, above, and below their reading level in order to improve their reading fluency. Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. Please see the attached PDF for more info. Students will get a preview of these books during orientation and will get the chance to check out their favorite, as well as learn about the prizes they can earn as they read. SSYRA books can also be found as E-books and Audiobooks on Destiny. Please see the attachment on how to access these We are looking forward to a great year in the media center! 😊
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
OCTOBER PTSO MEETING: October 11, 2021, 10AM
LOCATION: Shearwater Community Center
SPIRIT WEAR: Online Store is OPEN!!
Show your school spirit with our Raider Spirit Wear! SPMS students can wear spirit wear anytime, but Fridays are Spirit Wear Day at SPMS.
Additionally, SPMS students can wear spirit wear on the days our athletic teams play to show support. **If spotted showing off Raider Spirit, staff and students may receive a special little treat**.
Raider Wear is available to order now in the online store: https://squareup.com/store/switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso
This link will be open until September 20, 11:59pm.
Due to global impacts caused the pandemic, the supply line for our manufacturer is taking longer than normal. If you are considering ordering Spirit Wear, please do so now while the store link is open.
NOTHING BUNDT CAKES FUNDRAISER – Delivery: Sept. 16th
Thank you to all who placed orders last week for our September Nothing Bundt Cakes Fundraiser. You’re helping the PTSO fund initiatives like the Raider Store, field studies, and classroom grants.
Delivery will be on September 16th, during 7th period.
If you missed this month’s fundraiser, no worries – the next Nothing Bundt Cakes fundraiser will go live Oct. 5th – Oct. 8th.
Sneak peek of the October flavors are:
Chocolate Chocolate Chip
Pumpkin
Red Velvet
Vanilla
GF Chocolate Chip
Order forms will be given to Homeroom teachers and be available at the collection box (blue box in the Main Hall by the Library) beginning Oct. 5th as well as online at www.swisspointptso.com
RAIDER STORE - September 17th, during lunch
This is a special store where students can “purchase” items with their rewarded virtual points. These points are earned for good behavior and academic achievement. Our students are recognized for being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.
PTSO MEMBERSHIP - Please join SPMS PTSO We now have 195 Raider Families who have joined the PTSO to date. What a great start to the new school year, thank you! Show support for our students and teachers by joining the PTSO. Memberships are only a $20 donation per family and that’s it – there are no volunteer hours to fulfill. Member perks include a special member discount to school events like the Neon Bash. Sign up here: https://squareup.com/store/switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso
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
Shop as you normally do through this link and a portion of your purchase will be donated
directly to SPMS, no extra charges or hidden fees.
Box Tops – Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts for SMPS PTSO to get
Box Top credits.
Questions/Concerns?? Email us at spmsptso@hotmail.com
Keep an eye on the PTSO website, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on what is
coming up throughout the year!
Check the PTSO website for all the latest news! http://www.swisspointptso.com/
LIKE us on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/SwissPointPTSO/
FOLLOW us on INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/spmsptso/