Sherwood Middle School
October 2, 2022 Update
There is certainly much to be grateful for as we end the first month of the school year! It has been great seeing our students become more familiar with our routines, developing new relationships with teachers and peers, and acquiring new skills in the classroom. We have definitely hit our stride, and are excited to build off of that momentum as we head into the month of October.
This past Thursday and Friday we welcomed some special guests to our first Community Meetings of the year: School Resource Officer Shawn Valliere and the Sherwood-Oak Unified Basketball Team including Head Coach Mr. Jason Ponticelli. Both Officer Shawn, Mr. Ponticelli, and the Unified team members reminded our community about the need to be respectful, responsible, and kind both here at Sherwood and in the larger Shrewsbury community.
We are looking forward to a great week ahead! As always, thank you for your support!
This Week's Photos
Mr. Ponticelli and members of the Oak Middle School Unified basketball team joined us at our Community Meeting to talk about the importance of belonging and inclusivity. They were also recognized as a a Unified Champion Team by the Special Olympics!
Our School Resource Officer Shawn Valliere took time at our Community Meetings to share about his hobbies and interests both now and when he was in middle school, and the importance of being respectful, responsible, and accepting of all people.
After our Community Meetings, students got the chance to check out some police cars and listen to Officer Shawn explain the safety measures and equipment he uses. We are grateful to have Officer Shawn in our building on Tuesdays and Thursday this year, as a friendly face and an extra resource for students, staff, and families. Thank you Officer Shawn for being part of our community!
A Message From Mr. Kelly
This Week's Schedule
Monday, October 3rd- Day 5
Speech Team Meeting (for Grade 6 students) @ 3pm
Tuesday, October 4th: Day 6No Homework
PTO Meeting 7pm @ Oak
Wednesday, October 5th: Day 1
Thursday, October 6th: Day 2
Friday, October 7th: No School for Students
This Week's Lunch Schedule
Speech Team- Student Meeting This Monday @ 3pm
The Sherwood Speech Team will start soon! Sixth grade students have the opportunity to participate in competitive speech activities as part of the Speech Team. Practices are in-person on Mondays from 3 - 4 PM. Competitions are typically on Sundays and will start in January.
To learn more about competitive speech and to find out how to sign up for the team, all interested 6th graders are invited to attend an information meeting on Monday, October 3rd, right after school.
Please plan on taking the late bus home (sign up in advance!) or arrange for transportation home at 4 PM. For more information about competitive speech, please check out the Sherwood website (it’s on the Activities page) and/or check out the Massachusetts Middle School Speech League website at https://mmssl.weebly.com/
PTO Meeting- Rescheduled to This Tuesday @ 7pm
The October PTO meeting will be on Tuesday, October 4th @ 7PM in the Oak Media Center. We have many items to discuss and plan, and would love more input as well as volunteers to help make these happen! Upcoming events and fundraisers include: Sherwood Fall Night Out, Fair Trade Caravans fundraiser, Danielson Florist holiday wreath sales, Sherwood and Oak Spelling Bees, and much more! https://www.facebook.com/events/519681450064176/
New Resource for Students and Families: School Pulse
Shrewsbury Public Schools has launched a new initiative for our students at Sherwood Middle School, Oak Middle School and Shrewsbury High School called School Pulse.
SchoolPulse is a Positive Psychology tool that provides weekly inspirational podcasts, check-ins, and the best Positive Psychology skills available. This will be done through text, three times a week.Participation is voluntary. Your child’s responses are completely anonymous (meaning we do not have their personal cell number or any personal information).
Here are two ways your child can access School Pulse:
- Text: SHERWOODMS to 78573
- Visit: https://schoolpulse.org/schools/SHERWOODMS/
Ski Club Is Coming- Stay Tuned...
Now Hiring: Substitute Teachers
Shrewsbury Public Schools is currently seeking daily substitutes for the 2022-2023 school year.
Being a substitute is a great opportunity and a perfect fit for those who are changing careers, just entering the workforce, or for individuals who are seeking a flexible work schedule. We also hire many of our regular paraprofessional positions and long-term substitute teachers from our daily substitutes. This is a great entry position to be considered for full-time employment. Daily Substitute rate is $100/day.
If you are looking to join a dynamic school district and positively impact students’ academic and creative successes, apply today! We are interested in candidates who are invested in the achievement, equity, and access of all learners in and beyond the classroom. Candidates with diverse racial, cultural, religious, class, and/or gender background and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.
Preferred Qualifications Include:
• Demonstrates a growth mindset dedicated to inclusive practices for all students
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly in a changing environment • Exhibits the values of Shrewsbury Public Schools
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three current professional letters of reference, including one from a direct supervisor or evaluator.
Please apply via www.schoolspring.com
**REMINDERS**
Last Chance to Order Apparel is This Monday
The PTO is offering Sherwood, Oak, and Shrewsbury apparel to purchase through October 3rd! We have t-shirts, hoodies, and 3/4 sleeve raglan t-shirts in various colors with Sherwood, Oak, or Shrewsbury logos. Orders will arrive and be distributed directly to students at school in late October. Place your order here: https://bit.ly/SMSapparel2022
- We are only offering online orders at this time.
- Credit Cards are charged by Spectrum Apparel Webstore - please make sure you note this so you recognize your credit card charge.
SHERWOOD NIGHT OUT: 10/21/22
The PTO will be hosting the Sherwood Fall Night Out on Friday, October 21st, from 6:30-8:30PM for Sherwood students. We will have various activities in the cafeteria, gym, and the lobby area, including a DJ Dance Party, a movie, board games, and more!
To make this great night happen for our students we need a large number of volunteers both beforehand (ticket sales and concession donations), and the night of (1 hour shifts to chaperone and help with activities). Please consider donating your time or concessions so we can run this night of fun. It's been 3 years since our last fall event and we want to be able to host this fun event for the kids!
Please use this link for available volunteer and donation opportunities.
Sherwood Support Staff Available
Our counselors and support staff are here to support the social emotional, academic, and behavioral needs of the Sherwood Community. Please reach out to your child’s School Counselor for any needed support during the school year. Open This Link to Contact our Support Staff.
Math Olympiad
Math Olympiad will hold in-person contests this school year on Thursdays from 3:00 - 3:45 pm. There will be a limited number of spaces available. For this reason, students will be assessed prior to receiving an invitation to join. The process and key dates are as follows:
Interested students will scan a QR code at school and complete a survey from September 21st-27th.
Responding students will receive a Math Olympiad practice test from their math teachers on September 30th.
Students must independently complete all work and return to their math teachers by Tuesday, October 4th.
Math Olympiad coaches will review submissions and will select participants.
All students will be notified by Thursday, October 13th of the coaches decision
Students who accept the invitation will return a signed form to their math teacher by Monday, October 17th.
Math Olympiad participants will meet one Thursday a month from 3-3:45. Dates of meetings will be sent along to participants.
Your Feedback Wanted
Now that we are a few weeks into the new school year, please take a few minutes to participate in this online exchange to share 1) what is working well for your child(ren), and 2) any questions or concerns you have for the year ahead. Please take a few minutes to participate in an anonymous, online exchange to share your thinking and rate others’ thoughts, which will help identify areas where you want our schools to focus in order to best support your children.
Please click on the following link or paste it into your browser to participate. There are multiple language options. Our leadership team will review the results, and Dr. Sawyer will share them publicly as well after the exchange closes on October 4. Thank you in advance for your input!
Click this link to participate: https://tejoin.com/scroll/293361089
Late Bus is Now Available: M/W/Th
We are now offering a FREE late bus services for all Sherwood students on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The buses will depart from Sherwood at 4:00pm.
- There are three bus routes with centralized stops coming from each campus. Please look at the middle schools map to decide which route and stop is best for your family.
- Times are approximate and the actual time your child gets off the bus may be different from the time posted in the schedule.
- Parents are responsible for making arrangements for their students to get home from the centralized bus stops.
- Families will need to sign up for the late bus via the middle schools Google form by noon on the day your child will take the bus.
Additional Reminders
Student Absence
All parents/guardians must inform the office if their child will be absent or late to school. SPS requires that you telephone us either the night before or first thing in the morning on the day of the child’s absence at 508-841-8670. If we have not received a call to report an absence, the school will be in contact with the parent to confirm the child’s safety.
Dismissal
If you are dismissing your child early, you must call the Main Office at 508-841-8670 (instead of emailing team teachers).
Anonymous School Safety Tip Line
This anonymous form can be used to submit information that may be helpful in ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and property of the Shrewsbury Public Schools in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The form creates an electronic email alert to several staff members of the Shrewsbury Public Schools. It does not go to the Shrewsbury Police Department.
Staff email alerts are generally monitored Monday through Friday during business hours of 8am to 4:30pm. If the information you have is TIME SENSITIVE, please call 911 for assistance. If you wish to speak to a representative from the Shrewsbury Police Department and your concern is not urgent you can reach them 24/7 by calling 508-841-8577.
Still Have Questions? Give Us a Call
Kristen Ward
Email: krward@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Location: 28 Sherwood Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Phone: 508-841-8670
Helen Kvaracein
Email: hkvaracein@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Location: 28 Sherwood Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Phone: 508-841-8670