HELLO, GOPHERS
Principal's Weekly Newsletter
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Stone Families,
Happy New Year!!! I hope all had a wonderful break with family and friends. As we look forward to the coming year, I can't help but reflect on our first semester goals and plan for our continued growth and expectations for success and achievement. We spent time this week collaborating, reviewing first semester data trends and planning for the continued acceleration of learning. As we review our Reading180 assessment results we were excited to see all subgroups showed increases in reading proficiency. Students and teachers have truly worked hard on their reading proficiency, comprehension skills and writing skills. This week our math students took their 2nd diagnostic test. I can't wait to see our student's math success.
Just like that, we just ended our first semester of this school year. This is a great time to check your student's FOCUS gradebook to view their overall semester grade for first semester. Work with your child to celebrate their successes and create goals for growth opportunities. FOCUS gradebook directions can be found below. If you do not have a FOCUS account, please contact our guidance department and they can help you get set up.
Friendly reminder, we do not have school Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is always remembered as an activist and prominent leader in the civil rights movement. His leadership, inspiration and impact are felt today. One of my favorite Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quotes is:
"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sincerely,
Courtney Lundy
FOCUS Gradebook Parent- Check your student's grades!
FOCUS is a great way to monitor your student's learning:
Congratulations to Stone Magnet School's Coding Fundamental's Students! Certified!
During Finals week in December 2021, 26 students successfully passed at least one of two industry-style certification tests for programming in Python!
Our MakerSpace • Technology Instructor, Mr. Shupe stated, “Over half the students enrolled in our Coding Classes have attained mastery of Game Essentials or Programming and Logic on their first test attempt. This remarkable achievement is a testimony of persistence and focus - hard work learning a new language, creative problem solving, establishing variables, sequencing instructions, troubleshooting, applying logic, and revising their original computer projects. We even had a late start in our studies due to my (Mr. Shupe’s) three-week COVID quarantine – so kudos to these Certified Code Warriors!”
Four of the awardees were absent on the day of the celebration and were not in the photo. 15 Stone students received both certifications. All students will have an additional two opportunities to take and pass the certification tests before the end of the school year. These certifications will be added to their transcripts and be an important part of their preparation for advanced programming courses and entry-level technology employment. Even if they don’t become programmers, they will be better equipped to problem solve and work with others who are integrating technical solutions.
Title 1 Update
Title 1 Update
Stone families, It is very important that you have completed a Free/Reduced lunch application. In order to remain a Title 1 school and receive the additional funding, we need all our families to complete the application. It only takes a few minutes, but allows us to hire additional teachers, instructional assistants, and instructional coaches to work with the students and staff to improve academic learning. Title 1 funds also support our family events like STEAM Night and the upcoming Drive-Thru.
Also, our 2021-2022 School Improvement Plan has been approved by the Brevard Public School Board. You can access the plan at https://www.floridacims.org/districts/brevard/schools/2071. If you prefer, we can provide you with a copy of the plan or you can review it in the front office. Translation assistance is also available. Please contact Tiffany Harvey at Harvey.tiffany@brevardschools.org or 321-723-0741, ext. 35053 for assistance
Finally, I hope you will plan to join us for a Drive-Thru Event on Thursday, January 27. This event will take place in the car loop before and after school. Watch for more info!
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
- Discounts on SAT/ACT testing (School PSAT testing)
- Pandemic EBT benefits
- Summer enrichment programs
- Discounts on technology or internet services
BETA and NJHS volunteering at the Animal Shelter
Science Research
Students are working hard to prepare for fair. They are collecting the last bit of data, working on their posters, and writing their papers. Fair is February 11 from 8am – 5pm at the Melbourne Square Mall. Fair will take all day, and students will be able to take their posters home with them after fair that day. Awards will be handed out Saturday evening at Eau Gallie High School. Doors will open at 4:30 and awards will begin at 5pm.
We are still collecting donations of pvc pipe or funds to purchase the poster stands for fair.
STEAM Update
The Magnet Choice School application window opened on 1/10 and ends on 2/28. All current 7th Graders who are Magnet students need to complete a RENEWAL application to return as an 8th Grader next year. Reminder letters will be mailed out to these students.
To complete a renewal application, go to the Open Enrollment page on the district website. Login to the Family Dashboard and complete the application. Two proofs of residency are required. If you need any assistance with this, please call or email Jamie Romaine: 321.723.0741 (x-35113) Romaine.Jamilyn@brevardschools.org
Stone's AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
AVID's Schoolwide Expectations in the classroom include the following:
WICOR:
W- Writing
I- Inquiry
C- Collaboration
O- Organization
R- Reading
AVID naturally empowers students to own their learning process, which then leads to skills needed to be successful in high school, college and life after college. How can you encourage your child to take control of their learning?
- Academic Knowledge- Encourage your students to know their data. What score did they receive on this year's reading and math progress monitoring assessment? What skills do they need to work on? English, reading and math teachers sit one on one with our students and discuss where they were, where they are at and where they need to grow. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's English and math teacher. Academic knowledge supports a strong foundation for education.
- Transferable skills: AVID naturally teaches students how to communicate, collaborate, and think critically. All needed skills for future success. How can you help your child with these skills? Encourage your child to lead the dinner conversation, problem solve, provide them with real life situations and ask them for solutions.
- Social and Emotional Skills- Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the purposeful development of skills for self-understanding, self-advocacy, building and maintaining relationships, and responsible decision-making. AVID supports students’ social and emotional learning through purposefully developing SEL-related skills, allowing students to pursue their goals and leverage their college and career readiness. Work with your child on setting goals, discussing barriers to goals, solutions to the barriers and the importance of perseverance.
Student ID Badges
Student ID badges will be handed out to all students next week. We are highly encouraging students to always wear their ID badges. Positive incentives will be provided to those students who wear their badge.
Rationale: To increase the safety of all stakeholders on campus by allowing staff to identify SMMS students daily. It will also allow first responders to identify SMMS students in the event of an emergency. We are highly recommending ID badges be worn by all students on our campus and are a common security found in local businesses. In addition, it is expected for staff members to wear their badges.
Policy: SMMS will issue one student ID card and one lanyard to each student next week. We are highly recommending students always wear their ID badge while on campus. There are two exceptions:
1. During courses/activities where wearing a lanyard would be impractical or potentially unsafe.
2. During an athletic practice after school.
Student ID badges are to be worn while:
1. Attending classes
2. Using a hallway pass
3. Transitioning between classes.
4. Visiting the Media Center
5. Participate in campus activities
Guidelines:
1. ID badges must be clearly visible on a lanyard or ID clip and worn on the outside of the student’s clothing, between the shoulders and above the waistline.
2. Students must present their ID badge upon request by school staff.
3. Students may not alter or deface their ID badge in any way.
4. Students may not wear the ID badge of another student.
5. Lost, stolen, altered, or damaged ID badges should be reported to Mrs. Harvey or Mrs. Romaine. Replacement badges will be issued from the Media Center before/after school and during the school day.
S.W.A.G - Positive Behavior Incentive Program
Stone's S.W.A.G PBIS is underway! The PBIS character trait for January is caring.
Our expectations are Safety First, Work Hard, Act Responsibly, and Give Respect, or S.W.A.G. As the rollout continues, students will have the opportunity to earn Positive Behavior Referrals and rewards for demonstrating Stone S.W.A.G. We look forward to celebrating our students for their positive behaviors, actions and personal growth. Students can look forward to prizes for good behavior, As and Bs on their report card, growth in their reading and math progress monitoring testing and good attendance.
If you are interested in supporting this program, please email Mrs. Straus at straus.sarah@brevardschools.org
February- Black History Month Celebrations at SMMS
The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Legacy 8th grade Field Trip- APril 14th and April 21st- Chaperones are needed! If you are interested, contact our front office
With the approval of The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Legacy Curriculum proclamation and resolution on February 23, 2021 by the BPS School Board, the legacy of The Moores will be taught to all Brevard Schools students in commemoration to forever honor The Moores’ legacy with a comprehensive curriculum in multiple grade levels, an 8th grade field trip, and a posthumous recognition of The Moores as BPS Teachers Emeritus. This proclamation and resolution serves as a commitment to our journey of ensuring that racial injustice and inequity are not a thread in the rich tapestry of diversity and culture in our district. As part of our mission to serve every student with excellence, this curriculum and field trip (pending COVID-19 relaxations) aim to enhance student awareness of the contributions made by Americans and African Americans in American History and the journey for equality, such as local activists and educators - Harry and Harriette Moore.
Next Week's Happenings:
- 1/15- Saturday- 9:00AM-1:00PM- Science fair data collection workday, Room 301
- 1/17- Monday- Holiday for All- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day
- 1/18- Tuesday- Report cards go home
- 1/20- Thursday- 9:30AM-12:00PM- Spelling Bee- Media Center
- 1/20- Thursday- 6:00-8:30PM- Band All-County Rehearsal- Eau Gallie High School
- 1/22- Saturday- 9:00AM-1:00PM- Science fair data collection workday, Room 301
Monthly events Link: Calendar Access (2nd half of our homepage)
Stone Box Top Fundraiser- Download App and scan your receipt. Support Stone!
C-19 Update- BPS
BPS Announces COVID-19 Mitigation Plan for Second Semester: Information Found at this Link
Brevard Health Alliance Partners with BPS to Offer At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits: Information Found at this Link
Attendance
The School Board Policy 5200 states: A student who is absent more than nine (9) days within a semester will not receive a passing grade for the semester in accordance with Florida Statute unless absences are approved.
Students who are in jeopardy of not receiving course credit due to exceeding the nine (9) day per semester attendance policy may apply for an attendance appeal. Absences not counting toward the nine (9) day / four (4) day attendance policy are court dates, religious holidays, illness with medical documentation, and chronic and extended illness.
The Attendance Appeal Committee consists of at least three to five (3-5) persons. Appropriate committee personnel include: an administrator, guidance counselor, attendance clerk, and teachers.
We are in need of substitute Teachers- If you are interested
Sub Incentive:
Several upcoming dates have been identified as having a high substitute teacher need. Due to this need, BPS is excited to offer an incentive to those substitute teachers who work December 20 and 21. For each of these days worked, substitute teachers will receive an additional $50 incentive. Payment can be expected on their January 14, 2022 paycheck. Additionally, as a special thank you and incentive to those substitute teachers who were scheduled in SmartFind to work on November 22-23 an opportunity is available to earn the $50 incentive that was no longer applicable due to the BPS closure for Thanksgiving week. Substitute teachers who were scheduled during this time can earn up to $100 by serving as a substitute teacher between the dates of November 29, 2021 – January 31, 2022.
We are in need of volunteers. Want to be a Volunteer?
Volunteers needed for:
- Student mentoring
- AVID tutorials
- Clean ups
- School Projects
- Front Office Support
- Media Center Support
If you are already a registered volunteer and wish to volunteer at SMMS, email me at lundy.courtney@brevardschools.org.
Stone Staff Providing Clothes to our students for the Holiday! Thank you to our generous community members who donated new clothes to our students!
Pictured above: Mrs. Straus, Officer Mercer, Mrs. Gamble, Ms. Wilkerson
Appreciation
Thank you to all our Business Partners and Community Partners!
- Bagel World (Satellite Beach)
- Brilliant Smiles Orthodontics
- Calvary Chapel
- Citory Solutions
- Chick-Fil-A
- Dr. Eric and Katie Deppert (calculator donations)
- DRS
- Elevation Church
- FIT Environmental and Sustainability
- Fontaine Insurance Agency/ Farmer's Insurance
- In Season Ministeries
- L3Harris
- L3Harris LEAD
- Lowman Brother's Construction
- Lynne Mill's Insurance/ Finances
- MaxOut Church
- Melbourne City Ballet Theatre
- Melbourne Parks and Recreation
- Melbourne Police Community/Relations Council
- Melbourne Police Department
- Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Chruch
- Nahacky's Aquarim
- NAACP
- NCNW
- Neighbor Up Brevard
- Northrop Grumman]
- Orion180 Insurance
- Second Harvest
- Sue Ann's Bakery
- SuperGlass Professional Windshield Repair & Replacement
- Supply Zone: Brevard Schools Foundation
- Thrifty Specialty Produce
- United Way
- VFW
1101 E. University Blvd. Melbourne, FL. 32901
321-723-0741
Website: https://www.brevardschools.org/Page/153
Twitter @stonemms
Facebook @StoneMS
Instagram @stonemagnetgophers
BREVARD's Mission is to serve every student with excellence as the standard.
STONE's Mission is to create engaged and intrinsically motivated citizens of the 21st century through commitment, dedication, teamwork and scholarship.
STONE AVID's Mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.