Sherwood Middle School
April 24, 2022
April's Core Value & Action for Happiness
This month we focus on our core value of cooperation. We take time each morning during the Morning Announcements and Morning Meeting to discuss ways that we can live out these core values each day. Having a positive outlook on life, and setting daily goals can help decrease stress in our lives and live a more purposeful life. Each day we share these daily "Action for Happiness" goals with our school community. We encourage you to do the same in your home with your family.
A Message From Mr. Kelly
We hope you all had a safe, restful, and enjoyable April vacation! We are so excited to welcome your child back this week and get ready for the final stretch of the school year. We will be taking time this week to meet with our students by grade level to remind them of our core vales and expectations and about the need to "finish strong". Thank you for your ongoing support of your child and our community!
Monday 4/25: Day 6
Tuesday 4/26: Day 1 Grade 6 Student Meeting
Wednesday 4/27: Day 2 Grade 5 Student Meeting
Thursday 4/28: Day 3Friday 4/29: Day 4
This Week's Lunch Menu
**NEW INFORMATION**
Staff Recognition This Past Week
Congratulations to Grade 6 Math/Science Teacher Mrs. Anne Egan, and Grade 5 Special Education Teacher Ms. Beth Jones who both received the John P. Collins Award for Excellence on Friday, April 15th. This award honors the exemplary efforts of those whose work brings to life the mission of the Shrewsbury Public Schools: to provide students with the skills and knowledge for the 21st century, an appreciation of our democratic tradition, and the desire to continue to learn throughout life. The award is named for former Superintendent, John P. Collins, PhD, who served for 16 years in Shrewsbury (1978-1994) and exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Safety Tips for Walking & Riding
As the weather continues to get warmer we anticipate that we will have more students walking and riding their bikes to and from school. While we certainly want to encourage students to be active and get exercise, it is equally important that they are being safe. Please be sure to review these safety tips with your child.
- Leave on time for school and/or in plenty of time to arrive at school or the bus stop.
- Stay on sidewalks & obey traffic signs, signals and school crossing guards.
- Avoid wearing headphones or texting or being on the phone while walking, as you may not hear/be aware of the sounds of oncoming traffic.
- Be aware of drivers in parked cars that may be ready to move, or entering or exiting driveways.
- Wear a helmet if you are riding a bike/scooter/etc.
- Follow proper safety rules, and don’t push, shove, or chase other students.
- Never accept a ride from people not arranged or approved by your parents.
Upcoming Spring Concerts
We will be holding the band, chorus, and orchestra concerts together in the Sherwood gymnasium. Family and friends are invited to attend! Dress Code for performers: White top, dark bottom- dark pants/skirt, & dark shoes.
- Grade 6 Chorus Concert: Monday, June 6th, 6:30 PM (Students should plan to arrive at 6:00)
- Grade 5 Chorus Concert: Thursday June 9th, 6:30 PM (Students should plan to arrive at 6:00)
Important Changes to Food Services
Starting on Monday May 2, 2022, All students will be required to enter their Student ID Number on the pin pads at the registers to obtain the free breakfast or lunch meal.
Their account will not be charged but in order to comply with state and federal meal reporting requirements we must obtain more specific data on meals served. Breakfast and lunch meals will continue to be free of charge for all students for the 2021-2022 school year.
Students must take the required meals components to get a free breakfast or a lunch. At breakfast students must take a grain, fruit or vegetable and a milk. At lunch students must take 3 out of the 5 meal components( grain, protein, fruit, vegetable and milk) and 1 component must be a fruit or vegetable. No a-la-carte items will be available for sale at this time.To make the cashiering lines go quicker please remind your child to remember their Student ID Number .
Please Claim Lost & Found Items
Food Truck Night At Sherwood
Join the PTO on Wednesday, May 18th from 5-7pm for some food, music, and fun.
We hope to see many of our students and families there!
**Reminders**
Order Your Yearbooks by 5/3/22
The 2021-2022 school year is going to be a year remembered by all! The Sherwood Middle School yearbook staff has been working diligently to make sure that we can conclude the school year on a positive note by completing the 2021-2022 yearbook. Yearbooks are on sale now! This year we will be utilizing an online ordering system to facilitate ordering. The cost of the yearbook is $25. Please go to this link to order your yearbook.
Online ordering will run through May 3, 2022.
Placement Info- Due 5/16/22
Important Upcoming DATES
- May 3rd: Last day to Order Yearbooks
- May 5th & 6th: MATH MCAS GRADE 5 & 6
- May 16th: Deadline to submit information for next year's placement
- May 18th: Food Trucks on Blacktop 5:00-7:00pm
- May 19th & 20th: Science MCAS Grade 5 Only
- May 23rd: Spring Open House for Grade 4 Families
- (Floral, Spring, Coolidge families: 5:00-6:00pm, Beal & Paton families: 6:30-7:30pm)
- June 6th: Grade 6 Spring Concert 6:30pm @ Sherwood
- June 9th: Grade 5 Spring Concert 6:30pm @ Sherwood
PTO NEWS
SHERWOOD & OAK APPAREL
The PTO is once again offering Sherwood and Oak apparel to purchase through May 8th! Along with t-shirts and hoodies for each middle school, we also now have 3/4 sleeve raglan t-shirts . And - we have a few more colors available this spring! These items are not only very comfortable, but are a great way to show your school pride! Your purchase supports the SMS PTO, as well as a local company (Spectrum Enterprises). HINT: These would make great gifts for kids heading to Sherwood or Oak in the fall!! Place your order here: https://bit.ly/SMSapparel2022**We are still 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.**
PTO HELP WANTED & MAY MEETING
The May SMS PTO Meeting will be Monday, May 2nd, at 7PM in the Oak Media Center. We will be discussing our recent fundraiser, spirit wear sales, and use of SMS PTO funds for each school. We welcome your attendance, and your input & suggestions for future programs!
***The SMS PTO is in need of a secretary, and we are in need of 2 treasurers, for the upcoming school year (and beyond!). The SMS PTO works each school year to support nearly $40,000 worth of materials, programs, enrichments, etc., through our fundraising efforts. These funds allow our middle schools to have options and items for our students that the school budget does not support. We operate with a surprisingly small group of dedicated parents, but are always looking for more help. These positions are extremely important to our operation - please feel free to join us at our meeting if you are interested, or reach out to us at sherwoodoakmiddleschool@gmail.com with interest or questions!
Bus Registration for Next Year is Open
THE BUS REGISTRATION PROCESS WILL BE OPEN FROM NOW ON UNTIL JUNE 30TH. IT WILL BE CLOSED FROM JULY 1, 2022 UNTIL EARLY AUGUST AND RE-OPEN ON APPROXIMATELY AUGUST 8TH. Any questions, please email: transportation@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us.
- Bus registration and payment must be done via the PowerSchool Parent Portal for students attending Shrewsbury Public Schools and via the Googleform for students attending Assabet Valley Reg. Technical High School and all private schools. There is no “processing charge/convenience fee” for online payment of the bus fee and both credit cards and debit cards are accepted.
- All of the regulations and rules pertaining to bus ridership eligibility and the requirement to pay a fee are posted on our website under the Transportation link. Please read them carefully and access the FAQ if you have questions.
- If your child has a negative food service account balance or owes a fee for some other additional service, then you will be blocked from bus registration until all overdue payments are made.
- The bus fee for the 2022-2023 school year is $320/student with a $960 family cap.
- For all in-district students, please register now by clicking on this link.
- If your child will be attending St. John’s or Assabet in 22-23 school year, please open this link.
COVID-19 Updates
Here are Shrewsbury Public Schools Updated COVID protocols.
- Masks are NOW OPTIONAL for students, staff, and visitors in school and on school buses.
- Please discuss your preference regarding mask wearing with your child.
- It is very important that everyone in our school community respects the decisions made by individuals and families regarding masking. No one should be pressured or made to feel uncomfortable regarding their choice to wear a mask or not.
Please note that some mask requirements remain in effect per other authorities, including:
- Masks will still need to be worn in school nurses' offices per CDC requirements for healthcare settings (masks will be available there).
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 who return to school after five days of isolation (if they are asymptomatic) must wear a mask on days six through ten of the protocol, per CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.
- Students and staff who participate in school activities in other school districts or locations for athletics, academic teams, etc. must follow any mask requirements in effect at that other location.
The following health protocols still remain in place:
- If your child is sick, please keep them home.
- If your child is in isolation due to a positive COVID test, or in quarantine if considered a close contact, please keep them home and contact the nurses’ office for further guidance.
Please reach out to our nurses with any questions.
- Linda Berard, BSN, RN
- Kristin Franger, BSN, RN, NCSN
Phone: 508-841-8678 Fax: 508-841-8677
Important Reminders
School Hours
The school day runs from 8:00 am-2:35 pm each day. Students that arrive after 8:00 am are considered tardy.
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, please call the Main Office at 508-841-8670 (instead of emailing team teachers).
Technology Support
If students or families are having trouble with your iPad you can get tech support at ParentTechSupport@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us. Please remember that Team teachers are not immediately available for this support as they have students in class.