Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -November 28, 2022
From Ms. Carnall
Greetings!
Our angel tree this year will be helping to provide holiday cheer to children who are hospitalized. Below is the link to the types of toys and activities needed for all ages of children. Teenagers are often overlooked so please consider them if you choose to donate!
You may drop the unwrapped gift off at the front office or send it in with your child and we will make one big delivery before the winter break.
We ask that all donations be in by December 14.
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/SPFAYYZMZJW5?ref_=smi_cl_lol_lls1_ls1
Sincerely,
Ms. Carnall
UPCOMING DATES
- December 6: Character Counts! Chats-Wednesday bell schedule, 8th grade Middle School Blitz
- December 14: Last day to submit donated gifts.
- December 21: Last day before Winter Break, 2nd Q Ends
SPMS Donation Link
Testing Update: FAST Progress Monitoring 2
Progress monitoring 2 (PM2) dates have been announced (see below). Students will be told of their testing room by their 1st period teacher. Testing begins promptly at 7:30. Please encourage your child to do their best, bring a pencil, and eat a healthy breakfast.
7th grade students in Advanced Math will take the 8th grade Math FAST assessment for both PM2 and PM3 since this aligns best with the standards taught in the 7th grade advanced course.
Students will be assessed on standards that will be covered over the entire curriculum and this progress monitoring tool will be used to guide teacher instruction so that students continue to make progress.
Test dates for PM2 are as follows:
6th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): January 9th
7th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): January 10th
8th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): January 12th
6th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): January 13th
7th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): January 17th
8th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): January 19th
Character Counts!
Each month teachers are able to nominate students who display the pillar of character for the month. Those students are invited to have donuts with us at the end of the month and receive their certificate.
We will be celebrating the November winners on Wednesday, November 30 and will announce those winners in the next Raider Rap.
We should look for students who display the character traits for:
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship
2022-2023 Girls Volleyball Middle School Champions
Spelling Bee Competition
3rd Place: Luke Diefenderfer (6th grade)
2nd Place: Himashi Wijayawardhana (8th grade)
1st Place: Eliza Benton (7th grade).
Eliza will represent SPMS at the SJCSD Spelling Bee.
1st Place: Eliza Benton
2nd Place: Himashi Wijayawardhana
3rd Place: Luke Diefenderfer
Faculty and Student Volleyball Game
Food Drive
Thank you, Raiders, for a PHENOMINAL response to our food drive! We were able to collect 1892 items to donate to local families within our school and the St. Johns Homeless Coalition. Ms. Cohen’s class had the most items and was the winner of the donut party. Thank you to the WEB leaders and NJHS members for helping collect, count, and package up the items! Way to go, Raiders!
Winterguard Update
Come and see your winterguard team perform with the SPMS Band in the St. Augustine Parade!
December 3rd @ 9:00am
International Thespian Society Showcase
Join the International Thespian Society Thursday, December 1 as they showcase the pieces they will perform at District Festival. All are welcome. Show starts at 7 p.m. Switzerland Point Middle School Auditorium
National Junior Honor Society
We are so proud of our new NJHS members who were inducted this month! We look forward to seeing you lead by example in the areas of Service, Citizenship, Scholarship, Leadership and Character! Thank you to the families for your support and for joining us at our ceremony to recognize your student! Please visit the NJHS Schoology page for all upcoming events and information. Congrats new NJHS members!
From Guidance
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/organization-challenges-in-children
Book Fair Coming Soon!
Dear Parents and Families:
Get Ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become Bolder, Prouder, and Stronger Readers. AND—as always—every book they buy earns rewards for our school.
Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from December 5th – December 9th in the media center.
This year, say hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Visit our bookfair website to set up an eWallet. We still accept cash, check, and card as well.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/switzerlandpointmiddle
The countdown to more Bookjoy is on! Catch you at the Fair!
Happy reading!
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
PTSO Meeting Info:
Next meeting: 12/12/22 10:00am @ SPMS in the MPR
Join your PTSO board as planning for the year continues! Please check in at the front desk and you will be directed to the meeting room. You will need to be a cleared SJCSD volunteer to be on campus.
Sunshine Cart
Thank you to all those who have donated! Check out the PTSO FB page for fun picture updates!
The PTSO has a Sunshine Cart that is taken around the school to bring special goodies to the hard-working staff!
Please consider donating a few items to help the PTSO bring lots of fun stuff to them!
Thank you for ALL of your support! 🌟The PTSO will reward those students whose family donates with Raider Bucks!🌟Staff Luncheon Sign up
SPMS PTSO Staff Holiday Luncheon
Please consider making our Staff Holiday Luncheon "Merry and Bright" on December 14! Let's show the staff how much we appreciate them. We will set up and then stay to serve the staff after dismissal.
Please consider helping by signing up for something below. You can buy or make the tasty treats but please let us know what you are going to bring by noting so in comments.
If you want to come help set up the luncheon or serve the staff, please make sure you are cleared IN ADVANCE through St Johns County.
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/volunteer/
Location- MPR
Please deliver the tasty treats to the office marked "staff appreciation" by December 14th.
Date: 12/14/2022 (Wed.)December Fundraiser
Raider Families!
If 800 items are sold during this fundraiser, the PTSO will give the SPMS Staff each a bundtlette cake for the holiday! The item can be either cake or popcorn, both count!
Nothing Bundt Cake is also going to give each student who orders an insulated bag to take your order home in!
The Raider Store is a place where students can spend the Raider Bucks they earn at school! The PTSO provides this opportunity twice a month (generally) for your students and they love “shopping!”
àThe first Raider Store of the year was successful! PTSO “sold” out of a lot of goodies due to having some amazing donations!! THANK YOU for your continued contributions to the Raider Store! The support has been AWESOME!
🌟The PTSO will reward those students whose family donates with Raider Bucks!🌟
Check out the Raider Store wish list! Your donation is greatly appreciated!
Want to volunteer in the Raider Store? It is loads of fun! All of the store dates are on the sign up, be sure to scroll through!
JOIN PTSO
The SPMS PTSO is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the learning and work experience of the students and staff at SPMS.
Our membership includes teachers, administrators, parents and students.
What do we do?
Student Initiatives:
- Neon Bash-Fall Dance for students
- Raider Store-Rewards for students who earn Raider Bucks for academic and behavioral performance
- Field studies sponsorships
- Character Counts! Rewards
- 8th grade Formal Dance and 8th Grade Awards Funding assistance
Staff Initiatives:
- Classroom grants-teacher members are eligible for up to $100 in a classroom grant to purchase items to enhance their classroom
- Staff luncheons and breakfast
- Teacher Appreciation
- Annual Donation to the school for technology and other needs
How do we pay for these initiatives?
- MEMBERSHIP-this is our biggest fundraiser. By simply joining PTSO, families help us reach our goals
- Spirit Wear-PTSO sells spirit wear each fall
- Fall/Spring Fundraisers-examples include Nothing Bundt Cakes and Poppin' Box
- Business Partners-our area business help SPMS through our Partners in Education program
- Corporate Donation Matches, Amazon Smile, Box Tops and private donations
How do you join?
- A family membership is $20 for the school year. The membership includes parents and any sibling at SPMS.
- Membership form can be found at https://switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso.square.site/
We have the best volunteers at Swiss. We are excited about a wonderful and busy year 2022-23 school year making a difference at Swiss.
If you are interested in finding out how you can help contact Dawn Evans at dawnevanswebpto@gmail.com
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT PTSO
AmazonSmile - Shop through the PTSO link AmazonSmile! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3741022
While you do your regular shopping on Amazon thru AmazonSmile, .5% of your purchase will be donated to SPMS.
SPMS has earned $ 92.15 so far this year.
Box Tops – Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts for SMPS PTSO to get Box Top credits.
Keep an eye on the PTSO website, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on what is coming up throughout the year!
Questions/concerns?? spmsptso@hotmail.com
For up to date happenings LIKE us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/SwissPointPTSO/
SPMS PTSO is on INSTAGRAM! Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/spmsptso/
Check the PTSO website for all the latest news! http://www.swisspointptso.com/