Panther Press
May 20th-27th
Rising 8th Grade Students
Exploratory selections
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FBiOKZ5lgVXRV9yv5ZO-PRHwwxaDPT1aB2HkcmjRoEo/edit?usp=sharing
Please complete the form:
https://forms.gle/By6G1GdHZYgwML9q7
It is imperative that this registration form is considered and submitted carefully. Every effort will be made to ensure students receive their preferred exploratory classes. The survey will remain open until Monday (5/23/2022). The 2022-2023 student schedules will be available by August 30, 2022.
May-June Happenings..
May 24th-Reading Make-Up Tests
May 25th-8th Grade Math SOL Test
May 25th-BETA Induction
May 26th-7th Grade Math SOL Test
May 26th-Spring Chorus/Band Concert & PTA Meeting
May 30th-All Schools/Offices Closed (Memorial Day Observance)
June 1st-8th Grade Civics or Science SOL Test
June 2nd-Reading Expedited Retakes
June 2nd-SMS Expo
June 6th-10th-End of Year Spirit Week
June 7th-Math Expedited Retakes
June 7th- Rising 9th Graders Parent/Student Information Night at SHS at 5:30 pm
June 9th-8th Grade Civics or Science Expedited Retakes
June 10th-Student Holiday-Teacher Work Day
June 13th-June 16th-IWCS Issued Device Collection
June 13th-8th Grade Promotion Day
June 15th & 16th- Three Hour Early Dismissal
June 16th-Last Day of School/End of 4th Quarter Marking Period
**Weekly Updates may occur as needed
Food Deliveries
Virtual Learning
IWCS will not be offering a full time virtual platform for students in the 2022-2023 school year. If you wish for your child to continue their schooling in a virtual platform you will need to withdraw from IWCS and enroll your student in a virtual program as a homeschool student. Please note, that you will also need to submit your intent to homeschool with IWCS prior to completing the withdrawal paperwork. Information about home instruction can be found here: https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/homeinstruction.
LFCC Release Drones
The use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), better known as drones, is taking off across numerous industries, and LFCC Computer Science Professor Melissa Stange is leading the effort to train those who can pilot them. Lillian Todd was the first woman in the world to design airplanes back in 1906. Helen Richey, in 1934, was the first woman to be hired by a commercial airline in the United States. Despite these pioneering female aviators, data shows that females remain underrepresented in the world of aviation. According to the FFA 2021 Women Remote Pilots By State, there are only 623 female drone pilots in Virginia and 75 in West Virginia.
Today, about 7 percent of certified remote pilots are female, with the highest proportion being women ages 25-34. Professor Stange was recently awarded a Virginia Space Grant Consortium Innovative Project grant to attract more women to become drone pilots.
Thanks to the Innovative Project grant, LFCC will have a variety of opportunities to get more young women interested in becoming drone pilots. These include:
- Webinars on Zoom March 21, March 30, April 4 and April 15, all 6-7 p.m., open to all ages
- Summer camps: June Explorers for girls ages 13-15, and July Flyers for girls ages 16-18
- Drone Community Day in August
- 10 scholarships for women to enroll in a drone course at the college this fall
To register for a webinar, camp, or scholarship please go to https://lfcc.edu/femalesinflight. If you have questions about registration, please contact Dr. Stange at mstange@lfcc.edu.
SMS PTA is BACK.....
PTA Officers
President-Chemere Wells
Vice-President-Patrick Bloodgood
Secretary-Jamilia Shipman
Treasurer-Nicole Talton
Member at Large-Alexis Upton-Savedge
Please join as a member for only $10.
Email correspondences are accepted at smspantherspta@gmail.com
Grading Expectation Update
Students who do not submit assignments by the teacher’s specified deadline may receive a zero for not attempting the required assignment.
Cellular Phones/Electronic Devices
•Cellular phones, electronic devices (including watches with texting/calling capabilities) and headphones are not to be displayed or used during the school day. Electronic devices should be off and out of view. Unauthorized use of cell phones or electronic devices will result in disciplinary action. The school is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage of cell phones or electronic devices.
•Classrooms will have a PARK IT, PACK IT, PLUG IT policy. Students may PARK their cellphones in a provided cell phone sleeve located in the classroom, PACK their phone into their bookbag, purse or pocket, or PLUG their phone into the charging stations.
•If students are unable to abide by the SMS Cell Phone Policy, communication will be made home. Continued failure to follow the SMS Cell Phone Policy may result in your child’s cell phone being placed in the principal’s cell phone jail safely until parents/guardians are available to recover the phone from the school.
RED, YELLOW and GREEN ZONES:
YELLOW zone - teacher discretion (classrooms)
GREEN zone - acceptable place to use device (lunch courtyard - which must be earned)
RED zone - no cellphones at all (all other locations such as restrooms, cafeteria, clinic, main office)
In case of an emergency, please contact the front office (757-365-4100) and we will make sure that your child is informed.
Dismissal
STUDENT PICK-UP
Students who are pick-ups will be released through the front doors at 2:35pm.
No dismissals will take place between 2:15 and 2:35pm.
Visitors to the school are not permitted to park in the fire lane in the front of the school unless it is dismissal time. Dismissal begins at 2:35 pm and finishes around 2:45.
- THE DOORS AT SMS WILL REMAIN CLOSED DURING THE 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO DISMISSAL EACH DAY; STUDENTS WILL NOT BE RELEASED FOR EARLY DISMISSAL DURING THIS TIME. **
School Visitors
Visitors are welcome to visit the school wearing a mask. Visitors may conference with teachers, participate in PTA meetings, and/or other school programs. At this time, we are not having visitors eat lunch with students in the cafeteria.
Anyone, including students, who enters a school at nighttime without the consent of an authorized person except to attend an approved meeting or service or who enters or remains on any school property, including school buses, in violation of (i)any direction to vacate the property by an authorized individual or (ii) any posted notice which contains such information, posted at a place where it reasonably may be seen may be prosecuted.
Student handbook
Please see below for a downloadable version on the 2021-2022 student handbook. This handbook contains important information on pick-up/drop-off procedures, technology, discipline, and much more.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V5l5uNtt0uELsk-zWxn8Hu427e-3cF1IjVB-XzWBLXQ/edit?usp=sharing
Stay Connected
https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/connect5
Grades & Schedules
Please be sure you login to PowerSchool Parent Portal to check student schedules and keep track of your child's grades!
https://powerschool.iwcs.k12.va.us/public/IWCS School Calendar
file:///Users/kbuggs/Downloads/2699224d-267f-438d-bca0-05554a95dfcb.pdf