Spartan Herald December 2019
Building Community Empowering Learners Inspiring Creativity
Setting the Bar High at Schmucker
Greetings,
I hope all of you had a relaxing and refreshing time with family and friends over Thanksgiving break! Students have jumped back into academics and are working hard! I am confident the month of December will be a productive month filled with much learning and many school events.
As you know, we have been implementing restorative practices at Schmucker Middle School. There are many components to restorative practices, and I would like to highlight a few for you this month. The aim of restorative practices is to develop community and manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and restoring relationships. One way we accomplish this is through circles. Students participate in community circles in many of their classes. Some of these circles happen in advisory classes where students share their thoughts about the SEL lessons. Other times they participate in academic circles where they discuss topics for upcoming essays. In other situations, students participate in small circles with their peers and administrators to resolve conflict. All of these circles help us build strong relationships and provide students an opportunity to use their voice in a productive, positive way. We are always proud of our Spartans and the strong community we have built!
We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!
With your child in mind,
Lavon Dean-Null
Principal
Think Safety
Parents,
Winter is here! As a precaution, please encourage students to wear appropriate shoes for the white snow and black ice they may see in the morning, and even after school as we get into the mid-winter months. If you drop-off or pick-up your child, be sure to use extra caution in the line by allowing additional space between you and the car in front of you. Please remind students to wait to exit/enter the vehicle until they are in front of the school door they will be using. Our goal is to avoid slips, trips, falls, and accidents altogether by preparing students for winter conditions. Thank you for thinking safety!
Winter Events: A new season is a great time to remind everyone of the many opportunities available to students at Schmucker Middle School beyond the school day. Upcoming events include Boys/Girls Basketball games, wrestling, Winter Orchestra Concerts, Choir Concerts, and Band Concerts.
Students can also participate in clubs including, but not limited to: Art Club, Ski Club, Math Counts, TEAMS, Magic The Gathering, Fluid Power Systems and VEX Robotics.
Practices, meetings, games, concerts and all events can be found on the Schmucker Middle School calendar here.
Cafeteria Expectations
Important Dates
Dec 9th - Poinsettia Flower Pick-Up, 4pm-6pm, LGI (Enter door B)
Dec 9th - Penn Showcase, 6pm
Dec 18th - 6th Grade Choir Concert, 6pm
Dec 23th - Jan 5th - Winter Recess
Jan 6th - Classes Resume
Check out all events on our Website calendar: SMS Calendar
Please read our November PTO newsletter by clicking the link below!
A message from our Gold Star Counselors for 8th Grade Parents
Parents of 8th Graders!
It's almost time to schedule the Class of 2024 for Penn High School! Here are some important dates to have on your calendar for the upcoming months:
December 9, 6:00-8:00: Penn Showcase, attend to see classrooms and learn about electives and activities at Penn
January 10, during school day - Early College Students ONLY: Early College scheduling with Penn counselors, appt. time and pass will be mailed home and given to students before winter break.
February 3, 9:00 AM: Penn will release the online Summer PE registration form on PHS website.
Interested students will fill out the online registration form and make $50.00 payment directly to the PHS bookstore to secure a spot.
CHANGE: Summer PE will NOT be a lottery system this year. 200 Summer PE spots will be available. It will be a “first come, first serve” approach.
A student will not secure a spot until both the online registration form is filled out and fee is paid to the PHS Bookstore.
Important Note: Summer PE fees must be paid by check, cash or money order. No payments can be turned in at Schmucker. No credit cards, over the phone, or online payments can be processed.
Confirmation letter will be immediately provided from the bookstore after payment is received and student spot guaranteed.
After all Summer PE spots are filled, students will be placed on a wait list.
February 10: Students turn in completed pink course request to Social Studies teacher. All elective choices must be indicated. Initial “Pathway” choices on reverse side should also be indicated.
February 14, 3:00: 8th Grade Summer PE registration and payment acceptance will close.
Week of February 17: Middle school counselors meet with students during Social Studies to input high school course requests into Skyward.
August 2020 - Become a Penn Kingsman!
May 2024 - Graduate from Penn High School!
Mrs. Hoover and Mrs Eck are available to parents through voicemail and email.
Students can make an appointment to see their school counselors by using the online google form.
- Go to Schmucker’s website and select “Guidance” and “Counselor Appointment Form”
- Complete the “School Counselor Appointment Form”
- Be sure to CHECK YOUR EMAIL. Your counselor will email you with an appointment date and time.
A message to 8th Grade Parents from the Health Office
Veterans Day 2019
Ski Club Information
Girls Basketball Try-Out Information
Student Council News
Student Council will host a Spirit Week, December 16th through December 20th.
Monday 12/16 - White Out Day
Tuesday 12/17 - Twin Day
Wednesday 12/18 - Decade Day
Thursday 12/19 - Fuzzy Socks Day
Friday 12/20 - Ugly Sweater Day
7th grade Field Trip to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry
The 7th grade class will travel to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry on Friday, March 27, 2020. The cost of this trip will be $35 which includes a general admission ticket, a ticket to EITHER the U-505 submarine or the coal mine exhibit, and the Royal Excursion bus fee. The price for lunch will be extra (more info on this in the upcoming permission
slip packet).
Permission slip packets will be given out at school on January 13, 2020. The deadline to turn in the permission slip packet and payment will be January 31, 2020.
Parents & guardians, we still need four more chaperones! If you're interested in being a chaperone, packets are available in the SMS main office or by contacting Mr. Reininga or Ms. Scarbeck. The cost for parent/guardians to chaperone is $50.
Chaperones must pass a criminal background check. Chaperone packets must be filled out and returned ASAP, but chaperones haveuntil January 31, 2020 to pay.
8th grade Class Trip to Washington, D.C.
The 8th grade class trip to Washington, D.C. is May 26 - May 30, 2020. Payment #2 is DUE BY January 16, 2020. The cost for payment #2 is $300. Our Schmucker web code/account #: 20TA14140
Please contact Hemisphere Travel (toll-free) if you have any questions: 800/323-6439.
You may also go to their website: www.hemispheretravel.com.
Schmucker does NOT handle any of the money/payments.
The final payment is due by March 26, 2020. You will receive a statement from Hemisphere
with the final payment amount in March.
Robotics Tournamnet
At the end of the day, Team 775Z with Nolan Jasin, Will Cannon, Gavin Jozwiak, and Landon Willis walked away with the Middle School Excellence Award, the highest award presented at the competition, earning that team a spot at the Indiana State Robotics Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in March.
The teams' next competition is in Warsaw, Indiana on January 18th.
Navajo Code Talker
The Navajo Code is a unique World War II legacy. It was used in all Pacific battles to transmit top secret and confidential messages. The Navajo Code, commissioned by the United States Marine Corps, saved hundreds of thousands of lives and helped to shorten the war in the Pacific. It is the only military code in modern history to never be broken by the enemy.
A Message from 5 Star
Community Events & Activities
Canvas
Canvas is a LMS (Learning Management System) that is used in PHM. Teachers can put content online for students, make announcements and provide assignments. All parents are enrolled in the Canvas course of their students as observers. As observers, you can see the content, but are not able to interact with it. Please access the links below to learn more.
To keep you organized, you can also download the Canvas app for your phone or tablet.
WSMS
WSMS is recorded to Youtube ALMOST every day. (Technology!) If you would like to watch our daily announcements, check it out!
Here is the link to the channel if you want to publish it to parents.
Chromebooks
Every student should now have their Chromebook. I would encourage all parents to review our expectations for using technology with your child.
SMS Technology Expectations
I will use technology to achieve my learning goals.
I will be responsible with my use of technology and will remember that this is an online public representation of me and our school.
I will report to a teacher any inappropriate posts, comments or use.
I will use school-associated social media appropriately during the school day.
I will use appropriate grammar instead of texting language when communicating.
I will not reveal any personal information such as: telephone numbers, names, addresses, email addresses etc.
I will not post photos or video showing myself or classmates unless authorized by a teacher.
I will bring my Chromebook to school everyday fully charged.
- All school rules and consequences apply.
Transportation policy
Consent To Publish Student Work and Photographs
PHM requires schools to receive permission from parents to publish student photos and work. If you have not returned this document, please access the link below, print the document and return signed to school. We must receive this document from every student.
21st Century Scholars
Homework Requests
Families Can Get help with Lunch & Textbook Fees
School Messenger
Student/Family Opportunities
Medication
Also now for middle school students - pain relievers, Tums and cough drops will be supplied and provided by the school's Health Office if proper documentation is on file. This form can be obtained by clicking: NON-Prescription Medication Form This option is only available to students 12 years of age and older who follow the package instructions for people 12 years of age and older. If you or your doctor request a dosage other than the recommended dosage on the bottles/packages of our stock over-the-counter medications, documentation would be required the same as if it were a prescription medication.
Student Hours
9:00am - First Bell
9:05am - Classes Begin
4:00pm - Dismissal
4:10pm - Bus Departure
Lavon Dean-Null
Email: ldean-null@phm.k12.in.us
Website: http://schmucker.phmschools.org/
Location: Schmucker Middle School, Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN, United States
Phone: 574-259-5661
Twitter: @SMSSpartanPride