Sebastian River Times
August 2021
Dear SRMS Families,
We hope that everyone has had a wonderful summer and is ready to enjoy another fantastic year in COWBOY COUNTRY! I am very proud of our students' efforts last year in and out of the classroom. It was an unprecedented year in education and our staff navigated three instructional platforms. However, we are eager to greet everyone back to the building.
Our digital newsletter provides important information to ensure a meaningful start to the school year. Our staff has been busy preparing the building, participating in staff development, and planning for many extracurricular and after school programs. As you read the newsletter, I hope you will take advantage of the volunteer opportunities to serve on PTSA or the School Advisory Committee. Sign up lists will also be available at Orientation.
All SRMS staff is excited to share our excitement with our returning students and families at Orientation which is August 4th from 3-6 pm. It’s going to be an AWESOME year and we are glad that you choose SRMS as your child’s middle school.
When visitors check in or parents arrive to pick up students, they will be asked to present a valid driver’s license, or other valid photo ID, for screening in the Raptor system. In the meantime, please visit our school website at www.srms.indianriveschools.org as well as our school Facebook and Twitter pages to stay current on all the SRMS announcements and happenings.
Just a reminder, masks are optional for all students and staff at this time. We do encourage you to practice appropriate distancing when possible.
Sincerely,
Mr. Racine
Principal, SRMS
Daily Schedule
TENTATIVE student schedules will be available for viewing in FOCUS starting Wednesday, August 4. Please be advised, these schedules very likely will change as counselors work to balance classes and make adjustments. The scheduling process is very fluid at this time of year, and schedules may be adjusted up through the first few weeks of school.
You can print the blue-orange calendar from this newsletter, check it in FOCUS, or for students' convenience, we post a sign in the front and back of school each day indicating whether it is a blue or orange day.
On blue days, students will have periods 1-2-3-4, and on orange days, they will have periods 5-6-7-8.
Our school day begins at 8, and dismissal is at 2:45.
School Start Time
Supervision of students begins at 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop students off prior to 7:30.
From 7:30-7:50, students may eat breakfast in the cafeteria or wait in their holding area (gym for grades 6 and 7, Cowboy Courtyard for grade 8).
At 7:55, Mr. Racine will offer the morning announcements, and at 8:00 a.m. classroom instruction begins. Your student's daily, on-time attendance is very important to his/her success at SRMS.
If you need to call to excuse your student's absence, the number is 564-5123. Absences must be called in within 48 hours. You may also send a note in with the student, or email to april.gehrke@indianriverschools.org.
Chromebooks
Please encourage your students to take care of these devices as they would any piece of valuable electronic equipment. There is a financial obligation attached if the device is damaged, destroyed, or lost, so this is an excellent opportunity to promote responsible care for borrowed items.
If you have questions at any time during the year about your student's device, please contact Ms. Holmes at michele.holmes@indianriverschools.org.
Student Email Access
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Enter at the North County Pool, go to the back around the parking area, follow the line around the flag pole, and exit at the light. It is very important that you follow this procedure so we do not back up traffic along CR 512. We appreciate your assistance.
* Please watch carefully for walkers or bike-riders in the crosswalk as you exit. *
School Bus Transportation
Please remind your students that they are expected to be respectful and follow directions while on board our buses. Students risk losing the privilege of ridership if they violate safety and security measures put in place by the driver.
School Supplies
Back to school can be a really expensive time of year. If you are in need of school supplies, please complete this form. We have many generous benefactors who have donated items to school for our families with financial need. The only thing they ask in return is that you pay it forward when you have an opportunity.
SRMS Dress Code
In the interest of student safety, students may not wear ANY backless shoes or slides. This includes flip-flops. Crocs may be worn ONLY if the strap is firmly in place across the heel.
A few items to take special note of:
- Pants should be worn at the waist.
- Shoulders should be covered.
- Abdomen should be covered.
- Sleepwear (pajamas) should not be worn.
- Skirts/shorts etc. should extend beyond finger length or mid-thigh.
- Hats/hoods are not permitted.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Remember, all students are eligible for FREE breakfast and lunch during the 2021-22 school year.
Our cafeteria opens daily at 7:30 a.m. After finishing breakfast, students should move directly to either the gym (6th and 7th grade) or the Cowboy Courtyard (8th grade). Students should not be in the halls or visiting teachers' classrooms at this time.
Did Your Student Forget Lunch?
UPCOMING CALENDAR NOTES:
- Wednesday, August 4 - Orientation from 3-6 p.m.
- Monday, August 9 - 6-8 pm Quarter Auction at the Sebastian American Legion to benefit our PBIS program
- Tuesday, August 10 - First Day of School
- Monday-Friday, August 16-20 - Fall Sports Tryouts 3-5 p.m.
- Thursday, September 16 and Friday, September 17 - Student Picture Day
T-Dap
Your Health Assistant is Mrs. Jackie Farina. She can be reached at 564-5198 or jacquelyn.farina@indianriverschools.org. If you need to discuss your student's medical needs with Nurse Farina, please call or email to make an appointment. Walk-in meetings will not be allowed.
Report Cards
Grades close for First Quarter Progress Reports on September 2, and they will be published to the Parent Portal on September 3.
Library News
- The SRMS Media Center is the hub of our school. It is a full-service learning center where students and teachers gather to collaborate, research, create, and read!
- Our students will visit the library with their Reading or Critical Thinking classes every other week to learn more about what it means to be an IB student, learn research skills, create IB projects, and check out books.
We also offer flexible hours to students. We open at 7:30 a.m. daily; however, space is limited.
Students may check out up to 2 books at a time. If your child has any books still checked out from last school year, please send them back as soon as possible. If they are lost, please contact the media center.
We are very excited to welcome back our SRMS students to the 2021-2022 school year!
Media Specialist/IB Coordinator: Christine Sturgeon
Media Assistant: Carolyn Zimei
Download the PBIS Rewards Parent App!
You can download the app and see how many credits your student is earning, and from which teacher, and what they are buying with their credits. If you've ever struggled to come up with some dinnertime conversation, this is a great way to engage your student..."I see you earned 25 Cowboy Credits today in Mrs. Dotson's class...what did you do to get those?' Or, "Are you saving up your Cowboy Credits to buy something big?"
Code of Conduct Forms
Below are all of the Code of Conduct forms you need, in English and Spanish.
GET INVOLVED!
If you are interested in joining our SAC, contact meredith.tatro@indianriverschools.org. SAC membership needs is dependent on student enrollment demographics.
If you are interested in volunteering at SRMS, contact michele.holmes@indianriverschools.org with your areas of interest and availability.
Sebastian River Middle School
Home of the Cowboys
Email: srmssocialmedia@gmail.com
Website: srms.indianriverschools.org
Location: 9400 County Road 512, Sebastian, FL, USA
Phone: 772-564-5111
Facebook: facebook.com/SebastianRiverMiddleSchool
Twitter: @srmsCowboys