Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap November 5, 2023
Upcoming Dates:
- · November 10: No School
- · November 13: Band Concert
- · November 16: CC! Chats, Interims Issued, Band Concert
- · November 17: Raider Store, Play
- · November 18: Play
- · November 20: Bomb Drill
- · November 21: Fire Drill
- · November 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
BEST Writing Assessment
The B.E.S.T. Writing assessment will be administered in April 2024 to students in grades 4-10. It will be a computer-based assessment at all grade levels and will be a 120-minute test with the option to dismiss students after 90 minutes. The B.E.S.T. Writing Fact Sheet contains additional information about the test administration, accommodations, the test design summary, scoring, and reporting. The writing assessment will be scored separately and will not be combined with the FAST ELA Reading assessment to create an overall ELA score. Additionally, B.E.S.T. Writing does not factor into student assessment graduation requirements.
There is an online practice test that is available to students to help them become familiar with the test layout and functionality of the Test Delivery System.
Testing Update
Testing Update
Save the Date! Progress monitoring 2 (PM2) dates for FAST testing have been announced (see below):
6th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): December 11th
7th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): December 12th
8th grade FAST ELA Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): December 14th
6th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): December 15th (with flipped bell schedule)
7th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): December 18th (with flipped bell schedule)
8th grade FAST Math Progress Monitor 2 (PM2): December 19th (with flipped bell schedule)
Make-up testing will be in January.
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. These students will still test on the 7th-grade FAST Math PM2 date (December 18).
- Please join the PTSO in welcoming Logan Lowery, SJCSD Director of Policy and Government Relations, to discuss all that is going on with the policies affecting your students, schools, staff and YOU! Please RSVP here! If we do not reach at least 25 people, the chat will be rescheduled for a future date. See you there!
Character Counts! Raider Buck Competition
Our Character Counts! Raider Buck competition is under way! Students who are seen displaying one of the pillars of character or kindness can earn Raider Bucks. The 6th grade class is the winning class for the quarter!
An announcement will be coming out soon about the 6th grade reward for this!
In the month of October, we celebrate the pillar of Responsibility. We look for students who:
- Do what they are supposed to do
- Plan ahead
- Persevere: keep on trying!
- Always do their best
- Use self-control
- Be self-disciplined
- Think before they act: consider the consequences
- Be accountable for their words, actions, and attitudes
- Set a good example for others
The following students were recognized for displaying the pillar of Responsibility.
6th Grade
Isabella Armstrong
Amy Condon
Logan Fowler
Cyann Frazier
Natalie Shoor
Kellan Winsor
Landon Wroten
Fatima Yusupova
7th Grade
Addison Grimes
Troy Kee
Gabe Matthews
Taylor Meacham
Nishan Patege
Riya Poddar
Cayden Schuyler
Indigo Wakeland
8th Grade
William Blanchard
Amelia Dean
Justin Donohue
Tessa Driscoll
Amaras Elias
Madelyn Hayden
Brody Hill
Cameron Hummel
Elle Jones
Neha Kothapally
Andrew Kriel
Ellie Lalande
Riverlyn Morris
Nicholas Piibor
Aaron Saarela
Kathryn Shelton
Jaycee Steele
Eden Tippens
Logan Trevino
Character Counts! Pillar of the month
In the month of November, we celebrate the pillar of Citizenship. We look for students who:
- Does her/his share to make her/his school and community better
- Cooperates
- Gets involved in community affairs
- Stays informed; votes
- Is a good neighbor
- Obeys laws and rules
- Respects authority
- Protects the environment
- Volunteers
This month, we are focusing on the Character Counts Pillar of Citizenship. Our district believes that every child has the potential to be responsible, and we will do all that we can to promote this pillar, but we need your help! Below is a list of ideas to work through with your family!
What can you do at home?
•Minimize waste. Recycle and conserve.
•Reinforce the importance of school rules and that they must be followed.
•Reinforce the importance of sportsmanship.
•Reuse boxes and shopping bags.
•Notice nature around you. Watch a sunrise or sunset. Look for animals. Appreciate the flowers and trees around you.
•Plant a garden with your children. Allow them to help with the yard work and gardening.
•Plant a seed or tree and watch it grow.
•Turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.
•Grow your own herbs or vegetables.
•Participate in a beach clean-up day or plan your own for your family for an hour. If not the beach, use your neighborhood park.
•Carpool or walk instead of using a car.
•Encourage your children to watch shows on nature, science, or animals to broaden their knowledge and appreciation.
•As a family, research and select a charity to donate to. Encourage your children to donate a portion of their allowance. Plan to participate as a family to help at the local shelter, senior center, food kitchen, or for an elderly neighbor.
•Have discussions about current events so that your children can become aware of what the important issues are and how politicians or community officials are handling them. Have your children see you reading the newspaper, watching the news, and getting involved in community services.
•Observe and follow traffic rules.
•Show and explain to your children how the election process works and how to utilize resources to stay informed of the issues before you vote.
•Model citizenship behaviors and notice when your children are being good citizens in order to reinforce those desired behaviors.
Basket Ball Try outs
Yes!! We are looking for some outstanding players to be part of the SPMS Interscholastic basketball teams. The teams will be made up of 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Yes!! 6th graders are allowed to try-out. There will be a boys’ team AND a girls’ team. The boy’s try-outs will begin on Monday, December 12, 13, & 15. The boy’s try-outs will start at 2:00pm until 4:00pm. The girl’s try-outs will also begin December 12, 13, & 15. The girl’s try-outs will begin at 4:30pm until 6:00pm. Students must provide their own transportation. Parent pick-up will be required promptly after try-outs each day. To try-out students need to have a try-out waiver signed and returned. Waiver forms may be obtained from Coach Terrance Singleton, front office, or any PE coach. All students that are trying out for the team must show up the first day but are not guaranteed to stay all three days. If there are any questions, please contact Coach Singleton. (terrance.singleton@stjohns.k12.fl.us) RAIDERS #1 BABY!!!
Milk Carton Shortage Notice
In early October, the Food and Nutrition Service Department (FNS) was notified by our dairy provider of a nationwide milk carton shortage. Whereas in the past we would serve 3-4 varieties of milk, we are currently down to 2 varieties (1% White and Skim Chocolate).
Projections have the dairy running out of chocolate containers by the first week of November. All efforts are being made to continue to have 1% White Milk available until all other varieties come back in stock around the first of the year.
FNS will continue to work with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service to provide approved alternative beverage choices, most likely juice and water, for meals going forward.
Executive Functioning Article
Middle school is not just a time for academics but also to develop critical character skills and independence. Executive function is a mental process that helps with memory, judgment, decision-making, self-control, and attention. This aligns to the Six Pillars of Character, especially the pillar of responsibility. In conjunction with Character Counts! program at school, students can further expand upon their character skills by doing the activities in the attached document.
Reminders from the Deans
Parents – students must have drinks in a water bottle that has a cap. Please do not send your student to school with a tumbler that has an open lid or straw (like the Stanley cups or other stainless brands). Also please refrain from sending students with Starbucks/Dunkin/etc. These drinks spill easily and cause a disruption in our hallways. Thanks for understanding!
ILC Newsletter for November
End-of-the-Year Reward Trips
- At the end of the year, students can attend a field trip as a reward for their behavior.
- Students who earn after-school detention, ISS, or OSS during 2nd semester, or students who commit a Level 4 offense during the entire school year, will NOT BE ELIGIBLE to participate in the grade-level reward trip. Please see Section 5, Levels of Discipline, on page 31 in our Student Code of Conduct for examples of Level 4 offenses.
- Students with 15 or more unexcused absences during the school year will NOT BE ELIGIBLE for the trip.
- For 8th-grade students, these behavior requirements also apply to the 8th-grade formal dance.
- Once a reward trip has been paid for, we will be unable to give refunds or transfer the reservation to another student’s name.
From the Stage Door:
We are pleased to announce that our audition page for the spring musical is now live on Schoology. If you are interested in participating in The Little Mermaid next spring, please check it out! Auditions are December 11th & 12th. Access code for the page: QRS3-4HJG-7XK7T
Boo Grams
Thank you for supporting the Boo Gram Fundraiser this year! 3,364.00 were sold!
Up next, you can see your Winter Guard team along with your Raider Band in the St. Augustine Parade on December 2, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Intramural Basketball
The first session of after-school basketball will begin on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The sport will be basketball for ALL grade levels. Basketball will be on Tuesday and Thursday. In order to participate, you must pick up a permission slip from a P.E. teacher or in the front office. Please return the permission slip by Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in order to participate. The times will be from 1:55 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Remember that everyone is allowed to participate in intramurals. If you have any questions please contact Coach Singleton at terrance.singleton@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Santa Run
My name is Alex Emery, and I am the senior class president of Pedro Menendez High School and a chair of the Saint Augustine Youth Services' Annual Santa Run. We would be pleased for you to join us on December 9th, 2023, at the Saint Augustine Beach Pier to participate.
We strive to have as much participation as possible and hope we can count on Switzerland Point to make that happen. Also, if any parents or staff members know of companies or businesses that would be willing to sponsor, please contact (904) 829-1770 or email santasuitsontheloose@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Alex Emery
SSYRA-Sunshine State Young Readers Award Program
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Program is a statewide reading motivational program for students in grades 3 through 8. The purpose of the SSYRA Program is to encourage students to read independently for pleasure and to read books that are on, above, and below their reading level in order to improve their reading fluency. Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. Students can earn prizes by reading the books and taking a short verbal quiz on them in the media center! Students who read 10 or more SSYRA books are eligible to try out for the Battle of the Books team in the winter. Please see the PDF for the annotated list of this year’s books. Please email madison.gowin@stjohns.k12.fl.us for any questions about our SSYRA program!
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 the school. Cost is $25. Complete the form here to submit 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 17th, then your message will be displayed on Tuesday, September 21st.
Lacrosse Opportunity
Grizzlies Girls Lacrosse:
Registration for the Spring Youth Recreational League (for girls in 3rd-8th grade) will open on November 1. Click for the flyer and visit the website here for all information and to register.
Creeks Boys Lacrosse:
Registration for Spring 2024 is now open. Click here for more information and to register.
Athletics
SPMS athletics consists of both boys' and girls' volleyball and basketball, in addition to Winterguard.
All other middle school sports are operated by SJMSAA.
The St. Johns Middle School Athletic Association (”SJMSAA”) middle school sports program is not operated or sponsored by the St. Johns County School District. SJMSAA is an independent, private non-profit corporation that uses District middle school names and facilities under a license agreement with the District, and which is solely responsible for the operation of the SJMSAA middle school sports program and its individual teams.
Students need to register through the SJMSAA website prior to tryouts. Once a student makes a team, he/she will be provided with more information on paying and filling out the required forms
Raider Families! All orders have been submitted to the vendor, so please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery! We will then inventory everything left and put it on the website. There are still stickers, magnets, shoe charms, and bracelets available!
Looking for ways to appreciate your SPMS Staff?
The Sunshine Cart is the PTSO mobile version of staff appreciation! We take the goodies to them so they don’t have to find some time to get to the staff lounge!
This is a great way to help the PTSO show appreciation for all that the SPMS staff does for your student(s)!
Browse the staff appreciation wishlist, pick your favorite goodie and make sure to put your student's name in the notes! They will receive 10 Raider Bucks for donating!!
Thank you for your continued support, Raider Families!! SPMS PTSO Sunshine Cart Wishlist
The PTSO would love your help stocking the Raider Store!
The Raider Store is where students can spend their hard-earned Raider Bucks. Your student earns Raider Bucks from their teachers and staff for showing good character in the classroom and the hallways. They can then spend them in the PTSO-sponsored Raider Store.
We are always looking for new and fun things to stock the store with to keep the students coming back.
Please put your student's name on the gift, and they will be credited 10 Raider Bucks for your donation.
Thank you for your support! SPMS PTSO Raider Store Wishlist Raider Store Volunteer Sign Up
SPMS PTSO
http://www.swisspointptso.com/
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
- Grade Level Support
- Character Counts! Rewards
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
- Staff 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 businesses 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 $25 for the school year. The membership includes parents and any siblings at SPMS.
- Membership form can be found at https://switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso.square.site/
We are excited about a wonderful and busy 2023-2024 school year and 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
There will be various fundraisers throughout the school year to participate in to help fund the PTSO 2023-2024 initiatives.
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/