Spartan Update 3/18/24
SBMS Spartan Update for the Week of 3/18/24
Message from Principal Paula Nolan
Good afternoon SBMS Community,
Thank you to all of the parents that were able to help us at our activity night on Friday! Students had a great time and having enough volunteers allowed us to hold the evening! Thank you thank you!
This is the last week before spring break and is a great time for students to talk to teachers about any missing work or things that they need to redo. If you are curious about how your child(ren) are doing in classes, using Canvas is a great way to get a picture of their grades and to reach out to teachers if there are questions. Instructions about connecting to Canvas are available at the end of each Spartan Update. Remember that students are out of school 3/25-4/1. This means that students will return to SBMS on the Tuesday after spring break.
Below I've included information about cyberbullying and how families can help their child(ren) if they are the target of online harassment and I've included some information about how families can check in with child(ren) to help keep them out of the office for cyberbullying others.
Thank you for your time in reading this week's Spartan Update. If there is anything that I can do for you, please feel free to contact me at nolan_p@4j.lane.edu, 541-790-8300, or by clicking the Contact Paula button at the bottom of this newsletter.
Have a nice day,
Paula
Paula Nolan
Principal
Spencer Butte Middle School
SBMS No Place for Hate Pledge
Online Communications- Staying Safe and Staying Out of Trouble
It is not uncommon for investigations and interventions at the school to actually be rooted in something that happened outside of school and not during school hours. When something happens- even off campus and not during school hours- that impacts the school environment we are required to investigate and intervene to help restore the learning environment for students impacted by online actions.
Taking action to end cyberbullying is important for the school to do because learning is effected if someone feels unsafe or unwelcome at school because of something that happened online. Our interventions can range from a conversation, mediation, restorative justice and can go all the way to a formal district investigation, detention, suspension, or possibly expulsion.
With texting, instant messaging, FaceTime, Snapchat, TikTok, etc... kids are trying to navigate social interactions online. It's really hard to do and there are many things that can happen online that impact the school environment. In reality, many of those actions that make others feel bad or feel unsafe wouldn't be taken if students were communicating face to face. There's a lot to be said for the disinhibition that happens behind a screen. Not seeing someone, not communicating in real time, thinking that things said online are just that- things without an impact where you can't get in trouble- have all led to students ending up in the office while the school tries to figure out what happened and how to help everyone feel safe and welcomed at school again.
I can also share that often when we are investigating cyberbullying the parents of the child whose actions impacted someone else are shocked to learn how their child was acting online.
Knowing what is and what is not acceptable behavior online and how to get help if someone makes them feel unsafe or unwelcome is really important.
Some Ideas
I know that every family is different, but I want to provide some resources that may be helpful in supporting your teen (or pre-teen) with technology.
You can help your student by connecting with them and talking about how things are going online. A few conversation starters are below. Sometimes asking questions can help them to open up about something that they are struggling with.
- Are people being kind to them?
- Is there anything happening that is making them feel uncomfortable?
- Are they feeling safe online? Is it a positive thing when they are looking at direct messages (DMs) and what people are posting?
- Are they acting the way you would want them to act when they're online? (And how do you expect them to behave)?
- Are they talking to or about people online and in text the same way that they would talk to them if they were face to face?
- Do they know how to get help if something online doesn't feel safe or if they feel harassed online?
Below this article I've also included the audio from our Teens and Tech parent education night that we co-hosted with Roosevelt Middle School in November. Yuki Roberts from Ophelia's Place did a fantastic job and I encourage you to give it a listen if you would like more information about supporting your child(ren) with technology.
How to Get Help- For Students and Parents
If your child ever reports that something is making them feel uncomfortable or unsafe online or at school there are many ways to get help. These are options for students and their parents. *In an emergency, please do call 911.*
- Make a report in person: Students and parents can come to the office to make a report.
- Make a report via email: Email me at nolan_p@4j.lane.edu or our assistant principal Carlos at sequeira_c@4j.lane.edu
- Make a report online at SafeOregon (24/7- and has anonymous options): online at safeoregon.com, voice report by calling 1-844-472-3367, or texting 1-844-472-3367.
- Using the district reporting form found at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexd207_vzB8SJhlLLaBN82NcW1UzRg34_gymjUzSi_o6UWlw/viewform
Navigating social pressures and technology can be really hard for students and we want to help your family. If you ever want to connect about options, please contact me, Carlos, or our counselor Margaret Albright (albright_m@4j.lane.edu)
For 8th Grade Parents- Message from SEHS- News About Science at SEHS
Hello, incoming 9th grade families!
You may have heard recently that the 4J high school science sequence is changing starting with next year’s 9th grade class. We are very excited about these changes and the opportunities they create for students. The new science course sequence is 9th grade Physics, 10th grade Chemistry and 11th grade Biology. Here is a link with more detail.
For students enrolled in IHS and considering International Baccalaureate, what does this change mean?
For students in IHS looking to complete an IB diploma, there will now be two options in junior and senior year: IB Biology and IB Physics. IHS students are slated to take IB Biology in 11th and 12th grade, but those interested in IB Physics will start a bit earlier with a slightly different sequence. That sequence will be 9th grade Physics, doubling up in Chemistry and Biology in 10th grade, and then 11th and 12th grade IB Physics.
South has a strong IB Physics program that provides a rigorous pathway for students. Students who take Physics in their Freshman year will be well-prepared to take on IB Physics I in their Junior year, which will lead to greater outcomes in IB Physics II their Senior year.
IHS Student Science Selection (Spring 2025)
IHS students will make their IB Science pathway decision during Forecasting during the 24-25 school year. They would then be placed into that IB Science pathway: IB Biology or IB Physics. Information about IB pathways will be given to them during Forecasting time so they can make an informed decision. We would also recommend that they have a conversation with their family and perhaps also their counselor to help them make the best decision for them.
Repeat- Can you help? Know someone who can? Track Assistant Coaches Needed
We are in desperate need of 2 assistant track coaches. Assistant coaching is an excellent opportunity for you or someone you know to help students learn and grow outside of the classroom.
Days and times of practices and our meet dates are located at the link below: https://spencerbutte.4j.lane.edu/track/
The details on the posting are pretty extensive and I think have caused a few interested potential coaches to reconsider- the posting is managed by our HR department so they put a lot of detail to try to answer questions. The bottom line is that if you care about kids, want to help, and are interested in working with a dynamic new coach- we'd love to take a look at your application. If you want to help and have questions, feel free to contact me. -Paula
Golden Apple Awards
We are excited to announce the launch of the Golden Apple Awards, our revamped employee and volunteer recognition program for Eugene School District 4J. Formerly known as ACE, the new awards program continues to celebrate the outstanding contributions of our staff members and volunteers.
Show your appreciation—nominate a 4J employee or volunteer!
NOMINATIONS OPEN March 1-31, 2024
Anyone can nominate a 4J employee or volunteer for a Golden Apple Award. The nomination and selection processes also are similar. Golden Apple Awards will given in the same four categories (classified, teachers/licensed, administrator/supervisor, and volunteer), plus a Lifetime Achievement award at the awards ceremony with food, music, and special guests. Eugene Education Foundation will again be giving each award recipient a $250 grant for the 4J school or program of their choosing. Thank you, EEF!
Repeat- REGISTRATION OPEN! Track and Field season begins on Monday, March 11th!
Track and Field is open to ALL students. Students can participate regardless of ability to pay the enrollment fee. Scholarship funds are available so we highly encourage you to ask. All athletes must complete online registration and have a current physical on file before they can practice. To register, please go to the Track 2024 webpage on our school site.
Registration has been extended to 4/2.
Questions or Requests for Fee Assistance? Please contact Spencer Butte Track Coordinator, Heather Acharya, at acharya_h@4j.lane.edu
We love to showcase in the yearbook all the wonderful extracurricular activities, as well as drama performances and band concerts, that SBMS students are involved in throughout the school year. If you have pictures you'd like to share, please email Jenn Kotlarek (kotlarek@4j.lane.edu). Be sure to include student name and details of the activity. Thank you for supporting our yearbook.
Upcoming Events
SBMS Spring Band Concert
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024, 06:30 PM
Spencer Butte Middle School, East 43rd Avenue, Eugene, OR, USA
In Every Issue: How to Connect With Staff
We are here as a part of your child's team. Whenever I have the opportunity to speak with a parent about something involving a class I always ask if they've had a chance to connect with the teacher. I ask that question because involving the teacher is the most powerful thing that we can do to help your child in class.
Our teachers love to hear from parents. Whether there is information about something happening in the student's life, a fun story about when your child spoke about the class at home, concerns about academic progress, or questions about the class, connecting with staff is the first and most important step in helping your student to succeed.
There are many ways to connect with staff. Sending an email or message in Canvas is the most direct way of reaching teachers. You can also call the school at 541-790-8300 and leave a message for a teacher to return.
Contacting Teachers Via Email
To find a teacher's email address, please access our directory below.
[Link to SBMS Staff Email List: https://spencerbutte.4j.lane.edu/staff-e-mail-list/ ]
Contacting Teachers Via the Canvas Parent App*
You may find the Canvas Parent app the easiest way to send a message. When in the app you can send a message by tapping on a course name and then the speech bubble emoji in the bottom right corner. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the inbox, tap on the speech bubble emoji, and then select the teacher/course you are intending to send the message to.
Canvas on Desktop*
If you are accessing Canvas via desktop you are able to send a message through the Inbox feature. To use that, follow the directions below:
- Click on the Inbox logo/name on the left hand side of the screen.
- Once you are in the Inbox, look at the top of the webpage and then click the pictogram that looks like a pencil writing on paper.
- After you do that, you can select the course/teacher you are attempting to contact.
*Information about how to access Canvas is below.
This newsletter is produced by Spencer Butte Middle School for the benefit of our school community. Please feel free to contact us directly.
In addition to contacting teachers, Canvas is also the tool that you can use to keep apprised of your child's grades in class.
How can I access Canvas?
You can access Canvas via the Canvas Parent app (available in the Google and Apple app stores) or by going to https://4j.instructure.com/login/canvas
How do I connect my account to my child's?
In Canvas, parents are called Observers. From the 4J Canvas webpage we learn that "As an Observer you will be able to check grades, monitor assignments and due dates, as well as communicate directly with your student’s teachers."
The key part of becoming an Observer is to pair your parent account with your child's account. To do that, you need a pairing code from your child. There are two ways to get your child's pairing code.
Student Supplied Pairing Code
If you would like to get the pairing code directly from your student, please click on the link below with your child to learn how to get the code:
Link to Creating a Pairing Code for an Observer Video: https://www.loom.com/share/33d85e2c1c7d4b6087ae0a708d63afac
Paula Provides the Pairing Code
Another way to get a pairing code is to contact me directly (nolan_p@4j.lane.edu, 541-790-8300, or click the Contact Paula button at the bottom of the page). Once I receive your request, I will generate the code and email it to you.