SMS Weekly Update
4.12.24
Message from the Principal
We had a great week back with our students. Please take a look at our upcoming events.
April 15th- quarter 3 reports cards available to view on Parent Connect
April 16th- MSTEP Testing continues for all grades
April 24th- 5th Grade Transition Night at 6-7pm
May 23rd- 8th Grade Ceremony at 6-7pm
May 24th- Half Day of School, dismissal at 11am
May 27th- No School (Memorial Day)
Donations Needed
Teacher Appreciation Month is Coming Up!
In celebration of their hard work, we invite you to participate in showing gratitude towards our teachers. You can get involved by submitting the form (below) to share your heartfelt messages of appreciation to child's teachers. Additionally, if you're able, we encourage you to contribute your time or items towards our upcoming Teacher Appreciation Breakfast (link below).
Your support and involvement in honoring our educators are deeply appreciated. Thank you for joining us in recognizing and celebrating the exceptional efforts of our teachers.
Submit a video message to support our teachers
MDE invites parents to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Nothing fancy is required—cell phones can capture the videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent may be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until Friday, April 19, 2024.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and the MDE’s YouTube channel. The Office of Educator Excellence Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages will be promoting the videos throughout the month of May.
If your child has great things to say about a teacher, don’t hesitate—use the instructions found on our website to submit a video today!
8th Grade T-Shirt Orders
One of the events we are planning for our students is a breakfast (more information to come). During this time, students will be given fabric markers and 8th grade t-shirts to sign each other's shirts.
Any interested 8th grade students that want to purchase a shirt for this event will be able to do so during their lunch period for the remainder of April. We will need all money and shirt sizes collected by April 30th. The shirts will cost $10 each. We can only accept cash or check (checks made out to Stevenson Middle School).
If you are interested in donating funds to support students who are unable to pay for their own t-shirt, please send an email to morriss@wwcsd.net expressing your interest. Thank you for your consideration!
8th Grade Dance Information
Our 8th grade dance is coming up! We are excited to celebrate with our 8th graders. Thank you to everyone who already submitted the 8th grade agreement form. If you haven't yet, please be sure to do so. We will not be selling tickets to any students who haven't signed the agreement form. You can find that link embedded in the pdf attached (below).
Donations Requested for the 8th Grade Dance
Grade Level Focus Areas for April
April's focus areas for each grade level
Here is the focus area for each grade level for the month of April. We are so proud of all of our students in all grade levels for meeting their March goals. We know that they can do it again!!
Congratulations to our Students!
Every grade level met their goals for the month of March so they were treated to pizza this week (random drawing of names) with our Behavior Team. We are so proud of each of our students. Continue to meet your goals to be treated to more rewards and prizes for next month. We know you can do it!
Pizza With the Principal
RAPS Party for Quarter 3
Our next RAPS party is scheduled for Friday, April 26th.
Culture and Diversity Festival
Culture and Diversity Festival- April 25, 2024
Join us for an exciting evening filled with food from around the world, vibrant cultural attire, dance performances, and valuable resources for both students and families!
International Food Tasting: Indulge your taste buds in a global culinary journey with delicious dishes from various cultures, prepared by our wonderful Career Tech chefs and students.
Cultural Attire Encouraged: Embrace the beauty of cultural diversity by wearing attire that represents your heritage or showcases a culture you admire.
Dance Performances: Experience the richness of different cultures through variety dance performances.
College & Career Resources: Explore opportunities for higher education and career advancement with guidance from our WWCSD staff and representatives from colleges, universities, and career services.
School of Choice Information: Discover educational options tailored to your needs and aspirations, with information on different schools and programs available in our district.
Live Entertainment: Enjoy live music, performances, and interactive activities for all.
Summer Programs: Learn about enriching summer programs and activities for students.
Resources for Families: Find valuable resources and support services for ML families, including health, education, childcare, and community assistance programs.
Save the date and don't miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate diversity!
Multicultural Calendar 2023-2034
Here is a multicultural calendar for this school year featuring a diverse array of holidays, traditions, awareness, recognitions and celebrations.
Last Chance to Buy Your Yearbook!
Basketball Tournament
Wayne-Westland Community Schools is hosting a 3v3 basketball tournament for grades 4-12 on May 11 at John Glenn High School! Please see the attached flyer for details.
- $25 per player
- Coed teams
- 4 players per team
- Half-court game format
- 3 game minimum
- Must be enrolled in Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Single Player PAY Here: https://wwcsd.revtrak.net/district-payments/#/v/4th-and-5th-grade-3v3-basketball-tournament-student-registration
Team (4) PAY Here: https://wwcsd.revtrak.net/district-payments/#/v/4th-and-5th-grade-3v3-basketball-tournament-team-registration
REGISTER Your Student Here: https://forms.gle/6BF8ZNWVcd2v9ao46
More Information: https://www.wwcsd.net/soaring-stripes-3v3-basketball-tournament/
RAPS Weekly Focus for April
From the Classrooms
Solar Eclipse
Our Science classes took students out to see the Solar eclipse this week. What an incredible experience for them!
More Eclipse Lessons
Students in Ms. McDonald’s class learned about the solar eclipse today. In math they had to solve problems about the movement of the sun, earth, and moon using different formulas. In social studies they read about the differences between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse. They went outside 6th hour so they could watch most of it. How cool!
Second Step Lesson - 4/10
This week during our Second Step time, we started Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict.
6th Grade - You’re Changing
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child examined changes they’ve gone through and how those changes affected their relationships.
Question: Share how one of your friendships or relationships has changed over time. Ask your child to share how some of their friendships have changed since starting middle school.
7th Grade - What Makes a Conflict Escalate?
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child examined common reasons social conflicts escalate from minor to major.
Question: Discuss with your child a time in your life when you were involved in an escalating conflict. What do you wish you had done instead? Ask your child if they are part of a conflict right now that they need help with.
8th Grade - My Values
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child explored their values and identified how behaviors that are important to them show them what they value.
Question: Ask your child about some of the values they have identified and why. Share a few of your own values and how you live out those values in your day-to-day life.
Second Step Lessons This Week
Mrs. Morgan’s students working on their Second Step lesson for the week, discussing their values and the ones that mean the most to them.
5th Grade Transition Night
Do you know any families with a 5th grade student? Feel free to share this information so they don't miss the events at each middle school to welcome the incoming families!
Early College
Wayne-Westland Early College provides students an opportunity to simultaneously complete the high school diploma and an associate degree at no cost to families. To learn more, visit www.wwcsd.net/earlycollege
Wayne Memorial HS Instrumental Music Mattress Fundraiser
IRS Update
The Internal Revenue Service wants to share the following information with families.
Child Tax Credit (CTC): The CTC is a credit that may reduce your tax by as much as $2,000 for each child who qualifies you for the credit. To qualify, the child must be a U.S. citizen under age 17, have a Social Security number, be claimed as a dependent on the taxpayer's tax return, and more. Use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool to determine eligibility: Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents? For more information, please see: Child Tax Credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)
Other Dependent Credit (ODC): The ODC is a credit that may reduce your tax by as much as $500 for each eligible dependent. The person is claimed as a dependent on your return; the person can’t be used by you to claim the CTC or Additional CTC; the person was a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien. Again, use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool to determine eligibility: Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents?
Note: The credit amount for family’s CTC or ODC may be reduced if their modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is more than $400,000 for married filing jointly filing status or $200,000 for all other filing statuses.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): One refundable tax credit for moderate- and low-income families is the Earned Income Tax Credit. The IRS estimates there are millions of workers who qualify but don't claim the EITC - missing out on thousands of dollars every year. The EITC is as much as $3,995 when claiming one child, $6,604 when claiming two children, and $7,430 when claiming three or more children. Use the EITC Assistant to learn if you're eligible for the tax credit. For more detailed information, see Publication 596, Earned Income Credit.
Note: Adjusted gross income limits are used to qualify families for EITC.
Child and Dependent Care Credit: Taxpayers who paid someone to care for their child, spouse, or dependent so they can work, be a full-time student, or look for work may be able to reduce their tax by claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The total expenses that you may use to calculate the credit may not be more than $3,000 (for one qualifying individual) or $6,000 (for two or more qualifying individuals). Use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool: Am I Eligible to Claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit? For more information, please see: Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses or Topic no. 602, Child and dependent care credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).
Attendance Update
Regular attendance is crucial for your child's academic success. Please make every effort to ensure your child attends school on time every day and stays throughout the whole day. Consistent attendance throughout the school day allows your child to engage in learning and maximize their educational opportunities fully.
Illness: If your child is not feeling well and cannot attend school, please notify us immediately. Students who are ill should not attend school to prevent the spread of illness to others.
Excused Absences: We understand that there may be instances when your child needs to be absent due to illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, or other legitimate reasons. Please notify the school in advance whenever possible to classify the absence as excused.
Unexcused Absences: Unexcused absences negatively impact your child's education. Absences without valid reasons will be considered unexcused, and appropriate actions may be taken per district policy.
Timely reporting of absences helps us maintain accurate attendance records and ensures that your child's absence is properly documented. Absences must be reported within 24 hours.
There are two convenient methods for reporting your child's absence to facilitate efficient communication and accurate attendance records.
You can notify your child's school through the dedicated attendance line. Please leave a detailed message stating your child's name, grade, and reason for absence.
You can report absences directly through MiStar, our secure online portal for student information. MiStar provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to submit absences.
Thank you for your ongoing support in creating a positive and productive learning environment for all our students.
Family Resource Center Information
Mental Health Support
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us on Facebook: Stevenson Saints Middle School
Follow us on Instagram: @StevensonSaints
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of us directly at domank@wwcsd.net (Student Last Names: Br-Me) or phillipsae@wwcsd.net (Student Last Names: A-Bo & Mi-Z).
Sincerely,
Mrs. Doman and Ms. Phillips
Last Names A-Bo & Mi-Z- Ms. Reinink, reininkk@wwcsd.net
Last Names Br-Me- Mrs. Shecter, shecterc@wwcsd.net