Spartan Scoop
Sunnyvale Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Week of March 4th, 2024
Principal's Message
Good evening, everyone -
We had a good week last week with half of the 6th grade taking a trip to De Anza for a visit to the planetarium and a tour of the college and our Peer Connect club taking their first off-campus outing.
This week our library is serving as a voting precinct. It has been open since Saturday morning. You can drop your vote by mail ballot off - or vote in-person. Please follow the signs and enter through the "C"-wing gate. We will have a campus supervisor along with election workers supervising that hallway during the election. Also, please remember to exercise your civic duty and vote!
This week's events:
* Monday, 3/4 is an "A" day
* Tuesday, 3/5, 6th grade De Anza Field Trip (1/2 of students)
* Tuesday, 3/5, Election Day - please vote!
* Tuesday, 3/5, 6:30pm, POPS concert (Band, Orchestra, & Choir) in the gym
Thursday, 3/7, 5th grade orientation meetings:
> Cherry Chase: 5pm
> Vargas: 6pm
Report an absence:
email (preferred): sms.attendance@sesd.org
phone Julie Melville: call: 408.522.8288 x2105
- Include student's first & last name, grade, and reason for absence
Nurse's Corner
Parents of incoming 7th graders: The California state requirement mandates that prior to entering 7th grade, students must receive the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccination. If your child has not yet received this vaccination, please schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider at your earliest convenience. Once your child has been vaccinated, please provide a copy of the immunization record to the school office. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school environment safe and healthy for all students!
Sleep: Good sleep habits are essential for middle school students. Research shows that excessive screen time before bed, especially on mobile devices emitting blue light, can disrupt sleep patterns. To support your child's well-being, consider establishing a bedtime routine that includes limiting screen time and encouraging activities that promote relaxation. Middle school students should aim for 9-11 hours of sleep per night to stay healthy and perform their best in school.
PTSA Pizza-My-Heart Fundraiser!
Thank you to everyone who supported the school through the Pizza-My-Heart Fundraiser! When we went to pick up a couple of pizzas it was packed with Sunnyvale Middle families!
Peer Connect Club Outing last week
The Peer Connect Club brings together students with learning differences/disabilities and their general education peers in a friendly and fun environment every Wednesday during lunch time. The students are exposed to different peers who they normally wouldn't have the chance to have relationships with.
On Thursday the Peer Connect students went on a field trip to Bowlero in Cupertino. The 20 students spent time together bowling, playing arcade games, ping pong, pool and also enjoyed lunch. Everyone has a great time and are looking forward to the next outing!
Thank you to the Sunnyvale Education Foundation (SEF) and SMS PTSA for supporting Peer Connect.
Community Questions
Ask your Community Questions here! (Earlier answers to Community Questions are here).
Spartan PTSA Updates!
PTSA Association Meeting: The next SMS PTSA Association meeting is scheduled for March 12th. Plan to attend the meeting to hear about the updates from the Principal, the PTSA board and how we spend the money we raised. The meeting is hybrid and you can attend through zoom or join us at the school.
Agenda for the meeting:
I. Call to order.
II. Approval of minutes from February Association Meeting
III. Financial Reports
IV. Reports
Nomination Committee Updates
Principal’s report
SEF Report
Membership Report
Special Ed Committee Report
President’s report
Staff Appreciation Week
Fundraiser events updates
International Night updates
V. Announcements
International Block Party - Mar 29th, 5 - 7:30pm
Staff Appreciation Week - May 6th - 10th
8th Grade Dance - May 31st, 6-8pm
VI. Adjournment
International Night: SMS’s International night is back on March 29th. We have a lead for the event. If you are interested in representing your country or being a part of the committee, reach out to president.sms.ptsa@gmail.com or smsinternationalblockparty@gmail.com.
Staff Appreciation Committee positions: It is the time again to start planning for our week long Staff Appreciation Celebrations. We are looking for volunteers to be part of the Staff Appreciation Committee to help plan the event. Please send an email out to president.sms.ptsa@gmail.com if you would like to help with the planning! It is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow parents and teachers.
PTSA Donations: SMS PTSA is devoted to making a difference for all SMS students, teachers and staff through supporting vital and enriching programs and opportunities.
We are 100% volunteer-driven and 100% self-funded by community members. In order for the US to continue supporting OUR students in OUR school, we are asking you for your generosity in donating to our annual “Spartan Strong” campaign. This year, our campaign goal is $75,000. We have reached $42,000(~56% to our final goal) to date thanks to your generous donations. If you have not donated as yet, please consider donating!
To donate, please click here: https://www.sms-ptsa.org/donate.html
Upcoming Dates!
Monday, 3/4 is an "A" day
Tuesday, 3/5, Voting Day
Tuesday, 3/5, 6th grade De Anza Field Trip (1/2 of students)
Tuesday, 3/5, 6pm: Band, Orchestra, Choir Concert in the gym
Thursday, 3/7, 5th grade orientation meetings:
> Cherry Chase: 5pm
> Vargas: 6pm
Monday, 3/11 is a "B" day
Tuesday, 3/12, 7:30pm: PTSA General Meeting
Volunteer Process!
If you have other questions, here is the Sunnyvale School District volunteer page.
You can also email: guadalupe.gomez@sesd.org
More than a Meal ... Income forms
If you have not completed the Income Survey yet, please do so. Complete the survey here: Income Form
If you click on the three lines in the upper left corner, you can select a different language.
Homework Center & AfterSchool Programs!
It is NOT too late to sign up! If you are interested in one of these clubs, please click: After School Programs. and sign up!
Homework Center is drop-in: M-Th, 3:15-4:30pm
Student grades
Your student's grades are up-to-date in PowerSchool. These are the directions for accessing:
If you have questions about your student's grades, please reach-out to your student's teacher or AST teacher.
Clubs
Lots of good information for students ...
Credits: Lauren Ishimatu, Claire Ishimatsu, and Maggie Ng for creating this for our community!
2023-2024 Bell Schedule
On Wednesdays, get to school no later than 9:30 am.
Report an absence:
Julie Melville ......... sms.attendance@sesd.org (preferred) OR
call: 408.522.8288 x2105
- Include student's first & last name, grade, and reason for absence
Principal Team:
Vince Iwasaki (vince.iwasaki@sesd.org), Principal
Giovanni Bui (giovanni.bui@sesd.org), 6th- Assistant Principal
Angela Guzmán (angela.guzman@sesd.org), 7th- Assistant Principal,
Stephanie Malcolm (stephanie.malcolm@sesd.org), 8th- Assistant Principal
Contact us:
1080 Mango Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Phone: 408-522-8288
Office Hours: 7:30 am- 3:30 pm