Spartan Herald May 2018
Building Community Empowering Learners Inspiring Creativity
SMS PRIDE Everyday!
Hello Schmucker Families,
As we are finally greeted with warm weather, I am inspired to look to the summer and even next fall!
First, we have exciting Spartan news. Christie Heerschop was recently appointed as the Principal at Mary Frank Elementary School. She will begin with the Mary Frank Mustangs at the start of next school year. Our SMS community appreciated all her work this year with the fundraiser, 5 Star, Star Cards and many more initiatives. Her willingness to always put students first and her positive approach added a great deal to our school. She will be missed but will always be a Spartan!
I am thrilled to announce that Kristyn Martin will be joining us in the role of Assistant Principal at Schmucker Middle School. Mrs. Martin has served as the Freshman Academy Leader at Penn High School. She holds her Master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University and is currently working on completing a second Master’s degree in Administration from Ball State University. I am confident she will bring her expertise as a previous middle school language arts teacher and a leader at the high school to our students. This knowledge in tandem with her ability to build strong, lasting relationships with students and staff will be an asset to our Schmucker community. We are excited to welcome her to our Spartan family!
As we look to the close of this school year, I encourage all of our students to stay focused and finish strong. All year we have discussed our Schmucker stories, and we have many amazing stories to tell from this year!
With your child in mind,
Lavon Dean-Null
Principal
Silver Mile Bubble Bash
In just a few short days (May 5th), the P-H-M Education Foundation will be hosting Silver Mile Bubble Bash. This event is sponsored by both Dr. and Mrs. Thacker and is designed to raise funds to support our students through teacher grants, scholarships for students, staff development, and other initiatives designed to give our students the very best of everything in education.
Our own Schmucker Spartans have spent the last three weeks participating in a variety of fundraising events to support this community wide event. Students and staff alike have been donating funds all month to show their Schmucker Spartan Pride. Our goal this school year was to raise $3,000.00 just from Schmucker Middle School students. Currently, our goal is in reach with just a few days remaining before Saturday’s event.
On this Friday, May 4th, the entire school will participate in a “Miracle Minute” in hopes of making a late push towards our goal. All Advisory class teachers will take donations and the class to bring in the most money will get a breakfast party provided by P-H-M Food Services.
This event is great way to inspire our community to invest in our schools and our children. If your haven’t donated yet, it's not too late to send your student to school with some spare change.
The Silver Mile Bubble Bash will take place on Saturday, May 5tth, starting at 9:00 am. The 5K Run will have a new addition to the event by adding Bubble Bash stations. Remember, this is a non-timed event designed to get everyone out enjoying the weather for a great cause. For the first year, there will be a Fun Walk option for those of you choosing to take a shorter route to the finish line. Also, families are invited into the Penn High School Cafe for the Educational/Health and Fitness Fair which includes free health screenings provided by St. Joseph Medical Center.
Thank you for your continued support of our children and our school corporation. You can still register for this event by visiting this link: Silver Mile Bubble Bash
Spartan Pride
Hello Spartan families! This will be my final article for the Spartan Herald, and I want to wish you all a wonderful summer, and a fond farewell. On Monday, April 23, I was named the next principal at Mary Frank Elementary. I will replace Ms. Hildreth, who is retiring from Mary Frank after 14 years. While I am extremely excited, I want you all to know how much I have treasured this year at Schmucker. From our record sales for Mrs. Fields in the fall, to 6th grade dances, sporting events filled with great sportsmanship, and the numerous academic successes I've seen with our students, this year will always be memorable for me. Thank you for letting me share in your children's lives this year. I will always carry the Spartan Pride with me.
Important Dates
May 3 - PTO Meeting
May 8 - Primary Election
May 14 - 8th Grade Awards Night
May 17 - 7/8 Grade - 3rd Quarter 4.0 Luncheon
May 18 - 6th Grade - 3rd Quarter 4.0 Luncheon
May 18 - 8th Grade "End of the Year" Party
May 22 - 6th Grade Field Trip
May 22 - IHSAA Sports Physical
May 23 - 6/7/8 Orchestra Concert
May 24 - 6/7 Band Concert
May 28 - Memorial Day Recess
May 29-June 2 - 8th Grade "Washington DC Trip"
May 31 - 6/7 Choir Concert
June 5 - Last Day of School
Check out all events on our Website calendar: SMS Calendar
PLEASE READ OUR PTO NEWSLETTER BELOW:
4.0 PRINCIPAL'S HONOR ROLL Luncheon
We will be celebrating our third quarter 4.0 luncheon on Thursday, May 17th and Friday, May 18th. If you have a child who achieved the status of Principal’s Honor Roll, he/she will be invited to attend the Luncheon.
6th Grade – May 18th @ 12:00pm
7th Grade – May 17th @ 1:00pm
8th Grade – May 17th @ 11:30am
We would like to Congratulate everyone on a job well done!
NJHS News!
Many NJHS students will be volunteering at the PHMEF Silver Mile on Saturday, May 5th. On May 18th, students will be taking a field trip for our final service project of the year. We will be working in several Mishawaka Parks, planting flowers and doing general clean up. Please make sure to turn in the permission slips to participate by MAY 15th!
8th Grade L.A. Visitor
VEX Robotic 2018-19 Information
21st century scholars
Free $$ for college!
The 21st Century Scholars program is need-based assistance which will help students have the ability to go to college who otherwise may not be able to afford it. The program can save you and your family thousands of dollars on higher education past high school, as well as connect you and your student to other great resources.
The deadline for this opportunity to enroll is JUNE 30 of a student's 8th grade year. Once this date has passed, students cannot enroll while at the high school. Please take the time to visit http://scholars.in.gov/parents/enroll/ to learn more about the program and enroll your student right away before this opportunity is no longer available. Email or call your child's school counselor if you have further questions.
8TH GRADE - WASHINGTON, D.C. TRIP
Schmucker 8th grade students will be attending the Washington, D.C. field trip from May 29 to June 2.
6th Grade - S.B. Cubs Field Trip
The sixth grade students will be going to see the South Bend Cubs at Four Winds Field on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. The student will be actively engaged in different activities in their core classes prior to the baseball game. Students will learn about the history of baseball, how to formulate statistical questions, differentiate between the terms speed and velocity, and research famous baseball players in history.
IHSAA Sports Physical
SMS Cross Country
7th & 8th Grade Schmucker Cheerleading Tryouts
2018-2019 Football and Basketball Squads
Practice Dates and Times:
Monday, May 14th 4:00-5:30
Tuesday, May 15th 4:00-5:30
Tryout Dates and Times:
6th Gr. trying out for 7th Gr. Cheer
Thursday, May 17th 4:15–5:30 or until finished
7th Gr. trying out for 8th Gr. Cheer
Thursday, May 17th 5:30- until finished
Girls will learn an individual cheer, group cheer, fight song, jumps and practice their spirit runs. Attire: athletic shorts, shirt and shoes are required. Pull hair back in a ponytail.
Selection: A maximum of 28 cheerleaders per grade level, minimum of 24 cheerleaders per grade level will be chosen, 12-14 for football and 12-14 for basketball. Candidates may choose to try out for a specific squad if they participate in another sport. For example, if someone runs cross-country or plays volleyball, they would try out for the basketball squad. We need to know if you parti sport prior to you trying out, so we can place you on the correct squad if you are selected. Otherwise, you will try out, and if selected, will be assigned to a squad for either football or basketball.
Everyone must have a physical on file and also the code of conduct form completed and on file. If you participated in a sport this school year 2017-2018 then you already have a physical you get now will count for tryouts AND next school year 2018-2019 sports. You will not be allowed to participate in practices or tryouts without a physical.
CHEER MEETING: Parents & Cheerleaders, Wednesday, May 23rd - LGI.
• Football cheerleaders meet in LGI from 5:00-6:00
• Basketball Cheerleaders meet in LGI from 6:00-7:00 Enter through Door C.
Payments will be due at this meeting:
- $45 for Penn High School for cheer camp June 11-15th
- Cheer Gear - girls will need to purchase shoes, poms, bows, socks, briefs, top and spirit wear. All information regarding these items will be handed out at the meeting.
- Indiana Ultimate Camp
P-H-M SILVER MILE - Bubble Bash
Remember the bubbly fun of car washes and bath time? The Silver Mile 5K run is changing into a Bubble Bash – welcoming runners of all experience levels while blasting through foam bogs along the course. It is a non-timed 5K Run/Walk that incorporates bubble stations for participants to travel through during the event. Those not wanting to run/walk a 5K, there will be an option to take a shorter loop.
The Silver Mile Run for Education will also include our amazing Silent Auction, Health & Fitness Expo, free health screenings by Saint Joseph Medical Center, and Talent Showcase! Our Talent Showcase will be expanded this year so we can include more of our incredibly talented students throughout P-H-M.
This fun-filled, family friendly event will take place on Saturday, May 5, from 8:30am to noon at Penn High School. Register by Friday, March 30th for Early Bird prices ($15 students/$25 adults) and come out with your friends and family and enjoy a morning of fun and bubbles! Register athttps://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Mishawaka/SilverMileRunforEducation (also found on phmef.org website).
For questions or more information, visit www.phmef.org or contact Amber Kennedy at amber@phmef.org
Student Service Office Supports
One Book One School Update
Athletics
Our boys and girls track teams are in full swing and doing very well this season. They are running meets every Tuesday and Thursday with one team home and the other team away. Make sure you check out our schedules and come out and support our Schmucker Spartan track teams! The Big 11 Track Prelims for boys and girls will be held at Concord High School on Tuesday, May 8th with the rain date being on May 9th. The Big 11 Track Finals will be held on Friday, May 11 with the rain date being on Tuesday, May 15.
Intramurals
Naming Options & P-H-M Education Foundation
The menu of naming rights is ideal for alumni classes, student groups, and more!
Friends and colleagues can work collectively to name a class, lab, or hallway as a way of supporting a high school activity or P-H-M staff member (past or present) who made a lasting impact. Coming together as a group can be a lasting example of excellence in education.
Check out this link for more details.
SMS Clubs
Writing Club is meeting every Thursday in Ms. Fiegel's room #211 after school until 5:15.
Film Club is meeting every Tuesday in Ms. Turpins's room #309 after school until 5:15.
WSMS
WSMS is recorded to Youtube ALMOST every day. (Technology!) If you would like to watch our daily announcements, check it out!
Here is the link to the channel if you want to publish it to parents.
How Your Child Can Connect to Schmucker Happenings
1. Each morning students produce a newscast on WSMS that highlight upcoming events.
2. Every Monday students are emailed a Student Newsletter. This publication includes the weekly menu, important dates like athletic events and clubs, and important announcements and reminders.
Consent To Publish student work and photographs
PHM requires schools to receive permission from parents to publish student photos and work. If you have not returned this document, please access the link below, print the document and return signed to school. We must receive this document from every student.
COMMUNITY EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
Check out the P-H-M website for an online listing of non-school events & activities agencies have asked us to share with P-H-M families:
Lunch Menus
HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION
Important Information from the Health Office
Notifications will be mailed out in May reminding an adult to pick up medication that was stored at school for your student. Daily medications and emergency medications will be disposed of by the end of the day on the last day of school unless other arrangements are made with the health office. Other medications (cough drops, cold medicine, Advil, Tylenol etc.) will be disposed of on June 1st, unless other arrangements are made with the health office.
If your student has an Individualized Health Plan, copies of that plan will be mailed home. Please look it over and make any revisions for school year 2018-2019. Please make sure that this is returned to the health office by the start of school year 2018-2019 so that we can adequately care for your student.
If your student will require any additional vaccines, you will be notified via a letter. Please make sure that those are taken care of as soon as possible in order to prevent any interruption of your student’s education in the fall of 2018.
Please note:
Current 5th grade students: to enter the 6th grade in August, you must have a Tdap, a meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine, and 2 Hepatitis A vaccines BEFORE the first day of school August 22, 2018..
Current 11th grade students: to enter 12th grade in August, you must have a meningococcal (MCV4) booster and 2 Hepatitis A vaccines BEFORE the first day of school August 22, 2018. It is a recommendation that you also have a Meningococcal B vaccine.
Schmucker Scrip Program
Scrip is a national fundraising program for non-profit organizations. Over 30,000 different organizations use Scrip; the district PTO’s have been running this program for years.
For more information click here for more details on our SMS website.
Student/Family Opportunities
Homework Requests
School Messenger
Protected by Raptor
Canvas
Canvas is a LMS (Learning Management System) that is used in PHM. Teachers can put content online for students, make announcements and provide assignments. All parents are enrolled in the Canvas course of their students as observers. As observers, you can see the content, but are not able to interact with it. Please access the links below to learn more.
To keep you organized, you can also download the Canvas app for your phone or tablet.
Student Hours
9:00am - First Bell
9:05am - Classes Begin
4:00pm - Dismissal
4:10pm - Bus Departure
Lavon Dean-Null
Email: ldean-null@phm.k12.in.us
Website: http://schmucker.phmschools.org/
Location: Schmucker Middle School, Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN, United States
Phone: 574-259-5661
Twitter: @SMSSpartanPride