Port Susan Middle School
Family & Student Update 03.24.24
Principal Message
We spent time this week sharing our concerns of cell phone use throughout the school day with students. As a staff, we spend time reminding students &/or asking students to put their phone away. Our policy is that phones are put away throughout the school day and if we see a phone, it is removed and taken to the office for the remainder of the day. If a student needs to make a phone call or check a text, the expectation is they ask adult permission first. This is because as students move from class to class, they are distracted by what they read and/or see on their phone as well as the fact that students are not comfortable with others posting on social media or taking pictures of others. In addition, we ended our week with Deputy Bud McCurry (school resource officer), sharing information with all students regarding the law and responsible cell phone use on our morning announcements.
If your student brings a cell phone to school, please take some time over spring break to look at the pictures they have on their camera roll (they should not have any from school), the usage time during the school day, their social media accounts, and thank you for your support in this effort. If you feel your student uses their phone constantly, there are parental controls that can be set by working with your cell phone provider. We always want students to come to school ready to learn and to understand what it means to make positive choices to be successful. As students move through the educational system and into the greater community after graduation, they will need to understand time and place for technology use and the habits start now. We couldn't do this work without our partnership and support from our parents/guardians. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns with this expectation.
According to a 2018 report by the Pew Research Center, 45 percent of teenagers are online "almost constantly" and U.S. high school seniors spend about six hours a day texting, on social media sites, or surfing the Internet. Research conducted by Jean Twenge, a professor at San Diego State University, shows that more hours of screen time are associated with lower well-being in children and adolescents; the higher users show less curiosity, self-control, and emotional stability; and that twice as many high versus low users of screens are diagnosed with anxiety or depression. -Marc Brackett, Ph.D. (Permission to Feel)
- Mrs. Almanza, Principal
Reminder: Half-days this week
Plan ahead for a different schedule this week.
- Wednesday, March 27, is a teacher in-service day. Schools will be on an early release schedule (7:40-10:40 a.m.) and there will be no late start.
- Thursday, March 28, and Friday, March 29, are spring conferences. Schools will be on an early release schedule (7:40-10:40 a.m.)
- There is no school next week, April 1-5, for Spring Break. Classes then resume Monday, April 8.
You can see the school schedule on our Calendar webpage.
Attention 8th Grade Parents
Email photos to: aharrington@stanwood.wednet.edu OR wholtum@stanwood.wednet.edu
Student Recognition
Throughout the year, our staff recognizes students in the classroom that display the characteristics of our Knight's Code.
Supporting Learning: being prepared to learn, following classroom expectations, and participating actively and appropriately.
Showing Kindness: by actively listening, treating everyone with respect, and taking care of Port Susan Middle School.
Embracing Diversity: for embracing other backgrounds, considering the feelings of others, and putting people first
This past week, we had several students recognized (listed below).
Band Concert
What a wonderful performance this past week for our PSMS Band!
Wrestling League Finals
Stanwood wrestlers had league finals this weekend. Athletes that placed in the Northwest Middle School Wrestling Finals were the following...
Boys:
1st Place: Dawson McDaniel, Bjorn Small
2nd: Copeland Zyph
3rd Jaxon Hamilton
4th Dalton Osborne, Grady Meadows, Alex Lopez
Girls:
1st Place: Bella Warnken, Claire Bonner, Jordyn O'Neill, Riley Rich
2nd: Selena Perez
Stanwood girls placed 1st overall!!!
Girls Basketball
The 7th grade girls varsity basketball team took down the Stanwood Spartans 30-17. The Knights used great team defense to slow the Spartans down. The honor of the game bracelet goes to Grace for always giving her best effort. Congratulations on a great season!
Spring Boys Soccer and Boys/Girls Track
Spring Play
PSMS Clubs
D&D Club Flyer: Mondays with Mr. McCrumb 2:20pm-3:50
Music Club Fridays 2:30-3:30 with Mr. Bletscher
Sewing Club Thursdays 2:20-3:30 with Mrs. Zurcher (more kids are welcome: Sign up here)
Chess Club 2: Wednesdays/ every other Fridays 2:20-3:30 with Mrs. Shoemaker
Photography Club Tuesdays 2:20-3:50 with Mr. McCrumb and Mr. Rochon Sign Up Here
Soap Box Derby Club: Thursdays 2:30-4 with Mr. Rochon (starts March 14) Sign Up Here
State Testing
This spring your student will take the Smarter Balanced in math and English language arts. Students in grades 8 will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) or the WA-AIM science assessment.
The results from these tests will give a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to be ready for college or career. When students reach grade 10, the Smarter Balanced can also be used as a graduation pathway.
For state testing, we will provide headphones and all testing materials for students. If they'd like to use their own/personal headphones, please make sure they are WIRED and plug into our Chromebook (state testing does not allow wireless headphones).
Students will take the tests online. Our school is scheduled to take the tests:
- Science: May 6th-10th
- ELA/Math CAT: May 13th - 17th
- ELA/Math PT: May 20th - 24th
For more information about the Smarter Balanced and WCAS tests, visit: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/testing/state-testing-overview, and click on the name of the test.
What’s New in the PSMS Library?
Staff Shout Out: Mrs. Pedersen
1. How long have you been at Port Susan? I have been at PSMS for 2 years, I have taught 6th and 7th grade math.
2. What is your favorite part of PSMS? My favorite thing about PSMS is the STUDENTS...and no I am not kidding, I have taught elsewhere and I really enjoy our students.
3. What are your hobbies? In my free time I like to travel!!
Week of 03/25 through 03/29
Monday, March 25th
- Regular Schedule
Tuesday, March 26th
- Regular Schedule
Wednesday, March 27th
- 1/2 Day Schedule (7:40 - 10:40am)
- Conferences
Thursday, March 28th
- 1/2 Day Schedule (7:40 - 10:40am)
- Conferences
Friday, March 29th
- 1/2 Day Schedule (7:40 - 10:40am)
**Have a wonderful spring break!!!!
State Testing
Science: May 6th-10th
ELA/Math CAT: May 13th - 17th
ELA/Math PT: May 20th - 24th
***Spring Break: NO SCHOOL April 1st through 5th
District news
Bus guidelines
To keep everyone safe on school buses and to abide by state law, please follow these guidelines while on a bus:
All items — such as sports equipment, instruments, and metal water bottles — must be completely secured inside of a closed bag or instrument case.
The bus is considered an extension of the school day, and students are expected to behave in a way that is consistent with school/classroom expectations.
For example, items such as bats, lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets, and Stanley water bottles must be secured inside a closed bag while on a school bus.
There are no exceptions to these rules and regulations, per WAC 392-145-021 (Washington State Administrative Code) and School Board policy.
We appreciate your help in making sure that our students continue to stay safe on the bus and following state law so our school buses remain in service.
Please contact our Transportation Department with any questions.
Still time to take and share the annual community survey!
We're still hoping more community members take our annual Community Survey.
Your voice truly helps us plan for and prioritize for the years ahead as we adjust our practices in several ways to meet the needs of our students, staff, families, and community!
Local nonprofits offer clubs and programs for students
Several area nonprofit organizations — such as the Stanwood-Camano YMCA and the Stanwood Camano Arts Advocacy Commission — offer clubs, programs, classes, and events for local students, including:
- Inclusive Egg Hunt
- Spring Sports (YMCA)
- Freeform Line Drawing (SCAAC)
- Spring Rowing (Everett Rowing)
View even more local programming on our Community e-Fliers webpage!
Friday Family Message
Find the most recent Friday Family Message from the Stanwood-Camano School District online HERE
Thank you for your support!
Cherae Almanza, Principal
Crysty Auckland, Assistant Principal
Teacher Emails
Dave Austin (6-8 Fitness & Social Studies 6) daustin@stanwood.wednet.edu
Jonathan Bletscher (6-8 Band & 6 Choir) jbletscher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joan Campbell (6-7 Math) jcampbell@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tamara Pedersen (6-7 Math) tpedersen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Stunz (7 ELA & 7/8 Art) lstunz@stanwood.wednet.edu
Grace Gale (6 Science & 8 STEM/Robotics) GGale@stanwood.wednet.edu
Chelsea Hanson (6-8 ELA/Humanities) CHanson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Audrie Harrington (6/7 ELA & 7/8 Leadership) aharrington@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joshua Keaton (7/8 History) jkeaton@stanwood.wednet.edu
Seth Hills (6/7 Social Studies) shills@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Johnson (6-8 Assist) ljohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Wade Johnson (7/8 Science) wjohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Rebecca Klein (6/7 Science) rklein@stanwood.wednet.edu
Meghan Lawrence (6-8 PBS) mlawrence@stanwood.wednet.edu
Ellianna Martin (6-8 Math) emartin@stanwood.wednet.edu>,
Daniel Mccrumb (6/7 Science) DMccrumb@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sarah Oldow (6-8 Health & 6 Art) soldow@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tracy Riley (6-8 ELA) TRiley@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kelcie Rocha (7/8 Math) krocha@stanwood.wednet.edu
Brad Rochon (6-8 Computers & 6 Leadership) brochon@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sheri Schroeder (8 History & ELA) sleeschroeder@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kym Shoemaker (7/8 Math) kshoemaker@stanwood.wednet.edu
Crystal Titus (6-8 Fitness & 7/8 Lifetime Fitness) ctitus@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kayte White (8 ELA & 6 Cultures) kwhite@stanwood.wednet.edu
Julia Zurcher (7 History & 7/8 Home Ec) jzurcher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Office Support
Christy Thompson (8 Counselor) cthompson2@stanwood.wednet.edu
Keli Niegemann (6-8 Counselor) kniegemann@stanwood.wednet.edu
Emily Bowne (School Psychologist) ebowne@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kandyce Hansen (Speech Language Pathologist) khansen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Debbie Byrum (Librarian) dbyrum@stanwood.wednet.edu
Amy Hart (Student Support Advocate) ahart@stanwood.wednet.edu