Spartan Herald December 2016
Building Community Empowering Learners Inspiring Creativity
We find it hard to believe that December is upon us. November was a busy month with many activities and events for students. On November 28th, we had the opportunity to host the PHM school board meeting and had an awesome turnout. Thank you to all of our families who attended and supported our school and students. The performances by our band, orchestra and choir students were fantastic. Enjoy the sights and sounds that the holiday season brings.
Go Spartans! We are INSPIRED!
https://schmucker.phmschools.org/
Sean Galiher
Principal
Parent To Do List
1. Read this newsletter
2. Read the weekly emails you get from your child's Advisory teacher.
3. Monitor your child's learning online via Canvas or the Canvas app.
4. Please click this link below for many other highlights posted through out Twitter feed.
Important Dates
12/2 - Ski Club Warren Miller Premier
12/7 - Poinsetta Pick Up
12/8 - 4.0 Breakfast
12/26 - 1/7 - Winter Recess
Check out all events on our Website calendar: SMS Calendar
SMS Hosts School Board Meeting
https://www.phmschools.org/news/nov-2016/showcase-schmucker-middle-school
Spell Bowl: 2nd Place In the State: Congratulations Coach Dale and students
Athletics
Advisory Class: Habits of Learning
November's focus was on empathy. We hope your child shared with you their learning on this topic.
Our focus for November will be on gratitude. You can look forward to more information on this topic soon. We have several discussions and activities planned for students to engage in throughout the month.
The video below describes the weekly routine in Advisory.
4.0 Principal's Honor Roll Breakfast
MathCounts
SMS SKI CLUB
Elearning
eLearning Parent Letter (click link)
Amazon Smile (PTO)
Schmucker has recently joined AmazonSmile. You can do all your regular Amazon shopping but use the AmazonSmile website. AmazonSmile has everything Amazon has to offer. Before checking out make sure your account/purchase is linked into the link below. Schmucker PTO will earn 0.5% of your purchases.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/35-1718599
Remember, start your Amazon shopping at this link and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the SMS PTO!
The account will be named "PHM No-Profit Organizations Inc."
This is a simple way to help the students and staff of Schmucker. Thank you for supporting the PTO!
It's Thank-A-Teacher Time Again!
The annual Holiday Thank-a-Teacher program will run from November 14 thru December 2, 2016. This is the perfect opportunity to thank that special teacher, bus driver, office secretary, librarian, or any other P-H-M employee that has made a difference in your child's life. The minimum donation is $20 per recipient and the money received is used to fund future grants for programs that wouldn't otherwise be possible due to budget cuts. Your special person will receive a note and congratulatory pin acknowledging your donation. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. We are also taking credit cards as payment. Forms can be downloaded at www.phmef.org. Thanks for your continued support for the P-H-M Education Foundation where our mission is to support excellence in education at P-H-M schools! Questions can be emailed tolaynabender@phmef.org
Poinsettia Pick-Up
Attention Parents: Just a reminder that Poinsettia pick-up will be on Wednesday, December 7 from 4-6 in the gym. Please enter by Door M by the ramp.
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 on your phone or tablet for Android and Apple devices.
School Messenger Information
Please visit the link below to create an account and set up your alert notification preferences.
School Emergency Guide for Parnets
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:
21st century scholars
Families Can Get help with Lunch & Textbook Fees
Chromebook internet filtering
Securly is a web filter designed to meet the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) standards at school and at home. It filters the web on student's Chromebooks no matter where they are logged in.
Securly filters websites that feature things like pornography, hate speech, gambling and drugs while they are at home. Those types of sites are always filtered while at school. Websites that are largely non-educational or non-school related, like games or social media, may also be filtered at school.
- Safe search and restricted Youtube are on at all times.
Automated Calling for Absences
Intramurals
Schmucker will be offering fun activities to enjoy through our intramural program throughout the year. The intramural coordinator, Mr. Sears has set up "Frisbee Fling, Volleyball & Open Gym". Check out dates and time on our SMS Calendar. Come and join in the fun!