Middle School News - 9/20/23
08.23.2023
SMCS MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
September 20, 2023
Message from Mrs. Kalaus, School Counselor
SMCS Directory
Celebrate our Families!
This year, SMCS will be creating and printing a system-wide directory for all our families and staff. In order to make sure it is as accurate as possible, we are asking for your assistance in verifying your information is correct. Please log into PowerSchool and verify that the following information is accurate in your Student Contacts for each student:
We would like as many families as possible to participate, but we do understand the need for privacy. If there is certain information you do not want included, please fill out this form. If you want to be included in the directory, DO NOT fill out the form, but do verify your information is up to date in PowerSchool.
Homecoming Week - September 25-29
Zephyrs Spirit - Support our Sports Teams!
As our middle schoolers continue to grow and explore their interests, it is essential for us as a school community to support them during this transitional phase into high school. One outstanding way to facilitate this support and foster family bonds is by attending high school sporting events together.
To ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, it is our school's expectation that if middle school and elementary-age students attend these high school sporting events, they are with a responsible adult for proper supervision. Your presence ensures that our younger students can fully enjoy and engage in the event while being under the guidance of a caring adult.
At our home football games, we have yellow ropes marking off areas of safety for middle school and elementary students. We kindly ask that you stay within these ropes. This keeps all students in the light and on the grass or blacktop for safety.
Renaissance Star Assessment
The Diocese of Green Bay has decided that beginning with the 2023-24 school year, all schools will be using the Renaissance Star assessment in place of MAP assessment for students in grades K-8. The fall testing window is Sep. 18 - Oct. 20, 2023. Middle school students will be testing in October. Students will take tests in reading and math. Reports will be shared with parents after testing is completed. We want to set our students up for success with Star testing. We will share exact testing dates as we get closer to our October testing time.
Here are a few tips on how you can help at home:
Make sure your child gets a good night sleep the night before
Have your child eat a nutritious breakfast
Avoid scheduling appointments on test days
Encourage your child to do their best
Zephyrs Basketball Club
Registration Now Open through 9/30 - Grades 3 through 8
Attn: Basketball Fans and Prospective Basketball Fans!
What is the Zephyrs Basketball Club? The Zephyrs Basketball Club is a competitive youth basketball tournament team program that looks to develop players for more advanced play. It is open to players grades 3rd – 8th. The goals of the program are different for each grade level.
ZBC tournaments are usually weekend tournaments and competitive level increases as players get older.
For more information on the ZBC program, including Parent and Player Guidelines, please see this link to our website: https://smcatholicschools.org/zephyr-basketball-club.
We would love to have you!! Don’t delay!
Adoration at the Middle School
We are excited to bring our students to adoration on a monthly basis, but we need your help! Are you able to take an hour to spend with Jesus on Thursday, September 21? Sign up here.
Five Parish Rosary Event
Zephyrs Connect 2023
Zephyrs Connect 5K and Kids Fun Run
Join us on October 6 for Zephyrs Connect! This community run/walk raises funds for St. Mary Catholic Schools’ athletics, Booster Club, Fine Arts, and STEM, as well as supporting our five parishes (St. Gabriel Parish, St. John Parish, St. Margaret Mary Parish, St. Mary Parish, St. Patrick Parish). It begins and finishes at St. Mary Catholic High/Middle School.
T-shirts are available for pickup at event check-in. Prices increase after September 4 and participants are NOT guaranteed a t-shirt after that date.
Paid registration fee includes entry to the St. Mary Catholic High School varsity football game for the participant who signed up for the Fun Run/Walk or Kids Fun Run. Paid Kids Fun Run registration fee includes the 5K run/walk event for the participant who signed up for the Kids Fun Run.
Sign up for the event here.
Raising Digital Citizens
You're invited to a meeting of the "Raising Digital Citizens" group on Monday, October 9th, from 6-7pm in the SMCS High School Resource Center at 1050 Zephyr Drive.
This group is for parents who want to learn more about how to help their kids navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. We'll review and discuss research on topics surrounding:
Social media and cyberbullying
Online gaming and internet safety
Digital citizenship and media literacy
The group is free and open to all parents of students at our school. We hope you'll come and learn more about how to help your kids thrive in the digital age.
To RSVP, email jplemon@smcatholicschools.org.
Survivor Overnight Lock-In
What: "Survivor" Overnight Lock-In - A Night of Fun, Food, and Faith. Win Fun Challenges with your team of friends, compete to win awesome prizes!!!
When: Oct. 14-15 from 6pm - 9am
Who: Grades 6-8
Where: St. Mary Parish
What to bring: Friends, 2023-24 liability form, $10 donation for meals (optional)
Sign up Here to join us!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040545AAAA22A7FC1-44349813-survivor#/
Teacher Wish Lists
Support your child(ren) and their teacher(s) in the classroom. Donate to a specific school and grade level and provide classroom enhancement for our teachers. Gifts can be made in $25 increments. You can select as many grade combinations as you wish. You can choose the school you would like your donation to go towards on the second page. Donations will be used for teachers to purchase additional items for their classrooms in order to better the educational experience and opportunities for their students. Check out our teacher wish lists here.
After School Care
After School Care services are available for our middle school students. If your child is still awaiting pick up at 3:30 PM, they will be placed in our After School Care program, which costs $5.50 per hour per child.
Please use this link if your middle school child needs after school care, available 3:30-5:30.
Lunch Volunteers
We are in need of 1-2 volunteers for lunch duty each day to serve food, sanitize tables, and help with general lunchroom tasks. It is fun and easy to learn! No previous experience needed, must be Virtus trained.
New this year: Receive 1 free out of dress code pass the first time you volunteer. You will also receive 1 free out of dress code pass for every third time you volunteer after that. You can share that pass with any middle school student of your choice.
Sign up here! There are tabs across the top of this linked page that allow sign ups thru January.
Virtus Training for Volunteers
We are so grateful to all our volunteers who contribute so much to our schools! If you are considering volunteering or chaperoning any school field trips or events, please complete Virtus training, a background check, and the code of conduct through the Diocese Green Bay. Visit our Volunteer Hub to get started.
Important Dates...
Wednesday, September 20: Liturgy Day; First Art Fab Lab 3:30-4:30
Thursday, September 21: Adoration at the Middle School
Friday, September 22: No School
Friday, September 29: Homecoming Parade
Sunday, October 1: Five Parish Rosary Event
Tuesday, October 3: Builder's Club Meeting 3:30-4:30
Friday, October 6: Zephyrs Connect
Monday, October 9: Raising Digital Citizens Meeting
Friday, October 13: Picture Retake Day
Saturday, October 14: Survivor Overnight Lock-In
Helpful Links
Follow us on social media!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/smcszephyrs
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Zephyr_Sports