The arrival of April–and maybe spring!--brings several significant events at Sacajawea.

On Thursday, April 13, we hold our annual Spring Conferences from 10:00am-6:00pm. The conferences provide the opportunity for our students to reflect on their learning to this point in the year–the growth they have experienced and the opportunities for continued improvement. All students will prepare for the conferences prior to the 13th and will document their progress in a Google slide deck or similar type of presentation format. Parents may be contacted to schedule an appointment with the team of teachers, may request one themselves, or may drop by during “office hours.” Specific notification will be provided by each team. Whether or not you schedule conferences with teachers, we encourage you to sit down with your kids and have them share their growth.

Also this month, the students will be taking the Montana Science Assessment (eighth grade only) and the Smarter Balanced Assessments for math and English/Language Arts (all grades). These state tests provide valuable information for the individual students and our school. Please encourage your students to perform at their highest level, ensure they have adequate sleep and nutrition, and avoid any unnecessary absences on testing dates:

• MT Science Assessment–9:00-10:30 on Thursday, April 6;

• Smarter Balanced Assessment

• 6th grade–12:00-2:30 on Tuesday-Thursday, April 25-27;

• 7th grade–9:00-11:30 on Tuesday-Thursday, April 18-20;

• 8th grade–9:00-11:30 on Tuesday-Thursday, April 25-27.

As always, we appreciate your support of your students and your partnership with us on their behalf.

Gordon Grissom

If you know your student will need to be picked up early during the school day, it would be incredibly helpful if you could call the attendance office before 10:00 am to let us know. We can then write a blue pass to give to your student so they can meet you at the office at the designated time. This will eliminate the disruption and disturbance of us having to call into the classroom to have them sent to the office.

Thank you so much!

Front office staff

Who are our school counselors:

Meghan Powell- Assigned teams: All 8th-grade teams, 6th-grade Mountain Team

Leah Kreitinger- Assigned teams: All 7th-grade teams, 6th-grade Prairie Team

Kace Doornbos- SAFE-TI Program counselor

Natasha Fraker- School counselor, Natasha is at SMS two mornings a week

Clodagh Shortt- Counseling Intern, working across all grade levels, Tuesday/Friday

Lexi Phelps- MSU Counseling Practicum Student, working across all grade levels, Thursday

School Counselors at Sacajawea help all students:

• Apply academic achievement strategies

• Manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills

• Develop awareness of postsecondary options (higher education, work force, etc.)

We do this by providing:

• Classroom-based lessons (i.e. school-wide Tuesday morning advisory counseling lessons, SOS curriculum for 6th and 8th grade, Organizational Skills Bootcamp in 7th)
• Small group interventions to support student needs
• Short-term individual counseling with students
• Collaboration with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
• Advocacy for students at student-focused meetings (IEPs, 504s, or family/team meetings)
• Data analysis to identify student issues, needs, and challenges
• Acting as a systems change agent to improved access, achievement, and opportunities for all students

Tuesday Morning Whole Child Character Building Lessons:

This year we will be using the curriculum Character Strong. This program focuses on the Whole Child by teaching skills and strategies to build on character and emotional regulation. This program is aligned with both ASCA and Casel standards. Please click here for more information. The topics we will cover in April/May are below:

Sacajawea is pleased to provide a number of activities in which students can be involved outside of the classroom. Encourage your kids to be involved in ways to develop their skills and interests!

We have student councils at each of the grade levels that meet during their respective lunch times, in addition to the following clubs, most of which take place from 3:30-4:30 pm on the designated days, unless otherwise specified:

Monday

Yearbook – SMS Cafeteria

Outdoor – Room A24

Tuesday

Knitting – Room F14 at lunchtime (11:24 - 11:57 AM)

Computer – Room C8

Art – Room C5

Archery – B27 (No previous experience necessary)

Wednesday

Book Club – Library in the morning (8:20 - 8:48 AM, during Falcon Red)

Ice Rink (6th graders) – Room F22 at lunchtime (11:24 - 11:57 AM) every other Wednesday

Forensics (Speech and Debate) – Room C7

Thursday

Forensics – Room C7

Robotics/3D Printing – Room C8

Archery – B27 (Previous experience required)

Friday

Knitting – Room F14 at lunchtime (11:24 - 11:57 AM)

** Some clubs may require permission slips prior to participation. **

Clubs are free and students may participate when able; however, some clubs may be

limited in number, so students should contact the teacher, if interested.

Yearbooks are on sale!

Books can be purchased at: walsworthyearbooks.com or by using the QR code below.

Familles will be able to order online until May 31st. June 1st through the last day of school, yearbooks can be purchased via cash/check in the counseling office

(this is quantity dependent).

Books are $25.00

If you have any questions regarding yearbooks, please email Kace Doornbos at kace.doornbos@bsd7.org.

Kace Doornbos M.S.

Student Assistance Specialist

SMS SAFE-TI

(406) 522-6471

EVENTS

• Poetry Slam - 4/19 after school in the SMS Library. Please come join us as students and staff perform their poetry selections.

• Used Book Sale - Please start collecting books that you have outgrown. We accept all levels of books for the sale. The sale is open to the community. We will collect books until May 25th and the sale will begin on May 30th - June 2nd. (Please - no textbooks)

• All 8th grade students - Be aware that all library fines and materials need to be turned in before June 5th to clear your records for the High Schools

Remember to check your email for overdue notices.

Overdues are sent out to student & family emails ONLY - no paper copies are sent.

April is Poetry Month!

Here are some books on how to write poetry:

And a few novels written in verse:

Candy Raffle Fundraiser

April 10th - 12th during all grade level lunches

Neon Hoodie Fundraiser

April 17th - 21st during all grade level lunches

One custom-made tie-dye neon hoodie made by Big Dye Country

will be raffled out for each grade level

Otter Pop Fundraiser

April 26th - 28th during all grade level lunches

While supplies last

** Tickets will be sold April 26th - 28th during 7th- and 8th-grade lunches and at the door.

PAC meetings are a great opportunity to meet other parents. You can learn how to volunteer your time to positively impact the learning experience of

all the students at our wonderful school.

We hope to see you there!

If you are unable to attend but would like more information or to stay involved,

please contact PAC President Krista Drake at 512.578.6908

or email at president@smspac.org

The Rotary Youth Exchange program is a high school exchange program

sponsored by Rotary International that provides an opportunity for students from around the world to come to the United States, and for local American students to spend a year

abroad on an international exchange.

We are accepting applications for host families for these students.

The students will live with two to three different families during their exchange and

offer knowledge of their country and its culture.

Host family criteria:

• A safe and secure home for the student

• Room, board, and transportation for the student

• Financial ability to provide room and board (no other expenditures are expected of the family)

• Willingness to learn about the student and their culture

• Desire to provide a wonderful, life-changing experience for both the student and your family

The student will attend a high school in your area and will participate with your family in the same way as your own child. Help the student improve English, learn US customs, and meet

and make friends through school and other local activities.

Need more information? Contact:

John S. Patterson

Bozeman Rotary Club

jspatterson972@gmail.com

(406) 581-9767

Throughout the year, we will have a series of drills to practice and standardize protocols to respond to emergencies which could occur. Upcoming drills will be conducted on the following dates:

• Fire – May 16th

• Lockdown – April 12th

What is Healthy KidsPack?

A partnership between your school and the HRDC that provides free,

nutritious bags of snacks and simple meals to students to take home for the weekends.

Bags contain healthy, kid-friendly items that are easy to prepare. Items cycle each

week and include many local products.

How does the program work and why should I sign up?

Every Friday afternoon, your child will receive a KidsPack bag from

school in their backpack or locker. Participation is discreet and

confidential. With Healthy KidsPack, you can stretch

your family’s budget and save time and energy on meal prep!

Who can sign up?

Healthy KidsPack is for everyone! Any family with children in

grades K-12 can sign up.

Signing up is easy! Click on the corresponding button below to print out a sign-up form.

Fill out the bottom portion and return to the SMS front office.

You can unenroll at any time.

1. Get the free, new and improved Box Tops mobile app on your phone.

2. Buy your groceries and ask for the receipt.

3. Take pictures of your receipt with the app within 14 days of purchase.

4. It will find any qualifying products and give 10 cents for each one to the school!

The money adds up and is used to enhance the book selection at our library.

It’s costs you nothing but 30 seconds of your time and you can help ALL the students at your child’s school. Encourage your friends and relatives to do the same.

On the Box Tops for Education website, you can find coupons and special deals.

Thank you so much for giving back to others!

Your PAC Team & SMS Library