Standard Middle Family Newsletter
Standard Middle Warriors: MARCH 2021
Message from the Principal
It has not been easy. For families, for students, for teachers. We know we were meant to do school in person. We miss our students and the personal connections from a typical school year. Our counselors and community outreach teams have been making home visits to ensure students have the tools and encouragement they need this year.
If you need any support, please reach out to the school and will will connect you with our resources. We have mentors, behavior specialists, social workers, tutoring, and afterschool Explore classes (formerly XFactor) available. Call the school for more information. (661) 392-2130
Preparing for returning students to campus: At this time, we do not have a specific date for the return of all students on campus. With our current health and safety restrictions, it will be some time before all students can return on-site. Small cohorts are beginning to return in March with many safety protocols in place. These are specifically for our students with disabilities.
To prepare for when we ARE able to bring back all students, we have been ordering additional chromebooks for classrooms, school supplies, PE equipment, outdoor seating, and having plenty of PPE for every classroom. We are anxious for students to come back to SMS and whenever that date arrives, we will be ready! Thank you for your patience and diligence as we continue for now in distance learning.
Students:
If you have questions or need to talk, you may reach out to your counselors.
Mrs. Webb, kwebb@standardschools.net, All 6th grade, 8th grade students with last names A-K
Ms. Patrick, lpatrick@standardschools.net, All 7th grade, 8th grade students with last names L-Z
Stay Warrior Strong!
Sincerely,
Susan Denton, Principal
Standard Middle Honored as a California School to Watch
Standard Middle School has been recognized as a California School to Watch!
This program recognizes schools of excellence based upon a rigorous application process which allows schools to share their programs. The panel was impressed with the multiple student support programs in place, the extensive electives offered, and the caring and supportive culture of the campus. This is a very big honor for the staff at SMS, as well as validation and recognition of the many years of hard work the SMS staff has put it to create the plethora of student support programs, such as Circle of Friends (The Tribe), Alternative-To-Suspension, Positive Behavior Intervention System, Multiple Tiers of Student Support, Safe School Ambassadors, AAA Saturday School, BOOST Club, Visual and Performing Arts, AVID, Project Lead the Way, and our sports program, among others.
Amazing that they selected only ONE school in the entire state for this award this year - Standard Middle School!
Standard Middle School - Ms. Caitlin Sanders
Ms. Sanders was selected as the 2020-2021 Standard Middle School Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Sanders joined the Standard Middle School science team in August 2014, teaching 7th and 8th-grade science for 3 years before switching to solely 7th-grade science. She works hard to include inquiry-based, hands-on learning activities in as many lessons as possible, as she believes that students learn best when their curiosity motivates them. Ms. Sanders joined the campus the same year the Chromebooks did, and as such, has spent lots of time learning how to work Chromebooks into the daily ebb and flow of the classroom, and enjoys trying new techniques, and experimenting with different ways to incorporate them in her plans.
Ms. Sanders also has been a go-to person for peers seeking technological solutions. She has been an EdTech mentor for two years and has been working within the Inclusion program for four years. Ms. Sanders has also played a key part in both 7th and 8th-grade LCAP field trips during normal years, and assisted in preparing for awards ceremony each year she has been at SMS. And, she is wonderfully humble.
Celebrating Students
Our ESports Warrior Team is up and gaming! Each week our team members meet online after school with their coaches, Mr. Colbert and Mr. Mauldin, to practice strategies in the gaming arena. We are very excited to grow this new program, funded by a grant from Chevron!
We were thrilled to see two of our students highlighted in the KCSOS Cultural Showcase! You can see their artwork in the 6-8th grade category. Here is the link: https://kern.instructure.com/courses/44197/pages/visual-arts
Media Arts Project
Media Arts Project
Media Arts Project
Spring Break (March 29-April5)
Distance Learning Supports at SMS
Distance Learning: We know this has been a year of struggle for our students, staff and families as we have been navigating distance learning through remote classes. Know that we are doing our best to reach out and support struggling students and families. We are here to help!
Our Teaching Staff has indicated students are doing better with assignments and seeking assistance with our new longer periods in the second semester. We want to thank you for doing your best to make remote school work.
Big Updates for SMS
Construction Update: While students have been learning from home, we have been busy preparing the campus for when they return! We are currently in the process of adding new classroom spaces as well as creating a Student Support Services Center which includes our School Counselors, Behavior Intervention Specialist, and our School Psychologists. This center will be located between the gym and the 700 building (6th grade wing) and will include a large shade structure outside the gym. We have also been planting new larger shade trees for students, as well as preparing to install several new seating options on the quad including benches and picnic tables. The auditorium has had upgrades as well including newly painted stage for drama productions, floor coating in the orchestra pit and stairs, and will be upgraded with a heating/cooling system!
Grant Award: We have partnered with Chevron and received a grant for a new Health and Wellness Center off the gym! Chevron donated $20,000 toward this project which we are using to transform two classrooms on the gym building into a workout room with stationary bikes, weight systems, yoga mats and more! We are excited to offer this fitness room to our students next year. We anticipate the grand opening the fall of 2021!
Become a Standard Warrior Sponsor!
Contact Information
Assistant Principal - Mr. Strahan mstrahan@standardschools.net
Assistant Principal - Mr. Whipple mwhipple@standardschools.net
Website: sms.standardschools.net
Location: 126 Ferguson Avenue, Bakersfield, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 392-2130
Facebook: facebook.com/standardmiddle
Twitter: @StandardWarrior