SEMS Golden Eagles Newsletter
January 29th, 2024
Upcoming Important Dates
- Monday, January 29th: After School Tutoring STARTS again
- Thursday, February 1st: Bike Permit Class & Distribution (RM 206)
- Thursday, February 1st: Home Basketball/Soccer Games v. WPMS
- Monday, February 5th: SEMS Kindness Week
- Friday, February 16th and Monday, February 19th: Presidents Weekend, No School
- Monday, February 26th: Color the Nest, Color Battle Fundraiser BEGINS!
- Friday, March 8th: Color the Nest, Color Battle Field Games!!
Missed the classes in the Fall? Got a new bike over the holidays? Not to worry, we will continue to offer permits throughout the rest of the school year. Our next Bike Permit Class & Distribution Date is February 1st. You will bring a signed Wheels Contract to the course, complete the online course with supervision, and get your bike/helmet inspected all in the same afternoon. The Bike Permits Button above has all the details! Please don't hesitate to contact the Assistant Principals office for any questions. jazmin.andrade@smusd.org.
We have been giving grace this first month. Students know that if they do NOT have their permit after February 1st, we will begin calling home and students will lose bike privileges.
From the City of Carlsbad: Sign up for a Feb. 10 bike and e-bike safety class!
**These in person safety classes are worth your time! While we do our best to teach safety here on campus, learning it straight from the Police Department is invaluable. If you attend one of these, they count as completing the safety training portion of our permit process.
Join the Carlsbad Police Department to learn about bike and e-bike safety on Feb. 10.
What you’ll learn:
- Tips for being safe on your bike or e-bike
- Rules of the road for bicyclists and drivers
- Carlsbad-specific e-bike laws
Class times: Choose from 10 – 11 a.m. or noon – 1 p.m.
Location: Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr.
- Space is limited. Advanced registration is required. Sign up.
- For more tips and safety information, visit the Safer Streets Together webpage.
California Junior Scholarship Federation- 7th & 8th Grade
Our California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) Spring Membership Drive begins Tuesday, January 30. CJSF is an Honor Society for Middle School students. If you earn good grades, you should join CJSF!
Students will find a link to the online application on our SEMS homepage, in the News section, on the CJSF Membership tab. They can access the form when they are logged into their smusd.org account.
Spring membership is based on grades earned during Fall Semester. Students will use their December Report Card to complete the application. Students can view their Report Card grades and citizenship marks in StudentVue, on their Documents tab.
Membership is for one semester, so you must apply to join CJSF again each semester. Applications will be accepted until Monday, February 12 at 3 p.m.
Attendance Counts!
Please know that every day at school counts! While we do not want your children here if they are sick, please avoid all other absences and help your child get to school on time. Making doctor appointments' after school or adjusting travel plans makes a huge difference for our students learning. While we began the year with 96% attendance rate, we have dropped to an all time low of 94%.
8th Grade Updates!
Upcoming Important Dates for our 8th graders:
March 14th: SMHS Field Trip!
ASB: Great Kindness Week Challenge
Help spread the love and kindness! The Great Kindness Challenge Week is coming February 5th-9th. ASB will be promoting kindness on our campus with a variety of dress up days and lunch activity that foster kindness.
Here is the schedule of dress up days and lunch activities for The Great Kindness Week Challenge:
SMUSD Choir Opportunity!
The 7 week session will conclude with a performance at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido on April 15th. This all district choir concert will also feature our Elementary Honor Choir as well as choral ensembles from both San Marcos High School and Mission Hills High School.
- Please check out our full club list posted on our website and thank you to our student leaders for starting these awesome clubs on campus.
- BC Tutoring Option: Free, online Math Tutoring from SMHS Juniors and Seniors for community service. SEMS alumni!
- Brainfuse Free Online Tutoring: This is in students' apps in ClassLink! It's a free resource provided by the State of California.
- After School Tutoring and Extra Curricular Sessions will begin again January 29th. AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES FULL LIST HERE
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to purchase the award-winning SEMS Yearbook for the 2023-2024 school year! The current price for the book is $65.
We will be placing our final order amount on February 16th and will only order a limited number of books over the amount that have been already purchased. Please order by February 16th to guarantee your copy!
Please click the button above to order your yearbook!
You will be asked to enter your student’s FULL, REGISTERED name (please no nicknames or shortened names as it can cause confusion in our system), grade and homeroom teacher (first period teacher, if known). Again, it is important that you type in their school registered name, as it will sync with our rosters.
Questions regarding the yearbook publication may be directed to the yearbook adviser, Mrs. Sarah Meder: sarah.meder@smusd.org
SEMS Sponsorship Banner Program
Thank you to all past and current sponsors, as your donations really help our student athletes in more ways than we can tell you. The corner of San Elijo Road and Schoolhouse Way is the place that our community gets to see your donations at work. The drop-off circle is the second and where our parents get to see your business names up close and personal, on a daily basis.
Donations are $500 and are handled through the SEMS PTO website.
Contact our Athletic Coordinator at geoffrey.gilpin@smusd.org, with any questions!
Counseling
Welcome back! The New Year and start of a new semester can be a fresh start for students. This is a great opportunity for families to reflect back on areas of strength last year as well as opportunities for growth in the new year and new semester. Discussing small, obtainable goals with your child inside and outside of school can help set a positive intention and keep them accountable.
The New Year and new semester may also bring new challenges and areas of stress for students. Stress is a normal and expected part of life, but it is important for families to be aware of warning signs that may indicate a deeper concern.
Please consider tuning into this 5-part Free Mental Health Webinar Series for Parents and Caregivers in 2024: Flyer. This webinar series will provide information on the most common mental health challenges faced by youth today and will provide tips and tools to parents and caregivers to help them support the youth in their lives. It is offered through a partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education and medical and mental health experts with the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. Rady Children’s is on the forefront of youth mental health and wellness and is dedicated to improving the mental health of all children. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Future Ready Parent Workshops
See Something, Say Something
Safety Reminder - See Something, Say Something
As you may recall in the last District Safety Update, all SMUSD schools seek to foster a culture of see something, say something.
This means if you see any behavior, images or overhear something said that is concerning, whether in person or online, please say something by sharing it with a trusted adult. It takes all of our collective vigilance to keep our students, staff and SEMS community safe.
Stay Connected!
Want to keep up to date on all the happenings on campus?
Check out our Twitter/X account @SEMSEagles or on our new Instagram page sems_golden_eagles (scan the qr code).
For more updates, please also follow our PTO on social media (Instagram, Facebook) or through PTO linktree website or SEMS PTO website. The PTO's Instagram page gives a weekly look at all the upcoming happenings on campus!
San Elijo Middle School
Email: patricia.storey@smusd.org
Website: https://sanelijomiddle.smusd.org/
Location: 1600 Schoolhouse Way, San Marcos, CA. 92078
Phone: 760-290-2800