SMS GIANT News
February 17, 2023 #25
Upcoming Dates
2/17 School Closed
2/20 President's Day Holiday- School Closed
2/21 PFC virtual meeting on Zoom at 7pm- please join us!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83803799919?pwd=S0hwU1BrT0I5SE0wK2JRTjdNd3lsdz09
2/23 ELAC Quarter 3 Virtual Meeting in Library at 8am
2/28 8th grade Panoramic Photo
3/1 Office Hours
3/13 Teacher In-Service Day No School for students
3/16 Early Release Day
3/31 Cesar Chavez Day, School Closed
Considering opening a bank account for your child?
Approved 22-23 SMS's Comprehensive Safety Plan
DAILY VIDEO BULLETIN
Math class placement for 2023-2024 (rising 7th and 8th grade students) REPOST
Placement into the advanced math classes (Accelerated Math 7 and Algebra) is based on multiple measures as defined by the District. The measures that will be used are determined by the district and will be completed in the Spring in addition to the previous year’s CAASPP scores, and current grades. This is the case for all schools within the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. With the multiple measures determination will not be completed until after this school year has completed. Notification of the class will be via the assigned class in August.
Grades are appropriate for demonstrating learning but it cannot be a sole indicator for readiness for the curriculum in an advanced math class. This is especially true as students assess for mastery, at times allowing them to retest multiple times to increase their grades. We need to make sure the skills that they are demonstrating are enduring which is why assessments are utilized as well.
One of the assessments utilized is the MDTP Readiness Test (a diagnostic testing program created from UC San Diego) which is a reliable indicator to assess essential topics needed for success in the CA Common Core State Standards for a particular math level. Both advanced math classes need to have students mastered the essential topics so they will be prepared for the accelerated content and pace of the course.
Once the 2023-2024 school year begins the math teachers will provide a diagnostic assessment as well as monitor performance to see if any shifts need to happen from growth that has occurred or was not fully demonstrated.
Please also know that taking Math 7 does not prohibit their ability to demonstrate their readiness at the end of the year for any advanced class offered in 8th grade.
Please consider attending our next PFC meeting!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83803799919?pwd=S0hwU1BrT0I5SE0wK2JRTjdNd3lsdz09
Bell Schedule Change for 2023-2024 School Year- posted in Parent Square- REPOST
I wanted to let you know about an upcoming change for next year to our school bell schedule. We are going to be going from an 8-period day to a 7-period day and will be following a traditional 7-period middle school schedule with no block periods for the 2023-2024 school year. This will mean students will attend all 7 classes every day and will have 2 elective courses for 7th/8th graders and 1 choice for 6th graders (6th grade also has a reading class) in addition to the 5 main core classes - English, Math, Science, PE, History. We will be sending out more detailed information as the year goes on including the final bell schedule.
Students' elective choices will remain the same as they have already selected and prioritized their top elective class choices. Our dedicated staff's passion for teaching and obligation in supporting our students will remain unchanged. Our goal and mission will continue to be to provide an equitable and inclusive education as well as an amazing memorable middle school experience for all of our SMS Giants.
REPOSTS
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES...
MDEA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE!
The MDEA Awards of Excellence (formerly the MDEA Academy Awards) is put on by the Mt. Diablo Education Association and is open to all community members!
Please nominate outstanding colleagues, stakeholders, and groups who provide excellent service to our students and school communities!
AAUW-OML STEM Conference- for Middle School Girls
Registration opened January 23, 2023. It is $50, but scholarships are available.
Held at Saint Mary’s College Moraga CA
OVERVIEW
Our seventh STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Conference will be held on March 25, 2023 at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, CA. We welcome 6th through 8th grade girls who are interested in learning about STEM to participate in three out of fourteen interactive STEM workshops, meet career professional women, hear exciting speakers, and network with like-minded girls.
Simultaneously, parents are invited for a morning session, including the keynote speaker, a student panel, addressing STEM education, the social and academic challenges of high school, Q&A, and a campus tour.
Click on the link for more details and registration
AAUW AAUW-OML STEM Conference | Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (CA)
This is open to 6, 7, and 8th grade girls.
Diane Coventry
AAUW Pleasant Hill-Martinez Branch
Tech Trek Coordinator
TITLE IX NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Governing Board is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs, activities, facilities and practices shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identify, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, actual or potential parental, family, marital status, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics (Governing Board Policy 0410).
Contact Us / How to File a Complaint
For questions, concerns or complaints regarding student harassment, discrimination, intimidation and bullying, please contact Jennifer Sachs, Chief of Educational Services, at sachsj@mdusd.org or by phone at (925) 682-8000 x4016.
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Sequoia Middle School
Email: keckl@mdusd.org
Website: sms-mdusd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 265 Boyd Road, Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
Phone: 925-934-8174
Twitter: @SequoiaMSGiants