Severance Middle School
August 21, 2020
Attendance Update
Attendance update: This week we have been working together as a district to determine how to take attendance during asynchronous/off-campus learning. You may have noticed your student’s attendance marked as AVP (Absent Virtual Participation - Virtual Participation not Verified) on their asynchronous/off-campus learning days. This nightly process will be removed so that your students will no longer be marked absent. As a reminder, it is important for students to attend all of their classes on asynchronous/off-campus days. They need to complete the work for each class in Canvas and submit their assignment(s). The teachers will then use this data to take attendance every week. The teachers at SMS will update asynchronous/off-campus attendance every Wednesday afternoon for the previous week of learning. If your student has not been participating in asynchronous/off-campus learning and submitting their assignments, they will be marked absent. Asynchronous/off-campus learning days count as regular school day attendance and will be included and count towards district attendance policies.
Nutrition Services - Breakfast and Lunch Information
Nutrition Services - Breakfast & Lunch Information - If your student wants/needs to purchase/receive lunch and/or breakfast on days that are off-campus they can be picked up every afternoon at SMS. Please look for communication from nutrition services with more details.
- 2020-2021 Nutrition Services plan can be found here.
Free and Reduce Meal Assistance
Families needing Free or Reduced Meal Assistance are encouraged to apply for benefits online at
www.myschoolapps.com.Setting Students Up for Success
Screenings and Return to School Protocols
Canvas Observer and Infinite Campus Parent Portal Accounts
Canvas Observer and Infinite Campus Portal Parent Accounts - If you don’t have access to view your student’s progress in Infinite Campus or as a Canvas Observer, please follow the links to set up accounts. This the BEST way to stay on top of coursework.
School Pictures/ID's
School Pictures will be on August 31st and September 1st. We will call students down to the gym in their groups to take their pictures. They will receive their student ID at that time. You can purchase pictures through Studio 5, Inc. The link for the order form can be found HERE.
Planners, PE Shirts, and Fees
A week in the life of a SMS Hawk 20-21
Chromebooks Update
Students should have their district issued device and be able to log in successfully to his/her Canvas courses. Students will be expected to bring a CHARGED Chromebook with them to school everyday. If you haven’t already returned the device contract, please read, sign and return the contract to school as soon as possible. How can you help your student? Remind them to charge it every night, help them keep it clean and encourage them to not share with others.
Safety Update
Our students did AMAZING with wearing masks this week. Please provide your student(s) with a cloth face covering everyday. Please avoid masks that contain a vent as research shows that those are more harmful than helpful. Please make sure the mask has at least 2 layers of fabric. Wearing a mask will be part of our dress code and MUST be worn at all times. Students will be provided safe, supervised mask breaks during the school day (outside). Also, every person entering our building will need to be temperature screened. Classrooms will be cleaned between every class period and deep cleaned every evening. Students will not share supplies (unless they can be cleaned between use). Students were given instructions on their in-person days about traffic flow, use of bathrooms, hand washing and water fill stations.We will continue to adjust as needed to make everything more efficient and effective.
Band & Orchestra -Can my student still join music?
YES! We are still looking for students to join the SMS music program for this school year. It's not too late! Music is a great way to make new friends, build community, travel the world, and build a skill your student will be able to access for their entire life. No experience is necessary. Even if your student has never touched an instrument, we will teach them everything they need to build the skills they will have for a lifetime. Email Britt Sawyer (britt.sawyer@weldre4.org) to sign up for music today or go here to visit our recruiting page.
Please read this important information about band and orchestra
Instrumental Music Safety - Please follow this link for important safety information regarding band and orchestra this year
New Cell Phone Policy
The staff at SMS have made a commitment to one another and students that cell phones will be “AWAY for the Day”. In a world bombarded with “screen time”, and having to spend over ½ our time learning on a screen at home to start our year, we feel that students get enough of it each day. Our new cell phone policy will ask students to make the same commitment. They will have their cell phones off and away (in a backpack) for the entire school day (8:35-3:55). Here is some data and research for you to review around why we made this commitment. How can you help your student? Begin talking to them about the new policy, problem-solve any issues they or you might see (using the office phone, seeing texts after school, etc.). The NEW policy can be viewed in the student handbook.
Savethekids.us - Collin Kartchner - Presenter to WeldRE4 students 2019
There’s phone in your kids head - video
Wait until 8th - article
Student Handbook Cell Phone Policy
Return 2019-20 Materials
Don't have Broadband?
Ascent Broadband - Free install and free 10-25 Mbps plan through end of school year for customers with students engaged in remote learning. Call 970 340-8100 or email support@ascentbb.com.
AT&T Wireless-has added 15GB/month mobile hotspot data for each line on an unlimited plan that includes a monthly tethering allotment. See att.com.
Comcast Internet Essentials-has increased speeds to 25/3 Mbps for all customers. New customers get 2 months free service. 855-846-8376 or internetessentials.com.
TDS Telecom-offering 60 days of free internet access to customers with students or financial need. Call 866-278-2472.
Verizon Wireless-has added 15GB to current standalone or shared plans. See verizon.com
YMCA for 6th Grade - Cancelled
King Soopers, Box Tops and Morning Fresh Milk Lids Fundraisers
Go to http://www.kingsoopers.com, log into your account, select MY Account, select Community Rewards (located on the left menu), search for Severance Middle School or by our code DG836, select Enroll. That's it!
The more that sign up and shop at King Soopers, the more SMS benefits.
Severance MS collects Box Tops and Morning Fresh Milk lids as part of our on going fundraiser.
Box Tops is changing to fit today's families. The new and improved Box Tops Mobile app uses state of the art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earning online. CLICK HERE to learn more. To view how to use the app and track credit for the box tops you've donated to SMS PLEASE WATCH for every 75 box tops your child turns in they will receive a candy bar.
Severance Middle School Contacts
Email: sms@weldre4.org
Website: sms.weldre4.org
Location: 1801 Avery Plaza Street, Windsor, CO, USA
Phone: 970 833-7200
Facebook: facebook.com/SeveranceMiddleSchoolHawks
Twitter: @SMS_Hawks