Spartan Herald September 2017
Building Community Empowering Learners Inspiring Creativity
The Beginning of Our Story
Dear Schmucker Students and Families,
What a wonderful start to the school year! I have enjoyed meeting students and families. It is a joy to see we have such a strong and active Schmucker community.
This year we will continue to strive for academic excellence in tandem with building a culture that supports all students. Challenging curriculum, engaging lessons, and purposeful Advisory lessons are only a few ways we will provide opportunities for students to grow.
Our theme for the year is "What is our story?" As the year progresses, we will all consider ways to share the great happenings here at Schmucker. One way we will do this is through Twitter. Please follow us at @SMSSpartanPride! We will also work with students to define their own stories. This week we talked about summing up the story of their first few days of school in one word. A few of the one-word stories are shared below. We are excited about the ways everyone in our Schmucker community will continue to write our SMS story!
With your child in mind,
Lavon Dean-Null
Principal
Student Drop-off & Pick-up Reminders
Schmucker Parents,
I wanted to take a moment to outline a few things to remember when dropping off and picking up your child. First of all, only students that walk to school will be allowed to enter Door A at 8:50 a.m. We try avoid having any students dropped off prior to 8:50 a.m., as adult supervision begins at that time. All car riders must enter the property from Fillmore Street and assume a position in line as it wraps around the building towards Door F (south end of the building). Please do not release your child from a vehicle before reaching Door F. When the bell rings at 8:50 a.m., students are allowed to leave your vehicles and enter the building at Door F only. Please pay attention to the adults helping to supervise the area, so that they can continue to move vehicles up in a safe and orderly fashion. These same rules apply in the afternoon. All car riders should load vehicles at or near Door F. To help speed up the process, we will release all of the remaining students to go to the front of the building once the car line is no longer extending onto Fillmore Avenue. Please do not ask your child to exit through the front doors and meet you in the parking lot. This requires him or her to cross the traffic line and with safety in mind we want to avoid this. Again these processes have been going very well and we thank you!
Remember, these plans are designed to allow for safe loading and unloading of vehicles and we need your cooperation for it to work as intended. Safety is our number one priority, and we thank you for your cooperation.
Go Spartans,
Lucas Fry
5-Star Life
Dear SMS Families -
In the coming weeks during our advisory period, students will be starting the 5-Star video curriculum. This curriculum is facilitated by our advisory teachers, who lead students in meaningful discussions about the videos. This curriculum is very powerful and supports students in the following ways:
- Academic Support - Challenges students to set goals for themselves on a weekly basis.
- Workforce Readiness - Teaches character values that translates to highly prepared and workforce ready citizens
- Mentoring - Our teachers work toward building relationships with our kids and in fact, keep the same kids for advisory all 3 years they are at SMS
- Character Education - Challenges students to change the way they live by changing the way they think. Core values that are emphasized are: respect, responsibility, integrity, sacrifice, and courage
- Experiential Learning - Students are given the opportunity to practice the things taught through day trips, service projects, and leadership camps.
Take the time to ask your student about the videos they've watched, and the discussions they're having. I believe you'll be able to see the application of what their learning into your homes as well.
In service to you all,
Christie Heerschop
Assistant Principal
Important Dates
Sept 4 - Labor Day Recess (No School)
Sept 7 - PTO Meeting (1:00-2:00)
Sept 13 - 8th Gd Washington DC Parent Meeting (7:00)
Sept 15 - Chromebook Insurance Form and Payment Due (see below for details)
Sept 22 - 6th Gd SMS Dance
Check out all events on our Website calendar: SMS Calendar
Please read our September PTO newsletter by clicking the link below
Advisory Schedule
We are excited to unveil our plan for Advisory Period. For years, Advisory Period served as an ideal opportunity for our students to reflect on their academic progress and set goals. During this time, teachers and students focus on building relationships that offer social/emotional support. Students will continue to start each day with Advisory Period. Listed below are the themes for each day. We look forward to all that students will accomplish during this important time of our day!
Monday: Every Spartan Sets Goals (#SpartanGoals)
Students will participate in academic reflection and goal setting.
Tuesday: Every Spartan Lives a 5 Star Life (#5StarSpartans)
Students will discuss ideas related to 5 Star themes like how students set the bar for respecting their peers.
Wednesday & Thursday: Every Spartan Works, Learns, and Succeeds Together (#SpartanLife)
During these two days, students will participate in school wide lessons or activities. During the first quarter students will learn about anti-bullying strategies and internet safety.
Friday: Every Spartan Reads (#SpartansRead)
During this period, the whole school reads!
SPARC
Student Fundraiser
Fundraising Video
Canvas
Canvas is a LMS (Learning Management System) that is used in PHM. Teachers can put content online for students, make announcements and provide assignments. All parents are enrolled in the Canvas course of their students as observers. As observers, you can see the content, but are not able to interact with it. Please access the links below to learn more.
To keep you organized, you can also download the Canvas app for your phone or tablet.
Chromebooks
Every student should now have their Chromebook. I would encourage all parents to review our expectations for using technology with your child.
SMS Technology Expectations
I will use technology to achieve my learning goals.
I will be responsible with my use of technology and will remember that this is an online public representation of me and our school.
I will report to a teacher any inappropriate posts, comments or use.
I will use school-associated social media appropriately during the school day.
I will use appropriate grammar instead of texting language when communicating.
I will not reveal any personal information such as: telephone numbers, names, addresses, email addresses etc.
I will not post photos or video showing myself or classmates unless authorized by a teacher.
I will bring my Chromebook to school everyday fully charged.
- All school rules and consequences apply.
transportation policy
Consent To Publish student work and photographs
PHM requires schools to receive permission from parents to publish student photos and work. If you have not returned this document, please access the link below, print the document and return signed to school. We must receive this document from every student.
21st century scholars
8TH GRADE - WASHINGTON, D.C. TRIP
Homework Requests
Families Can Get help with Lunch & Textbook Fees
Textbook Fees
Chromebook Insurance
School Messenger
Protected by Raptor
Superintendent's Luncheon
Come to learn more about P-H-M schools and the P-H-M Education Foundation at the 2017 Superintendent’s Luncheon. This year’s luncheon will be held at Noon on Tuesday, October 17 at The St. Joseph Conference Center, 1208 E Douglas Rd., Mishawaka.
We are excited to announce Coach Mike & Jacci Lightfoot as our featured speakers. After a legendary career as the Bethel men’s basketball coach, Mike Lightfoot and his wife Jacci will share how their passion for education and athletics resulted in a new calling to lead.
Other highlights include P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker’s State of the Corporation address, reflecting on the past academic year and sharing his goals for the future. Also, 2016-17 PHMEF grant recipients will be recognized along with honoring the 2017 P-H-M Teacher of the Year, Anne Tschetter.
The Superintendent’s Luncheon is a fundraiser for the Foundation, supporting innovative grants.
For more information about the luncheon or to purchase tickets or a table, go to phmef.org. All are invited but advanced reservations are required.
Wellness Information
Shorts: athletic style, any color, five inch inseam or longer (no cut offs)
T-shirt: yellow or gold - short sleeves
Shoes: tennis shoes with ties for securing to the feet - no vans, mules, canvas ballet flats
Socks
All clothing should be labeled with student's first initial and last name (no nicknames). Please visit our Schmucker website for further instructions, guidelines and policies for our wellness classes: https://schmucker.phmschools.org/pe-and-wellness-clothing-info
Student/Family Opportunities
Athletics
Sports Update:
Our fall sports are in full swing here at SMS. Our teams have performed well so far and we have some exciting events coming up. Please mark your calendars now to attend our sporting events! On Tuesday's and Thursday's you are sure to catch and exciting volleyball game or a challenging football game with our terrific cheerleaders cheering on our team. Or you could see our top rated girls and boys cross country teams in action. Please plan to come out to SMS this fall and support our Schmucker Spartan teams!
Intramurals
Medication
Also now for middle school students - pain relievers, Tums and cough drops will be supplied and provided by the school's Health Office if proper documentation is on file. This form can be obtained by clicking: NON-Prescription Medication Form This option is only available to students 12 years of age and older who follow the package instructions for people 12 years of age and older. If you or your doctor request a dosage other than the recommended dosage on the bottles/packages of our stock over-the-counter medications, documentation would be required the same as if it were a prescription medication.
2017-2018 Immunization Information
6th Grade Immunization Requirements
These state mandated immunization requirements for all incoming 6th graders must be met before your child can attend Middle School in the fall:
- 3 Hep B
- 2 Varicella
- 5 DTaP
- 1 Tdap (Tetanus & Pertussis)
- 4 Polio
- 1 MCV4 (Meningococcal conjugate)
- 2 MMR
It is also recommended that your student have 2 Hepatitis A vaccinations.
We suggest you make appointments now to get the needed immunizations while your child is still in 5th grade. The local health departments and area physicians are extremely busy in the summer and at the beginning of the school year.
When you submit documentation on time, you prevent interruption to the start of your child’s school year (click here for the current and next year’s school calendar). Once your child receives the shots listed above, please send in documentation to the school health office. We will record the information and send it to the appropriate middle school.
*Note: Some physicians will not give the doses until the child has reached the 11th birthday, so please check when you make your appointment.
Thank you for working with us to keep your children healthy!
Questions about immunizations can be directed to the school health office. Click here for a list of phone numbers for each P-H-M school health office.
Student Hours
9:00am - First Bell
9:05am - Classes Begin
4:00pm - Dismissal
4:10pm - Bus Departure
Lavon Dean-Null
Email: ldean-null@phm.k12.in.us
Website: http://schmucker.phmschools.org/
Location: Schmucker Middle School, Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN, United States
Phone: 574-259-5661
Twitter: @SMSSpartanPride