In the Middle
February 4, 2024
Important Dates Ahead
Feb. 8 - PTO Meeting, 7pm (SHS Library)
Feb. 16th - No School (PD Day)
Feb. 19th-23rd - Winter Recess (No School)
STAR and IRLA Reports
Please review both student Star Math and Reading Assessment reports that are being sent home to be better informed about your child’s math and reading performance in the Winter Screening Window. This data is used to help determine which students may need extra support in Reading and/or Math and to monitor student progress throughout the school year.
These reports provide information about each student’s Independent Reading Level and whether they are above, on, or below grade level at this point in the school year. The document also includes suggestions for what families can do to help students make progress.
If you have not received your child's report, you can contact the school to request a copy.
Attendance Matters!🍎
We want to bring your attention to a matter of great importance - chronic absenteeism. Has your child missed 8 or more days of school? If so, they are considered chronically absent regardless of the reason. Students should come to school everyday unless they are too ill to do so. Currently, 14% or 36 Scituate Middle School students are deemed "chronically absent". Showing up matters for R.E.A.L. because it is an opportunity to:
Build Routines
Increase Engagement
Provide Access to resources
Support Learning
SMS PTO Updates
Our Middle School PTO is dedicated to building connections among parents, teachers, and staff to enrich the educational journey and create lasting memories for every student. Through effective communication, volunteering, and fundraising, we strive to foster a positive and inclusive environment that promotes academic success and a sense of belonging.
Please take a moment to provide your thoughts and suggestions so that we can work to provide the best middle school experience possible for students and families.
Last day to order Valentine Cookie grams is January 28. Delivery will be at the end of the day on Tuesday, February 13.
Thank you to all who shopped at our Charming Treasures shop night.
We will see you next time at The Bead Sting.
Winter Sports Update
Monday 2/5 - No Events
Tuesday 2/6 - No Events
Wednesday 2/7 - No Events
Thursday 2/8 - No Events
Friday 2/9 - No Events
Saturday 2/10 - No Events
School Counseling News
Connections Survey
During Advisory periods this week, all middle school students will be taking a Connections Survey. This is a research-based survey that encourages students to think about and report personal connections they have with adults and other students within the school building. The information provided by each survey will be kept confidential aside from support staff, if necessary. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our School Psychologist, Emma Hackett. Thank you!
Student Council News
🏈Souper Bowl Friday!🏈
Friday, February 9, will be Souper Bowl Friday! Students wear their favorite team shirts and gear, and they donate a can of soup to benefit the local food pantry. (No hats, please)
Upcoming Student Council Meetings
Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024
Tuesday March 12, 2024
Weekly Spotlight
SMS Spelling Bee Finalists
Congratulations to our SMS Spelling Bee Finalists!
These students will move on to the District Spelling Bee (TBD).
Alternates will step in if a finalist is unable to attend the district event.
Great Job Everyone!
Sixth Grade
Asher Gibb
Noelle Sutter
Alternate: Liam Jenkins
Seventh Grade
Roma Desmarais
Kelsey Gallucci
Alternate: Dominic Spitznagel
Eighth Grade
Talea Lewis
Lea Aquino
Alternate (chose not to move on)
Spartan Shoutouts
Grade 6
Ava Bateman
Aiden Harris
Bentley Scanlon
Grade 7
Luke Linde
Meysha Travis
Grade 8
Joseph Cafarelli
Summer DelSanto
Antonio DiRaimo
Kiarra Montella
Makayla Ross
Maria Saunders
Emma Simons
What's Happening in Ms. Norton's Classes?
"Break a leg" in your opening performance of Legally Blonde, Callie!!
Ms. Norton's Class Post Concert
When the boys have great concert and want to build a fort as a reward.
Nice job on the fort!!
Grade 8 Chorus
Grade 8 chorus students enjoying their pre-concert photo opportunity.
What's Happening in Ms. DeCristofaro's class?
Ms. DeCristofaro's sixth grade students are learning about the features of informational texts, reading biographies, and creating timelines. Great job!
Order Your SMS Yearbook Today!
After School Academic Support Center
Tuesdays 2:20-3:20 - ELA with Becky Limoges
Wednesdays 2:20-3:20 - Math with Maureen Kennedy
Wednesdays 2:20-3:20 - Math/SS additional support with Cindy Clark
Sessions will run from 2:20-3:20, and late buses will be available. Students must have a teacher recommendation to attend. During this time, students can get extra support while completing class assignments and homework.
We hope students will take advantage of this opportunity to get the additional time or help they need to be successful! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Goffe at 647-4120 ext. 1033.
After School Clubs
Late Bus & Parent Pick-up Information
Late buses are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. There are two late buses that have separate routes which are linked below. Buses typically arrive around 3:45-4:00 depending on when the elementary runs are complete. Parents and guardians picking up their children should wait in the high school's main parking lot. Student will exit those doors and not the middle school doors they would usually get picked up at normal dismissal time.
Project Linus
Project Linus is a national organization that makes blankets for children in crisis. In past years, there have been students who were recipients of blankets while they were hospitalized. At one point in time, SMS was the only school-based club in the state.
This club is open to all grades and meets on Tuesdays. During these first few weeks, Mrs. Battey teaches the 8th graders how to make the blankets. By the second meeting, these students are then tasked with preparing the fabric for others to finish off. As new students join the club (once the club is opened to 6th and 7th graders), these 8th grade student leaders are in charge of teaching these students how to make the blankets. This, then, becomes a student-led club where students are truly leaders as they teach and otherwise manage the club. If you have any questions about this club, please reach out to Mrs. Battey. Her email is linked here.
Agriculture Club
Agriculture Club meets on Tuesdays and is open to middle and high school students interested in nature and the environment. Projects throughout this year include the creation of an on-campus butterfly garden, a "power of plants" great plant give-away, starting our first RI Envirothon team, and of course, filling our greenhouse throughout the early spring months with flowers and veggies to sell at our annual plant sale. Additionally, we connect with community members and programs to take part in tree planting field trips, water festivals, and RI Salmon in the Classroom experience. If you have any question please reach out to Ms. Travers. Her email is linked here.
Music Club
The music department will be offering a rotating music club after school on Wednesdays. Students will be able to sign up when the Google Form is posted in classrooms on Mondays for the week. Please note that there is a cap of 25 students. Reach out to the music department if you have any questions.
Upcoming schedule:
Jan 31 Mrs. Vantine
TSA Club
The Technology Student Association is a national student organization with over 300,000 members. TSA projects and competitions include robotics, game design, engineering, and more. Through hands-on learning experiences, these projects aim to nurture innovative thinking. We hope to empower the next generation of inventors, storytellers, and problem-solvers. Join us as we use technology to unlock our students' creative potential! This club meets on Wednesdays after school. Reach out to Mr. Sheehan if you have any questions. His email is linked here.
Student Support Services
Scituate Rotary Club Donates Backpacks
Thanks to a wonderful donation from the Scituate Rotary Club, we have school supplies available to be distributed to our students in the Middle and High School!
Supplies include: Backpacks, Stationary and Art Supplies, Gift Cards (limited amount)
Please fill out the Backpack Request Form below if you are interested/ in need of school supplies for your child/ student(s)!
All requests are confidential and will be handled by our School Social Worker, Jennifer Ricci, LCSW.
Free & Reduced Lunch Information
The Scituate School Department has partnered with Unite Us to streamline the process of applying for free and/or reduced lunches. Please click the link which will take you to the meal benefit application on the State of Rhode Island Department of Education website.
https://ride.ri.gov/child-nutrition/unite-us-electronic-school-meal-benefit-application
Please fill in all fields. Be sure to select Scituate Public Schools in the field “Select the school district that your child will receive school meals from”.
If you have any questions, please call: Jennifer Carnevale, Executive Finance Assistant at 401-647-4100 option 2, then option 3"
Bus Information
All students, parents/guardians should be able to view their bus info in PowerSchool. Should you have any questions, please reach out to First Student by emailing Wendy.Lacombe@firstgroup.com
News From North West Special Education (NWSE)
Hello! Below are the meeting dates for the Northwest Special Education Local Advisory Committee for the 23/24SY. All are welcome to attend!
February 13, 2024 at 6:00pm at Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150
April 30, 2024 at 6:00pm at Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150
Parking is available in the rear parking lot behind the building; entry at the rear entrance of the building.
SPC Raising Healthy Kids Newsletter
Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition
SMS is Hiring Full-Time Paraprofessionals
TITLE: Special Education Assistant Classroom/Hygiene
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Principal
JOB SUMMARY: Primary responsibility is to assist special education students with academic work and the implementation of the student’s Individualized Education Program and personal care routines.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform under special needs teacher's supervision and direction in all areas of school activities and instruction.
- He/she shall be expected to:
- Follow special needs teacher's direction in maintaining classroom structure and behavioral control.
- Assist teacher in academic instruction as identified in and prescribed by Individual Education Programs.
- Assist in inclusion activities supporting students in the general education setting.
- Assist in non-academic instruction carried out by itinerant teachers.
- Assist in correcting student’s assignments, editing or clarifying (simplifying), enlarging general education worksheets as modified by the Special Education teacher.
- Assist in toileting activities and other areas of self-care and independent living skills.
- Assist in carrying out programs designed by the physical and/or occupational and/or speech therapists.
- Assistants shall not be required to perform therapy without prior training from the therapist and they shall not perform any therapy without a signed written directive from the Office of the Director of Special Education.
- Supervise arrivals.
- Assist physically challenged children in the use of wheelchairs and/or other adaptive equipment, if appropriately trained.
- Supervise children leaving and entering transportation vehicles, classrooms and buildings.
- Supervise children during field trips.
- Administer the school rules and regulations governing student behavior.
- Supervise children before school, during recess, during lunch periods, and at dismissal.
- Perform any and all related duties assigned by the building principal or the Director of Special Education subject to Article 21
- ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS: Special Education Assistant shall be evaluated every two years by the school principal.
- SPECIALIZED QUALIFICATIONS: As required by the R.I. Department of Education
- LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT: Regular School Year.
Apply at https://www.schoolspring.com Job ID 4465435