Sumner Middle School Update
9/21/22
Bobcat Families,
It has been a fantastic start to the school year! We hope you will be able to attend our Open House on September 29 from 5:30-6:30pm. Stay tuned for more information about parent conferences in November. We look forward to working with your child and partnering with you this year.
Jenny Williams, Principal
Brett McDaniel, Assistant Principal
Tomas Morales, Dean of Students
In This Update
SMS Open House, Sept. 29, 5:30-6:30pm
Focus on Learning: Planners, Homework Folders, No Cell Phones
Clubs & Activities
Morning Drop Off Procedures
Stay Connected to Sumner Middle School and SMS Booster Parents
Para leer este mensaje en Espanol, haga click sobre el texto, luego seleccione translate y busque "Spanish"
SMS Open House, Sept. 29, 5:30-6:30pm
On Thursday, September 29, SMS is offering an Open House to our parents/guardians so that you can learn the structures, routines and expectations for each of your child’s classes. Beginning at 5:30pm, parents/guardians will follow their child’s schedule and will spend 7 minutes in each class learning the expectations for that class and how parents/guardians can support at home. This will not be a time for parents/guardians to have personal conversations about their child with the teacher. Parents/guardians can reach out to staff to schedule a meeting at another time.
This event is intended for parents/guardians, however, our Bobcat students are always welcome. Be prepared for standing room only in some classes if we have a large turnout.
You will need your child’s schedule for this event. How to access your child’s schedule:
Check in Skyward/Family Access (if you need your password, contact our office)
Use the schedule your child will bring home next week
Pick up a schedule in the Commons before 5:30pm on September 29
If your child is with you, have them show you the classes :)
Focus on Learning: Planner/Handbook, Homework Folders, No Cell Phones
Please review our school expectations with your child.
We also expect our students to use their planner daily to keep track of assignments and due dates
Homework Folders: All students were given a yellow homework planner to help them track the items that need to go home along with items that need to be returned to school.
Ask your child about their homework folder
Emphasis on Learning = No Cell Phones: Students have done a tremendous job following our expectations that cell phones/airpods/personal electronic devices are put away during the school day except before school, at lunch, and after school. Thank you to our families for supporting our staff with this and only contacting your student during their lunch time OR calling our office (253-891-5000) if you need to get a message to your student during class time.
Clubs and Activities
Clubs: Belonging and Fun are two of our Guiding Principles. To help all students find a place to belong and have fun, we are offering the following clubs this year:
Morning Basketball
Morning Yoga
Art Club
Drama Club
Game Club
Photography Club
Science Club
Yarn Art Club
Yearbook Club
Students MUST turn in a completed permission form to the club adviser in order to participate. Permission forms can be found in our main office and in our Commons.
Lunch Activities - to promote fun and positive social interactions, these are the activities (in addition to outside sports) offered during lunch once students have finished eating:
Monday Celebrations - Positive recognition links are drawn; students can earn prizes for positive behavior.
Trivia Tuesday - Students compete in fun and educational trivia questions.
Wordle Wednesday - Table groups work as a team to solve the Wordles presented.
Thoughtful Thursday - Students relax to calm music and show appreciation to each other with compliments and acts of kindness.
Free-Forum Friday - Students can request their favorite and appropriate music.
Morning Drop Off Procedures
Please remember to pull to the end of the loop when dropping off or picking up children. Also, it is an expectation that students use the crosswalks. Thank you for helping keep our students safe.
Stay connected with Sumner Middle School!
Call or visit: Our offices are open Monday - Friday, 6:30am to 3:30pm. Visit us or call 253-891-5000. Parents/guardians may schedule conferences with teachers/counselors at a mutually agreed upon time.
- Shawna Eklund (student last names A-K) - shawna_eklund@sumnersd.org
- Donna Knutsen (student last names L-Z) - donna_knutsen@sumnersd.org
Email: A majority of our communication to families will be via electronic newsletters/emails. Please check Family Access to make sure we have a valid email address for you. Staff email addresses are on our website in the staff directory.
Social Media:
- Twitter account: @SumnerMSBobcats
- Instagram: sms_student_life
Stay connected with SMS’s Booster Parent Group!
Booster Store - purchase SMS gear at the Booster store
Connect with SMS Boosters and learn how to support SMS students and staff
Facebook – Sumner Middle School Boosters Club https://www.facebook.com/Sumnermiddleschoolboosterclub/
Instagram @smsbobcatsboosters
Email – smsboosters@gmail.com
Amazon Smile – Link your account to benefit SMS Boosters
Fred Meyer Community Rewards – link your card; search for us by name or by our non-profit #84696. IMPORTANT: You still earn your Reward Points & Rebates!