Sherwood Middle School
May 2, 2021 Update
This Week's Messages
Meaningful May
To practice these daily goals at home, download or print the calendar here.
Good Morning Sherwood,
I hope you and your family are enjoying your weekend so far.
It was fantastic to have five full days of learning this past week!
As we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week this week, I ask for your help taking time to thank your child's teacher(s) for the amazing job they have done this year to maintain positive connections and provide meaningful lessons. We are fortunate to have such dedicated and passionate educators at Sherwood. Please join me in thanking them for everything they have done this year to support you and your child!
A reminder that Cycle 6 starts Monday making that the final cycle of the year! Please be sure to read through this week's newsletter for more information about this week's schedule and important information about your child's placement for next year.
As always, thank you for all you continue to do each day to help maintain a safe and supportive environment for our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Kelly, Principal
A Message From Mr. Kelly
This Week's Schedule
What's For Lunch This Week?
Important Reminders About The Week
Thank you for your cooperation following our parent drop off and pick up protocols. We appreciate you making the effort to ensure your child is at school on time. As a reminder please be sure your child is in school prior to 8:00am.
Reminder: Free, Voluntary Covid Student Testing Available
Thanks to those students and families who participated in our free, voluntary COVID-19 testing program last week! The district has contracted with JCM Analytics to provide weekly surveillance testing for all interested students.
Please open this link for more details about the program and to sign up for future testing.
Placement Information for 2021-22 School Year
Please open the links below for more information about the placement process for next school year. A reminder that parents/guardians have the opportunity to share information about your child that you feel may be beneficial for us to understand when we are considering their class and teacher assignments for next year. The deadline to submit information about your child is Friday, May 14th.
Thank You Mrs. Kvaracein & Mrs. Ward
Please join me in thanking Mrs. Kvaracein and Mrs. Ward for all that they do to keep our school running smoothly! We took time this past Wednesday to celebrate them for National Administrative Professionals Day.
Important News About MCAS Testing
Please make note of this year's MCAS testing dates. Stay tuned for more information.
In-Person
- 5/4: 8:30-9:30 In-person tech trial grades 5/6
- 5/13: Grade 5 Science in person
- 5/17: Grade 5 Math in person
- 5/18: Grade 6 Math in person
- 5/24: Grade 6 ELA in person
- 5/25: Grade 5 ELA in person
Remote
- 6/3: Grade 5/6 ELA remote
- 6/4: Grade 5/6 Math remote
- 6/7: Grade 5 Science remote
COVID 19 Crisis in India
Project Hope: Helping Those In Need
We continue to keep those in our school community who have family and friends in India in our thoughts right now as the COVID 19 virus ravages the country. Please reach out to our counseling or admin team if you or your child may be in need of additional support dealing with this difficult situation. For more information on how you can help those in need, please check out ProjectHope.Org. Thank you!
We Are Always Here to Help
- Grade 5: Heather Gablaski: hgablaski@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
- Grade 6: Karen Gutekanst kgutekanst@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
From the Nurses' Office
ALL STUDENTS
Please make sure you continue to do wellness checks each morning to ensure that your child does not have any visible COVID symptoms.
Important Health Reminders
REMOTE STUDENTS RETURNING TO IN PERSON
Please have your student view the attached visitor health and safety slides if they are returning from a remote team to an in person team. If you have any questions please reach out to us. Thank you very much and we look forward to welcoming your student to in person learning!
Regards,
Linda Berard, BSN, RN
Sherwood Middle School Nurse
lberard@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Phone: 508-841-8678
Fax: 508-841-8677
Kristin Franger, BSN, RN, NCSN
Sherwood Middle School Nurse
Phone: 508-841-8678
Fax: 508-841-8677
For Grade Six Families Only
Please go to the attached link to read information about signing up your child for foreign language class at Oak Middle School next year. Please be sure to read the information carefully and watch the video with your child before making a choice. You will be able sign up through Power School from April 15th through April 30th.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE SELECTION LINK
SHERWOOD & OAK APPAREL
There has never been a better time to show your school spirit! Order Sherwood and Oak gear for both you and your student(s) now through May 7th. And don't forget your rising student, too - our gear makes a great graduation gift as students head off to a new school!
Place your order here: https://bit.ly/SMSapparel2021
**Due to restrictions still in place we are unable to offer a paper order form with the option to pay by check.
MAY PTO MEETING
Mark your calendars! The May SMS PTO Meeting will be Monday, May 3rd at 7PM via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided closer to the meeting date.
Please be reminded that the SMS PTO is a singular board that serves both Sherwood and Oak, and we welcome all families from each school to join us!
From the Main Office
Attendance
Attendance is taken every morning during Morning Meeting. Please make sure your child is present and ready to go by 8:00am. Thank you!
Student Absence
Any child, regardless of hybrid or remote learning program, must inform the office if their child will be absent or late to school. SPS requires that you telephone us either the night before or first thing in the morning on the day of the child’s absence at 508-841-8690. If we have not received a call to report an absence, the school will be in contact with the parent to confirm the child’s safety.
Technology Support
If students or families are having trouble with Schoology or Zoom, you can get tech support at ParentTechSupport@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us. Please remember that Team teachers are not immediately available for this support as they have students in class.
If students or families have other questions or concerns abut technology please go to this link: Frequently Asked Questions about Technology. This link includes parent access for Schoology; password help; school email help, broken iPad, and more!
District News
May 4 Town Election Includes Proposition 2 1/2 Operational Override Ballot Question
State campaign finance regulations permit local governments to provide notification of a Proposition 2 1/2 operational override election through communication channels. Please note that this year's annual town election, which takes place on Tuesday May 4, will include the following operational override question on the ballot:
- QUESTION 1: Shall the Town of Shrewsbury be allowed to assess an additional $9,500,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding municipal and school operating expenses for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand twenty one?
All eligible town voters are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to vote in this election. For general information on voting, go to the Town Clerk's website and to view the ballot for the May 4 annual town election click here.
• For important information on how to vote early by mail or in person, click here. Early voting in person will be at Town Hall at 100 Maple Ave on April 26, 27, & 28 from 8:30am-4:00pm and on April 29 from noon to 7:00pm.
• Click here for a vote-by-mail application. The last day to apply for an early or absentee ballot by mail is Wednesday, April 28 by 5:00pm. A ballot will not be mailed to you unless you apply for one.
State campaign finance regulations do not allow for the dissemination of specific information regarding the operational override itself through direct communications such as these emails. However, they do permit the sharing of website links where individuals may choose to seek more information. Information and links to videos of recent governmental meetings regarding the May 4 operational override ballot question can be found on the Town of Shrewsbury website at WWW.SHREWSBURYMA.GOV/QUESTION1. Information regarding the School Department budget for next year can be found at https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/sc/fy-2022-budget.
Women in Stem Conference
The Northboro Junior Woman’s Club will be holding its thirteenth “Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Conference” to give middle school girls the opportunity to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math. After an opening presentation, the girls will be able to attend four, 40 minute interactive career workshops. Presenters will represent fields such as Architecture, Nursing, Biotechnology, Teaching, Engineering, Conservation, Physical Therapy, Biology, Chemistry and various Medical Professions. The presenters will explain what they do in their occupation and what sparked their interest in the field, share different tips on courses of study needed for their profession, and provide hands-on exploration/activities.
Brief Q&A sessions will take place between workshops with a Robotics Team, a chef and an engineer from NASA!
Enrollment this year is limited to the first 150 girls. This program has historically been very popular and always fills to capacity.
Please see the description of the workshops on the following page.
Please go to this link to register:
2021 NJWC Virtual Women in STEM Conference
NO information collected via this registration will be shared.
If you have any questions please contact us via email at: STEM@northborojuniors.org
or call Mary Ellen at 774-258-1500.
SSMA’s Online Rockin’ Auction!
The Shrewsbury Schools Music and Theater Association is a 60 year old volunteer, nonprofit group. We are asking for help in supporting SPS music and theater programs for all ages with the SSMA’s online silent auction! The SSMA buys music, instruments, and uniforms, funds special school events, and so much more. There are over 100 items to bid on, valued from $10 to $500, with something for everyone. There’s wine, jewelry, art, and a signed baseball; gift cards to grocery stores, restaurants, and fun activities; plus so much more! You can browse items and sign up for a bidding account anytime.
Bidding opens 10:00 AM Saturday, April 24 and closes 7:00 PM Sunday, May 9.
Visit www.MySSMA.com for the link to the auction.
Anyone can participate, even “Aunt Peg” in Florida, so please share this link!
SORA READING APP
The media centers across the district are excited to share that we now have a K-12 subscription to an iPad app called SORA that provides access to ebooks and audiobooks that students can read or listen to on their iPads. SORA enables users to borrow up to 3 books at a time. Users can also place holds on an additional 3 books at a time.
Here is a video overview of SORA.
Here is the link to a step-by-step tutorial that explains how to get started using SORA on your child's iPad: https://bit.ly/2JZa2SZ
All adults with a child enrolled at SPS are welcome to attend.
No registration needed; use this link to join our Zoom meeting.
1st Monday of the Month, 7:30 - 8:15pm
December 7 | January 4 | February 1 | March 1 April 5 | May 3 | June 7
1st Thursday of the Month, 12:15 - 1pm
December 3 | January 7 | February 4 | March 4 April 1 | May 6 | June 3
CONTACT: MS. MADDOX, JMADDOX@SHREWSBURY.K12.MA.US
28 Sherwood Ave
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
508-841-8670