SEMS Golden Eagles Weekly Update
October 30th, 2023
Calling all 6th Graders!
WEB-or-Treat is our October WEB event, which will be held for our 6th graders on Monday, October 30th at lunch! The 6th graders will make their way around campus to 10 different stations, collecting some fun prizes as they go. We can’t wait!
Halloween is HERE!
Costume Expectations
We love Halloween at SEMS! Students and staff may wear Halloween costumes on Tuesday, October 31st, but they must adhere to the guidelines listed below:
No look-a-like weapons of any kind.
No masks of any kind.
No full face paint.
No inflatable or other costumes that will impede the learning of others.
Costumes must follow the SMUSD dress code guidelines.
Please use good judgment and creativity so that everyone can have fun. If you have any questions, please email or reach out to one of the Assistant Principals. Our goal is for everyone to enjoy the day, but please remember that this is a school day and we must follow guidelines.
If students do not follow the Halloween guidelines, parents will be called to bring another item of clothing for their child to wear.
NO Homework time on Tuesday, October 31st!
Safety Tips from the City of Carlsbad:
Halloween safety tips
Halloween is almost here and it’s starting to get dark earlier, so let’s look out for one another on our streets. Follow these tips from the City of Carlsbad to stay safe.
Walk safely
- Walk on sidewalks and cross at corners or lights. Do not cross mid-block.
- Stay in well-lit areas.
Drive safely
- Look out for more pedestrians than usual, including small children who might be more difficult to see.
- Slow down and give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.
- Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.
Plan ahead
- Help students choose costumes and shoes that do not restrict movement and can easily be seen in the dark.
- Use reflective fabric or tape, or bring along glow sticks or flashlights to improve visibility.
- Use safe, non-toxic makeup instead of masks that may restrict vision.
- Arrange for students to stay with an adult and in groups and avoid trick-or-treating alone.
ASB
Boo! Our SEMS annual Halloween Costume Contest will take place during lunches. The categories for the contest include: Scariest, Best Group, Most Creative, Best Duo and Funniest. Please review Halloween Costume expectations above.
Thursday, November 2nd will be our first school-wide rep meeting during second lunch in classroom 304 for homeroom representatives. During this meeting student will learn about school events and share their ideas about future events they would like to see on our campus.
Also, on Friday, November 3rd our champions of our Wiffle Ball Tournament will be enjoying a lunch off campus at the fountain with Mrs. Storey. Congratulations to our winners!
ELAC Meeting
Our next ELAC meeting will be held on Friday, November 3rd at 8:00 am in Room 206. If your child is learning English as their second language, this meeting is for you!
Nuestra próxima reunión de ELAC se llevará a cabo el viernes 3 de noviembre a las 8:00 am en la clase de 206 de SEMS. Si su hijo está aprendiendo inglés como segundo idioma, ¡esta reunión es para usted!
Athletics
Check out our Athletics Website for up to date information.
Congratulations to our Cross Country Team who took home FOUR trophies at the end of their season!
6th/7th Girls- 3rd Place
6th/7th Boys- 1st Place
8th Girls- 1st Place
8th Boys- 2nd Place
SEMS Sponsorship Banner Program
The Banner Program is officially up and going again this year. Thank you to all past and current sponsors, as your donations really help our student athletes in more ways than we can tell you. This year we have two locations, again. The corner of San Elijo Road and Schoolhouse Way is the place that our community gets to see your donations at work. The drop-off circle is the second, and where our parents get to see your business names up close and personal, on a daily basis.
Donations are $500 and are handled through the SEMS PTO website.
Link: https://semspto.square.site/product/banner/6?cs=true&cst=custom
Upon completion of the purchase, please contact our Athletic Coordinator at geoffrey.gilpin@smusd.org, so that we can get your design in to the printer.
The 2nd progress report will be end soon. Teachers will be posting their grades this week. Please remind your students to turn in any missing assignments and/or schedule any retakes of assessments as soon as possible.
October is Substance Abuse Prevention Month. Many students participated in our Red Ribbon Week activities and spirit days, which promotes the message of being drug-free. There is a free vaping presentation hosted at San Marcos Middle on 11/1 - the flyer can be found here. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This can be reached at 1-800-662-4357. Tips for teens on topics related to substances can be located here.
The California Health Kids Survey from last year reports that 24% of students grades 7-11 in SMUSD indicate current alcohol and drug use. Although it is much lower at SEMS, it is still an important topic. The most common drugs used include nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana with vaping being the preferred method of use. It is never too early to have these discussions with your children. Protective factors against substance abuse at the middle school level include Mastery of academic skills (math, reading, writing), following rules for behavior at home, at school, and in public places, ability to make friends, good peer relationships, consistent discipline that is language-based rather than physical, and extended family support. Parent resources can be found here: https://www.naturalhigh.org/for-parents/
Yearbook
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to purchase the award-winning SEMS Yearbook for the 2023-2024 school year!
The Aquila staff works hard all year to capture the memories from student activities to athletics to clubs. Every picture has a caption and our students’ stories are written to create lasting memories!
Please click on the link below to order your yearbook directly from the Jostens’ website:
You will be asked to enter your student’s FULL, REGISTERED name (please no nicknames or shortened names as it can cause confusion in our system), grade and homeroom teacher (first period teacher, if known). Again, it is important that you type in their school registered name, as it will sync with our rosters.
Questions regarding the yearbook publication may be directed to the yearbook adviser, Mrs. Sarah Meder: sarah.meder@smusd.org
Links, Reminders, Dates, Community Information, and More...
- As we are well in to October, we are starting to see students come to school without a Chromebook or without it being fully charged. While each class does have a few loaner Chromebooks, we are starting to run out. When students don't have a Chromebook, then they are not able to fully engage in the learning in their classes. Please help us by ensuring your student comes to school every day with a fully charged Chromebook. Thank you!
- For more updates, please also follow our PTO on social media (Instagram, Facebook) or through PTO linktree website or SEMS PTO website.
- Please check out our full club list posted on our website and thank you to our student leaders for starting these awesome clubs on campus.
- Community Letter with E-Bike Permit ProcessThank you for your support. We have received so many emails with gratitude and are happy to be working together to keep our community safe. I have updated the letter with some additional information based on great questions we've been receiving. Please don't hesitate to reach out to administration with any questions.
- We care deeply about the safety of our students. If a student needs to leave early for a doctors appointment, health concern, or any other reason, a parent or guardian must sign out the student in person. We can not let students walk/ride home alone. Thank you for your cooperation.
- Due to an increase in supervision concerns, MHHS admin has asked that we communicate the following: Middle school students attending a Mission Hills High School football game must be directly supervised by a caregiver who remains at the game. No drop offs will be admitted into the stadium, and there are no refunds for any tickets purchased. We thank you for your support. Any misbehavior will have school consequences.
- BC Tutoring Option: Free, online Math Tutoring from SMHS Juniors and Seniors for community service. SEMS alumni!
- Brainfuse Free Online Tutoring: This is in students' apps in ClassLink! It's a free resource provided by the State of California.
- Semester 1 Grading Periods
Progress Report #2 Window Closes on: 11/3
First Semester Report Card Window Closes on: 12/15
Parents will be able to view progress reports and report cards in their ParentVue app.
- Homework Time: This is a great place for students to quietly work on assignments.
Wednesday: 1:30 - 2:30pm
- Campus is open from 7:15am- 3:30pm
San Elijo Middle School
Email: patricia.storey@smusd.org
Website: https://sanelijomiddle.smusd.org/
Location: 1600 Schoolhouse Way, San Marcos, CA. 92078
Phone: 760-290-2800
For more updates, please also follow our PTO on social media (Instagram, Facebook) or through PTO linktree website or SEMS PTO website.