SMS Update!
Aug 18, 2016
Last SMS Update!
Weekly communication will continue throughout the year in the Principal's Newsletter which I send out every Monday (Title TBD).
Orientation
For those of you who will be coming in on Saturday, Aug. 20 to assist with Orientation, here is the game plan:
- Park in the staff lot on the SE side of the building. This will free up as much space as possible in the large parking lot. We expect nearly 300+ cars for each time slot.
- Click Here to see where your orientation assignment is in the building. Please note that if your assignment is color-coded, please follow the instruction on the google sheet. You will be needed in the Commons for the first 30 minutes or so, then you may head to your assigned area to mingle.
- Click here to access the Orientation Fact sheet to help assist parents who may have questions. Parents will receive a copy of the same fact sheet and map when they come in to the Commons to pickup their child's schedule.
- Smile and be Friendly! (But you already know that)
Times are as follows for Orientation:
- 9:00 - 10:30 6th Grade
- 11:00 - 12:30 7th Grade
- 1:00 - 2:30 8th Grade
Do I Smell a TBT?
August 22: Staff Meeting & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
In the afternoon, around 2:30, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held outside the front doors of the school. All staff are welcome to come out for the photo-op!
Use of Google Forms To Address Needs
A Family That Eats Together, Cleans Together
Shared-Room Etiquette
- Do not be in the room. Please give that teacher free reign of the teacher desk, computer and room space.
- Provide some space for that teacher to place textbooks/resources.
- Work together to co-exist.
Put yourself in the shoes of traveling teacher when considering their needs. Thanks, everyone for your cooperation.
New to the Mustang Family
Megan Gasparro: Medical Detective/Robotics
Alision Sosic: ELL
Dallas Puskar: Intervention Specialist
Megan Casper: Intervention Specialist
Jim Jakubowski: Medical Detective/Robotics
Sam Lofton: Medical Detective/Robotics
Hayli Pineiro: 7th Science
Arrrgggghhh!!!
Club/Activity Advisors
Believe in Ohio (Nov-Mar): A select group of 8th grade students meet weekly during I/E time to devise a plan in which they develop a product or service (that does not currently exist or the enhancement of one) using STEM concepts. This would be great for one of our Project Lead The Way Teachers!
AHSM: Adventures in Health, Science & Medicine (Jan-Feb): A select group of 8th grade students work together for six, 1-Hour sessions, interactively with other area middle schools, to address the symptoms of a teenage student. It is run by Cleveland Clinic professional via, a google-hangout-like teleconference. Students enjoyed the activity last year!
Building Updates
Printer Use
- We are really looking to cut down on our the amount of paper we use each year. Printers/copiers are available in teacher workrooms on each floor, as well as the media center on the first and second floor. We are exploring the possibility of placing a printer in each of the 12 team pods for teacher use. Please look into other ways that students can turn in work (google classroom, shared documents-presentations) in order to use the amount of paper used this school year. Thank you, in advance!
Tech Needs
- Our Tech department- in other words, Rich Miltner, is working long hours loading/prepping chromebooks, calibrating wireless projectors in each room and doing countless other things. Please be patient with your tech needs. As we get settled in this school year, we will be utilizing Tech-Tickets in which staff members with submit an IT-Ticket and Rich will work to meet your needs, in a systematic fashion.
Missing/Extra Boxes/Equipment
- Found my radios! I owe it to Elissa Ray!!! Keep opening boxes- your missing stuff is bound to turn up. Keep communicating with each other to get equipment/supplies/instructional material back to its rightful owner.
- We will be working through lots of hiccups over the next few weeks. Your patience and flexibility is, and will be, greatly appreciated.
Keys & Fobs
- Mike Vukovich is still your go-to guy.
Building Access
- The building will be closed Sunday, Aug 21. Monday, Aug 22, you will still have access through the evening if needed.
Parking Lot Assistance
- Until the parking lot is completed (3-6 weeks?), cars will have to co-exist with buses in the main lot. If you are free 9th period, we are looking for two volunteers to come out into the parking lot, at 2:50, to assist with traffic flow. Let me know if you are willing and able.
Need More Desks?
- Once your room is set up with desks and table/chairs, assess your total. Check class rosters on Friday or even Monday (Aug 22) and custodians will deliver more desks/tables as needed.
Tidying Up For Orientation
- If you need any assistance in moving boxes out of the way or other logistics to make your room presentable for Orientation until you can finish on Monday, please let Paul Cummins know.
What's Gonna Work?....Teeeeamwork!
First Day of School
First Day of School:
We have put together a schedule in which students spend the day with their team (and encore classes) simply getting to know one another, doing team-building activities, learning the building, modeling SMS rules, tech expectations, etc.
- The morning will be comprised of Team Activities (as generated by team-teachers), grade level meetings in the Auditorium and walk-thrus for lunch procedures.
- The afternoon will be a condensed version of a 9-period day in which students will spend a short period of time in each class. That way, students will learn the ropes of moving from class to class, navigate the halls and get to know various classroom procedures.
This should be a day in which content instruction is not taking place but, rather a 'get your feet wet' experience. Here is the link to the Aug 23 schedule. 1st Day Schedule
Green/White Days
For example: Week 1: M/W/F Green Days, T/TH White Days
Week 2: M/W/F White Days, T/TH Green Days
During weeks that are shortened by holidays, snow days, etc, we will simply start where we left off. So if Friday was a Green day and we have Monday off, then Tuesday will be a White day.
To start the school year- and for Power School purposes- Tuesday, Aug 23 will be a Green day and Wednesday Aug 24 will be a White day.
SMS Students Helping with the Furniture Photo Shoot
Open House
Instructional Tech Coaches
BLT Members
Still looking for BLT Members! The focus of the BLT is to support and strengthen TBTs. If you are part of what you feel is a strong TBT, your efforts would be greatly appreciated on BLT. Please let me know if you are interested.
Important Dates
- Aug 20: 9:00 - 3:00 Orientation
- Aug 22: Convocation / Teacher Work Day
- Aug 23: First Day of School! / 6th Open House
- Aug 25: 7th Open House
- Aug 30: 8th Open House
Strongsville Middle School
Email: sdeitrick@scsmustangs.org
Location: 13200 Pearl Road, Strongsville, OH, United States
Phone: 440.572.7090
Twitter: @smsstangs