Stewart Middle School Newsletter

Principal's Message

Greetings Wildcat Families!

Happy Fall!

It's hard to believe November is just around the corner. Thank you to all of our families who attended the Open House and our first PFC meeting. We are excited to see a great number of parents, guardians, and family members interested in volunteering at SMS and becoming involved with school and district-level policy committees. We will reach out to set up volunteer opportunities. Truly, #WEARESTEWART!

Please help me welcome, Dr. Mike Devitt, our Interim Assistant Principal. He will be here through the winter break and outside at dismissal times to ensure he gets the opportunity to speak with as many families as possible. Please be sure to give him a "Wildcat welcome!"

Please look for Talking Points messages to be sent to you via text. This communication system allows us to get a message to you quickly and in your preferred language. Talking Points also enables you to respond to a message and send a quick message to one of your teachers.

Your teachers will be sending you messages about once per month to update you on grade-specific academic information and to offer strategies for reinforcing the lessons for your learner, at home.

We will be sending out information through a variety of methods; Talking Points (text messages), Connect Ed (email and voicemail), and we will be posting a limited number of updates on our social media sites, SMS Instagram, Stewart MS Twitter, and Stewart MS Facebook. Our goal is to use the Stewart webpage Stewart MS Website Parent Section as a "go-to" spot for information previously shared by the various forms of communication. Please stay tuned for that, and please share with us other ways that we may keep our families updated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Culbreath

Assistant Principal Update

Mr. Kevin Smith, the Assistant Principal since 2019, resigned last month. Dr. Mike Devitt has assumed the role of Interim Assistant Principal to support the learners, families, and educational activities of the building until our newly hired Assistant Principal, Mr. Evan Kramp, begins. An official start date has not been determined, but expect to see Mr. Kramp after the winter break.

October 31st - School-Day Halloween Protocol

We know this is always a fun evening for most of our scholars, however during the school day, we will focus on teaching and learning. Please do not allow your learner to wear any type of costume, face painting, or face mask. As well, no one should bring candy or sweets for themselves or their classmates on Halloween or the days after.

October and November Special Events

October

28th Stewart Middle School Only Early Dismissal

November

3rd Early Dismissal - Newly added to the District Calendar
7th Early Dismissal
8th No School
14th Indigenous Cultures Appreciation Celebration 5-7 pm
15th PFC/SATP Family Meeting 6:30-7:30 pm
18th Early Dismissal
22nd Evening Conferences

23rd No School & Morning Conferences
24-25th No School- Thanksgiving Break

Stewart Action Team for Partnership-PFC Meeting 11/15

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 15th at 6:30 pm in the SMS Cafeteria. All families are encouraged to attend and help shape the activities and policies of Stewart.

Please let us know you will be attending so that we will have ample refreshments at

pfc-stewart@nasd.k12.pa.us

Indigenous Cultures Appreciation Celebration

When

Monday, Nov. 14th, 5-7pm

Where

Stewart Middle School, Cafeteria Entrance (Forrest Avenue)

More information

All SMS families are welcome to attend the celebration of Native American and Indigenous Cultures.

Please see the attached flyer.

RSVPs are enabled for this event.

EARLY PICK-UP

Early dismissals are not permitted during the last 30 minutes of the day. You must sign your child out before 2:20 pm (11:15 on 11:50 dismissal days) or meet them outside at dismissal time. We want to ensure the safety of all of the learners during the busy period immediately before dismissal and can’t when families are waiting in the office area. It is always easiest to send in a note to alert teachers and the office of the early dismissal.

UNIFORM GUIDELINES

Parents and guardians requested that we remain consistent with the uniform requirement and we aim to uphold that request. Almost all scholars are in full uniform each day. However, a few learners seem to change clothes after they leave home and need reminders of the rules. Please check in with your learner and remind them of the uniform policy.

Most importantly, our colors are black, blue, and Khaki (tan) or any Stewart or NASD spiritwear of any color.

Leggings, tops, or bottoms with logos or designs larger than a quarter, ripped/shredded pants, slides or shoes without a back strap and enclosed toes, and fashion headwear violate the guidelines and safety protocols, and must not be worn in school.

We are happy to help any family who needs assistance with acquiring uniforms, please contact your school counselor.

The links below will take you to Stewart's uniform policy and a list of places where you may buy clothes that meet the uniform guidelines, online and in-person.

PERSONAL ELECTRONICS/CELL PHONE DEVICES

Research has shown, and we see the ill effects of personal electronic device use in the classroom. Grades are lowered and conflicts arise. Please partner with us and continuously reinforce our protocol to your learner. Scholars are expected to keep their devices in off mode and away at ALL times (including the cafeteria.) Your learner should go to their counselor if they must call home.

These protocols are enforced from the first day of school until the last day of school.