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Message from Mrs. Kunze There are many changes happening in education right now, I will do my best to keep you informed. We are currently fully implementing Common Core Literacy Standards in Science, Social Studies and Non-core courses as required by FL Department of Education (DOE). Math and Language Arts teachers are transitioning to the Common Core standards that will be fully implemented in 2014-2015. These new Math & Language Arts standards will be assessed on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). In 2014-2015 the FCAT 2.0 will not be administered in Reading and Math. Please take a few minutes to watch a video clip from NBC's Nightly News
. You can find more information on the PARCC on their website
Front office deliveries The front office is unable to deliver late homework,books, projects, band instruments or PE uniforms to students at any time during the school day. We cannot stop the instruction of other students in class for any reason other then an emergency (lunch money or lunch). We believe students should be responsible and come to school prepared for the school day. If your child is having difficulty remember items, please have him/her set items by the door the night before or create a checklist to use in the morning. Every year, we have parents who will avoid this rule, by checking their child out to give them forgotten items in the parking lot and then check them back into school or will slip the forgotten homework in a lunch sack. PLEASE do not do this. We work very hard to teach the Pillars of Character at Swiss Point and would greatly appreciate your support. Project SOS assemblies Project SOS is a non-profit organization that is committed to strengthening families by empowering parents and educating youth to make healthy life choices. This organization is approved by the district to visit schools to speak to our students. We have Project SOS scheduled to speak to each grade level 3 times this year. Their first visit was this past week. The message was on Choices. Anthony spoke to students about the Choice Remote. 1. Stop and think about situation 2. Rewind and think about past decisions 3. Fast Forward to think about how the situation might play through 4. Play to see through with your decision by accepting responsibility Please talk to your child about their choices and your expectations. Pre-Approved Absence Form If you know that your child will be absent for a trip or some other reason, there is a pre-approved absence form on the home page of the Swiss Point website (left side). This form should be completed 2 weeks before the absence and given to Ms. Miller in the guidance office. ALL absences excused or unexcused count towards the total. After the 15th absence a doctor's note must be provided for the absence to be excused. Important Dates - Mark your calendars!!! Last spring, I put information in the Raider Rap that the entire district would be administering semester exams BEFORE the holiday break this year. Wednesday, December 19th - Exams in Silver 2 & Silver 3 Thursday, December 20th - Exams in Black 2 & Silver 4 Friday, December 21st - Exams in Black 2 & Black 4 ALL make-up exams will be administered on Monday & Tuesday, January 7th & 8th. Do you like to scrapbook? As a school fundraiser to help support our Character Counts and Jr Student 2 Student programs, you can scrapbook in the media center the 1st Friday of each month from 6pm to midnight for $5. You will have access to the Ellison machine, paper cutter and copy machine. You will need to bring your own snacks and drinks. You do not have to RSVP, just show up on Friday, October 5th ready to crop! Talent Identification Program Information for 7th Grade (TIP) Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program) seeks to identify students with strong intellectual abilities that would like to voluntarily take the ACT or SAT while in 7th grade. This program is not sponsored by Swiss Point but we are happy to provide parents with the information needed to register with TIP if interested: 1. Please review your child's 5th or 6th grade standardized test scores (FCAT, TerraNova, Iowa, CTBS, SAT, ITBS, etc). 2. If your child scored at or higher than 95% on either the reading OR math portions on a norm referenced test, he/she is eligible to register for TIP. Florida students took the FCAT in 5th and 6th grade which does not provide a percentile score, however, the developmental score can be converted to a percentile score that can be used on the registration form. If your child scored at or above the following developmental scores in 5th OR 6th grade they can register: 5th grade Reading 256 5th grade Math 256 6th grade Reading 259 6th grade Math 259 *Please note that all of the qualifying developmental scores are within the FCAT Level 5 3. Please find all of the information about the program, differences between tests (ACT/SAT), when and where the tests are offered and how to register by going to Duke TIP's website at www.tip.duke.edu. If you have any additional questions please call TIP at (919 )668-9100 4. If you do register for one of the tests ($72.00 cost), you will use the following middle school ID: 200293-AB 5. If unable to access the site please, send your child to Melissa Lime, Academic Coordinator, for a paper registration to take home. Click here to read the Superintendent's Weekly Review dated 9/24/2012 Home Access Information and Instructions The school district has launched a new system for parents to access their child's academic progress. Please review the following documents to learn more about how the system works and instructions on how to access the system. If you are still having trouble logging into HAC after you have read all directions, please email Cynthia Casper at casperc@stjohns.k12.fl.us Home Access Account Registration Instuctions eSchoolPlus and Home Access Center (HAC) Introduction Home Access Center Email Verification Form 2012-2013 |
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Daily Rotation & Calendar for the Week
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Week of October 1st
Monday - Black Day
Basketball Game home vs. Gamble Rogers, starts 5:30 pm, Gym
Tuesday - Silver Day
Dreams Come True Meeting, 1:00-2:00 pm, Auditorium
Road Raiders after school
Wednesday - Black Day - 1pm dismissal
Winterguard Practice, 1:30-4:30pm, gym
Basketball Game home vs. Fruit Cove, starts 5:30pm, Gym
Thursday - Silver Day
Road Raiders after school
Friday- Black Day
Surf Club, 1:00 pm, PLC Room
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Volunteer Information
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Volunteer Opportunity
At this time, there are no specific needs for volunteers. Rest up.....we will need volunteers for Red Ribbon Week, October 22-25 and the Raider Buck Store in late November through December. As always, all approved volunteers are welcome to help with cafeteria duty, shelving books and more. Contact Mrs. Roberts at the front desk if you are interested.
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PTSO
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PTSO NEWS
Our next PTSO meeting is scheduled for October 8th at 9:30am in the Media Center. We encourage all members who can come to join us.
Membership 2012/2013
Family membership is $20. Teacher membership is $10. Your membership helps us provide so much more. Please join.
PTSO Membership Drive Update
6th Grade
Bransford - 80%
Hurst - 75%
Mrs. A - 70%
7th Grade
Pantano - 63%
Siple - 57%
Hunter - 46%
8th Grade
Kennedy - 63%
Ostrow - 50%
Robbins - 43%
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to be a part
of our PTSO and helped support Swiss Point. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact Nery DiDeo at
nerydideo@comcast.net.
Magazine Fundraising
Thank you all who participated in our magazine sales. We had a great turn out!
Congratulations to the Students who sold magazines for the
limo ride! A parent permission form will be sent home to those
students next week.
Breann Akerman
Corinne Albano
Ciera Atkinson
Kenneth Austin
Cassidy Bolton
Ethan Bower
Joseph Callaremi
Ainsley Cherry
Mathhew David
Julie DiDeo
Mikey DiDeo
Ricky DiDeo
James Dottaviano
Ashley Edenfield
Carmen Erickson
Joseph Governara
Matthew Greenwell
Miles Hatcher
Emerson Hurst
Cora Johnston
Amanda Kahn
Timothy Kellett
Madisyn Lake
Sydney Leiser
Caroline Levine
Cameron Mackenzie-Lewis
Chloe Moseley
Samir Mujtab
Faith Myron
Joseph Panariello
Daniel Probst
Tyler Proud
Sophia Stachowiak
Herbert Steigelman
Christopher Sylvester
Andrew Szuba
Henry Toney
Aime Yelvington
10/8 -- Basketball dunk show
10/12 -- Limo ride (includes lunch)
Spirit Wear
SPMS PTSO has a brand new spirit wear logo for both boys
and girls. T-shirts (short and long sleeves), hoodies and
drawstring bags will be available for pre-order only. We will
place a 2nd order by mid October to be delivered beginning
of November. This will be our last order.
Box Top, Campbell Soup & Tyson Label News
Continue cutting those labels! We are keeping running totals
for the first contest that will continue until 12/1/12. Remember,
each student who brings in 50 valid labels will receive one
Raider Buck. Be sure to check the expiration dates on each
label. Please place your labels in a zip lock bag or an
envelope with the student's name, grade and homeroom
teacher's name listed. Speaking of teachers, there will also
be prizes for the homeroom teachers with the highest label
count from all of their students' totals. So, along with earning a
prize for yourself, you can help your teacher win a nice surprise
too!
Also, please visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/ to
register and learn more ways to earn Box Top credits for our
school. Thank you for your support |
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SAC News
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Switzerland Point Middle School
School Advisory Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Room 410, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Meeting Minutes
As always, this is a public meeting, and all are welcome to attend.
Members in attendance: Mina Bustamante, Kristee Burgess, Lena Ford, Ross Garza, Alice Kromphardt, Lisa Kunze, Michael Lewandowski, Elizabeth Loeser, Megan Miller, Melissa Muley, Stacy Pendarvis, Emily Piscitello, Tanya Thompson, Connie Vanwinkle, Patrick Victor
Members absent:
Non-voting guests:
3:32 Call to Order: Megan Miller
3:33 Member Introductions/Team Builder Activity: Megan Miller
- "Good News" with the group
3:38 Vote: parent elected new members and alternates: Megan Miller
- Motion to approve: Tanya Thompson; second by Connie Vanwinkle
- Paperwork-SAC composition forms: Due to district 10/19
3:42 SAC Training Powerpoint: Megan Miller
- Power point will be placed on the website
3:52 Review SAC By-Laws on our SAC page to discuss next meeting: Megan Miller
3:53 Vote: Future Meeting Dates and Times (Due to district 10/19): Megan Miller
- Future meeting dates will be October 17th, December 19th, January 16th, February 20th, March 20th, April 17th, May 15th, and June 4th (no meeting in November)
- Motion to approve: Kristee Burgess, second by Michael Lewandowski.
3:56 Finance Report: Emily Piscitello
3:57 Vote: 2012-2013 School Improvement Plan (Due to district 09/24): Lisa Kunze
- Lisa Kunze (principal) discussed SIP (focus on vocabulary, comprehension strategies, text complexity, cognitive complexity of questions)
- Table the discussion on Home Access Center versus teacher website (until next meeting)
- Motion to approve: Stacy Thompson; second by Kristee Burgess
4:50 Vote: District Accreditation Survey vs. Needs Assessment Survey: Megan Miller
- Needs Assessment survey has been changed this year-the survey is typically designed to drive school improvement plan (SIP)
- This year, SAC and the school needs to provide the District Accreditation Survey but can utilize another needs assessment survey, if desired.
- District Accreditation Survey is due November 16, 2012
- Motion to complete both surveys by Kristee Burgess; second by Ross Garza
4:54 Principal Update: Lisa Kunze
- Enrollment is at 1,165 (with 8 growth teacher positions)
5:05 New Business/Questions and Answers: Megan Miller
- Next meeting: October 17, 2012 at 3:30pm
- Proposed Items for October meeting:
(1) Vote: School Recognition Money Allocation
(2) Vote: SPMS SAC by-laws
5:09 Adjournment: Megan Miller
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Guidance News
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Guidance Counselors
Ellen Dail - 6th grade & 7th grade A-G
Tanya Moseley - 7th grade H-Z & 8th grade
Gifted Parent Advisory Dates 2012-2013:
10/16/12 The Webster School
1/8/13 Durbin Creek Elementary School
3/19/13 Ocean Palms Elementary School
5/13/13 Julington Creek Elementary School
*All meetings are from 3:30 to 4:30
Redirecting Children's Behavior
Next One Starts September 25th
The Redirecting Children's Behavior (RCB) course is a 15-hour course that meets on Tuesday evenings at the Fullerwood Training Center from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. The next course starts on September 25. The
course is open to parents and school district staff and registration is required. To register, please contact George Freeman via phone 547-7704 or email at freemag2@stjohns.k12.fl.us RCB presents non-violent
strategies that foster appropriate behavior in children. Topics include assessing and building relationships, styles of interaction and results to expect, handling emotions during heat-of-the-moment exchange, diagnosing motivations that lead to misbehavior, appropriate redirection strategies, improving self-esteem, fine-tuning communication skills, and creating problem solvers.
Military Child Education Coalition
Military children generally move six to nine times during their K-12 school years. Many make multiple moves during high school years alone, some even during their senior year.
In addition to giving up friends and routines, students must deal with other frustrations as they move across state lines or even from school to school, such as:
academic standards and courses,
access to programs,
promotion and graduation requirements,
programs for children with special needs,
and transfer and acceptance of records.
Separation from a deployed parent (or parents) raises an additional issue. The role of the MCEC is to help families, schools, and communities be better prepared to support military-connected children throughout their academic careers. If you are one of our wonderful military families or you know military children and want to learn more about the MCEC and how to support them go to www.militarychild.org.
New Student Get Together
Switzerland Point Middle School has experienced great growth this year and with that in mind, we understand the challenges that students who are new to our school experience. During the summer we offered camps to any 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to help them transition to our school. The students had a chance to see old friends, make new friends and learn about SPMS! Both camps were a success and students came to school on the first day ready to learn. Recognizing that close to 130 of new students did not come from an elementary feeder school or are Fruit Cove rezoned students we felt that we needed to support them further by having a New Student Get Together the first Friday of each month. Our first get together was on September 7th during study hall - the new students who attended played a game, made new peers and had a snack. This project is planned and facilitated by our Junior Student 2 Student grade level representatives and sponsored by Mrs. Dail - School Counselor. If you would like to donate drinks or small snacks for any of the get togethers please contact Mrs. Dail at 547-8624.
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Student Corner
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Dreams Come True Club
The Dreams Come True Club will have an informational meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd in the auditorium during study hall. A person from the Jacksonville organization will be our guest speaker and share with us how we can make a difference in the life of a child who is battling a life-threatening illness. We welcome any student who is interested in our "Kids Helping Other Kids" club! We always meet during study hall so that any interested student is able to attend.
Language Exploration Enrichment (LEE)
Semester 1, Sept.-Dec 2012
Spanish class meets twice per week after school for 50 min. each.
Fee: $195 per student, for 24 classes. All 6-8th grade students are welcomed.
You can download a LEE flyer for your school here
http;//leestjohns.pbworks.com/
OR visit the LEE link on your school website.
For more information contact us via email at:LEEStJohns@aol.com OR
via telephone at 904 657-1918 and leave a message.
LEE is a non profit organization benefiting your school.
Learn a Language, Share a Culture, Change the World.
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Student's Corner- Just for 8th Graders
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Attention parents of 8th grade Algebra and Geometry Students!!!
Your 8th grade child is being given the opportunity to take the PSAT at Switzerland Point on Saturday, October 20th from 8am to 11am. This is a national test day for the PSAT and there is not a make-up date. The cost is $20. The PSAT measures critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills that are important for success in college. The PSAT Score Report gives your child personalized feedback on their test performance allowing them to see which questions they answered incorrectly and which academic skills they may need to improve. The PSAT is excellent practice for the SAT which your child will take in high school. Payment (cash or check payable to SPMS) for the PSAT should be turned in to Melissa Lime, Academic Coordinator. Students will receive an "Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT" when they register for the test. Seating is limited. The last day for payment is Wednesday, October 17th. Your child will receive a receipt. A parent letter with more information about the PSAT will be distributed in Mrs. Robbins and Mrs. Piscitello's math class. Please email Mrs. Lime at limem@stjohns.k12.fl.us if you have further questions.
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Policy Reminders
| Switzerland Point Standards
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
School Safety!
Students, remember YOU help us keep Switzerland Point safe. Report any suspicious activity to Dean Hurst or Deputy Kowieski, or use the school tip line at 335-8609
Bus Passes
Bus passes to ride home with another student are not allowed. The buses are at capacity.
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Athletics
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2012 SJMSAA Raider Football Schedule
Date School Location Time
10/4 Landrum Landrum MS 5:00
10/11 Buddy Taylor Flagler Palm Coast HS 6:00
10/24 Liberty Pines Bartram Trail HS 5:00
The football played a good game versus Fruit Cove and lost 12 to 7. The coaches are proud of all the boys. The next game will be next week versus Landrum Middle School. Good luck in your next game.
Registration is NOW Open for SJMSAA Soccer Tryouts!
Tryouts will take place October 1 - 12. Please check with your school Sports Director for your specific dates. The season will run from November 16 through January 20 (tentative).
Teams will be formed immediately following tryouts. At that times players will be provided more information about SJMSAA registration & Pay-to-Play, games & practices, and other important team information.
Registration is NOW Open for SJMSAA Golf Tryouts!
Tryouts will take place October 3rd & 10th. The season will run from October 15th through November 21st. Practice is Tuesday and games Wednesday games.
SJMAA's Fall golf program will be an instructional team based golf league starting in mid October. Students are encouraged to come represent their school in this all inclusive team formatted league for the average to skilled level player. Our players will continue to build their game with the area's best PGA professionals and other skilled teachers.
Teams will be formed immediately following tryouts. At that times players will be provided more information about SJMSAA registration & Pay-to-Play, matches & practices, and other important team information.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is offerting developmental training on Sunday's for GIRLS ONLY at Plantation Park starting October 7th. The times will be from 12:00pm - 2:30pm. If you have any questions, please go to www.firstcoastlax.com
SPMS Basketball
The 2nd week of basketball was perfect for the boy's and girl's teams. Both teams had victories over Sebastian Middle on Monday and Liberty Pines on Wednesday. The girl's record stands at 3 wins and 1 loss and the boys have 4 wins and 0 losses. The next game will be on Monday versus Gamble Rogers Middle School and Wednesday versus Fruit Cove Middle School. Monday's game will be a "BLACKOUT", wear BLACK to the game. Good luck to the basketball teams.
Oct. 1 Gamble Rogers 5:30 HOME "BLACK-OUT"
Oct. 3 Fruit Cove 5:30 HOME
Oct. 8 Liberty Pines 5:30 AWAY
Oct. 10 Landrum 5:30 AWAY
Oct. 15 Liberty Pines 5:30 HOME "PINK-OUT" for Breast Cancer Awareness
Oct. 17 Fruit Cove 5:30 AWAY
SJMSAA Cheer Team
We would like to Congratulate all the cheerleaders for doing a great job every week. RAH!!! RAH!!! Gooooooooooooo Raiders!!!!!
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Lunch Menu
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Click here to view information regarding the cafeteria.
Traditional lunch is $2.60
Ala carte pricing can be found using the link on the parent page of the SPMS website.
Week of October 1
Monday
Max Cheese Sticks, Chicken Quesadilla Max, Steamed Broccoli Florets, Green Peas, Marinara Sauce, Peaches, Variety of Milk, Taco Sauce
Tuesday
Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Beef Taco on Ultra Grain Flour Tortillas, Baby Carrot Dippers w/ LF Dressing Cup, Corn, Mandarin Oranges, Variety of Milk, Taco Sauce, Lettuce/Tomato/Cheese Cup
Wednesday
Chicken Nuggets, Baked Beans, Cherry Tomato & Celery Stick Dippers with LF Dressing Cup, Whole Grain Roll, Variety of Fresh Fruit to include: sliced apples, pears, or oranges, Variety of Milk, Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup
Thursday
Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Fajita Chicken Wrap, Spinach / Romaine Mix Salad with LF Dressing Dunk Cup, Cucumber & Baby Carrot Dippers w/ LF Dressing Cup, Pears, Variety of Milk
Friday
Oven Baked Chicken, BBQ Meatballs, Whole Grain Garlic Breadstick, Baby Carrot Dippers with LF Dressing Cup, Green Beans, Applesauce, Variety of Milk
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San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church 6th Annual Fall Festival
The San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church 6th Annual Fall Festival is November 2,3,4, 2012. There are: rides, games, silent auction, jail & bail, country store, cafe san juan, book nook, food/refreshments,
reverse draw dinner Saturday night, bingo, all ages talent show contest, free entertainment all 3 days, homemade soup contest and our grand draw and raffle with over $10,000 in prizes. The Grand Draw top prize is
Cruise to Bermuda value of $4,000 limited to first 500 entries. Great odds in winning. Cost is $60 a ticket. For additional information contact Sal Santapola - saldesanta@gmail.com. Click here for the informational flyer.
Saint Johns County Education Foundation
Click here for information regarding the 2nd Annual Nissan of St. Augustine Charity Golf Tournament on October 10th.
St. Johns County School District Community Education
The St. Johns County School District is conducting Community Education classes in the evening and are available in a variety of subjects including, computers (Microsoft Office and Excel), World Languages (Spanish, French, ASL, ESL), yoga, sewing, photography, bluegrass string band, memoir writing, drawing and painting. Classes begin soon at 6 locations around the county. Visit www.sjccommunityed.com
Register Online for Flag Football
Registration Dates: Now thru Friday, October 5th
Cost: $145 (includes uniform)
Ages: 4 thru 17 (must be 4 by August 1, 2012)
When Girls Succeed, So does Society!
It is never too late to join Girl Scouts! Whether exploring their own neighborhoods, going on overnight camping trips, participating in community service projects, or flying to one of the four world centers, Girl Scouts are continually expanding their horizons. Girl Scouts today thrive to build a better world by helping others. Come see what we are all about! Call Débora McCarty at 230-2669 or send an email to rdmccarty10@comcast.net
Middle School Girls Lacrosse
Dates: Sundays October 7th - November 4th 2012
Time: 12:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Plantation Park (Fruit Cove MS)
Price: $105 early registration (before 9/7)
$150 registration (after 9/7)
Just for Parents
The Florida Department of Education's Bureau of Family and Community Outreach is pleased to send you our "Just for Parents" newsletter. We hope that you will share this newsletter with your friends, colleagues, schools and especially parents.
Our first issue, published in July, focuses on fun ways to keep children actively learning throughout the summer break from school.
Our August issue offers great tips for parents to help get the new school year off to a great start, how to choose a quality afterschool program, what children will be learning in their grade level this year, and more!
To view the July and August newsletters that include "live" links to other helpful resources, please click on the link below which will take you to the Florida Department of Education's "Just for Parents" web page. http://parents.fldoe.org/newsletter
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