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Message from Mrs. Kunze Today was the last day of the 1st quarter. This past week, we administered district quarter exams in each core class. If a student was absent we will administer make-up exams during study hall on Tuesday (10/25) for Language Arts & Science and Thursday (10/27) for Social Studies and Math. Report cards will be issued on Monday, October 31st.
Red Ribbon/Spirit Week
Next week we will be celebrating Red Ribbon/Spirit week! The theme for the week is "Be a Hero, Drug Free. Help, Encourage, and Respect Others." Students have already been decorating their homeroom doors. There will be many anti-drug related activities, including a Red Ribbon Fun Friday for students who earn a red raider buck by wearing red on Wednesday! Students can also bring $3 to the Fun Friday if they would like to purchase a red snow cone, decorate a cookie, and buy a candy drug-gram to send to a friend! There will be many activities promoting drug prevention and making healthy choices. Students may show their school spirit by wearing: Tuesday - Wacky Tacky Day Wednesday - Wear Red Day Thursday - Twin Day Friday - Team Spirit Day and pay $1 to wear a hat We hope your child will want to participate in all the great activities that will be offered! Doctor Forms/Checklists - Best Practice Our students go to a doctor to be evaluated for many reasons and sometimes return to school with forms for the teachers to complete. Please be aware that it is our policy for the forms/checklists to be given by the parent or the student to the guidance department. The student's counselor will make sure that the forms are completed by the teachers and are mailed back to the doctor requesting them (please send in a large enough stamped envelope with the doctor's address on it). If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Dail or Mrs. Moseley in guidance. Our Yankee Candle Fundraiser is underway. We are trying to raise $11,000. to purchase 6 new clicker systems for classrooms. We have asked that each student try to sell $100 worth of merchandise. ALL orders will need to be turned in by October 31st.
Health Screening Volunteers Needed
We are in need of 15 volunteers for each day of the 6th Grade Health Screening on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th. The screening will take place the whole school day. Volunteers will need to be at school by 7:30 each day. All volunteers need to be cleared and approved volunteers with the school district. The parents can apply online at http://stjohns.keepntrack.com/apply prior to the event. Please e-mail Mrs. Casper at casperc@stjohns.k12.fl.us if you can help with this event. Her contact number is 547-8633.Thank you so much!
LEE Spanish Program
Language Exploration Enrichment (LEE) fall session begins the week of Oct. 31st. Registration is now opened for ALL students. Hurry up and sign up today. Space is limited. Next session, we will touch on Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, Holiday Season and more. Cultural Theme: Argentina.
Fee is $95 per student, for 12 classes,meeting twice per week.
See you at LEE. Learn a Language, Share a Culture, Change the World. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Jacksonville-FL/LEE-Language-Exploration-Enrichment/106795721624We tweet!
www.twitter.com/LangExploration
For more info, please contact LEE: 904 657-1918, or via email LEEStJohns@aol.com
Donna Guzzo
LEE Administrator / Tutor, Spanish ACTFL National Certified
LEEStjohns@aol.com
Yearbooks are on sale NOW!
Yearbooks are now on sale for $30 (only $35 with nameplate). All orders must be placed online at www.yearbookordercenter.com Our school # is #359. Don't miss out, order now!
Coke Reward Points
Do you drink Coca Cola products. Help us earn double points this month. Click below to learn how.
Click here for Coke Reward flyer
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Daily Rotation for the Week
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Week of October 24th - RED RIBBON WEEK
Monday - No school for students - Teacher Planning Day
Tuesday - Silver Day (WACKY TACKY DAY)
Wednesday - Black Day- 1pm dismissal (WEAR RED DAY)
Thursday - Silver Day (TWIN DAY)
Friday - Black Day (TEAM SPIRIT DAY/$1.00 HAT DAY)
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Volunteer Information
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
Volunteers are needed for 2 very important events at SPMS. Red Ribbon week will come to a close on October 28th with a Fun Friday for all those who can pay with special Raider Bucks collected throughout the week. 5 volunteers are neededs. TIme: 12:45 to 2:00.
ALSO, November 9th and 10th from 7:30 until 1:00, volunteers are needed to help with 6th Grade Health Screenings. 15 people are needed. This event will be in the multi-purpose room and auditorium. Snacks will be provided and a lunch break will be given. Volunteers can purchase lunch from the cafeteria if they wish.
Please email Mrs. Casper at casperc@stjohns.k12.fl.us if you can help with either of these events!
Become a Surrogate parent for an Exceptional Student in our Community
A surrogate parent is a person who is appointed to act in the interests of an exceptional student who does not have a parent who can make educational decisions. The surrogate parent works with the school to plan the child's special education services.
A surrogate parent does not take care of the child at home, like an adoptive parent or foster parent does. A surrogate parent is not financially responsible for the child. A surrogate parent is more like a "school parent"-involved only in planning and making decisions about the child's special education.
We will be conducting training on Nov. 4, 2011, from 9:00 - 11:00 am, at the District Office, 40 Orange Street. If you are 18 years old, a resident of Florida and are not an employee of the district, please attend this training. Call Susan Wells at 547-7772 to register.
Volunteer Designation
Many volunteers from the elementary schools, whose children are now in 6th grade are very enthusiastic about volunteering at SPMS (and it is appreciated!). SPMS is probably not indicated on the approved volunteer file as a facility where the volunteer would like to donate time and must be added before volunteering. Please email Mrs. Casper at
HELLO PARENTS: WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A GENEROUS PARENT TO HELP US OUT AS A VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR - Anyone who is interested PLEASE contact Kathleen Roberts at 547-8650.
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PTSO News
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Help Us...Help Our School
JOIN * PTSO Today!!!
PTSO is having a Membership Drive. We will either be giving a "Pizza Party" to the first class that receives 100% participation or to the class with the Highest Participation Rate - whichever comes first. All we ask is that you send in your dues by Friday, November 18th. In December, PTSO will award the winning class a Pizza Party during their lunch hour. We will also give the teacher a $50 Gift Card to Target. So please remember to send in your forms and checks payable to "SPMS PTSO" it ALL goes to our school.
Thank you and GOOD LUCK!!! If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nery DiDeo at nerydideo@comcast.net ]nerydideo@comcast.net Spirit wear orders arriving soon! All spiritwear orders have now been placed and will be
delivered as soon as they arrive. The PTSO also has the following inventory of last year's spiritwear items available: White long sleeve ($10) - Youth Med & Lg Dark blue short sleeve ($5) - Youth Sm & Lg and Adult Sm Pink short sleeve ($-10) - Adult Sm & Med If you wish to purchase one of these items please email Thank you for your support of the PTSO!
Box Top, Campbell Soup & Tyson Label News
It is time to cut labels. Our first contest will begin now and end on 12/1/11. The student who sends in the most labels will win a gift card. Each student who brings in 50 valid labels will receive one Raider Buck. Please make sure to place your labels in a zip lock bag or an envelope with the student's name, grade and homeroom teacher's name listed. Thank you for supporting our school.
2nd Annual Drive Fore Education Golf Tournament
The 2nd Annual Golf Tournament is being held to help 8 NW St. Johns Schools. Each school is asked to get 4 foursomes and Swiss Point only got 1 foursome last year. Please consider this great opportunity to have fun playing golf and at the same time help our children succeed in life.
Saturday, November 5th with a 1:30pm start time
The Champions Club at Julington Creek
$75 per golfer and $300 per foursome.
For more information, please visit Swiss Point's website or register online via the PayPal option.
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SAC News
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School Advisory Council Meeting
Switzerland Point Middle School
The School advisory council met Wednesday, October 19, 2011. Next Meeting will be November 16th at 3:30pm
Proposed Items for November meeting:
Begin Needs Assessment Review
As always, this is a public meeting, and all are welcome to attend.
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Guidance News | | Guidance Counselors
Ellen Dail - 6th grade & 7th grade A-L
Tanya Moseley - 7th grade M-Z & 8th grade
Hope For The Holidays
The festive holiday season can be challenging for those experiencing the death of a loved one. They may find themselves torn between the need to grieve and pressure to get into the holiday spirit. It makes no difference whether the death took place last week or several months ago. A loss can be felt more acutely at this time. Hope for the Holidays is available at no charge to the public. If you would like to attend a support group in your area to cope with the grief and restore a sense of hope for the upcoming season, reserve your spot by calling 904-407-6355. There are meetings in Jacksonville ( Nov 14, 19, Dec 3, & 5) and in St. Augustine (Nov 22 & Dec 3rd).
Teaching our Children Leadership
The St Johns County School Counselor Professional Learning Community's October Discussion was on Leadership. Counselors across the district read books that are age appropriate for each of their students' age group: The Leader in Me by Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens or The 7 Habits of Happy Children , both by Sean Covey.
These books are full of "hands on" ideas for students to develop critical thinking skills, self awareness, empathy, and resourcefulness all in the context of what being a Leader really means.
As school counselors we look for opportunities to grow these skills in our students and even though our rare and short time in the classroom is a luxury - especially at the middle and high school levels - we can use the suggestions these books offer in our discussions with students, parents and teachers.
Leadership needs to be purposefully taught, for children do not truly understand what it encompasses. All adults would do well in "fine tuning" their vocabulary in order to teach this very important concept to their children, friends and students and reading these books is an easy and enjoyable method of doing it. November's professional reading for school counselors will be on Your Defiant Child - 8 Steps to better Behavior by Russell A. Barkley and Christine Benton, a book about parenting.
Tutoring List
Is your child in need of extra help? If you would like a copy of tutors in our area please have your child come to the guidance office or email Mrs. Moseley or Mrs. Dail. Tutors work with your child for a fee after school and are available for different subject areas.
Parent Assist and Teacher Class Pages
It is the parent's responsibility to be aware of their child's grades on an ongoing basis by going on the Parent Assist account. If you do not have your password, you must send in a copy of your drivers license and a signed parent waiver (you can download it from our website) with your child to Ms. Miller in Guidance. If you have a question about an assignment, please check your child's planner and/or go to the teacher's class webpage on our website, with your child present, to try to find the answer. If you still have a question then email the teacher.
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Student's Corner
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SAFETY TIP LINE
Officer Koweski has started an anonymous tip line for our students to report anything they feel school administration should know to keep our school safe. The number is 904-335-8609.
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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 |
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AthleticsAthletics
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SPMS Winterguard
GATOR BOWL TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE SPMS WINTERGUARD TEAM for $30/ticket
Please contact any SPMS Winterguard team member or
fourshermans@comcast.net to purchase your tickets TODAY!!
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Lunch Menu
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Traditional lunch is $2.50
Ala carte pricing can be found using the link on the parent page of the SPMS website.
Monday - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday - Macaroni & Cheese w/choice of bread OR Deli sandwich on whole wheat bun w/ yogurt, steamed broccoli, 100% fruit sidekick, assorted fresh fruit & fruit juices, variety of milk
Wednesday - Beef Quesadilla Max OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich, whole kernel corn, fresh apple slices, assorted fresh fruit & fruit juices, variety of milk
Thursday - Chef Boyardee Ravioli w/ choice of bread OR BBQ Chicken w/ choice of bread, vegetable blend, pineapple tidbits, assorted fresh fruit & fruit juices, variety of milk
Friday - Fish Sandwich on a Bun OR Assorted Pizza, green beans, sliced strawberries, assorted fresh fruit & fruit juices, variety of milk
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3rd Annual Sunset Veterans Celebration
The 3rd Annual Sunset Veterans Celebration will be held November 10, 5:30-8:30 PM, at Veterans Park on Veterans Expressway. There will be a bounce house, military displays, a movie about POWs, and performances by local schools. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available as well, courtesy of Bartram Trail and 210 Rotary clubs. A special ceremony honoring our veterans will be the highlight of the evening. Please come out to say thank you to those who served to keep us free. We especially welcome all area veterans to attend so that we may honor you.
Homework Assistance/Tutoring
St. Johns Learning would like to offer parents of SPMS a homework assistance option at the lowest possible cost to families. Students may attend any days Monday -Thursday from 2:45 until 5 for an assisted homework session. Tutors will be available to answer questions, provide feedback, check homework for accuracy, and assist students in preparing for tests.
For families with one student, the cost is $250 a month. For families with 2 or more children, the cost is $350 a month for the family.
Students will not receive extensive one-on-one tutoring as they do in our tutorial programs, but tutors will be assisting all students and checking for understanding as well as providing strategies for study skills and test preparation.
The Tutoring Club, St. Johns/Julington Creek
Teachers offer tutoring to students of all ages in all subjects, including SAT/ACT and FCAT prep. and study skills. We also offer homework assistance M-Th 5:30-7:30 PM for the following rates per family:
For one child, $200.00/month
Two children: $250.00/month
Three or more children: $300.00/month
Tutors will be available to assist students with understanding assignments, checking for accuracy, editing, and completeness of assignments as well as studying for tests.
Students will not receive one-on-one intense tutoring or teaching of subject matter during this time, as they would in any of our regular programs. Students must be scheduled for sessions, but can schedule as many per month as desired for the rate quoted. Homework assistance rates will not apply to assistance in algebra or geometry, as that is a separate program with its own rates.
Elizabeth Loeser, B.S. Ed.
Owner/Director
605 State Road 13, Ste. 109 / St. Johns, FL 32259 / (904) 230-2855 / www.tutoringclub.com/stjohnsfl
Girl Scouts Commemorate 100 years of Girl Scouting -- You are invited!
In 2012 Girl Scouts of the USA will mark 100 years of inspiring girls and young women with the ideals of courage, confidence and character. Girl Scout troops from the Creeks Cove Service Unit will kick off the celebrations on October 22nd, at Alpine Groves Park by the river from 4:00PM to 6:00PM. This event is free and open to the public and patches will be distributed to the first 150 Girl Scouts coming that day. Please bring a canned food item to help our local food pantry. Kids of all ages are encouraged to wear their Halloween Costumes and participate in activities such as face painting, games and a not-so-haunted trail.
Creeks Girls Lacrosse 2012 Registration Starts October 01, 2011
Creeks Athletic Association - Creeks Girls Lacrosse
Ages: Grades K-8th
Cost: Register Early & SAVE!
Early Registration October 1st to November 15 $125
Registration November 15 to December 31 $140
Late Registration January 1-31 2012 $155
This year Creeks Girls Lacrosse will try something NEW!
Uniforms will be the same as last year. If your child played in the past and her uniform still fits, you may opt to keep the uniform and your registration will be discounted $25
If you refer a new player, you will receive a $25 credit towards your registration
If you secure a Sponsor for Creeks Girls Lacrosse with a sponsorship level of $500 or more your daughter's registration is FREE!
New player clinics will be held in October, November and December. Time & dates TBA by October 1, 2011.
Registration for Ancient City Sports Ladies Flag Football is now open!
Calling all women 25 andolder, returning teams, and individuals looking for team placement! This is a recreational, no-contact version of Flag Football, no professional players allowed. Two divisions; upper "SPICE", lower "SUGAR". Jim Ed Williams, SJC Recreation & ParksDirector, will hold a Rules Review and Registration Meeting on Thursday, October 13 @6:30 pm at Veteran's Park in the meeting room above the concession stand. This is a mandatory meeting for all Coaches that will be on the field during games. This meeting is also strongly encouraged for new players and team captains. For more information, please visit the ACS Ladies Flag website athttp://ladiesflagfootball.shutterfly.com or you may also email the League coordinator, Jamey at flkumps@bellsouth.net or you can call Stacie at (904)588-5831. |
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