Please email Mrs. Casper at casperc@stjohns.k12.fl.us if you can help with this event!

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.

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.

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.

 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.

FCA Meeting

SAFETY TIP LINE

AthleticsAthletics

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!!