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Switzerland Point Middle School


     3/9/2012

 777 Greenbriar Road

St. Johns, FL  32259
547-8650
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Message from Mrs. Kunze

 

Events this week:

Mon., 12th

Intramurals, 2:00-3:00, gym

Tues., 13th

Dreams Come True Meeting, 1:00

Battle of the Books, 1:00 

Intramurals, 2:00-3:00, gym 

Wed., 14th

PTSO meetig - 9:30am - library 

Early Release, 1:00pm

FCA meeting, 1:00

Winterguard practice - 1pm - 5:30pm

Thus., 15th

District Quarter Exams-Language Arts & Social Studies

Intramurals, 2:00-3:00, gym

Mrs. Anagnostou's History Fair Open House, 2:00-4:00

Fri., 16th

District Quarter Exams-Language Arts & Social Studies

Chess Club 1:00-2:00pm

Winterguard practice 2pm - 5:30pm

A look at next week:

Mon, 19th - District Quarter Exams - Math & Science

Tue, 20th - District Quarter Exams - Math & Science

Wed, 21st - Make-up district exams in Silver Day classes

Thu, 22nd - Make-up district exams in Black Day classes

Fri, 23rd - PLANNING DAY! End of 3rd Quarter

 

 

SAC Needs Assessment Survey 

Due to some technical issues, last year's SAC survey was posted online instead of this year's.  If you have already taken the survey, we want to thank you for your time and ask if you would PLEASE take it again using this year's survey.  The link is available on the Home Page of the Swiss Point website.  We apologize for this error and any inconvenience it may cause.  Your student will receive a 2nd Raider Buck for bringing in another note or printed sheet stating the survey was taken.

 

Verification of Contact Information

In light of recent events in our community it is important that parents check Parent Assist to make sure they have given the school current contact information. If your home number,work number,cell number or e-mail address have changed,please make the corrections in Parent Assist.If you have any problems doing this or questions please e-mail Joan Beccard at  beccarj@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call 547-8628.

 

Vaccine Requirement for 6th Graders for Next Year

It is not too early to think about getting your 6th grade student ready for 7th grade. Students entering the 7th grade will need to provide the school Guidance department proof of their child's Tdap vaccine before they can receive their schedule for the 2012/2013 school year. You may go to your private physician, the St.John's County Health Department(825-5055) or a walk-in clinic.. If you choose a walk-in clinic, a receipt will not be accepted by the school as proof of the Tdap vaccine. The Tdap vaccine must be documented on a Florida shot record along with the other childhood vaccines. You may want to bring a previous shot record with you to a walk-in clinic. Any questions at all, please feel free to call Joan Beccard at 547-8628.

 

8th Grade Graduation Dance Party

Mark your calendars for a "Here's to the Night" semi-formal dance party scheduled for June 4th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Nocatee Crosswater Hall.  8th Grade students were surveyed about the theme and chose the black and white theme.  Keep your eyes open for the graduation flyer which will go home to 8th grade parents in March.

 

Grades being updated in Parent Assist

In an effort to help parents know when grades will be updated and to give teachers time to grade, we will have grades updated on three dates throughout the quarter. 

March 19th

Please check parent assist on these days for the most accurate grades.  Please contact the teacher first if you have any questions regarding grades. 

 

Attention 8th grade parents!

Last Thursday (March 1st) Bartram Trail had an informational meeting for 8th grade parents.  If you would like to view the power point presentation, please go to:

http://-bths.stjohns.k12.fl.us/admin/Guidance/Resources%20&%20Handouts
 

For more information, please contact your child's Guidance Counselor at BTHS:

Last names A-G, Mrs. Rachel Kusher kusherr@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Last names H-O, Mr. Andrew Hurley hurleya@stjohns.k12.fl.us Last names P-Z, Ms. Linda Howard howardl@stjohns.k12.fl.us 

8th grade parents, if you were not able to make the registration appointment with BTHS this past Monday or Tuesday, please contact Aretha Graham (registrar) as soon as possible.  If you and/or your child attended the appointment, please remember that any changes to your child's 9th grade schedule must be made by March 30th.

 

Attention 8th Grade Students

The JROTC at BTHS is at capacity, but if you would like to sign up on a waiting list, please use the following link: 

  

APID (Advanced Placement International Diploma) at BTHS - deadline March 30th!

APID is a globally recognized certificate for students who are thinking they may want to apply to a university outside of the United States.  APID provides additional certification of outstanding academic excellence. Similar to an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, it challenges a student to display exceptional achievement on AP Exams across several disciplines.  If you'd like more information and an application, please go http://www-bths.stjohns.k12.fl.us/APID.  

 The application deadline is March 30th.  All applications must be mailed or turned into BTHS, attention Rachel Kusher.

  

  
Daily Rotation for the Week

Week of March 12th

  

Monday -  Black day

 

Tuesday -  Silver day 

 

Wednesday - Black day - 1pm dismissal

  

Thursday - Silver day

 

Friday- Black Day 

 

Volunteer Information
New Program off to a Great Start!
So many responded to the email that was sent regarding volunteering for FCAT as a proctor.  Unfortunately there still is a tremendous need. Please review the program and sign up as many times as possible. Thanks in advance for the help.

PTSO News

Next Meeting:  March 14, 2012 at 9:30 am at SPMS

 

Box Top, Campbell Soup & Tyson Label News

Do not miss out on our final contest of the year which ends on 5/25/12.  The top three students who send in the most labels will each 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.

  

2012/2013 PTSO Board and Committees

This is the slate of candidates for the 2012/2013 PTSO Board and Committees. Election will be held in May.

 

Board:

 

President:                       Débora McCarty

1st VP Membership:       Nery Dideo

2nd VP Fundraising:       Mary Panariello

Treasurer:                       Sharon Moore

Secretary:                       Michelle Sotto

 

Committees:

Teacher Appreciation:     Annette McIntosh

Concessions:                  Missy Kahn

Spirit Wear:                     Mary Ryan

Business Partner:           TBA -- Still need volunteer

Volunteers:                     Cathy Wilson

Dance:                            Dyana Giles

Box Tops:                       Dena Warner

Book Fair:                       Nancy Ridley

 

SAC News


School Advisory Council Meeting

Switzerland Point Middle School

Next Meeting:

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Teacher's Lounge, 3:30pm-4:30pm

 

Your Action is Requested Now

Parents need to complete the SAC Needs Assessment Survey that is online. Needs Assessment Survey will help our school develop our School Improvement Plan with your input for 2012-2013.  If you need a paper copy to complete and submit, we ask that you send in a note to your child's homeroom teacher and a survey will be sent home to you. We also ask that when you complete your survey print the last page that "thanks" you for completing the survey or write a note stating you completed the survey.  Your child will take this to their homeroom teacher to help their homeroom be the first to complete our survey.  The first homeroom will win a prize.  Please complete your survey(s) by March 19th. We want to thank you in advance for taking time to complete a survey for each of your children and their respective grade levels. Your input is important to us. We are looking for every family to participate so we can reach our goal of having 75-80% return. Thank you for doing your part to help us achieve our goal and to make our school the best it can be. The survey link can be found on our school's website                                      http://www-raider.stjohns.k12.fl.us/

CLICK HERE NOW TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW:

https://surveys.stjohns.k12.fl.us/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=9698n73 

 

 

 

 

Guidance News
Guidance Counselors
Ellen Dail - 6th grade & 7th grade A-L
Tanya Moseley - 7th grade M-Z & 8th grade

     

Stranger Danger on the Internet
Have you talked with your kids about Internet and smart phone safety lately?? The St Johns County Sheriff's Office has great tips for parents and kids as well as links where all of you can learn how to avoid the dangers that exist on the Internet. Visit

http://www.sjso.org/internetsafety.aspx for this valuable resource.  

 

Students Corner

Nease Cheer Try outs

Nease Cheer Try outs will be held March 27-30 in the Nease Gym.  Try-out packets are in the front office.  The packets will be due March 21. Question can be directed to Linda Carnall at carnall@stjohns.k12.fl.us.

 

Summer Marine Science Program

Applications for the summer Marine Science program will be passed out at all schools during the week of march 1st.  Applications can also be downloaded at any time from the website prior to April 15 at the following link: click here to go to the link then click on the Marine Science Link.

This summer program is available to all students in grades five through eight and has been sponsored by the school district since 1982.  Three seven day sessions are held at Menendez High School with bus transportation provided.  the dates for the three sessions this summer will be June11-June 20, June 25-July 5 and July 9-July 25.  (The school district will be closed during the week of July 16-20)  Small classes that average 14 students are separated by grade level. All instructors in the program are st. Johns County District teachers. 

The Marine Science Program is a carefully designed experience for responsible students who are interested in learning about out local marine environments.  Learning is "hand on" in the field with students kayaking, canoeing, boating, hiking, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, surfing, etc .  Specific grade level activities and curriculum are attached to the application and are also available from the website. 

More information about the program can be had be emailing John Gordon at gordonj2@stjohns.k12.fl.us or by calling 547-8700.

 

New L.E.E. Classes Starting

Click here to view a flyer regarding the L.E.E. program.

 

Yearbooks on Sale

Yearbooks are currently on sale for $30 or $35 with a personalized nameplate. All orders can be placed online at www.yearbookordercenter.com.
 

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

 

Over the Counter Medication Policy

In order for students to carry over the counter meds here at SPMS, an adult must bring in the medication in an original, sealed container the first time. An over the counter med form can be obtained from the clinic or on the SPMS website under the link "parents." This form must be signed by the student and parent. The student will then carry the medication brought in by the parent and a copy of the over the counter med sheet authorization with them at all times. They will not share with other students any medication. Cough drops are considered an over the counter medication and should NOT be sent in a baggie with a student. Again, all meds must be brought in by an adult. Any student found with over the counter drugs without following the district policy will be referred to the dean.

 

Tardy Policy

Students must officially be at school at 7:50 am, although homeroom starts at 7:40am.  If students arrive late to school, they must check in through the front office.  Failure to bring notes with an acceptable excuse will result in an unexcused tardy.  An acceptable excused tardy includes illness or illness of a member of the immediate family.  A parent may either send in a note or bring the student into the front office to have the tardy excused.  Oversleeping, excessive traffic or missing the bus is not considered an excused tardy.

 

 

  

AthleticsAthletic

Creekside High School Sponsors Track Meet

Click here for information regarding a track meet sponsored by Creekside High School 

 

SPMS Golf Team

Matches for the golf team will be announced later in the school year.  Now the team is practicing in preparation for competition.

 

SJMSAA Cheerleading

Tryout for the SJMSAA Cheerleaders will begin on Monday, April 30th. There is a parent meeting on Wednesday, March 21st at 6:00 pm in the auditorium for the 2012-2013 cheerleading season. One parent must attend the parent meeting.  Any questions, contact Kelly Haberman, Head Coach at cheerdir@comcast.net.

 

 SJMSAA Baseball

Currently the baseball team is undefeated with a 3-0 record. The boys are doing a great job.  Their next game against Monday, March 12 home at 3:45 against Liberty Pines Academy at Switzerland Point. The baseball team's next game is March 14th against Landrum at home at 3:30.

 

SJMSAA Softball

The girl's softball team has played 2 games and continue to play hard.  Their next game is on Monday, March 12th versus Liberty Pines Academy at 4:00pm at Aberdeen.  Good luck!  The next softball game is March 14th against Pacetti Bay at 4:00 at Aberdeen.

 

SJMSAA Tennis Team

The tennis team is still practicing with their first match on March 22 at 4:30pm at Plantation Field.  Good Luck to the tennis team.

 

Intramural Sports

Students get ready to sign-up for our new round of intramural sports. The new sports are volleyball and dodgeball. Volleyball will be Tuesdays and dodgeball on Thursdays.  Students are allowed to do both if they choose.  Activities will start Feb. 21st.  Forms can be picked up from the PE coaches or the front office.  If you have any questions, please see a PE coach.  don't get left out of all the fun!!

 

SPMS Winterguard

The SPMS WInterguard will next compete at Fleming Island High School on March 10th. The competition is open to the public for a small fee if anyone wants to come out and cheer our team on. Our tentative performance time is 2:14pm.

  
Lunch Menu
Traditional  lunch is $2.50
Ala carte pricing can be found using the link on the parent page of the SPMS website.

  

Week of March 12th

 

Monday - Popcorn Chicken with a Roll, Assorted Pizza, Mixed Vegetable, Sliced Strawberries, Assorted fresh fruit & fruit juices, milk

 

Tuesday -  Brunch For Lunch

Breakfast Biscuit with Sausage, Egg and Cheese, French Toast Sticks with Yogurt, Potato Triangles, Applesauce, Assorted fresh fruit & fruit juices, milk

 

Wednesday - Oven baked Chicken with a Roll, Chef Boyardee Ravioli with a Roll, Steamed Broccoli Florets, Pineapple Tidbits, Assorted fresh fruit and fruit juices, milk

 

Thursday - Cheese, Bean and Rice Stuffed Vegetarian Sandwich, Chicken Quesadilla Max, Whole Kernel Corn, 100% Fruit Sidekick, Assorted fresh fruit and fruit juices, milk.

 

Friday -  Macaroni and Cheese with a Roll, Breaded Chicken Sandwich, Seasoned Green Beans, Mixed Fruit, Assorted fresh fruit and fruit juices, milk.


Community Events

FCTC 2012 Kids Cooking Camp

Promote learning enjoyment and be a chef for a week!  Learn from First Coast Technical College's award-winning School of Culinary Arts how to prepare a variety of taste-tempting items.  Food prep basics, good nutrition, kitchen safety, and how to properly use various gadgets/appliances included.  Camp is "hands-on" and campers will enjoy all the foods they make in a safe, supportive environment.

 

'Tweens, ages 8-12

Choose from June 18-21 or July 16-19

Mon - Thurs, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Teens, ages 13-17

Choose from July 9-12 or July 23-26

Mon - Thurs, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

Class size is limited.  $195 fee includes all materials, groceries, professional instruction, and lunch for the four-day session.


 For info, email Jean Salce at jean.salce@fctc.edu 

or call 904.547.3461 to register with a credit card.  Cooking camps held on FCTC's main campus, 2980 Collins Ave., St. Augustine.  

 

Click here to view chef camp flyer

Click here to view cook camp flyer. 

 

Flagler College Dance Team Clinic

Sarah Gallo is the head coach of the Flagler College Dance Team.  The Flagler dancers are hosting a spring break dance clinic April 2nd, 4th, and 6th from 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. as a fundraiser for next season.

 

Click here for the flayer, click here for the registration form, and click here for the complete schedule of the entire 3-day camp.  The camp will be held in the Flagler College Gymnasium at 12 Granada Street and the cost is only $100.00 for the full 3-day camp.  Our clinic will feature the Flagler dancers and will be headed by myself.  It is open to all St. John's County 5th-8th grade students, including home school students.

 

Deadline for registration is Tuesday, March 27th.

 

Contact Sarah Gallo at SGallo@flagler.edu with any questions.

 

The Redirecting Children's Behavior Course

Course Content

The Redirecting Children's Behavior course presents non-violent strategies that foster appropriate behavior in children.  The following topics are explored: 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.

 Details

The Exceptional Student Education department of the St. Johns County School District is offering the course free of charge.  The 15-hour course is divided into a series of five 3-hour classes (one night per week).  Participants must attend the first class to be eligible for the remaining classes.  The current course will be taught at the Fullerwood Center auditorium (address is 10 Hildreth Drive, St. Augustine FL 32084).  Participants must arrange for child care on their own.  Special accommodations must be arranged with Susan Wells at 547-7772 the week before the first class session.  Participants completing all 5 classes will receive a certificate from the International Network for Children and Families in collaboration with the St. Johns County School District's Exceptional Student Education Program.

 Registration

The course is open to school district staff and to the public.  Seating is limited.  To register, please contact Susan Wells at (904) 547-7772 or wellss@stjohns.k12.fl.us.  If you leave a voice message, be sure to spell your name and provide a phone number.  Seats will be held until 5:45p during the first session - and then made available to those on the waiting list. 

 Course Dates

Class 1........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Class 2........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Class 3........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Class 4........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Class 5........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, April 3, 2012

 About The Publisher

The Redirecting Children's Behavior course is published and monitored by the International Network for Children and Families in Gainesville, Florida (Kathryn Kvols, President).

 About The Instructor

The certified instructor for the course is George Freeman who holds a masters degree in psychology and is certified in the state of Florida as a behavior analyst.  He currently serves as a Program Specialist for the St. Johns County School District.  He has taught the Redirecting Children's Behavior course since 1999 and verifies that the course content is as relevant as ever!

  

YMCA to Offer Middle School Youth In Government Program

Middle school students motivated to learn more about how our state government works will want to sign up for the First Coast YMCA's upcoming Youth in Government (YIG) program.  They will be the "founding members" of a local organization that has been part of the state YMCA program for over 50 years.

 

Youth will learn how to research, draft, and present a bill for it to become law.  They will learn legislative procedures and protocol as they debate their bills before their peers. 

 

High school Youth in Government participants hold their General Assembly in Tallahassee at the state Capitol and debate in the actual Senate and House chambers. Members of the current high school Youth in Government program, organized last fall, will be facilitators and mentors.

 

David Bonaro (Creekside High School), Peighton Jones and Katie Dyal (both of Nease High School) were recently installed as president, vice president and project manager, respectively, by St. Johns County Judge Clyde Wolfe.

 

Volunteers Tim Brooks, Jeani Taliaferro and Nancy Birchall will assist YMCA staff to coordinate the four sessions and the mock legislative assembly.  Sessions will be held from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at the Palencia Club (600 Palencia Club Drive) on March 22nd, April 5th and May 3rd. An April 12th meeting will be at the Prosperity Bank building (790 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd.).  The legislative assembly will convene at 9:00am and run until 5:00pm  at the County Commission Auditorium on June 8. Lunch will be provided.

 

Cost of the program is $60.00. Scholarships are available. Applications are online at www.firstcoastymca.org.  Look under St. Augustine and the Download Center for Junior Youth in Government application.  Print, complete and return along with a check for the program fee to Danielle Smith at  St. Augustine YMCA, 500 Pope Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080.  For more information about YIG, visit http://www.floridayig.net. Questions about the program?  Call danielle at 904-471-9622, Ext. 211.
  

Parent to Parent Lunch and Learn Workshops

Parent to Parent is a two session lunch and learn workshop that takes place over two days.  each session last 1 1/2 hours.  During the workshop we will go over what you can do to help teens avoid the problems that come from use of drugs and alcohol.  Click here to view the flier with more information.

  

Host An Exchange Student for 27 Days in July

Step to USA is a 27 day program for students from Spain ages 14 to 17. This is a great program for families with younger children as it's a great way to start off the summer with a responsible teenager in the home. Enrich your life with an exceptional young person and open doors to learn about a new culture. Hosting can change your world!

 

Host families provide a bed, meals, limited transportation and a warm supportive environment. Students all speak English, come with their own spending money and medical and insurance. Students are expected to have chores and be treated as a family member not a guest. They are here to practice their English and to learn American family culture and are eager to teach their host family about Spain!   

Students arrive on Sunday, July 1st in Orlando and will be bussed to the St Augustine area to meet their host families.  The return date is July 27th. Students attend 1 all day and 1 half day field trip a week. Host family members are welcome to come along at group discount pricing. We will be visiting local sights as well as Universal Studios, Sea World and Daytona Lagoon. Bus transportation is provided for these field trips as well as airport transfers. 


 It Starts in Parks

 Click here to view 2012 Super Summer Spectacular.  Lottery registration begins March 5, 2012. 

  

Epilepsy Walk

Click here to view the flyer regarding a walk to honor Paul Dvorcek.  The walk if Saturday, March 31st at Memorial Park in Jacksonville.  Paul Dvorcek is the late father of SPMS student Cameron Dvorcek.