Switzerland Point Middle School
School Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
Teacher's Lounge, 3:30 pm 

Members in attendance: Kristina Bransford, Kristee Burgess, Lisa Kunze, Megan Miller, Connie VanWinkle , Mina Bustamante, Tina Newman, Lena Ford, and Stacy Pendarvis 

Members absent: Shirley Jones and Luis Sanchez Ramos 

Non-voting guests: Kaylin Burgess, Ms. Deniro 

I. 3:34 Call to Order: Megan Miller
II. 3:36 Good News: Megan Miller
III. 3:36 February and March minutes
A. Vote: Approved
IV. 3:37 Finance Report: Megan Miller
A. Current Balance: $2,292.15
B. Unencumbered funds: $1217.00-next meeting we will vote to spend entire funds to mounting LCD projectors in classrooms. Fundraiser did not go as well as expected so these funds will help offset our shortage in the area of technology.
V. 3:42 Needs Assessment Survey Results
A. Parent Survey: comments were tallied by topics and positive/negative remark.
(1) Community Involvement was as huge success this year - 12% increase
(2) Study hall had a decrease in parent perception that their child receives additional help from teachers and faculty. However 53% of parents said their child uses study hall to complete homework.
(3) ESIS updated frequently enough to inform parents - 69% feel it is helpful. The set dates when teachers will update ESIS help parent and student communication.
(4) Raider Rap is effective communication - up 21%
B. Student Survey
(1) Science: Critically thinking and vocabulary skills need to be taught at the being of the year so the students can obtain increasing success throughout the year
(2) Backpacks: next year no backpack between classes at all, pencil pouches allowed and additional passing time will be given to compensate. We have seen success this year with string backpacks with lower discipline issues in the hallway. Next year we should see continued decrease in discipline issues because student hands will be "busy" holding books.
(3) Raider Bucks: Each classroom has posters on how to spend their RBs. Students want more RB.
(4) Learning Goals/Benchmarks: 43% of students use their learning goals to help them study. The majority of students agree their teacher communicates their learning goals in every subject.
(5) Bullying/Safety: 9% more students feel safe at school than they did last year. Hotline use was split evenly between those who would or would not report incidences. Bullying issues are tied to comments from students regarding fights or name calling.
C. School Improvement Plan Goals 2010-2011 to review for 2011-2012
(1) Caring: We meet the School Improvement Goal of a 3% increase that students know someone at SPMS cares about them.
(2) Communication increased by 21% through effective communication via the Raider Rap.
VI. 5:00 Principal Update: Lisa Kunze
A. Senator Thrasher came to school this week. Mrs. Kunze reviewed FCAT testing and end of course exams. Concerns were well received by Senator Thrasher and a follow up letter will be sent per his request. This is great news.
B. Parent shared how impressed she was with the conversations
C. Parent information videos from Mrs. Kunze are now all online. Right side of school webpage under "Important Links". All of them to help parents stay informed: High School Graduation Requirements, Standards and Pacing, EOCs, and FCAT 2.0, and What Schools are Doing and What Parents Can Do.
VII. 5:09 New Business/Questions and Answers: Megan Miller
A. Next Meeting May 16th, 3:30pm
VIII. 5:10 Adjournment: Megan Miller
A. Vote: Approved  

The dates for the Algebra 1 and Geometry EOC exams are:

Geometry Practice EOC - April 12

Geometry EOC - April 25

Algebra Practice EOC - May 3 or 4 (depending on their assigned group)

Algebra EOC - May 8 or 9 (depending on their assigned group)

Instructions for downloading the installer software and ePAT are also located on this website.

How will this exam affect my child?

For students in Algebra 1 Honors, the exam will count as 30 of their final course grade.  These students must also pass the test in order to receive high school credit.  For students in Geometry Honors, the exam will count as 30% of their final course grade.

 Algebra I Honors Letter sent home with report cards

  AthleticsAthletic

SPMS Basketball Camp

After a close match, the SP Golf Team lost to Landrum last week.      

Tryouts & Conditioning for SJMSAA 2012 Football will begin on Monday, April 30th. Tryouts & clinics for SJMSAA Cheer will be held at the end of April, early May. A complete schedule of tryout dates and information about the 2012-2013 Cheer season is available on the Cheer Website at sjmsaacheer.com.  You may register students for Football & Cheer Tryouts online at SJMSAA.org.

If selected, the cost to the athlete for football is $250 and $140 for cheer, however, this is not all inclusive for the cheer season. The competitive teams will also have additional fees including camp fees, competitions fees and spirit wear fees. These prices will vary slightly from school to school depending on the camps and competitions they chose.

Important Tryout Information

Register Online now: sjmsaa.org

Cost: There is NO COST to register for tryouts

 Eligible Players: Tryouts are open for rising 6th, 7th & 8th grade students who are enrolled and/or will be attending one of St Johns county schools. All students must try out at the school they are attending and are required to have & maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Note: If home schooled, students must tryout for the school they are zoned for.

 *Students MUST sign up for tryouts to be eligible to tryout.

 All students & parents MUST read and adhere to the following forms:

 *           Form 1: Student Conduct Code for 2011-2012 (pages 63, 65 & 69)

• *           Form 2: Consent & Release Form
• *           Form 3: Parent Contract Form
• *           Form 4: Student Athlete Form
• *           Form 5: Medical Clearance Form

 All the forms need to be signed and given to the coach on the first day of tryouts April 30th. After tryouts and team selection is completed, players will be contacted by their school coach or sports director with more information about the SJMSAA "Pay-to-Play" program, practice dates & times, and other team information.

Sports Physicals

$10 Sports Physicals April 28th!

When: Saturday, April 28 from 1 to 5PM

Where: Center for Health & Sports Medicine

Address: 115 Bartram Oaks Walk, Suite 104 St Johns 32259

Dr Ross Osborn at the NEW Julington Creek Office is offering a physical date for any SJMSAA athlete that needs a physical for tryouts. Please encourage all students to support our Sports Medicine program by having their physicals performed on the 28th.  The office is located at 115 Bartram Oaks Walk, Suite 104, near Starbucks on State Road 13.

Spring Game Day May 19th

Spring Game Day for SJMSAA Football will be held on Saturday, May 19th at Pacetti Bay Middle School. Matchups for spring games were chosen by the SJMSAA President, Curtis Carter, pulling names from a hat. The top four teams from 2011 were grouped together and the bottom four teams from 2011 were grouped together.  

The Spring Game Day schedule is as follows:

• *           10AM - Fruit Cove vs. Murray
• *           12PM - Landrum vs. Swiss Point
• *           2PM - Sebastian vs. Pacetti Pay

 4PM - Gamble Rogers vs. Liberty Pines