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 date for the Algebra 1  EOC exam is:

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. 

 Algebra I Honors Letter sent home with report cards

  AthleticsAthletic

SPMS Basketball Camp

The SPMS golf team lost to Landrum Middle School on Wednesday.  Good luck in their next match.

Congratulations on making the 2012 Swiss Point Raiders Football team!  This years tryouts were tough and the coach would like to Thank all the boys that tried out for the team. The spring season began on May 3rd at 2:30pm.  We will have two more days of conditioning and then start in pads on May 7th.  We will conclude the spring season with a game on May 19th at 12:00pm.

The schedule will be as follows: Practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30 to 7:30ish.  The players will be in pads Monday, May 7th. 

Parents please remember that the fees are now due and should be paid before Monday, May 7th (Paid thru SJMSAA website). There will also be a parent/player meeting one night next week.  This will be a mandatory meeting and the night and time will be sent out as soon as it is confirmed.

Players please drink lots of water and make sure you stay hydrated.  This will be a hot spring session and we want to make sure everyone stays healthy.

If you have any questions that need to be answered before the meeting please email to dmims8@aol.com or call 904-497-8797.

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