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Message from Mrs. Kunze
School is not in session for students on Friday, September 13. It is a Teacher In-service Day.
Open House
Thank you to all who attended Open House this week. We truly appreciate our wonderful parental support.
Edmodo
If your child has not joined the Swiss Point MS group - the code to join is 9p9jzp. Please join, so their calendar will be marked with silver/black days and all school events.
Home Access Center
Grades have been updated on HAC. If you have not logged on to view grades, there are instructions on the home page of the Swiss Point website. If you need assistance logging in, please call Mrs. Casper, Guidance Secretary, at 547-8627.
Washington DC
Below is a link for the DC Itinerary, the hotel name and address is listed at the bottom. Currently we have 110 people that have submitted payment (only 54 have returned the field trip forms) for the DC trip. We need 40 more to take a 3rd bus. If you would like to attend the trip, please get your $265 deposit to Ms. DiDeo by Thursday, September 12th. We do have scholarships available to assist with the trip. If you would like more information, please contact Mrs. Kunze at kunzeL@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Click here to view the DC Itinerary
Dress Code
We have had 30 dress code violations this year. The offenders have all been girls and the two biggest offenses are shirts revealing cleavage and shorts/skirts too short. Students are receiving a demerit for the dress code violation and we make them change clothes - we have old 6th grade class t-shirts and are purchasing sweatpants. On the 5th demerit, the student does receive a day of ISD and loses the reward activity for the semester. PLEASE help us by ensuring that your child dresses appropriately for school each day. The dress code policy can be found in the student handbook, on the Swiss Point website and in the District's Student Code of Conduct.
PLEASE ATTEND THE SPMS
"DREAMS COME TRUE KIDS HELPING KIDS CLUB"
INFORMATIONAL MEETING
WHO: ALL 6TH- 8TH GRADE STUDENTS
WHEN: September 23rd, 2:00-3:00 pm (Arrange to be picked up at front entrance of school at 3:00.)
WHERE: Mrs. Bower's Room - Portable 1
1ST SEMESTER MEETINGS:
Sept. 23rd Nov. 4th
Oct. 7th Nov. 18
Oct 28th Dec. 2nd
LET'S MAKE A DREAM COME TRUE FOR A LOCAL CHILD BATTLING A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS!!!
Questions? Contact Sue Black at skeckblack@aol.com
or one of the following teacher sponsors by email: Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Bower, Ms. Buning, Mrs. Sekora, or Ms. Sweatt
Planners
If you wish to purchase a planner for your student, please see Mrs. Casper in the guidance office. This is an excellent way to keep your student organized and help him remember what is due when. Cost is $4.
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PTSO Information
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Thanks to everyone who attended our first
PTSO meeting!
It was great to see some new faces, but we'd love to meet more of you. Plan on joining us next month for our First Friday PTSO meeting on October 4, 2013 @ 9:15. Location will be listed by the computer when you check in.
Want to Stay in the Know?
Besides the Raider Rap (which you absolutely MUST read!) PTSO has three other ways to keep you informed of upcoming dates and big plans.
*Sign up for the PTSO newsletter
http://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=366f61a268e3580c9f689c964&id=b373be5c3e
* If you missed our first one, click here to take a peak!
Click here to chek out the PTSO webpage (still under construction) on the school website!
Membership
Is your student's class going to reach 100% membership? Will your student be able to eat lunch outside on Fridays? Only if you send in your form today. Click here to print the form and send it in to your child's homeroom teacher. Your membership just means you support the work of PTSO. You are not committed to any set volunteering time, but you are allowing us to continue our mission to provide a link between school and home while supporting the learning of every student. And we're a lot of fun, so join today!
Spirit Wear Orders
The last day for Spirit wear orders is this Monday, September 9th. No more orders can be accepted after this date because we must place our final order with our vendor. Click here to print your form and send it in to your child's homeroom teacher by Monday morning!
Magazine Sales
Friday, Sept. 6th was the first turn in date for magazine orders. If your child forgot to turn in any orders, please have them bring it to the front office on Monday morning, 9/9/13. Any orders turned in on Monday will still qualify for prizes. Please make checks to SPMS PTSO.
If you place orders online, you also have until Monday to get those orders in to qualify for prizes. There is a lot more than magazines on the website, there is Gift Wrap, Gourmet Foods and Personalized Gifts!
Online Magazine Sales - GASCHOOLSTORE.COM
Online Store ID# 2529543
Sell - 1 order : 1 Duck
3 orders: Invitation to the Illusionist Show - 2 Ducks
5 orders: Tootsie Roll Bank - 3 Ducks
8 orders: Drink Fuzer
10 orders: VIP pass to Illusionist Show
For this turn in date only: Sell 10 orders and earn a LIMO LUNCH
Prizes will be handed out on Wednesday during lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Panariello at mary.panariello@hrblock.com
Box Top, Campbell Soup & Tyson News
It's time again to cut those labels! And don't forget to bring in the ones that you clipped over the summer. Each student who brings in 50 valid labels will receive one Raider Buck. Please be sure to check the expiration dates on each label. Place your labels in a zip lock bag or an envelope with the student's name, grade and homeroom teacher's name listed. Watch the news letter for upcoming contests!
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Volunteer Information
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Book Fair Volunteers
A huge thank you to Heather Granby and all the volunteers who made the book fair another success! Great job Raider Volunteers!
Fall Portrait Volunteers Needed
All students and staff will be photographed on September 19th and September 20th. A SignUp Genius has been distributed. To view go to www.signupgenius.com, find a signup, enter casperc@stjohns.k12.fl.us, and enter where you can help! Thanks in advance for the help.
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Guidance News
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Guidance Counselors
Barbara Seaton-6th grade and 7th graders with last names beginning with A-J.
Tanya Moseley- 7th graders, last name ending in K-Z and the entire 8th grade.
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SAC News
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**** Time to self-nominate for SAC membership****
Looking to help serve your school? Do you like to be the first to know what is happening? If you answered "Yes" to the questions above then SAC is right for you!
Please read the responsibilities of a SAC member listed below. SAC meets one Wednesday of each month from 3:30-5:00pm. If you are interested in joining SAC email Megan Miller at: millerm2@stjohns.k12.fl.us. All interested parents and community members should contact Megan Miller by September 9th.
The primary responsibility of the Switzerland Point Middle School (SPMS) School Advisory Council (SAC) members is assisting in the preparation and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) while simultaneously developing the consensus among the total school community necessary to implement the SIP successfully. Details of SAC responsibilities are as follows:
1. To take primary responsibility for developing the vision and goals, both short and long term, for Switzerland Point Middle School
2. To oversee the development of a needs assessment and its implementation and collation
3. To address the required State Goals and the St John's County School District's Strategic Plan based on the results of the needs assessment
4. To oversee the development of the operational processes needed to reach the highest priority goals and standards
5. To oversee the development of an action plan for each operational goal
6. To oversee the development of evaluation procedures to measure progress toward meeting goals, including indicators of individual student performance
7. To seek input from all other groups, committees, and individuals as needed
8. To draft the initial and subsequent School Improvement Plan utilizing results from steps 1-7 with a timeline for change
9. To assist in preparing the School's annual budget
10. To perform other activities as required by DOE and the St. Johns County School Board
11. The SAC will not involve itself directly with the day to day decisions and operational policies, unless requested, of the School, but will ensure that all activities are consistent with established goals and are designed to move the School and students toward those goals.
12. The fiscal year for the SAC will be July 1st to June 30th.
Membership:
1. The membership of the council shall reflect the diversity of the total school community, including racial, ethnic and socioeconomic status. Membership shall consist of 9 - 15 members with 51% of members not employed by St. Johns County School District. It is further recommended that equal representation be sought from the feeder pattern. The Council may change its composition and size at any time by a majority vote of the membership provided the composition retains the required representation and balance. Each constituent group will be represented in the following way:
SCHOOL STAFF
- Principal
- Non-teaching staff member (1)
- Teaching Representatives (5)
PARENT MEMBERS - Representation by at least (5) and no more than (8) parents.
COMMUNITY Representatives - One or two (1-2) community representative(s) shall be appointed by the council in order to maintain an odd number of council members.
2. Membership in the school council shall be determined in the following ways:
- Parents/guardians shall be elected by parents and guardians of students at the school. Parents/guardians may be nominated and acclaimed if there are equal numbers of positions and candidates.
- The community representative(s) shall be appointed by the council.
- The school principal shall be a designated member.
- Teacher representative(s) shall be elected by members of the teaching staff
- The non-teaching staff member shall be elected by members of the non- teaching staff.
3. Members of SAC may not serve in more than one category at a time.
4. With the exception of the Principal, members of SAC will serve a two-year term.
5. Members may seek additional terms to allow for council continuity if necessary.
6. Members of SAC missing two consecutive meetings or a total of three without prior notice to the Chair will automatically be dropped from membership. The Council may vote to reinstate.
7. In the event of a vacancy, it will be publicized to the school community, and the Council will appoint a representative for that position until the next academic year.
8. It is the responsibility of each group to name a replacement member to fill a vacancy in a timely manner Alternates should be given priority.
9. A list of persons interested in serving on SAC will be maintained in the Principal's office.
10. In the event that the SAC does not have representative membership the principal, after consulting with the chair and co-chair, will appoint members.
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From the Nurse
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Licensed Practical Nurse
547-8628
beccarj@stjohns.k12.fl.us
I recently read a wonderful article from the August,2013 issue of the Creekline entitled: For back to school: ABC's of how to pack a healthy school lunch. Here are the high points:
* Use different breads like 100% whole wheat tortilla wraps(choose wraps low in saturated fats and transfats) or 100% whole wheat pita pockets. * Besides lettuce,try shredded carrots or avocado slices with a turkey or lean roast beef sandwich. * Buy store brand blocks of low fat, low sodium cheeses. You save money when you slice it yourself. * Instead of lunchmeat (high in fat and sodium), try leftover grilled chicken, lean pork or an egg white salad sandwich. * Always pack sandwiches with a mini-cooler pack to keep them fresh and safe.
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Raider Band News
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Welcome to the newest section of the Raider Rap.....Raider Band News!!!
Our Raider Band program at SPMS is growing so fast!!! We have over 400 students placed in 5 different bands (beginning, Jazz, Concert, Symphonic and Wind). We definitely need your help to make this band program the best ever. So, please support your Raider Band program:
SPMS Band Boosters Fundraising
From 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Thursday, September 26th at Firehouse Subs (210 and SR 13)
Monday, November 18tth at Firehouse Subs (210 and SR 13)
Firehouse will donate 20% of proceeds to our band. Please join us for a fun night with friends at Firehouse Subs on SR 13 and 210. Make sure to bring the attached flyer so you can be counted!!
Thank you for supporting the SPMS Raider Band program!
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Daily Rotation
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Week of September 9th
Monday, September 9th- Silver Day
Tuesday, September 10rd - Black Day
Wednesday, September 11th - Silver Day - 1pm dismissal
Thursday, September 12th - Black Day
Road Raiders, 2-3:30
Friday, September 13th - No School Students
Teacher In-service - NO SCHOOL for students!!
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Policy Reminders
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Early Checkout Procedure
As indicated in the Student Handbook 2013-2014:
As a safety precaution, students will only be released to the parent/guardian or the Emergency Contact listed on the Emergency Card. A current driver's license or state issued ID must be presented in the front office to check a student out early.
The following procedure will be strictly enforced: NO student may be signed out after 1:35 p.m. every day except Wednesday. The latest early checkout on Wednesday is 12:35 p.m. Parents must arrive in the front office no later than 1:30 p.m. (or 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday) in order to sign their child out early.
Students who check out during the school day due to illness are not eligible to return to the school that same evening for any activities as a participant or a member of the audience.
Access to the building
We have been informed by the district that ALL parents that plan on entering the building during the day before or after school ,even if students are not in the building, need to be cleared. We are asking that EVERY parent or guardian that might be on campus for a conference, IEP meeting, 504 meeting or for anything else, PLEASE click on the link below to register for access.
Click here to go to the School Access Form
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Athletics
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SJMSAA Football & Cheerleading
See below for schedule and results.
Thu, Aug. 29th - 6pm - Sebastian at Plantation Park - WIN!!
Thu, Sep. 5th - 6pm - Fruit Cove at Plantation Park - Postponed due to lightening
Thu, Sep. 12th - 5pm - Pacetti Bay at PBMS
Thu, Sep. 19th - 5pm - Gamble Rogers at Gamble Rogers
Thu, Sep. 26th - 5pm - Landrum at Ponte Vedra HS
Wed, Oct. 2nd - 5pm - Fruit cove at Bartram Trail HS
Wed, Oct. 9th - 7pm - Murray at Plantation Park
Thu, Oct. 17th - 6pm - FSDB at Plantation Park
Sat, Oct. 26th - TBD - Playoff Week 1
Sat, Nov. 9th - Championship Week
SPMS Basketball
DATE OPPONENT PLACE TIME 9/16 MURRAY AWAY 5:30/6:30 9/18 LANDRUM HOME 5:30/6:30 9/23 SEBASTIAN AWAY 5:30/6:30 9/25 LIBERTY PINES AWAY 5:30/6:30 9/30 GAMBLE ROGERS HOME 5:30/6:30 10/2 FRUIT COVE HOME 5:30/6:30 10/7 PACETTI BAY HOME 5:30/6:30 10/9 LANDRUM AWAY 5:30/6:30 10/14 LIBERTY PINES HOME 5:30/6:30 10/16 FRUIT COVE AWAY 5:30/6:30 10/21******************PLAYOFFS***************
Road Raiders
Road Raiders will begin on Thursday, September 12th at 2pm in the auditorium for those who turned paperwork in this past week. Students should be dressed and ready to run! :) Parents are expected to pick their child up at 3:30 in front of the school! If you would like to help donate ice pops, you can drop ice pops off in Ms. P's room (Room 575). We give each student an ice pop after each run! If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to email Ms. Piscitello at piscite@stjohns.k12.fl.us
SPMS Winterguard
SPMS Winterguard continues practicing. A schedule fo competitions is forth coming.
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Student Corner
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Tutoring Club
Swiss Point MS will be working with The Tutoring Club to offer after school tutoring through The Tutoring Club but at Swiss Point after school two days a week.
Remember of check Edmodo for homework assignments.
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Student's Corner- Just for 8th Graders
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Washington DC Trip
Don't miss out on a once in a lifetime trip with your friends!! We need 40 more people to take a 3rd bus. Get your deposit of $265 in to Mrs. DiDeo by Thursday, September 12th.
We do have financial assistance available to those who need it. Please contact Mrs. Kunze - kunzeL@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Remember to check Edmodo for homework assignments.
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Lunch Menu
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Week of September 9nd
Monday -Chicken Quesadilla Max, Max Cheese Sticks, Marinara Sauce, Steamed Broccoli, Mandarin Oranges, Taco Sauce, Variety of Milk
Tuesday - Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Beef Taco on Ultra Grain Tortillas with lettuce, tomato, cheese cup, Baby Carrot Dippers w/ LF Dressing Dunk Cup, Corn, Mixed Fruit, Taco Sauce, Variety of Milk
Wednesday - Chicken Nuggets & Choice of WG Garlic Breadstick, Chicken Fajita Salad & Choice of WG Garlic
Breadstick, Cherry Tomato & Celery Stick Dippers w/ LF
Dressing Dunk Cup, Baked Beans, Fresh Sliced Apples, Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup, Variety of Milk
Thursday - Pasta & Meatballs, Fajita Chicken Wrap, Spinach / Romaine Salad w/ LF Salad Dressing, Sweet Green Peas, Peaches, Taco Sauce, Variety of Milk
Friday - No School- Teacher Inservice
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From the District
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This new section will contain information coming from the St. Johns County School Board. Visit their website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us
Superintendent's Weekly Review- 9/4/2013
The Superintendent's Weekly Review for this week is now posted at [ http://blogs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/supt/ ]http://blogs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/supt/. The newsletter can also be found on the home page of the St. Johns County School District website at
http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us
The District May Be Able to Help
Are you living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground; on the street; in abandoned buildings; or living with friends or relatives to to an economic hardship, are you a teenager and living independently or with someone other than a parent or legal guardian; then you may be eligible to receive services provided under the McKinney-Vento Act. Contact your school Computer Operator or your local Homeless Liaison-Mr. Chris Stone @ 547-7589 for more details. You may also visit: http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/depts/student/homeless/
Parents as Partners
Click here to view the Parents as Partners, the St. Johns County School District ESE Department Newsletter. It contains detailed information regarding events, contact information and more.
Town Hall Meeting
The St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) has moved the location of one of the Town Hall meetings scheduled to discuss potential attendance zoning changes for the two new K-8 schools currently under construction and slated to open for the 2014-2015 school year. K-8 School HH is located at 475 Longleaf Pine Parkway, St. Johns, FL 32259. K-8 School II is located at 105 Greenleaf Drive, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. Other high-growth areas may also be addressed.
The location of the meeting scheduled on Thursday, September 12 has been changed from Nease High School to Ponte Vedra High School at 460 Davis Park Road. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
As previously announced there will also be meetings at Creekside High School, located at 100 Knights Lane, on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. and at Hickory Creek Elementary at 235 Hickory Creek Trail at 7:30 p.m.
Proposed zoning plans will be released at the Town Hall meetings, along with an opportunity for the public to provide comment. The same information will be presented at all three meetings. Superintendent Dr. Joseph Joyner, School Board members and district staff will be in attendance.
"Parents and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the Town Hall meetings so that they may hear the various proposals firsthand and express their opinions," said Mr. Tim Forson, deputy superintendent for Operations
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 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 course will be taught at the Fullerwood Center auditorium (10 Hildreth Drive, St. Augustine FL 32084). Participants must arrange for child care on their own. Special accommodations must be arranged with Nancy Morrison at 547-7672 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.
Registration
The course is open to school district staff and to the public. Seating is limited. To register, please contact Jill Bullard at jill.bullard@stjohns.k12.fl.us 547-7712. If you leave a voice message, be sure to spell your name and provide a phone number or email address. Please be sure to indicate which session you would like to attend (Summer or Fall). Seats will be held until 5:45p during the first session - and then made available to those on the waiting list.
Fall Course Dates
Class 1........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Class 2........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Class 3........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Class 4........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Class 5........ 530p-830p, Tuesday, October 15, 2013
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 values its techniques and philosophy.
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CAA Flag Football Registration Now Open
The CAA Flag Football season will run from November through February 28. Games will start on December 7 with the final playoffs in February. New this year for 13U, 14U and 15-17U divisions: Coaches may submit up to 8 names per team. There will be no draft for these age groups. Not registering with a team? Not a problem - we will place you on an established team. Visit www.caaflagfootball.com for more information. Registration closes October 1, 2013.
Nease Band on the Run- 1st Annual 5K Event
Click here to view the flyer. The event is being held on Saturday, September 7 starting at 8:00 aam at eh Nocatee Greenway Trails.
4-H Youth Development Program
Click here to view a flyer with information regarding the St. Johns County 4-Hprogram for students ages 5-18. Visit http://stjohns.ifas.ufl.edu/4-H.shtml to familiarize yourself with the mission and opportunities provided.
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