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Message from Mrs. Kunze
District Determined Assessments (DDAs)will continue next week. At the bottome of my section, I have left the explanation and list of courses that will be tested each day.
The Holiday Store will open on Monday. Students can use Raider Bucks to purchase holiday gifts for their parents, siblings, and friends. Students will be able to visit the store that is set up in the multi-purpose room during lunch. We are still in need of parents to help run the store. Mrs. Casper is sending another Sign-Up Genius. If you can help, please sign up. Helping the students select gifts is lots of fun.
This is the LAST week to order a yearbook for 2014-2015. Yearbooks are $45 and MUST be ordered online by this Friday, December 12th at www.yearbookordercenter.com
Use code 359.
Our leadership students partnered with Ameris Bank and Fight Hunger this past Wednesday to package 10,000 meals for local food banks. These leadership students have been working hard to get SPMS involved in many local events to help our community.
Swiss Point MS is currently participating in a Teens for Jeans Competition to help clothe young people experiencing homelessness. Students are asked to donate gently used jeans - no shorts. The top school will win $10,000. Currently, we are in 2nd place with 486 pairs of jeans with Harriet G. Eddy MS in Elk Grove, CA in 1st place with 931 pairs of jeans. The student who has donated the most in each homeroom by this Thursday, Dec. 11th willl receive a sweet treat on Friday. The competiton runs through January, so please clean out your closets and get family members to donate over the Winter Break.
Our fall play, Diary of Anne Frank, will be performed this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7pm each night in our auditorium. Admission is $5. Mr. Segal promises that you will be impressed!
On Friday, December 19th, unless your child has a make-up exam to take, testing will be completed by 10:30am. We know that many parents will want to check-out their child to start traveling, so in an effort to be prepared we have decided to create a special check-out form that will need to be turned into the main office by Thursday morning, December 18th. We will have your child ready to depart on Friday at the designated time, so parents are not waiting. The form will be sent this week in a special Raider Rap, so we ask that you please plan ahead.
Only 120 people have signed up for the Remind text messages. Not all parents read the Raider Rap, so please help me spread the word that everyone should sign up for the Swiss Point Remind messages. Remind is a quick and easy way to send text messages limited to 140 characters to whoever registers their cell phone. This is a one-way form of communication that many schools and teachers are using now. A group has been created for parents. On your cell phone, create a message to 81010 and in the message line type @swissp.
Click here for screenshots explaining the steps.
Starting this school year as required by FS 1008.22 part of SB 736, your child will take an exam in every course. In middle school there are 4 types of exams that meet this requirement.
1. Students will take the new Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) in April in Reading and Math. The FSA Reading exam will count as the exam for Language Arts 1 (Standard or Advanced), Language Arts 2 (Standard or Advanced), Language Arts 3 (Standard or Advanced), Intensive Reading, and Advanced Reading. The FSA Math exam will count as the exam for Math 1 (Standard or Advanced), Math 2 (Standard or Advanced), Pre-Algebra, and Intensive Math. (Remember that the FSA is replacing the FCAT Reading and FCAT Math.)
2. Students taking Science 3 (Standard or Advanced) will take the FCAT Science exam in April.
3. For Civics, Algebra, and Geometry the State End-of-Course Exams (EOC) meets the requirement. These EOCs are administered in late April and May and will count as 30% of the overall course grade. The Algebra EOC MUST be passed to receive the required credit for graduation.
4. To meet the requirement for all other courses, our school district had to create an exam. These exams are called District Determined Assessments (DDAs). DDAs will be administered in the following courses:
6th grade - Science 1 (Standard or Advanced), World History (Standard or Advanced), Critical Thinking, Band, Beginning Spanish, Chorus, and PE.
7th grade - Science 2 (Standard or Advanced), Art, Drama, Computer Applications 1, Computer Applications 2, Band, Jazz Band, Yearbook, Beginning Spanish, Chorus, and PE.
8th grade - US History (Standard or Advanced), Art, Drama, Classroom Aide, Leadership, Adventures in Reading, Band, Jazz Band, Beginning Spanish, Intermediate Spanish, High School Spanish 1, Yearbook, News Crew, Introduction to Informational Technology, Chorus, and PE.
Semester courses that start in August and end in December will take their DDA in December. Below is the schedule.
Mon, December 8th - Silver Day
7th graders taking Art or Drama will take the DDA during their computer class with Ms. Hurst.
8th graders taking Engaged Citizenship (Student Aide), Yearbook, and News Crew will take their DDA during class in a computer lab.
Tue, December 9th - Black Day
6th graders taking PE will take the DDA during their computer class with Mrs. Campbell.
7th graders taking PE will take the DDA during their computer class with Ms. Hurst
8th graders taking PE will take the DDA during their PE class time in a computer lab.
Wed, December 10th - Silver Day
6th graders taking PE will take the DDA during their computer class with Mrs. Salo.
7th graders taking PE will take the DDA during their computer class with Ms. Hurst.
8th graders taking PE will take the DDA during their PE class time in a computer lab.
Thu & Fri, December 11th & 12th - Make-up Exams
The DDAs are administered on the computer and consist of 30 multiple choice questions. Students will have 45 minutes to take the exam, which will count as a summative grade for the 2nd quarter.
Year-long courses with a DDA will have the assessment administered in March.
FS1012.34 states that 50% of a teacher's evaluation must come from student data. Please encourage your child to take every exam seriously, since it will somehow count for him and will count towards the teacher.
4th Quarter District Assessments will be administered on the following days:
Tue, December 16th - Silver 2 & Silver 3
Wed, December 17th - Black 2 & Silver 4
Thu, December 18th - Black 4 & Black 3
Fri, December 19th - Skinny & make-ups
We will have a special bell schedule on each of these days. Students will ONLY attend the classes being tested. Quarterly District Assessments count as one summative grade. Students that are absent and do not make-up exams on Friday, Dec. 19th will have to take exams when school resumes on Tuesday, January 6th.
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PTSO Information
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Visit the PTSO website at www.SwissPointPTSO.com to find out all about the PTSO and what it has to offer!!!
PTSO MEETING
Our next PTSO meeting will be in January. Look for the date in next week's Raider Rap.
Magazine Sales
It's not too late to order magazines or Holiday gifts. Please visit www.gaschoolstore.com and enter school ID 2529543.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Panariello at Mary.Panariello@hrblock.com.
Box Tops
Calling for all Box Tops! If you have any at home, please send them in this week. We have to submit them by the end of this month. Your student will receive 1 Raider Buck for every 50 Box Tops turned in. Thanks in advance!
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Volunteer Information
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PROCTORS NEEDED!
HOLIDAY SHOP CLERKS NEEDED!
Volunteer Opportunities
A Sign Up Genius was created for volunteers to recruit for the Holiday Gift Shop and proctors for the District Determined Assessments. The SignUp had to be adjusted slightly since its original posting so please check to see if there are days you can help. There are many slots available. Any questions or concerns, please contact Cynthia Casper at 547-8627 or Cynthia.casper@stjohns.k12.fl.us Thank you 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-L.
Tanya Moseley- 7th graders, last name ending in M-Z and the entire 8th grade.
Lisa Mason- Testing Coordinator/School Counselor
Moseley's Food for Thought
This past Thursday evening was our parent night High School 101. Thank you to everyone who attended! We hope the meeting was informative! If you were unable to attend, please view the PowerPoint located on the school's website. It's packed with lots of information on high school and academies!
Seaton's Corner
RAIDER LEADER: We are so proud to recognize strong leadership among our students here at Switzerland Point. Students show exemplary leadership through our many clubs and sports. I take great pleasure in highlighting this student, as nominated by a club/sport sponsor, to receive this recognition. Maanasi Vadlamani is always kind and compassionate toward teachers and classmates. She leads as an example to her peers through her actions and work ethic. She is very active not only in school, but also volunteers with multiple organizations in the community. I congratulate Maanasi on being named a Raider Leader!
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SAC News
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School Advisory Council
Switzerland Point Middle School
Sarah Ehlert, SAC Chair, Sarah.Ehlert@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Click here to view the minutes of the SAC meeting held on September 17, 2014
Click here to view the minutes of the SAC meeting held on October 25, 2014
Click here to view the minutes of the SAC meeting held on November 19, 2014
SAC NEWS
The next SAC meeting is Wednesday, December 17th at 3:30 pm in room 640. All are welcome to attend.
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From the Nurse
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Licensed Practical Nurse
547-8628
beccarj@stjohns.k12.fl.us
FYI- There is information regarding Ebola on the SPMS website. Please visit www-raider.stjohns.k12.fl.us if interested.
Changes in Personal Information
Parents, your help is needed. I spend many hours each week calling parents when students are sick, injured, etc. However, I find when I call home numbers I often get a message that says "this number is disconnected." I call work numbers and they say "they have not worked here in 5 years." Then your student says " my parents got new cell numbers but I don't know what they are." Please notify our computer operator, Norma Miller, at 547-8626 for changes in your contact numbers. You can also e-mail her at Norma.miller@stjohns.k12.fl.us We will also change it on your paper copy emergency card.
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Raider Band News
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Raider Band News
From the SPMS Band Booster Association
The SPMS Marching Band will be performing at the St. Augustine Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6. The band consists of almost 200 members including the SPMS Winterguard! The parade starts at 10:00 am by the Mission of Nombre de Dios, continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine and ends behind the Visitors Center on Castillo Dr.
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Daily Rotation & Events
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Monday, December 8th- Silver Day
Basketball Practice, 2-6:00 pm, Gym
Dreams Come True Meeting, 2-3:00 pm, Portable 1
Student Council Meeting, 2-3:00 pm, Room 430
Tuesday, December 9th- Black Day
Play Rehearsal, 2-6:00 pm, Auditorium
Basketball Practice, 2-6:00 pm, Gym
4H Club Meeting, 2:15-3:00 pm, Room 415
Wednesday, December 10th- Silver Day
Cheer Practice, 1-3pm, Dance Room
Film Club, 1-3pm, Mr. Moseley's Lab
Winterguard, 1-5pm, Gym
Thursday- December 11th- Black Day
Basketball Practice, 2-6:00 pm, Gym
Garden Club, 2-2:50 pm, Portable 5
Chorus Holiday Concert, BTHS, 7:00 pm
Drama Performance, Diary of Anne Frank, 7:00 pm, Auditorium
Friday, December 12th- Silver Day
Debate Club, 2-3 pm, Mrs. Pantano's Room
Math Counts Practice, 2:15-3 pm, Room 575
Basketball Practice, 2-6:00 pm, Gym
Drama Performance, Diary of Anne Frank, 7:00 pm, Auditorium
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Policy Reminders
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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
Attendance/Attendance Notes
In the event of an absence, a note signed by a parent/guardian is required within 48 hours of return to school, stating the date of absence, the specific reason for the absence and a parent/guardian signature. The excuse note must be brought to the attendance office before or during homeroom. Mrs. Norma Miller is the Data Operator in charge of attendance. Her office is located just inside the guidance office. If she is not at her desk, place the note in the red folder on her door. Upon return from an absence, it is the student's responsibility to communicate with teachers about any make-up assignments.
When you receive a letter for unexcused absences, and the absences are delinquent by a month or so, the absences cannot be excused by parental note. They can only be excused by a doctor's note. The absence will still be unexcused, but coded 'unexcused with note and the receipt date'.
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Athletics
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The Saint Johns Middle School Athletic Association ("SJMSAA") middle school sports program is not operated or sponsored by the St. Johns County School District. SJMSAA is an independent, private non-profit corporation, which uses District middle school names and facilities under a license agreement with the District, and which is solely responsible for the operation of the SJMSAA middle school sports program and its individual teams.
SJMSAA Golf
Dec. 8 - Practice at South Hampton Golf Club 3-5:00pm*
December 10th, Fun Tournament Wednesday 3-5:30pm at The Champions Club in Julington Creek.
SJMSAA Soccer
This week the Varsity girls won one and lost one. The Boys Varsity won against Pacetti Bay and are playing Sebastian, Friday. The JV boys lost to Murray and are playing Pacetti Bay Friday. Go Raiders!
SPMS Basketball
Tryouts for girls and boys basketball are over. Rosters will be published in next week's Raider Rap. It was a tough decision and all students who attended did a great job. Practices start on Monday and the first game is January 7th here at SPMS!
CAA Wrestling Registration
Welcome to Creeks Wrestling! Children ages 5 years old - 8th grade. Season will run December 1 thru February 28. Practice Monday and Thursday 6:30-8:30
This year practice will be split into two sessions (Jr session 6:30-7:30 and Sr session 7:30-8:30)
The children will be evaluated during the first two weeks and divided according to age/weight/experience level
Open wrestling/practice Saturdays 9am-11am
Cost per wrestler $85 and Must have membership to AAU Wrestling ($16 membership recommended) prior to first practice. www.aauwrestling.net
To Register: Print off 2014-2015 Registration form (click here) and Mail form and check (make payable to: CAA Wrestling) to:
Eric Anderson
attn: Creeks Wrestling
609 Lavender Lane
Saint Johns, FL 32259
There will be a parents meeting on Monday, December 1 at 6:30 - practice following, registrations will be accepted at the meeting as well.
Email questions to: caawrestling@gmail.com
Or call Eric Anderson at 904.657.6116
***We are in need of a volunteer to help out with a website. Please email or call if you may be interested. Thank YOU!
Creeks Rec League (February-April) K-8 Boys & Girls
Our core focus, at all age levels, are the fundamentals (passing, catching, shooting, cradling, scooping, etc) of individual play and incorporation of team skills. Each season, we have many newcomers, at all age levels that join us for their first season of lacrosse. So, if your son or daughter has never played before, he or she will not be alone in trying lacrosse for the first time. While we always intend to field competitive teams and play well, we pride ourselves on developing players for longevity in the game of lacrosse by teaching the core fundamentals of the game and instilling in our players a love for the game. The transition from "newbie" at the beginning of the season to what could be called a "lacrosse player" at the end of a season is impressive. Hopefully, we will be able to count your son or daughter in for that transition! For questions about Spring Lax, send an email to creekslacrosse@gmail.com
Junior Grizzlies (February-April)
This spring, starting in February, Swiss Point MS 6th-8th grader girls interested in playing lacrosse will be able to join our after school "Junior Grizzlies" lacrosse program that will practice twice a week 2:00pm-3:30pm. Beginners, intermediate and advanced players all can join! Our Junior Grizzlies MS players will be able to work with Bartram Trail girl's lacrosse coaches and players. More information coming soon! Contact Coach Jackowiak for any questions: Meghan.fanning@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Free Girls Lacrosse Clinic: December 13
The Jacksonville University Women's Lacrosse team is hosting a FREE girl's lacrosse clinic for K-8 girls in conjunction with Pipeline210 lacrosse! All K-8th grade girls are invited to participate in this free lacrosse clinic. Both new and seasoned players will benefit from skill-level appropriate curriculum. No experience necessary!! JU coaches, current JU players, local high school coaches and local high school players will come together for a day of fun-filled lacrosse instruction! Don't miss this FREE opportunity to learn from D1 coaches and players!
DATE: Saturday, December 13th | noon - 3pm
LOCATION: South Hampton Multi-purpose Field
140 South Hampton Club Way
St. Augustine, FL 32092
Register at Pipeline210lacrosse.com
under the free clinic tab. You can also read about the Pipeline210 Spring league for K-8 girls lacrosse in St. Johns County.
JaxLax will be on site to answer equipment questions. Follow PipeLine210lax on social media for the latest info!
Julington Creek Baseball Registration Now Open
5U-12U
- Evaluation First week in January
- Season starts mid January
- First games late February/early March
- 4-5 weeks of pre season practice 2 days per week
- 1-2 games weekly at Durbin Park, Mills field, or Kehoe
- 12 game schedules
13U-18U
- Season starts late January/early February
- First games in March
- Games against JCB and area Babe Ruth Coalition teams (pending participation)
- Minimum 12 game schedules
- 1-2 games weekly
Spring Registration Fee is 150.00 for 5U-12U and 160.00 for 13U-18U. To register and for more information: www.julingtoncreekbaseball.org
Julington Creek Baseball Travel Ball Tryouts
Spring Tryout Schedule
8u
Dec 6, 7, 13, 14 - 1pm
Mills 7
10u
Dec 13, 20 - 3pm
Dec 14, 21 - 1pm
Durbin 2
11u
Dec 6, 13 - 10am
Dec 7, 14 - 1:30pm
Durbin 4
12u
Dec 13, 14, 20, 21 - 1:30pm
Durbin 1
13u
Dec 13, 14, 20, 21 - 10am
Mills 8
14u
Dec 13, 14, 20, 21 - 3pm
Mills 8
Spron15u
Dec 13, 14, 20, 21 - 12:30pm
Mills 8
For more information: www.julingtoncreekbaseball.org
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Student Corner
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Master Calendar for 2014-2015
Click here to print.
*Please note that semester exams will be given the week before winter break. PLEASE do not schedule vacation during exam time. Make-ups for semester exams will occur in January AFTER the winter break.
Road Raiders
Road Raiders spring season will be open for registration starting in December. Paperwork will be located in the front office or stop by room 310. Registration and current years physical must be completed and turned into Mrs. Mayer no later than 2pm on December 18 th. There are only 25 spots available with an extra 10 who will be wait listed if runners are not able to maintain the time requirements. Slots fill up fast so please make sure to have all information in correctly as soon as possible. For this season runners must be able to complete a 10 minute (or less) mile while training for the Gate River Run. Any questions please email: Odessa.Mayer@stjohns.k12.fl.usYearbook Sales
Yearbooks can be purchased online for $45 until December 12th. Yearbooks MUST be ordered online this year. We will not have extra yearbooks in May to sell. To order please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 359.
Lost and Found
The lost and found items are OVERFLOWING in the front office. Jackets, hoodies and lunchboxes are piling up again in the front office. Please have your student look there, in the individual classrooms and in the PE lost and found in the locker room where the washer and dryers are. Some items will be donated before holiday break.
Virtual School Testing Dates
Students taking a course through virtual school MUST have their final exam proctored. Computer lab 650 will be monitored from 2-4pm on the dates listed below for students to stay after to take their final exam.
December 16th
Dates for the second semester will be posted later.
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Student's Corner- Just for 8th Graders
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PSAT Schools Distributed
The PSAT score reports for students who took the assessment in October were distributed on Thursday. The student report will outline how scores are interrupted. If students need further explanation, please go to www.collegeboard.org/quickstart Login using the access colde on the report to learn more about the scores.
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Media Center News
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Media Specialist, Judy Gill
Media Paraprofessional, Christine Southworth
Judy.Gill@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Christine.Southworth@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Battle of the Books was great fun. The winning team members were: Skylar Kyle, Jenny Hanson, Amanda Higley, Satvik Kuravi and Connor Searcy. They received gift cards to either Barnes and Noble or Dunkin Donuts (provided by our awesome PTO) Our next battle, on the other 8 books, will be held February 10th. Anyone can be a part of this event, even if you did not participate in this past one. Just come by the Media Center and sign up.
We also had a pizza lunch for all the students who have read 10 sunshine state books up until now. We will have another one in the spring for any students who continue to read and get up to 10 books by the end of April. Keep reading these great books and collecting charms!
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Beyond the Bell
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Beyond the Bell
Beyond the Bell has openings! Not happy with your student's report card? Would you like for him/her to have extra help from a SPMS teacher? Join BTB! We provide structured adult supervision and homework help from dismissal until 6pm. Snack is provided.
Fees:
Registration Fee (annual) $75
Monthly Extended Day Care $200
We also offer a "drop-in" service. For $300 + the registration fee, you can purchase a 20 visit BTB Punchcard. If you can't pick your child up from clubs, sports, or tutoring, they can stay with BTB and finish school work. The 20 visits can be used until the end of the school year.
If you have any further questions please email Christine.Southworth@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Please download the registration form from the address below.
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Lunch Menu
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Week of December 8th
Monday- Chicken Quesadilla Max, Max Cheese Stickes, Chicken Nuggets, Hamburger, Marinara Dipping Sauce, Steamed Broccoli Florets, Choice of 100% Juice, White Wheat Roll, Taco Sauce, Dipping Sauce Dunk cup, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Variety of Milk
Tuesday- Cheese or Pepperoni Calazonettes, Crunchy Beef Tacos, Chicken Nuggets, Hamburger, Marinara Dipping Sauce, Corn, Assorted Fruit, white Wheat Roll, Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup, Ketchup, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese Cup, Taco Sauce, Mustard, Mayo, Variety of Milk
Wednesday- Fajita Chicken Salad, Chicken Nuggets, Hamburger, Cherry Tomato & Celery Dippers with LF Dressing Dunk Cup, Baked Beans, Fresh Apple Slices, white Wheat Roll, Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Variety of Milk
Thursday- Pasta with Meatballs, Fajita Chicken Salad, Hamburger, Chicken Nuggets, Spinach & Romaine Dippers with LF Dressing Dunk Cup,Sweet Peas, Assorted Fruit, White Wheat Roll, Taco Sauce, Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Variety of Milk
Friday- BBQ Chicken, Giorgio Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza, Chicken Nuggets, Hamburger, Steamed Carrots, Green Beans, Choice of 100% Juice, White Wheat Roll, Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Variety of Milk
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From the District
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Superintendent's Weekly Review- 11/25/2014
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
Proposed District Calendar for 15-16
Below is a link to the District website to the proposed school calendar for 15-16. PLEASE take a few minutes to view the calendar and give input. Thank you.
Link to District Website for proposed calendar
Honor Roll Businesses
Click here to view businesses that accept the Honor Card given to students who received all As or all As or Bs.
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North Florida Expanding Your Horizons: Motivating Young Women in Science & Math
Click here to view flyer regarding an opportunity for girls grades 5th-8th. The workshop will be held on January 24, 2015 at the UNF University Center from 9am-3pm. Registration is now open.
St. Augustine Orchestra Concert
The St. Augustine Orchesrta will be playing a concert on Friday, december 12, 2014 starting at 8:00 pm at the Lightner Museum. Click here to view flyer.
Community Asthma Workshop Schedule
Click here to view the schedule for local asthma workshops.
3rd Annual Santa Suits on the Loose 5K and Santa's Gift Gallery
Click here to view the flyer for the December 13 starting at the St. Augustine Pier Park at 8:00 am.
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