Bulldog Bulletin

• Message from the Principal
• Important Dates
• Cell Phone Free Environment at Springer
• Jazz Band Plays at PA Convention Center
• Kingsdale Foundation School Visits from England
• Coffee with the Superintendent
• SMS Staff Awards
• Springer Reading Challenge
• Springer Math Incentive Competition
• BSD Fest 2025
• AVID Showcase
• Special Education Parent Engagement Survey
• BARK Summer Program for Incoming 6th Graders
• BSD Summer Learning Opportunities
• Johnny's Ambassador Presentation at MPHS
• SFA: April Dine Out Night
• Naamans Little League
• Homework Club
• Schoology Access for Parents
• SAFE-DE
• Transportation: WheresTheBus App
• Volunteering at Springer Middle School

Springer Families,

When students return to school on Tuesday we will be implementing our cell phone free environment for students. This is an exciting time for our staff, who are eager to teach in an environment that is free from distractions that have derailed the learning for many. Cell phone use for students in schools has been a slow tide that has risen over many years. The current status we are at is a pervasive reliance on cell phones for communication and distraction throughout the day. As our team dove into the literature and research on this issue, it was clear that we had to act. Action was especially needed as grants would allow us to purchase the equipment at no cost. Furthermore, neighboring schools and districts have already implemented this program with much success!

We know that this will be a challenging transition for some, but our staff feel that everyone will benefit from a distraction free environment. Our team is also well prepared to support those students who may have anxiety and might struggle with a reduction in direct and immediate access to their support structures. Having parental support for this initiative will be critical as some students may not feel compelled to adhere to the program. We ask that you encourage your child(ren) to participate and work with Springer to ensure a smooth transition into a cell phone free environment.

If you have any questions, concerns, or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact me or one of my administrators. We are eager to help.

All The Best,

Dr. Sterling H. Seemans

Principal

2024-2025 Middle School Daily Rotation Schedule

BSD School Calendar

Athletics Calendar

• 3/31/25: SCHOOLS CLOSED Eid al-Fitr
• 4/1/25: First Day of Marking Period 4 and New Cell Phone Policy
• 4/7/25: SFA Dine Out Night at Two Stones on Foulk Rd
• 4/18-4/25/25: SCHOOLS CLOSED for Spring Break

• Does my child/student have to take a pouch each day they walk into school?

Students will be required to place their cell phones in a pouch upon arrival each school day. Students will receive a pouch, place their phone and smartwatch in the pouch, and then head to the next staff member to show them the pouch has been locked. Students are responsible for each pouch and are strongly encouraged to place their pouches with their cell phones in their locker with a lock. We sell locks at our school door for 50 PBIS points.

• What happens when my child/student leaves at dismissal?

At dismissal, students will unlock their pouches on wall mounted and handheld magnets and return the pouch for inspection. Students will take their belongings out and proceed with dismissal.

• What happens if my child/student does not have a cell phone?

Students without cell phones will not be required to take a pouch.

• What happens if I need to get a hold of my child/student or they need to get a hold of me?

Parents are welcome to call the school. Phone calls can be transferred to classrooms. Students may also request to come down to the main office to call parents.

• What happens if my child/student loses or damages a pouch?

Students who lose or damage cell phone pouches will be responsible for the replacement cost, which is around $60.

• What happens if a child/student is caught by a staff member with a phone?

Students will have their device confiscated by an administrator immediately. Parents/guardian or adult designee will be required to come to Springer to pick up the offending student’s device. The student will receive a consequence which could include after school detention, placement in our In-School Suspension room, or more. Consequences for violation of our cell phone policy will be progressive in nature. Students who refuse to place their cell phones in pouches will also receive consequences as this is a violation of the cell phone policy.

• When can my child/student use their phone?

Students can use their phones before school, on the bus, and after school when students are dismissed. Students cannot use their phones at lunch.

• Can my child/student have a pouch that they take home each day?

Our team will be exploring an option for students to take a pouch home. If and when this becomes an option, students and their parents will have to sign an agreement that the pouch will be returned in good working order. Failure to return the pouch or if there is any damage to the pouch will result in a charge of the full cost of a replacement pouch which is around $60.

• Will pouches be cleaned?

Our YONDR cell phone pouches are machine washable and will be cleaned periodically.

• What if my child/student needs their phone for medical reasons (e.g., diabetes, etc.)?

Students with a written verified medical diagnosis from a doctor will be granted a pouch with a velcro top which allows them easier access to their phones.

• What happens if my child/student has an early dismissal, dismissal for sports, or is on a field trip?

Students who leave the building for any reason will have their pouches unlocked at the main office.

• What happens in the case of an emergency or lockdown situation?

Experts are unanimous that in the case of an emergency inside the building, students should not be on their phones. Students should be focusing on what adults are saying, as well as what they are seeing or hearing themselves. Students should be thinking about what to do and whether to evacuate, barricade, or counter (last resort). If the building evacuates, many staff are trained to bring safety bags with them which will have devices on them to unlock phones when students are in a safe and secure location.

Congratulations to our Springer JAZZ! This past Saturday, our Jazz Band performed at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as part of the National Jazz Festival. Springer JAZZ gave their strongest performance of the year, receiving high praise from a national panel of adjudicators. Tyler Overly, received special recognition with a medal for National Jazz Festival Soloist award! The judge said that Tyler played with great range and facility and loved listening to him play. A bonus was having our new friends from London come in to hear our performance.

Students from the Kingsdale Foundation School High School Jazz Band visited Springer on Friday, march 21. The group was here to perform at the National Jazz Festival in Philadelphia. Students got to engage and collaborate with students from across the pond. Both bands played for one another in what was a truly memorable day for both schools!

We are excited to announce several awards our Springer staff have won! Congratulations to the amazing staff members for their incredible contributions to Springer Middle School and our community. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our students makes Springer such a wonderful place to work and learn. Kudos to you and thank you for all that you do!

Springer Middle School Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Sarah Gramlick

Springer Middle School Educational Support Professional of the Year

Ms. Kat King

Springer Middle School Behavior Support Professional of the Year

Ms. Carrie Parks

Troop 2 School Resource Officer of the Year

CPL. Regina Stevens

We are excited to announce the start of our Springer reading challenge! Students will get rewarded with prizes for each book they read. The more books they read the better the prizes will be! Students will win snack line coupons, outside lunches, chances to win gift cards and more! Parents will need to fill out the google form below for every book they read. The google form will collect email addresses, which will be verified in the system. Students are encouraged to head to our library to check out a book. We will be tracking both individual progress and progress by grade level. The reading challenge will go on from Monday, March 10 through Thursday, April 17. Larger prize awards and a celebration of our overall winners will take place the week after Spring Break.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci7l50f-ZTSmvuOS-hlmkySpQQDYG7Y7Fo4zqnpz9AqYBcXg/viewform?usp=dialog

Talley Middle School is hosting an AVID showcase. This is an opportunity to learn more about what AVID is all about. AVID is a program we offer at Springer and if you are interested in having your child enrolled in AVID at Springer, please contact the school and ask to speak to a school counselor.

Are you a parent with a student with an IEP? BSD is looking for your feedback! Please consider taking a few minutes to complete the following survey online:

English Survey

Spanish Survey

Haitian-Creole Survey

We are excited to announce our BARK Summer Program, which will take place the last week of July and first week of August. This is program to help incoming 6th graders with their transition to middle school. Students will learn about what it takes to thrive in middle school while meeting new friends and engaging in fun and enriching activities. If you have an incoming 6th grader or know someone who will be coming to Springer, please share this information. Please head to http://springer.brandywineschools.org/SBP for more information!

Please come out to Two Stones on FOULK RD on Monday, April 7 to support Springer Middle School! A portion of all proceeds from dine in only will go to the Springer Family Association which helps fund mini grants for teachers and provide wonderful experiences for our student body. Please come to Two Stone Pub Monday, April 7 and dine in only. PLEASE BRING THE ATTACHED FLIER so the SFA can get a portion of the proceeds.

When Springer students return in January we are excited to announce our return of our Homework club! The Springer Homework Club is a voluntary after-school program providing academic assistance to students. Homework Club is a program which is held from 3:15 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. on Wednesdays. They meet in room 184 which provides a quiet place to study for each student to assist them in completing their assignments. There will be supervision and access to teachers and school tutors who have been trained to assist students in their studies. A Google form will be added to students' counselor corner page in Schoology for students to sign up, but it can also be found below:

https://forms.gle/KMqsPqenddDJFy8Q7

If you need help access Schoology as a parent to help support your child, please click the following link to access a document that will provide you step-by-step directions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZjlNYAoqfGxHO3dciOvXU5JOb11Zj7-E69a7-lPn4w4/edit?usp=sharing

Families, you are encouraged to visit the following link on the BSD website to find out more information about Transportation. For your convenience, we have Where is the Bus app and a brand new bus scanner to help you see when your child(ren) are boarding the bus. Students will either enter their school IDs or lunch numbers. You will receive information in the upcoming weeks on when students will receive their school IDs. Happy Riding!! https://www.brandywineschools.org/families/transportation/bus-scanners

Springer Middle School relies on the generosity of time from our great families within the community. We welcome those who want to help be apart of our village and have a plethora of opportunities for volunteers to engage with our students and staff to better the middle school experience of our youth.

Parents who are interested in volunteering at Springer Middle School will need to follow the Brandywine School District's policy for background checks. Please follow this link: Volunteering at BSD to be properly cleared to work with our students. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact the main office.

Background checks are good for 1 calendar year