Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -February 25, 2022
From Ms. Carnall
Good Afternoon,
SPMS is celebrating 30 years of educating students! To celebrate we will be having a spirit week March 7-March 10. The students had an opportunity to vote for their favorite day via Schoology and the results are in! The dress up days are as follows:
Monday, March 7: Jeans Day (overalls, jean jacket, etc.)
Tuesday, March 8: Neon Day
Wednesday, March 9: Best 90's outfit
Thursday, March 10: Dress up like you are 30
We look forward to seeing everyone in their best outfits!
Sincerely,
Ms. Carnall
SAC Parent Needs Assessment Survey
The first 14 questions are required. The rest of the questions are option, but good information for us.
Thank you in advance for your assistance with this!
8th Grade Yearbook Ad Deadline-March 1st
Scheduling Information
Scheduling for the 2022-2023 School Year
SPMS Electives
-Rising 7th and 8th graders have received their elective forms (Rising 7th was yellow and Rising 8th was Purple). Reminder to turn in the elective forms back to their 1st period class by March 1st. Please also note that the Application based electives deadline is March 1st as well. Please go to the SPMS website to fill out that information for Application Based Electives. Do not forget about the teacher recommendation forms as well for those classes like News Crew, Yearbook, Student Aide, and WEB. These forms can be found under the important links on the front page of our website.
-Rising 9th Graders
Please go to SPMS Website for more information regarding your registration time and deadline for choosing electives for Bartram Trail High School and Beachside High School.
A Note From the Nurse
As we are seeing an increase in the number of Covid 19 cases since returning from winter break, I would just like to remind you of a few things.
- Please DO NOT send your student to school with a pending Covid test ,even if the student is asymptomatic. This includes, home tests, rapid tests and the PCR tests.
- If you choose to test your child to return to school early, it must be NEGATIVE LAB test, the results must be sent to the school nurse before he/she can return to school. I will need to remove them from quarantine. Results can be emailed to Kelly.brown@stjohns.k12.fl.us or drop off the paper copy to the clinic. NO HOME TESTS are accepted for testing out early.
- Student may return to school early with a note from their physician’s office with the date that they are able to return.
- Please call the clinic for any questions (904)547-8628
Kelly M Brown, LPN
Switzerland Point Middle School Clinic
904-547-8628
8th Grade GradVenture News!
8th grade students received GradVenture fieldtrip forms in homeroom this week. A copy is also on the 8th grade Schoology page.
Resource For Parents
END OF YEAR REWARD TRIPS
- Any level 3 or level 4 discipline referral
- Any level 1 or level 2 referral that results in ISS
- Any referral that results in OSS
- More than 4 demerits
During the 1st semester we provided the students opportunities for growth and learning by allowing the demerits to restart at the beginning of 2nd quarter, wiping away any demerits previously earned. For 2nd semester all demerits earned will be cumulative for BOTH quarter 3 and quarter 4. Once the reward trip is paid for, we will be unable to give refunds or transfer the reservation to another student’s name.
Please review these expectations with your student if you think that the trip is something they might be interested in working towards.
Marine Science Summer Camp
SUMMER MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAM
DO NOT MISS OUT ONLY 2 SESSIONS
Parents/Guardians,
Application directions for the summer Marine Science Program will be passed out by science teachers at all schools during the second week of February. Parents/guardians must complete part 1 of the application at our website. Application student essays, part 2, will be due back to science teachers by March 4th. Student essay forms can also be downloaded at any time from the website. Please visit us at http://www-grms.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ and click on the Marine Science link. The link also will have a complete day by day curriculum for each grade level, parent information, and a video from last year’s program.
This summer program is available to all students currently in grades five through seven and has been sponsored by the school district since 1982. Hurry do not miss out, only two eight-day sessions are held at Gamble Rogers Middle School with bus transportation provided. The dates for the sessions this summer will be June 6th through June 16th and June 20th through June 30th (Monday-Thursday). Small classes of 12-15 students are separated by grade level. All instructors in the program are St. Johns County School District teachers.
The Marine Science Program is a carefully designed experience for responsible students who are interested in learning about our local marine environments. Learning is “hands on” in the field with students kayaking, canoeing, boating, hiking, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, surfing, SUP, (stand up paddleboarding), etc.
More information about the program can be had by emailing Kristina Bransford at marinescienceprogram@stjohns.k12.fl.us .
Author Visit
Middle grade author Jake Burt will be doing a virtual author visit with the SPMS library on Friday, March 25th, 2022!
About the Author:
Jake Burt loves writing so much, that when he’s not doing it, he’s teaching it! Jake is a 5th grade teacher living in Connecticut.
Some of Jake’s most notable works include Cleo Porter and the Body Electric, which is on this year’s Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award List. His debut novel, Greetings From Witness Protection, was also on the SSYRA list for 2019 – 2020 and was chosen as the top book the year! His most recent novel, The Ghoul of Windydown Vale, comes out on January 25th, 2022.
Signed and personalized copies of Jake's books are available for purchase and can be ordered from: https://www.rjjulia.com/introducing-jake-burt
Please order by January 25th for your books to be shipped by February 1st.
Please order by February 16th for your books to be shipped by March 1st.
Final day to order is April 1st, 2022.
Any student wanting to attend the event should see Ms. Gowin in the media center for more information.
Please email madison.gowin@stjohns.k12.fl.us with any questions.
Character Counts! Pillar of the month-CARING
In March, we are celebrating the Character Counts pillar of Trustworthiness. We look for students who:
- Are honest
- Don't deceive, cheat or steal
- Are reliable and do what they say they are going to do
- Have the courage to do the right thing
- Build a good reputation
- Are loyal and stand by their family, friends and country
YEARBOOK
Want to buy an SPMS yearbook? Order online at Yearbookordercenter.com and enter our school code 359.
COVID Information
You should continue to use the Student Health Screening Entry form and monitor your student for symptoms. The answers to all symptoms/questions should be no for your student to attend school. Please see the attached documents for assistance.
The COVID info web page for SJCSD families is now live at
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/covid-19/ Here you will find the most up to date COVID information. This site includes the COVID Dashboard, Quarantine Help Guides, directions to access online textbooks and Schoology, and Health & Safety resources.
As you know, masks are optional for all adults and students. We will continue to respect each other’s choices and personal space. We will continue with many of our protocols from last year to reduce congestion in the hallways and cafeteria. Hand sanitizer will be available in the offices, hallways and classrooms for student access. We will continue with our cleaning and disinfecting protocols from last year as directed by the SJCSD.
On 9/22/2021, the Department of Health has updated their emergency rule (64DER21-15) to include student quarantines.
- Student quarantines: (3)(a) Parents or legal guardians of students who are known to have been in direct contact with an individual who received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 may choose one of the following options:
- Allow the student to attend school, school-sponsored activities, or be on school property, without restrictions or disparate treatment, so long as the student remains asymptomatic; or
- Quarantine the student for a period of time not to exceed seven days from the date of last direct contact with an individual that is positive for COVID-19.
Based on this new ruling, you have a choice whether to quarantine your child or not, if they have no symptoms. You will receive email communication if your student was a close contact providing your choices.
To be clear, if your child has NO symptoms and is on quarantine, they may return to school if you choose. This begins today. If you choose to quarantine, you need to contact the District COVID support team and report that you are opting to quarantine your child. This also begins today.
Due to this change in policy, it is more important than ever to monitor your child for symptoms and keep them home if they are not well. We want students to be in school learning and we also want children healthy and safe. We are in this together and will continue to work together to navigate this new normal.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please call 904-547-8230 for further clarification.
If your child is quarantined they should be checking Schoology daily. They should go to each teacher's updates tab for the daily/weekly assignments. All work to be completed will be available on Schoology and should be uploaded on the due date. If a student needs help or has questions they can message their teacher. Students can also access their online textbooks from home as well.
SSYRA Information
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award Program is in full swing here at Swiss! Students are enjoying earning brag tags and a variety of prizes after reading them and taking a short quiz. SSYRA books can be checked out in the library, or online as audio or e books. Please see this year’s list attached.
PE Uniform Update
- All sizes/PE uniform items are back in stock for purchase.
- PE uniforms can be purchased here.
- If you purchase a uniform from this point on, please note the following:
- Uniforms will ONLY be issued on Wednesdays at the beginning of PE class.
- Students must present their receipt for their PE uniform purchase (printed receipt or an emailed copy/screen shot on their phone)
Special Message on the Marquee
SPMS National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring an opportunity to send a special birthday or congratulations message to your student via the marquee in the front of school. Cost is $25. Complete the form here to submit your request (there's a separate link in the form to pay via Schoolpay upon submitting your request). Requests are due the Friday prior to the event and will display the following week (Tuesday through Monday). Example: if you turn in the request on Friday, September 17 then your message will be displayed on Tuesday, September 21.
SPMS PTSO UPDATES
http://www.swisspointptso.com/
NEXT PTSO MEETING:
Monday, March 21st, 10 AM Swiss Point Media Center
RAIDER STORE:
Volunteers are needed to help the Raider Store. Get to know our SPMS students and staff in this fun setting. The upcoming store dates are March 10th and March 25th. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b44a4a72da5f49-raider7
CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Ms. Cox, Ms. Gracy, and Ms. Boyer's Homerooms on winning the Swiss Point Cares Book Drive. And thank you to our Batram Trail volunteers for helping serve hot chocolate and cookies.
Swiss Point families donated 1,504 gently used books to South Woods.
SUNSHINE CART: Last week some staff was visited by the all new Sunshine Cart. The cart will be making its way around to all the staff with small treats and supplies.
COMING SOON: Stock the Teacher’s Lounge
Information coming soon.
SUPPORT SPMS AS A BUSINESS PARTNER
Do you own a business or work for a business with an interest in supporting education? Our Partners in Education Program is a great opportunity to support SPMS and spread the word about your company to the local community. Sponsorships help the PTSO fund many school initiatives.
For more information, please contact Carly McCollum at cm0929@gmail.com or check out our information online on the PTSO website.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PTSO
AmazonSmile – Shop through the PTSO link on AmazonSmile! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3741022
While you do your regular shopping on Amazon through AmazonSmile, .5% of your purchase will be donated to SPMS.
Box Tops – Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts for SPMS PTSO to get Box Top credits.
Questions/concerns?? Contact us at spmsptso@hotmail.com
LIKE us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/SwissPointPTSO/
SPMS PTSO is on Instagram! Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/spmsptso/
Check the PTSO website for all the latest news! http://www.swisspointptso.com/