Southwest Middle School

Southwest Middle is committed to a partnership with parents and the community to increase student achievement and success.

Please complete our parent feedback survey to help us meet the needs of our students, parents, and school community through this anonymous survey:

https://tinyurl.com/SWMSParent2025

Vision:
To inspire and empower all learners to lead.

Mission:
Southwest Middle School staff will empower all students to lead in a global society through academic achievement, college & career readiness, and compassionate choices in order to leave a legacy of significance.

Purpose:
Creating tomorrow's leaders today.

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Robert Rhodes and Noah Dean for their outstanding achievements in the SWMS School Spelling Bee. Competing against a total of 23 fellow students, Robert displayed exceptional skill and determination, securing first place, while Noah demonstrated his remarkable abilities by earning second place. Their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence truly set them apart.

Both Robert and Noah will proudly represent SWMS at the upcoming county-level spelling bee on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the Regional Skills Center, with the event set to commence at 6:00pm. This is a significant opportunity for them to showcase their talents on a larger stage, and we are confident they will make our school proud.

We encourage all members of our school community to come out and support these remarkable students as they strive for excellence in this competitive environment. Their achievements not only reflect their individual efforts but also serve as an inspiration to their peers. Let's rally together and cheer for Robert and Noah as they embark on this exciting journey!

In our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our school community, it is essential that we regularly practice our emergency and crisis response protocols. These drills are designed to reinforce our procedures and prepare students and staff for various safety scenarios.

Recently, our students participated in the North Carolina Statewide Tornado Drill, successfully following the established procedures. This exercise is a vital part of our safety training, and to further enhance our preparedness, Southwest Middle School will conduct a lockdown safety drill on Monday, March 10th. This drill aims to ensure that everyone is familiar with the necessary actions to take during a lockdown situation.

During the lockdown drill, students and staff are trained to move away from sight and maintain silence. This practice is crucial in helping us respond effectively in an actual emergency. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we conduct these important safety drills.

Please remember that these exercises are not merely routine; they serve to reinforce our commitment to making Southwest Middle School a safe place for all students and staff to learn and work. Normal school operations will resume promptly once the drill is complete.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a secure learning environment. Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our entire school community.

Strawbridge Studios will be on campus after school on Monday, March 10th, for volleyball and boys soccer.

Several different photo packages are available for purchase. To view all available options, please click here or on the button below.

Families who wish to pay online should visit https://www.strawbridge.net/ and select "Order Pictures and Yearbooks," enter the code FM467475, and click on Find.

We are excited to inform you about the upcoming i-Ready March Madness Challenge, which will occur from Monday, March 10th, through Friday, March 28th. This challenge encourages our middle school students to excel in their academic skills, specifically in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA).

As a school, we are committed to working towards academic growth and performance for all our students. Throughout the three-week challenge, students will have the opportunity to compete for recognition for their homerooms by successfully passing the most i-Ready lessons each week. We will award two winning homerooms per grade level—one for Math and one for ELA. The winning homerooms will be announced on Monday, March 31st.

We appreciate your support as we strive to boost progress and healthy competition among our students. Thank you for encouraging them to participate! You can discuss your student's diagnostic results, grade-level placement, and individualized instruction progress with their math or ELA teacher. Please communicate with your student's teacher about any of these concerns.

We are excited to share the recent activities and projects our students have been engaged in within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Each grade level has been exploring unique themes that not only enhance their knowledge but also develop their practical skills.

Our 8th graders have delved into the fascinating world of architecture through various historical periods. They have successfully completed two informative PowerPoint presentations: one highlighting the architecture timeline, and another focusing on the distinct characteristics of different architectural eras. To put their learning into practice, students also participated in a hands-on project where they designed and constructed towers. This activity allowed them to showcase their creativity and engineering skills while reinforcing their understanding of architectural concepts.

The 7th-grade students have been busy in the kitchen as they explore various measuring techniques and cutting methods. They have engaged in measuring labs that focus on essential culinary skills such as cutting, dicing, and mincing. Students have been diligently taking notes and completing worksheets based on a Food Network cutting video, which has provided them with valuable insights into proper techniques. Additionally, they have been working on measuring lab notes specifically related to dry ingredients, enhancing their culinary knowledge and abilities.

In 6th grade, students have embarked on an educational journey into the field of veterinary medicine. They are currently creating a PowerPoint presentation and gathering information from the NCCareers.org website about careers as a veterinarian and veterinarian technician. As part of this learning experience, students filled out a comprehensive worksheet to consolidate their understanding. Furthermore, they watched an engaging video about the role of an aquatic veterinarian, learning about the unique challenges and responsibilities of caring for fish.

We are proud of the hard work and enthusiasm our students have shown in these projects. The skills and knowledge they are gaining through these CTE activities will serve them well as they continue their educational journey. Thank you for your continued support in fostering an enriching learning environment for our students.

Thrilling discoveries are unfolding in Ms. Evilsizor's science classes! Students have been diligently applying their knowledge of the Geologic Time Scale, natural selection, and the principles of evolution. Through hands-on activities at various learning stations, students have employed scientific methods that include relative dating, examining change over time, and understanding the dynamics of plate tectonics.

Throughout these activities, students utilized a variety of materials to enhance their learning. Common household items, such as beans and M&M's, were creatively integrated into experiments, allowing students to visualize complex concepts in a fun and engaging manner. Additionally, they conducted scientific research using the internet, which provided them with valuable resources to deepen their understanding of these important topics.

This comprehensive approach not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We are proud of our students' hard work and commitment to exploring the wonders of science. Thank you for your continued support as we nurture their curiosity and passion for learning.

North Carolina law mandates that ALL students entering 7th grade be vaccinated with TDAP and Meningitis (MCV4), and students are excluded if proof of vaccine is not provided within 30 days of the first day of school.

In an effort to assist parents and continue to remove barriers to vaccination, Onslow County Schools nurses, in conjunction with the Onslow County Health Department Immunization Branch, will offer school-based vaccine outreach clinics beginning the week of April 28th. Parent consent forms must be received by Friday, March 21st.

Public health nurses will, with written parental consent, visit school campuses and deliver the vaccines needed for continued school attendance in 7th grade.

The OCS Magnet School Lottery Application Portal is now open!

Southwest Middle School families can apply now through March 14th for the lottery to enroll in one of two middle school magnet schools: New Bridge Middle or Onslow Virtual School.

New Bridge Middle School

At New Bridge Middle School (NBM), there is a focus on STEAM content and skills. STEAM emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Onslow Virtual School (OVS)

Onslow Virtual School is a full-time online Onslow County public school. The school partners with parents, who have students in grades 2-12, to provide an engaging, high-quality education in a remote learning environment.

Students who are not currently enrolled in OVS and wish to attend OVS for the 2025-2026 school year must apply through the lottery process.

• Students are required to have a dedicated, full-time learning coach.
• Students must reside in Onslow County or be eligible to attend Onslow County Schools through the out-of-county approval process.

You can learn more about the magnet school process and apply at www.onslow.k12.nc.us/families/magnet-schools.

2024-25 Southwest Middle School Yearbooks are on sale! For a limited time, yearbook pricing starts at $25.00. Make sure to order your yearbook early to lock in the limited-time pricing. Use the QR code below or click on the image to order yours today! Use order number 25598.

Monday, March 10th

• Lockdown Drill
• i-Ready March Madness Competition Begins
  
• Spring Sports Photos- After school
• NJHS Induction Ceremony- 6:00pm SWMS Media Center
  

Tuesday, March 11th

• Volleyball and Boys Soccer vs. JCMS- 4:00pm at Jacksonville Commons Middle

Wednesday, March 12th

• SWMS Career Day- 8:00am-10:00am
• Early Release Day- Students dismiss at 11:40am
  

Thursday, March 13th

• Volleyball and Boys Soccer vs. HCMS- 4:00pm at Southwest Middle

Friday, March 14th - Saturday, March 15th

• All-State Chorus Trip- Elberson Fine Arts Center at Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC

Monday, March 17th

• Teacher Workday- No school for students
• Boys Basketball Field Trip
  

Tuesday, March 18th

• Volleyball and Boys Soccer vs. NWPMS- 4:00pm at Southwest Middle School
  

Wednesday, March 19th

• Boys Soccer vs. DMS- 4:00pm at Southwest Middle School

Thursday, March 20th

• Volleyball and Boys Soccer vs. SBMS- 4:00pm at Swansboro Middle