Panther Press

The staff and I have hate to see summer end, but know that the beauty of summer ending is getting to see our Panthers. Over the last two weeks our staff has been preparing for the start of a new school year. We are starting the new year with some new expectations-Panther Expectations, No Cell Phones, and W.I.N. time.

Remember the first, ten days of school are the busiest days of the school year. For us to get our routines and procedures in place, we need your patience and courtesy.

Our goal is to constantly improve for the betterment of our students. We're so excited to see our old and new framily on Tuesday!!!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Buggs

Principal

Arrival-Students should NOT arrive to our campus without being accompanied by their parent/guardian before 7:10 am. Our doors open at 7:10 am to all students. Parents are to remain courteous to other drivers while dropping off students. Students who are car riders should be dropped off at the curb in front of the school. Please pay attention to our staff directing traffic. Students arriving after 7:25 am are considered tardy.

Attendance-. All attendance notes may be handwritten and dropped off at the main office. Or emailed, scanned, or screenshot to Ms. Davidson at adavidson@iwcs.k12.va.us.

Excused Absences: Students are only allowed 5 parent notes per semester.

Back to School Night-Mark Your Calendars for Wednesday, October 4, 2023 6pm-8pm.

Bus Information-Students should be at their assigned bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

Breakfast-Breakfast is served in the cafeteria 7:10 am-7:23 am. Students who bring breakfast from home or local eateries must eat breakfast in the cafeteria during breakfast time. Breakfast cost $1.35; milk only $0.50; unless approved free/reduced lunch.

Lunch is served during 3rd block classes. Lunch cost $2.85 unless approved free/reduced lunch.

1st lunch - 11:10 - 11:35

2nd lunch - 11:40 - 12:05

3rd lunch - 12:15 - 12:40

4th lunch - 12:45 - 1:10

Dismissal-Parents/Guardians should fill out a daily or an occassional pick-up form by Friday, 9/9. All teachers have the forms.

Staggered Dismissal beginning with car riders. Car Riders will be dismissed at 2:40 pm.

Parents may pull up to the curb for pick-up. Students are NOT to walk through the parking lot during dismissal to get into a parked car; unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Bus Riders will be dismissed with their teachers walking them outside.

Dress Code-Students are expected to dress appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Any attire that inhibits the learning environment will be viewed as inappropriate. Inappropriately dressed students’ parents/guardians will be called to bring appropriate clothing before students can attend class. If a parent/guardian is unable to bring a change of clothes or an alternate, more appropriate outfit will be provided by the school.

Food-Students should not share/exchange food items.

Schedule-A lot of time has been spent on scheduling. We wish we could honor every scheduling change request, however, it could have a greater effect on other classes or the number of students enrolled in the class. Exploratory classes are alternating classes each day. Tuesday, Sept. 5th is "A" day and Wednesday, Sept. 6th is "B" day following the alternating pattern.

How to read a student's schedule:

Period-Referred to as blocks. There are four periods followed by (A-B), (A), or (B). (A-B) are core content classes which students will attend daily. (A) is an exploratory class scheduled on "A" day. (B) is an exploratory class scheduled on "B" day.

Course Name-The name of the subject/core class/exploratory class.

Course & Section #-Only for admin to reference.

Term-22-23-Yearlong Course; S1-Semester 1; S2-Semester 2; Q1-Quarter 1 (1st Nine Weeks) ; Q2-Quarter 2 (2nd Nine Weeks); Q3-Quarter 3 (3rd Nine Weeks); Q4-Quarter 4 (4th Nine Weeks)

Teacher-Last Name of the Teacher assigned to the course

Room #-The location of the class.

School Visitors- All visitors must sign in at the main office. Visitors may not visit classrooms unless an agreed-upon date/time is scheduled. DoorDash, GrubHub or local deliveries will not be accepted for students.

Water Bottles Only-Students are welcome to have water bottles in class. Only bottles with a sealed lid/cap.

What I Need (W.I.N.) Block-A daily 25-minute alternating Panther W.I.N. block. The purpose of this block is to ensure that students do not lack the additional time needed in any class to get additional academic help, complete assignment, make up missing assignments, decompress, or apply a new skill.

MacBooks are a part of daily instruction. All SMS students will receive a MacBook (unless outstanding technology balance). Outstanding balances will have to be paid to Ms. Ashby, SMS bookkeeper before students will receive an IWCS-issued device.

8th grade students who have not received their devices may pick them up on Tuesday; if Device Usage and Distribution Agreement is signed. If acceptable use agreement has not been signed, students will have to wait until SMS media specialist receives the signed agreement. 7th grade students who have their signed Device Usage and Distribution Agreement on Tuesday; they will receive their laptop on Wednesday. Otherwise they will receive their laptop after the agreement has been signed and returned.

Isle of Wight County Schools continues to partner with Worth Avenue group which provides a full coverage option, including loss or theft of a device. The Worth Avenue form is available from each school and on the IWCS website. If you wish to participate in the optional accidental
coverage plan, send a check made out to Smithfield Middle School or SMS no later than September 20th.

Worth Ave. Group provides comprehensive insurance protection. Use the following link to access:

https://www.worthavegroup.com/portal/isleofwightva.

Any laptop repairs should be addressed with the media specialist or media specialist instructional assistant. Loaner devices will be issued to students only three times throughout the school year. Students who continuously forget their devices will have to meet with an administrator to devise a school-preparedness plan.