Seneca Middle School

We would like to welcome back all Bobcat family members to our new school and the grand opening of Seneca Middle School at our new address at 15440 Wells Highway. We appreciate Superintendent Dr. Thorsland, our SDOC board members and all of the district staff for all of their work in making this all possible. We would also like to thank our supportive community who have invested in the future of the Seneca community with this outstanding school. our staff looks forward to serving you this school year! We are looking forward to a great school year and all the positive contributions and accomplishments our students and staff will create together. You are a part of the "One Seneca" family and together our students will make Seneca have a super year!

Dr. Mike Cory, Principal

Our family registration event is July 30 and there will be helpful information available to you for your planning and preparation for the new school year. The event is on July 30 from 3:30-5:00 pm. Families can drop-in any time between 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm to receive school information and schedules if you have completed the Final Forms family online update of online registration and updates to family information. Please complete your family update online prior to attending our registration. This update of your family information is done in Final Forms. You may check your email from The School District of Oconee with information for families about the requirement to complete the Final Forms online family update. If you did not receive this email at your email of record, review your SPAM or clutter inbox as it may have been sent to that email folder.

Families that already have completed the Final Forms family online update, will proceed to our gym where information tables will be provided with car tags for car line, bus information, Parent Portal information, Yearbook, Trio Program, School Improvement Council parent information. If you are interested in being a substitute teacher, we will also have a Kelly Services Education table available for employment consideration.

Families can visit and meet with our teachers listed on their student schedule. Classes are full and student will have their assigned teachers.

If you are out-of-town there is a Makeup Schedule Pickup only from 12:30-1:30 pm in main office on July 31.

SMS has communicated to 7th grade families during the 2024 Spring Semester and this summer about the state required Tdap vaccination documentation needed to attend school in 7th grade. The majority of our families have satisfied this requirement but serves as a reminder to any remaining families that the document must be received by SMS Main Office or Nurse Tate prior to coming to school on Thursday, August 1. If a student has not had their Tdap vaccination prior to Thursday they should not report to school until they do.

School will start for students on Thursday, August 1. The school is open to receive students at 7:45 am and will dismiss school at 3:30 pm. Students are tardy for school at 8:30 am. We recommend the first several days for families to allow for extra time and show patience as all families learn their new routines. In a typical school start, rising 6th grade families are new to the processes of car line and bus transportation; however, this year all grade level families will be new to the process. All families should allow extra time and remember that safety will always be our highest priority. The efficiency of arrival, dismissal and bus transportation will improve each day over the first week or two.

Our bell schedule will feature:

• 60 minute academic classes (English, Math, Science and Social Studies) in their own hallway
• staggered class changes so 6th grade students have their own schedule
• 6th grade students change classes with 6th grade only
• two exploratory periods of 43 minutes each
• a lunch/recess period
• 30 minute flex time period of additional support or acceleration to enhance student learning outcomes. These student supports were provided in your elementary school and will continue into middle school.

The Seneca Bus Office has provided information to all families about bus numbers at our summer registration events at the bus table. The Seneca Bus Office also provides additional communication during the week leading up to our school start. At any time if you have questions or need any assistance regarding bus transportation, please call Heather Stevens, transportation supervisor, at the Seneca Bus Office at 864-718-5525.

more info

Some reminders about the car line process:

• Allow extra time during the first few weeks of school as all students and families learn new routines and procedures. Safety will be the highest priority during these times and we ask for your cooperation and patience.
• SMS is open to receive students at 7:45 am. Students should not be dropped off before that time as families are responsible for the supervision of their child before 7:45 am. After that 7:45 time, SMS staff will begin the supervision of students to maintain safety.
• Stay in your lane as you enter the car line as we will use both lanes of the car line as it operates with dual lines for the majority of the car line loop until you approach the unloading area where it will merge into one lane. Please alternate cars as you merge, one from each lane.
• Once you enter the car line, please talk to your child about gathering their items and being ready to depart your car when you reach the unloading zone. When your car comes to a stop at the sheltered car line student area, students will get out of their cars as a group. Staff will be there to assist.
• After dropping off your child, the car line will return to two lanes and you should get into the proper lane: if you are making a left exit onto Wells Highway get in left lane and if you are making a right turn onto Wells Highway get in the right lane.
• For dismissal, students will be in our sheltered student loading area by grade level and should be paying attention and looking for your car to arrive.
• Be sure your car tag that you received at summer registration is displayed from your car mirror or dashboard for easy viewing. If you need further assistance with car tags, please contact our main office.
• All students should be picked up by their families by 4:00 pm and we start dismissal at 3:30 pm.
• Safety is always our highest priority and we will be as efficient as possible while maintaining safety in all areas related to transportation. Please use caution when driving around our school.

School attendance is one of the greatest factors for student learning that we will need all families to make a priority this school year. The district posts all school calendars on their website and have future years calendars shown as well for families planning. Families are encouraged to take advantage of many of the different breaks during the year to reserve appointments and trips so that school days can be reserved for school. If a student has to be out for a medical absence, documentation is required within 3 days of the absence and can be turned into your child's first period teacher or the main office.

In middle school, attendance it taken each period compared to daily attendance that occurs in middle school. It is important for students to be at school the entire day. Sign-outs should be limited but please be aware that with our student dismissal at 3:30 pm that no early sign-outs will be allowed after 3 pm daily. This will allow our school to focus appropriately and manage our after school dismissal procedures.

Student safety is the highest priority for a school and our families play a vital role in helping us offer that to our students and school. One item that our students will hear an emphasis on will be respect. Respect for each other, respect for all adults in our school and community and respect for this place-our school. Some of the most important lessons we can teach our middle school students is in the areas of character as we develop them socially and in their behavior for a successful future. This is also an age to emphasize respecting the personal space of others and being a hands-free school. Physical contact of any kind is not acceptable and this is another lesson that you can help encourage with our students which will be a key to their success in the middle school years. Middle school parents should also make sure their child is demonstrating proper behaviors online or on social media that should be monitored and limited during this impactful age. Character counts at SMS and emphasizing its importance at school and home will have a positive impact on our students.

“ROAR” Core Values:

We are Respectful in everything we do.

We are On time and on task to be and become better every day.

We are Always safe knowing that this school is home to every bobcat.

We are Responsible for setting goals, accomplishing them and setting more.

One Seneca-Cattitude

100% effort in all things

Identify and maximize student talents

Set goals, accomplish them and set more

Be well-rounded: academics, arts, athletics, behavioral, social, service

Help us by encouraging these character traits at home and school!

This school year students at Seneca Middle will have the opportunity to receive free breakfast and free lunch. Students use their ID cards that they will receive over the first couple of school days to scan their badge at the cash register in the cafeteria. Students are to keep their ID cards all year as it also is the badge that is used when checking out library books. The first ID card is provided free of charge but lost ID cards or damaged ID cards will result in a $5 replacement cost to provide a new one.

There are many opportunities for parents and family members to partner or volunteer and have input around our school. There are opportunities in the morning time, lunch or afternoon times. We understand with work schedules many family members cannot attend all events or activities but just the contribution of one event or activity can collectively offer our school and students a lot of support. Our parent organization and School Improvement Council are great ways to start getting involved. The chairperson of our School Improvement Council is Mrs. Lindsey Simmons and Vice-Chair, Mrs. Marcie Cope. Come join us and support SMS!

Our guidance counselor team cares deeply for our students and have much experience in supporting students. Our guidance team understands the middle school years and is available to both students and parents for any support needed. Mrs. Michelle Williams is the guidance counselor for all students with the last name beginning with A-J. Mrs. Lynda Grant is the guidance counselor for all students with the last name beginning with K-Z. Our career counselor is Mrs. Stephanie Shepherd. Our guidance secretary is Mrs. Rachel Cannon. You can always contact our guidance office to set up a parent conference for additional support at 864-718-5268.

July 30 Back-to-School Registration for 6th grade 5:30-7:00 pm in SMS gym area

August 1 First Day for Students 8:30 am to 3:30 with morning announcements at 8:27

August 1 In middle school, we ask families to let student walk themselves in and we will support them

August 1-2 Student receive Chromebook devices and tour of building by teachers

August 2-29 Band Calendar Fundraiser

August 7-16 Library Orientation

August 24 Band Jumpstart Clinic

August 24 Volleyball WOMS Warrior Rumble All Day West Oak Middle/High School

August 27 School Improvement Council Meeting 4:15 in room 401 at SMS

August 29 Chorus World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser

September 2 Labor Day no school

September 3-6 Fall Book Fair in Library

September 4 Volleyball vs Starr-Iva Volleyball 5:30 PM at Starr-Iva Middle

September 4 Football Jamboree Football TBA at Pickens High School

September 6 Middle School Night @ SHS (Marching Band) SHS

September 11 Volleyball vs. Starr-Iva 5:30 PM Home

September 12 Football vs. Starr-Iva 5:30 PM Crescent High School

September 16-20 Spirit Week

September 16 Student Gets in Free with ID to Vball Game prior to 5:30 pm

September 16 Volleyball vs. West-Oak 5:30 PM Home

September 18 Volleyball home vs Walhalla 5:30 5:30 Home

September 19 Pep Rally 2:30-3:30

September 19 Football home vs Gettys 5:30 at SHS

September 20 All-State Chorus Auditions Due

September 20 School Dance 4 pm to 5:30 pm-must have passing grades, no ISS or OSS, good attendance

September 21 Orchestra All County Audition TBD

September 23 Volleyball vs. Riverside 5:30 PM Riverside Middle

September 25 Project Lit Kickoff 8:05 am-8:30am Library

September 25 Volleyball vs. Powdersville 5:30 PM Home

September 26 Football vs. Edwards 5:30 PM Daniel High School

September 28 Orchestra Region Audition Greenville

September 30 Volleyball vs. Palmetto 5:30 Palmetto Middle

September 30 All-County Chorus Middle School Clinic Seneca Baptist