

The Spartan (5-8) - 12/15
Middle School Edition
December 15, 2024
Hello Spartans!
Welcome to the Middle School (Grades 5-8) Newsletter!
We are excited to pilot a new intervention program aimed at improving the current math intervention time at the end of the day by offering personalized instruction and support for all subjects. Each week, students will sign up for intervention sessions based on their individual needs, with a primary focus still on math, and receive tailored instruction or assistance from teachers in small groups or one-on-one settings. The program allows flexibility, ensuring students take ownership of their learning while teachers adapt their approach to meet the needs of each student. This pilot initiative aims to provide more targeted, effective support, helping students build confidence and make progress in their academic goals.
Make Up Study Time (M.U.S.T.)
A friendly reminder about our M.U.S.T. program.
Per our 2024-2025 Strafford School Student/Family Handbook: "In the event a student gets behind with an academic assignment or skill, a M.U.S.T can be issued to keep the student before or after school. A minimum of 24-hour notice will be given to families and a signed statement agreeing to provide transportation secured. This time will be spent working with the teacher to get caught up on an assignment or practicing the missing skills."
Please note that this it is not a discipline system, rather an academic support system.
Team Newsletters!
You can find grade specific newsletters below!
A Look Inside Middle School
Super Spartans!
Students have been earning "Super Spartan Tickets" for being positive members of our school community. Students who earn this ticket from a staff member can bring their ticket down to the office to be entered in a drawing for a Super Spartan Bracelet, and be celebrated over the announcements on Friday! We have a school goal to connect all our tickets at the end of the year to wrap around the school building!
Super Spartan winners this week were nominated by staff members for being helpful and kind. There were so many nominations this week, keep up the good work Spartans!
Students in grade 7 and 8 were able to see a production of "Triggered" by TIGER from Plymouth State University. Triggered is a riveting one-man show dealing with our nation’s growing drug and alcohol epidemic through the personal journey of an individual recovering from substance use disorders.
Students in National Junior Honor Society went to the Studley Home in Rochester to make crafts with residents and spread some cheer!
📁 Notes from the Office 📁
Yearbook
It's time to order your yearbook! Use this link to order TODAY!
📅 Important Dates 📅
December 16-20, 2024
Winter Spirit Week
December 23, 2024-January 1, 2025
NO SCHOOL Holiday Break/New Year's Observance
Employment Opportunities
Counselor's Corner
🥧 Needs for the Holidays🌽
We would love to help support our Strafford families with whatever they need during the holiday season. Please fill this form out if you would like to be added to our list! (Staff members, this also applies to you!)
**Please note: This information will be kept confidential and limited to need-to-know staff members who are helping to collect or distribute items**
🏀 Spartan Athletics 🏀
Basketball Schedule Week of 12/15
Below is the basketball schedule for this week!
Full athletic schedules and calendar can be found below. We are excited to start playing games this week! Please come out and support our Spartans!
Activities & Extra Curriculars
🎭 Strafford School Players 🎭
The Wizard of Oz!!!!
Play Auditions
Hello Middle School Students and Families,
We will be having auditions for The Wizard of Oz on December 17th and 18th after school until 5:30. If you are interested in being in our show, please plan to come to auditions! Nothing needs to be prepared ahead of time. It is encouraged to attend both days, but if you can only attend one, please let us know ahead of time.
If you have any questions, please me know!
Thank You
-Ms. Grady
National Junior Honor Society Food Drive Contest!
NJHS is still accepting non perishable donations for their food drive. Between now and next Friday 12/20, the class that brings in the most items will win a special surprise! Bring in the non perishables to your homeroom teacher!
Fundraising
Friday Hat Days
Every Friday is HAT DAY! Students may wear their favorite hat to school all day if they bring in $1! Thank you for supporting the 8th grade class!
🎁 Spartan Blankets Available for Gift Giving! 🎁
Support the 8th Grade and order your blankets for holiday gift giving! Stop by the main office anytime or send money in with students!
🔹Strafford School PTO 🔹
🏆 Strafford Rec Sports 🏆
📣 Community News & Resources 📣
Strafford Playground Project
We want to thank all the community members who came together to discuss the future of our playground here at Strafford School. We discussed important information such as fundraising, logistics, and other ways we can support play on the playground. Our next meeting will be at 6 PM on December 18th in the school library. Any and all community members are encouraged to come! More information on this and future meetings to come in future newsletters!
Hill Library
Hill Library Youth Programs
Registration for the January-February session of Library Club opens December 16! Email cbeihl.hl@gmail.com to get on the Library Club email list. We have some fun and festive events happening next week, make sure to check them out below!
Mark your calendars for the Winter Reading Program at Hill Library! From January 6-February 15 we'll log our reading and get a special bead to add to our keychain each week. We'll celebrate the end of the program on Wednesday, February 19 with a Hot Cocoa Party!
*Grades 5+ Cupcake Decorating
Thursday, December 19
3:30pm-4:30pm
Decorate some delicious cupcakes with friends! Please register.
Grade 5+ Games
Thursdays
After school until 4:30pm
Play fun games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Really Loud Librarians, and more!
*Please register for these programs! Email Claire at cbeihl.hl@gmail.com to sign up.
From our DOE NH Partners
The deadline is Feb. 1.
This is the Middle School Newsletter for Grades 5-8. For the K-4 Newsletter, click here.