Shockwave
South Charlotte Middle School
September 30- October 4th
Principal's Message
Good Afternoon Parents
I hope you have had a good weekend and weathered the storm with few challenges. We understand if your student was not able to attend classes on Friday due to electrical outages. Teachers and Staff had the same challenges. Assignments that were to be done on Friday can be completed this week. Teachers will advise on Monday how to complete assignments, and we will also inform you and your students how attendance will be taken for Friday as well.
There have been changes in routines in our front office for the purpose of safety and reduction in class interruptions. CMS conducted safety audits last year. An outside consulting firm assessed all processes and procedures in each school to ensure we were keeping the students most safe.
Below are procedures for dropping off items and early dismissals. In addition to safety, the following procedures reduce classroom interruptions and maximize teaching and learning.
Dropping off student items
If you wish to drop off an item for your student during the school day (including lunches), there is a drop-off cart outside of the front door of the school. The cart has a sign that states βDrop Zoneβ and there is a shelf for each grade level. There is a notepad, pen, and tape on the cart so you can label the item with the student's name. The cart is brought inside at the beginning of the first lunch (11:00 am) and stays inside the building for the remainder of the day.
If a student has forgotten an item (to include lunches), the student can ask his teacher to go to the main office and can check the cart.
If you need your child called down to the office to receive the item, please buzz into the front office and leave the item with the front office staff. If you are dropping off items for a teacher, please bring those items into the office as well. The front office will inform the teacher.
Security cameras are in places where the cart can be always viewed.
Early Dismissal
Students should bring a note to the front office for early dismissals upon arrival at school. They will receive a note from the office indicating the time they are to be dismissed. Please come into the front office and sign out your student. Your student will come to the office and meet you in the parent waiting area. Early dismissals are to be scheduled between classes for the purpose of reducing class interruptions. The bell schedule is here: 24-25 SCMS Bell Schedule
If you have a situation that requires you to pick up your student at times other than between classes, please reach out to me: lisab.bailes@cms.k12.nc.us. I will gladly work with you to accommodate what is best for your student. The reason for this procedure was due to a student wanting me to sit in his fourth block class to see how many times it was interrupted because he could not concentrate. It was a high school class, and he was worried he was not going to do well due to interruptions for early dismissals. I visited his fourth period class (end of day) twelve years ago and the class was interrupted fourteen times for early dismissals. The teacher did not get through Β½ of the lesson. Teaching and Learning was impossible. Since this procedure has been in place, these interruptions have not occurred in excess. Again, I will always work with you in those situations that are necessary. It is not intended to be punitive to families and students, but rather it is intended to assist all students, the ones who are leaving early and the ones who are in class trying to stay engaged during the entire period.
Thank you for your support as we ensure all procedures and processes are fair to students and families while we also keep our students and staff safe.
Have a great week.
Lisa Bailes
Important Dates
Oct. 2- 8th Grade DC Informational Parent Meeting @ 6 SCMS Cafeteria
Oct. 3 and 4- Teacher Workdays- no school for students
Counselor's Corner
Did you know that September is National Suicide Prevention Month? In CMS middle school grades 6 through 8 have the highest rate of suicide assessments compared to all other grade levels. The National Institute of Mental Health includes warning signs and risk factors of suicide. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
Help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
More information and resources can be found at www.988lifeline.org
iReady Diagnostic Data
IMPORTANT! Individual Student Data Reports
On Wednesday October 2nd your child will be bringing home their individual iReady Math and Reading Diagnostic reports. This report provides detailed information about your student's performance. Please review these reports with your child.
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Clubs and Sports πππ₯
Mon 09/30
5:00pm
Opponent: Away vs. Quail Hollow Middle
Location: Quail Hollow Middle
Football: Middle School
Tue 10/01
5:00pm
Opponent: Community House Middle
Location: South Charlotte Middle
Softball: Middle School
Mon 09/30
5:00pm
Opponent: Away vs. Quail Hollow Middle
Location: Quail Hollow Middle