Pointer Press

SPMS Community

We had another great week at The Point. Students continue to demonstrate Pointer PRIDE each and every day. In and out of the classroom, students can be seen supporting each other and working to make SPMS a better place for all. My administrative team and I have the privilege to get into every classroom each day. What we see are dedicated students and teachers working every day to develop positive relationships and work together to reach learning outcomes. I continually feel blessed to be part of this learning community.

We reach the halfway point of the 1st quarter Friday, September 27th. Students will be creating a progress sheet on Wednesday to take home for you to review. This progress sheet will identify their current grade and what students identify as what they need to make improvements. Please examine this and Schoology and don't hesitate to reach out to teachers if you have questions or concerns. As we enter the 5th week of the school year, students should have a firm grasp of where all their classes are and how much time they need to get to class, ready learn. We will begin instituting occasional hall sweeps in order to improve the urgency students have in getting to class on time. Please work with us to instill the importance of punctuality. We will be conducting a morning bus evacuation drill on Tuesday morning. Bus evacuations occur each year to be prepared in case of an emergency on the bus. It is a quick process and does not interfere with students being on time for 1st period.

Have a great week Point!

Eric

Sparrows Point Community

On behalf of the Care Team, I would like to share with those of you who are not aware that we do have a care package donation wall in my office. Students can access deodorant, toothpaste/brushes, shampoo, lotion, etc. with no questions asked.

We are limited in supplies, so we are asking for donations. If you find it in your heart, please send in the following unused items:

• Toothbrushes

• Trail size toothpaste

• Floss

• Lotion (trail size)

• Deodorant (men/women)

• Shampoo/conditioner

• combs/brushes

• Trail size hand sanitizer

• Edge control

• Hair gel

• Hair ties

• Miniature bath & body (lotions/sprays)

• Body wash soap (trail size)

• Pads/tampons

We appreciate any donations! We thank you all in advance for your support! Please bring donations to Ms. Robin Chatwick-Taylor in the main office.

Battle of the Books Club- Mr. Wise and Mrs. Michael are co-sponsoring The Battle of the Books Club! Over the course of this school year, participants will read 10 Black-Eyed Susan middle grade books chosen by the public library. Come spring, students will compete in a trivia competition against other local area middle schools. Students who read all 10 books are also eligible to vote for the winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Award. The first interest meeting is after school next Tuesday, September 24th until 3:45pm. This is a great way to foster love of reading and give students the experience of being part of a team. Please encourage students to attend if they enjoy reading, competition, or are looking for a new club!

Hispanic Heritage Month- Starting from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month will be celebrated. During this month, Sparrows Point Middle School will be holding activities inside Spanish classrooms that highlight the achievements of Latino Hispanics who have stood out over the years. These recognitions are an opportunity for all members of the community to learn more about the traditions, the people, the history, and the current experiences to create opportunities for everyone. Let's celebrate!

Comenzando el 15 de Septiembre al 15 de Octubre, se estará celebrando el mes de la Herencia Hispana. Durante este mes, Sparrows Point Middle School estará realizando actividades en los salones de clase de Español que mencionan los reconocimientos de los hispanos latinos que se han destacado a lo largo de los años. Estos reconocimientos son una oportunidad para que todos los miembros de la comunidad aprendan más sobre las tradiciones, las personas, la historia y las experiencias actuales de ellos para crear oportunidades para todos. ¡Celebremos!

Now that school is in full swing, that homework may be piling up! Head to our homework help page where you will find tutors ready to assist. Here are just a few ways:

• Brainfuse—Get expert help from tutors through a live chat from 2 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Send a question and get an answer within 24 hours. Have your library card number and password available. Spanish-speaking tutors are available.
• SkillSurfer—Practice long division, improve reading comprehension and learn other key skills.
• Writing Lab—Submit a writing sample and receive feedback on structure, grammar, style and content to help you better organize and present your thoughts and information

ATHLETICS UPDATE

Good Luck to our athletes who will be competing against other middle schools on Saturday September 28th. Athletes have been given information by their coaches regarding the expectations and procedures for the day.

Allied Soccer

Coach Antonelli nantalffy2@bcps.org

Play Day Sept 28th @ Holabird Middle School 8:30 a.m.

Parents need to provide their own transportation to Holabird Middle School. Meet at 8:30am. Come dressed in your allied soccer uniform shirt, athletic shorts, shin guards (with socks over top) and athletic shoes/cleats. Please bring a water bottle and snacks. Parents are welcome to bring chairs to sit and watch.

Badminton @Sparrows Point Middle/High

Coach Szewczyk tszewczyk@bcps.org

Coach Mundy dmundy@bcps.org

All athletes should report to the high school gym no later than 8:00 a.m. Please bring a water bottle and snacks. Parents are welcome to attend and watch.

Cross Country

Coach Swain bswain@bcps.org

Coach Tucciarella ctucciarella@bcps.org

BCPS Middle School Cross Country Region Meets

Date: Saturday, September 28th

Locations: East: Perry Hall Middle School, 4300 Ebenezer Rd, Baltimore, MD 21236

Time Schedule: Coaches meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. The middle school races will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Please arrive promptly as the meet will not be delayed.

9:00 a.m. Course Walk (on your own map will be provided)

9:30 a.m. Coaches Meeting at the registration table

9:45 a.m. Girls report to starting line for check in box number will be assigned

10:00 a.m. Girls Race

10:15 a.m. Boys Report to starting line for check in, box number will be assigned

10:30 a.m. Boys Race

Athletics - Sparrows Point Middle (bcps.org)

We are starting our drama club after school on Wednesday. All are welcomed to join! If you want to act, sing, build props or set pieces, we have a role for you! This year we will be performing The Wizard of Oz.

Good afternoon from Ms. Lane,

I wanted to share a wonderful opportunity from DSE Family Support Services! An upcoming Back to School Special Education Workshop Series could benefit parents and caregivers of children who receive special education services in BCPS.

This series will cover essential topics such as understanding the behavior intervention plan, advocating for a student in school and community, behavioral and emotional management strategies, and much more. It’s an opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical tools that can help support a student’s educational journey.

Workshop Highlights:

• Advocating For Your Child in the School and Community- Dr. Mirian Ofonedu from Kennedy Kreiger Institute
• September 12th @ 12:30
• Being the Best Advocate for Your Child with Disabilities at School and in the Community - Kennedy Krieger Institute
• Supporting Behavioral and Emotional Needs- Dr. Kiu Eubanks from GPS Clinical
• September 16th @ 9:00 a.m.
• September 17th @ 1:00 p.m.
• September 18th @ 6:00 p.m.
• Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/6JWd2KdaCZ
• Understanding the Behavior Intervention Plan- Carly Hughes from Behind Behaviors
• September 25th @ 7:00 p.m.
• Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/m2Y3vxbvRL

Location: Virtual/Online
Cost: Free

Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended.

For more details, call 443.809.5443 or email serc@bcps.org

Next Week’s Advisory/ASA: