Switzerland Point Middle School

• March 1: Play
• March 4: Basketball Semi-Finals TBA
• March 6: Basketball Finals, TBA
• March 7: Raider Store
• March 13: 3rd Quarter Ends
• March 14: Teacher Planning Day, No School for Students
• March 17-21: Spring Break
• March 24: Return from Spring Break, Character Counts! Chats (Different Bell Schedule)
• March 25: Character Chats Bell Schedule for 4th Quarter Behavior Expectations Presentation
• March 27: Report Cards Post
• March 28: Raider Store

Get your SPMS Spirit Wear before it is gone! ORDER HERE!

Complete the form on our website to request early check out. It is located on the bottom left (side bar) of the website. The form needs to be completed by 6 AM the day you are requesting early check out. After the 6 AM cut off, please send your child in with a note to the front office like normal. Please do not request early check out more than 2 days in advance.

As a safety precaution, students will only be released to the parent/guardian or the Emergency Contact listed in HAC. A current driver’s license must be presented to the front office to check a student out early. The following procedure will be strictly enforced: NO student may be signed out after 1:15 PM daily. Parents must arrive in the office no later than 1:15 PM in order to sign their child out early. Students who check out during the school day due to illness are not eligible to return to school that evening to participate in activities or to be a member of the audience.

Behavior expectation assemblies were held Tuesday, January 7th. Expectations were taught and have been reviewed since the beginning of the school year.

• At the end of the year, students can attend a field trip as a reward for their behavior.
• Students who earn ISS or OSS during 2nd semester, to include for tardies and demerits, will NOT BE ELIGIBLE to participate n the grade-level reward trip.
• Students who commit a Level 4 offense during the entire school year, will NOT BE ELIGIBLE to participate in the grade-level reward trip. Please see Section 5, Levels of Discipline, on page 31 in our Student Code of Conduct for examples of Level 4 offenses.
• Students with 15 or more unexcused absences during the school year will NOT BE ELIGIBLE for the trip.
• For 8th grade students, these behavior requirements also apply to the 8th grade formal dance.
• Once a reward trip has been paid for, we will be unable to give refunds or transfer the reservation to another student’s name.

Registration is from February 24th to March 10th.

Information went home with students on February 24th.

A mass email went out to parents on February 24th.

All paperwork is due to first period by March 10th.

T-shirts are available during the same time period.

The field trip is to Wild Adventures on Friday, May 23rd.

We want to thank everyone who was able to donate leggings and shorts to our collection so that we are able to provide students with appropriate clothing when needed. Thank you!

We want to give a special shoutout and thank you to our students who participated in the filming of our district's February Character Chats! video, as well as to the teachers and district staff who helped them. The script written by the Student Council and WEB was great, and everyone who acted gave their all.

Here is the link to the video on the district website: https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/mental-health/instruction/grades7-12/

Our Quarter 3 Kindness challenge has been in play. Here are the standings!

6th Grade: 143%

7th Grade: 64%

8th Grade: 40%

So far, 6th and 7th grade has each won once. Good luck and show your kindness!

Congratulations to our February Character Counts! winners for displaying the pillar of Caring.

They will be celebrated during lunch on March 6th.

6th Grade

Pierce Adkins

Jackson Bolyard

Ashton Bonavia

Brynlee Chastain

Anthony D'Innocenti

Riley (Carson) Townsend

Lillana Watts

7th Grade

Taylor Burda

Faith Clift

Cyann Frazier

Corbin Kirk

Jason Lin

Skylar Weary

Aubrey Webb

Kylie Wilkerson

8th Grade

Ruslan Altyer

Kaitlyn Anchel

Alana Burnette

Elizabeth Eaton

Cristina Ellis

Brayden Farhat

Sophia Iacono

Lily Kate Jasper

Payton Johnson

Aaralyn Katelan

Jack Keough

Harinisree Kumar

Ncholas Lattanzi

Zaiah Oliver

Jessica Rosario

Annie Reynolds

Ethan Rivera

Ma'Kyah Roberts

Saeed Sabian

Knox Timony

Chelsea Wolfe

Carina Van Camp

Each month, our staff nominate students who display the Pillar of Character for that month. Students will be celebrated the first week of the next month with lunch provided by the PTSO.

This month, we look for students who display the pillar of Trustworthiness. We look for students who:

• Are honest
• Don't deceive, cheat, or steal
• Are reliable - do what they say they will do
• Have the courage to do the right thing
• Build a good reputation
• Are loyal - stand by their family, friends, and country

How can we teach our children to be trustworthy?

• Be a role model: Children learn by example, so it's important to be honest and ethical.
• Be truthful: Tell your children the truth, even when it's difficult, and be consistent with your answers.
• Have conversations: Talk with your children about what trust is and what you expect from them.
• Give praise: Praise children for being honest.
• Set consequences: If your child fails to be trustworthy, attach consequences to their actions.
• Don't label: Avoid labeling children as "liars" or "cheaters."
• Explore reasons: Try to understand the reasons behind a child's behavior.
• Keep promises: Teaching children to keep promises helps them develop a sense of trustworthiness and integrity.
• Listen without judgment: When talking with your teenager, listen without judgment and keep conversations confidential.

In partnership with Resiliency Florida, we will explore each characteristic each month. For March the characteristic is honesty. You can read more about it in the flier below.

You can find out more information by visiting their website: https://www.buildresiliency.org/ .

We are excited to announce that the St. Johns County School District is partnering once again with the Len Mattiace Foundation for the spring semester of the Stop the Bullying Campaign Contest. This initiative promotes bullying awareness and aims to create a safe environment for our youth in Northeast Florida. The foundation, led by former Nease High School graduate and PGA TOUR golfer Len Mattiace, is built on the pillars of compassion, inclusion, and kindness.

Key Points for the Contest:

• Open to all middle school students
• Contest dates: February 3rd – April 4th (by 5:00 PM)
• Prizes: Cash prizes and swag for students!
• Submission: All entries should be submitted to Julie Haden (Student Support Services)

For detailed contest rules, please visit: Contest Rule

Poems should reflect life in a world without violence. Judges will look for poems that

make a positive statement about a world without violence. We look for images of diverse

kinds of people, places, and things that portray a harmonious way of life, a

respectful living and working environment, as well as children interacting with

not only each other, but also animals. Any poems depicting firearms, knives, or

any other violent images will NOT be eligible; violent images with a ban sign

through them will not be eligible.

The purpose of these activities is to interrupt what otherwise may become a

generational cycle of domestic violence. The entry may only be 8 ½ by 11-size

paper. Written and typed entries will be accepted. Drawings on poetry entries

will not be eligible, only the poems. Only one entry per student - either poetry or

art will be accepted.

Each student MUST have an entry form attached to the back of his or her work with clear tape.

See the attached flier about the Marine science camp.

Please see the attached document about Varsity Tutors, a resource that is free to your students!

SPMS National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring an opportunity to send a special birthday or congratulations message to your student via the marquee in the front of the school. Cost is $25. Complete the form here to submit your request (there's a separate link in the form to pay via Schoolpay upon submitting your request). Requests are due the Friday prior to the event and will display the following week (Tuesday through Monday). Example: If you turn in the request on Friday, September 17, then your message will be displayed on Tuesday, September 21.

This year at the International Thespian Society State Festival, SPMS’ very own Small Group Musical not only took Top Honors for their rendition of “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hanson, but they also rose to Judge’s Choice, the highest commendation, and they performed on stage at closing ceremonies. Kai & Natalie also took top honors for their “What Do You Know About Love” from Frozen in the Duet Musical category. Over 4,000 student delegates attended this Festival from across Florida! Way to go Raiders!

Pictured Small Group Musical members with top honors' medals and Judges Choice trophy: Kennedy Jones, Grace Stratton, Jada Jones, Sloan Weedon, Isabel Mendes, Kai Zandman, and Natalie Trevino.

Your band has been busy over the last month! Recently, 12 of our students participated in the St. Johns All-County Honor Band. They were selected to be a part of an all-star band with students from all over our district and after just 3 rehearsals, they put on a concert at Beachside High School. Next, our jazz band played at Creekside for their Music Performance Assessment where they got advice from a panel of jazz experts. Next up is a concert in our gym on Thursday, February 20th for Beginning Band and Symphonic Band, followed by Music Performance Assessment Beachside HS on March 7th and 8th for Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony. Students can still sign up for band through their elective sheets. No experience is required and parents with questions should contact our Band Director, Mr. Whalen, at ryan.whalen@stjohns.k12.fl.us.

Congratulations to the following students whose art work was selected to represent SPMS:

Kaimana Huertas

Poliana Struzhkova

Kylie Woods

Cooper Williams

Aliana Ghisea

Ellis Erickson

Penelope Carroll

Kevin Hoherz

Milan Sullivan

Noelle Warfield

Karsen Risch

Gianna Griffin

Congratulations to both winterguard teams for their amazing performances this past Saturday! Next competition is 3/1/25 at Fleming Island High School!

Calling all rising Raiders!

🥳Celebrate your rising high school student with a fun yard sign!

‼️💲20 and it includes personalization!‼️

PTSO MEMBERS! Check your email for a coupon code!

🔜Sale goes from February 1 to April 1, 2025.🔚

➡️ONLINE ONLY⬅️

https://switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso.square.site/

Signs will be available for pick up in the front loop starting May 1, 2025. They will be displayed in the grass so stop by after 2:15 anytime after 5/1/25 to get a picture and take it home!

The PTSO would love your help stocking the Raider Store! The Raider Store is where students can spend their hard earned Raider Bucks. Your student earns Raider Bucks from their teachers and staff for showing good character in the classroom and hallways. They can then spend them in the PTSO-sponsored Raider Store. We are always looking for new and fun things to stock the store with to keep the students coming back. Please put your student's name on the gift, and he/she will be credited Raider Bucks for your donation!

Thank you for your support!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

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