Switzerland Point Middle School

• 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
• April 1: 6th/7th Grade BEST Writing Test, Flipped Bell Schedule
• April 3: 8th Grade BEST Writing Test, Flipped Bell Schedule
• April 4: Raider Store
• April 10-12: Shrek the Musical
• April 17: Night of the Arts
• April 18: No School
• April 23: Interims Issued
• April 25: Raider Store, 8th Grade Formal
• April 27: Character Counts! Chats and Drill

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 and will be reviewed again in 1st period on March 25th. 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.

State testing dates have been announced (see below). Students will be told of their testing room by their 1st period teacher. Testing begins promptly at 7:30. Please encourage your child to do their best, bring testing materials (pencil, calculator, wired earbuds for students with oral presentation accommodation), and eat a healthy breakfast. Be sure to save the date!

Testing Update: BEST Writing Assessment

During the first week of April, students will be completing the BEST Writing Assessment.

6th and 7th grade will test on April 1st.

8th Grade will test on April 3rd.

Please see the testing bell schedule attached. Also, please review the parent letter about the BEST Writing Assessment.

We will start promptly at 7:30. Please encourage your child to do their best, bring a pencil, and eat a healthy breakfast.

Students will be reminded of their testing locations from their 1st period teacher.

You can access the results by visiting the Family Portal. Click here for more information: https://www-raider.stjohns.k12.fl.us/access-state-score-report/

Congratulations to the 6th grade class for winning the 3rd quarter kindness challenge! Below are the standings! 6th grade enjoyed their free period on Thursday, March 14th, before Spring Break.

6th Grade: 314%

7th Grade: 139%

8th Grade: 95%

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 a 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.

Join us for a guest presentation:

Subject: Ryan’s Story – by John Halligan

Where: Palm Valley Academy Cafeteria

When: March 24, 2025

Time: 6-7 PM

Who: K-8 Parents and Community Members (for adults only, please)

Ryan’s story is a powerful and emotional presentation focused on the effects of bullying, cyberbullying, and youth mental health. Through his own personal story of his son, Ryan Halligan, John shares a heartfelt message about the importance of kindness, resilience, and suicide prevention.

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.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Clift, Faith Clift, and Micaela Sarmiento for receiving 1st place in our SJCSD National History Day competition. They placed first for their performance of "The Trial of John Peter Zenger." Please join us in congratulting these students and wishing them the best at the state competition.

Congratulations to Kevin Hoherz, Poliana Stuzhkova, and Penelope Carrol for placing at the SJCSD All County Art Competition. Kevin received an award for Best Digital Art. Poliana received the Curator's Choice Award. Penelope was awarded the Best in Show award.

Congratulations on these well-deserved awards!

Congratulations to both winterguard teams for their amazing performances! The next competition is 2/22/25 (Varsity) at Cypress Creek High School for the team's first WGI competition. Then, we are on to State Championships in Daytona Beach for both teams.

• Several volunteer opportunities available! The PTSO could use your help as we head into the 4th quarter with Raider Store! If there aren't enough volunteers, the stores must be cancelled! Please come and see the students have a great time at the Raider Store, as well as to see how it all works. This is one of the biggest things that the PTSO offers for your students. Raider Store Volunteer

• The SP 8th Grade Formal Team could use your help with lots of things for the formal! 8th Grade Formal Volunteer

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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