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Panther Press
April 12-19th, 2024
🐾 Panther Updates 🐾
📆 April Happenings...
April: Autism Acceptance Month, Month of the Military Child, School Library Month
- March 26-April 12: Yearlong Benchmark Window
- April 8-19: Star testing window
April 12: End of Third Quarter
April 17: Purple Up! for Military Kids
April 18: IWCS Gifted and Talented Night; 4:00-7:30 PM, Georgie Tyler Middle School
April 22: Administrative Professionals Week
April 24: Administrative Professionals Day
April 26: Report Cards Issues
🚗 Help us keep everyone safe during student drop off!
Students are not to be released from vehicles before 7:08 am. Students should be dropped off prior to the tardy bell.
Please be mindful of vehicles behind you and ensure your student is prepared to exit your vehicle quickly. Pulling up as far as possible while in the drop off lanes is the expectation.
All vehicles should exercise extreme caution in terms of passing other vehicles and maintaining a safe speed while in the drop off lanes.
📝 Star Testing
The Star testing window is from Monday, April 8th- Friday, April 19th. Your student(s) will complete both a Star assessment for math and for reading within this timeframe. Please let us know if you have any questions!
📣 UPDATE: Calling All Military-Connected Families! 📣
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the ceremony initially planned for Friday, 4/19 has transitioned to a reception for military-connected students. We will provide updates as they are available and look forward to celebrating these remarkable students!
💼 SMS Career Day, June 11th
SMS Career Day is returning on Tuesday, June 11th! We would love for you to come join us and share your career with our school! We are looking for careers from all areas and experiences.
We need class presenters and booth presenters during lunch shifts. Class presentors will have 30 minutes to share their experiences with students and answer questions. Lunch booths will be held from 11-1, with students coming up to the tables throughout their lunch shifts.
If you are interested in joining us virtually, please let us know by completing this form: SMS Career Day Sign Up. We are excited for you to join our students in career exploration!
Bus Rider Remind Group
If your student(s) ride an IWCS school bus, please join our new Remind group by using this code: @smsbusinfo.
Through this group, SMS will begin sharing bus updates in the morning and afternoon as we receive them from transportation. Thank you!
PTA Officers: 2024-25
SMS is looking for PTA Officers for the 2024-25 school year to fill the following roles: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you are interested in learning more or would like to be considered for one of the roles, please reach out to Dr. Kulp at ckulp@iwcs.k12.va.us and Ms. Wells, current PTA President, at chemerrem@ymail.com.
CTE Applications: Rising 9th Graders
📝 Student surveys
Over the course of the next month, teachers may be administering a student survey that is intended to collect anonymous feedback regarding their course. This feedback is intended to help guide teacher reflection as it pertains to their course. Again, the surveys will be anonymous. Please let us know if you have further questions or concerns. Additionally, students will participate in the second round of the EIS survey in April.
✅ Attendance Notes
All attendance notes may be handwritten and dropped off at the main office, or you can use this link (https://forms.gle/BmFXDUdgh3bSfTbD9) to submit the notes as well.
You are also able to email, scan, or screenshot to Ms. Davidson at adavidson@iwcs.k12.va.us.
Excused Absences: Students are only allowed 5 parent notes per semester. There is no limit to doctors' notes.
SMS Talent Show
Event: Talent Show will be April 12th @ 7pm, doors to the theater will open at 6:45.
TICKETS ARE $5 AND SOLD AT THE DOOR (Concessions will be available)
Please reach out to Mrs. Rice at SMS with any questions, and we hope to see you there!
📘 SMS Yearbook Ordering Information
(1) Ordering: Yearbook ordering is online only. Read all instructions on the login page.
(2) Deadline: The official deadline to order a yearbook is April 15, 2024.
(3) Delivery: Yearbooks will be delivered to the school in late May or early June and go home with your student.
(4) Yearbook Ordering Link: https://AccessMyEvent.com/GXPRW1
Community & Division Happenings
💜 Purple Up! on Wednesday April 17 in Support of Military Kids
Across Virginia, Wednesday, April 17, will be the day to “Purple Up! For Military Kids.” We encourage the entire school community – teachers, principals, students, parents, bus drivers, and staff to wear purple on April 17 to show support for our military students and appreciation for their strength and sacrifices. Purple represents the blending of the colors of the branches of our armed forces. Here in Isle of Wight County, we are proud to be home to Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, National Guard and Reserve families.
📣 Cheer Interest Meeting
SHS JV/Varsity Cheer interest meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17th. All interested candidates should meet in the auditorium at 3:00 p.m. The meeting will last approximately 30 minutes. You must attend the meeting to attain try-out information, parent information and forms. Please reach out to Ms. Davis at SHS with more information.
Snow Day in May
At the March 14 School Board meeting, the board voted to approve a Snow Day in May!
IWCS has time built into the calendar to allow for missed days due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. IWCS has missed very little time this year and, as such, the Board elected to make May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day, a student and staff holiday. The hope is this time will allow students and staff to recharge before entering the final stretch of the school year.
IWCS Health Updates
Isle of Wight County Schools will follow the new CDC guidelines for respiratory virus for students and staff.
This includes illnesses such as COVID, FLU, RSV and Cold.
If you are diagnosed with a viral respiratory illness, or are having symptoms, please stay home and away from others until your symptoms are getting better AND you have been fever-free, without taking medication, for 24 hours.
Feel free to contact your school nurse or healthcare provider if you have questions.
For more information go to CDC COVID Updates
Student absences will need a parent or doctor's note to be excused.
Smithfield Soccer Tryouts
Please see information regarding Smithfield soccer tryouts: Smithfield Soccer Club Open Tryouts
IWCS In Memoriam
Isle of Wight County Schools considers all current and past employees as part of our family. We celebrate them when they are with us, and when they retire. We also know many members of the community would like to join in celebrating them when they are no longer with us. To that end, IWCS has created a page where anyone can share information on the passing of a former employee. The information will be posted below. To submit information, use the online In Memoriam form. Here is a link to the In Memoriam page.
Summer Camp Opportunity
Panther Reminders
The Focus is the Panther Expectations
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
SMS is using Panther Tickets.
Students must be responsible for their own tickets.
Cashing-In Tickets
Rewards can be bought on Friday’s during W.I.N. Block only.
Rewards to be bought with tickets
Military & Family Life Counseling
Active-duty military parents sign up your child/children up to participate in the Military Family Life Program and Anchor for Life. Consent forms are located in the SMS Counseling Suite. Also, if you are an active-duty member deploying or PCS'ing in the next six months, please contact SMS Ms. Frazier at frazierb@magellanfederal.com
Arrival-Students should NOT arrive to our campus without being accompanied by their parent/guardian before 7:10 am. Our doors open at 7:10 am to all students. Parents are to remain courteous to other drivers while dropping off students. Students who are car riders should be dropped off at the curb in front of the school. Please pay attention to our staff directing traffic. Students arriving after 7:25 am are considered tardy.
Attendance-. All attendance notes may be handwritten and dropped off at the main office. Or emailed, scanned, or screenshot to Ms. Davidson at adavidson@iwcs.k12.va.us.
Excused Absences: Students are only allowed 5 parent notes per semester. There is no limit for doctors' notes.
Bus Information-Students should be at their assigned bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
Breakfast-Breakfast is served in the cafeteria 7:10 am-7:23 am. Students who bring breakfast from home or local eateries must eat breakfast in the cafeteria during breakfast time. Breakfast cost $1.35; milk only $0.50; unless approved free/reduced lunch.
Lunch is served during 3rd block classes. Lunch cost $2.85 unless approved free/reduced lunch.
1st lunch - 11:10 - 11:35
2nd lunch - 11:40 - 12:05
3rd lunch - 12:15 - 12:40
4th lunch - 12:45 - 1:10
Dismissal-
Staggered Dismissal beginning with car riders. Car Riders will be dismissed at 2:40 pm.
Parents may pull up to the curb for pick-up. Students are NOT to walk through the parking lot during dismissal to get into a parked car, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Bus Riders will be dismissed with their teachers walking them outside.
Dress Code-Students are expected to dress appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Any attire that inhibits the learning environment will be viewed as inappropriate. Inappropriately dressed students’ parents/guardians will be called to bring appropriate clothing before students can attend class. If a parent/guardian is unable to bring a change of clothes or an alternate, more appropriate outfit will be provided by the school.
Food-Students should not share/exchange food items.
School Visitors- All visitors must sign in at the main office. Visitors may not visit classrooms unless an agreed-upon date/time is scheduled. DoorDash, GrubHub or local deliveries will not be accepted for students.
Water Bottles Only-Students are welcome to have water bottles in class. Only bottles with a sealed lid/cap.
What I Need (W.I.N.) Block-A daily 25-minute alternating Panther W.I.N. block. The purpose of this block is to ensure that students do not lack the additional time needed in any class to get additional academic help, complete assignment, make up missing assignments, decompress, or apply a new skill.