Bulldog Bulletin

• Message From the Principal
• Important Dates
• Welcome to Springer Middle School 24-25
• Springer Middle School Wins 23-24 Sportsmanship Award
• Car Line Reminders
• SWIPE System and ID Required for Pick Up
• Springer Bell Schedule
• 4 or Less = Success
• Picture Day Order Form
• SAFE-DE
• Art Club
• SFA Dine Out Night
• Mount Pleasant Basketball Clinic
• Concord HS Play Auditions
• Transportation: WheresTheBus App
• Fall Sports at Springer Middle School
• Sports Physicals
• Clubs and Athletics Available at Springer Middle School
• Supplemental Accidental Insurance Policy
  
• GoGuardian Parent Access
• Volunteering at Springer Middle School

Springer Families,

As we move further into the school year, I want to take a moment to highlight the importance of students engaging in their learning. This past week our students jumped into academic curriculum and their level of engagement was amazing to see. We’ve seen that when students actively participate—whether through asking questions, collaborating with peers, or applying critical thinking skills—they develop a deeper understanding of the material and grow both academically and personally. One of our main focuses at Springer is to teach students how to persevere through challenging tasks. Recalling facts and remembering dates is now a very small part of the educational process since we all have such quick access to information. This switch has been profound as we can now focus our efforts on creating and delivering engaging lessons that have students challenging themselves and work towards being independent problem solvers.

We encourage you to support this effort at home by fostering conversations about what your child is learning and encouraging curiosity. Simple questions like, “What did you find interesting today?” or “What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?” can open the door to meaningful reflection and help reinforce the lessons they’re learning in class. When your children know you are asking and are interested in their learning, they will then become stronger and more invested students themselves.

If you have any questions, concerns, or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact me or one of my administrators. We are eager to help.

All The Best,

Dr. Sterling H. Seemans

Principal

2024-2025 Middle School Daily Rotation Schedule

BSD School Calendar

• 9/9/2024: Fall Sports Tryouts (need physical and DIAA form completed to tryout)
• 9/10/24: Schools Closed-State Election Day
• 9/20/24: School Picture Day
• 9/24/24: Open House Grade 6-5:30pm-7:30pm
• 9/25/24: Open House Grades 7 & 8-5:30pm-7:30pm
• 10/3/24: Schools Closed-Rosh Hashanah
• 10/7/24: Marking Period 1 Interims Distributed
• 10/10/24: SFA Meeting 6:30pm in the Library
• 10/18/24: Fall Dance 6:30pm-8:00pm
• 10/24/24: Schools Closed Pre-K through Grade 8-Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 10/25/24: Schools Closed Pre-K through Grade 12-Parent/Teacher Conferences

Below is a press release from the DIAA:

“Sportsmanship is the cornerstone of athletics. The DIAA lives by the moto of “Education through Athletics” each and every day. The Dale Farmer award recognizes those member schools who embrace the DIAA philosophy and incorporate “Education through Athletics” throughout their athletic programs. I am pleased to recognize those educational institutions that embrace and teach sportsmanship,” said DIAA Executive Director David Baylor.

Thirty-seven (37) different member schools have won the award at least once in it’s 26-year history. For award consideration, schools must submit a portfolio to DIAA. The DIAA sportsmanship committee reviews the school submissions against a set of standards. The process is demanding and involves the total school community.

“Sportsmanship is essential to a positive interscholastic athletic experience for students, coaches, and fans. Programs that cherish and value good sportsmanship pave the way for positive and productive adults,” said James Connor, DIAA Sportsmanship Committee Chair. “The life lessons learned on the Athletic competition surfaces prepare our youth to make a powerful impact in our world. Congratulations to all of our award winners!”

The Dale Farmer State Champions in Sportsmanship award is named in recognition and memory of Dale Farmer, the first executive director of DSSAA and the 2016 recipient of the DIAA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Please see the video below for parents who drop off students and pick them up using our car line. Please follow all of our directives. Parents who will turn right on Shipley need to stay to the right and pull up as far as they can. Parents turning left on Shipley should stay to the left. All cars should get as close as they can to the curb line as they can.

All visitors who will be going beyond the front portion of our main office during the school day will be required to enter their drivers license and wear a visitor sticker on their person. There is a new computer system that is located on our front counter that visitors will be required to use. Additionally, any adult who is picking a student up for early dismissal will have to present an ID every time. Both of these actions are intended to protect students and staff as safety is our number one priority.

Welcome to the new school year--it's an exciting time for everyone! We're excited for a great year of learning and growth for all of our students!

This school year, the Brandywine School District is adopting the 4 Or Less = Success school attendance campaign to promote good student attendance. Good attendance means coming to school on time and staying all day, every day, which is key to every child’s success. After all, students must be present to learn!

All absences, whether excused or not, add up. Chronically absent students are more likely to read below grade level, have lower math and reading test scores, repeat a grade, and drop out of high school.

What you can do:

• Talk to your child about how going to school every day will help them do well in school and achieve their hopes and dreams.
• Keep an attendance chart at home to track absences.
• Recognize your child for attending school every day.
• Find a relative, friend, or neighbor who can take your child to and from school if you can’t.
• Set up medical appointments for weekdays after school.
• Make attending school every day a priority unless your child is truly sick

For more information and resources, visit www.brandywineschools.org/4orLess

The Brandywine School District wants all children to attend school each day so they can be successful in the future! We will be sending more information, materials, and tips about attendance throughout this school year. Please join us in making school attendance a priority so that we can help all of our children learn, achieve, and succeed.

Student picture day is on Friday, September 20. All students will have their photo taken on this day. Order forms were handed out on Thursday, September 5. Picture packages can be ordered using that form or online. Please see the attached form below.

Springer’s Art Club is now accepting applications from students in grades 6, 7 & 8! This is a year-long club that meets two Tuesdays a month starting in October. Applications can be found in the cafeteria, main office, both art rooms and in your counselor’s corner. Completed applications must be returned to Mrs. Dooley in room 161 by Monday, September 23rd

Our amazing Springer Family Association helps recognize and support our students and staff for the wonderful things they do each day. However, this takes funding. The SFA will host Dine Out Nights throughout the year as one way to fundraise. Please consider ordering from Honeygrow on Concord Pike on Wednesday, September 25. Please use code GIVE106 so that the SFA will get a portion of the proceeds.

Families, you are encouraged to visit the following link on the BSD website to find out more information about Transportation. For your convenience, we have Where is the Bus app and a brand new bus scanner to help you see when your child(ren) are boarding the bus. Students will either enter their school IDs or lunch numbers. You will receive information in the upcoming weeks on when students will receive their school IDs. Happy Riding!! https://www.brandywineschools.org/families/transportation/bus-scanners

Springer offers cross country, field hockey, girls volleyball, and boys soccer in the fall. Students who are interested in trying out and participating in a sport at Springer must have a completed 2024-2025 DIAA physical form on file with Nurse Grant. If your student is interested in trying out for a fall sport, they should complete the signup form which is located on the sports website, springermiddlesports.com. This website is home to all of the sports schedules for Springer, a link to the DIAA physical form, as well as announcements. Any student interested in going out for a fall sport must also have their DIAA physical on file by 3:15 on Friday, September 6th. Tryouts for all fall sports will begin Monday, September 9th and run through September 12th. Stay tuned for information regarding our “Meet the Coaches” night. Any questions regarding the athletic department can be directed to Matt Oberholzer at matthew.oberholzer@bsd.k12.de.us

Students interested in participating in a sport next year will need a DIAA sports physical. The summer is a great time to get that done for the year. Please stop by the main office or go to our athletics webpage to download a DIAA sports physical form and schedule an appointment with your pediatrician or head to an urgent care clinic to get a sports physical complete. These are mandatory and need to be updated every year!

https://www.brandywineschools.org/Page/7397

If you are interested in supplemental insurance should your child get hurt in after school sports or PE class, please check out the available policy information below.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can create an account that will provide direct access to their student’s online activity.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can block websites and pause internet access on school-issued Chromebooks after school hours.

https://support.goguardian.com/s/article/Guardians-Getting-Started-with-GoGuardian-Parent-1629773203295

Springer Middle School relies on the generosity of time from our great families within the community. We welcome those who want to help be apart of our village and have a plethora of opportunities for volunteers to engage with our students and staff to better the middle school experience of our youth.

Parents who are interested in volunteering at Springer Middle School will need to follow the Brandywine School District's policy for background checks. Please follow this link: Volunteering at BSD to be properly cleared to work with our students. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact the main office.

Background checks are good for 1 calendar year