Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -October 15, 2021
From Ms. Carnall
Good Afternoon,
We have come to the end of the first quarter! Monday is teacher planning day, therefore, no school for students. We wanted to recognize that balance is important in everyone's schedule. We are designating Wednesday, October 20 as a "Family Night". This means students will not have homework that night and there will be no tests on Thursday, October 21. Please take the extra time to be together and relax. Report cards will post in HAC on October 26.
Since we are still under construction, if you are attending a volleyball game, you will need to park in the back of the school and walk up the sidewalk to enter the building through the cafeteria. If you are dropping off a student to attend the volleyball game, we ask that you drop off and pick up in the back.
Thank you for your patience and assistance with this,
Ms. Carnall
YEARBOOK
Want to buy an SPMS yearbook? Order online at Yearbookordercenter.com and enter our school code 359.
Ronald McDonald Pop Can Tab Collection
RED RIBBON WEEK
We will gear up for Red Ribbon Week by wearing Orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 20 . Unity day is about preventing bullying and promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
We will show our support for Red Ribbon Week and saying no to drugs by dressing up! See the dress up days below. Remember students must be in dress code.
COVID Information
You should continue to use the Student Health Screening Entry form and monitor your student for symptoms. The answers to all symptoms/questions should be no for your student to attend school. Please see the attached documents for assistance.
The COVID info web page for SJCSD families is now live at
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/covid-19/ Here you will find the most up to date COVID information. This site includes the COVID Dashboard, Quarantine Help Guides, directions to access online textbooks and Schoology, and Health & Safety resources.
As you know, masks are optional for all adults and students. We will continue to respect each other’s choices and personal space. We will continue with many of our protocols from last year to reduce congestion in the hallways and cafeteria. Hand sanitizer will be available in the offices, hallways and classrooms for student access. We will continue with our cleaning and disinfecting protocols from last year as directed by the SJCSD.
On 9/22/2021, the Department of Health has updated their emergency rule (64DER21-15) to include student quarantines.
- Student quarantines: (3)(a) Parents or legal guardians of students who are known to have been in direct contact with an individual who received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 may choose one of the following options:
- Allow the student to attend school, school-sponsored activities, or be on school property, without restrictions or disparate treatment, so long as the student remains asymptomatic; or
- Quarantine the student for a period of time not to exceed seven days from the date of last direct contact with an individual that is positive for COVID-19.
Based on this new ruling, you have a choice whether to quarantine your child or not, if they have no symptoms. You will receive email communication if your student was a close contact providing your choices.
To be clear, if your child has NO symptoms and is on quarantine, they may return to school if you choose. This begins today. If you choose to quarantine, you need to contact the District COVID support team and report that you are opting to quarantine your child. This also begins today.
Due to this change in policy, it is more important than ever to monitor your child for symptoms and keep them home if they are not well. We want students to be in school learning and we also want children healthy and safe. We are in this together and will continue to work together to navigate this new normal.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please call 904-547-8230 for further clarification.
If your child is quarantined they should be checking Schoology daily. They should go to each teacher's updates tab for the daily/weekly assignments. All work to be completed will be available on Schoology and should be uploaded on the due date. If a student needs help or has questions they can message their teacher. Students can also access their online textbooks from home as well.
Graphic Novel Amazon Wishlist
The Swiss Point library received 44 new graphic novels to add to our collection! We would like to thank all of the families that donated books and made this growth possible. The students have been ecstatic to branch out and try new series in their favorite genre. If you would like to donate a book to support our growing collection, please check out our updated Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFBHXLSG0I3J?ref_=wl_share
Character Counts! Pillar of the Month is RESPONSIBILITY
To display responsibility we should do what we are supposed to do, and plan ahead. A responsible student always puts forth their best effort, exhibits self-control and self-discipline. Responsible students think before they act and always considers the consequences. They are accountable for their words, actions and attitudes while setting a good example for others. SPMS recognizes students monthly who are displaying the charter trait of the pillar of the month. Students get nominated for this recognition by their teachers. We hope your student gets “caught” displaying responsibility this month!
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
The National Junior Honor Society will be accepting applications for new members at the end of October. Applications will be available on October 19th and can be found in the Media Center. Applications will be due by October 29th. Seventh grade students will turn in their application to Mrs. Barnes and 8th grade students will turn in their applications to Mrs. Wilkie. NJHS is an organization for 7th and 8th grade students with a 3.25 GPA or above that exemplify Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Service and Character. This organization is designed to help students develop habits to be successful in high school, college and their career. Please see Mrs. Barnes or Mrs. Wilkie for questions.
10/19: Applications available on SPMS website and in the Media Center
10/29: Applications due
11/5: List of New members posted
11/18: Induction
SSYRA Information
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award Program is in full swing here at Swiss! Students are enjoying earning brag tags and a variety of prizes after reading them and taking a short quiz. SSYRA books can be checked out in the library, or online as audio or e books. Please see this year’s list attached.
PE Uniform Update
- All sizes/PE uniform items are back in stock for purchase.
- The PE Uniform purchase link is back open and will remain open until 12/31/21. You can find it under Important Links on the School website.
- If you purchase a uniform from this point on, please note the following:
- Uniforms will ONLY be issued on Wednesdays at the beginning of PE class.
- Students must present their receipt for their PE uniform purchase (printed receipt or an emailed copy/screen shot on their phone)
Special Message on the Marquee
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 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.
SPMS PTSO UPDATES
NOVEMBER PTSO MEETING: November 8, 2021, 10AM
LOCATION: Swiss Point Middle School
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: October 1st – October 22nd
SPMS PTSO Annual Membership Drive will be held October 1st – October 22nd. If you have not done so, please considering joining PTSO. There is no volunteer requirement and your donation will help the PTSO pay for Staff Appreciation, Classroom Grants and the Raider Store.
The top two Homerooms in each grade will win a DONUT party and their teachers will win an Amazon Gift Card. All current members will be counted by family in each student’s Homeroom.
Look for our Membership Flyer going home with your student next week or join at:
www.swisspointptso.com/online-store
SPIRIT WEAR: The Spirit Wear Store is OPEN!
Show your school spirit with our Raider Spirit Wear!
SPMS students can wear spirit wear anytime, but Fridays are Spirit Wear Day at SPMS. Additionally, SPMS students can wear spirit wear on the days our athletic teams play to show support.
**If spotted showing off Raider Spirit, staff and students may receive a special little treat**.
Please Note These Raider Wear Important Dates:
October 22, 2021, at 11:59pm – Last Day to order spirit wear, all styles and sizes shown online.
November 15, 2021 – the link will reopen but will only have styles and sizes that are in stock
Please use this link to order: https://squareup.com/store/switzerland-point-middle-school-ptso
Due to global impacts caused the pandemic, the supply line for our manufacturer is taking longer than normal. If you are considering ordering Spirit Wear, please do so now while the store link is open.
NOTHING BUNDT CAKES FUNDRAISER
454 orders were received for our October Nothing Bundt Cakes Fundraiser! What a delicious and fun way to support SPMS - THANK YOU! You’re helping the PTSO fund initiatives like the Raider Store, field studies, and classroom grants.
If you missed this month’s fundraiser, no worries – the November Nothing Bundt Cakes fundraiser will go live Nov 9th – Nov. 12th.
Sneak peek of the November flavors are:
Chocolate Chocolate Chip
Confetti
Lemon
Pumpkin
GF Chocolate Chip
Order forms will be given to Homeroom teachers and be available at the collection box (blue box in the Main Hall by the Library) beginning Nov 8th, as well as online at www.swisspointptso.com
RAIDER STORE – October 15 and October 29, during lunch
This is a special store where students can “purchase” items with their rewarded virtual points. These points are earned for good behavior and academic achievement. Our students are recognized for being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe. Raider store is held twice a month. We call students alphabetically by last name to ensure each student gets to the raider store at least once a month. Once our ice cream deliver comes in we will be able to offer that one week a month as well.
We are always looking for volunteers to help with the store. If you’d like to offer your time please sign up here! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b44a4a72da5f49-raider5
COMING SOON: Neon Bash
Look for details coming soon regarding this fun family SPMS PTSO event happening in November!
SUPPORT SPMS AS BUSINESS PARTNER
Do you own a business or work for a business with an interest in supporting education? Our Partners in Education Program is a great opportunity to support SPMS and spread the word about your company to the local community. Sponsorships help the PTSO fund many school initiatives.
For more information, please contact Carly McCollum at cm0929@gmail.com or check out our information online on the PTSO website.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PTSO
AmazonSmile - Shop through the PTSO link on AmazonSmile! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3741022
While you do your regular shopping on Amazon thru AmazonSmile, .5% of your purchase will be donated to SPMS.
SPMS has earned $ 92.15 so far this year.
Box Tops – Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts for SMPS PTSO to get Box Top credits.
Keep an eye on the PTSO website, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on what is coming up throughout the year!
Questions/concerns?? spmsptso@hotmail.com
For up to date happenings LIKE us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/SwissPointPTSO/
SPMS PTSO is on INSTAGRAM! Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/spmsptso/
Check the PTSO website for all the latest news! http://www.swisspointptso.com/