BRAVE Connections

January 5, 2025

Dear Warrior Families,

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, I am filled with excitement for the possibilities this new year holds for our students. The start of a new year is a perfect time to reflect, reset, and refocus on our goals—both individually and collectively. At Sanford Middle School, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. As we move into this next chapter of the school year, our focus remains on ensuring that each child continues to grow and succeed.

WE CONTINUE TO BE DEDICATED TO:

Student Goal-Setting and Achievement: We will continue guiding students in setting personal and academic goals, encouraging them to strive for excellence and take ownership of their learning. Through our goal-setting chats and progress monitoring, we aim to empower students to see their potential and believe in their ability to achieve.

Commitment to Instructional Excellence: Our teachers and staff are dedicated to delivering high

quality, engaging instruction that challenges and supports all learners. As a STEM-focused school,

we will emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on experiences that prepare

students for the future.

Strengthening the Home-School Connection: We know that a strong partnership between home

and school is key to student success. This year, we encourage open communication and

collaboration with families to support student growth. Please take advantage of opportunities to

engage with your child’s learning and school activities.

Cultivating the BRAVE Mindset: As part of our ongoing initiative, we will continue reinforcing the

BRAVE mindset—Believe in your potential, Respect your school and community, Always do what’s

right, Visualize your success, and Engage and Excel in learning. These core values shape the

foundation of our Warrior community and guide students in becoming confident, responsible

leaders.

We are grateful for the unwavering support and trust you place in us each day. Here’s to a fantastic second half of the school year! If you have any questions or wish to discuss your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or contact Ms. Simpson at 407-320-6150 to schedule a parent teacher conference.

"One Sanford...We Are Warriors!"

2025 Ready,

Dr. Coleman

Directions for Students:

When the bell rings, please report to your Semester 1 first period class. You will receive your new schedule there. Review your Semester 2 schedule carefully to ensure all your class periods are listed.

• If you notice any missing periods, ask your teacher for a pass to see your guidance counselor.
• Once an announcement is made, students with first-period schedule changes should proceed directly to their new class.

It is important for students to bring their badge each day, as it grants them access to buildings and classes. Students were provided with an initial badge and one free replacement at no cost.

Effective January 7, 2025, students who have already used their one-time replacement will need to pay for any additional badge replacements. The cost for secondary schools is $2.00.

This week, the team will work to ensure all students have a working badge or are added to the replacement list. The following payment methods will be accepted:

• Cash/Check: Payments can be made directly to the individual issuing new badges.
• MySchoolBucks (MSB): Parents may also pay online through MySchoolBucks.

If payment cannot be made at the time of badge printing, notification letters will be sent to parents.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring all students are equipped with working badges!

With nearly 1,400 students, organized lunches ensure safety, security, and fairness by:

• Managing student flow to prevent overcrowding.
• Enhancing supervision for a safe environment.
• Enabling quick accountability in emergencies.
• Providing equal access to seating and lunch options.
• Promoting positive interactions in smaller groups.

This revised system prioritizes student well-being and campus security. Ms. Brennan will be reviewing new procedures with our Warriors during 3rd period, prior to lunches.

Quarter 2 report card grades are due from teachers by the end of the day on January 8, 2025. The district will post report cards for families in the family portal on January 10, 2025. Please ensure you have access to the portal to review your student’s grades.

Please review the adjusted bell schedule below for testing days.

Over the next several weeks, we will explore each of the six MYP Global Contexts to show you how they shape student learning and help make meaningful connections to the real world.

What are Global Contexts?

In the IB MYP, global contexts serve as “lenses” through which students view their studies, guiding them to investigate topics with greater depth and relevance. These contexts include:

1. Identities and Relationships
2. Orientation in Space and Time
3. Personal and Cultural Expression
4. Scientific and Technical Innovation
5. Globalization and Sustainability
6. Fairness and Development

By integrating these contexts into classroom activities and projects, our students learn to make connections between academic subjects and the world around them.

Why Are They Important?

Global contexts encourage students to think critically about real-world issues and experiences. By examining content through these different lenses, students gain:

• Deeper Understanding: They move beyond surface-level facts, exploring how events and ideas are shaped by cultural, scientific, ethical, or historical factors.
• Empathy and Global Awareness: They learn to understand and respect diverse perspectives, preparing them to become caring and engaged global citizens.
• Interdisciplinary Connections: These contexts enable students to see how subjects like math, science, humanities, and arts interrelate, making learning more meaningful.

Real-World Connections

Whether students are investigating sustainability in science class or exploring identity and culture in language arts, each global context weaves real-world relevance into academic work. This helps our young learners see that what they do in school has a direct impact on their communities and beyond.

Coming Attractions

Over the next few weeks, each newsletter will focus on one global context at a time, giving you:

• A closer look at how your child is exploring that context in class.
• Tips and resources for supporting this learning at home.
• Ideas for family activities that connect with the featured context.

We look forward to taking this journey with you! Be sure to check back next week as we delve into Identities and Relationships—the lens that helps students examine who they are and how they connect to others.

Our Marine Biology 2 and Marine Biology 3 students recently dove into the fascinating world of marine science by conducting hands-on dissections. In Marine Biology 2, students dissected a squid, closely examining its external and internal anatomy to better understand how these cephalopods move, feed, and survive in their ocean habitats. Meanwhile, in Marine Biology 3, students had the unique opportunity to dissect a pregnant shark, offering a remarkable glimpse into shark reproduction and embryonic development.

These immersive lab experiences allow our students to apply the knowledge gained throughout their coursework to real-life studies of marine organisms. By exploring anatomy firsthand—identifying organs, observing specialized adaptations, and discussing ecological roles—our budding marine biologists deepen their understanding of STEM concepts in a truly engaging way.

At SMS, we believe that authentic, hands-on learning experiences, like these dissections, spark curiosity, enhance critical thinking, and foster a genuine appreciation for marine life. We are proud of the dedication and enthusiasm our students bring to the lab, and we look forward to seeing how these memorable experiences shape their future scientific pursuits.

Welcome back, students! As we start fresh after winter break, let’s reset and refocus on making this semester successful. Remember to:

• Arrive to class on time and prepared.
• Follow school policies, including dress code and ID badge requirements.
• Show respect to peers, staff, and yourself in all interactions.

Let’s make this semester our best yet. Stay focused, stay positive, and stay accountable!

Stay tuned for Dean Moye's message to students during Warrior Block on Friday!

#Connections #WeAreSanford

Join me on my #WarriorWalks! Follow me on Instagram: @drcoleman_stemleader (https://instagram.com/drcoleman_stemleader).

On December 12, our students attended the Tech Sassy Girlz Conference at Seminole State College, an inspiring event that provided middle and high school girls with hands-on STEM workshops, mentorship, and career exposure. This impactful experience aimed to spark interest in STEM careers and foster a more inclusive STEM community. Thank you Ms. Young, Ms. Lucas & Ms. Kendall for empowing our Girlz to STEM!

Parents, did you know that your child's Math Nation book is available on Clever? This means students have easy access to all the resources the book offers right at their fingertips. If you ever find yourself thinking, *"I don't know how to help you,"* simply encourage your child to open Math Nation and navigate to the lesson they're struggling with. Each concept is supported by instructional videos featuring multiple teachers, allowing your child to choose the one that resonates best with them. This way, they can reinforce their understanding at their own pace—reducing stress for you and providing effective support for them.

Join PTSA- It's not too late!

Calling all parents, grandparents, students, and community members! Join SMS PTSA and help fund essential programs, events and resources for students, staff and families. Your membership requires no additional commitment or time but is very important. Support our Warriors and make a difference in our students lives. Membership is just $8. Student members will receive a Fun Pass giving access to skip to the front of the line at the school store, discount to TopGolf Spirit Night and member recognition during the year. Adult members will receive $2 off their spirit wear purchase at Open House. Join at smsptsa.givebacks.com/store

Want to Get Involved?

PTSA has a number of opportunities for families and community members to be involved at SMS. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, want to volunteer on campus, sell concessions at sporting events or help us from home, there is an opportunity for you. For more information on volunteer opportunities or to join a PTSA committee, got to www.linktr.ee/smsptsa

Thank you for your generosity and support. Let’s make a positive impact together!

Every Child. One Voice

SCPS Families - Mark your calendars! Monday, January 6, 2025 will be the required hurricane make-up day for students.

• Students should have ID Badges everyday