Bulldog Bulletin

• Message From the Principal
• Important Dates
• BARK Bands
• 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at SMS
• Artist of the Month
• Fall Dance
• Fall Sports Tryouts
• Tri-M Music Honor Society
• The Internet is a Distract-OH LOOK A KITTEN!
• 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
• Transportation: WheresTheBus App
• Supplemental Accidental Insurance Policy
• Volunteering at Springer Middle School

Springer Families,

This week we recognized September 11 in four ways. The first was an announcement in the morning that respectfully detailed the events of that day and the way it changed this country forever. We also had an elongated moment of silence throughout the school. Students also took part in lessons to learn more about the significance of that day. Finally, our very own Nurse Grant had organized a fundraiser through the Talleyville Fire Company where he is a volunteer. Nurse Grant, Talleyville firefighters and families, and Springer staff climbed the same amount of flights that there were in the World Trade Center buildings. Participants were sponsored and paid to climb, with some wearing their fire gear which weighs over 50 lbs. As I often reference “the village” it takes to raise these students I need to stress the importance of the role our first responders have in our village keeping us safe. This includes our firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement.

I find it important to take a moment to thank our first responders. September 11 was a terrible and difficult day for this great country. However, what I try to remember was not necessarily the loss of life but rather the resilience and comradery that our country and especially our first responders who were heroes that day and the days after showed when they helped rescue thousands of people.

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

• 9/20/24: 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
• 10/14-10/18/24: Springer Spirit Week
• 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

📣 Our students are BARKing like a Bulldog! 📣

Last week we recognized our very first group of BARK Band students! A BARK Band Student’s are selected by all staff members for doing an outstanding job of displaying our BARK expectations! These are the rockstars who’ve gone above and beyond in showing what it means to 🐾Be Respectful🐾Act Safely🐾Reach for Excellence🐾and show Kind Action—our core BARK expectations.

These standout students won’t just be getting a pat on the back. They received a Bulldog BARK Band, a certificate, and a sweet treat! Additionally, they’re in for some serious perks, including invites to exclusive events both during and after school, plus surprise pop-up rewards all year long!

August may have only had a few school days, but our Bulldogs are so incredible that we just had to give them some early recognition. This is just the beginning! We’re pumped to celebrate over 500 BARK Band students throughout the year. Keep showing that BARKing Bulldog spirit, and you might be next!

Let’s keep the momentum going, Springer family! 💪

Springer Middle School hosted the Talleyville Fire Company today for their 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Firefighters joined Springer staff and family to climb and descend their front entrance stairs 110 times in honor of the brave FDNY firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. The climb symbolizes the 110 floors of the World Trade Center towers, with participants climbing in memory of the fallen heroes, ensuring that the legacy of these firefighters lives on in the hearts of future generations.

There were 6 artists of the month selected for September—Mrs. Dooley had a tough time selecting because all of the 6th grade students have been doing a fantastic job so far this school year with creativity AND following the BARK expectations. Congratulations to:

E’Dris Freeman

Ada Li

Declan Garrity

Ava Harrison

Ellie Straub and

Jeremy Jones

Their artwork is now on display outside of Mrs. Dooley’s room, 161.

Our Fall dance is scheduled for Friday, October 18 from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Students will be eligible for the dance if they have no more than 2 referrals from September 11 through October 18. The dance will cost $2 and we will be donating the proceeds of the dance to a charity that students voted on earlier this week! The dance will be the finale to our spirit week which will kick off on Monday, October 14. Stay tuned for more information on our Spirit Week themes and make sure to meet our BARK expectations so that you can go to the dance!

Fall sports tryouts began this week! We are so proud of our students who were brave enough to tryout for a sport. Athletics at Springer are very competitive and kudos to the coaches who put so much energy and thought into making sure the tryout process is fair and equitable. Students who may not have made volleyball or soccer are strongly encouraged to participate in cross country and field hockey, who have more of an open process to participate. Both teams are great options to provide students an opportunity to be a part of a team, compete, and stay in shape! Please visit our athletics website at https://www.springermiddlesports.com/ for more information.

The following 7th and 8th grade students were accepted into the inaugural chapter of the NAfME Tri-M Music Honor Society. In their application, students needed to collect signatures and write an essay to be considered. Further qualifications include maintaining an A grade in their music class and an average of a B in the rest of their classes, and exhibiting qualities aligned with the Tri-M ideals of Scholarship, Character, Leadership, and Service.

Abigail Baron

Sophia Biondy

Margaret Ernst

Mahidul Islam

Edwin Russell Lucas

Rebecca Mack-Weber

Kenzie McConnell

Eleanor Reynolds

Paris Risbrook

Rahini Shinde

Liam Thomson

Lucas Trievel

Harlow Watson

Amelia Wensell

Amira Zogheib

35 6th, 7th, and 8th graders came out last week and auditioned for our very first Fall Play titled, "The Internet is a Distract - OH LOOK A KITTEN!". "Micah only has twenty minutes to finish her paper on The Great Gatsby. She just needs to check a few facts on the internet first. Unfortunately, the web is a nefariously wacky place where boxing cats, Facebook lurkers, and pig-throwing games threaten to take over Micah's schoolwork, or worse. Will she finish her paper and escape with her life before the school bell rings? A high-octane comedy that explores the rabbit hole of distraction we all go down everytime we go online." (Synopsis from Playscripts.com) Please join the Springer Performing Arts Department in congratulating the following students who were cast in the show!

Abby Baron

Amira Zogheib

Emma Melican

Maggie Ernst

Quinn Bowes

Michael Porter Jr

Mahidul Islam

Mia Catts

Madilyn Merillo

Katelyn Fleming

Edwin Lucas

Molly Schock

Luke Russell

Miriana Mazzella

Angelica Heyward

Haniyah Jenkins

Autumn Isabella

Kendall Barth

Hannah Brownie

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

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.

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