October 6, 2024

Dear Warrior Families,

Welcome to this week’s newsletter and our series on "Literacy in Core Content Instruction: How Literacy is Everywhere" which highlights how literacy skills are integrated into all subjects, from math to science, and beyond.

This week we feature Literacy in Science: In Science, literacy goes beyond simply reading and writing—it’s the key to unlocking complex ideas, engaging with data, and solving real-world problems. It allows students to interpret scientific texts, analyze information, and communicate their findings clearly and effectively. Science relies on the ability to read and understand technical material, such as research papers, diagrams, and data sets. Scientists must communicate their ideas, experiments, and findings to others. Writing clear, logical explanations is critical to advancing knowledge. Literacy helps students critically evaluate sources, ask meaningful questions, and draw conclusions based on evidence.

Here's a great at-home activity for parents to support literacy in science! Encourage your child to explore how reading and writing skills enhance their understanding of scientific principles and help them communicate their findings. Start by selecting a science topic that interests your child, such as ecosystems or the solar system. Together, read a book or an article related to that topic, discussing the main ideas and any new vocabulary that arises. Afterward, have your child write a short summary or create a visual representation, like a poster, to explain what they learned.

For a more rigorous option, challenge your child to conduct a simple science experiment at home. Have them write a detailed lab report, including the hypothesis, methods, observations, and conclusions. This activity not only reinforces their reading and writing skills but also deepens their comprehension of scientific concepts, fostering critical thinking and effective communication.

By strengthening literacy in science, students not only grasp the content better but also develop the skills to think like scientists, making connections across disciplines and solving global challenges.

Stay tuned for next week’s focus on Literacy in Social Studies

"We are proud of our Warriors for Embracing the IB Profile attribute Knowledgeable."

Make it a Great Week!

Dr. Coleman

Throughout the month, we recognize the influence of Hispanic Americans in areas like art, science, politics, and beyond, celebrating their rich cultural legacy and the positive impact they've made on our society.

Week 2: Hispanic Contributions to Science

Hispanic Americans have played key roles in scientific advancements. Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to go to space, has inspired generations of aspiring scientists. As an astronaut, engineer, and former Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, her legacy encourages young people, especially Hispanic women, to pursue careers in STEM.

IB Learner Profile Attribute: Knowledgeable

At Sanford Middle, we encourage our students to explore concepts, ideas, and issues that have both local and global significance. Through their inquiries, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Activities for Parents:

• Support Reading at Home: Encourage your child to read books related to the topics they are learning in school. Reading in their native language can also help them make deeper and lasting connections to the material they are studying in English.

• Engage in Conversations: Ask your child about what they are learning. Some good questions might be:

• "Why do you think that’s an important thing to know?"
• "Can you think of anything happening in the world today that relates to what you're studying in History?"

• Stay Updated on Current Events: Help your child become familiar with current events by reading the newspaper or watching the news together when appropriate.

These simple activities can help reinforce what your child is learning and spark deeper conversations at home!

Last Saturday, twelve students from Sanford Middle School had the incredible opportunity to take part in the Young Eagles Flight Program at Umatilla Airport, Lake County. Sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), this program has provided over 2 million free airplane flights to young people across the United States, inspiring the next generation of pilots and aviation enthusiasts. These twelve students experienced firsthand the excitement of aviation, soaring over Florida’s landscape. This experience is part of our commitment at Sanford Middle School to fostering unique educational experiences, especially through our Aviation Program, where students also have access to flight simulators. This hands-on program offers a bridge to understanding real-world applications in aviation.

Want to learn more about the impact of this program? Check out this video featuring Israq Khan,

Sanford Middle School alumni and CEO of Kodezi, as he reflects on how our aviation program helped shape his journey. Watch Video Below.

Our Marine Biology Warriors engaged in a hands-on, life-size game that simulated manatee migration, focused on understanding migration patterns, environmental influences, and the importance of data collection. They also observed live manatee behavior via a manatee webcam to enhance their real-world connection to the activity.

TopGolf Spirit Night - Oct 27, 4-6 PM

Join us for an afternoon of fun at TopGolf Lake Mary. Tickets are $20/person or $100 for an entire bay (for up to 6 players). Includes 2 hours of play and unlimited soda, lemonade and tea.

Show your Warrior spirit and wear your SMS spirit gear!

Join PTSA

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

• Students should have ID Badges everyday