Dear SMS Family,

We had a fantastic opening to the 2024-2025 school year! Sixth graders appeared to be genuinely excited and focused this week and we are so happy to have them in the building! Our 7th and 8th graders also showed great respect and responsibility as we worked through our updated student handbooks/expectation station activities and they were fantastic in our opening grade level assemblies. Many staff and parents have shared how great the vibe is in the building, and I want to thank you all for the partnership from home, as I know the success we are feeling is because many of you are sharing your high expectations at home. Collectively holding our students accountable for kindness, respect, and acceptance is important both at school and at home. When we have collective expectations for hard work and good citizenship, we can take learning to the next level! This will be a great year.

Each year we “graduate” some parents as their learners move from middle school to high school and we lost 2 of our Site Council parents to the high school this past summer. If there are 1 or 2 parents out there who would like to join our SMS Site Council to round out this year’s team, please let me know. Site Council is a team of teachers and parents and this group will meet before school one time per month. Right now we anticipate Thursday mornings for this team.

Please also remember we are not set up to accept grub hub or door dash deliveries for students, whether students try to order or parents order on the behalf of students. Thank you for understanding.

I hope the kids enjoy the three day weekend as we will not have school while observing the Labor Day Holiday on Monday..

Sincerely,

Andy

Sept 2

• Labor Day - No School

Sept 4

• Early Release -- dismissal 2:26pm

Sept 6

• Picture Day (during science)

Sept 9

• PSO meeting -- 1:00pm-2:00pm

Sept 11

• Early Release -- dismissal 2:26pm
• Back to School Night -- 5:45pm-7:30

Sept 16

• Board Meeting -- 6:00pm

Sept 18

• Early Release -- dismissal 2:26pm

Additional events may be viewed on the SMS Calendar and the District Calendar.

Front Office 7:45 am - 3:45 pm

Student Hours 8:45 am - 3:26 pm (M/T/Th/F)

Student Hours 8:45 am - 2:26 pm (W-Early Release)

Doors Open to Students 8:30 am

Keeping students safe is paramount to us. PSO created the below video on what the drop off/pick up routine should look like. Please watch so we can all be on the same page about the procedure.

School pictures will take place throughout the day during Science. Photo packets were delivered to students today. They can be returned next Friday, September 6.

Retakes will be on October 18.

If you have an item that you would like delivered to your student, please bring it into the office. We will be delivering school related items that impact a student's education or lunch, but we will not be able to deliver items that are not directly needed for class (e.g. coffee, flowers, gifts). We are unable to accept deliveries from any food delivery services such as Grub Hub, Door Dash, etc.

As our fall sports season begins, we would like to remind our spectators of some important information:

Admission to Sporting Events:

All spectators (except senior citizens and high school students with ASB) will be charged an admission fee for varsity football and all levels of volleyball. Ticket gates for varsity football will open at 5:30 p.m. and will open at 5:45 p.m. for volleyball.

No re-entry for K-12 students. If students decide to leave prior to the completion of the games, no re-entry will be allowed.

Backpacks and outside drinks will not be allowed for students; entrance gates will be monitored.

The cost for sporting events this year is $8 for adults and $5 for students.
Tickets can be purchased online through the High School website (card processing fee will be charged) at: https://shs.sherwood.k12.or.us/athletics-activities/ticket-sales/

Cash will also be accepted.

All fall sports will charge for playoff games, including senior citizens and HS students with ASB. Playoff game prices are determined by the OSAA and change depending on the level of playoff.

Spectators:

We are committed to a welcoming environment that promotes fair play and respect for all and expect the same from our spectators. We request your cooperation in supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner.

Bowmen Gear:

Bowmen Booster Club apparel will be available to purchase from their trailer at the home games near the concession stand. If you are looking for Bowmen gear, please stop by and support our Booster Club!

GO BOWMEN!

We are excited to announce our new partnership with Odd Moe's Pizza, a beloved Oregon-based company that has been serving up delicious slices for over 25 years! Our students will enjoy freshly baked pizza complete with a homemade whole grain crust, topped with low-fat cheese. We are excited to continue our tradition of partnering with local businesses like Odd Moe's Pizza to bring the best to our students.

Please visit the Nutrition Services Webpage for nutrition information, menus and pricing.

For those families who may qualify for free or reduced lunch benefits, it is important that you complete the Free and Reduced Meals Application online or pick up hard copies from the office. In order to be eligible for additional benefits (such as reduced fees) you MUST complete and submit the Permission to Share Form which can be found on the last page of the application. Click here for forms.

NOTE: If you completed the Free and Reduced Meals Application online, the Permission to Share Information Form still needs to be completed and returned to your student's school or mailed to: 21920 SW Sherwood Blvd, Sherwood OR 97140. Attn: Gia Saporito.

If you would like to add funds to your students lunch account online, please click the button below for instructions.

How to Excuse Your Child

To report an absence for your student, please email SherwoodMiddle_Notification@sherwood.k12.or.us preferably in the morning. Absences must be excused within 48 hours. You may also call the attendance line at 503-825-5510 or send a signed note with your student upon return, or through your ParentVUE account.

Please include the following information in your email, voicemail, or note:

1. Name of student
2. Parent/Guardian Name
3. Date of absence
4. Reason for absence
5. Phone number where Parent/Guardian can be reached

Picking up Students During School

If you need to pick up your student during school hours, the office will need to know in advance. You can email, call, or send your student to school with a signed note. Please share this required information:

1. Name of student
2. Parent/Guardian Name
3. Date and time of absence
4. Reason for absence
5. Phone number where Parent/Guardian can be reached

Important! : We realize that unforeseen circumstances may arise and you may need your student right away. We will do our best to accommodate this, however, it may or may not be done in a timely manner.

48 Hour Policy

All absences must be excused within 48 hours. The 48 hour window begins at 8:00 a.m. on the day of the student’s absence and ends at 8:00 a.m. 48 hours later. Any absence not excused within that 48 hour window will be considered unexcused. No exceptions.

Are you interested in XC? We would love to have you! No experience is necessary, but we do expect kids to try their best and follow the rules for safety and respect. If they are a beginning runner they will initially "run-walk-run-walk" at practices, but are expected to be able to run the full workout within 4 weeks (no matter what speed).

Practices start on Monday, August 19 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM at the covered area behind SMS. Practices are Monday - Thursday. Once school begins on August 27, practices will be at the same location from 3:45 - 4:45 PM.

If you are not able to attend summer practice, it is fine to start when school begins.

We will not have a finalized meet schedule until after the start of the school year. However, we do know all meets will be after school M - Th. The season ends by the end of October.

Sarah Giles (sarahogiles@gmail.com) and Dani Coughran (dcoughran@sherwood.k12.or.us) are the co-head coaches. Feel free to email them for further information.

The fee will be $150 and can be paid by September 1st via Venmo at sherwoodtrack.com. Contact a coach to request a scholarship if there is a need.

Bring/wear to practice: a full water bottle, appropriate running clothes for the weather, and running shoes.

Register at www.sherwoodtrack.com

Yearbooks are 10% off through October so purchase NOW and customize anytime throughout the year. Must be purchased by May 1st to get your book in time for the end of year signing events.

*ALL STUDENTS MUST SELECT YOUR 24-25 FLIGHT TIME TEACHER FROM THE DROP DOWN BOX WHEN ORDERING. This can be found in Student/Parent Vue.

Incoming SMS new students: Your school code is 101612219220699 which is different from your elementary school treering code. You can still login under the same treering account but will add your SMS code to purchase and customize your 2 FREE pages in your book. This code is also shown on the flyer. On Facebook: "Sherwood Middle School PSO" shares Yearbook info throughout the year as well as the SMS Newsletter.

“SHARE is a place for families to seek information, resources, and support services. The SHARE Center’s purpose is to strengthen community partnerships and decrease barriers related to student success, thereby improving the ability of all children and families to engage fully in a positive school experience”. - SHARE Center, Sherwood School District (please visit this page for more information)

If you need support obtaining school supplies, please reach out to the Share Center.

Please click the button below to find out more information on the optional device protection plan.