Sanders Memorial Stallion News

It was great to your kids as they were ready to roll today. As an educator is so nice to see smiling faces coming to school and be truly excited to be back with their teacher and friends.

Some updates and reminders:

Due to the loss and damage caused by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, we regret to inform you that our annual “Game of Houses” fundraiser has been canceled. This is our big fundraiser where we are able to get our STEAM resources. We are currently exploring more acceptable alternatives if there is any and hopefully make it a sweet holiday break without feeling the pressure of donating when there is many that are in desperate need. Our thoughts and hearts go out to everyone affected during this difficult time for our families, students and staff. Please stay tuned for information on how you can assist our school community and school. Additionally, please review the school rules with your children and reminding them to be: respectful, responsible, safe and kind.

Here are some important upcoming dates:

• Mall Visits:

o October 25 for grades 3-5

o November 8 for grades K-2

o November 15 for grades 3-5

• October 23: Make-up Pictures
• October 30: Trunk or Treat sponsored by the SMES PTA
• October 31: STEAM Parade

A special thanks to our high gear engineers Mr. Kyle, Mr. Matt and Mrs. Jean for their assistance with the cleanup and getting our school ready for opening! You all are awesome! The only real concern was that we lost a tree in the recess field, we have briefed students, and they are aware and have stayed away from the marked off area. There is no timeline on its removal.

I am so glad everyone made it back safely. Let’s take things one step at a time as you, the staff and the students will need it. Today was a perfect first step. I am incredibly thankful for the staff and community at Sanders Memorial on what I know will be a difficult return but we will continue to make it an awesome year.

Best regards,

Mr. Petry and Mrs. Hedgspeth

Join us for the SMES chapter of All Pro Dads on Friday, October 25th at 8:00am in the Cafeteria. It is $5 per person (cash/check). RSVP is required. This is an opportunity to bond

RSVP here

Let's make a difference! We are collecting new pairs of socks of all sizes that will be donated to the Solutions Thrift Store which serves the Sunrise of Pasco County who provide services to survivors of violence. The house that donates the most pairs of socks by Oct 31st earns 100 points!

The Parade Is Coming! The Sanders Memorial Annual STEAM parade is a chance for our Stallions to express their creativity and show innovation. Students are invited to create and wear a costume to our parade that fits in to one of the following areas to celebrate all things STEAM. Time:

Kindergarten (K): 10:00AM

Primary (1-2): 10:30AM

Intermediate (3-5): 11:00AM

Viewing: Please use the QR Code below to RSVP for the parade. Those who RSVP will have their visitor pass pre-printed waiting at the check in tables the day of the event! You must be raptored into the system to attend. Please visit the office prior to the parade to be put into our system.

Costume Suggestions: If you would like to donate your costume following the parade to SMES for task launches, room transformations or future parades, please drop it off in the front office. Some suggestions of costumes under each heading are… Types of Scientists, Types of Weather, States of Matterm Science Tools, Solar Systems, Virtual Reality ,Dash and Dot, Robot, Social Media, Google Coding, Legos, Blue Prints, Maker Space, Items Assembly Line, Pop Art, Famous Art Pieces, Art Tools, Fractions, Measurement, Calculator, Patterns, Even and Odd Shapes Numbers, etc.

Please complete and return the form that was sent home to your teacher by 10/28/24. It is also directly linked here

To RSVP, you can click the QR or use this link to RSVP

Our SMES Rock Your School Day will be Fall Festival themed! This is a day (during school hours) that we get to really celebrate our SMES pride with activities that bring our school together. We are looking for donations for the activities as well as volunteers! Remember you need to be an approved volunteer (fingerprinted).

The specific times that each grade level will be out for the Fall Festival are:

K: 11:45-12:30

1st: 10:15-11:00

2nd: 12:30-1:15pm

3rd: 2:10-2:55pm

4th: 9:30-10:15am

5th: 1:25pm-2:10pm

Our annual SMES STEAM DREAMS event will be on Thursday, Dec. 12th. We are inviting our Stallion Families to share about their careers and hobbies to inspire our students! In the past we've had firefighters, doctors, pharmacists, authors, yoga instructors, photographers, etc.! Are you passionate about something specific outside of your career like pickleball, geodes, or hiking? You can present about that too!

We are asking all presenters to sign up by Friday, 11/8.

Sign up here

or Scan the QR Code on the Flyer.

Stallions keep logging your reading minutes in the Beanstack App! Our school wide goal is to reach 1,000,000 minutes by the end of the year! We are already at 199,557 minutes! We currently have 59% of our Stallions active on the Beanstack app, we are so close to 60% student participation! We can do it! Keep reading!

Please remember to return your library books so all Stallions can enjoy our collection! They can return the books when they are finished but they will go to the library at their assigned class time every other week.

📱Wireless Communication Devices (WCDs) 📱

Policy Overview: Students in grades Pre-K through 5 are encouraged to leave their WCDs at home. If students do bring WCDs to school, they must ensure that the devices remain on silent mode and completely out of view for the entire school day. Classroom teachers may provide a designated cell phone storage area in their classrooms for students to use. This includes cellphones, watches and other communicative devices.

Why This Policy Matters at school:

1. Minimizing Distractions: Keeping WCDs out of sight helps minimize distractions, allowing students to focus better on their studies and classroom activities.
2. Promoting Social Interaction: Without the presence of WCDs, students are more likely to engage in face-to-face interactions, fostering better social skills and relationships.
3. Ensuring Safety and Security: By adhering to this policy, we can better ensure the safety and security of all students, as WCDs can sometimes be a source of disruption or misuse.

How You Can Help:

• Encourage Compliance: Please encourage your child to leave their WCDs at home or ensure they understand the importance of keeping them on silent and out of view during school hours.
• Discuss the Policy: Take a moment to discuss this policy with your child and explain why it is important for their learning and the overall school environment.
• Support Teachers: Reinforce the idea that teachers may provide a cell phone storage area in the classroom and that it is a safe place for their devices during the day.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a focused and safe learning environment for all students. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

MyStudent Emergency Contact Information

Please make sure to log into MyStudent and update and acknowledge your contact information. This is essential so that we can get a hold of families and ensure you are receiving our communications weekly.

Signing Students out Early

We are requesting that students who need to be signed out early for the day, be signed out by 2:45 p.m. at the latest. after that point, they will not be called up to the office until they have arrived in their designated dismissal room. Unfortunately, we are not able to call students down to the office before parents arrive, as safety is our priority and ID's are required.

Carline Reminders

NO CELL PHONES IN THE CAR LINE!! Please put vehicles in "PARK" while children are loading and unloading. All children must remain in their seats while their vehicles are in motion for loading and unloading. For the purpose of safety, children cannot hang out of windows and sunroofs while cars are in motion.

Transportation Dismissal Changes: VERY IMPORTANT

Any changes in mode of transportation home must be entered in to the Transportation Change Request form on our SMES website by 2:45 p.m. EACH DAY to ensure a safe and smooth dismissal for all students.

Attendance Calls Reminder

Starting from the first day of school, we are enhancing our communication regarding your child's attendance. Keeping parents informed about their child’s attendance is vital for the safety and security of all students.

• Elementary School: If your child is absent, you will receive a notification (phone call and email) one hour after the start of school. Since school starts at 9:20, you will receive a call by 10:20.

Parent Bill of Rights:

Parents, please ensure that you have completed all the Parent Bill of Rights information in your myStudent parent portal. These forms must be completed yearly.

Volunteer updates:

Volunteers (NEW REQUIREMENT): Sanders welcomes volunteers! Effective August 1, 2024, and every five years after, volunteers will need to pay a fee, currently $41.25 for a Level 2 Fingerprinting and Background Screening that will be monitored. Please visit the district volunteer website at https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq/page/volunteer to apply to be a volunteer. Volunteering includes any time an individual is around students other than their own.

Tutoring Interest:

If you are looking for possible tutor services, please reach out to:

👩Caitlin Gryte

📧 cgryte@pasco.k12.fl.us

If you haven't already, please join our amazing PTA! Our PTA is always looking for new ideas to serve our school community.

To join click Join the PTA

If you are interested becoming a PTA business partner please fill out

Become a SMES PTA Business Partner

10/23 Picture Retakes

10/25 Mall Visit for grades 3-5
10/23 Picture Retakes

10/25 All Pro Dad Breakfast @ 8:00am

10/30 🎃Trunk or Treat 5-7pm 🎃

10/30 PTA General Assembly Meeting

10/31 🎃Steam Parade 🎃

11/8 🎸Rock Your School 🎸(Fall Festival)

11/8 School Mall for K-2

11/8 Deadline to sign up to present for STEAM DREAMS

11/15 School Mall for 3-5

11/25- 11/20 Thanksgiving Break

12/12 SMES STEAM DREAMS

ll students will be able to receive breakfast and lunch from the cafeteria free of charge. To help expedite the breakfast and lunch lines, as well as, to ensure your student wants the lunch of the day, please view the Sanders Meal Calendar for breakfast and lunch options.

Lunch with your child: Parents are welcome to have lunch with their child by making a reservation at 813-794-1500 ahead of time to check for availability. Lunch reservations are only for the current month and are only available Tuesday-Friday.

Parents must sign in, with an ID at the office to receive a visitor badge. To ensure the safety and supervision of all children, parents may only have lunch with their child(ren). We ask that you limit your visit to once a month. Lunchtime is one of the few times of the day where children can socialize with their classmates.

Sanders Meal Calendar

Pasco County Schools Calendar

Pasco County Student Code of Conduct

Student Quick Pay

School Spirit Shirts, School Fees, Field Trips, ID Badges, Car Tags

Houses:

🔴House of Friendship – Red Wolf

🔵House of Dreamers – Bobcat

🟢House of Courage – Alligator

⚫House of Givers – Rattlesnake

This Houses system will encourage “House” building and bonding between students in all grade levels. It will continue SMES’s path of positive culture and relationships with students and staff.

House Points: Throughout the year the houses will compete against each other in competitions and events to accumulate House points. Individual students can also continue to accumulate points for their House by demonstrating Stallion expectations and beyond.

Spin Tickets: Students can earn spin tickets from house leaders, and other random staff members. If a student earns a spin ticket, they will get to spin the wheel on Spinning Days.

House Champion: At the end of the year, the House with the most points wins the House Championship and all of the honor and glory that comes with it!