BRAVE Connections

November 17, 2024

Dear Warrior Families,

As we prepare to head into the Thanksgiving break, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the partnership and trust you place in us every day. This season reminds us of the importance of family, community, and the simple joys that bring us together.

During this break, I encourage you to enjoy meaningful moments with your loved ones, celebrate your traditions, and reflect on the blessings that surround us. As Oprah Winfrey so beautifully said, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

May your Thanksgiving be filled with love, laughter, and gratitude. We look forward to welcoming our students back, refreshed and ready to finish the semester strong!

"We are THANKFUL for our Warriors!

Make it a Great Week!

Dr. Coleman

A huge thank you to our PTSA for their incredible partnership in organizing this year’s Book Fair! Your commitment to our students and families makes such a difference in promoting a love for reading and learning.

We also want to celebrate everyone who joined us for Family Literacy Night! Families had a blast exploring the book fair, playing interactive board games, and diving into the world of Edgar Allan Poe with engaging activities. We were also proud to highlight some of our very own talented SMS teachers who are published authors! It was a wonderful evening celebrating the joy of reading and community. Events like these highlight the importance of literacy as a foundation for success, creativity, and lifelong learning. Your support helps foster a community where the joy of reading thrives.

A round of applause for Ms. Brennan for leading the collaborative charge with our instructional coaches and teachers. Together, we are building a brighter future—one book at a time!

As Sanford Middle School continues to integrate the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Approaches to Learning (ATLs) have become a key focus, particularly in developing strong research skills. With the advancement of technology and the widespread availability of digital tools, students have unprecedented access to information. However, ensuring that they conduct research meaningfully and effectively is essential.

The ATLs emphasize a comprehensive approach to research, helping students to improve the following skills:

• Finding, interpreting, judging, and creating information
• Making connections between various sources of information
• Using memory techniques to develop long-term memory
• Presenting information in various formats and platforms such as ChatGPT, Wikipedia, etc.
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify solutions and make informed decisions
• Understanding and using technology systems
• Using critical literacy skills to analyze and interpret media communications
• Understanding and implementing intellectual property rights
• Creating references and citations, using footnotes/endnotes, and constructing bibliographies according to recognized conventions
• Identifying primary and secondary sources

These skills empower students to become responsible, ethical, and critical researchers. By fostering these competencies, we ensure that our students are well-prepared to navigate and contribute to an increasingly information-driven world.

This year, our Pre-Vet, Marine Biology, Engineering, and Robotics students had the incredible opportunity to experience STEM Day at SeaWorld! The event provided a unique and immersive educational experience that combined fun and learning in exciting new ways.

STEM Field Stations
Students explored four interactive STEM Field Stations, each designed to highlight different elements of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These stations reinforced key learning objectives and aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, giving students hands-on opportunities to deepen their understanding of STEM concepts.

Behind-The-Science Scavenger Hunt
The adventure continued with a Behind-The-Science Scavenger Hunt, where students discovered fascinating “behind-the-scenes” facts about the science required to operate SeaWorld Orlando. As they explored the park at their own pace, students learned about the real-world applications of science and mathematics that support one of the largest marine zoological theme parks in the world. This engaging scavenger hunt offered an exciting and educational way to view SeaWorld through a scientific lens.

Our students came away from the day inspired and more knowledgeable, and we’re grateful for experiences like this that make STEM learning come to life!

School Safety is a top priority for Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) and Sanford Middle School. Below, you'll find a list of informational links for you and your students to explore on important topics such as bullying, cyber safety, gangs, and more.

• Bullying Prevention

• Cyber Safety

• Gangs

• School Bus Safety

• Summer Safety

• Teen Dating Violence

• Vaping & e-Cigarettes

#Connections #WeAreSanford

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

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#WarriorWalks

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

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

SAVE THE DATE! DECEMBER 7, 2024

MS Cross Country District Meet, 8am @ Lake Mary High School

• Students should have ID Badges everyday