SMMS Weekly Update
September 20, 2024
Personal Information Update Link
We understand things happen and circumstances change over the course of the school year. Please use this form at any time during the year to update your personal information on file with the school. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Hite in our main office at 304-754-5030.
Communication Norms
At SMMS, we want to work with you for the benefit of your student. That partnership requires communication. Please take a look at our norms for communication with parents.
- Grades- Teachers are asked to post grades on the 10th and 25th of each month. We consider the posting od those grades as one form of communication with you. If you need assistance with your Schoology account, please email Ms. Brown at the included email address (lkbrown@k12.wv.us).
- Online Messages (via Email or Schoology) or Phone Messages- If you have a concern or question, please reach out to your child's teacher. Teachers have been directed to respond to emails, online messages via Schoology, and phone calls during normal business hours (7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.). While many teachers spend time in the evenings planning lessons and grading assignments, they, as much as anyone else, need to devote time and attention to their families. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response to an online message and/or phone call.
Teachers at SMMS are ALL IN to support your student and help him or her grow. We look forward to working with you in this very important task.
Water Bottle Info
At SMMS, we have a clear water bottle policy. This may seem like a minor detail, but asking students to bring a clear water bottle allows them to carry water with them all day. State policy provides students have access to water throughout the day, which is why we have a water fountain and a filling station in each hallway.
To reduce the disruption to classes with visits to the water fountain, we allow students to bring a clear water bottle with them from room to room. The first two weeks of school, we gave out a clear, reusable water bottle to any student who asked for one. If your student needs a clear, reusable water bottle, please ask him or her to see the grade-level assistant principal.
Box Tops for Education
Dear SMMS families,
As part of our ongoing fundraising efforts, we want to remind you that you can help us earn funds through Box Tops for Education by simply submitting your grocery receipts.
Here are two easy ways to participate:
Drop Off Your Receipts: Bring your receipts to the office and place them in the designated Box Tops Collection Box. Our Box Tops Coordinator will scan them for you—no need to do a thing!
Scan Your Own Receipts: If you prefer, you can scan your receipts using the Box Tops app. It's quick and easy! Just download the app, scan your receipt, and submit.
Every Box Top adds up, and your participation helps us get closer to our goal. Please take a moment to either drop off your receipts or submit them through the app. We appreciate your support!
Thank you for helping make a difference!
Academy Days
Greetings from Senator Capito’s office!
An appointment to a U.S. Service Academy is a fully funded education opportunity valued from $240,000 to more than $400,000. Last year, students attending or who have attended schools in Berkeley, Brooke, Cabell, Fayette, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marion, Mercer, Monongalia, Monroe, Ohio, and Putnam counties received appointments to United States Service Academies and Preparatory Schools. Most began their journeys this summer.
WV students graduated from U.S. Service Academies in 2024 and are moving forward to fantastic careers in various fields. Our WV students are more than capable of meeting the challenge of graduating from these prestigious institutions, but they must be aware of these opportunities in order to take advantage of them.
The key to a student’s success (besides academic, physical, and extracurricular achievements) is being informed about potential opportunities at these educational institutions and starting the information gathering process as early as possible. It is also important that they have an informed support system to assist them in navigating the application stage.
Academy Day is an opportunity for students, parents, guardians, and school officials to ask questions and obtain information regarding the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy as well as the ROTC scholarship process. No Registration Required.
Students who want to attend a prestigious U.S. Service Academy or ROTC program are generally more successful when they begin planning courses and extracurricular activities early in their academic career.
Representatives will be ready to answer questions regarding the educational, physical and recreational requirements to attend these prestigious institutions or obtain an ROTC scholarship. Our office will also address the nomination process.
Cook Center Resources
Berkeley County Schools is excited to partner with the Cook Center for Human Connection and their Mental Health and Wellness Resource Center: ParentGuidance.org. This is a family support library for all families that provides any adult and caretaker in the district with a trusted place to go for qualified answers to the toughest parenting and childcare challenges from the premier therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists in their respective specialties, who offer compassionate, anonymous, and supportive guidance for you and your children.
This FREE resource offers over 50 courses in English and Spanish created and given by licensed clinicians addressing topics like: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Harm, Bullying, Social Media, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss etc.
Faces of the Week
Renaissance Celebration
As a way to build culture and community, all 6th grade students and our 7th and 8th grade students who earned a Renaissance Card were recognized today at lunch.
Celebrating Perfect Attendance for the 1st Month of School
This Friday, we recognized students who had perfect attendance from August 19-September 19, the first month of the school year. We had 368 students earn this distinction. Way to go!
Molecules with Melander
Ms. Melander's 8th grade science classes
investigated the impact of water temperature on molecules.
Virtual Job Fair In Ms. Whetzel's Class
Students in Ms. Whetzel's Discover Your Future class completed a "Virtual Job Fair." They showed off their presentations on what jobs they researched for their career clusters to spread awareness of job opportunities.
SMMS Athletic Updates
Some of our teams are engaging in conditioning or Flex days. Please see the information below and reach out to the appropriate coach with questions.
All students must submit a copy of their physical form to Ms. Pavlik, our Athletic Director.
- Cheer
- Coach: Toneia Eccelston (coachneiasmms@gmail.com)
- Boys Basketball
- Varsity Coach: Brooks Everline (brooks@ynphomesolutions.com)
- JV Coach: Noah Payton (noah.payton6@gmail.com)
- Cross Country
- Coach: Chip Barnhart (cbarnhar@k12.wv.us)
- Meets:
- 9/25/24- Tr-Meet at Spring Mills High at 5:30 p.m.
- 10/3/24- Tri-Meet at Poor House Farm at 5:30 p.m.
- 10/10/24- County Championship at Poor House Farm- Time TBD
SMMS Spirit Wear
Band Fundraiser
8th Grade Fundraiser
Upcoming Events
- September 24- Band Fundraiser at Chipotle 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- September 27- Cookie Dough Fundraiser Kickoff in UA Classes
- October 1- 8th Grade Fundraiser at Chick-fil-A 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- October 23- Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences from 5:00-7:00 p.m.