BRAVE Connections

October 20, 2024

Dear Warrior Families,

We continue this week with 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 STEM: Literacy is important in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for several reasons. First, it helps students understand complex texts like research articles and technical manuals, which are key to grasping essential concepts. Good literacy skills also allow students to communicate their ideas effectively, whether in reports, presentations, or group work. Literacy also helps students make connections between different subjects, giving them a better understanding of how STEM can address real-world problems. In today's fast-paced world, strong reading and writing skills are essential for lifelong learning, helping individuals keep up with new research and trends throughout their careers. Overall, when students develop their literacy skills, they become more confident and engaged in exploring the many opportunities in STEM fields.

Here’s an engaging at-home activity for parents to support literacy in STEM! Encourage your child to explore how reading and writing skills are essential for understanding scientific principles and effectively communicating their findings. Start by selecting a STEM topic that interests your child, such as renewable energy or the human body. Together, read a book or an article related to that topic, discussing the key concepts and any new vocabulary that arises. Afterward, have your child write a brief report or create an infographic summarizing what they learned, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in STEM fields.

For a more rigorous option, challenge your child to design a simple experiment or engineering project, such as building a small solar oven or creating a simple circuit. Have them write a detailed lab report that includes their hypothesis, methods, observations, and conclusions, along with reflections on what they learned during the process. This activity not only reinforces their reading and writing skills but also deepens their understanding of STEM concepts, fostering critical thinking and effective communication.

Stay tuned for next week’s focus on Literacy in Interdisciplinary content

"We are proud of our Warriors for being Balanced."

Make it a Great Week!

Dr. Coleman

SMS teachers participated in this kick off workshop designed to provide a consistent knowledge base for teaching staff at MYP schools. The workshop laid the foundation and gave them a starting point for implementing the MYP framework. Through collaborative discussions and guided activities, teachers worked together to gain a comprehensive understanding of the program's principles and objectives. This work marked the beginning of our Visioning process, where each teacher group collectively charted the future of MYP implementation at SMS. This plan will serve as a roadmap for successfully embedding the MYP in the school culture.

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IB Learner Profile Attribute: Balanced

Students who are balanced understand the importance of managing different aspects of life, including intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being. They recognize that by maintaining balance, they can promote personal well-being not only for themselves but also for those around them.

Activities for Parents:

• Encourage a variety of activities: Support your child in participating in a range of structured activities, from academics to physical exercise and creative pursuits, to help them find a healthy balance.
• Discuss nutrition: Talk with your child about the food groups and use mealtime to reflect on whether your family’s diet is balanced.
• Be a role model: Demonstrate balance in your own life by engaging in diverse activities as a family—whether it’s learning something new, enjoying physical exercise, or spending time together in conversation.

By fostering this balanced approach at home, you help your child grow into a well-rounded individual capable of managing life’s demands with resilience.

At Sanford Middle School, robotics combines engineering, creativity, and problem-solving, enabling students to design and program robots for various tasks and challenges. Through robotics, students learn coding, which is not only crucial for building robots but also develops critical thinking, logic, and resilience in overcoming complex problems. Coding is an essential skill in today's technology-driven world, giving our students a strong foundation for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Our Sanford Middle School Robotics Team, Creativ3 Chaos, achieved a top-six finish in the state during the First Annual Innovation Spotlight Project. Professionals and university students voted on their outstanding innovation, which involved using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) glasses to help individuals with fine motor skill challenges manipulate paper. Their project introduced a creative way for people who otherwise couldn’t engage in origami to enjoy the craft. The team recently received a banner celebrating this incredible accomplishment.

A special thank you goes to the team’s sponsors, Ms. Wade and Mr. Nelson, for their dedication and unwavering support in guiding our students to success.

We’ve noticed an increase in students arriving late to school and during class transitions, which impacts both their learning and the flow of the classroom. To address this, we’re focusing on encouraging punctuality through teamwork between parents, teachers, and staff. Parents can help by setting up consistent morning routines and letting us know about any challenges. At school, we’ll be reinforcing expectations, closely monitoring transitions, and rewarding students who arrive on time. For more details on how we plan to improve punctuality, check out the attached article. Let’s work together to make every minute count!

In Ms. Heriot’s class, students dove into some exciting inquiry-based learning on Mesopotamia! They explored the ancient civilization through hands-on stations, where they experienced the government, law, and culture of this fascinating era. From deciphering laws to understanding daily life, the students had an immersive journey into the past

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

This year’s girls volleyball season will truly be one to remember! After overcoming countless obstacles and facing adversity head-on, the Warriors fought their way to victory and are now the 2024 SCPS Varsity Girls Volleyball Champions! Huge congratulations to our dedicated players and coaches for their hard work and determination. You’ve made us all proud!

PTSA is organizing the first SMS Spirit Night on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 4-6 PM, at TopGolf Lake Mary (1010 Greenwood Blvd). Tickets for teachers/staff and their family and friends are just $15 each and includes 2 hours of play and unlimited soda, tea and lemonade.

• Students should have ID Badges everyday