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SRMS Updates, November 9, 2023

Weekly News, Updates, and Opportunities from SRMS

SRMS Updates,November 9, 2023Weekly News, Updates, and Opportunities fromSRMS

A Message from Dr. Ortiz, Principal of Sandy Run

Good afternoon, Sandy Run Families,

This final week of the first marking period has been filled with many highlights. While students were busy with the end of the marking period, we also had a chance for some 8th grade students to explore the maker space once again, while students across the entire school prepared for the annual Turkey Trot in PE, and some of our seventh and eighth grade girls began their basketball season. In all, it was a week filled with many exciting opportunities. We also were fortunate enough to begin the week by highlighting some exemplary displays of character and consistency with a Student of the Month recognition (see below). As a school (and as a district), we take grade pride in showcasing the fact that our students have talents and gifts in so many different areas - academic, athletic, artistic, and beyond! Please remember that during the week of November 20, we will have early dismissals to accommodate family-teacher conferences - please see the information below for more detail.


Please see the updates below for some important and exciting opportunities. Have a great end to the week!


Sincerely,

Dan Ortiz

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Student of the Month Recognition

On Monday, student representatives from across the three grades were recognized by the SRMS administration and team teachers for consistent displays of citizenship, character, and overall genuine care. We take great pride in how we excel in the classroom or sports field, but who we are on a day-to-day basis may be even more important!
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Clyde's Cash Trade-In

Our staff consistently recognizes students' positive behavior with "Clyde's Cash" - a part of our school-wide Positive Behavior system that teaches, and recognizes, expected behaviors. This month's focus across the school was "Responsibility". In this picture, Ms. Nuskey celebrates with some seventh grade students as they trade in their Clyde's Cash for a reward.
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6th Grade Math Rotations

Ms. Prinzo's 6th grade math students gather around for a small group rotation in preparation for an assessment. The use of rotations such as these allow for some individual support for all kids with their teacher throughout the day. We are proud of our math teachers and students as we embrace an applicable, hands-on approach to math learning.

Weekly Updates

IMPORTANT LINKS:


Parent Teacher Conferences

  • Fall parent/teacher conferences will take place on Monday, November 20, and Tuesday, November 21 after the half day of school. The teachers are currently inviting parents to conferences on a case-by-case basis based on student needs. Parents who do not receive an invitation to a conference should not feel obligated to schedule one. At the secondary level, we do not expect or require every family to sign up for - or need - a conference, especially as many meetings, emails, and phone calls take place periodically throughout the year in addition to the real-time updates in Schoology.
  • If interested, please click this link to sign up. Please note in 8th grade the student is encouraged to attend their meeting with you.
  • If you have any questions or need help scheduling, please contact Ms. Tona Morrow in the Guidance Office at tmorrow@udsd.org, or your child's school counselor. If the timing of conferences does not work out, please contact your child's school counselor to make other arrangements.


Sandy Run PTO-American Education Week Signup Genius

  • We will be helping to celebrate the incredible SRMS team of educators, administrators, and staff during American Education Week (November 13th through November 17th). Each day of the week has a different theme, and the PTO will need your help to make it a big success. Please review the Signup Genius link to see what items you would like to donate during the week. Thanks to all for your help!! LINK:


SRMS Jazz Band Update

  • Dear Sandy Run Jazz Band Parents & Players, We have hired a new Jazz Band conductor, Mr. Zachary Devine. We are holding a special "Meet & Greet" with Mr. Devine next Wednesday, November 15th, from 4-5pm at Sandy Run. You can have your child wait for the meeting after school in the 2nd floor CollabSpace from 3-4pm that day or have them take their normal way home & drop them back off at SR at 4pm sharp for the meeting.
  • Below is the Jazz Band Permission form. ALL participants must return this form by November 14th to attend the "Meet & Greet."
  • Here is the permission form for Jazz Band.


Be a Part of the Conversation Thursday Nov 9

  • Be a Part of the Conversation equips families and communities in Pennsylvania with skills and resources to understand substance use, addiction, and related health issues. Thanks to the Upper Dublin Education Foundation, UDSD has hosted various events and coming next week, the School District of Springfield Township is offering an online opportunity for parents on Alcohol: A Rite of Passage? Registration is linked here.


UDSD Food Service Updated Information

  • For menus, FAQ's, news and more- visit the UDSD Food Service Department website at https://sites.google.com/udsd.org/foodservices/home. Our FAQs are updated with tons of news and guidance. Please join us on Wednesday Nov. 15th for our Thanksgiving Meal. We are thankful for you!


Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive

  • Thanksgiving is just around the corner. While it is a time for families to gather, it can also pose a burden for some. If your family could use some help, please let your child's counselor know and they will arrange for the holiday food for your family.
  • We are also thrilled to announce that our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive will start next Monday, November 6th and run through to the following Wednesday, November 15th. You can view the attached document, which will list what each class is collecting or the food drive and where the items can be dropped off. These are some tough times we live in and they have been especially difficult on a number of our Upper Dublin families and the surrounding communities. The Food Drive is a wonderful way to give back and help those in need during this Thanksgiving season. All donations will be shared with our Sandy Run families and other local organizations offering assistance to those smiles who need some extra Thanksgiving support. Should you have any questions or be a family in need, please contact one of our school counselors below: 6th grade: Josh Meyer: jmeyer@udsd.org; 7th grade: Margie Scherzer: mscherze@udsd.org; 8th grade: Kathi Babin: kbabin@udsd.org


Eliminating Hunger Campaign

  • We are asking families to join us in taking action for the Eliminating Hunger Campaign by compiling Full Belly Bags for kids who are at risk for food insecurity. We will be collecting the bags in the front office at SRMS from 10/17 through 10/26. To find out more information about this service project please read this flyer and view the video using the QR code that briefly explains the project.


Our Annual Speak Up!

  • This event is scheduled for Thursday, November 30th at 6:30 PM. This is a unique opportunity for our students and the adults in their lives, both at home and at school, to talk about the topics that the students think are the most important. This year's topics are: Relationships; Mental Health; Self image/Body image; Discrimination and Prejudice.
  • Each family member should register separately. Registration takes a minute or two. Here is the link.If you have any questions, please contact the guidance office:6th grade- Josh Meyer: jmeyer@udsd.org;7th grade- Margie Scherzer: mscherze@udsd.org;8th grade- Kathi Babin: kbabin@udsd.org


SpeakUp!- Parenting Adult Coffee on Social Media

  • We're offering an in-person coffee flyer on Friday, November 10th and a virtual coffee flyer on Wednesday, November 15th.


Steel City Codes Philadelphia

  • Steel City Codes Philadelphia is a nationally-reaching nonprofit organization with the aim to bring free and accessible computer science education to children in grades three (3rd) to eight (8th). Recently, Kevin Lim, a student at Upper Dublin High School, and Joshua Kim - two regional directors of Steel City Codes Philadelphia held a very successful online coding seminar in the months of September and October; three of our classes were also in-person at the Upper Dublin Public Library, where we tackled complex coding tasks with the young students.
  • Due to the positive feedback another coding program throughout the months of November and December will be offered. The program schedule is below:
  1. Wednesday, November 8th: Online lesson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  2. Wednesday, November 15th: Online lesson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  3. Wednesday, November 22th: Online lesson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  4. Wednesday, November 29th: Online lesson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  5. Wednesday, December 6th: Online lesson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  6. Wednesday, December 13th: Online lesson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  7. Wednesday, December 20th: Online lesson from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.



CGRC Parent Programs

  • Guiding Good Choices One Week Intensive ages 9-14: The group will meet Monday through Friday 11/13/2023 to 11/17/2023 from 6:00pm- 7:00pm. Parents meet each night without children, but the children join their parent during the 4th session for a discussion about peer pressure. Dinner will also be sent to families every night and incentives (gift cards) will be provided to the kids for participation. Flyer
  • Strengthening Families ages 10-14 (2 Week Intensive):The group will meet on the following dates: Monday 11/27, Tuesday 11/28, Wednesday 11/29, Monday 12/4, Tuesday 12/5, Wednesday 12/6. Parent group and kid group meet at 6:00pm (they will need to be on separate devices) and the whole family meets together at 7:00pm. Dinner will also be sent to families every evening and incentives (gift cards) will be provided to the kids for participation. Flyer
  • Strengthening Families ages 10-14 (2 Week Intensive): The group will meet on the following dates: Monday 12/11, Tuesday 12/12, Wednesday 12/13, Monday 12/18, Tuesday 12/19, Wednesday 12/20. Parent group and kid group meet at 6:00pm (they will need to be on separate devices) and the whole family meets together at 7:00pm. Dinner will also be sent to families every evening and incentives (gift cards) will be provided to the kids for participation. Flyer
  • Through the Eyes of a Child (Ages 5-10): The group will meet every Thursday for 4 weeks beginning November 30th. Parents meet at 6:00pm and the children join them at 7:00pm for skill building and practice. Dinner will also be sent to families each Thursday evening and incentives (gift cards) will be provided for participation. Flyer
  • Parent Therapist Connections (Any Ages): Parents of any age can join and bring topics that they would like to discuss. Groups are run by licensed therapists. Gift cards will be provided for participation! Flyer
  • If you have families that you would specifically like to refer, just fill out this form https://forms.gle/18Cz6bAvagoeYSpTA and we will reach out to get them set up!
  • Parents can register here: https://forms.gle/S1D5icc7APe2Nnvc9 or email me at smessina@cgrc.org or call 484-450-6266.


Everybody’s Theater Company

  • We are pleased to announce The Spongebob Musical Youth Edition will be on November 18, 2023 @ 1pm and 4pm. See the Flyer for more information.


UDHS Basketball Camp

  • UDHS Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Derek Brooks and the Upper Dublin Varsity and JV players are running a basketball camp for boys and girls in grades 4-8 on Saturday November 11 from 9 AM - 12 noon at Upper Dublin High School. See the attached flyer Basketball training


SRMS Yearbook

  • It's time to order your Sandy Run Yearbook! Yearbooks are officially on sale starting at $35 see the flyer for more information. Be sure to have a copy of the memories of the 2023-24 school year. To order, click this link.