MAVERICK MEMO 25:11 (11.22.2024)

Hello Mavericks!!!!

In this Maverick Memo I will share information on the following:

1. PTA Updates
   
2. Fundraiser Input
3. Book Recommendation
4. SEAC Coffee Talks
   
5. Lost and Found
6. Second Step
7. Bus Change
8. Suicide Prevention Presentation
9. 2025 VA Climate Survey
10. Important Dates

If you have any questions, just send me an email at will.waldman@lcps.org.

Will Waldman, Principal

1. There is a Spirit Night on November 25th from 4-9PM at SOLO PIZZA! Come on down, tell Syed that Mr. Waldman says, "Hi," and that you are from Smart's Mill and a portion comes back to our PTA!
2. Student trip interest meeting. The PTA shared that there will be an meeting for parents and students to find out about a trip being offered to Greece, Italy, and Spain in July of 2026. The meeting will take place on December 4th at 7:00PM in the Smart's Mill library. If interested, please use this link https://bit.ly/4f4OJsF
3. Altitude Spirit Night--December 6 5-8PM. Come bounce around with other Smart's Mill families. Bring a brand new (or unworn) coat to donate to the Good Shepherd Alliance.

JOIN THE PTA!! The single most important way to support your student, the staff and the PTA, is to join the PTA. Sign up here.

Also, subscribe to our website so you don't miss any news, events, and more! Subscribe here. Click Sign Up in the top right corner.

Questions? Email smmsvapta@gmail.com.

Each year we raise funds so that we can support the school climate and culture. We use the funds for awards and recognitions. We use the funds to beautify the school. We use the funds to have fun events for students.

Mr. Waldman is asking for feedback from parents about the best way to achieve the goals that we have. We have had the students sell wrapping paper and other items from a catalog. We have had students sell chocolate bars, we have done discount cards, and we have asked for parents to donate funds directly to the school. None of which has ever made a large impact.

Personally, Mr. Waldman prefers direct donations. They are tax deductible for you and we don't have to pay a commission to a fund raising company. He is not a fan of having kids sell items, but we did fairly well with the chocolate sale last year.

To help, please complete this Google Survey. Mr. Waldman will share the results with families before we leave on Thanksgiving Break. Your input is highly valued.

Mr. Waldman has started reading a very compelling book that has a great deal of relevance to middle school aged children. The book is called, "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt. He has been intrigued by the data and the insights thus far. He is looking forward to reading the remainder of the book over Thanksgiving Break. It provides a very compelling explanation about how the advent of smart phones has impacted adolescent children.

All Parents with a Special Needs Child are welcome to Coffee Talks on the Last Monday of each month (excluding December & May).

We will share resources, explore hot topics, provide update on SEAC and lend support.

Hosted by THS & SMMS SEAC Rep and Special Needs Consultant Cortney Heykoop.

Please RSVP to Cortney@cloverleafwealth.com or text 703-395-0860.

Oct 28th, Nov 25th, Jan 27th, Feb 24th, March 31st, April 28th,

Simply Be 1:00-2:00pm

Starbucks (Market Street) 7-8pm

All parents from are welcome regardless of the school your child attends.

We have Lost and Found items in each house area and in the lunchroom. If you child is missing a lunchbox, water bottle, jacket, etc. Please have them look at each of the different areas to retrieve their items. There are also items like glasses, earbuds, and jewelry that are located in the main office.

Please know that each area has many unclaimed items. All unclaimed items will be donated to local agencies after Thanksgiving Break.

Second Step is the program that Smart's Mill utilizes for our advisory program, "CONNECT." Please use this link to review upcoming lessons.

Additionally, school counselors will be facilitating bullying prevention lessons next week. Please reach out to your student's grade level counselor if you have any questions.

Effective, Monday, November 25, 2024, stops have been moved Bus 829 and added them to existing routes for buses 2161 and 2334. This is for the AM only. The afternoon transportation remains unchanged.

If you want to see if your child's route is affected, please log into ParentVUE to find the most up to date transportation information. Also, be certain to check your email inbox for notifications from transportation if your child's bus route has changed.

There will be a presentation for parents and guardians at Independence High School (23115 Learning Circle, Ashburn, VA) on December 5 from 6:30-8:00 PM to discuss risk factors, strategies, and warning signs to help provide parents the tools to reduce the possibility of a suicidal ideation. Please see the flyers below..

Please use the QR Code to register so that the presenter know how to best accommodate their audience

Each year the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services conducts a survey of students across the Commonwealth. The purpose is to gain information about school climate and safety to ensure an environment that is conducive to learning.

This survey will be administered to students in grades 6-8 at Smart's Mill middle school. If you would like more information about the survey, please follow this LINK

Below are a upcoming dates that families need to be aware of. More details will be in future Maverick Memos. Please remember to check the school's website to review our calendar to identify any other dates by following this LINK.

• November 25: Explore Clubs
• November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break
• December 4: Chorus 6 and Chorus 7 Concerts

Above are links to Facebook and Twitter. Below are links to the school's website, and my email.

Email: will.waldman@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/o/smm
Location: 850 North King Street, Leesburg, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2030