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Port Susan Middle School
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Family & Student Update 04.07.24
Principal Message
I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break and time to relax with family and friends. Our final day of term 3 will be on Thursday, April 11th. We will begin our term 4 schedules on Friday, April 14th (6th grade Exploratory Rotation & PE/Health/Computer Rotation). As we approach our final quarter together for the 2023-2024 school year, our focus on the learning environment is important. Moving through middle school and onto high school, the habits we form now will help with the success of the future. For our current 8th grade students, finishing in a positive way will make your transition to high school easier. Keep working hard!
- Mrs. Almanza, Principal
Attention 8th Grade Parents
Email photos to: aharrington@stanwood.wednet.edu OR wholtum@stanwood.wednet.edu
Student Recognition
Throughout the year, our staff recognizes students in the classroom that display the characteristics of our Knight's Code.
Supporting Learning: being prepared to learn, following classroom expectations, and participating actively and appropriately.
Showing Kindness: by actively listening, treating everyone with respect, and taking care of Port Susan Middle School.
Embracing Diversity: for embracing other backgrounds, considering the feelings of others, and putting people first
This past week, we had several students recognized (listed below).
Spring Sports
7th/8th Boys Soccer will start on April 8th.
In order to sign up, the Final Forms sign up is found here. Athletes will need a physical on file (good for two years) prior to the first practice. If you have any questions, or need help signing up, please reach out to Crysty Auckland at: cauckland@stanwood.wednet.edu
PSMS Clubs
D&D Club Flyer: Mondays with Mr. McCrumb 2:20pm-3:50
Music Club Fridays 2:30-3:30 with Mr. Bletscher
Sewing Club Thursdays 2:20-3:30 with Mrs. Zurcher (more kids are welcome: Sign up here)
Chess Club 2: Wednesdays/ every other Fridays 2:20-3:30 with Mrs. Shoemaker
Photography Club Tuesdays 2:20-3:50 with Mr. McCrumb and Mr. Rochon Sign Up Here
Soap Box Derby Club: Thursdays 2:30-4 with Mr. Rochon Sign Up Here
Need Homework Support?
Power Hour will start after spring break. Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:20-3:30 with Mr. Keaton. Sign Up here
Spring Play
State Testing
This spring your student will take the Smarter Balanced in math and English language arts. Students in grades 8 will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) or the WA-AIM science assessment.
The results from these tests will give a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to be ready for college or career. When students reach grade 10, the Smarter Balanced can also be used as a graduation pathway.
For state testing, we will provide headphones and all testing materials for students. If they'd like to use their own/personal headphones, please make sure they are WIRED and plug into our Chromebook (state testing does not allow wireless headphones).
Students will take the tests online. Our school is scheduled to take the tests:
- Science: May 6th-10th
- ELA/Math CAT: May 13th - 17th
- ELA/Math PT: May 20th - 24th
For more information about the Smarter Balanced and WCAS tests, visit: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/testing/state-testing-overview, and click on the name of the test.
What’s New in the PSMS Library?
Staff Shout Out: Mr. Hills
1. How long have you been at Port Susan? This is my 4th year teaching at PSMS. I have taught 6,7, and 8 grade history.
2. What is your favorite part of PSMS? My favorite thing about PSMS is the students! They are kind, inquisitive, and have a great sense of humor.
3. What are your hobbies? When I am not at school I like to play golf and go on hikes with my son, Benjamin.
Week of 04/08 through 04/12
Monday, April 8th
- Regular Schedule
- Boys Soccer Day 1
- Track Practice resumes
Tuesday, April 9th
- Regular Schedule
Wednesday, April 10th
- Wednesday Schedule
- Conferences
Thursday, April 11th
- Regular Schedule
- Final Day of Term 3
Friday, April 12th
- Regular Schedule
- First Day of Term 4
State Testing
Science: May 6th-10th
ELA/Math CAT: May 13th - 17th
ELA/Math PT: May 20th - 24th
District news
Bus guidelines
To keep everyone safe on school buses and to abide by state law, please follow these guidelines while on a bus:
All items — such as sports equipment, instruments, and metal water bottles — must be completely secured inside of a closed bag or instrument case.
The bus is considered an extension of the school day, and students are expected to behave in a way that is consistent with school/classroom expectations.
For example, items such as bats, lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets, and Stanley water bottles must be secured inside a closed bag while on a school bus.
There are no exceptions to these rules and regulations, per WAC 392-145-021 (Washington State Administrative Code) and School Board policy.
We appreciate your help in making sure that our students continue to stay safe on the bus and following state law so our school buses remain in service.
Please contact our Transportation Department with any questions.
Still time to take and share the annual community survey!
We're still hoping more community members take our annual Community Survey.
Your voice truly helps us plan for and prioritize for the years ahead as we adjust our practices in several ways to meet the needs of our students, staff, families, and community!
Local nonprofits offer clubs and programs for students
Several area nonprofit organizations — such as the Stanwood-Camano YMCA and the Stanwood Camano Arts Advocacy Commission — offer clubs, programs, classes, and events for local students, including:
- Inclusive Egg Hunt
- Spring Sports (YMCA)
- Freeform Line Drawing (SCAAC)
- Spring Rowing (Everett Rowing)
View even more local programming on our Community e-Fliers webpage!
Friday Family Message
Find the most recent Friday Family Message from the Stanwood-Camano School District online HERE
Thank you for your support!
Cherae Almanza, Principal
Crysty Auckland, Assistant Principal
Teacher Emails
Dave Austin (6-8 Fitness & Social Studies 6) daustin@stanwood.wednet.edu
Jonathan Bletscher (6-8 Band & 6 Choir) jbletscher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joan Campbell (6-7 Math) jcampbell@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tamara Pedersen (6-7 Math) tpedersen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Stunz (7 ELA & 7/8 Art) lstunz@stanwood.wednet.edu
Grace Gale (6 Science & 8 STEM/Robotics) GGale@stanwood.wednet.edu
Chelsea Hanson (6-8 ELA/Humanities) CHanson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Audrie Harrington (6/7 ELA & 7/8 Leadership) aharrington@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joshua Keaton (7/8 History) jkeaton@stanwood.wednet.edu
Seth Hills (6/7 Social Studies) shills@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Johnson (6-8 Assist) ljohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Wade Johnson (7/8 Science) wjohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Rebecca Klein (6/7 Science) rklein@stanwood.wednet.edu
Meghan Lawrence (6-8 PBS) mlawrence@stanwood.wednet.edu
Ellianna Martin (6-8 Math) emartin@stanwood.wednet.edu>,
Daniel Mccrumb (6/7 Science) DMccrumb@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sarah Oldow (6-8 Health & 6 Art) soldow@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tracy Riley (6-8 ELA) TRiley@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kelcie Rocha (7/8 Math) krocha@stanwood.wednet.edu
Brad Rochon (6-8 Computers & 6 Leadership) brochon@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sheri Schroeder (8 History & ELA) sleeschroeder@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kym Shoemaker (7/8 Math) kshoemaker@stanwood.wednet.edu
Crystal Titus (6-8 Fitness & 7/8 Lifetime Fitness) ctitus@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kayte White (8 ELA & 6 Cultures) kwhite@stanwood.wednet.edu
Julia Zurcher (7 History & 7/8 Home Ec) jzurcher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Office Support
Christy Thompson (8 Counselor) cthompson2@stanwood.wednet.edu
Keli Niegemann (6-8 Counselor) kniegemann@stanwood.wednet.edu
Emily Bowne (School Psychologist) ebowne@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kandyce Hansen (Speech Language Pathologist) khansen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Debbie Byrum (Librarian) dbyrum@stanwood.wednet.edu
Amy Hart (Student Support Advocate) ahart@stanwood.wednet.edu