BRAVE Connections

November 3, 2024

Dear Warrior Families,

November is "National Family Literacy Month". We’re excited to celebrate the power of reading together as a school community! This special month highlights the role of literacy in every aspect of life and provides a meaningful chance for families to share stories, discover new ideas, and nurture a love of learning that supports students for years to come. Reading together as a family not only strengthens literacy skills but also creates lasting memories, deepens family bonds, and ignites imaginations, fostering creativity, empathy, and curiosity. Throughout the month, we encourage families to set aside dedicated reading time, whether that means exploring a new book, sharing favorite childhood stories, or creating your own family stories. We’ll also be sharing daily tips, book recommendations, and activities to help bring the magic of literacy to life.

Breaking News! Scholastic Book Fair is returning to SMS - November 7th – 15th!

PTSA has a BIG GOAL of 1400 BOOKS - 1 book for every student!

What you need to know:

1. EVERY student will visit the book fair in their ELA class
2. Students will receive a wish list on their preview day
3. Parents can set-up a Scholastic eWallet for the fair; cash, check and debit/credit card are also accepted.
4. Click for here and all book fair info: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sanfordmiddle

We look forward to our culminating Family Literacy Night on November 14th, 6:00 pm - 8:00pm, where families can join us for fun, interactive activities designed to make reading engaging for all ages. This special evening will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families, exchange book ideas, and celebrate literacy as a community. Students who attend and complete activities will receive one bonus of their choosing - ELA extra credit, drop your lowest ELA class assignment score, or a ticket to Skip the Line at lunch. This event is open to all students and families; entry is free! Pizza and refreshments available for preorder. A limited quantity of pizzas will be available for purchase at the event; we encourage you to preorder! Details coming soon!

Thank you for joining us in making National Family Literacy Month a time of connection, laughter, and discovery as we inspire a lifelong love of reading in every student and family member. Together, let’s celebrate literacy, imagination, and the joy of learning!

"We are proud of our Warriors for being effective Communicators!

Make it a Great Week!

Dr. Coleman

As technology increasingly shapes our children’s lives, we have a unique opportunity to work together to guide them toward safe, respectful, and responsible online behavior. Partnering in digital citizenship empowers our students to navigate the digital world in ways that reflect the values we prioritize at school and home. By modeling responsible technology use, openly discussing online activities and challenges, encouraging safe sharing, and reinforcing online etiquette, we create a foundation for positive digital habits. To further support these efforts, SCPS will be offering an upcoming seminar for parents on enhancing digital citizenship skills. This seminar will provide strategies for guiding children in safe, thoughtful digital practices and navigating common challenges they may encounter online. Together, with this added support, we can help our students grow into responsible and respectful digital citizens. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in preparing them to be safe and smart digital leaders. Check out the flyer below.

At Sanford Middle School, we’re committed to fostering skills that help students become self-regulated learners who are motivated to pursue their goals. The IB Approaches to Learning (ATL) framework is at the heart of our educational approach, focusing on five key skill areas that support students in asking meaningful questions, setting effective goals, and achieving success through determination.

We’ve created a variety of challenges that can be explored both in school and at home, allowing students to build these ATL skills through authentic learning experiences. These challenges cover a wide range of interests, from space exploration and Morse code to music, storytelling, machines, mindfulness, and even yoga. Here’s what these challenges offer:

• Thinking Skills Challenges: Encourage students to generate and evaluate ideas, consider new perspectives, and strengthen their metacognitive abilities.
• Research Skills Challenges: Help students plan, gather and interpret data, and apply technology effectively.
• Social Skills Challenges: Focus on collaboration, self-control, and empathy while teaching students to manage setbacks.
• Self-Management Skills Challenges: Guide students in setting goals, using time wisely, showing persistence, and maintaining positive thinking.

We encourage you to support your child in exploring these challenges at home, fostering curiosity, independence, and a love for learning. Thank you for being an essential part of your child’s journey to becoming a lifelong learner!

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Attention 8th Grade Warriors!

We are excited to inform you that the registration window for Seminole County magnet programs is currently open. If your student is interested in applying to one of these unique and specialized programs, now is the time! The application period runs from October 1st until December 1st. On October 28th, representatives from various magnet programs gave a presentation to all 8th grade social studies classes, helping students explore the different options available for high school.

Magnet Programs in Seminole County:

1. Crooms Academy of Information Technology
   Focus on technology and digital skills for future careers.
2. Academy of Engineering at Lyman High School
   A specialized program for students interested in engineering and innovation.
3. Academy of Health Careers at Seminole High School
   Prepares students for careers in the healthcare field through hands-on experiences and in-depth study.
4. International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
   Available at either Seminole High School or Winter Springs High School, this program provides a challenging academic environment with a global focus, preparing students for college and beyond.

For more details or assistance with the application process, please visit the Student Assignment and Program Access Department at https://www.scps.k12.fl.us/district/departments/assignment-access.

Encourage your student to explore these opportunities and make the most of their high school experience!

#Connections #WeAreSanford

Join me on my #WarriorWalks! Follow me on Instagram: @drcoleman_stemleader (https://instagram.com/drcoleman_stemleader).

Ms. Torres’ Spanish Pronouns Practice: Mastering the basics to communicate confidently!#WarriorWalks

In Ms. Futrell’s class, students are mastering the slope-intercept form y = mx + b , learning to graph equations, solve for variables, and connect math to real-world problems. #WarriorWalks

Parents, did you know that your child's Math Nation book is available on Clever? This means students have easy access to all the resources the book offers right at their fingertips. If you ever find yourself thinking, *"I don't know how to help you,"* simply encourage your child to open Math Nation and navigate to the lesson they're struggling with. Each concept is supported by instructional videos featuring multiple teachers, allowing your child to choose the one that resonates best with them. This way, they can reinforce their understanding at their own pace—reducing stress for you and providing effective support for them.

Calling All Parents, Community Members, and Friends of Sanford Middle School!

Get ready to be a part of Teach-In 2024 on Tuesday, November 12th! We’re inviting community leaders like you to join this special event by teaching at least one class. Have you ever wondered what it means to “Teach for a Day”? This is your chance to share your life experiences, career insights, travel stories, or even a favorite hobby with our students.

Why Join Teach-In?

This is a fantastic opportunity for parents, business leaders, and community members to show our students that we care and are invested in their future. Whether you have an hour or a few, your presence can make a lasting impact. And don’t worry—we’ll help you prepare with an informative Teach-In Speaker Guide!

How to Get Involved:

Simply fill out the Speaker Registration Form here: https://forms.gle/z3eJkS6fUhdRm4rW6, or reach out by calling our office at (407) 320-6172 during weekdays (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM), or email us at brennacd@myscps.us.

Join us in building a brighter future together! We can’t wait to welcome you into our classrooms.

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

Stay tuned for meet times...

• Students should have ID Badges everyday