January 27, 2025

Dear Warrior Families,

We are pleased to announce that testing is now complete, and we are returning to our normal schedule this week. Our students have demonstrated remarkable perseverance throughout this period, and we are excited to move forward with renewed energy and focus. This week, teachers will begin holding data chats with students to discuss their progress—celebrating accomplishments toward meeting their mid-year growth goals and identifying areas to work on in order to reach their full potential. These conversations will help students take ownership of their learning, motivating them to continue striving for success. In the coming week, we’ll be providing more details on how you can support your child in setting meaningful end-of-year goals, with a focus on achieving a learning gain. Our goal is to help every student succeed, and we believe that by setting clear objectives and staying focused, they will continue to thrive.

Our school-wide focus remains on fostering strong connections with our students. We’re ensuring that each student has a trusted adult to turn to and offering opportunities for personalized tutoring and guidance. We are listening to their voices, encouraging them to speak up, and making sure they feel supported both academically and emotionally.

As we move into the final stretch of this cold spell, stay warm! Thank you for partnering with us. Together we are truly unstoppable.

"One Sanford...We Are Warriors!"

2025 Ready,

Dr. Coleman

IMPORTANT: Please review the Curriculum Guide for updated information on courses and core content models aligned with MYP goals and objectives.

Registration for 2025-2026

• To help you and your student navigate this process, we have provided the curriculum guide and the course selection links below. This guide contains all the information about available courses and any requirements.

Application Based Electives

• For some specialized courses, students will need to complete an application. Links to apply for these courses are included in the attachment. Please note that the application deadline is February 7th, 2025.
• It’s important to understand that students who apply for specialized courses are not guaranteed acceptance. Placement decisions will be made based on specific criteria outlined in the application process.
• In order to apply for these courses, students must be logged into their SCPS Google accounts. If you are trying to access it through a person Google account, the link will not work.

As a Reminder Forms are Due on Monday, to your child's Science Teacher

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are pleased to introduce our updated Parent-Teacher Conference process, designed to address concerns promptly and efficiently. Below is an overview of how to proceed if you wish to meet with your child’s teacher(s):

Concern with a Single Teacher

• Step 1: Direct Contact
  If you have a concern related to one teacher, please contact that teacher directly (via email or phone) to arrange a meeting.
• Step 2: Administrative Involvement

If an issue remains unresolved after meeting with the teacher, you may request additional support from administration.

Concern with Multiple Teachers

• Step 1: Contact Your Grade-Level Counselor
  If you have concerns involving multiple teachers, please reach out to your child’s grade-level counselor.
• Step 2: Meeting & Follow-Up
• The counselor will schedule a group meeting that includes all relevant teachers and will also attend to help facilitate communication.
• Emergency Cancellations
• If an emergency prevents a teacher from attending at the last minute, the teacher who cannot attend will work with you directly to find a new time.

We appreciate your cooperation as we implement these updates, and we remain committed to partnering with you for your child’s success. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please reach out to your teacher, counselor, or our administrative office.

Sincerely,
The Leadership Team

As part of our ongoing exploration of the MYP Global Contexts, this week’s newsletter focuses on Orientation in Space and Time.

What is Orientation in Space and Time?

This global context helps students examine how personal and shared histories, geography, and cultural heritage shape the world around us. By looking at the connections between events, people, and places across time and space, students gain a deeper understanding of the influences that drive societies and civilizations.

How is My Child Exploring This Context in Class?

In class, your child may:

• Study key historical events and how they shaped modern societies.
• Investigate how geographic features influence human settlement, trade, and cultural exchange.
• Examine their own family history or community traditions, reflecting on how these shape identity and perspective.

Supporting This Learning at Home

• Discuss Family Origins: Share family stories, look through old photographs, or create a family tree.
• Explore Local History: Visit a nearby landmark or historical site and talk about its significance to the community.
• Use Maps and Atlases: Work together to trace migration paths, trade routes, or the impact of geographic features on human activity.

Through Orientation in Space and Time, our students are not only gaining a greater appreciation of history and geography, but also learning how their own lives fit into the broader tapestry of human experiences. We hope you find these tips and activities helpful in making this global context come alive at home.

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This week, our STEM spotlight shines brightly on our dedicated Science Department for their outstanding efforts in guiding students through the Science Fair process. Participating in a science fair is an invaluable experience for students, allowing them to delve deeper into the scientific method, enhance critical thinking skills, and apply their learning to real-world, hands-on projects.

Our wide array of STEM electives enables students to connect their classroom learning to meaningful projects. For example, Lucas Chastain, a passionate student with a love for animals and marine biology, created a project on hermit crabs that combined his interests with the scientific method. This integration of electives and real-world applications fosters innovation, creativity, and a deeper understanding of STEM concepts.

This past Tuesday, we proudly hosted our school science fair, where students had the opportunity to showcase their hard work to families and community members. It was inspiring to see their dedication and enthusiasm for science!

We are thrilled to announce that several of our students will advance to the District Science Fair. Please join us in giving a warm Warrior shout-out to these outstanding students:

As we continue to work together to support our students, we ask for your help in reinforcing the importance of making good choices and staying focused on their academic and personal goals. Every action has consequences, and we want to ensure our students are mindful of their decisions both in and outside the classroom.

Please take a moment to talk with your child about the value of staying on track, setting goals, and understanding the impact of their choices. Your encouragement and support at home make all the difference in helping them succeed. Together, we can create a positive and productive environment for our students. Thank you for your continued partnership!

#Connections #WeAreSanford

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

A huge shout-out to all the parents who came out to support the Science Showcase! Your encouragement means the world, and our Warriors represented us with excellence and pride. Thank you for celebrating their hard work and dedication!

• To support your child’s success in any subject, make time each day to ask about what they learned and encourage them to explain key ideas in their own words. This approach not only solidifies their understanding but also boosts confidence. When reviewing notes or homework together, have your child underline or highlight important information and focus on new or challenging vocabulary, discussing what these terms mean and how to use them correctly. If your child is stuck on a concept, watch short online videos or tutorials together, pausing to talk through the examples and clear up any confusion. Establish a consistent study routine by setting aside a quiet space each evening for reviewing notes, practicing problems, or working on projects—even a few minutes can make a big difference. Finally, celebrate every step forward, no matter how small, to keep your child motivated and excited about learning. Together we can achieve!

• 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.

Did you know that Math Nation (Accelerate Learning) offers a dedicated section for families, designed to help support math learning at home?

Families can use the Family Area in Math Nation to support their students by accessing helpful resources such as Family Support Videos. These videos provide an overview of what students are learning and how it connects to past math concepts. These videos help parents understand the material and offer guidance on how to assist their children at home. The Family Letter available in the Family Area, gives a detailed overview of the curriculum and what resources are included to support students at home. It also provides helpful tips for parents on how to encourage their student’s math development. The Family Area also offers tools like Stepping Stones or Check Your Understanding to reinforce learning, ensuring families can stay actively involved in their student's math progress. By utilizing these resources, families can play a key role in supporting their student's success in math.

Congratulations to our amazing PTSA Reflections winners! Reflections is a National PTA arts program that encourages students to unleash their creativity through various art forms, including literature, photography, dance, music, film, and visual arts.

Join PTSA- It's not too late!

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

It is important for students to bring their badge each day, as it grants them access to buildings and classes. Students were provided with an initial badge and one free replacement at no cost.

Effective January 7, 2025, students who have already used their one-time replacement will need to pay for any additional badge replacements. The cost for secondary schools is $2.00.

This week, the team will work to ensure all students have a working badge or are added to the replacement list. The following payment methods will be accepted:

• Cash/Check: Payments can be made directly to the individual issuing new badges.
• MySchoolBucks (MSB): Parents may also pay online through MySchoolBucks.

If payment cannot be made at the time of badge printing, notification letters will be sent to parents.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring all students are equipped with working badges!

Please take a moment to review the new lunchroom procedures and the importance of safety with your child.