Panther Press
May 1-5, 2023
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K-12 Learning Recovery Grants
Virginia parents will soon be able to apply for K-12 Learning Recovery grants to access educational services their children need to address the impact of the pandemic on their academic progress and well-being. Parents will access the K-12 Learning Recovery grant application through a secure online portal, now under development, and select a vetted, pre-approved tutoring service or other qualifying service provider. Find out more from VDOE!
Save the Date! (Updated)
May
Wednesday, May 3rd-BETA Induction (Invitation Only)
Friday, May 12th-Interim Reports Available Online
Thursday, May 18th-8th Grade Reading SOL Testing
Friday, May 19th-Drama Production at 7 pm
Tuesday, May 23rd-7th Grade Reading SOL Testing
Wednesday, May 24th-Spring Band/Chorus Concert
Wednesday. May 24th-Last Day to Check-out Library Books
Friday, May 26th-May Snow Day-No School
Monday, May 29th-Memorial Day Holiday-No School
June
Thursday, June 1st-7th Grade Mathematics SOL Testing
Friday, June 2nd-8th Grade Mathematics & Algebra SOL Testing
Friday, June 2nd-Deadline to return all SMS library books
Monday, June 5th-8th Grade Science/Civics SOL Testing
Thursday, June 8th-Field Day
Thursday, June 8th & Friday, June 9th-8th Grade Laptop Collection Days
Monday, June 12th & Tuesday, June 13th-7th Grafe Laptop Collection Days
Tuesday, June 13th-SMS Career Day
Wednesday, June 14h-8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Wednesday. June 14th-3 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, June 15th-3 Hour Early Dismissal & Last Day of School
In conjunction with the Isle of Wight County Schools new Strategic Plan, the division is launching a recognition program that is open to any member of the Smithfield Middle School community. Staff, teachers, students, volunteers, parents, and community members can all be nominated for a monthly SMS ISLE award.
The award focuses on the four broad areas of the Strategic Plan: Inspire, Succeed, Lead, Empower. The first letter of each word spells ISLE. When read together, the sound you hear is “I’ll Inspire” or “I’ll Succeed”, giving everyone ownership of the key actions throughout the plan.
Across SMS, people are demonstrating acts of inspiration, success, leadership, and empowerment. The ISLE award welcomes nominations that demonstrate how someone in the SMS community has embodied one of these areas.
From October through June, four nominees will be selected for recognition--one in each category-- and will be highlighted on our social media pages, website, and newsletters for our school and for IWCS.
Thank you for taking time to nominate someone for a Smithfield Middle ISLE Award.
Students should not be sharing or exchanging food.
Technology Pricing Update
- (if device is not under warranty, we do not charge for AppleCare+)
- Laptop Price - $399.00 [Old MacBook Airs (7th & 8th grade)]
- Warranty - $149.00
- iPearl Laptop Case - $15.53 (2015-2020 distribution)
- Brenthaven Case - $33.50 (2020 distribution)
- Brenthaven Case - $32.50 (2021 & 2022 distribution)
- Charger Replacement NEW MagSafe2 - (from Apple) - $71.10
- Charger Replacement USED MagSafe2 - (from Apple) -$19
- Charger USB-C Brick (30W) - (from Apple) - $44.10
- Charger USB-C Cable (from Apple) - $17.10
- Screen Repair (example and could change) - $99 when under warranty / $249.00 out of warranty
- Screen Repair (2021-2022+) (example and could change) - $99 when under warranty / $307 out of warranty
- Extensive Damage (water spill for example and could change) - $299 when under warranty / full replacement cost of computer
- Extensive Damage (2021-2022+) (example and could change) - $299 when under warranty / full replacement cost of computer
Payments are only accepted as cash or check.
Contact Information
We want to remain in contact with you. Please make sure your student's contact information is updated using the https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/powerschool . Also, check your voicemail to make sure you can receive voice messages because we have attempted to contact families that had voicemailboxes that were full.
Mass communications may be sent via Connect 5. If you opted out, please reconnect with us https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/connect5 . Another way to receive mass communications is through Remind. On your iPhone or Android phone, open your web browser and go to the following link: rmd.at/iwcssms.
If you don’t have a smartphone, get text notifications.
Text the message @iwcssms to the number 81010.If you’re having trouble with 81010, try
texting @iwcssms to (901) 466-8785.
Let's stay connected!
Things to Know....
Arrival-Students should NOT arrive to our campus without being accompanied by their parent/guardian before 7:10 am. Our doors open at 7:10 am to all students. Parents are to remain courteous to other drivers while dropping off students. Students who are car riders should be dropped off at the curb in front of the school. Students arriving after 7:27 am are considered tardy.
Attendance-. All attendance notes may be handwritten and dropped off at the main office. Or emailed, scanned, or screenshot to Ms. Asby at lashby@iwcs.k12.va.us.
Excused Absences: Students are only allowed 5 parent notes per semester.
Bus Information-Students should be at their assigned bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
Breakfast-Breakfast is served in the cafeteria 7:10 am-7:23 am. Students who bring breakfast from home or local eateries must eat breakfast in the cafeteria during breakfast time. Breakfast cost $1.35 unless approved free/reduced lunch.
Lunch-Lunch is served during 3rd black classes for 30 minutes.
11:05-11:35-7th Grade English & Science-7
11:35-12:05-7th Grade Math & History-7
12:05-12:35-8th Grade Exploratory
12:35-1:05-8th Grade Math & Science/History
Lunch cost $2.85 unless approved free/reduced lunch.
Dismissal-
Staggered Dismissal beginning with car riders. Car Riders will be dismissed at 2:35 pm.
Parents may pull up to the curb for pick-up. Students are NOT to walk through the parking lot during dismissal to get into a parked car; unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Bus Riders will be dismissed with their teachers walking them outside.
Dress Code-Students are expected to dress appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Any attire that inhibits the learning environment will be viewed as inappropriate. Inappropriately dressed students’ parents/guardians will be called to bring appropriate clothing before students can attend class. If a parent/guardian is unable to bring a change of clothes or an alternate, more appropriate outfit will be provided by the school
Schedule-A lot of time has been spent on scheduling. We wish we could honor every scheduling change request, however, it could have a greater effect on other classes or the number of students enrolled in the class. Exploratory classes are alternating classes each day. Tuesday, Sept. 6th is "A" day and Wednesday, Sept. 7th is "B" day following the alternating pattern.
How to read a students schedule:
Period-Referred to as blocks. There are four periods followed by (A-B), (A), or (B). (A-B) are core content classes which students will attend daily. (A) is an exploratory class scheduled on "A" day. (B) is an exploratory class scheduled on "B" day.
Course Name-The name of the subject/core class/exploratory class.
Course & Section #-Only for admin to reference.
Term-22-23-Yearlong Course; S1-Semester 1; S2-Semester 2; Q1-Quarter 1 (1st Nine Weeks) ; Q2-Quarter 2 (2nd Nine Weeks); Q3-Quarter 3 (3rd Nine Weeks); Q4-Quarter 4 (4th Nine Weeks)
Teacher-Last Name of the Teacher assigned to the course
Room #-The location of the class.
School Visitors-Limited access to the building. All visitors must sign in at the main office. Visitors may not visit classrooms unless an agreed-upon date/time is scheduled. DoorDash, GrubHub or local deliveries will not be accepted for students.
Water Bottles Only-Students are welcome to have water bottles in class. Only bottles with a sealed lid/cap.
Food-Students should not share/exchange food items.
About SMS
Email: kbuggs@iwcs.k12.va.us
Website: https://sms.iwcs.k12.va.us/
Location: 14175 Turner Drive, Smithfield, VA 23430
Phone: 757-365-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PantherSharpSMS
Twitter: @SMSIWCS
Join Smithfield PTA
https://smithfieldmiddleschoolpta.memberhub.com/store/items72587?limit=21&live=true
Email to express interest as a volunteer smspantherspta@gmail.com