December 2019 Dear SMS Families, As we look forward to the beginning of the second semester, many families ask how they can help their middle school child be successful in school and finish the year strong. Good attendance and work habits in the sixth grade year are crucial for success in middle school and future success in high school. Seventh graders should continue establishing good homework habits as their classes become more challenging. For eighth graders, in particular, their attendance and work habits in the last semester of middle school are what transition them into high school and can help or hinder their academic performance in ninth grade and be- yond. Below I share a few friendly reminders on how families can con- tinue to support their middle schooler’s learning at home. Homework is a valuable aid in helping students makes the most of their learning experience at school. It reinforces what has been learned in class, provides independent practice, and helps students develop es- sential study habits required for future success in high school and col- lege. It helps teachers to monitor students’ progress in mastering the standards and helps students prepare for assessments. If no written homework is assigned on a given day or if students complete it by the end of the day, at home students should read for 30 minutes; practice their band or orchestra instrument for 30 minutes; review their notes, vocabulary terms, and spelling words; redo incomplete or incorrect homework for make-up; or play educational computer games. If you feel that your child needs additional practice or more chal- lenging work, please contact his/her teacher, who will be happy to pro- vide that for him/her. If your child is struggling with class work or homework, please contact the teacher, who can provide additional help before, during, or after the school day. Also, students can register to at- tend our Excel2 program, which provides tutoring free of charge in the mornings every day of the week from 7:30-8:30 AM as well as tutoring and enrichment after school on Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30- 5:15 PM. Activity buses are available to transport Excel2 students home. You can access the registration form on the Excel2 website at: https://sites.google.com/a/sahuarita.net/sms-e/home Thank you to all SMS families for supporting your child's learning at home and encouraging high academic achievement! We appreciate you and your partnership with our teachers. Together, we make SMS a great place for students to learn. On behalf of all the staff at SMS, I wish you a very happy holidays and a safe winter break! CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mrs. Stephanie Silman, Principal Last Day of the First Semester: Thurs., 12/19/19 Winter Break: 12/20/19-1/3/20 First Day of Second Semester: Mon., 1/6/20
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December 2019
Dear SMS Families,
As we look forward to the beginning of the second semester, many
families ask how they can help their middle school child be successful
in school and finish the year strong. Good attendance and work habits in
the sixth grade year are crucial for success in middle school and future
success in high school. Seventh graders should continue establishing
good homework habits as their classes become more challenging. For
eighth graders, in particular, their attendance and work habits in the last
semester of middle school are what transition them into high school and
can help or hinder their academic performance in ninth grade and be-
yond. Below I share a few friendly reminders on how families can con-
tinue to support their middle schooler’s learning at home.
Homework is a valuable aid in helping students makes the most of
their learning experience at school. It reinforces what has been learned
in class, provides independent practice, and helps students develop es-
sential study habits required for future success in high school and col-
lege. It helps teachers to monitor students’ progress in mastering the
standards and helps students prepare for assessments. If no written
homework is assigned on a given day or if students complete it by the
end of the day, at home students should read for 30 minutes; practice
their band or orchestra instrument for 30 minutes; review their notes,
vocabulary terms, and spelling words; redo incomplete or incorrect
homework for make-up; or play educational computer games.
If you feel that your child needs additional practice or more chal-
lenging work, please contact his/her teacher, who will be happy to pro-
vide that for him/her. If your child is struggling with class work or
homework, please contact the teacher, who can provide additional help
before, during, or after the school day. Also, students can register to at-
tend our Excel2 program, which provides tutoring free of charge in the
mornings every day of the week from 7:30-8:30 AM as well as tutoring
and enrichment after school on Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30-
5:15 PM. Activity buses are available to transport Excel2 students
home. You can access the registration form on the Excel2 website at:
of an absence in order for it to be excused. Unfortunately, phone calls do not excuse absences under the Board policy. Thank you for your help in sending an email to [email protected] or writing a note and sending it with your child when they return to school!
SMS Choir and Orchestra
Congratulations to Amber Hammerquist (6th Grade, second from right) on
winning the SMS Spelling Bee. She faced off in a head to head competition
with her brother, Jarom Hammerquist (8th Grade, far right), for the top spot.
Khadija Kazia (7th Grade, second from left) came in third. All three will com-
pete and represent SMS in the District Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January
14th in the SUSD Auditorium. Vincent Gastelum (7th Grade, far left) will be
the alternate. Good luck, Jags!
Congratulations
to our Lady Jags
Girls Soccer Team
for taking home
3rd place. Way to
go, ladies!
Congratulations to
our A Team Boys
Basketball on
taking 2nd place.
Way to go, boys!
Boys Soccer Tryouts
When: January 13th-15th
Where: SMS Soccer Field
Girls Basketball Tryouts
When: January 7th-9th
Where: SMS Gym
All students trying out should take the
activity bus or have a parent them pickup.
Tryouts are closed to the public.
Forms Needed
** Physical For
2019-2020
** Emergency Form
( E ven if you have
played1st quarter )
A big thank you goes to everyone who helps volunteer at SMS!
Board Members:
President: Robyn Carlsen
Vice President: Summer Boring
Treasurer: Tara Elam
Secretary : Megan McAllister
Stay Connected: If you miss a meeting, please go
to the SMS PTO Facebook page for the minutes:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/559029500956364/
PAGE 6
Students can also earn out of dress code passes for Fridays when they bring in 10