Author: RuppeJen

Springfield Middle School
pta newsletter

#AUGUST 2015

Fall Edition

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

AVID	2
Lunch Prices	2
TIE/Period 2.5	2
New 4 Marking Periods	2
S.T.A.R.S	3
FAQs	3
Cougar Cash / PBIS	4

Marking Period Dates:
Marking Period 1 ends—Oct. 30
Marking Period 2 ends—January 15
Marking Period 3 ends –March 18
Marking Period 4 ends—June 9
Report Cards are sent home with students 1 week after the indicated date.

Principal’s Welcome—Jennifer Ruppenthal
Welcome to the beginning of the 2015—2016 school year! I hope this newsletter finds you relaxing and enjoying your summer.
Student schedules will be distributed on Back to School Night for grade 6 and on the first day of school for 7th and 8th graders.
Bus schedules will be posted on the front doors of the school on Friday, August 14
On the first day of school your child will bring home some very important sources of information. Please make sure that you complete all forms including the emergency medical form and have your child return the forms the second day of school.
I hope that you find the information provided in this newsletter to be helpful!

Attention parents of 7th graders -
Parents/guardians are required to provide proof of MCV4 and Tdap vaccination to their child’s school/health room prior to the start of the new school year to avoid exclusion from school. Please call Center for Education Services at 301.766.2800 with any questions.

COUGARS

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT DATES
Grade 6 Tuesday, August 18, 5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Grade 7 Tuesday, August 25, 6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Thursday, August 25, 6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.

Please attend our Back to School Night! You will have an opportunity to meet the teachers that will be working with your child this year. We look forward to meeting you!

SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL * 334 SUNSET AVENUE, WILLIAMSPORT, MARYLAND 21795
Main Office 301.766.8389 **** Fax: 301.766.8401

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Springfield Middle School
pta newsletter

STUDENT HANDBOOK
Please review the Washington County Board of Education Handbook and the Springfield Middle School Student Planner as they both are critical guides in understanding the policies and procedures that provide a safe and orderly environment for all students. Both will be distributed during the first week of school to your child.

chool Lunch Price
For the 2015-2016 School Year
Secondary Lunch $2.50
Reduced Lunch $0.40
R

Lifetouch
Lifetouch Photography is scheduled to photograph students on Tuesday, September 8, 2015. It is important that your student is photographed to ensure their inclusion in the yearbook and in order to receive any school related products such as photo ID cards. It is also an excellent opportunity to capture treasured memories of your child. Portrait information will be distributed to students as the date approaches. If you need additional information, please visit the school’s website to view and/or download a copy of the Lifetouch portrait flyer or contact Lifetouch directly at 1.800.445.1189.

What is AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)?
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college readiness system that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The AVID system accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional development, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change. We are beginning our 5th year of AVID implementation at Springfield Middle School this year. We are excited to announce that we will begin a grade 6 AVID group this year in addition to our grade 7 and grade 8 groups. The SpMS AVID Site Team is led by coordinator, Bill Bergan.

Targeted Interventions and Enrichment (TIE) or Period 2.5
The 2.5 Period will return and remain the entire school year. This captured time is helping students with reading and math skills. Additional options for students will be available and the TIE time will be explained in it’s entirety to students during the first three days of school.
If your child is going to be in AVID, he/she will be with the AVID elective teacher during this time. If your child is a Magnet grade 8 student he/she will be in the Introduction to Engineering course during this time, earning a high school credit. The 6th and 7th Magnet students will be learning research and investigation strategies applying their problem solving skills.
If your child was not meeting grade level standards on their Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments hen he/she will be in targeted interventions with either Math or ELA teachers.
Students not in any of the above categories will be given options and they will select the course of their choice during this 2.5 period. Students in this group will rotate every 18 weeks or by semester.

Fall Edition

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Joining Springfield Middle School will keep you connected with important information throughout the year!

Are you a Coca-Cola fan? Is Red Robin your Friday night dinner choice?
Through Coca-Cola’s My Coke Rewards and Red Robin’s Burgers for Better Schools Program you can help earn money for our school. These funds can be used to support physical education, sports, technology, arts and/or classroom supplies. Please visit #https://kula.com/partners/partners#RedRobinRewards for more information.

Success Through Academic Recognition at Springfield (STARS)
This award is designed to recognize students who excel academically during the marking period which is given three times a year. Students are awarded with a certificate and breakfast with their parents, who are invited to attend. Teachers collectively decide on three students per grade level each marking period.
Also included in the STARS celebration is the Character Counts students who are recognized for the particular characterization for the marking period. These change for each marking period. They too, are included in the breakfast and receive the same items as the STARS do. Three students per grade level is chosen for this award!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What time does school begin? School Begins at 7:35a.m. The front doors open for students at 7:25 a.m. which allows students enough time to report to lockers and homeroom for breakfast (if they choose to) served in homeroom.
What time does school end? Bus riders are dismissed at 2:20 p.m. and walkers are dismissed at approximately 2:25 p.m.
Is breakfast served in the morning? Yes, breakfast is free and available to all students. Students eat breakfast in his/her homeroom.
D. Are there clubs or groups for my child to get involved in? Yes, see the enclosed brochure.
E. When and how do report cards get distributed? Middle school report cards are distributed approximately 1 week after the marking period end date. Report cards are sent home with the students.

Cougar Cash Rewards Program

Please sign up for the A+ Schools program
… During “Back to School Nights” or at the local Martin’s store.
Every time you use your bonus card our school will earn 1 point for each dollar spent. Last year Springfield earned $1330.15 which was used for student incentives.
Support SPMS! Sign up today!
Springfield’s ID number is 00170

SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL * 334 SUNSET AVENUE, WILLIAMSPORT, MARYLAND 21795
Main Office 301.766.8389 **** Fax: 301.766.8401

Cougar Pride!

2015-2016 PTA Newsletter
Attention Parents!
The PTA newsletter will be sent home with your child each time that report cards are distributed.
The next PTA newsletters will be distributed to students on the following Friday dates: November 6, 2015, January 22, 2016, and April 1, 2016.

Cougar Rewards Program
On the first day of school, your child will receive a brochure that explains the Cougar Rewards Program. You may hear staff refer to the program as the PBIS program. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. The first step in establishing PBIS, a systems approach, is for the staff to determine three School Wide Expectations. The three school wide expectations that the staff teaches daily and reinforces through the distribution of Cougar Cash are: Respect, Responsibility, and Resolution. The PBIS program has been part of Springfield Middle School for ten years and these expectations have already been determined and are in place. The establishment of an on-going system of rewards is the next step to a successful program. The goal is that staff will catch students exemplifying these positive actions and reward them. Please review the brochure so that you can see the ways that your child can earn Cougar Cash. This year we have expanded the school store by adding additional items that can only be purchased with Cougar Cash. All previous items will continue to be available.

Congratulations SPMS!
We received recognition this year as a PBIS Exemplar School at the Gold Level! This was a result of the increase instructional time and change in climate which resulted from the systems in place and the continuum of supports available for students.

Please visit our web site if you need the school supply list.

Reminder—Dance Eligibility
Every student who attends any dance needs to have no more than one referral, not have served AISI or OSS and have 90% attendance with excused absences. If the students have any unexcused absences, they will not be eligible.

Check out the school website!
https://sites.google.com/site/springfieldmiddleschoolcougars/

Upcoming Dates

August 10-12—8th grade WEB leaders training 8 a.m.—1 p.m.
August 18—Grade 6 WEB Orientation
Students only 7:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
August 18—Grade 6 Back to School Night, Parents and Students,
5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
August 19—First Day of School
August 25—Grade 7 Back to School Night, Parents and Students,
6:00 p.m.— 7:30 p.m.
August 25–Grade 8 Back to School Night, Parents and Students,
6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
August 28—Back to School Dance
for Grade 6 & WEB leaders ,
2:30 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
September 7—Labor Day —no school
September 8—School Photos
September 17 - Family Life Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
September 18– Back to School Dance for Grades 6, 7 & 8, 2:30—4:00 p.m.
October 22—Picture Make-up day
October 30—End of 1st Marking Period
November 6—Report Card Distribution to Students

SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL * 334 SUNSET AVENUE, WILLIAMSPORT, MARYLAND 21795 ** 301.766.8398

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Springfield Middle School

Cougar Club
Springfield Middle School is thrilled to announce the addition of a new incentive program, The Cougar Club, to begin at the onset of our new school year! We wish to celebrate and recognize all of our students who regularly demonstrate the qualities we believe reflect the core values of our wonderful school—Respect, Resolve, and Responsibility. Students who have a 70% or higher average in classes, who regularly exhibit exemplary behavior, and who can maintain an acceptable attendance record free of unexcused absences will be invited to join. Members of the Cougar Club will enjoy many exciting opportunities throughout the year including special field trips, lunch time recreational activities, delicious treats, discounted school activities and dances, and many other special privileges. The Cougar Club is a way for Springfield Middle School to thank our students who regularly come to school with positive attitudes and a passion for learning. We are excited to celebrate the fabulous students we have at Springfield.

PARENTVUE PORTAL
What is the ParentVUE portal?
The portal gives parent the day to day insight and ability to view academic progress. With the ParentVUE portal, parents can access near real time information on assignments and scores, attendance, and class schedules. Teachers update the grade information at least once every two weeks and often more frequently. To create an account, you need the web address https://spportal.wcps.k12.md.us and an account activation key which can be provided if you call the school. Please ask for Assistant Principal, Mr. McManus.

2015-2016 PTA Officers
Michelle Murray President
Tina Carrazco Vice President
Tanya Ball Treasurer
Dawn Hoover Miller Secretary
Lynette Rhine Membership

Food Pantry
Beginning September 2nd, The SpMS Food Pantry will be open on Wednesdays from 2:45PM-3:30PM. Contact Mark Andrews with questions.