Principal's Message September 25th, 2020
Dear SSCMS Families,

We have enjoyed our transition to Phase 3 of the FCS Return-to-School Plan! It has been amazing to be able to greet students and see them maneuver through the building throughout the day. I am proud of the way that students have been following safety protocols for distancing and have worn their masks appropriately. I know that their teachers have also enjoyed having students present in the classrooms. 

Our staff looks forward to welcoming even more students in the coming weeks. As a reminder, returning to school during Phase 3 is optional. If you have shared that your child will be returning to school, Students will be scheduled based on the students' last name for the household in Infinite Campus. The schedule by last name is below, and students may only attend on their assigned days:
·       Monday – A through E
·       Tuesday – F through K
·       Thursday – L through P
·       Friday – Q through Z
**There will be no face-to-face instruction on Wednesdays during Phase 3.
 
Student Attendance during Universal Remote Learning
Student Attendance will be taken Monday-Friday during URL. Students should report to the building, face-to face on their assigned group day and they will be marked “Present." Students who do not report to the building on their assigned group day but attend virtually will be marked “Absent.” Please remember to check Infinite Campus for your correct group assignment. If you have questions about group assignments, please contact Ms. Bloom at bloome1@fultonschools.org.
 
After-School All-Stars
The After-School All-Stars tutoring program began on September 14, 2020. It is very important that your child attends on their assigned days to continue in the program. The program will remain virtual the entire 1st Semester (September-December) however, the session times are now 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm to accommodate for student travel time home.
 
Fulton County School URL Grading Updates
Fulton County Schools has made an update to the Universal Remote Learning grading guidance, effective September 21, 2020 (Phase 3). This grading guidance will end at the end of the 2020 semester.
 
The following changes will be in effect moving forward for every school while in URL:
 
  • Students will have one (1) attempt to redo/retake an assessment
  • Students who achieve a 79 or less (less than an 80) are eligible for a redo/retake
  • Students can earn up to an 89 on a replacement grade on a redo/retake
  • Student redo/retakes must be completed 10 school days prior to the end of the semester
  • We will allow students who had summative assessments requiring recovery prior to this notification (9-25-2020) to recover according to the original policy. Please work with your child’s teacher for additional support.
 
Progress Reports
Fulton County Schools will issue progress reports for Middle School students on September 29, 2020. For any class that your child has not completed at least 80% of the Summatives, your child will receive a grade of “I” for this progress report. Please work with your child’s teacher to complete missing assignments. Login to Infinite Campus to view your child’s progress in each class. If you need assistance with Infinite Campus login information please contact Ms. Bloom at bloome1@fultonschools.org.
 
Infinite Campus Parent Workshop
Join us on October 7, 2020 at 6:00 pm for a parent workshop to learn about how to navigate in the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus.
 
Thank you for your continued support of our school – you truly make a difference in the success of SSCMS!
 
Kind regards,
Laurie Woodruff, Principal
SSCMS Dress Code Reminder
Media Center eBooks & Print Books
Many new eBooks were added to MackinVia. You can check out eBooks right now through your e-Library folder 
in MackinVia and SORA via the Classlink app. https://launchpad.classlink.com/fcs
 
Do you want to check print BOOKS? Email me, Ms. Siko,
siko@fultonschools.org for details about checking out and returning print books.
Girls Softball
When Fulton County paused athletics due to Covid, a group of SSCMS parents and Sandy Springs Youth Sports were able to create a safe way for these athletes to have a season anyway.  In cooperation with SSYS, we have been able to field two teams accommodating all the SSCMS students who wanted to play during this crazy time along with additional players from Ridgeview and several other neighboring schools who also wanted to play. We have had a safe and successful season and could not be more proud of these girls!

The 2020 Renegades of SSCMS:
8th graders: Beck Ballowe, Ansley Bokath, Cat Johnson, Paula Ortiz
7th graders: Anna Baesman, Kate Lott, Leila Madesko, Jamie Masker, Bre Schell
6th graders: Sarah Hyatt Chappell, Lucy Holder, Kara Hutton, Livvy Jones, Jaida Jsames 
Free Meals and Meal Kits for All Students
It's more than just a meal application.Did you know Free & Reduced Meal Applications benefit your family and your school. Even though all students will temporarily receive free meals, ALL households are strongly encouraged to complete a Free & Reduced Meal Application online.

• Only one application is needed per household.
• A new application must be filled out every school year.
• Once the extension of USDA waivers expires, students will be charged for their meals based on their meal eligibility status (free, reduced, or full pay).

Food Pantry Hours
Bus Transportation
To get the latest on student bus transportation during our phased return to face to face, please be sure to visit FCS Transportation page.

The Here Comes The Bus app showing real time bus stop timing info will be available again on October 14th .
FCS Innovation Academy Open House
As a New FCS Magnet STEM high school, opening in 2021, Innovation Academy offers a specialized educational experience where each student will participate in project-based learning in all classes and will also be required to complete a comprehensive pathway in one of the following career clusters.
 
  • Healthcare Science
  • Engineering
  • Information Technology

There will be two information sessions to help students and parents better understand what Innovation Academy has to offer.  

 Dates: 
September 29 @ 6:00 PM
October 13 @ 6:00 PM
 - Links will go live at start time.
For information on more information including building tours in October go to Innovations Academy Website or you can review FAQs here.
Coming Up
September
9/26 Saturday
  • Jr Spartan Football 7th/8th Grade Away at Johns Creek 3pm
October
10/3 Saturday
  • Jr Spartan Football 7th/8th Grade Home vs Dunwoody 12noon
  • Jr Spartan Football 6th Grade Home vs Dunwoody 10am
10/05 Monday
  • Face to Face Phase 4 Begins
10/10 Saturday
  • Jr Spartan Football 6th Grade Home vs Hillgrove 10am
10/12 Monday
  • Columbus Day School Holiday No School for Students or Staff
10/13 Tuesday
  • Teacher Workday No School For Students
10/14 Wednesday
  • Face to Face Full Time Instruction Begins
10/17 Saturday
  • Jr Spartan Football 7th/8th Grade Home vs Wheeler 12noon
  • Jr Spartan Football 6th Grade Home vs Wheeler 10am
10/24 Saturday
  • Jr Spartan Football 7th/8th Grade Away at Kell 12noon
  • Jr Spartan Football 6th Grade 11am Away at Kell 10am
10/31 Saturday
  • Jr Spartan Football 7th/8th Grade Away at River Ridge 1pm
  • Jr Spartan Football 6th Grade Home at River Ridge 9am
November
11/03 Tuesday
  • Professional Development Day No School for Students
  • Election Day VOTE!
11/23 Monday - Friday 11/27
  • Thanksgiving Holidays No school for Students or Staff
December
12/18 Friday
  • Last Day of First Semester
12/23 Monday - 12/31 Thursday
  • Winter Break Holidays
January
01/01 Friday
  • Winter Break Holiday
01/04 Monday
  • Teacher Workday No School For Students
01/05 Tuesday
  • First Day of Second Semester
PTO FACEBOOK GROUP
If you haven't linked into the closed SSCMS Facebook group for parents and guardians yet, please request to join. Lots of important info is posted there throughout the week. Search under "Sandy Springs Charter Middle School PTO Foundation", answer the questions to confirm you're a SSCMS parent or guardian, and you'll be added right away! (you don't have to be a PTO member to join).

ON TWITTER?
Follow SSCMS @SSCMSStallions and look for #OneCommunity.
Our SSCMS Family Stallion Newsletter will come out weekly, containing important news and notes about SSCMS.  Join us also on Facebook under Sandy Spring Charter Middle School PTO!
Your support of the SSCMS PTO Foundation provides funding to ensure after school sports and arts enrichment offerings in addition to so much more!