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SSCMS PTO Foundation
STALLION NEWS
Family Newsletter
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Principal's Message August 7th, 2020 |
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Greetings SSCMS Families,
I hope that this message finds you and your families well and that you are getting excited about the return to school on August 17th. The staff is excited to welcome students and is busily preparing for the upcoming year to be the best yet. I am in awe of the talent and dedication that the SSCMS staff brings to the table!
On Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14 we will host our Virtual Open House sessions. The times, dates and links are as follows:
Thursday, August 13, 2020
6th Grade
9:00am -10:00am
Friday, August 14, 2020
7th Grade
9:00am -10:00am
Friday, August 14, 2020
8th Grade
10:00am -11:00pm
During each session, you will receive a brief overview of the school, meet the teachers, and will have an opportunity to ask questions. These sessions will be recorded and shared on the school website for your review if you are unable to attend.
We have had several questions recently, so you will find a Q&A attachment this week. I thought you all may find this to be helpful, as well. One of the biggest questions has been about our schedule. I wanted to provide some context for our scheduling design. In the last newsletter I sent our schedule for Universal Remote Learning. This schedule aligns with Fulton County Schools’ expectations of daily instruction for our students. As a parent I empathize and appreciate the concern around the amount of screen time virtual learning brings. However, I would like to provide clarification for how your child’s day might look.
We will be purposefully balancing synchronous (live) and asynchronous instruction. There will be independent work time built into each period each day. The length of synchronous instruction depends on the content and purpose of the instruction, but will be between 10-30 minutes in length. On some days, live instruction may be a mini lesson that is only 10-15 minutes in length for the whole class while the remainder of the period is for independent work and teacher “check ins.” Some days, live instruction may be for a few minutes to set expectations and provide reminders. The synchronous portion of the class period may not be for the entire class every day, and will certainly not be for the whole class period.
We have learned many lessons around best practices for virtual instruction since our experience last spring. Our teachers will be purposeful in how they deliver instruction along with the workload they assign. Many of our staff members face the same situation with our own children, and understand the efforts you will be taking to support your student while balancing family and work obligations. We will work with you when challenges arise, and will support our students through this process because in the end, we want them to learn and be successful.
As we start Universal Remote Learning, I know it won’t be perfect. We will be monitoring, assessing and revising as needed. I ask for your understanding as we navigate this experience, and appreciate your continued support.
Kind regards,
Laurie Woodruff
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All student schedules will be available for viewing in Infinite Campus on Friday, August 7 at 4:00. Please take a moment and check your infinite campus login. Infinite Campus gives parents a view of student schedules and grades online. Please check your contact information so that it is the most up to date information. Thank You!
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Back to School
Student Registration 2020-21 School Year
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Image below links to a document with each grade's required documents needed for registration to SSCMS. Note, the required documents are different for each grade AND if you are new to Fulton County Schools, New to SSCMS or Returning to SSCMS. Please carefully review your students' grade.
Required documents by grade - click on image and scroll to page 2 for grade 7, page 3 for grade 8.
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Save the Date Virtual Orientation / FAQs |
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SSCMS will host virtual Open House sessions for students on August 13 and 14. You will receive an email with the link and login information for your child’s session. These sessions will begin with a video overview and then will conclude with a Q & A session. See below for the times for each grade level:
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From Mr Hicks, Assistant Principal:
As we prepare to reopen school in remote learning, I know that there are a lot of questions about devices. Please read the information below very carefully. There are three scenarios below and your child will fall into one of the three categories.
1) Students who have a working device from Fulton County Schools should plug in their device at night and turn it on every day for at least 30 minutes. Updates have been sent out and these devices need to be updated. When the computer is turned on students should select yes if asked to update the device.
2) Students with devices provided by FCS, but they are not functioning properly. Try the process above because many times it is an issue with needing an update. If you restart the computer at least three times and you are still have difficulties, please be patient with us as we work on devices. More information will be coming out soon about device replacement. Before you decide it needs to be changed out, call the FCS Student Device Hotline 470 254 2300 to be certain that they cannot help you resolve the issue. Again, we will send out information soon about how to get a replacement device if necessary.
3) Students who do not have any FCS provided device - rising 6th graders or new students to the school for outside Fulton County - will be able to receive a device next week. Devices will be checked out to students without an FCS device next Wednesday - Saturday at the times provided in the link below. If your child does not have a device, click the link below to sign up for a time to come by the school to pick up a device. Families will pull through the bus lanes and the device will be handed to you in your car. There will be no need to get out of your car. Again, this is only for families of students who have not received a device from FCS or whose student turned in their device this summer and needs a device for remote learning.
Remember, if your student has a device to plug it in at night and turn it on daily for at least 30 minutes to initiate the updates. If your student is having an issue with their device, call the Hotline at 470-254-2300 to try and resolve the issue. If it cannot be resolved, we will let you know when you can have the device replaced. Lastly, if your child does not have a device, use the link above to sign up for a convenient time to get a device checked out.
Thank you for your patience as we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year remotely. We all hope to have our students back in the building as soon and as safely as possible.
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Helping Our Students During Virtual Learning |
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The SSCMS PTO is partnering with the North Springs High School PTO, Spartan Nation, to conduct a needs assessment survey for high school, middle school and all primary schools in our group: Spalding Drive, Ison Springs, Woodland and Dunwoody Springs.Our goal is to see how we, as a community, could come together to provide at least something students might need during virtual learning. If you can, fill out the survey below and let other friends know to do the same. #onecommunity
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Counseling Department Survey and Referral Link |
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This year, the counseling team is sending out a virtual needs assessment survey to both students and families to hear what’s most important to YOU! We are here to serve you and want to be intentional in the services we provide to the community.
Your responses are confidential, and will only be read by your student’s school counselor.
We will use the survey responses to help us plan and prioritize classroom lesson topics, alert us to any pressing needs in our community, and identify which students may benefit from individual and small group counseling on certain skills or topics.
Please use the following links to let us know what’s most needed!
Links:
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Students, staff, and parents can all complete this Google form to refer a student for any socioemotional, academic, or other concern they have. Once submitted, the student’s counselor will follow up with the student and/or family, if appropriate, within 24-48 hours, depending on the flow of referrals (it could be as soon as next period!).
For more immediate concerns such as any concerns about self-harm, harm to others, general student safety, or other crises, please email or call our school counselors so we can respond as soon as possible.
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Join SSCMS PTO Foundation |
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Join our PTO Foundation and help support our teachers, staff, SSCMS Sports Teams, SSCMS Arts and more. Membership dues go towards supporting our school. Last year, your PTO Foundation is putting your membership dollars to work awarding teachers and staff over $10,000 in items needed for their classrooms and work spaces. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER this year!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SSCMS!
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Order Your SSCMS Spirit Wear |
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Spirit Wear sales are now online! While students will not immediately return to school Face to Face, we offer the latest in comfy at home wear. Not only will we offer T-Shirts and the ever popular Hoodies, we have included Face Masks, Face Gaiters, AND yes, Pajama Bottoms. NOTE: PJ Bottom will NOT be allowed to be work as uniform when we return to the building face to face. Any orders placed prior to July 24th will be in for pickup at school after August 10th. Any order NOW will be available for pickup in late August.
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PTO Foundation Fall Sports Update |
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An update on the status of SSCMS PTO Foundation sports this fall season which includes the following sports: Girls' Softball, Coed Cross Country, Boys' Soccer, Girls' Volleyball.
All FCS middle school PTO Foundation sports offerings for fall season are on hold until FCS returns to face to face learning. Parents from each of these sports may reach out to the SSCMS community in the coming weeks with conditioning or workout ideas to keep interested students in shape but it would be on a strictly voluntary basis and not affiliated with the PTO Foundation or SSCMS.
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We are excited to bring you a one-of-a kind historical yearbook this year! Please take this quick 3-question survey so we can get started with your ideas in mind!
Please complete by August 15th. Thanks so much for your feedback!!
Please remember ordering now guarantees your student receives a Yearbook. We order very few extra and ran out this past year.
Thank you,
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Electronics Drive for SSEF |
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Sandy Springs Education Force is holding an electronics recycling fundraiser along with a children book and school supply drive on Thursday, August 13 from 11:30 to 2:00 in the Hudson’s Grille parking lot located at 6317 Roswell Road. Proceeds will benefit our Sandy Springs public school students. This a great opportunity to get rid of your old electronic equipment in a secure manner. A $15 minimum donation is required to recycle electronics. The funds, books and school supplies will help SSEF provide programs for our students who are impacted by this COVID-19 pandemic. Read all the details and lists of acceptable items:
Thank you for supporting SSEF, they support us so please support this drive.
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Help for Families in Need |
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While not a complete list, we have found these resources for our families in need during this unprecedented time. Please spread the word! |
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Food Pantries:
Reminder that the SSCMS PTO food pantry at Samad Grill remains open Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 AM to 2 PM through the beginning of school. Once school begins for students, the days and hours will be changing - stay tuned for details next week. Please spread the word to anyone else you know in our school cluster who is in need of food assistance. No appointment needed, just show up at 8897 Roswell Rd. in the Stars And Strikes shopping centre between 11AM and 2 PM. If you would like to volunteer at the Food Pantry, sign up here - WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are also taking donations of food (Mon, Wed Fri between 11 AM and 2 PM), new or gently used shopping bags and monetary donations to purchase food.
Our PTO Foundation pantry will continue for the near term but will be adjusting days and hours once we know what the FCS food distribution plan will be for the school year.
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Fulton County Schools (FCS) has re-engaged its partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to provide groceries during the weeks of August 3 and 10. Families can pick up food items on Wednesdays, August 5 and 12 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the locations listed on flyer, click to open up to larger size. We are extremely thankful to our faith and community partners for opening their doors to support food distribution to Fulton families while the school system’s nutrition program transitions for the fall. |
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Apply for Reduced & Free School Meals Online:
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August
8/3 Monday
- Staff Reports Back to School for Pre-Planning
8/17 Monday
- First Day of 2020 -2021 School Year Universal Remote Learning Begins
September
9/7 Monday
- Labor Day Holiday No School for Students or Staff
October
10/12 Monday
- Columbus Day School Holiday No School for Students or Staff
10/13 Tuesday
- Teacher Workday No School For Students
November
11/03 Tuesday
- Professional Development Day No School for Students
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
January
01/01 Friday
01/04 Monday
- Teacher Workday No School For Students
01/05 Tuesday
- First Day of Second Semester
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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?
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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!
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Your support of the SSCMS PTO Foundation provides funding to ensure after school sports and arts enrichment offerings in addition to so much more! |
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