Principal's Message August 21st, 2020
Dear SSCMS Families,
 
Happy Friday! You have successfully navigated the first week of Universal Remote Learning – I am so proud of the efforts of our students, staff, and parents for ensuring that all students were engaged and ready to learn. Although we had a few technical issues, the week went really well overall. I was able to visit classrooms virtually this week, and am impressed by the work that I already see happening. Students are engaged, making connections, and learning to navigate learning platforms and tools. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time.
 
We are aware that the tech hotline has not been easily accessible. This centralized system of support has experienced such a mass volume of calls. The IT department is working diligently to be responsive as calls come in as well as increase their capacity to receive more calls. Their primary focus is to address tech concerns expediently so that students are able to access their classes with ease. If you need assistance, the tech hotline can be reached at 470-254-2300. 
 
We are also aware that some students have experienced glitches with Microsoft TEAMS. Our IT department has been in constant communication with Microsoft to address and resolve issues quickly, and it appears to be going more smoothly each day. Our teachers are leading with grace and are working with students who experience issues that are beyond their control. If you are not able to access your class, please reach out to your teacher. I would not want for a student to be counted absent due to a circumstance beyond their control.
 
Several of you have reached out with concerns surrounding the length of the middle school day. I appreciate the feedback and am grateful that I work for a community that can express concerns in a positive and supportive manner. The feedback around the middle school schedule has been noted – I take each concern seriously in working with our team to consider optimal solutions for SSCMS. There are components of middle school curriculum that are exclusive to middle school and require consideration that goes beyond the school level. I am fortunate to work in a district that is not only innovative and flexible but also open to reflecting and revising processes as the need arises. I am working with district leaders and other middle school principals on exploring all possible options for our daily schedule. Our goal is to promote balance between high levels of learning in a virtual setting with the social & emotional wellness of our students. Please stay tuned for updates. 
 
Please mark your calendar for September 15. We will host our Curriculum Night virtually on this date, and this will be a time when you will be able to examine the content for each subject area more deeply and will be able to ask questions of your child’s teachers. More information will be shared in the coming weeks about this important event. If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out to your child’s teacher(s). 
 
Our School Governance Council met this week, and I am excited to share that our school will receive $30,000 in flexible funds to use this year. The oversight of these funds is a function of the SGC, and they must be used to enhance the work of our Strategic Plan. Each school’s strategic plan is written for a 5-year period, and we are at the midpoint. I have included the link to our plan for your information - https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/13806. As plans are developed for the use of the funds that have been awarded those details will be shared. It is always exciting to receive additional support for the good of our students! 
 
I hope that you and your family have an enjoyable weekend, and look forward to welcoming our students virtually on Monday!

Kind regards,
Mrs. Woodruff
SSCMS would like your feedback on the first week of Universal Remote Learning, as we would like to ensure that this experience is as engaging and successful as possible. We realize that it has only been a few days, but your responses will help us to shape the overall experience for you and our students. Thank you for your time and thoughtful feedback.
Take Online First Week Survey: https://tinyurl.com/SSCMSFeedback
Reminder: If your student has not received their textbooks or school supplies, please come by the school during school hours hours to pick them up. Our hours at 8:15am to 4:15pm. Thank you!
Join SSCMS PTO Foundation
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!

To join online: 1. Fill out online Membership Form here. You may Pay 2020-2021 Dues Online Here. To print out a paper form click on the image.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SSCMS!
Order Your SSCMS Spirit Wear
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 worn as uniform when we return to the building face to face. Any orders placed now will be available for pickup mid September.
To Order click here for Face Masks and Gaiters, and click here for everything else! LOTS of items available to suit your individual student's style!
NEW Food Pantry Hours
iReady Diagnostics
Class Schedule and Change Requests
Greetings Stallions!
Requests for schedule changes will begin on August 17, 2020. Please click the link below to submit a schedule change request. Once the schedule change has been completed, you will receive an email with your new schedule or a response as to why the schedule was not changed. Please be reminded that all changes may not be approved based on class sizes and staffing.
Online Schedule Change Request Form. If you have any scheduling questions or concerns please email Ms. Taylor at taylors1@fultonschools.org.
Ms. Taylor
Save the Date
Virtual Curriculum Night
Tuesday September 15th
More Details to come - Stay Tuned
SSCMS Musical Notes!
Instrument Pickup
Both band and orchestra have set up an instrument drive-by pick-up on Saturday, August 29. The following time frames have been set for instrument pick-up:
 
  • 2:30 – 3:30 PM: 7th grade instrument pick-up
  • 3:30 – 4:30 PM: 8th grade instrument pick-up
  • 4:30 – 5:00 PM: Miscellaneous window for those who cannot make their respective pick-up time.
 
When you arrive at SSCMS, you pull your car by the cafeteria Door #24 fin the Bus Lane just as you have been for device/class materials pick-up. Stay in your car, someone will come to you.
 
Percussionists: For your supplies, please see the band percussion supply sheet. 
Wind Players: Once you receive your instrument, please fill out the Instrument Check Out Form on our band website. We ask that you fill this out by Friday, September 4th.
Clarinet & Saxophone Players: Please fill out the Reed Care Sign Off Form on our band website. We ask that you fill this out by Friday, August 28th.

If you are unable to make any of these times, email Mr Scott or Mr Pena, and we will work out a solution.
 
For more information on the Sandy Springs Band Program, please click here for our recruitment video and visit our website at www.sscmsband.org.
Welcome Back to Orchestra
Join Yearbook Club
Order Your Yearbook Now to Save
JOIN YEARBOOK CLUB and create this year's SSCMS with your fellow Stallions. Applications are being taken online, students will need to log in with their account to fill it out this yearbook club application: https://tinyurl.com/SSCMSYearbookClub

Also to pre-order a yearbook for the 2020-2021 school year NOW to get the lowest price of the year. Click here TO ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK From Jostens
Price goes as we get closer to the end of the school year:
Back to school special: $30 – 8/7/20 – 9/18/20
Offer 2: $35 – 9/19/20 – 12/18/20
Offer 3: $40 – 12/19/20 – 5/1/21

Please remember ordering now guarantees your student receives a Yearbook. We order very few extra and ran out this past year.
Questions? Contact Mr Hytowitz, Yearbook Advisor
Common Sense Media: Parental Controls
From Common Sense Media: Even if you've talked to your kids about screen-time limits and responsible online behavior, it's still really tough to manage what they do when you're not there (and even when you are). Parental controls can support you in your efforts to keep your kids' internet experiences safe, fun, and productive. They work best when used openly and honestly in partnership with your kids -- not as a stealth spying method.

FCS Foodstop Meal Distribution
SSCMS Student Meal Distribution location is at Ison Springs Elementary, 8251 Ison Road, Sandy Springs GA 30350 on Wednesday's from 11am to 1pm. For full information and details on FCS Student Meals go to this page.
Coming Up
August
8/29 Saturday
  • Band and Orchestra Student Orchestra Pickup (2:30 to 5:00pm)
September
9/7 Monday
  • Labor Day Holiday No School for Students or Staff
9/15 Tuesday
  • Curriculum Night
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
  • 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!