SMMS Weekly Update

September 6, 2024

Local School Improvement Council (LSIC)

Our first LSIC meeting of the year was on September 4, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in the library. We would welcome any students, parents, and community members who would like to attend our next meeting on November 20. More information will be forthcoming as the meeting gets closer.

Communication Norms

At SMMS, we want to work with you for the benefit of your student. That partnership requires communication. Please take a look at our norms for communication with parents.

Grades- Teachers are asked to post grades on the 10th and 25th of each month. We consider the posting od those grades as one form of communication with you. If you need assistance with your Schoology account, please email Ms. Brown at the included email address (lkbrown@k12.wv.us).
Online Messages (via Email or Schoology) or Phone Messages- If you have a concern or question, please reach out to your child's teacher. Teachers have been directed to respond to emails, online messages via Schoology, and phone calls during normal business hours (7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.). While many teachers spend time in the evenings planning lessons and grading assignments, they, as much as anyone else, need to devote time and attention to their families. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response to an online message and/or phone call.

Teachers at SMMS are ALL IN to support your student and help him or her grow. We look forward to working with you in this very important task.

Morning Student Arrival

Students may enter the building at 7:12 a.m. Staff members are not available prior to that time to supervise students. Students should NOT be dropped off or walk to school prior to that time. No supervision can be provided for students who arrive prior to 7:12 a.m. daily. Parents/Guardians leaving students at school prior to 7:12 a.m. pose a safety concern.

For morning drop-off, parents must enter the side parking lot to drop off at the side door when buses are using the front loop. Students will walk to the front to enter the building after 7:12 a.m.

Late arrival in the morning is 7:30 AM. Students will be marked tardy if they are not in the building and in homeroom by 7:30 a.m

Happy Hartkas Sweeping the Lunchroom

Have you heard about our Happy Hartka incentive? Each day, each team has the opportunity to earn a Happy Hartka. Teams earn Happy Hartkas by following directions in the cafeteria, cleaning up after themselves, and using an appropriate volume when talking with friends.

Once the team earns five Happy Hartkas, the ENTIRE team, along with the teachers, receives free ice cream. This week, 6 Red and 8 Blue earned free ice cream. Thanks to all of our students for helping us make lunch an enjoyable experience for all!

Emergency Form Updates

Having the most up-to-date contact information for you is critical for us to efficiently communicate with you. Please use this link to update your contact information for your student.

Update Your Info Here

Water Bottle Info

At SMMS, we have a clear water bottle policy. This may seem like a minor detail, but asking students to bring a clear water bottle allows them to carry water with them all day. State policy provides students have access to water throughout the day, which is why we have a water fountain and a filling station in each hallway.

To reduce the disruption to classes with visits to the water fountain, we allow students to bring a clear water bottle with them from room to room. The first two weeks of school, we gave out a clear, reusable water bottle to any student who asked for one. If your student needs a clear, reusable water bottle, please ask him or her to see the grade-level assistant principal.

Box Tops for Education

Dear SMMS families,

We want to thank you for all your support so far this year with Box Tops! We are excited to meet our goal — and with your continued support, I know we can reach it! Our goal is to earn $1,000 through Box Tops this year to help fund field trips. Every Box Tops product count towards our goal! Let’s work together to get SMMS to the finish line.

Sign Up to Help SMMS Here

Cook Center Resources

Berkeley County Schools is excited to partner with the Cook Center for Human Connection and their Mental Health and Wellness Resource Center: ParentGuidance.org. This is a family support library for all families that provides any adult and caretaker in the district with a trusted place to go for qualified answers to the toughest parenting and childcare challenges from the premier therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists in their respective specialties, who offer compassionate, anonymous, and supportive guidance for you and your children.

This FREE resource offers over 50 courses in English and Spanish created and given by licensed clinicians addressing topics like: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Harm, Bullying, Social Media, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss etc.