January 19, 2025

Dear Warrior Families,

As we return from the three-day weekend in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of his timeless message of unity, service, and equality. Dr. King believed deeply in the power of communities coming together to create meaningful change, and his legacy challenges us to reflect on how we can continue this important work in our own lives.

At Sanford Middle School, we take great pride in our commitment to fostering a culture that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and service. Our school is truly unique, with a wonderfully diverse population that enriches our community. By honoring what makes each of us special and coming together to work toward the greater good, we build the foundation of a strong and united school family. This week, we invite everyone—students, families, and staff—to embrace the spirit of service and reflect on this important question: How can we serve our Sanford community?

We reiterated to the staff that service opportunities don’t have to be grand gestures to make a difference. It could be donating to a local food pantry, volunteering with a community organization, participating in a neighborhood clean-up, or simply offering kindness to someone in need. Every act, no matter how small, contributes to a better community. Service as action is a foundational element of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP). As a candidacy school we look to infuse this throughout our school culture.

As we embrace the shorter four-day week ahead, we encourage you to reflect as a family on ways you can serve together. Whether it’s volunteering at an event, helping a neighbor, or creating a family plan for small acts of kindness, every effort matters. Thank you for partnering with us to instill the values of respect, compassion, and service in our students. Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to make Sanford a place where diversity is celebrated and everyone is committed to making a difference.

"One Sanford...We Are Warriors!"

2025 Ready,

Dr. Coleman

Please review the adjusted bell schedule below for testing days.

Attention Parents, this week is the final week of FAST PM2 testing. Please ensure your students get a good night's sleep and arrive to school on time. If they missed a test, we will be holding make-up sessions every day this week. All testing, including make-ups must be completed by Friday, January 24th.

For more information on the FAST, please review the attachment below.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are pleased to introduce our updated Parent-Teacher Conference process, designed to address concerns promptly and efficiently. Below is an overview of how to proceed if you wish to meet with your child’s teacher(s):

Concern with a Single Teacher

• Step 1: Direct Contact
  If you have a concern related to one teacher, please contact that teacher directly (via email or phone) to arrange a meeting.
• Step 2: Administrative Involvement

If an issue remains unresolved after meeting with the teacher, you may request additional support from administration.

Concern with Multiple Teachers

• Step 1: Contact Your Grade-Level Counselor
  If you have concerns involving multiple teachers, please reach out to your child’s grade-level counselor.
• Step 2: Meeting & Follow-Up
• The counselor will schedule a group meeting that includes all relevant teachers and will also attend to help facilitate communication.
• Emergency Cancellations
• If an emergency prevents a teacher from attending at the last minute, the teacher who cannot attend will work with you directly to find a new time.

We appreciate your cooperation as we implement these updates, and we remain committed to partnering with you for your child’s success. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please reach out to your teacher, counselor, or our administrative office.

Sincerely,
The Leadership Team

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Service learning goes beyond traditional classroom projects by encouraging students to engage directly with their communities. This hands-on approach helps students develop empathy, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of global and local challenges. By addressing real-world issues—such as environmental conservation, poverty, or health education—service learning empowers young people to see how their actions can ripple outward to make a lasting impact on society.

Why It Matters Globally

When students participate in service projects, they gain firsthand experience in tackling problems that affect people on a global scale. For instance, working on local recycling programs not only benefits the immediate community but also contributes to larger environmental efforts. Similarly, raising funds or awareness for global health initiatives helps them understand that even small efforts can support a worldwide network of change. Through these experiences, students learn to think critically about global challenges, recognize their role as citizens of the world, and take meaningful action toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

How Families Can Get Involved

Families play a crucial role in supporting service learning by encouraging children to connect their classroom learning to community engagement. Here are some simple ways to get involved:

• Volunteer Together: Identify a local organization—like a food bank, animal shelter, or community garden—where you can spend a few hours helping out as a family.
• Start a Family Project: Consider an ongoing initiative, such as organizing a neighborhood clean-up or running a clothing drive.
• Model Advocacy and Compassion: Discuss global issues at the dinner table, showing your child how local actions contribute to a global cause. Support causes that matter to your family and let your child participate in decision-making.
• Make it Fun and Personal: Explore volunteer opportunities that align with your child’s interests, whether it’s working with animals, building something, or contributing their creative talents to a community event.

By participating together, families not only strengthen their community but also teach children the value of giving back. In doing so, they help nurture the next generation of global citizens who will continue to make a difference worldwide.

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This week was an exciting one for Sanford Middle School, filled with opportunities to highlight our outstanding programs and talented students.

On Friday, we welcomed visitors from the SCPS Community Ambassador’s program. This initiative, which provides community members with a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of an A-rated, high-performing school district, also gave SMS a unique opportunity to showcase our programs to a range of key stakeholders. In addition to the Community Ambassadors, School Board Member, Autumn Garick joined the event, further emphasizing the importance of student choice through magnet programs.

Our student ambassadors played a central role in promoting our school, leading guided tours and sharing heartfelt testimonies about their experiences. Through their voices, guests were able to see firsthand the quality of education and opportunities that Sanford Middle School provides. Their pride and enthusiasm left a lasting impression, reinforcing our school’s reputation as a leader in academic and extracurricular excellence.

Exciting News....Sanford Middle was selected to participate in a statewide marketing campaign by the Florida School Board Association. Out of numerous submissions, our school—and specifically the story of Nevaeh, one of our Pre-Vet students—was chosen as one of just three in-depth features. Nevaeh’s inspiring account of performing CPR on a puppy highlights the real-world skills and meaningful experiences students gain at SMS.

Check out the two videos created for the campaign that put both Sanford Middle and Seminole County Public Schools in the spotlight:

• Overall Video: Florida School Board Association Campaign

• Nevaeh’s Story: Sanford Middle School - Pre-Vet Program

We’re incredibly proud of our students and staff for demonstrating what makes SMS truly special!

This week, the Deans have been actively supporting students around campus as they navigate schedule changes due to testing. We encourage you to review the updated schedule with your child to ensure they understand the changes and feel prepared.

If your child has questions or needs additional support, please remind them to reach out to their teachers or the Deans. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support!

#Connections #WeAreSanford

Join me on my #WarriorWalks! Follow me on Instagram: @drcoleman_stemleader (https://instagram.com/drcoleman_stemleader).

SMS Warriors shine both in and out of the classroom! 🎉 Congratulations to Nolan Carney for competing in the SKUSA (Super Karts USA) Winter Series Nationals in Orlando, FL. 🌟 Over four days, Nolan showcased his skills alongside hundreds of drivers from around the globe. 🏎️👏

Parents, did you know that your child's Math Nation book is available on Clever? This means students have easy access to all the resources the book offers right at their fingertips. If you ever find yourself thinking, *"I don't know how to help you,"* simply encourage your child to open Math Nation and navigate to the lesson they're struggling with. Each concept is supported by instructional videos featuring multiple teachers, allowing your child to choose the one that resonates best with them. This way, they can reinforce their understanding at their own pace—reducing stress for you and providing effective support for them.

Join PTSA- It's not too late!

Calling all parents, grandparents, students, and community members! Join SMS PTSA and help fund essential programs, events and resources for students, staff and families. Your membership requires no additional commitment or time but is very important. Support our Warriors and make a difference in our students lives. Membership is just $8. Student members will receive a Fun Pass giving access to skip to the front of the line at the school store, discount to TopGolf Spirit Night and member recognition during the year. Adult members will receive $2 off their spirit wear purchase at Open House. Join at smsptsa.givebacks.com/store

Want to Get Involved?

PTSA has a number of opportunities for families and community members to be involved at SMS. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, want to volunteer on campus, sell concessions at sporting events or help us from home, there is an opportunity for you. For more information on volunteer opportunities or to join a PTSA committee, got to www.linktr.ee/smsptsa

Thank you for your generosity and support. Let’s make a positive impact together!

Every Child. One Voice

It is important for students to bring their badge each day, as it grants them access to buildings and classes. Students were provided with an initial badge and one free replacement at no cost.

Effective January 7, 2025, students who have already used their one-time replacement will need to pay for any additional badge replacements. The cost for secondary schools is $2.00.

This week, the team will work to ensure all students have a working badge or are added to the replacement list. The following payment methods will be accepted:

• Cash/Check: Payments can be made directly to the individual issuing new badges.
• MySchoolBucks (MSB): Parents may also pay online through MySchoolBucks.

If payment cannot be made at the time of badge printing, notification letters will be sent to parents.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring all students are equipped with working badges!

Please take a moment to review the new lunchroom procedures and the importance of safety with your child.