The Pirate Post

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping all students safe, Swansboro Middle School will conduct a lockdown drill on Monday, November 9th. This is a practice drill only, and there is no cause for concern.

These safety exercises help our students and staff know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency. Our goal is to ensure everyone remains calm, prepared, and confident in following safety procedures.

We encourage families to talk with their children about the importance of taking these drills seriously while also reassuring them that this is simply a practice to keep our school community safe. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting a secure learning environment for all Pirates.

SBMS is coming together to help support families in our community this Thanksgiving! From November 9–13, students are encouraged to bring in nonperishable food items, including canned, boxed, and packaged foods. Please make sure all donated items are not expired. Every donation makes a difference, and we would love to collect as many items as possible to help families in need. To add a little friendly Pirate competition, the class that collects the most donations will receive donuts!

Thank you, Pirate families, for helping us make a positive impact in our community this Thanksgiving!

Just a reminder, there will be no school for students on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a special time to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. We are incredibly grateful for the many veterans within our Swansboro community. Your courage, sacrifice, and service mean so much to us and to our students. Thank you to all who have worn the uniform and to the families who support them.

Elev8 Your Future will provide our 8th grade students with an opportunity to explore a variety of career paths, learn about workplace skills, and gain insight into the education, training, and experiences that lead to success in different professions. 8th grade students will engage in the Career Fair during their Encore classes on November 13th.

Please join us on Saturday, November 21st, from 9:00–11:00 AM for our 4th Annual Walk-a-Thon!

Our 7th-grade ELA students will have read A Long Walk to Water, a powerful novel that highlights the challenges faced by individuals in South Sudan who lack access to clean water. Inspired by Salva's journey, our students are turning what they've learned in the classroom into an opportunity to make a difference!

This donation-based event will raise money to help provide clean water wells in South Sudan through Water for South Sudan.

Bring the whole family and enjoy a morning of walking, giving back, and fun! We will have Kawaii Donuts, Slow Pour Coffee, cornhole, ornament painting, and face painting!

Every step we take brings us closer to making a difference. We hope to see you there!

Questions? Please email marissa.bak@onslow.k12.nc.us.

School pictures have officially shipped and should be arriving soon! If you still need to order your child’s pictures, Strawbridge Studios now has a Code Lookup Tool that makes it easy to access your child’s picture ordering gallery. Simply scan the QR code on the attached flyer and follow the directions. For security purposes, you will need your child’s last name and Student ID number to access the gallery.

Makeup pictures and retakes will take place on Wednesday, November 18. Students who were absent on the original picture day or who need to have their picture retaken will have the opportunity to do so that day. If you have any questions or experience difficulty using the Code Lookup Tool, Strawbridge Customer Service is available through the Live Chat feature at www.strawbridge.net. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.

Get ready to dress to impress and join us for a night under the city lights! This year’s Winter Formal theme is Under the City Lights, featuring a nighttime cityscape with navy, black, gold, ivory, stars, and plenty of lights.

The Winter Formal is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The dance will run from 6:00–8:30 p.m., and tickets will be $10, which includes admission, pizza, and a drink. To meet capacity limits, we will sell 150 tickets per grade level on a first-come, first-served basis during lunches beginning November 16th. Tickets are presale only—there will be no tickets sold at the door, and students who do not purchase a ticket in advance will not be permitted to enter. Dismissal from the dance will follow the same procedures as our regular daily school dismissal.

Our Pirate Parents are also helping us prepare for the event and are seeking donations of decorations and other items to help make the evening special for our students. Families who would like to contribute can purchase an item directly from the Winter Formal Amazon Wish List below. We greatly appreciate any support our Pirate families are able to provide!

We cannot wait for our Pirates to enjoy a great night Under the City Lights!

Pirate Parents is our parent and family organization that helps support SBMS through volunteer opportunities, staff appreciation, school events, fundraising, and other projects that benefit our students and school community.

Our next Pirate Parents meeting will be held Wednesday, December 2ndat 10:30 a.m. in the Media Center. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend, hear about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, and learn how to get involved.

Want to celebrate a birthday, big game, accomplishment, special occasion—or just because? You can now reserve the Pirate Rock and paint it for your special message!

🎨 Reserve your date: Sign Up Here

💳 Make your payment: Pay Here

Let’s have some fun with our Pirate Rock! 🏴‍☠️💙

There is a lot happening in our Encore classrooms at SBMS! From music, art, and PE to Spanish, carpentry, STEM, and CTE, our students are creating, performing, building, problem-solving, and learning new skills every day.

Be sure to check out the attached Beyond the Core: News & Highlights from the SBMS Encore Team for a closer look at what students have been working on, upcoming performances and activities, important reminders, and a few ways families can support our Encore programs.

We’re excited to announce our 2nd Quarter Student Incentive — a Movie Reward Day at the Camp Lejeune Theater!

Students who meet the following criteria between October 28th, 2026, and January 15, 2027, will be eligible to attend:

• No In-School Suspension (ISS) or Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) — full or partial day

• No period detentions

• A 75% or higher average in all classes

This reward is our way of celebrating students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior, responsibility, and academic success. We can’t wait to enjoy a fun movie day with our hardworking Pirates!

Wrestling and Girls Soccer will continue their season with matches on Monday at home versus Northwoods Park Middle School at 4:00 PM and on Thursday at Trexler Middle School at 4:00 PM. Come out and support our Pirate athletes!

Strawbridge Studios will be at SBMS on Wednesday, November 18 to take sports pictures for our soccer and wrestling team. Families of participating athletes should be on the lookout for picture-day information and ordering details. Please review the materials shared by Strawbridge Studios so you are prepared if you would like to purchase photos. We look forward to seeing our Pirates represent their teams on picture day!

To be eligible for any sport, students must:

• Must be a 7th or 8th grader

• Have passed 5 out of 6 classes last semester

• Have been present for at least 85% of last semester

• Have a current physical (within the last year)

• Attend a Sportsmanship Meeting with a parent/guardian

Athletic eligibility for second semester has already begun, so make sure to stay on track!

If you plan to attend games at Swansboro Middle or High School, check out the Century Club membership—it’s a great way to save money while supporting our teams! Info is linked below.

The National Civics Bee is returning to North Carolina, and all middle school students are eligible to participate! The competition begins with an essay contest and gives students the opportunity to advance to regional, state, and national competitions. Students who are interested in participating must submit an essay through the National Civics Bee portal by February 2, 2027. An Essay Application Guide is available here to walk students through the writing and submission process.

There are also exciting prizes available! The North Carolina state winner will receive $1,000, with additional prizes for second- and third-place finishers. The national winner will receive $100,000 for a 529 Education Fund. Families who would like to learn more are invited to attend a virtual information session on Monday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m. Educators, parents, and community members are welcome to attend, and can register here.

This is a great opportunity for our Pirates who are interested in civics, leadership, writing, and making a difference in their communities to challenge themselves and share their ideas.

Our SBMS Golf Club is getting underway! Practices will be held from 3:00–4:00 p.m., with parent pickup in front of the Annex building at 4:00 p.m.

6th & 7th Grade Practice Dates:
October 20, November 17, December 15, January 26, February 23, April 20, and May 11. There will be no March practice, and the final event date is still to be determined.

8th Grade Practice Dates:
October 22, November 19, December 10, January 28, February 25, April 22, and May 13. There will be no March practice, and the final event date is still to be determined.

Students may not stay after school for Golf Club unless a completed permission form has been turned in. Extra forms are available in Ms. Walker’s room for 7th and 8th grade students and Ms. Eckerfield’s room for 6th grade students.

The SBMS Art Club is hosting a special Family Painting Night with Happy Cloud Art Studio on Friday, December 11, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. in the SBMS Cafeteria! Bring your friends and family for a fun evening of painting while supporting our Art Club. The cost is $15 per painter, and a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go directly back to the SBMS Art Club.

Reserve your spot here

We hope you will join us for a fun and creative night with our Pirate community!

We have several children that still need sponsors for Christmas. You can choose how many children you want to buy for. Just scan this QR code and Kamryn Garza will contact you with the child's sizes and wants/needs. If you have questions please contact Kamryn Garza at kamryn.garza@onslow.k12.nc.us or 910-548-0103.

Families interested in learning more about Onslow Early College High School (OECHS) are invited to attend one of several upcoming Parent Information Sessions. These sessions are a great opportunity to learn more about the program, ask questions, and explore whether Early College may be a good fit for your student.

A session will be held right here at Swansboro Middle School on Wednesday, December 9, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Additional sessions will also be offered at other middle schools throughout November and December, as well as an online session on December 16 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Families may attend the session that works best for their schedule.

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) has several exciting opportunities available for middle school students and families! Families are invited to attend the 2026 Middle School Open House on Wednesday, November 11 at the NCSSM-Morganton campus. Registration is required, and families can use the information on the attached flyer to learn more and register.

NCSSM is also offering Step Up to STEM, a FREE, one-week residential summer program for current 8th grade students who live in North Carolina. The program is designed to build students’ interest, confidence, and skills in science and mathematics and will be offered at NCSSM-Durham, Elizabeth City State University, and UNC Pembroke. The application portal opens in December 2026.

Please review the attached information for details about both opportunities. These are great options for Pirates who are interested in exploring STEM, challenging themselves academically, and learning more about future opportunities through NCSSM!

Families are invited to attend Parent Night at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center on Tuesday, December 8, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the hands-on programs and career pathways available to students. Families will be able to meet instructors, tour classrooms, shops, and labs, and see the projects and skills students are developing. Staff will also be available to answer questions about industry credentials, career pathways, and next steps for students. Program areas include Public Services, Skilled Trades, and Computer Applications.

The event will be held at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center, 261 NW Corridor Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28546. Families interested in learning more about career and technical education opportunities are encouraged to attend!

As we move into the cooler months, we naturally see an increase in respiratory illness like colds, flu, pneumonia and RSV. Please remember if your child is sick (nonstop coughing, trouble breathing, has a temperature of 100 or greater, or is vomiting or having diarrhea) , please keep them at home and seek medical care as needed. Remember to keep your child home until they have been fever-free (without using medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen) for 24 hours or have had no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours-this is an Onslow County School Board policy.

If your child has started on antibiotics, they cannot return until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Also, medications are NEVER to be sent in with students. ALL medications, even over-the-counter medications, must have a medication order and be checked in by the school nurse in order to be given at school. This is for the safety of all our students.

Tactics to avoid respiratory infections:

• Wash your hands. Using soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating.
• Avoid touching your face. Keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth helps keep germs away from those places.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. Then wash your hands.
• Clean surfaces. Regularly clean often-touched surfaces to prevent the spread of infection from touching a surface with the virus on it and then your face.
• Avoid crowds when possible. The flu spreads easily wherever people gather — in childcare centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums and on public transportation. By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you lower your chances of infection.
• Get vaccinated. Immunizations help decrease the severity and length of flu, pneumonia and RSV

SBMS is partnering with MENAC, Inc. (Mentor Every Neighborhood and Community) to bring an on-campus group mentoring program to our students. Trained adult mentors will meet with students weekly at school—sessions focus on life skills, emotional management, conflict resolution, goal setting, relationship building, and self-confidence with the aim of strengthening academics, attendance, and behavior. All mentoring is coordinated with school staff and supervised on site. If you’d like more details, please complete our short MENAC interest form linked below.

• Complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application here if you haven’t already. A new application must be submitted each school year.
• Add funds to your child’s cafeteria account through k12paymentcenter.com.

Our Backpack Buddies Program provides weekend food bags for students who are experiencing food insecurity. Each Friday, qualifying students will receive a backpack filled with food items to take home. This program is run through our Student Services Department and is designed to make sure no Pirate goes hungry outside of school.

If your family would benefit from this program, please complete the form below. All information will remain confidential.

We are sharing the Kind Co November Food Distribution Calendar to support families in our community who may need food assistance this month. The calendar is available in both English and Spanish, and includes locations and dates for local food pantry distributions.

Families can access, download, and share the calendar anytime using the link below:

🔗 Kind Co November Calendar

🔗 Kind Co November Calendar (Spanish)

🔗 Kind Co Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thekindnesscommunity
📘 Facebook Group: Kind Co – The Kindness Community
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thekindnesscommunity

The Kind Co Facebook group also provides additional resources beyond the calendar and can help answer questions. Families may also email questions directly to kindco.calendar@gmail.com.

If your family or someone you know may benefit from this resource, please take a moment to review and share. Together, we can continue supporting one another and strengthening our community.

Onslow County Schools Federal Programs (Title I) has access to the Parent Institute Digital Library—a bilingual (English/Spanish) online resource hub designed to strengthen family engagement and support student success.

Families can find quick, research-based handouts, newsletters, and short guides organized by grade level (early childhood through high school). Topics include academics, study habits, attendance, social-emotional learning, mental health supports, and school–family communication. Resources are mobile-friendly, easy to use, and can be viewed digitally or printed at home—making it a great tool for busy families and a helpful support for our Spanish-speaking community.

Click the link below to access the Parent Institute Digital Library!

We are proud to support our military-connected students and families at Swansboro Middle School. The Camp Lejeune–New River School Liaison Program has shared their quarterly Educational Military Minute, which highlights helpful resources, upcoming events, and ways schools and families can stay connected and supported throughout the year.

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Camp Lejeune Branch 208 is sponsoring its 2026–2027 Americanism Essay Contest, and our 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to participate! This year’s theme is “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?” Essays must be 350 words or fewer and should be written or typed on one side of one page. Students must also submit the required contest cover sheet.

Entries for the local Camp Lejeune Branch competition are due by November 20, 2026. Winning essays may advance to the regional and national levels, with scholarship awards available, including a $1,500 national grand prize. Camp Lejeune Branch 208 will also award $100 to each first-place grade-level winner. Please review the attached contest information, rules, and required cover sheet for complete details. This is a great opportunity for our Pirates who enjoy writing to share their ideas and potentially earn recognition for their work!

November 9: Wrestling/Girls Soccer v. NWPMS 4:00

November 9: Lock Down Drill (required)

November 11: Holiday - No School

November 12: Wrestling/Girls Soccer @ TMS 4:00

November 13: Career Day (8th Grade) during Encores

November 16: Wrestling/Girls Soccer v. SWMS 4:00

November 18: Fall Makeup Pictures

November 18: Interim Reports

November 18: Fire Drill (Required every month)

November 19: Wrestling/Girls Soccer @ DMS 4:00

November 21: 7th Grade Walk a Thon 9 -11

November 23: Wrestling/Girls Scocer @ NWPMS 4:00

November 25: No School for Students (Teacher Workday)

November 26 - November 27: Holiday - No School

December 1: Wrestling/Girls Soccer @ HCMS 4:00

December 2: Pirate Parent Meeting 10:30

December 3: Sportsmanship Meeting 6 PM (required 1x per year before tryouts/preseason workouts)

December 4: Winter Formal

December 12: OCS Wrestling Tournament (time and location TBD)

December 14: Basketball Tryouts begin

December 14: Interim Reports

December 14: Chorus Concert 6:30 PM

December 15: Fire Drill (Required every month)

December 16: Pirate Parent Cookie Drop Staff Appreciation

December 16: Band Concert (6th/Jazz Band 6:00, 7th/8th 7:00)

December 17: Orchestra Concert 6:30

December 18: Kona Ice Day

December 19 - January 3: Holiday - No School

January 4: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)

Email: alicia.hodal@onslow.k12.nc.us

Website: https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/swansboroms

Location: 1240 West Corbett Avenue, Swansboro, NC, USA

Phone: 910 326-3601

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwansboroMiddleSchool/