STMS OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
👻 Boo!
Attendance Matters
As we move into October, we are working to help students recognize the importance of attendance and how it helps student’s success. Being present and on time for every class sets the foundation for positive learning experiences. It ensures students are fully engaged in instruction, able to participate in class discussions, and able to receive support from teachers when they need it most. Each day of learning builds on the last, and attendance is key to keeping students on track academically and socially.
Thank you for your partnership in helping your child build strong attendance habits. Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed. We have great fun community activites for October, but students must be here to be able to participate.
October Attendance and Work Completion Incentives
To make attendance and completing assignments a fun focus this fall, we’ll be celebrating students who are consistently present and on time and have no NTI's (Not Turned In Assignments):
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October Incentive: Any student who arrives on time by 7:45 a.m. and stays the full school day (until 2:35 p.m.) all week will receive 3 extra PBIS Pirate Bucks. Begins Sept. 29th.
October 27 Hall Trunk or Treat "Hall"-o-ween: Students who have no unexcused absences and no NTI's for the month of October get to participate in the Hall Trunk or Treat during FLEX.
How you can help: Encourage students to be ontime to school everyday and in class on time each period. Help your student to check their assignments in Powerschool and Schoology to make sure all assignments are turned in to their teacher. Sign up for NTI tutoring to help students complete assignments and work on possible redo opportunities.
Your support will help us reinforce the importance of being at school every day while giving students a fun little incentive to keep showing up on time.
Thank you for supporting our focus on attendance this fall—we can’t wait to celebrate our students’ commitment to being here, on time, and ready to learn!
I am also having my first drop in Flex with Ms. Smith. This is one of my favorite days each month. Students come and meet in my conference room and do a fun activity together. Our first event this month is creating pet rocks and animal lego designs. Encourage your student to sign up and get to know other students and Ms. Smith. They get to bring their creations home as well.
Regular school attendance is an important part of your child’s academic, social, and emotional success. Missing just 10% of school days is considered chronically truant. This means students should miss no more than 18 days throughout the school year.
Throughout the school year, the Counseling Office may send attendance letters to families when a student’s absences become a concern. These letters are not a “gotcha” or a punishment. Instead, they are an opportunity to partner with families and ask, “What can we do to help your child attend school regularly and be successful?” If your child is experiencing challenges that are making it difficult to get to school, please reach out to your child’s school counselor so we can work together to identify supports.
If your child is absent, please remember to email our school secretary, Joann Brown, at joann.brown@qacps.org so the absence can be properly documented (DOC) rather than recorded as unlawful (UNL). Letters must be submitted within 5 days of absence for the system to accept as documented. This is especially important because some PBIS events and activities require students to have no unlawful absences in order to participate.
Every school day counts! Thank you for partnering with us to help your child prioritize attendance.
It’s time to reserve your student’s copy of the 2026–2027 STMS Yearbook!
Our yearbook is packed with the memories that make this school year one to remember. Don’t wait until the end of the year—preorder now and save!
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SPECIAL!
Only $35 through October 31!
That’s a $5 savings when you preorder now!
To order, visit: Barksdale Photo
Use Access Code: 18102YB
Sale ends October 31—don’t miss out!
Any questions, please email Ms. Armiger. tracey.armiger@qacps.org
We would greatly appreciate your help in restocking the shop before our first shopping day on September 11th! If you are able, please consider purchasing an item from our PBIS Pirate Shop Amazon Wishlist.
Wow! We are so grateful for the number of volunteers we have gotten already. A few spots are still available for first-semester Pirate Shop Days. Please sign up here to volunteer. IMPORTANT: You must complete the required volunteer training form before volunteering.
Thank you for supporting Stevensville Middle School and our PBIS program! Your generosity and time help us recognize and celebrate our students for making positive choices.
Our first school dance is October 23th from 6pm - 8pm. The dance is $5 in advanced or $10 at the door. A permission slip needs to be completed to attend the dance. The theme of the dance is Halloween. Come in your costumes ready to have some fun and dance the night away. No face masks are permitted. You must be in school during the half day to attend. Snacks will be available for purchase. Permission slip and ticket purchase here.
