In the Middle

Feb. 12th - PTO Meeting, Library 7:00 pm

Feb. 17th - Winter Recess Begins

Feb. 24th - Classes Resume

Feb. 25th - PTO's Skate Night, United Skates of America, 5:30-8:00

The Rhode Island Department of Education is currently administering its annual SurveyWorks Family Survey, which is an opportunity for family members to provide feedback about our school community and our children’s opportunities to learn. The survey results are most useful when all families participate, so I am writing to ask you to participate in this survey.

Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important. By taking this short survey, you can help our school leadership and school community to make improvements. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual; no one can tie your responses back to you.

You can take the short survey online between January 21 and March 31. To take the survey, visit: bit.ly/ridefamily. Choose your school from the drop-down list.

If our family response rate hits 50%, all students will receive a coupon for a free ice cream during lunch. If that response rate reaches 75%, we will host a free schoolwide movie event.

Thank you for a great 8th grade move-up night! I can't wait to welcome the Spartan class of 2029! The presentation is linked below. All 8th grade students will have access to Powerschool and can begin to build their freshmen schedule starting February 14th. Ms. Mixner and I will help and there are very clear instructions coming soon! Please reach out if you would like your 8th grader to shadow in a 9th grade program before the end of this year.

Thanks again!

Mike Hassell

Shout out to Mr. McGinn, high school chemistry teacher, for entertaining students while supervising the middle school staff. The talented Mr. Ginn entertained us with acoustic instrumentals of popular songs.

Sixth Grade Winners

Sam C.

Elliana P.

Alternate: Trent T.

Seventh Grade Winners

Avery A.

Reed R.

Alternate: Abraham B.

8th Grade Winners

Mayson M.

Aubree S.

Alternate: Kaleb B.

SMS is in need of coaches for the following spring sports:

• Boys Track (Job ID 4946844)
• Girls Track (Job ID 4946842)

If we are unable to secure coaches, SMS will not be able to have a team.

If you know of anyone who may be interested in coaching, please check out https://www.schoolspring.com/ and search using the job identification number above. Reach out to the athletic director, Sal Gelsomino, at sal.gelsomino@scituateschoolsri.net .

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. All links are in our Linktree below

Several parents have reached out to inquire about access to SmartPass to monitor how much time their child is out of class. SmartPass offers a parent account. Please email me for your child's unique access code.

Late buses are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Buses typically arrive around 3:45-4:00, depending on when the elementary runs are complete. Parents and guardians picking up their children should wait in the high school's main parking lot. Students will exit those doors and not the middle school doors; they would usually get picked up at normal dismissal time.

Tuesdays

• Detention
• Agriculture Club

Wednesdays

• Detention
• Math Support
• TSA Club

Thursdays

• Detention
• ELA Support
• Linus Club

Ms. Norton will be creating the middle school yearbook this year. If you have photos that you would like to see included in the yearbook, please email them to sms_yearbook@scituateschoolsri.net This includes photos from all of our SMS Athletic Teams.

As winter approaches, some of us may experience a change in our mood that happens as a response to the colder weather and shorter days. This may look like feeling sad or annoyed, having difficulty concentrating, or changes in appetite or sleeping patterns. The winter blues are more commonly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Check out SPC's winter newsletter. SPC is a regional coalition that is federally funded organization that provides mental health promotion and substance use prevetnion.

Teen depression is a topic often clouded by misconceptions. As parents, caregivers, and advocates, understanding the truth about this condition is crucial for supporting our teens. Let’s tackle some common myths and uncover the facts behind this important issue.

ParentGuidance.Org (a project of The Cook Center for Human Connection) is a new resource for RI schools designed to foster a positive, proactive, and productive culture around Mental Health and Wellness by increasing parent/caregiver engagement. Their portfolio of supports include free and contracted services.

Free services include On-Demand Courses on a variety of topics (anxiety & depression, bullying, body image, technology, grief & loss, meditation & mindfulness, and more) and an Ask A Therapist feature; both from leading mental health experts designed to educate and empower parents/caregivers. Contracted services include Parent/Staff Coaching, Mental Health Family Seminar Series, and Professional Development.

The Scituate School Department has partnered with Unite Us to streamline the process of applying for free and/or reduced lunches.

Please click the link which will take you to the meal benefit application on the State of Rhode Island Department of Education website.

https://ride.ri.gov/child-nutrition/unite-us-electronic-school-meal-benefit-application

Please fill in all fields. Be sure to select Scituate Public Schools in the field “Select the school district that your child will receive school meals from”.

If you have any questions, please call: Jennifer Carnevale, Executive Finance Assistant at 401-647-4100 option 2, then option 3

This message is to inform you of the upcoming Northwest Special Education Region Local Advisory Committee meeting, which will be held virtually on February 11, 2025 from 6pm-7pm.

SELAC Meeting

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/uim-eokm-cos

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 413-276-6215‬ PIN: ‪498 024 544‬#

The Northwest Special Education Region Local Advisory Committee is a valuable resource for families of students with disabilities. We serve the school districts of Foster, Glocester, Scituate, and the Foster-Glocester Region and work to:

• Advise the school district on how to better meet the needs of students with disabilities.

• Review and provide input on plans to improve services for students with disabilities, including those related to IDEA Part B.

• Ensure the school district complies with state and federal laws regarding the education of students with disabilities.

• Advocate for your children to receive the appropriate services and supports they are entitled to under the law.

• Connect families with valuable resources and information.

• Provide a supportive network for parents and children.

We encourage you to attend the meeting to learn more and get involved.

Write Rhode Island and the Providence Public Library are hosting Introduction to Comics in February. The workshop is a beginner level course for students grades 6 through 8. Students can meet and learn from published authors and comic writers, discuss topics related to comic book creation, and most importantly, create their own artwork and submit it to WriteRI’s collective comic anthology. This is in person class will be held February 18-21, 2025, at the Providence Public Library. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Register here.

The Scituate School Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, national origin, color, creed, political affiliation or disability in any of its educational programs and activities, and in employment and application for employment, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and other federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Equal Employment Officer, P.O. Box 188, North Scituate, Rhode Island 02857, Telephone: (401) 647-4100; Email: EEO@ScituateSchoolsRI.net. You may also direct inquiries directly to: Office for Civil Rights (Boston Office), U.S. Department of Education, 8th Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-3921, Telephone: (617) 289-0111; Facsimile: (617) 289-0150; Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov. If you require an accommodation to attend a meeting or program at a school, call the Equal Employment Officer at least two business days in advance of the meeting or program.