March: Youth Art Month, Music in our Schools Month, Theater in our Schools Month, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, National Nutrition Month, National Women’s History Month

• March 2: Read Across America Day
• March 4: Student Holiday, Staff Professional Learning Day
• March 6: Interim Reports Issued
• March 4-8: National School Breakfast Week; Foreign Language Week
• March 10: Daylight Savings Time Begins

All attendance notes may be handwritten and dropped off at the main office, or you can use this link (https://forms.gle/BmFXDUdgh3bSfTbD9) to submit the notes as well.

You are also able to email, scan, or screenshot to Ms. Davidson at adavidson@iwcs.k12.va.us.

Excused Absences: Students are only allowed 5 parent notes per semester. There is no limit to doctors' notes.

On March 26th, 8th graders will be taking the Integrated reading and writing SOL on March 26. Check out the VDOE website to learn more and review practice items at this link.

Just a few reminders for students being dropped off at SMS:

• Please pull up as close to the front of the line as possible to allow the maximum number of vehicles to have access to the sidewalk.
• Students should exit from the right hand side of vehicles only.
• Students should have all materials ready and exit vehicles as quickly as possible.
• Please limit the need to access cargo and trunk spaces as this often delays the flow of the drop off line.
• If you need to enter the building, please park in a parking space rather than stopping and or parking for an extended time in the drop off line.
• If you are turning left onto Turner Blvd. following drop off, please turn left back into the parking lot and exit through the far end of the lot.

Thank you for helping ensure our student and staff members' safety at drop off!

We are excited to share that we have an upcoming talent show at SMS! We have the opportunity for teachers/staff members and students to showcase their special talents and come together in celebration. Please see details below:

AUDITIONS-FEB. 29TH AFTER SCHOOL

Event: Talent Show will be April 12th @ 7pm, doors to the theater will open at 6:45.

TICKETS ARE $5 AND SOLD AT THE DOOR (Concessions will be available)

Please reach out to Mrs. Rice at SMS with any questions, and we hope to see you there!

(1) Ordering: Yearbook ordering is online only. Read all instructions on the login page.

(2) Deadline: The official deadline to order a yearbook is April 15, 2024.

(3) Delivery: Yearbooks will be delivered to the school in late May or early June and go home with your student.

(4) Yearbook Ordering Link: https://AccessMyEvent.com/GXPRW1

Isle of Wight County Schools considers all current and past employees as part of our family. We celebrate them when they are with us, and when they retire. We also know many members of the community would like to join in celebrating them when they are no longer with us. To that end, IWCS has created a page where anyone can share information on the passing of a former employee. The information will be posted below. To submit information, use the online In Memoriam form. Here is a link to the In Memoriam page.

Virginia Space Grant Consortium provides a free, 3-part program to 7th and 8th graders on the peninsula and in Isle of Wight. This is a great hands on program and has been in existence since 2008. Participants learn to fly drones, make and keep a rover robot and build a rocket at NASA. Click here for more information and to apply.

The Focus is the Panther Expectations

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Safe

SMS is using Panther Tickets.

Students must be responsible for their own tickets.

Cashing-In Tickets

Rewards can be bought on Friday’s during W.I.N. Block only.

Rewards to be bought with tickets

Active-duty military parents sign up your child/children up to participate in the Military Family Life Program and Anchor for Life. Consent forms are located in the SMS Counseling Suite. Also, if you are an active-duty member deploying or PCS'ing in the next six months, please contact SMS Ms. Frazier at frazierb@magellanfederal.com

Arrival-Students should NOT arrive to our campus without being accompanied by their parent/guardian before 7:10 am. Our doors open at 7:10 am to all students. Parents are to remain courteous to other drivers while dropping off students. Students who are car riders should be dropped off at the curb in front of the school. Please pay attention to our staff directing traffic. Students arriving after 7:25 am are considered tardy.

Attendance-. All attendance notes may be handwritten and dropped off at the main office. Or emailed, scanned, or screenshot to Ms. Davidson at adavidson@iwcs.k12.va.us.

Excused Absences: Students are only allowed 5 parent notes per semester. There is no limit for doctors' notes.

Bus Information-Students should be at their assigned bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

Breakfast-Breakfast is served in the cafeteria 7:10 am-7:23 am. Students who bring breakfast from home or local eateries must eat breakfast in the cafeteria during breakfast time. Breakfast cost $1.35; milk only $0.50; unless approved free/reduced lunch.

Lunch is served during 3rd block classes. Lunch cost $2.85 unless approved free/reduced lunch.

1st lunch - 11:10 - 11:35

2nd lunch - 11:40 - 12:05

3rd lunch - 12:15 - 12:40

4th lunch - 12:45 - 1:10

Dismissal-

Staggered Dismissal beginning with car riders. Car Riders will be dismissed at 2:40 pm.

Parents may pull up to the curb for pick-up. Students are NOT to walk through the parking lot during dismissal to get into a parked car, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Bus Riders will be dismissed with their teachers walking them outside.

Dress Code-Students are expected to dress appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Any attire that inhibits the learning environment will be viewed as inappropriate. Inappropriately dressed students’ parents/guardians will be called to bring appropriate clothing before students can attend class. If a parent/guardian is unable to bring a change of clothes or an alternate, more appropriate outfit will be provided by the school.

Food-Students should not share/exchange food items.

School Visitors- All visitors must sign in at the main office. Visitors may not visit classrooms unless an agreed-upon date/time is scheduled. DoorDash, GrubHub or local deliveries will not be accepted for students.

Water Bottles Only-Students are welcome to have water bottles in class. Only bottles with a sealed lid/cap.

What I Need (W.I.N.) Block-A daily 25-minute alternating Panther W.I.N. block. The purpose of this block is to ensure that students do not lack the additional time needed in any class to get additional academic help, complete assignment, make up missing assignments, decompress, or apply a new skill.