The Pirate Post
October 18, 2026
Fall Music Concerts This Week
We are excited to showcase our talented Pirate musicians during two special performances this week!
Fall Choir Concert: Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Fall Orchestra Concert: Thursday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Come out and support our students as they share the music they have been working hard to prepare. We are looking forward to two wonderful evenings of music at SBMS!
Boo Gram Fundraiser
Boo Grams are currently on sale for $1 during lunches until October 28th. Students can buy a candy treat to be delivered to a friend on Halloween!
Updates from our Media Center
Scholastic Book Fair
Save the Date! Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming to SBMS October 19–23 and will be open from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. each day. We will also host a special Family Book Fair Event on Wednesday, October 21, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
The Book Fair is a great opportunity for students to discover new books they are excited to read while also helping raise funds for our school. Families can also create a Book Fair eWallet, which allows students to shop independently and gives family and friends an easy way to add funds. Be sure to review the attached Book Fair Family Letter for additional information, including how to preview books and learn more about the fair.
1,000 Book Challenge
THANK YOU, Pirate families! Since launching our 1,000 Book Challenge on September 21, 45 new books have already been added to the SBMS Library! Our goal is to add 1,000 new books—one for every student at SBMS. Families can help by purchasing a book from our Amazon Wish List or donating gently used, middle-school-appropriate books.
We are off to a great start, and we are so grateful for the support of our Pirate community. Together, we can fill our shelves with books our students are excited to read!
Jersey Mike's Fundraiser Supporting Chorus - October 20th
Support the Swansboro Middle School Chorus on Tuesday, October 20, from 3:00–9:00 p.m. at Jersey Mike’s in Swansboro! When ordering in the app, use promo code JMGIVES, or mention the fundraiser when ordering in store. Jersey Mike’s will donate 15% of your purchase to the SBMS Chorus.
Stop by for dinner and help support our talented Pirate musicians!
End of Quarter 1 - October 27th
The first grading period will end on Tuesday, October 27. Please take a few minutes to review your child’s grades in Infinite Campus and encourage them to complete any outstanding assignments or speak with their teachers about questions before the grading period closes. This is a great time for students to reflect on their progress, celebrate their successes, and set goals for the next grading period.
Pirate Parents
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! 🏴☠️💙
Encore Updates: Beyond the Core
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.
Blitz Day
We are excited to announce our first Blitz Day of the school year!
When: October 30th during Encore time
Eligibility Dates: 9/2 – 10/27
Criteria:
No ISS or OSS (full day)
70% or higher in all classes
We look forward to rewarding our hardworking Pirates for their positive choices and strong academic performance!
Winter Formal: Under the City Lights
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 mid November. 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.
We cannot wait for our Pirates to enjoy a great night Under the City Lights!
Elev8 Your Future: 8th Grade Career Fair
Mentoring at SBMS
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.
Food Services
Backpack Buddies
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.
Athletics
Football will play Hunters Creek Middle School at White Oak High School on Monday at 5:00 PM. Come out and support our Pirate athletes!
Girls Soccer and Wrestling Tryouts
Fall sports tryouts are coming up! Girls Soccer tryouts begin Monday, October 19, and Wrestling tryouts begin Tuesday, October 20.
Students interested in participating should make sure they are aware of all eligibility and participation requirements before tryouts begin.
Questions about Girls Soccer should be directed to Coach Ross at emily.ross@onslow.k12.nc.us. Questions about Wrestling should be directed to Coach Starlin at mark.starlin@onslow.k12.nc.us.
Good luck to all of our Pirates trying out!
Eligibility Information
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!
Thinking of Coming to Games This Year?
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.
2026-2027 Clubs and Activities
SBMS Golf Club
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.
SBMS Art Club Family Painting Night
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.
We hope you will join us for a fun and creative night with our Pirate community!
Student Services Updates
Signs of Suicide Program - October 22nd
On October 22nd, Swansboro Middle School staff will present the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program, a nationally recognized, evidence-based youth suicide prevention initiative. The program is designed to help students recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in themselves and their peers while encouraging them to seek help from a trusted adult.
Research has shown that the SOS Program is effective in educating students about depression and suicide and reducing reported suicidal thoughts and attempts. The program also provides an important opportunity for students, families, and school staff to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health and the importance of seeking support.
We understand that this is a sensitive topic for many families and value your involvement in this process. A parent consent form with additional information was sent home with students on Wednesday, September 30th. Participation in the SOS Program requires written parental consent. Students will only participate if a signed consent form is returned to school.
Please return completed consent forms by October 16th. No student will be permitted to participate in the SOS Program without prior written consent from a parent or adult student.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Kamryn Garza, SBMS School Social Worker, at kamryn.garza@onslow.k12.nc.us.
Dental Services - October 29th
We are excited to share that dental services will be available at SBMS on October 29th.
Families who would like their child to be seen for a dental cleaning at free or reduced cost may complete the required permission form online or contact Kamryn Garza for assistance.
To sign up:
www.MySchoolDentist.com
Questions or need a permission form?
Kamryn Garza
kamryn.garza@onslow.k12.nc.us
910-548-0103
This is a great opportunity for families to access dental care conveniently during the school day.
Jacksonville Youth Council Opportunities
The Jacksonville Youth Council (JYC) is looking for students from schools across Onslow County and Camp Lejeune to get involved! The program is open to students in grades 8–12, which means our 8th grade Pirates are eligible to participate. JYC gives students opportunities to build civic and leadership skills, make their voices heard in the community, and participate in SAT-approved volunteer events. This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in leadership, service, and becoming more involved in their community. Please review the information below for additional details!
October Food Distribution Calendar – Kind Co
We are sharing the Kind Co October 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 October 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.
Family Resource: Parent Institute Digital Library (English/Spanish)
New Family Resource: Parent Institute Digital Library (English/Spanish)
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!
Military Family Update – School Liaison Military Minute
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.
Staying Connected
SBMS Important Dates
October 18 - October 25: Fall Book Fair
October 19: Football @ HCMS (play at White Oak) 5:00 PM
October 19: Girls Soccer Tryouts begin
October 20: Wrestling Tryouts begin
October 21: School Improvement Team Meeting 3:00
October 21: Book Fair Family Night
October 21: Fall Choir Concert 6:30 PM
October 22: Fall Orchestra Concert 6:00 PM
October 27: Powder Puff (10/29 Rain Date)
October 27: End of Grading Period
October 30: Blitz Day
October 30: 8th Grade Band Night @ SBHS
November 2: Wrestling/Girls Soccer JCMS 4:00
November 3: Report Cards
November 4: Pirate Parent Meeting 10:30
November 4: ERPD *3 hour early release, 11:40* *locked in instructional services*
November 5: Wrestling/Girls Soccer v. BMS 4:00
November 7: OCS Cheerleading Competition (SBHS time tbd)
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
Swansboro Middle School
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