SMS Weekly Update

This week we would like to extend our gratitude and celebrate the incredible efforts of the Sherwood Middle School staff who have played a vital role in shaping the future of our children. Their dedication, commitment, and unwavering support have truly made a difference in the lives of our students. In this newsletter, we'll take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional educators, administrators, and support staff who have been the guiding lights in our children's educational journey. Join us in spreading the joy and gratitude as we recognize the invaluable contributions of the Sherwood Middle School staff.

Our administrators at Sherwood Middle School are the backbone of our educational community. Their leadership, vision, and tireless efforts play a pivotal role in creating a nurturing and productive environment for both students and staff. They're the ones who ensure the smooth operation of the school, make critical decisions, and provide unwavering support to our educators. Their dedication to fostering a positive, inclusive, and innovative learning atmosphere is truly commendable. We're grateful for their guidance and the profound impact they have on our school. Our administrators are the driving force behind the scenes, and we couldn't imagine Sherwood Middle School without their exceptional leadership.

We are thrilled to have started off this school year with our new Dean of Students, Kathy Smithpeter. Smithpeter has brought a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Sherwood Middle School. With a passion for creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing school environment, she is committed to helping our students thrive not only academically but also socially and emotionally. Smithpeter has a strong track record in building positive student-teacher relationships and fostering a culture of respect and responsibility. She has proven to be a wonderful addition to our school community and will continue to play a key role in shaping the future of our students. Please join us in celebrating Kathy Smithpeter, as our new Dean of Students, and a wonderful addition to our school.

Our School Resource Officer, Officer Neumann, is an invaluable presence on our campus. With a friendly smile and a reassuring demeanor, he has built an exceptional rapport with our students. Officer Neumann goes above and beyond his role as a law enforcement officer. He's not just here to ensure safety but to create a positive and approachable atmosphere for our students. Through his dedication, he has managed to foster trust and open lines of communication, making our young learners feel comfortable seeking guidance and assistance whenever needed. Officer Neumann is a true role model, and his positive influence on our school community is immeasurable. We're grateful to have him as a guardian and friend to our students.

We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated team of outstanding School Counselors who play a pivotal role in shaping the well-being and academic success of our students. Their unwavering commitment, empathy, and expertise provide invaluable support to our school community. Together, they empower our students to thrive, fostering a nurturing environment where every child can flourish. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional School Counselors for their tireless efforts in guiding our students toward a brighter future.

Pictured below: Jenny Wihtol, Jammie Taylor, Alicia Tadema, and their Care Bears

Our teachers at Sherwood Middle School are nothing short of amazing. Their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to nurturing the potential in every student have left an indelible mark on our school community. They're the driving force behind the exceptional educational experience that our children receive, and we couldn't be more grateful for their hard work and enthusiasm. We're also thrilled to introduce some new additions to our teaching family this year. These fresh faces bring a wealth of knowledge, fresh perspectives, and innovative teaching methods, adding a dynamic touch to our educational landscape. We're excited to see how their energy and ideas will continue to enrich the learning journey for our students. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our new teachers and celebrating the incredible educators who make Sherwood Middle School a truly exceptional place to learn and grow.

Teachers New to SMS This Year:

6th Grade ELA, Sarah Richard

6th Grade Math, Ashleigh Marsteller

6th Grade Math & Leadership, Jaydon Troy

7th Grade ELA, Elli Manoogian-O'Dell

7th Grade ELA, Alessa Karlin

Band, Michael McCann

STEM/Technology & Robotics, Joshua Mitchell

Agricultural Science, Andrew Dunn

Learning Specialist, Melissa Helmick

Learning Specialist, Alissa Muir

Learning Specialist, Brandie Wende

School support staff are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, the dedicated individuals who play a vital role in creating a safe, nurturing, and productive educational environment. From custodians who keep the premises clean and welcoming to our secretaries, registrar, and administrative assistant who work together to ensure smooth operations, they are the backbone of any school. Their commitment to students' well-being and success is unwavering, providing assistance, guidance, and support that goes beyond the classroom. School support staff are the invisible force that keeps the educational engine running, making a lasting impact on students' lives.

Our amazing learning environment is cultivated through the efforts of our SMS Staff.

Please enjoy some of the images below, showcasing just a small portion of of the impact the have on our children's lives.

November 10

• Veterans Day Holiday - No School

November 13

• Last Day to Check Lost and Found! It will be Collected for Donation.

November 15

• Fall Performing Arts Assembly
• Early Release, Dismissal at 2:26 pm

November 20 -24

• Thanksgiving Break - No School

November 29

• Early Release, Dismissal at 2:26 pm

November 30

• End of Trimester

December 1

• Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL

Additional events may be viewed on the SMS Calendar and the District Calendar.

Front Office Hours: 7:30 am - 3:45pm

Student Hours: 8:45 am - 3:26 pm (Except on scheduled Early Release days)

Doors Open to Students: 8:30 am (Main Entrance and Activities Entrance)

If you lost something important, please check the lost and found!

Our lost and found has piled up to a point where there is no more room for lost items. Please remember to take a look through the lost and found, just in case you find something that belongs to you.

Any remaining items will be collected on November 13th, and donated the week of Thanksgiving. If you don’t claim your items, you won’t be able to get them back!

SMS will hold a Food Drive beginning, Monday, November 13-Friday, November 17. Students will earn points for their Flight Time class by bringing in items from the daily category. Please do not bring perishable items or open containers. All items will be donated to the Sherwood Elks and will support local families in need.

The Nutrition Services Department was recently notified by our milk vendor that they will be experiencing shortages due to supply chain issues for milk cartons, which could impact the availability of milk options for our school lunches in the coming weeks. This may mean that there will only be one flavor of milk option (instead of the standard two) or that juice may be served as an alternative as needed.

All cafeterias will continue to offer milk as usual until we are affected by the shortage. Juice has been ordered as a backup in the event that milk is not available to offer. Many school districts will be affected by this supply chain shortage, so it is a possibility that juice may also become unavailable due to higher demand.

We will continue to update families as we learn more information from our vendor. Thank you for your understanding.

COLORGUARD EXPERIENCE NIGHT

Learn dance and flag, meet new friends and

find out why Winterguard is so much fun!

November 13th 5-7 PM (SMS Commons)

There will be a parent meeting at 6:30

For more information, please see the flyer below.

PRIZES-FUN-FOOD-RAFFLE

November 16th 6-8 PM (SMS Commons)

There will be a parent meeting at 6:30

For more information, please see the flyer below.

Please see the graphic below or email SMSgoeseast@gmail.com for more information.

It's that time of the year again for our annual County required Immunization Review. Monthly reminder letters are now be mailed out to families whose students are missing immunizations. Please see the information below for more details on important dates from the County. If you have any questions please reach out to our Registrar, Allison Kopp, at akopp@sherwood.k12.or.us or 503-825-5520.

2/7/24 Exclusion letters from the state will be mailed to students who are still out of compliance.

2/21/24 Exclusion Day - All students out of compliance are not able to attend school until their required Immunizations are up to date or the exemptions have been completed.

Medical and nonmedical exemptions are also allowed.

• To request a medical exemption from vaccine requirements, submit a signed statement from your child's physician.
• To request a nonmedical exemption from vaccine requirements, you must do one of the following: (1) Talk to your healthcare provider and get a signed Vaccine Education Certificate, fill out the nonmedical exemption section of the Certificate of Immunization Status, and turn in both forms to your child's school; or (2) Watch the Vaccine Education Module for parents at: https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/PH/PreventionWellness/VaccinesImmunization/GettingImmunized/Pages/non-medical-exemption.aspx and print out the Vaccine Education Certificate at the end of the module, fill out the nonmedical exemption section of the Certificate of Immunization Status, and turn in both forms to your child's school.