Principal's Newsletter
October 18, 2026
Dear SMS families,
I want to share a few important updates and reminders with our Panther community.
We are excited to share an opportunity to recognize outstanding teachers who make a difference in the lives of our students every day! Freeman Orthodontics is recognizing four local teachers who will each receive a $250 Amazon gift card. Students, parents, and colleagues are encouraged to nominate a deserving teacher. If there is a teacher who has made a positive impact on your child please take a moment to recognize them! Nominate a Teacher Here! or see the flyer below.
Basketball season is here! Tryouts begin Monday, October 19. See times/locations below. Best of luck to everyone trying out!
For the safety of our students, anyone delivering outside food to school must be listed on the student's approved contact list. This same requirement applies to anyone bringing medication to school. Thank you for helping us maintain safe procedures and ensuring that we know who is delivering items to our students.
One of our most important responsibilities is creating a school where every student feels safe, welcomed, respected, and cared for. I want to remind our students and families that words matter. The language students choose can have a lasting impact on others, and we expect all students to treat one another with kindness and respect. Foul language, derogatory remarks, and racist comments directed at other students are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Students who engage in this behavior will be held accountable. We are committed to maintaining a positive school culture where every student feels a sense of belonging, and hurtful or discriminatory language has no place in that environment.
Please take a moment to talk with your child about the importance of choosing their words carefully. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I appreciate all that you do to make Sarasota Middle School a special place for our students.
Mrs. Nzeza
Principal, Sarasota Middle School
Panther Tennis Celebrates a Successful Season
Despite a season filled with weather-related cancellations, our boys’ and girls’ tennis teams made the most of their time together, building teamwork and growing as athletes. Their hard work paid off at the district tournament!
Congratulations to Victoria Grebing on winning the overall individual girls’ singles title! We are also proud of our boys’ team for earning third place overall at districts.
Basketball Tryouts Start Monday
Tryouts for both girls and boys are this week. ALL interested parents must compete their registration through Aktivate before tryouts. Please fill this out today if you haven't done so already. Here is the direct link: https://www.aktivate.com/
Girls - 7:30-9:00 AM - Meet at the metal detectors
Boys - 4:30-6:00 PM - Meet at the gym
SMS Soccer Makes History
What an incredible day for Panther Soccer! We were thrilled to celebrate dual victories as both our boys’ and girls’ soccer teams captured the first-ever Middle School Soccer District Championships!
Congratulations to our student-athletes on this historic achievement! A special thank-you to Coach Patt, Coach Dorr, and Coach Joiner for their leadership, dedication, and support in helping our Panthers make history.
Help Us Celebrate Our Renaissance Students
Our amazing PTSO is looking for volunteers and support for our first Renaissance Celebration of the school year! We want to recognize and celebrate our Panthers for their hard work, dedication, and effort.
Please consider lending a hand to help make this celebration special for our deserving students! If you are able to support our Panthers and help us in any way, please click here: Renaissance
Discover Sarasota High
Interested families take note: SHS will offer "Discover Sarasota High: Your Next Chapter," a campus tour opportunity for eighth-grade students on November 4. They will offer morning and afternoon sessions, with transportation provided.
In addition, here is information about the AICE program:
Important Dates:
- AICE/MaST Information Night is November 16th, 2026 in the SHS Auditorium at 6:00 pm. No RSVP is necessary.
- Tours start in December and will be offered on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7:50-8:45. They may sign up for our tours using this link: https://www.shsaice.com/tour-sign-up
- AICE applications will be available on our website at the beginning of January. The application deadline will be March 1, 2027.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at SMS
During Hispanic Heritage Month, students worked on a project that allowed them to travel virtually and explore different Spanish-speaking countries, learning about their cultures, traditions, and unique identities. Through this project, students expanded their knowledge and appreciation of the rich diversity of the Hispanic world.
The projects are on display in the media center for students and staff to enjoy and learn about the diverse Hispanic cultures.
School Choice Window Opening Soon
SMS School-Related Employee of the Year
We are thrilled to recognize Mr. Ponce, who according to one of his nominators, "exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding staff member at SMS. He has built a level of trust and respect with his students and colleagues. He has the natural ability to connect with students while also holding them accountable. He always sets a positive example for the students and staff. He is a true leader, and downright fantastic human being. He deserves credit and applause for outstanding attitude during some rough times. He has worked through many breaks (as has all the classified staff) and lunches to cover classes, and the dreaded testing weeks were rough. (He never complained!) He is a treasure for SMS."
