Dear Parents, Students, and Teachers,

As we approach the end of the 2024-2025 school year, I am filled with a sense of pride for the incredible journey we have shared together. This will be our final newsletter of the school year, and I would like to take a moment to reflect on the amazing experiences and accomplishments we have achieved as a community.

To our 7th grade students, I am excited to see you step into your new roles as the leaders of our school. Your journey has prepared you well for the responsibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. I have no doubt that you will continue to inspire and guide your peers with the same enthusiasm and commitment you have shown this year.

To our 8th grade students, congratulations on reaching this significant milestone! As you prepare to make your way to high school, know that we are incredibly proud of all you have accomplished. Your hard work, perseverance, and positive attitudes have set a strong foundation for your future success. We will miss you, but we are confident that you will continue to excel and make a positive impact in your new schools.

Go Gophers

Lauren Feronti Williams

Principal

Facebook: @StoneMS

Twitter (X): @stonemms

Instagram: @stonemagnetgophers

Home | Stone Magnet Middle (brevardschools.org)

The 2024-2025 ESE Parent Survey window is now open! Each year, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) surveys parents of children with an individual education plan (IEP) to determine how well districts and schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement in their child’s education. All states must collect this data for reporting on their State Performance Plan, as required under the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA). Additionally, survey results will be used to help schools and districts improve services and results for children with disabilities. The survey is open to all parents of children with an IEP receiving ESE services from preschool age through grade 12. While demographic information must be collected in compliance with federal requirements, individual responses are confidential. The survey is accessible through June 30th, 2025. If you have questions or comments, please contact my office.

As we enter Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we continue the tradition established in 1949. Every year, millions of Americans join in promoting awareness, providing vital resources and education, and advocating for the mental health and well-being of all. In a world that is constantly evolving, it can be overwhelming to navigate the various challenges and changes happening around us. The pressures of work, relationships, social media, and various societal factors can significantly impact our mental well-being, sometimes even more than we realize.

This year, our theme is “Small Steps. Big Impact”. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are offering a Month of Small Steps with Big Impact Calendar. This calendar is your opportunity to dedicate the month of May to prioritizing positive actions, helping others, self-care, and establishing good habits for positive health and wellness.

On 10/22/24, the Brevard County School Board approved Stone Magnet Middle School’s Schoolwide Improvement Plan which also serves as our Title I plan. Please take a minute to review our school’s plan at https://www.floridacims.org/districts/brevard/schools/2071. Copies of this document will be made available upon request and if you would like the document translated, please contact Jenny Gates at gates.jennifer@brevardschools.org or 321-723-0741 x35053.

Starting this year, two automated calls will be scheduled to families regarding students' attendance. A morning call between 11:00 am and 11:15 am will take place to alert families of an absence in the morning to help verify a student arrived to school. An additional call will be generated between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm to share with families a student's overall attendance for the day. Please remember attendance is crucial for a student's academic success.

Stone Magnet Middle School will adhere to the School Board Rules of Brevard County as cited in the Secondary Student Parent Handbook.

These are the portions most frequently referred to by parents, students, and school personnel.

The educational program offered by this District is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation. Attendance shall be required of all students enrolled in the school during the days and hours that the school is in session.

School attendance is the responsibility of parents/legal guardians and students.

• A student who is absent from class with an unexcused absence may need to complete supplemental learning opportunities.
• Excused absences may include medical appointment of the student, pregnancy related issues, court dates, religious holidays, illness with medical documentation and chronic and extended illness, insurmountable conditions, death in immediate family, and appointments for a therapy service provided by a licensed health professional.
• For excused absences, the student shall have a reasonable amount of time, up to ten (10) school days, to complete make-up work. Principals or designee may grant extensions to the make-up time limit for extenuating circumstances.

To honor the instructional learning environment, cellphones are not allowed to be used on campus at any time. Students are expected to have cellphones turned off or on silent and in their backpacks throughout the school day. Students will need to place cellphones in their backpack before entering school campus. Students may not have their phones in their pockets. If there is an emergency need to use a cellphone, students may go to the front office to call or text with permission.

Students were issued a school badge during registration. If you did not attend registration, please come to the front office to get your student badge. For safety and security reasons, students are required to wear their school badges at all times on campus. Replacement badges are $3.00. Student badges must be on when entering school grounds.

Students forgetting lunch and needing an outside meal dropped off will only be accepted by an individual on the student’s contact list. No food delivery services (UberEats, etc.) will be accepted. Students will not be able to take the meal on campus.

BPS provides breakfast and lunch free of charge to students school every day. We still encourage parents to apply for Free or reduced (FRL) price meal benefits. Click here to fill out a FRL application: https://www.brevardschools.org/o/bps/page/free-and-reduced-lunch-applications

Families can also set up an online lunch account through the district system. Go to www.mypaymentsplus.com to create your account and add money for your student to use in our cafeteria. If you already have an account, you do not need to create another one for this year. This is a convenient way to keep lunch money in your child's account, so they do not have to carry cash to school. Your child's lunch account is connected to their student ID, so all they have to do to pay for lunch is scan their ID and go.

Please select the PDF below to see the amazing things we have on campus and to learn more about AVID! AVID is a research-based, in-school academic program for middle to upper- middle students designed to prepare them for admission to four-year universities and colleges. AVID targets the least served students in the academic middle, capable of succeeding in a rigorous, college preparatory path.

Principal: Lauren Feronti Williams

Feronti.Lauren@brevardschools.org

Assistant Principal of Curriculum: Kierra Lang

Lang.Kierra@brevardschools.org

Assistant Principal of Disciplines: Kelly Borck

Borck.Kelly@brevardschools.org