Stewart Middle School Newsletter

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Stewart Middle School is very excited to announce that we will have our very own newsletter! We are pleased to be able to provide this information to our Stewart families. Some of the info that you can expect to see each month are: messages from the principal, COVID-19 updates, important upcoming dates, our uniform policies, events happening at SMS and in our community, and so much more!!

Greetings Stewart Wildcat Families and ​Happy Fall!

The beginning of this school year has been ​exciting and I am thrilled that we get to see and experience learning with our scholars each day. The lingering effects of the pandemic have caused us to shift our operational model in many facets of the school, but we are moving along and settling in nicely. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

​Our teachers and staff are committed to providing ​each learner with an ​active, authentic, and collaborative learning experience in a respectful environment that fosters learning​, self-awareness, and ​ growth.​ Through culturally relevant teaching and genuine outreach and inclusion, our goal is to make sure every learner and their family feels like this is their school and a great place to learn.​

A crucial part of success for our learners is attendance. As our learners' parents, guardians, and loved ones it is essential for you to constantly share with them and maintain that “Every Day Counts” attitude. You are their first teacher and they hold your words and actions in high esteem, as do we. Collectively, “We are Stewart!”

At Stewart, we recognize that family and community support are integral to our scholars' success, and we encourage you to take an active role in their in-school education in addition to everything you do at home. We are limited in onsite opportunities because of Covid-restrictions, however, we continue to seek family guidance and support through virtual opportunities. A Stewart Action Team for Partnership (SATP) has been established. It is composed of family and community members and is already working to change the educational experience for our learners and their families. We encourage you to join the Stewart PFC, as they will be working in tandem with the SATP on policy and procedural updates for the Stewart community, and collaborate with us in your learner's education. We also encourage you to dialogue with your teachers and the SMS administrators. Your opinions, suggestions, and concerns matter to us!

As a parent of two middle schoolers and two young adult children, I share in many of the situations that our families are experiencing, including the joys, fears, and anxiety we face as we put our children on the school bus or drop them at the doors of our school. Please know that we will take every effort to ensure our learners are safe, that they learn responsibility, and are prepared for life situations, as well as understand the importance of being kind and considerate to one another.

Please be mindful of the Covid Protocols established by the School District. Your scholar is required to bring a mask to school each day and wear it tightly, covering the nose and mouth. We continue to work with our local health officials to support and implement safe practices to help our whole community to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid. Thank you for being flexible as we respond responsibly. Our priority is to keep your learners safe and inspired.

If you have any questions or we can help you support your learner in some way, please

contact me by email at camilculbreath@nasd.k12.pa.us or call 610.275.6870 or our Assistant Principal, Kevin Smith at kesmith@nasd.k12.pa.us.

Let’s make this year a magnificent one, together!

Warmly,

Dr. Camil Culbreath

Principal

All students should be to school at 8:00am

Dismissal begins at 2:55pm

EARLY DISMISSAL NOVEMBER 9 DISMISSAL TIME 11:50am

Your learner should be wearing their mask at all times in the building.

Please remember to send extra masks with your learner everyday!

Please take note of the following message regarding early-pick up for your child:

Beginning Monday, November 1st, early dismissals will not be permitted during the last 30 minutes of the day. You must sign your child out before 2:20 pm or meet them outside at dismissal time. We want to ensure the safety of all of the learners during the busy period immediately before dismissal and can’t when families are waiting in the office area. It is always easiest to send in a note to alert teachers and the office of the early dismissal.

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health has updated their days and hours of operation for COVID-19 testing sites in Montgomery County. Below you can find the days and testing hours for each location. This link provided will give you more information on how to register for testing: https://www.montcopa.org/3744/COVID-19-Testing

Please remember that your learner should be coming to school in the proper school uniform. The links below have Stewart's uniform policy:

Here are some helpful websites to purchase school uniforms:

Walmart online

Walmart School Uniforms

Target online

Target School Uniforms

French toast online

French Toast School Uniforms

Children’s Place

Children's Place School Uniforms

Amazon

Amazon School Uniforms

Please take note of the following message from Mrs. Fowler, our school nurse regarding the administration of medication in school, click on the links below to access the message:

Parents/Guardians! Are you looking for something for your learner to read at home? The following message below is from our Reading Specialist Mrs. Bergan on how this can be done:

Our learners have access to online e-books through Scholastic Literacy Pro Digital Library via ClassLink right on their Chromebooks! Titles vary across levels, languages, genres, and reading interests. Students can create personalized bookshelves and set reading goals according to how many days and minutes they would like to read each week! Please take time to check this program out with your learner!

Does your learner enjoy math or might want a little more practice with their math skills? Our Math Specialist Mrs. Benson has provided two math card games that your learner can play at home! Below you can find the pdf link that you can access at home with the description and directions for each game!

Check out this article from Education Week on how you are able to help your child with math at home: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-parents-and-schools-can-work-together-to-keep-math-learning-on-track/2020/12

Stewart Middle School is partnering with Laurel House located in Norristown who service domestic violence victims and their children throughout Montgomery County.

Mrs. Tello our Global Leadership teacher at Stewart has been teaching one of her 8th grade classes about service to others. This 8th grade class organized this donation drive all on their own! Stewart students, families and staff will be collecting coloring books and coloring supplies for the children of Laurel House. If you wish to donate you may send your donation with your child to school and they will give it to their homeroom teacher or they can drop it off in the donation box in our library. All donations will be delivered to Laurel House in time for Thanksgiving. Donations will be collected until NOVEMBER 22. If you wish to donate another way or have any questions please feel free to contact Mrs. Tello at stello@nasd.k12.pa.us.

Project Libertad is an after school program directed towards empowering newcomer immigrant youth and their families by providing essential, youth-led, youth-centered legal and social services. Project Libertad envisions that all newcomer immigrant youth have access to the legal services,social services, academic support, and leadership opportunities needed to thrive!

Right now Project Libertad is offering their after school services to Stewart students virtually. Below are the flyers for Project Libertad, you are able to scan the QR code using your camera on your phone if you are interested in signing up your child. If you have any further questions you can contact Project Libertad at info@projectlibertad.org.

Looking for some weekend fun with your learner and family? Here are links with information regarding these events within our area:

November 5,6, & 7: Oaks Holiday Art & Craft Festival https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oaks-holiday-art-and-craft-festival-indoor-greater-philadelphia-area-tickets-167620343961

November 13 & 14: Holiday Art & Fine Craft Show https://haverfordguild.org/2021-holiday-art-fine-craft-show/

November 20: The Amazing Race at Elmwood Park Zoo https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-amazing-race-of-2021-tickets-168968658807?fbclid=IwAR3XYoVyuweoMIR-DeYqdfM4prIj2r5D2tsP38Nc2RK7bo1d__j3RFGUdeM

The Center for Parent and Teen Communication is known for strengthening family connections. Their website offers plentiful information on better ways you as a parent or guardian can better understand your pre-teen or teenager. Check out this link on 100-word parenting tips! https://parentandteen.com/parenting-snack-digital-freedom/

Where are we located?

The Family Support Center (FSC) is located at the Roosevelt High School. Our entrance is at the back of the building where the parking lot is.

Do you have someone that speaks Spanish?

Yes, we have a Bilingual Family Support Specialist available who speaks Spanish.

Do I need an appointment?

No, you do not need an appointment. You may walk-in/stop by. We will be following District protocols, so please wear a mask.

1161 Markley Street

Norristown, PA 19401

(610) 630-5001

Monday - Friday

8:00am - 4:00pm

Family Support Center Staff

Julie Knudsen

Pupil Services Supervisor

Yvonne Maloy

Secretary

Kelly Brodoski

Central Registration

Maria Salazar

Bilingual Family Support Specialist

Meghann Radick

Home & School Visitor/Homeless Liasion

Brenda Del Carmen

Bilingual Truancy Abatement Specialist

The Family Support Center (FSC) is available to support the needs

of all NASD families.

Please feel free to click the heading above labeled "COMMUNITY RESOURCES" to access the plentiful resources that NASD offers to our families.

Stewart is on all social media platforms give us a follow for more updates!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewartnasd/

Email: camilculbreath@nasd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/stewart
Location: 1315 West Marshall Street, Norristown, PA, USA
Phone: 610.275.6870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stewart-Middle-School-890744050996347/
Twitter: @StewartMiddle