SMS Weekly Update

Due to anticipated inclement weather the Sherwood School District has determined that all schools will operate on a half day schedule for today (Friday, January 12). Please see the link below for a copy of the schedule.

Please join our entire staff and band community in congratulating our Advanced Band for their selection and upcoming performance at the Oregon Music Educators Association state-wide conference. Our students are performing at the Hult Center in Eugene, OR in front of a packed audience of music educators this morning at 10:15 am. This is a huge honor for our students and we are so proud of them for their hard work and dedication. Mr. Crane and Mr. McCann also deserve a big shout out for their leadership, vision, and efforts in making this trip possible.

As we welcomed staff back on January 2nd we engaged in a full day of Professional Development focused on continuing our work with Professional Learning Communities. Staff spent the day focusing on ways to provide effective interventions and extensions to students in the classroom, as well as focusing on alignment with common language and expectations in classes. Our staff is working hard to provide the best learning opportunities for your students, and we are proud of the efforts that they put forth in this rewarding work.

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)

January 15

• Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

January 17

• Early Release - Dismissal at 2:26 pm
• School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm, District Office

January 24

• Early Release - Dismissal at 2:26 pm

January 31

• Early Release - Dismissal at 2:26 pm

February 2

• District 14 Honor Choir (selected auditioned participants)
• Student of the Month Breakfast - 7:45 am - 8:15 am

February 5 - 9

• Staff Appreciation Week

February 7

• Early Release - Dismissal at 2:26 pm

February 10

• West Salem Jazz Festival

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

Please enjoy these photos from one of our Flex offerings this week, courtesy of Angi Scott.

For questions about Flex, it's purpose, and how students access it please read the Flex Updates section below.

We continue to get a lot of items in our Lost and Found. It would be helpful if items were labeled with your student's name, as we attempt to return all lost and found items back to their owner if at all possible.

Students may check the lost and found before school, during lunch, after school, and during passing times.

Parents are welcome to come look in the Lost and Found for missing items before school or after school after checking in at the main office.

All items that are currently in Lost and Found will be donated on Wednesday 1/17.

As you know, our district is in the process of searching for the next Principal of Sherwood Middle School, following the announced retirement of current Principal Marianne Funderhide at the end of this school year. Your feedback is important to our Human Resources Department and hiring team as they conduct their search for the next SMS Principal.

To share your feedback with school district leadership and the hiring team, please complete the survey below by Thursday, January 18. All survey responses are anonymous, and will not be viewed by our school's administrators/staff.

The inaugural Oregon Civics Bee encourages young Oregonians to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Middle school students with an idea about using civics to solve a problem in their community are invited to participate in the first round of the contest by submitting an essay.

Judges will select 20 finalists from their essay submissions to participate in the Civics Bee event on May 30, 2024 at Willamette University in Salem. The winner of the Oregon Civics Bee will be invited to participate in the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. in fall 2024.

For more information and contest entry, please visit the link below. All essay entries are due by January 22, 2024.

We are excited to share an update regarding Flex Time. As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering academic success, we will be extending Flex Time opportunities for the remainder of the school year. Beginning in January, students will have the chance to attend Flex Time twice a month on Wednesdays. This expansion provides an even greater opportunity for our students to engage in personalized learning experiences and receive the support they need.

What happens during Flex Time?

Flex Time is a dedicated block of time in our schedule designed for students and teachers to meet for a specific need.

During Flex Time, students can:

1. Get Additional Academic Support:
   Whether they need clarification on a challenging topic or want to reinforce their understanding, Flex Time provides an environment for academic support. Teachers may utilize this time to assign students to a Flex to ensure that they are getting the additional time and targeted support in areas of need.
2. Attend Academic Extensions:
   For those eager to explore subjects in greater depth, Flex TIme offers academic extensions, providing students with the chance to delve into advanced topics and expand their knowledge.
3. Participate in Clubs:
   Flex Time provides a platform for students to engage in extracurricular activities through club participation. These clubs are diverse, catering to a range of interests and provide opportunities for students to connect and share passions.
4. Experience Enrichments:
   Beyond the standard curriculum, Flex Time features enriching activities that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and exploration.

How Can Your Child Make the Most of Flex Time?

• Student autonomy: encourage your child to take an active role in their education by choosing sessions that align with their needs and interests.

• Discuss with your child how they can utilize these opportunities for academic growth and enrichment.

We believe that Flex Time serves as a valuable resource for our students, promoting not only academic success but also fostering a sense of responsibility and independence in their learning journey.

January 29th is the deadline to sign up for the 2024 8th grade East Coast Trip. Here is the link to sign up. The code for our trip is sher2024. Please email smsgoeseast@gmail.com with any questions for this non-school sponsored trip.

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.