Dear Sashabaw Middle School Families,

Here we go; off and away into another school year. The 2014-2015 school year is up and running with great success! We are looking forward to another fantastic year, full of thinking and learning together as a community of learners. The Open House was well attended and the parents/guardians all enjoyed a day in the life of their student. Together as a staff and a community, we hope to continue to create and grow in a Culture of Thinking.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued patience at the start of a new school year. As we settle into September and October, we are becoming more comfortable with our routine of drop off and pick-up, with the building procedures and maneuvering the new Student Information System. The start of any school year can sometimes be stressful as we transition into a new building or get reintroduced to familiar procedures. The students have done a wonderful job acting responsibly and coming ready to learn!

Finally, continue to look for future newsletters, but know that you can always stay connected via our website, and now by following us on Twitter @sms_wolves.

I look forward to the outstanding year full of opportunity that lies ahead.

Sincerely,

Liz Walker

Principal

Administration

Mrs. Liz Walker, Principal emwalker@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Mrs. Jennifer Johnson, Assistant Principal jejohnson@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Behavior Interventionist

Mr. James Tedder Behavior Interventionist jmtedder@clarkston.k12.mi.us

SMS Counseling

Mrs. Jamie Graves, Counselor for A – K students jjgraves@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Mr. Damon Rocho, Counselor for L – Z students dlrocho@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Email: caselina@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Website: www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/sms
Location: 5565 Pine Knob Road, Clarkston, MI 48346
Phone: 248.623.4200
Twitter: @sms_wolves

10/1 COUNT DAY!!!

10/7 Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00 ~ 8:00 P.M.

10/8 Delayed Start Day ~ School begins at 8:30 A.M.

10/8 PTA Meeting 9:00 A.M.

10/9 Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 ~ 7:00 P.M.

10/16 Picture Re-Take Day

10/22 Delayed Start Day ~ School begins at 8:30 A.M.

ParentVUE/StudentVUE:

A letter was sent to your home explaining our new student information system. These websites include assignments, grades, attendance, school calendar and teacher contact details. First time users and returning users this is the link https://spportal.westmihosting.com/CCS_PXP/. Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 248.623.5406 if you have problems accessing the system or creating an account. The SMS main office may assist you with your activation key or assist you with your User ID.

Early Dismissal:

Please send in a note for your student to deliver to the front office in the morning before classes begin when early dismissal is required for your student. The note should specify the requested release time and reason. Your student will be issued a pass to present to their teacher so that they can be excused from class at the appropriate time. This policy cuts down on disruptions to valuable classroom instruction and student learning. Thank you for your cooperation!

Attendance Procedure Update:

It is no longer required to call SMS to report your student being absent. Students are allotted a maximum of 6 absences per trimester before receiving a letter from the school indicating a concern. All absences are designated as unexcused in our student information system. In order to excuse your child's absence for illness, please supply a doctor's note. While this will not change how the absence is displayed, we are able to note in the system that a doctor's note has been provided. If you have question on this procedure, please call the main office at 248-623-4200. Soon, you will receive an automated call to your main number in the evening stating if your child has missed one or more hours that day. Thanks!

October 1, 2014 is Count Day! It is always important for students to be in school, but October 1st is especially important as the funding our district receives to educate your children is based on the number of students in attendance on these count days each year.

Hello to both new and returning families!

Middle school is a time of great excitement and transition for students and parents. Our students are starting to spread their wings and seek more independence, but they still need you to be involved in their education. SMS PTA provides many ways to connect to the administration, staff and other parents through informative membership meetings and fun school-wide activities.

Thank you to everyone who has already made a commitment to SMS PTA, either by becoming a member or supporting the donation drive. We are on our way to funding the budget that was approved in September. It’s never too late to join, donate, volunteer or attend your first PTA meeting. Every contribution is appreciated.

Speaking of meetings, we have made a slight adjustment to our published schedule. As several of our meeting dates fall on a district-wide late start day, all PTA meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m. (instead of 9 a.m.). You can find the complete schedule on our web site, which is linked to SMS’ website through www.clarkston.k12.mi.us. Our next meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 8 in LGI-A.

Join me in thanking our back-to-school party chairs for a tremendous job kicking off the new school year in style for our students – Keri Atteberry, Donna Bordine and Melanie Peterson (6th grade); and Barb Line and Stacey Moscone (7th grade). These ladies know how to throw a great party!

It’s almost time for PTA Reflections, America’s oldest and largest arts education program of its kind. Each year, students in grades Pre-K through 12 are recognized for bringing a theme to life through film production, dance choreography, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. This year’s theme is “The world would be a better place if …” Students from SMS have received recognition at the state and national level in recent years – we have tons of talent and creativity at SMS! Look for information to come home mid-October from our Reflections chair, Suzanne Upton.

SMS PTA is here to strengthen the partnership between home and school. I welcome your suggestions and ideas for how we can best serve students, families and staff.

Best,

Kelli Horst, president

kellihorst@hotmail.com

Thank You SMS Students, Parents and Staff.

What a great start!

October 31st will be the last day to turn in Box Tops for the Fall 2014 deadline.

Box Tops turned in after October 31st will be submitted in Spring 2014.

Remember to put your name and grade on any baggies or collection sheets in order to receive a special holiday treat.

The top three students with the largest number of valid Box Tops will receive a Best Buy gift card.

First Place = $25, Second Place $15 and Third Place = $10

Collection sheets and the Box Tops Bin are located at the school office.

Together we can reach our goal and help our school.

The SMS PTA is collecting Campbell’s Soup Labels this year. The points from the labels add up quickly and qualify SMS for a large selection of items to enhance our classrooms. Please clip those labels from participating products and send them to school. They can be added to the Box Top’s box in the front office and we will sort them out. To see a complete list of participating products, go to LabelsForEducation.com. Questions? Contact Kim Hardtke at Hardtke@comcast.net. The labels you should send will look similar to this:

Both 6th and 7th graders kicked off the school year with exciting Back-to-School parties. Students enjoyed activities including inflatables, ping pong, volleyball, a nail polishing station and a DJ playing music to dance by. There were two new activities that proved to be popular with both grades. First, excited students were quick to join the line to get a Kona(shaved ice) from the "Kona Ice" truck. Mark from "Kona Ice" served 400+ at the 6th grade party! The second exciting new activity was the addition of "Photo Booths". Several backdrops, costumes and props were available for students to use for their picture taking pleasure. They had a lot of fun hamming it up for the camera. Of course, snacks were available at both parties to ward off the after-school munchies. It was a fabulous way to start the school year, a good time being had by all.

Orders for Market Day are due Friday, October 17 with pick-up on Wednesday, October 22 4:30 to 5:30 in the 7th grade gym. Order online www.marketday.com for the best deals. SMS PTA receives 10% of all orders. Questions or concerns contact Pam Aughe at ps.aughe@gmail.com or 248-245-1033.

Although the school year has just begun, I’ve seen such a tremendous effort from our parents to jump in and help out. From those of you who helped at Schedule Pickup Day or the 6th & 7th Grade Back to School Parties, to the many parents who have submitted their SMS PTA Volunteer Opportunities Form offering to help with various activities throughout the year, we thank you, our kids thank you and please know how much we appreciate you!

If you haven’t had a chance to submit your Volunteer Opportunities form, it’s never too late! Extra forms are available in the front office if you need one. Additionally, make sure you are signed up for SMS Eblasts and be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Hardtke at Hardtke@comcast.net.

Dear Clarkston Families,

Whether we admit it or not, we, parents, often have a good idea of whom we’d like to see as our children’s teachers, especially at an elementary school. We talk to their current teachers, do some research here and there, and write letters providing our input in this matter. After all, we want a good fit.

As concerned as we are about our children , when it comes to making decisions that might affect their education on a large scale, we often don’t feel compelled to invest a lot of effort. The most important example of this is how much thought we put into the elections for our Board of Education.

Of course, most of us know what the Board of Education does. The Board of Education has the final say in every initiative or decision regarding our schools – from textbooks and curriculum our students use, to repairs of the buildings in which they spend many hours, to salaries and professional development for their teachers, to the amount of money for various needs. In fact, the Board determines who fits to be our superintendent. It governs our schools.

What this means to you and me is that the people we elect are in charge of our kids’ education. We trust them with our children. How much do we know about them?

Please make it a priority to find out who fits well in our schools. For more information about the candidates: http://www.lwvoa.org.

Arina Bokas

Clarkston PTA Council President

www.facebook.com/clarkstonptac

Attention 2014-2015 Student Council Candidates! Please see the flyer in the main office for details about becoming a candidate for SMS Student Council.

Please contact Mrs. Ludd at meludd@clarkston.k12.mi.us with questions.

"Thank you for your interest in supporting our school and community!"

SMS Club fee is $50 per year which entitles the student to participate in as many of the SMS Clubs listed below that they would like to be a part of...

Art Club - First meeting is October 14th and will get together every other Tuesday. Members will experiment with new ideas and experience new materials as they express their artistic self throughout the year. Meetings are held from 2:30-4:00 in room 214 with Mrs. Dandurand. The $50 Clarkston Club Fee is required to join with an additional $5 material fee.

SMS Chess Club - Meets Fridays from 2:45-4:00. First meeting is Friday, October 17 in the 6th grade cafeteria. Questions: Mr. Andress in room 308 or hjandress@clarkston.k12.mi.us.

Drama Club - Meets Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:40-4:10. First meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 30 in Room 411. There is a $50 fee.

Sponsors: Ms. Pace-Bleau (248.623.4523) or mapacebleau@clarkston.k12.mi.us

and Mrs. Savoie (248.623.4238) slsavoie@clarkston.k12.mi.us.

Forms with additional information are available in the main office.

SMS MathCounts – Math Team

Sashabaw Middle School will once again have a math team this year. This is an opportunity for all interested students to improve their problem solving skills. We will explore topics that will both compliment and go beyond the regular curriculum.

The team will be split in two groups:

• 6th grade team – will meet on Tuesdays from 2:45 until 4:00 beginning on October 21st.
• 7th & 8th grade team – will meet on Thursdays from 2:45 until 4:00 beginning on October 23rd.

We will be meeting in room 308. Meetings begin in October and continue through May.

Registration forms will be available at our first meeting, or you can email Mr. Andress and he will forward one to you. School club fee applies.

For more information contact SMS staff member and coach Howard Andress hjandress@clarkston.k12.mi.us

SMS Chess Club –

For both the beginner and the sophisticated player, the SMS Chess Club welcomes all interested students. The club will meet on Fridays throughout the school year beginning on Friday, October 17th. We will meet in the 6th grade cafeteria.

Registration forms will be available at our first meeting, or you can email Mr. Andress and he will forward one to you. School club fee applies.

For more information contact SMS staff member and coach Howard Andress hjandress@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Floor Hockey after school at SMS

Floor hockey is open to all 6th & 7th graders interested in having fun with some friends after school. All equipment is provided and all you have to do is show up ready to play. We’ll pick up teams each session and everyone who attends will get a chance to shoot, score, and maybe even make some saves. No experience required. So, be sure to sign up

early and don’t miss out on the fun. After all, this is Hockeytown!!

Instructor: Mr. Sabbag

Y626-20 • 7 classes • Monday & Thursday •

October 2–27 (no class 10/9) • 2:45–4pm • $42 •

SMS Meet in the 6th grade gym

With the onset of cold and flu season, among other reasons, students may necessarily be absent from school. Whenever possible, please submit a doctor’s note to the main office when your student has one or more medically related absences. These notes will be kept on record and are referenced against a student’s attendance record as needed. Compulsory Michigan attendance law requires that SMS maintains accurate attendance records and those excessive absences are properly reviewed. Appropriate medical documentation helps to support a student’s cause when evaluating a potential truancy concern.

Yearbook: $34.00 Personalized: $39.00 Signature package: $47.00

To order online: http://jostensyearbook.com

Please pick up the form in the main office for more information and/or to order by check, .

Parent Meeting

Information Regarding the

7th Grade Trip to Chicago

If you have a 7th grade student you will

want to attend one of these two up coming meetings:

Meeting Details:

· When: Two meetings to choose from

o Tuesday, October 7 @ 8:10 PM

o Thursday, October 9 @ 7:10 PM

o Meetings immediately follow parent – teacher conferences scheduled for those same dates

· Where: LGI C - @ Sashabaw Middle School

· What will be covered: overview of the trip, itinerary, cost, payment plans, fund raising activity, safety measures, how to register, etc…

Trip Dates: Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17, 2015

If you are considering having your child take advantage of this opportunity, then you will want to attend one of these informational meetings.

You may register for the trip at the end of each meeting.

Inquiries can be directed to Howard Andress, SMS staff member and trip coordinator, at hjandress@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Wanted: Caring adults looking to inspire and motivate students!

Sashabaw Middle School is seeking volunteers to support the continuation of its’ Parent Mentor Program. This highly successful program seeks adults who are willing to:

• spend one hour per week helping a student with organization and/or completion of assignments.

• be listeners and motivators.
• inspire and engage students to exceed their own expectations.

If you are available and interested in making a difference in the life of a student, please contact Jim Tedder at jmtedder@clarkston.k12.mi.us or at (248) 623-4206.

Interested candidates need to complete an Applicant Authorization for Background Check form; these forms are available in the SMS office or via e-mail upon request. A mentor will be matched up with a student upon completion of the background check.

An informational meeting will be held at 9:00 am on Thursday, October 2nd in the SMS LGI-A.

~Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction. ~

John Crosby

~ We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. ~

Winston Churchill

~ Be the change you want to see in the world. ~

Gandhi

~ I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~

Maya Angelou

Dear Parents of SMS Students-

The students of Sashabaw Middle School have an opportunity to go outside and toss balls, Frisbees and get a breath of fresh air, every day for about 15 minutes after eating lunch. This opportunity is called Outdoor Activity time (OAT).

To make this work we need your help. Please consider volunteering 1/2 hour, one hour or 1 1/2 hours between 11:00 and 12:30 once per week (pick your day). This opportunity will only exist if there are volunteers willing to supervise the students.

SMS students are excited for the opportunity to be outside moving. Students are very appreciative and cooperative, making it very easy to supervise them.

Studies have proven that movement helps brain function. With a little more balance in their day, students will be able to sit easier, focus more, cooperate more and just feel better overall. The quality of their day will be improved, along with their overall well-being.

Simply put, every student should have the opportunity to get their daily serving of OATs (Outdoor Activity Time). Please call Jim Tedder at (248) 623-4206 for more information on how you may support this healthy and exciting opportunity for SMS students.

Your child(ren) thank(s) you.