SPMS Community Update
Week of August 20, 2012


Calendar/Events:

Monday:
- ASB Camp (Room 216) at 7:00 AM

Tuesday:
- ASB Camp (Room 216) at 7:00 AM
- WEB Parent Meeting at 8:00 AM
- WEB 6th Grade Orientation at 8:00 AM
- New Teacher Orientation

Wednesday:
- Back to School Staff Meeting (Staff Room) at 8:00 AM
- Staff Appreciation Luncheon
- Teacher's Return
- ASB - Help Teachers In Their Classes

Thursday:
- First Day Of Instruction
- "All" Schedule with Homeroom
- Project Wisdom: First Day of School/Good Beginnings
- ASB Welcome to School Greeting At 7:15 AM
- Welcome Back Coffee (1st Day Of School) At 8:00 AM

Friday:
- "All" Schedule with Homeroom
- Project Wisdom: New School Year/Choices

Quick Notes:
•    Welcome back! The first day of school is Thursday, August 23rd. Please join us on Thursday for the PTA Welcome Back Coffee at 8:00 am in the Quad.
•    Due to last year’s retirements and a larger student population, we have a lot of new faces here at SPMS. Watch for a website profile of our new Teachers and Counselors.
•    Thank you for your support as we move to online registration. The process will save the district valuable resources and make our student records more accurate. I hope the process also saved you time as well. I am eager to hear how we can make registration even better next year. If you have not already done so, please drop-off your packet and register online. Students who have not registered will not receive their schedules.
•    We are still working on student schedules. I will be sending phone and email updates each day starting Monday.
•    Our student WEB orientation will take place on Tuesday, August 21st. While students learn about the school during WEB orientation, parents can get their own orientation during the PTA's parent program from 8 am to 9 am in the cafeteria. Come learn a bit more about what your students are experiencing and what you need to know to get the school year off to a successful start. ASB will also be offering tours of the campus.
•    I’m looking forward to a great year!

PTA Update:
SPMS PTA WELCOMES YOU BACK TO SCHOOL!
Please save the following dates:
•    8/21/12 8:00 - 9:00 am New Parent Orientation in the SPMS cafeteria - get your questions answered by fellow parents and take a tour of the campus.
•    8/22/12 noon Teacher Appreciation Luncheon - please sign up at ~[ http://www.mysignup.com/ptaluncheo ]http://www.mysignup.com/ptaluncheon~to bring food or help!
•    8/23/12 8:00 am Welcome Back Coffee in the central grassy area of campus known as "The Quad" come say "hi" to fellow parents and meet new parents!
•    8/29/12 7:00 pm First PTA meeting of the year with a special forum, "Everything You Want to Know About SPMS" in the SPMS cafeteria
•    9/5/12 6:30 pm Back to School Night in the SPMS Auditorium

From the Parent Institute:

~Middle School Parents Who Stay Involved Boost Success~
Many parents wonder if their involvement really makes a difference once their kids reach middle school. The answer is yes! Study after study shows that parents have an enormous effect on their kids' ultimate success in school--even during the middle school years. Years of research have proven that students whose parents are continuously involved in their education have:
•    Better grades and test scores.
•    Higher graduation rates.
•    Lower levels of drug or alcohol abuse.
•    Stronger self-esteem.
•    What does this all mean? It means that staying involved in your child's schooling won't just help him today--it'll help him tomorrow, the next day and for the rest of his life. To play an active role in your middle schooler's schooling:
•    Show an interest in what he's learning. Ask your child what he did in class today and make sure you really listen to his answer.
•    Set high expectations. Your child is more likely to believe in himself if he knows you believe in him. So set the bar high and cheer him on as he strives to reach it.
•    Be a role model. Inspire your child to work hard by demonstrating perseverance yourself.
Reprinted with permission from the September issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2011 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: "What Research Says about Parent Involvement in Children's Education in Relation to Academic Achievement," Michigan Department of Education, [ http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pd ]www.michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf.

Project Wisdom Quote on Change:

“We have a choice: To plow new ground or let the weeds grow.” ~ Virginia Farmers

Have a great first week!
David Kubela,
Principal, SPMS