December 2019

Dear SMS Families,

As we look forward to the beginning of the second semester, many

families ask how they can help their middle school child be successful

in school and finish the year strong. Good attendance and work habits in

the sixth grade year are crucial for success in middle school and future

success in high school. Seventh graders should continue establishing

good homework habits as their classes become more challenging. For

eighth graders, in particular, their attendance and work habits in the last

semester of middle school are what transition them into high school and

can help or hinder their academic performance in ninth grade and be-

yond. Below I share a few friendly reminders on how families can con-

tinue to support their middle schooler’s learning at home.

Homework is a valuable aid in helping students makes the most of

their learning experience at school. It reinforces what has been learned

in class, provides independent practice, and helps students develop es-

sential study habits required for future success in high school and col-

lege. It helps teachers to monitor students’ progress in mastering the

standards and helps students prepare for assessments. If no written

homework is assigned on a given day or if students complete it by the

end of the day, at home students should read for 30 minutes; practice

their band or orchestra instrument for 30 minutes; review their notes,

vocabulary terms, and spelling words; redo incomplete or incorrect

homework for make-up; or play educational computer games.

If you feel that your child needs additional practice or more chal-

lenging work, please contact his/her teacher, who will be happy to pro-

vide that for him/her. If your child is struggling with class work or

homework, please contact the teacher, who can provide additional help

before, during, or after the school day. Also, students can register to at-

tend our Excel2 program, which provides tutoring free of charge in the

mornings every day of the week from 7:30-8:30 AM as well as tutoring

and enrichment after school on Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30-

5:15 PM. Activity buses are available to transport Excel2 students

home. You can access the registration form on the Excel2 website at:

https://sites.google.com/a/sahuarita.net/sms-e/home

Thank you to all SMS families for supporting your child's learning

at home and encouraging high academic achievement! We appreciate

you and your partnership with our teachers. Together, we make SMS a

great place for students to learn. On behalf of all the staff at SMS, I wish

you a very happy holidays and a safe winter break!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Mrs. Stephanie Silman, Principal

Last Day of the First

Semester:

Thurs., 12/19/19

Winter Break:

12/20/19-1/3/20

First Day of Second

Semester:

Mon., 1/6/20

PAGE 2

Leader in Character:

December:

Kathryn Wade

SMS Employee of the Month:

December:

Isabel Correll

SUSD Support Staff of the Month:

December:

Brandon Barfield

Dear Parents/Guardians, SUSD Governing Board policy

requires a written note from a

parent/guardian within five days

of an absence in order for it to be excused. Unfortunately, phone calls do not excuse absences under the Board policy. Thank you for your help in sending an email to icorrell@sahuarita.net or writing a note and sending it with your child when they return to school!

SMS Choir and Orchestra

Congratulations to Amber Hammerquist (6th Grade, second from right) on

winning the SMS Spelling Bee. She faced off in a head to head competition

with her brother, Jarom Hammerquist (8th Grade, far right), for the top spot.

Khadija Kazia (7th Grade, second from left) came in third. All three will com-

pete and represent SMS in the District Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January

14th in the SUSD Auditorium. Vincent Gastelum (7th Grade, far left) will be

the alternate. Good luck, Jags!

Congratulations

to our Lady Jags

Girls Soccer Team

for taking home

3rd place. Way to

go, ladies!

Congratulations to

our A Team Boys

Basketball on

taking 2nd place.

Way to go, boys!

Boys Soccer Tryouts

When: January 13th-15th

Where: SMS Soccer Field

Girls Basketball Tryouts

When: January 7th-9th

Where: SMS Gym

All students trying out should take the

activity bus or have a parent them pickup.

Tryouts are closed to the public.

Forms Needed

** Physical For

2019-2020

** Emergency Form

( E ven if you have

played1st quarter )

A big thank you goes to everyone who helps volunteer at SMS!

Board Members:

President: Robyn Carlsen

Vice President: Summer Boring

Treasurer: Tara Elam

Secretary : Megan McAllister

Stay Connected: If you miss a meeting, please go

to the SMS PTO Facebook page for the minutes:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/559029500956364/

PAGE 6

Students can also earn out of dress code passes for Fridays when they bring in 10

Box Tops to the Library Monday through Thursday.

http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspx

2019-2020

Volunteer

Opportunities

Helping in the library

Sporting events

VOLUNTEERING AT SMS! Want to learn about ways to volunteer and be more

involved?

Please contact the School Volunteer Coordinator: Sara Donia

Email: sara.donia@sahuarita.net or 625-3502, ext. 1413

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Helping in the Library

Helping with Bulletin Boards

PAGE 7

350 W. Sahuarita Rd.

Sahuarita, AZ 85629

Sahuarita Middle School

JAGUARS

Principal: Mrs. Stephanie Silman

Assistant Principal: Mr. Robert Beachy

Find us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Sahuarita-Middle-School-

Sahuarita Middle School

Phone: 520-625-3502

Mrs. Stephanie Silman, Principal, Ext. 1402

Mr. Robert Beachy, Asst. Principal, Ext. 1403

Mr. John Haas, Guidance Counselor, Ext. 1404

Ms. Isabel Correll, Attendance, Ext. 1407

Ms. Anne Loran, Health Assistant, Ext. 1409

Nominations are now being accepted at

www.tucsonvaluesteachers.org and click on Teacher

Excellence Awards.

For the safety of our students, dis-

trict policy states that all parent/

guardians are required to show a

photo ID when picking up a

child/student during school hours. If a family member or

designated emergency contact will be removing your child

from school, a note must be provided with the individual’s

name for that child to be released to that individual during

school hours.

**TARDY STUDENTS**

Students arriving AFTER the 8:35am bell

MUST BE SIGNED IN by a parent or guardian.

THANK YOU!

DISTRICT POLICY

~Attention Parents ~

If your child is in 6th grade, please make sure

he/she receives their mandatory vaccinations

(TDAP & Meningococcal) at age 11. Also,

sports physical for all students done after

March 1, 2017 are valid for the entire 2017-

2018 school year.