Post on 30-May-2021
SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER, FIRST EDITION
Principal’s Welcome—Jennifer Ruppenthal
Welcome to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year! I hope this newsletter finds your family safe and well during these most challenging times. While I am extremely saddened by the fact that we will not be starting the school year together, please understand that our school has been working hard to ensure that your child will receive the highest quality distance learning experience in the fall.
Please join me in welcoming our new Assistant Principal, Mrs. Nicole Paylor. Mrs. Paylor will be working directly with our 6th graders. Mrs. Elizabeth Rau will be working with 7th grade and Mr. Kyle Lingg will be working with our 8th grade students.
As you know student schedules will be a bit different this year. All students will participate in a six period day. Student schedules will be posted to ParentVUE and StudentVUE by the week of August 17th. This year we are introducing a Parent/Student Resource. We will share the link soon. I hope that you find the information provided in this newsletter to be helpful.
Mrs. Ruppenthal
While we cannot have an in-person Back to School Night, each of our teachers are working to create a Welcome/Information video. This site will be shared soon.
Technology Pick-UpIn order to help ease the burden on
families, Springfield has partnered with Williamsport High School to offer the
same pick-up times for student technology. All students will be assigned an iPad to start the school year. We do
anticipate making the transition to Chromebooks during the fall. We will
keep you posted.
IPad pick-up times at SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL are as follows:
Wednesday, August 26th, 2:00 - 7:00 Thursday, August 27th, 2:00 - 7:00
Friday, August 28th, 9:00 - 2:00
The pick-up locations below are ONLY for those students who reside at Noland Village or Valley Meadow Townhomes. You will be receiving a Connect 5 call
with more information soon.
iPad pick-up times at the BOYS & GIRLS CLUB at Noland Village:
Wednesday, August 26th, 11:00-12:00Thursday, August 27th, 11:00-12:00
Friday, August 28th, 11:00-12:00
iPad pick-up times at the FIRE HALL on Manor Drive:
Wednesday, August 26th, 12:30-1:30Thursday, August 27th, 12:30-1:30
Friday, August 28th, 12:30-1:30
Dealing With Change During Distance Learning
We have all heard the phrase “Change is Good” and sometimes that can be true. Other times, when the change is not all in our control, it can be overwhelming and uncomfortable.
Change is so difficult because it means a lack of certainty and predictability. Typically there are two ways that people cope with change. One of those is that we fight it or try to stop it and the other is to just go with the flow. We can’t control change but we can work on our attitude and actions towards it.
The past months have been filled with lots of change and as we start a new school year in a different manner, there will also be more change.
Here are some ideas and tips that may help cope with that change
● Admit that facing change is scary and try to be as positive about it as possible● Name the feelings and fears you have For example What is the worst thing about this change?
What is making you sad or concerned?● Find the positive● Plan ahead We know we won’t be starting school in our buildings so how can we plan for that?● Focus on possibilities try to look long term and see the big picture ● Be Flexible● Talk about it discuss how you feel, focus on solutions● Seek support reach out to your family, friends, school counselor and other trusted adults● Take care of yourself exercise, eat well, get outside, get sleep● Find the humor● Allow yourself time to adjust new routines take some time to get used to
Being resilient can lead to success later in life and learning to cope with change is part of that process.
REMINDERAttention parents of 7th graders. You are required to provide proof of MCV4 and Tdap vaccination to
the health room prior to the start of the school year. The
required documentation may be placed in the bin located in the front
vestibule during regular school
hours.If you have any questions,
please call Janice Howells at 301-
766-8723.
SCHOOL COUNSELING CONTACT INFO.
Please call the counseling office at 301 766 8395,
or email your counselor to set up Google meeting
or phone conference. Counselors are assigned
grades as follows:
Grade 6 Last name A-L Mrs. Joyce
Grade 6 Last name M-Z Mrs. Lofton
Grade 7 Mrs. Joyce
Grade 8 Mrs. Lofton
Mrs. Joyce’s email joycejen@wcps.k12.md.us
Mrs. Lofton’s email loftoann@wcps.k12.md.us
Cougar Code of Conduct
Springfield Middle School students will again be expected to follow our COUGAR
CODE OF CONDUCT:
The Three R’s –
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Be Able to Resolve Conflict
FREE & REDUCED MEALS
In order to qualify, or to continue to qualify, for Free and Reduced Meals you must
complete the online application at https://www.nlappscloud.com/. Paper copies have
also been placed in the school’s vestibule. There is also a copy in this newsletter. While you are strongly encouraged to complete the online application, paper applications can be
dropped off to the school.
If you need assistance please contact the school. Again, in order to qualify, or to
continue to qualify you must complete the application.
MEAL PRICING
SY 2020-2021 pricing for breakfast and lunch remains the same as last year, except the “Reduced” lunch price has gone down by
$0.10.
Breakfast = $1.55
Lunch = $2.60
Breakfast Free & Reduced = $0
Lunch Reduced = $0.20
Lunch Free = $0
WCPS MEAL INFORMATION
WCPS will begin meal service for the 2020-2021 school year on August 31st. WCPS students (or a parent / guardian) can receive a meal from any site
(breakfast and lunch) from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday-Friday following the school calendar.
Meals will be served to-go and are to be consumed at home. Williamsport High School will serve as
the campus school for our community. Meals will be served at the following schools:
Boonsboro Middle
Pleasant Valley ElementarySharpsburg ElementaryGreenbrier Elementary
Clear Spring MiddleHancock Middle/High
E.R. Hicks MiddleLincolnshire Elementary
Rockland Woods ElementaryBester Elementary
Northern MiddlePotomac Heights Elementary
Paramount ElementaryPangborn Elementary
Ruth Ann MonroeSmithsburg High School
Cascade ElementaryWestern Heights MiddleSalem Ave Elementary
Jonathan Hager ElementaryMaugansville Elementary
Williamsport High SchoolHickory Elementary
Fountain Rock Elementary
In addition, WCPS will offer meals at the following community sites: Cortland Manor, Otterbein Church, Noland Village, & Children In Need.
WCPS MEAL INFORMATION
ONLINE FREE & REDUCED APPLICATION
SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTDIGITAL LEARNING, FIRST SEMESTER
6th Grade Supply List:Loose Leaf Paper
Packs of #2 PencilsHomework Folder
Earbuds
Recommended:Colored Pencils
Zipper Pencil PouchSpiral Notebook for Science
Spiral Notebook for ELA
Unified Arts Requirements:Band - Essential Elements for Band, Book 1
Orchestra - Essential Elements 2000 Book 1, Rosin, Shoulder Rest for Violin/Viola, Rock Stop for Cello/Bass
iCoverage Information Coming Soon!
SPMS School Website
7th Grade Supply List:EarbudsPencils
Two Spiral NotebooksLoose Leaf PaperColored Pencils
Post-it NotesBlack Sharpie
Unified Arts Requirements:Orchestra - Essential Elements 2000 Book 2, Rosin, Shoulder Rest for Violin/Viola,
Rock Stop for Cello/Bass
8th Grade Supply List:Loose Leaf Paper
Packs of Pencils or PensHighlighters
EarbudsStraight Edge/Ruler
Science - Spiral NotebookRuler/Graph Paper - Math
Recommendations:Colored Pencils
Zipper Pencil PouchMini Whiteboard/Dry Erase Markers
Don’t forget that Box Tops are now collected online. It is as simple as scanning your receipt.
SPMS Facebook Page
SPMS Twitter Page
Recommendation for ALL STUDENTS Parents - Please consider purchasing a 3-ring binder and dividers to help keep your child’s
papers organized.