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.