Message From the Principal

Tiger Times

S C H O O L D I S T R I C T O F V O L U S I A C O U N T Y

September 2014

Volume 3 Issue 1

Dear Southwestern Parents & Community:

As we enter into the second nine weeks, I’m amazed at the progress being made toward our school goals. Students are back into the routine of school and we’re looking forward to a great school year at Southwestern!

We’re One School…. With One Vision…. EXCELLENCE! Although we continue to make strives toward achieving excel-lence, we still have goals to fine tune and address. Southwestern is a school focused on reaching the whole child. Our team shows their dedication and passion on a daily basis. Imagine combining those skills with our students, who are encouraged to do their personal best, and strong family support. This collaboration between the school and home will keep the atmosphere academic, positive, and fun.

Our School Improvement Plan goals, based on the data, are a little different each year, but we always place the emphasis on student learning. This year’s goals focus on writing and reading across the curriculum. Students should read 20 min-utes every night. PE classes are learning to “type” not text during designated days in the media center.

Please know our doors will always be open to our parents AND community. Feel free to call upon us if you should have any questions or concerns. You may also visit our website for updated information throughout the year. We know and understand that communication is the key to a successful year.

Ms. Oatis, Principal

TITLE I Title I Parenting is recruiting parents from all Title I schools to serve on a committee called the “District Parent Advisory Council” (DPAC). Parents on the Council will provide input in the development of the district’s Parent Involvement Plan. The Council will help to review and improve Title I parent education programming and discuss how funds set aside for parenting will be spent. The Council will meet four times per school year (twice on the east side, and twice on the west side). If you are interested in representing SMS, please contact Ms. Oatis.

Congratulations Ms. Mamie Oatis

Ms. Mamie Oatis was presented the Paul Harris Fellow recognition by The DeLand Breakfast Rotary Club Thursday, September 25, 2014.

The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for their founder, Paul Harris, a Chi-cago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.

Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation. Ms. Mamie Oatis was recognized as she became a Paul Harris Fellow. She was designated to receive this recognition as a special expression of appreciation from The DeLand Breakfast Rotary Club. She was recognized for her commitment to the Rotarians common goals of world understanding and peace

Congratulations Ms. Mamie Oatis

Safety and Security Southwestern Middle had our annual security audit on Thursday, October 23, 2014. District staff visited our campus and went through a simulated drill.

Parents please be reminded that students picked up in the parent loop should not cross traffic to get into your car. Our parent pick up may be long, however student safety is our main concern. Please remember to watch out for students as soon as you drive onto campus and only pick up students that are on the loop and not outside the gate.

Finally, as you know the weather can change in Florida by the hour and usually does around dismissal. Please have a bad weather plan for your son or daughter especially those that walk home or ride a bike home.

Be Safe…

Magazine and Cookie Dough

All orders have been placed at this time. Magazines will be delivered to your customers through the U.S .mail and should arrive in about 8 weeks. Cookie dough orders should be delivered to the school in the middle of November. Each student is responsible for delivery of cookie dough to their customers. We will do several Connect Ed and Remind 101 messages over the next few weeks to keep you up to date.

Thank you for participating in our school fundraiser this year,

Box Tops Challenge! This challenge involves VIP treatment, ice cream and money for the school! ….We are talking Box tops! If your student brings in a Box top at lunchtime, he or she can move to the front of the line. The grade collecting the most in a quarter, will get an ice cream party! Collecting Box tops helps raise money for our school for much needed supplies! How can you help?? Contact your relatives, neighbors and friends ...ask them to donate their box tops to you. Bring them to the main office (Ms. Morales) or your child can donate them during lunch. !Let's get energized and remember to clip and send them in! Thank you for your support! SMS PTSO

AVID Students Welcome Guest Speakers Mrs. Grasso’s students welcomed many guest speakers over the past month :Ms. Lua Hancock, Provost of Student Ser-vices at Stetson University, Ms. Kim Beers, Volusia County Schools, Administration, Dr.Michele Carter-Scott, Vince Carter’s Restaurant, and the Embassy of Hope Foundation, Mr. Mark Watts, Administrative Land and Environmental Lawyer ,Karen Beattie, Director of Professional Development, Josh Wycuff, Volusia County District office, and our very own Mrs. Wiseman ESE Assistant Principal who spoke to the students about disabilities and Special Education.. The students were engaged taking Cornell notes as the speakers shared their adventures and journeys from many different walks of life. The underlying theme from all our guests was the importance of education and following your dream.

During the week of September 22-26 Avid students participated in AVID; a weeklong of college-going themes and activi-

ties tweeting and sharing on social media to in Commit to STUDENT SUCCESS with AVID to view go to:

#AVID4StudentSuccess. Community Service is another component of AVID and we have adopted THE NEIGHBOR-

HOOD CENTER as our project. The students are collecting peanut butter, toilet paper, clothes for resale in the thrift

store. We are also collecting donations. The students voted on this charity.

Congratulations Congratulations to Cassidy Yule, Samantha Jones, Brittanyne Bruk and Katherine Allen. These students passed round 1 of the Florida Vocal Association All State Musicianship and Sight Reading Test. Round 2 was held in October and our finest had the opportunity to be selected for this year’s All State Middle School Treble Chorus. This ensemble is comprised of the finest vocal musicians in the state. Each student goes through the same rigorous process and the most outstanding musicians get to become a part of this prestigious ensemble that performs in January at the FMEA Conference in January.

Students/Parents… START YOUR ENGINES Race to Read Program The Race to Read Program encourages reading outside the school day (that’s 20 minutes a day). Parental support and participation is encouraged. Students record their reading on a bookmark supplied by the Daytona International Speed-way. Program kick-off is tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2014, and completion for Friday, January 17, 2015. Last year 3,784 students completed the program and the incentives were worth over $200,000.

The incentives students may choose from are:

1. A ticket to the Sprint Unlimited on Feb 14, 2015.

2. A ticket to the NextEra Energy 250 on Feb 20, 2015.

3. Two Speedway Tour tickets.

Come Join Us!!!! Futures Foundation 5k Walk/Run Please consider walking or running with us on Saturday, November 15 at Creekside Middle School in The Futures 5K Walk/Run (this is 3.1 miles). My goal is to recruit SMS parents, students, and faculty/staff member to participate. Funds collected benefit and support students, teachers and our schools. Every participant will receive a FREE t-shirt. Our meeting location will be determined soon. Contact or email Ms. Laurie Stone for additional registration information. The link to sign up with further details is at http://racesmith.com/ and the name of the race is Take Stock in Children Strides for Education. If you scroll down the page it is about half way down on the left side. When you register, you will search your team name which is Southwestern. Registration forms are also available in the main office.

Ms. Stone, SMS Math Teacher

Sixth Grade Parent Internet Café Family Night Sixth grade students and parents were invited to attend a Parent Internet Café held on Monday, September 22. Parents/students gained a better understanding of the importance of attending and participating in school wide activities (i.e. clubs, tutoring, afterschool programs), Students accompanied their parent to various stations that offered exciting ways to become more involved in school events, learned how to better organize a binder, how to properly utilize Pinnacle, and receive school counseling resources. The night provided a fun and interactive way for parents to get involved in their child’s education. Each station featured members of our dedicated faculty who created fun and exciting presentations for all to partake in. Research shows that with increased parental involvement in your student’s education:

Positively affects student achievement, contributes to higher quality education and promotes better overall school per-formance. Free child care for the little ones and refreshments were provided by our service club, V.O.G.U.E. At the end of each presentation or skit the larger group met back in the cafeteria for a chance to win door prizes!!! Everyone is a winner when the community invests in children’s education.

SMS Volunteers Making A Difference Interested in volunteering? All our classrooms can use volunteers! We’d love to see your face around the school.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Classroom, office, media center, computer labs. Other opportunities… contact Ms. Morales in the main office.

Star Volunteers of the Month:

Renee Rogers, Nicole Williams, Maria Lewis, Ginger Yates, Nancy Kinsley, Mary Johnson, Caren Rohr

Eddie Molina, Lorisa Bruk, Marylee Adler,

Southwestern Welcomes…. Colleen Cunningham: ESOL teacher

We also welcome our newest little Tiger cub…..Emma Rose Powell...daughter Mr. Powell, Band/Chorus Teacher

Tiger Times Volume 3 Issue 1

Page 4

Congratulations

6th Grade Star Students

Week 5...Skyler Gipson

Week 6...Remy McKechnie

Week 7...Taylor Kelly

Week 8...Brandon Autry

Week 9...Aniyah Whipple

Tallahassee Field Trip

Attention 7th & 8th Graders

Remaining balance is due on or by November 18

(See Ms. Wilson in the Café)

Missing paperwork needs to be turned in ASAP.

Mandatory Parent/Student

Meeting ...Wed., Dec. 3

5:30pm in Auditorium

Congratulations

8th Grade Star Students/Team Players

Grace Watts

Alyssa Mortimer

Ladd Oyler

The 8th grade team would like to congratulate the following

students for their achievements for the month of September!

Students were nominated and then voted on by their teachers

for attitude, academics, and overall behavior. Winners

received a goody bag, a certificate, and a lunch pass to sit

with a friend for the month of October!

Congratulations

7th Grade Star Students

Girls:

Annaliese Sojka

Kandi Alamaza

Krisarah Dinolis

Melendez

Alexas Morrison

Alexandra Blinn

Boys:

Ronin Davis

Zach Langrick

Leon Graham

Cole Mannebach

Tiger Times Volume 3 Issue 1

Page 5

Find It & Fund It, Volusia! Dare to make a difference? Care about kids? You can impact students at Southwestern Middle by making a donation to Find It & Fund It, Florida! Even the smallest donation can help teachers at SMS who have written FUTURES Mini-Grants this school year. For the first time, approved grants have been partially funded by FUTURES and are on the Find It & Fund It, Florida website for parents and community members to make a contribution.

Individuals, organizations and businesses are encouraged to invest in the creativity of a teacher to bring amaz-ing learning experiences to their students. To get started, visit https://www.finditfunditflorida.com/volusia/

grants/. Simply search and click on a grant listed below to view the details and fund online.

The following grants are for Southwestern teachers and students.

CAN YOU "EAR ME NOW?"

Milking it For All It's Worth: Just Say Cheese

EEEEEEK CODE G CODE G CODE G

Art In The Community

“Strong Girls Only Book Club”

Moving "PAWS"itively Through Sixth Grade

Southwestern SSYRA Book Club

Keep Calm and…… RELAX…… REFOCUS…..and READ!

A Big Thanks from Jr. Beta to Deland Rotary!!! On October 9

th several of our Jr. Beta officers including President Alexis Anderson, Vice President Grace Watts, and

Treasurer Amber Sylvia, presented information to the Deland Rotary Breakfast Club about our State Convention in De-cember. The members who attended pooled together and gave a large contribution to our trip! This money will signifi-cantly reduce the cost of the trip for many students who would not have been able to attend.

Thank you so much, DeLand Rotary Breakfast Club, for your generosity!

Committed to Success in AVID Dr. Michelle Carter Scott was an AVID Guest Speaker during Southwestern Middle School’s Committed to Success in AVID Week…. in Mrs. Joanna Grasso’s classroom. Dr. Carter shared thoughts on "Being a Leader NOT A Follower"....Dr. Scott inspired our AVID students with information and tips for achieving their college dreams. Thank you, Dr. Scott, for motivating our students. Thanks are in order to Mrs. Grasso for scheduling Dr. Scott as a guest speaker. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readi-ness system for elementary through postsecondary that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. Guest speakers are a special part of the AVID program. Most weeks in AVID class the students have the learning experi-ence of having guests come into the school to teach them about colleges, scholarships, careers, and service. Dr. Scott was a Southwestern Middle School Business Education Teacher when SMS was a 7th Grade Center. She also shared the importance of using "correct" grammar... and showing respect toward one another. She shared success sto-ries about her son, Vince Carter (NBA), and his community service though his organizations. She also answered ques-tions about college life, activities and career planning.

Addition By Subtraction Perhaps the single best way to ADD to your good health is to SUBTRACT one item from your diet: ADDED SUGAR. Nutritionists recommend that we get no more than 5-10% of daily calories from added sugar… about 25-50 grams per day or 6-12 teaspoons. Sound like a lot? A single 12-oz. soda contains 40 grams, that’s like eating 10 sugar packets! You’ll also find added sugar in lots of places you might not expect… ketchup, BBQ sauce, bread, cereal (even those marketed as “healthy”), vitamin water, protein and granola bars, sports drinks… even spaghetti sauce! Proposed new regulations would require that added sugar be listed separately on nutrition labels. For now, check the label for total sugar. Choose whole, unprocessed food when you can.

Learn Easier...Added sugar doesn’t just affect our bodies… our brains suffer, too. Kids who eat lots of

sugar tend to have more behavioral problems, a shorter attention span, and decreased school performance. Isn’t learn-ing challenging enough without making it MORE difficult?

Subject Grade Days Times Teachers Place

Math/all All Mon/Wed/Thur 7:18am-

8:50am

Manning Bldg. 1

Room 3

Math 6th Tues/Thurs 8:20am-

8:50am

Teagarden Bldg. 8

Room 16

Math All Tuesday 8:00am-

9:50am

Buccolo Bldg. 1

Room 1

Math 7th Mon/Thurs 7:30am-

8:30am

Harris Bldg. 1

Room 22

Math 8th Mon/Wed/Fri 4:00pm-

5:30pm

Janan/ Nigro

Bldg. 1

Room 27

Math All Mon 3:50pm-

4:50pm

Kempe Portable 11

Math 6th Fri

3:45pm-

4:45pm

Stone Bldg. 8

Room 15

Support Lab All Wed Fri

During P.E.

Electives During peri-

ods 1-3

Portable 7

*ALL

OPEN MEDIA

NIGHT

All Mon 3:50pm-

5:30pm

Smith/Rosekelly/

Manning

Odyssey Lab

Reading All Tues. 3:45pm-

5:00pm

Guidotti Tiger Tech

Lab

Reading 8th Mon/Wed 7:30am-

8:30am

Roussakos Bldg. 2

Room 19

STRONG GIRLS

BOOK CLUB

All Wed During

lunch

Dimuro Café

BOYZ Zombie

Book Club

All Wed 8:20am Grasso Bldg. 1

Room 4

Writing

WRITE ON

7th & 8th Wed 7:20am-

8:20am

Finkle Bldg. 1

Room 26

Writing 7th & 8th Wed 7:15am-

8:15am

J. Jones Bldg. 2

Room 16

Science 7th & 8th Wed AM Emmert/Hayden Bldg. 2 Room 24

Opportunities for Success Tutoring/ Remediation/Homework Help

Media Memo The Media Center is open in the mornings at 8:20AM and after school until 4:00PM.

Southwestern Middle School

605 W. New Hampshire Ave.

DeLand FL 32720-7228

We’re on the Web!

http://schools.volusia.k12.fl.us/southwest/index.htm

Phone: 386-822-6815 or 6700

Fax: 386-626-0060

E-mail: someone@volusia.k12.fl.us

S C H O O L D I S T R I C T O F V O L U S I A C O U N T Y

Southwestern’s October and November Happenings Red Ribbon Week Monday, October 27– Friday, October 31

Wednesday, Oct. 29……………………..Early Release Wednesday After School Clubs meet from 3:35-4:45pm

Monday-Thursday….unless otherwise notified.

Open Media Night: Monday and Thursday 3:45-5:30….unless otherwise notified. Math/Science Tutoring Every

Wednesday 2:45pm –3:45pm...Mr. Manning: Open Lab Tutoring Mon-Wed-Fri 7:20am-8:45am….STAR Tutoring

Monday and Thursday 4pm-7pm.

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday, Nov. 4…………………………………………….…….Steps to Success Workshop 5:30 Auditorium

Wednesday, Nov. 5……………………………...……..………...Early Release Wednesday/ Professional Development Day

Wednesday, Nov. 5……………………………………………….Election Day

Wednesday, Nov. 5……………………………EWS (Early Warning System) Parent/Student Meeting 5:30pm-auditorum

Friday, Nov. 7………………………………………….……….....Honoring Our Veterans 9:10 am in auditorium

Friday, Nov. 7……………………………………..…………..…..Picture Retake Day

Monday, Nov.10……………………………………………..…....School Advisory Council 6:30pm PTSO/ 7:00pm

Tuesday, Nov. 11………………………………………….……....Veterans Day Holiday/ No School

Thursday, Nov. 13……………………………………….…….…..Cookie Dough Delivery

Monday, Nov. 17………………………………………..….……...Science Fair Begins

Friday, Nov. 21……………………………………….…..………..Science Fair Ends

Friday, Nov. 21……………………………….………….………...Midterm Report Distribution

Tuesday, Nov. 25………………………………………..………...Tuesday Early Release

Wednesday Nov. 26—Friday, Nov. 28…….…………….……...Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday, Dec. 1……………………………………..…….………...Classes Resume

Check out a great feature on our Southwestern website...click on the bottom right area for “Show calendar” This will give an up to date calendar for our school.