The Stinger January 12, 2024

Outstanding STAR Students

There are students out there who continue to do the right thing, don't always get recognized for their efforts, or just might need a little pick me up. We invite you to write up a nomination. Please revolve your answer around Safety, Trustworthy, Accountable, Respectful. Student names will be read on announcements OR they will get a special visit in one of their classrooms. When completing, you can remain anonymous if you so choose.

Stinger Shining Staff

This is an opportunity (and part of our PBIS system) for you to share your words of appreciation to any staff member on our campus- and it is FREE. The form below will take less than a minute to complete. We appreciate you in advance for letting our staff know the great joy and success that they bring to our campus, students, and community!

Stingers of the Month

ACADEMICS

Office Hours are by appointment only. Every teacher will have a google form that students will complete prior to attending their office hours. This ensures safety and also allows for our teachers to appropriately prepare for the many needs that our students have when they come to get additional support in office hours.

UPCOMING ASSESSMENT DATES

• February 26-March 8: Mimic #3 (ELA/Math)
• March 18-April 12: AzSci State Assessment
• April: AASA State Assessment (schedule will be forthcoming)

SCHEDULING FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

7th grade parents- We will host a scheduling assembly for our 7th graders on January 23rd during 5th period. Students will bring home their registration sheet that evening. Please review this with your child, select classes for 8th grade, sign and return to your child's Science teacher. Our counseling team will assist students with signing up for their 2024-2025 classes the week of January 30-February 2nd. As a reminder, we staff based on requests, thus, we do not change schedules once they are made. PLEASE take time to talk through your child's wishes, needs, etc. prior to finalizing the course registration sheet. These are due back to the Science teachers no later than January 29th. If you have any questions or need anything, we will hold a one hour Q&A in our library on Friday, January 26th at 8:00.

8th grade parents- Be sure to attend the Falcon parent night on January 17th for more information regarding scheduling and other important information.

COUNSELING CORNER

Welcome back students. The counseling department will continue to support all of our students on campus, and we hope to continue the strong work we began first semester. As last semester progressed, we noticed more and more students accessing our unique and supportive services. We hope to continue this trend, and believe we can actively assist students who are struggling academically, or those who are looking to build upon the skills they have developed. We are here for everyone.

This month in counseling and social work, the team is preparing for the 6th grade elementary schools to come visit the middle school. This is an exciting time for our up and coming 7th graders! They will get to tour the school, meet some current students and visit classrooms. This is also our registration time. 7th graders will be receiving their registration forms on January 23 and the high school counselors will be visiting the 8th graders on March 4 to give a presentation and then again on the March 7th to register them for classes. Below is some more important information from our Mental Health Team.

UPCOMING ASSEMBLIES

At STMS, we are committed to fostering an environment that goes beyond academics, recognizing the value of nurturing the whole child. We were able to use tax credit money (thank you) and secure two different presentations for our students that we feel will add great value to the every student on our campus. Assemblies serve as a key platform for achieving this goal. Here is why they matter:

1. Community Building: Assemblies bring our middle school community together, creating a sense of unity and belonging. They provide opportunities for students to connect with peers, teachers, and staff, fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
2. Character Development: Beyond textbooks and exams, your child's character is shaped by their experiences. Assemblies often feature discussions and presentations that promote values such as empathy, respect, and resilience. These moments contribute to the development of well-rounded individuals.
3. Inspiration and Motivation: Guest speakers, performances, and presentations during assemblies expose students to diverse perspectives and ideas. These experiences can inspire and motivate our students to explore new interests, set ambitious goals, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
4. Social and Emotional Learning: Middle school is a crucial time for social and emotional development. Assemblies will often touch on topics related to mental health, effective communication, and positive relationships. These discussions equip students with essential skills to navigate the challenges of being an adolescent.

February 5th: Student assembly, "Technology Talks" with Dr. Lisa Strohman during school hours regarding the impact technology has on our students daily lives. We will host a parent presentation at 6:30 that evening in our gymnasium. Please plan on attending this presentation as you will find it to be great value to you! Dr. Strohman is a Cave Creek community member who has a wealth of knowledge on educating and training kids, schools and parents to become responsible digital citizens. Check out her website here:

February 12th: "Your Story Matters"- We are excited to welcome Cory Greenwood to STMS on February 12th. "Cory teaches students resilience and tools to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams, while creating a positive school culture." Cory will be presenting to our 7th and 8th grade students in two, separate sessions. We encourage you to review his website for detailed information about his program's message and review student/parent feedback on their experience. If you do not want your child to attend this session, please contact his/her school counselor directly. Students will be provided an alternate activity during their scheduled presentation time.

If you prefer to have your child opt out of the Cory Greenwood assembly due to the content, please email our school social worker, Daniel Slager, with that request. dslager@ccusd93.net

CLUBS

ATHLETICS