Good afternoon Stinger families!
As we approach the season of gratitude, I find myself reflecting on the many reasons we have to be thankful here at STMS. Today, I want to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for the incredible support and partnership we have with our parents.
Thanksgiving is a time to acknowledge and cherish the blessing in our lives, and it is with immense gratitude that I recognize the vital role you play in the success of our school. Your commitment to your child's education, your involvement in school activities, and your unwavering support are the cornerstones of our shared journey towards academic excellence.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the privilege of working alongside such engaged and caring parents. Your dedication to fostering a positive learning environment at home greatly contributes to the overall growth and development of our students. Together, we create a powerful alliance that nurtures not only academic achievement, but also the values of respect, kindness, and responsibility.
Wishing our entire STMS family a Happy Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and opportunities to create many more memories together with one another. There will not be a newsletter next Friday. We look forward to seeing our students back on campus Monday, November 27th.
Together,
Jill Sarraino, Principal
A Note from Mr. Boggs
Hello Stinger families and friends!
I’d like to share a recent epiphany I had. It involves student/child technology and social media use. Now, of course I was aware that kids are constantly engaged electronically and that this can lead to issues with them and for them. However, I had no idea the extent or complexity of the challenges these young people face. I’d like to address that with you today.
I rarely make viewing recommendations to parents. In fact, this is the first time. However, it was suggested to me that I watch a documentary called “Childhood 2.0” and it was a real eye opener. It is a documentary about the virtual and social media world our students are currently trying to navigate. I already knew and have expressed that this aspect of our students’ lives was concerning and certainly changing the working lives of teachers, administrators, counselors and social workers. But I lacked the proper perspective, or didn’t have this technological revolution in the right perspective.
Easy 24 access to the world of the internet has caused nothing short of a seismic cultural shift akin to the invention of the automobile. In fact, the documentary draws that parallel when it talks about next steps. The truly terrifying part of this cultural revolution is that at the very same time our kids are trying to navigate through it, we as adults often have no idea how to help them do so.
Think about it. From the comfort of ANYWHERE, a person on the internet has access to EVERYWHERE. Add to this the fact that people will say things virtually that they would never say in person. The problem is that people, especially young people, hear those terrible things the same way as if they were said in person. They take them seriously and they take them to heart. And it affects them profoundly.
If you can, please set aside some time to watch this documentary. It is only an hour and a half long and will provide some crucial information to you. There is a warning at the beginning that it might not be suitable for all viewers, but to my recollection there are no graphic images but the topics can be offensive to some. It was certainly worth my time and I believe it is worth yours as well.
Thank you as always,
Dave Boggs
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Main Line Phone Number: 480.272.8600
Attendance: 480.272.8604
Health Tech: 480.272.8602
Upcoming Dates
November 21: Stinger of the Month lunch
November 22-24: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
November 28: 3:00- Site Council
November 29: 1:00 Early-Release PLC Schedule
November 30-December 1: Math Benchmarks/Mimics
December 2: Special Education Day
December 5: 6:00 Band Concert @ FAC
December 6: 1:00 Early-Release PLC Schedule
December 7: 5:00- 8th grade Falcon Night @ CSHS
December 11: 6:30- CCUSD Choir Concert @ FAC
December 13: 1:00 Early-Release PLC Schedule
December 18-20: 1st Semester Finals (Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for schedule)
January 4: School Resumes- HAPPY 2024!
PBIS
Theme Days
As a part of PBIS, we celebrate and do fun "things" with our kids. Every Friday, we have a school theme day. We will share these days with our students during announcements, but you can also find them in this section of the newsletter. Please encourage your child to participate. We can still have fun while learning. Go Stingers!
- December 1: Flannel Day
- December 5-December 20: "12 Days of December to Remember"-more information to come
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!
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.
PLCs
What is collective inquiry? This is the process of building shared knowledge by clarifying the questions that a group will explore together.
Teachers in our STMS PLCs work together collaboratively not only Wednesdays, but during prep periods and before/after school. When collaborating, there is deep collective inquiry into the critical questions (last week's newsletter- these are the 4 questions that guide all that we do) of the teaching and learning process. Some examples of questions you will hear specifically during our PLC time are: "What is it our students must learn? What is the best way to sequence their learning? What are the most effective strategies to use in teaching this essential content? How will we know when they have learned it? How will we respond when they already know it? What can we learn from each other to enhance our effectiveness?"
The focus of collective inquiry is both a search for best practice for helping all students learn at high levels and an honest assessment of the current reality regarding teaching practices and student learning. The dialogue generated from these questions is intended to result in the academic focus, collective commitments, and productive professional relationships that enhance learning for teachers and students alike.
During our PLC Wednesdays, many of our staff (as you have seen in pictures through our newsletter or social media) have become empowered to share information with their colleagues and help support one another. It is truly a beautiful thing what is happening on our campus and the best part about it, it is positively impacting our STMS students. Here are some celebrations from the last week:
- "7th grade students mastered using microscopes and were able to focus on a specimen using the highest objective lens!
- Our Math teachers are spending one day every week in our Math Lab with Mrs. McBeth. We are doing everything it takes to see growth in our students this year! Goals were set for the upcoming mimic test in December.
CLUBS
SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELING CORNER
A Note from Mr. Slager, Mr. Moriarty, and Mrs. Love
We hope this letter finds you well. As members of the school counseling team, we are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all students. Today, we are reaching out to you with a shared goal in mind - to instill and reinforce kindness among our middle school students.
Middle school is a crucial time in a child's development, both academically and socially. As our students navigate this challenging period of growth, we believe that promoting kindness is essential not only for their well-being, but also for creating a compassionate and supportive school community.
We understand that teaching kindness begins at home, and your influence as parents plays a pivotal role. Therefore, we are seeking your collaboration in implementing initiatives that reinforce and encourage acts of kindness among our middle school students. By working together, we can create an environment where empathy, understanding, and respect are not only taught but also lived.
Here are a few ways in which you can contribute to this collective effort:
- Kind Behavior: Children often learn by observing the behavior of those around them. Demonstrating kindness in your interactions with others, both at home and in the community, sets a powerful example.
- Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their experiences, feelings, and concerns. Open communication allows them to express themselves and promotes empathy towards others.
- Discuss the Impact of Actions: Help your child understand the impact of their words and actions on others. Discuss real-life scenarios or stories that highlight the positive outcomes of kindness and the negative consequences of unkind behavior.
- Participate in School Initiatives: Stay engaged with the school's efforts to promote kindness. Attend workshops, seminars, or events focused on building a positive school culture. Your involvement reinforces the importance of these values.
- Promote Inclusivity: Encourage your child to be inclusive and welcoming to their peers. Discuss the value of diversity and how each person brings unique qualities to our community.
We believe that by working together, we can create an environment where kindness is a shared priority, not only within the school but also in the broader community. We appreciate your dedication to your child's well-being and education, and we look forward to partnering with you in cultivating a culture of kindness at our school.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our middle school students.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
ATHLETICS
PTO
PTO BOARD
- Sarah Fairfield, President
- Bethany Flower & Annie Schwartz, Vice Presidents
- Mollie Sutherland, Secretary
- Virginia Sierra, Treasurer
- Kelly Clary & Jessica Cammarata, FunShine Chairs
- Ashley Renie & Kelly Groth, Snack Shack Chairs
- Kelly Harkins, Web & Technology
- Jessica Spencer, Social Media Chair and Site Council
2023-2024 STMS BELL SCHEDULES
FOLLOW STMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
There are just so many wonderful things happening each and everyday on our campus. To ensure you don't miss out on anything, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.