IMPORTANT INFORMATION / NEWSLETTERS
Greetings SMS Families,
SMS students and faculty kicked off the year with a tremendous September filled with activities. From team-building events for our 6th graders to Buffalo Bills-themed spirit days, Open House Night, school picture day, and exciting modified athletic competitions—the month was packed with events. As we move into October, SMS will have a spirit week September 30th to October 4th for Homecoming week. The excitement continues with clubs beginning regular activities, ongoing athletic competitions, and the start of field trips. Rehearsals for the SMS musical are underway, adding to our dynamic atmosphere, and culminating in Halloween festivities at month’s end.
On the academic front, we understand the challenges of transitioning from summer to school routines. For students needing extra support, our after-school academic assistance program is now operational every Tuesday and Thursday, with bus transportation home provided. To participate, students are encouraged to sign up by 10:00 AM on Tuesdays or Thursdays at the bulletin board near Rooms 101 and 102 (across from Mrs. Heichberger and Mr. Baykal’s classrooms) for transportation arrangements. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Main Office for any questions or concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
Dr. Fisher
6th Grade & New Student Visit
8/20 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 8/29 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
First Day of School
9/3
Picture Day
9/20 (make-ups 11/08)
Open House
9/25 from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Families move throughout the building and visit with individual teachers.
While student schedules are available on PowerSchool as of August 15th, schedules are not yet fully finalized. Student schedules can and likely will change between now and the start of school on September 3rd. If you have questions or concerns about student schedules, please contact the Student Services Office after Monday, August 26th at 716-592-3271.
Attendance & Homework (716) 592-3276
Nurse's Office (716) 592-3244
Student Services (716) 592-3271
Main Office (716) 592-3203
Preparing your child for the school year!
Looking for supplies can be hectic. Try your best not to wait until the last minute to purchase school supplies. If you are having financial difficulties please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the MS office. There are many local services available to help with materials and supplies.
All students to be sure to bring their Chromebooks with them when they return on September 3.
What time does school start and end?
We welcome our students at 7:15 am, and homeroom begins at 7:23 am. First period is at 7:27 am. Dismissal is at 2:10 out front of the building.
Where do I drop my child off and pick them up?
Drop off and pick up are located in front of the middle school in the loop closest to Newman Street. Please do not block the entrance so that buses are able to enter.
What do I do if my child is absent?
Please do not call the main office number to report an absence. Instead, call 716-592-3276 both to report absences and to request homework. If you need to speak with the nurse regarding an absence, call 716-592-3244. Upon your child's return, please send in a note explaining the absence.
Where does my child drop off notes from home and why would I send a note?
There is a basket at our reception desk for notes. Notes should come in after an absence or to request early pick-up of a student during the day. A note is also needed if you need the bus to drop off your children at a stop that is not their regularly scheduled stop or the designated alternate childcare stop.
Will the school provide transportation to the Boys and Girls Club?
Yes. Please make sure to provide that information to the bus garage.
Can students carry backpacks all day?
No. Backpacks are to be stored in student lockers for the day.
Will the school assign lockers?
Yes. Students will receive their locker assignments when they are given schedules. The locker numbers and combinations will be located right on their schedule for their convenience.
Will the school assign gym lockers?
Yes. Students will receive a lock for their locker from their PE teacher.
What about cell phones?
Students are to keep cell phones, headphones and earbuds in their lockers for the day. If parents need to contact their children, rather than texting them, contact the school.
How is the schedule structured?
We rotate on an A/B every other day schedule. Students have core classes every day. Exploratory classes are scheduled in two ways: students enrolled in the class for the semester attend every-other-day; if they are enrolled for ten weeks, they attend daily.
What is AIS?
Academic Intervention Services. Students enrolled receive additional support in math and or ELA. They do not miss core or exploratory class time in order to do so.
What are Math & ELA Labs?
Lab time is used to reinforce skills in the math and ELA content areas. This time will also be used to address any gaps in content, skills, and standards as determined by teachers.
What is 12th period Triple E?
Students not assigned to Band, Chorus, or Orchestra will be assigned a 12th period Extracurricular Ensemble and Enrichment period (Triple E). During that time, students are expected to work on homework and to receive support from their teachers. If students have their work completed, they will be able to use this quiet time to read.
The Student Services team assists all students in navigating their middle school career academically, socially, and emotionally. School Counselors Mrs. Valenti and Mrs. Polizzi along with School Psychologist Mr. Tamol build relationships with students, teachers, families, and community members to provide social-emotional support, as well as academic intervention, when needed. Throughout middle school, Students with last names starting A-L are assigned to Mrs. Valenti and M-Z to Mrs. Polizzi. Mr. Tamol provides additional academic support through educational assessment and Special Education.
Be sure you stay in the know with SMS by keeping your contact information up to date in the Parent Portal!
Get involved! Keep an eye out for clubs, sports, groups, and activities offered throughout the year.
The district is currently accepting bus passes for childcare purposes only. Please fill out the District Transportation Request Form as soon as possible. This form can also be filled out electronically at https://www.springvillegi.org/page/transportation.
Download the My Ride K-12 App
My Ride K-12 APP (Download Information) | Springville-Griffith Institute (springvillegi.org)
After reviewing the enclosed Transportation Information, if you have any questions or changes that need to be made, please contact the Transportation Department, at transportation@springvillegi.org or call (716) 592-3278.
Student Medication
All medications must have a valid prescription and be dropped off to the school nurse, in person, during regular school hours by a parent or guardian. The medications will be signed into a medication log at that time by the school nurse. Students must not transport medications to school themselves under any circumstances. Contact the Nurse's Office at 716-592-3244 with questions.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
We are proud to announce that our district is eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This means that all students in our district are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. Those families include students in grades UPK-12, and Cam P-tech There is no need for families to submit individual applications to qualify for these meals.
Breakfast After the Bell
To ensure that every student starts the day well-nourished and ready to learn, we are implementing the Breakfast After the Bell program. This initiative allows students to enjoy a nutritious breakfast even after the first bell rings, providing a convenient option for those who may have missed breakfast at home.
After School Snacks
We also offer a nutritious after school snack program, available to all students who participate in after-school activities. This ensures that students have access to healthy snacks to keep them energized and focused throughout their extended school day.
Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications
While all students are eligible for free meals under CEP, it is still important for families to complete the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application through the MySchoolApps platform, or with our paper applications available in all building main offices. Completing this application helps ensure that our district receives the appropriate funding and resources to continue providing these essential services to all students. Completed paper applications should be submitted to: Laura Watson/Director of Culinary Services.
MySchoolBucks
For added convenience, our district uses MySchoolBucks to manage meal accounts. Families can use this platform to monitor their child’s meal activity, add funds for a la carte items, and more. This easy-to-use service is designed to give families greater control and visibility over their children’s meal transactions. More information can be found at www.myschoolbucks.com
Menus and Important Updates throughout the year can be found on our website: www.sgiculinary.org