♦ 8750 Pride Place, Atlanta, GA 30350 ♦ 470-254-8660 – phone (English/Español) ♦ 470-254-3334 – fax

SSCMS Website http://school.fultonschools.org/ms/sandysprings/Pages/default.aspx

Title I School Commitment: Sandy Springs Charter Middle School qualifies to receive federal funds under No Child Left

Behind Act of 2001, Title I Part A for the 2012-2013 School Year. Our school has been designated as a Title I School.

Stallion News A Newsletter for the Sandy Springs Charter Middle School Community

♦ Mr. Charles Gardner, Principal ♦ ♦Ms. Alisha Lyas Jones, Curriculum Assistant Principal♦

♦ Ms. Sabrina Taylor, Curriculum Assistant Principal♦

THE

Friday, Oct 16, 2015 SSCMS EDITION

We Tweet!

Follow us @ SSCMSSTALLIONS @SSCMSMEDIA

Dear Sandy Springs Families,

We are excited to end another wonderful week at SSCMS! We are

making exciting progress on our building additions, providing teachers

with Professional Learning on incorporating more rigor into their

assignments, working to improve our communication protocols, and

working to incorporate STEM into our curriculum. I’m excited that we

will be utilizing SEED fund money awarded to the School Governance

Council last spring to purchase new collaborative furniture for our

Media Center and to outfit our new STEM lab. Great things are

happening at Sandy Springs, and I’m excited to be a part. Please

remember to reach out to me at gardnercw@fultonschools.org should

you have any needs or want to give feedback on how we can get

better. We want you engaged in a meaningful partnership that focuses

on supporting your student’s learning.

Charles W. Gardner, Ed.S

Proud Principal / Lead Learner

Oct 2015

Oct 19

REPORT

CARDS

Oct 19-23

ITBS

Testing

Window 8th

for Grade

Oct 21

ORANGE

SHIRT

DAY!

Oct 26-30

BOOK

FAIR

WEEK

Oct 29

FACE

PAINT

DAY!

Oct 29

Spooky

Band

Concert

7th & 8th

Grade

ITBS TESTING WINDOW

for 8th Grade

October 19-23

For more info, see Q&A.

Parent University Fulton County Schools Parent Mentors and the

Services for Exceptional Children Department invite

families of students with disabilities to attend the

Third Annual Parent University.

Parent University Flyer

Parent University Flyer-Spanish

8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip!

Who: 8th Graders

What: Class Trip

Where: Washington DC

When: November 9-13

8th Grade Washington DC Trip payments are due the

following dates. Students who do not meet the payment

deadlines are at risk of losing their spot on the trip.

Payments are accepted as money order only. Please contact

Helen Hillis at hillish@fultonschools.org with any questions.

All payments due by Thursday, October 22nd.

Final payment date approaching. D.C. Trip less than a month away…

Week of Oct 1

-POP Ambassadors announce the

beginning of October’s Anti-Bullying

Month

-POP announce what it means to be

2015 Champions Against Bullying

-POP share activities planned for the

month

Week of Oct 5

-BLUE SHIRT DAY

World Day of Bullying Prevention

-Bullying Prevention

Signing Pledge Campaign

-Announcement of Bullying Prevention

Poster Contest (Due October 19th)

Week of Oct 13

-Pictures with new friends to be on

display on POP Board

Week of Oct 21

-ORANGE SHIRT DAY

National Bullying Prevention

-Bullying Prevention Assembly

-Red Ribbon Week

Week of Oct 26

-Positive messages to be considered for

submission to the National Bullying

Prevention Center

-Face Paint Day

Promote Anti-Bullying Logo

October

Anti-Bullying Month

October 21st

Orange Shirt Day!

October 29th

Face Paint Day!

In Support of Bully Prevention Month

Spirit Wear Sale

October 13th-26th

Order Form

October 19th

Report Cards

Early Dismissal Students must be signed out in the front office by 3:00 for

early dismissal. If the student is not signed out by 3:00,

for early dismissal, the student will not be released until

our school-wide release time of 3:50. Thank you for your

cooperation and understanding.

Internet Essentials Students who receive free or reduced lunch may qualify

for “Internet Essentials” through Comcast. This program

gives families the internet for only $9.95 per month.

Additionally they can order a laptop or desktop for only

$149! Below you will find the direct link to the online

application.

http://www.internetessentials.com/

Home Access Portal To support home learning, parents have

specialized parent access to their Home

Access portal via the Fulton County website.

Should you need your login and password

information, simply contact one of our front

office staff, and they will more than glad to

walk you through the process.

Café Conversation SSCMS offers a nutritious and

convenient breakfast every morning at

no cost to all students. This is a

breakfast program designed to boost

academic performance, behavior, and

attendance.

The daily breakfast includes:

-Both hot and cold whole grain entrée

options

-Fresh fruit and 100% juice

-1% and fat free milk

Please take a look at the breakfast

menus at www.fcsnutrition.com, and

consider joining the SSCMS Café for a

delicious breakfast!

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Students who are interested in trying out for sports

must have medical insurance in case of an

emergency. Students can provide a copy of their

current medical insurance policy card or purchase

school medical insurance for as low as $14.50 for

the school year.

For more information, please call:

S. Parsons, Athletic Director

parsons@fultonschools.org

Gifted Screening &

Referral Process

See Notification to Parents

TAG INFO

Please feel free to email Mr.

Baker with any questions. BakerD3@fultonschools.org

http://www.jo

stens.com/yea

rbooks/high-

school-

yearbooks.ht

ml

BOX TOPS

School Goal: 10,000 Box Tops

Last day to collect: Oct 28

First submission date: Nov 2nd

Submission Procedure: Send 50 Box Tops

in Ziploc bag or collection sheet to HR

Teacher and indicate student grade.

Collection Sheet can be found on the website. http://school.fultonschools.org/ms/sandysprings/P

ages/default.aspx

Sweep Bus Schedule

Sweep Bus Schedule can be accessed on school website.

http://school.fultonschools.org/ms/sandysprings/Documents/SSM%202015%20-%2016%20Sweep%20Runs.p

df

Publicity Release Form

The form can be found on the website.

Please, complete and return the form to

homeroom teachers. Thank you for your

support!

SSCMS Practices Good Digital Citizenship

In a world where nearly everyone uses social media to

communicate, we are committed to teach our students

the importance of digital citizenship and the

responsible use of technology. We are teaming up

with Common Sense Education to help us prepare our

students for the 21st century. Common Sense

Education is full of resources for teachers and parents

to educate students on how to be good digital citizens.

Upon completing the criteria set by Fulton County, we

will be a Certified School!

For more information, please visit the Common Sense

Education Website.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators

Medication Information

From the school clinic:

Please remember, if your child needs any

type of medication, either prescription or

non-prescription, during school hours you

must sent the item in its original packaging

with the SHS-1 or SHS-2 Form filled out to

the school Clinic.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The Science Explorers Club is in need of

individual water bottles. Any empty water bottles

that you could possibly donate would be a great

help! There will be a box in the media center

where you can leave them.

For Contact information:

Nicole Schechter schechtern@fultonschools.org

Science

Explorers

Club

Collecting

Water

Bottles!

SSCMS Softball

The Stallions softball team is on a roll as they head towards next week's

playoffs. They currently have a record of 10-3, with a 8-0 record in MAAC

League play.

After featuring our 7th graders in last week's newsletter, this week, we focus

on our 6th graders. Megan Stewart has done an excellent job patrolling in

the outfield for the Stallions. She has made numerous great catches to keep

opponents off base. Amanda Hassler has done an outstanding job at the plate

for the Stallions. She is in the top 5 in almost every offensive category and

has scored the winning run in both games against Ridgeview this

season. Latifa Madesko has been solid at short stop and on the mound this

season. She threw a complete game no-hitter against Paideia, which is the

first time a SSCMS pitcher has ever accomplished that feat in Stallions

history.

The Stallions will open the playoffs Monday October 19 at a time to be

announced. If they win on October 19, they will advance to the

Championship on October 20. All playoff games will be at St. Francis.

Please come out and support your softball team!!

Please contact Katie English, the softball liaison, if you have any questions.

englishk@fultonschools.org

SSCMS Softball Schedule can be found on the website.

SSCMS Football

Practices are Monday-Thursday, 6pm to 8pm at North

Springs High School

Football Player Study Sessions are Monday-Thursday

from School Dismissal to 4:45pm

When practice cancellation is in order, Coach Horton will

make the decision. This decision will be communicated

to me then; to you in a timely manner. The parents will be

notified by our Team Mom via our email list.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to

contact me.

With much Appreciation,

Coach Wicks

wicks@fultonschools.org

SSCMS Tennis The Fulton County Middle School Tennis Tournament will

be held this Saturday, October 17 at the South Fulton Tennis

Center. Games begin at 8:30am.

Representing Sandy Springs in the Women’s’ Singles

division is Lorelei Gill and Joline Speck. We wish these

participant well. Bring home the gold, ladies!

Questions? Contact Coach Parsons at

parsons@fultonschools.org

SSCMS Soccer The SSCMS soccer team beat

Northwestern on 9/23 with a

score of 3-2. Myles

Cummings scored one goal,

and William Basilio scored

two. Anthony Resendiz was

excellent in goal. Jesse White,

Love’ Williams, Grace

Holbrook, Jesus Vielma, Jesse

Palacios, and Stephen

Rodriguez all played great

defense. Abel Pineda, Ryan

Grayson , and Miguel Marron

made great passes in the

midfield.

If you have any questions,

please contact Erica Olson.

olsone@fultonschools.org

SSCMS Volleyball

The Stallions Girls

Volleyball team opened

the season against Taylor

Road Middle School on

October 14th.

The girls fell short in the

1st game 25-11. They

fought back in the 2nd

game (27-25), forcing the

match to go to a 3rd

game.

The Lady Stallions sealed

the deal with a 17-15

victory!

Way to go Coach Clark

and the Lady Stallions!

SSCMS Volleyball Schedule 2015

Reading Bowl Team

Meeting

Who: Reading Bowl Team

Members

What: Meeting

Where: Media Center

When: November 5th @ 8:00

If you have any questions,

please contact Mrs. Howell.

howell@fultonschools.org

It’s back by popular

demand!

Due to some issues with

the AR program, we are

off to a late start, but AR

should be up and running

soon. Also, Survivor AR

Challenges will begin

soon after.

Get ready! Start Reading!

SURVIVOR AR

The Book Fair will be at SSCMS October

26th-30th. Students will have scheduled

days to attend the Book Fair with their

ELA teacher. The days will be announced

prior to the Book Fair start date. We have

an exciting week planned!

BOOK FAIR

October 26th-30th

Pumpkin Book

Character Contest

Let’s have some fun with one of

our favorite activities of Book

Fair Week! All you need is a

book, a pumpkin, and some

creativity. Choose a character

from a book, and use your

imagination to transform the

pumpkin into the character!

Entries will be accepted for

display October 27-29. Judging

will be held on October 30.

Winner gets a prize!

FYI: Pumpkins

can be any shape

or size. They can

be real or

artificial. It’s up

to you!

Make a Monster Contest

We have a new contest for Book

Fair Week, this year. Make the

silliest, scariest, or friendliest

monster poster to support this

year’s monster theme! Entries will

be accepted to display in the media

center throughout the month of

October up until October 29.

Judging will be held on October 30.

Winner gets a prize!

NEW THIS YEAR ONLINE BOOK FAIR

October 19-30 Get the Scholastic

Book Fair App

Book Fair Schedule Mon-6th Grade

Tues-7th Grade

Wed-8th Grade

Thurs-Small Group

Classes

Fri-Last Day

Individual shopping &

Class Makeups

Special Events

Mon, Oct 26th- 8:00 am

Teacher Preview

Wed, Oct 28th- 8:00 am

Parent Preview

Students: cash only

Adults: cash & credit card

Janet C.

Lane

Graduation

Coach

SSCMS

470-254-

8677

Lanej@fulto

nschools.org

Mrs. Russell

School Counselor

470-254-8665

What we do for students

School counselors provide programs and support designed to promote student

achievement. “These programs are comprehensive in scope, preventive in design and

developmental in nature” (American School Counselor Association, 2012).

Our comprehensive school program consists of the following components:

1) academic 2) social/emotional & 3) career development.

Individual Counseling, Small Group counseling

Parent Workshops

Mentoring programs

Core Curriculum (Classroom Guidance)

Special Programs: Anti-Bullying, BFF, PALS, Transitions, Support for Teachers

Student Support Team (SST)

Resources for Mental Health

College and Career Awareness

Sandy Spring Reads October 2015 Selection

GA Milestone Below are several resources that provide detailed information regarding the Georgia Milestones. There is a webpage

dedicated specifically to where these resources are available. This can also be found on the GaDOE’s Georgia

Milestone Assessment webpage (see links below). Another resource that you might find beneficial is a video

developed to provide parents with an explanation about Georgia’s Student Growth Model, which is embedded on the

GaDOE website as well.

Testing/Assessment

http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/default.aspx

Georgia Milestones Assessment System

http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia-Milestones-Assessment-

System.aspx

Georgia Student Growth Model

http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia-Student-Growth-

Model.aspx

College & Career Georgia

Career Information

System (GCIS)

This year students will

use Georgia Career

Information System

(GCIS) for career

exploration and planning.

Each student will obtain

their access information,

complete career interest

inventories and 8th grade

students will complete

their four year high

school graduation plan.

The career inventories

and the high school

graduation plan are

designed to meet the

Bridge Law requirements.

The After-School All-Stars are

going to do a “book-read” of

Esperanza Rising, written by

Pam Munoz Ryan.

Check out a summary of the

book at Schmoop.

http://www.shmoop.com/espera

nza-rising/summary.html

Fall 2015 School Psychology News is online!

RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL

CHARTER SCHOOL

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT/PARENT INFORMATION

SESSIONS AND TOURS FOR CURRENT 8th GRADERS and

THEIR PARENTS

Friday, November 6, 2015

Friday, December 4, 2015

Friday, January 15, 2016

Join us in the Riverwood Auditorium at 9:00 AM to

learn more about Riverwood and its International

Studies Magnet Program and International

Baccalaureate Diploma Program

Reservations are welcomed http://tinyurl.com/RICSTour

and the program will conclude around 10:30 AM

Attendance Every Day

What You Should Know

Why Should We Focus

On Attendance?

How is Attendance

Focused on School

Success?

Read More…

Band Notes:

8th Grade Band Members will be joining the North Springs High School Band on October 16, 2015 for the

annual 8th grade night. Our students will be given transportation to NSHS, eat pizza, practice with the

High School Band and play in the stands.

BAND CONCERT! For All 7th and 8th Graders on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. All

Students are encouraged to wear a costume of their choice.

Trip Forms and 1st payment for the annual spring trip to Universal Studios, Florida, were due on Thursday,

October 8.

ITBS TESTING WINDOW

for 8th Grade

October 19-23

For more info, see Q&A.

Who: You

What: Band Concert

Where: SSCMS GYM

When: Oct 29th @ 6:00

You’re invited!

SPOOKY BAND CONCERT

SPOOKY BAND CONCERT

7th & 8th

Grade

Reflections

Let Your Imagination Fly

Deadline Oct 19th

Be Part of PTA’s Reflections® Program

The PTA Reflections Contest is now

underway.

-Categories include: visual arts, photography,

film production, literature, music composition

and dance choreography.

-First and second place in each category from

each grade will move on to the North Fulton

PTA Council competition and those winners

will move to the state competition.

-Entry forms with rules are located in the

media center.

-All students entered will enjoy an Invitation-

only Celebration Breakfast and Art Exhibit.

-Check it out and Let you Imagination Fly!

Monday, October 19

Check the school

website for

important info

about SSCMS.

Join Sandy Springs Charter

Middle School PTA https://www.facebook.com/groups/5

86751501399086/

Vanguard Team

Representatives for SSCMS

Katie English

Jennifer Garmon

School Governance Council Members 2015-2016

Jennifer Stoops- Parent/Guardian Representative

Nicole Schechter- Teacher Representative

Want to Volunteer at SSCMS?

In order to be a volunteer here, you must complete the Child Abuse and

Neglect Reporting Protocol training. This step is required by the Fulton County

School District. To register as a volunteer or to complete your renewal, please

log onto the following site and follow the steps below.

http://www.fcsvolunteers.org/

Under section, “How do I become a “Volunteer” click on the Fulton County

Schools Volunteer Page link

After clicking on the green button, the registration process includes an

interactive Child Abuse Reporting Procedures Training and the Volunteer

Registration form.

Please Allow 48 hours to process your application before you visit our school

to Volunteer. You will received notice via email that your registration was (or

was not) approved.

When you arrive to our school for your first volunteer assignment, present one

of your government identification (Driver’s License, State Identification Cards,

Mexican Consular Cards, or Green Cards, etc.) to verify your identity and to be

scanned in as one of our volunteers for this school year.

Thank you for volunteering at SSCMS!! If you have any further questions, feel

free to let me know. Jacobsa1@fultonschools.org