SCHOOL DISTRICT OF VOLUSIA COUNTY
October 2013
Volume 2 Issue 2
Tiger Times
Message From the Principal
Gearing Up for Community Involvement
This is a busy time of year for registering and placing volunteers. In addition to our thousands of parent volunteers,
many colleges in Volusia are funneling their students to us so they may obtain experience by helping in a classroom.
Here’s to another great year partnering with the highly successful CATALYST Program, whose mentors service DeLand
and Deltona schools.
Last school year approximately 849,000 service hours were provided to schools through our volunteers, the highest
count to date. Over 500 businesses/organizations also helped us to enhance student learning, enrich curriculum, and
promote school improvement. We are currently updating our schools’ needs on the Volunteer and Business Partner Opportunities listings. Find these listings at http://myvolusiaschools.org, Departments, Volunteer/Partnership Programs,
and then select the Resources tab. Check back often as our schools are just starting to submit their needs for the current school year. For more specific information, contact Emmy Wilferd, Volunteer / Business Partner coordinator.
Mamie N. Oatis, Principal
Southwestern Middle School
DeLand, FL 32720
(386) 822-6815
[email protected]
Common Core State Standards
The Common Core State Standards & assessment demand students to:
~maintain an increased sense of accountability toward their own learning
~develop a concept beyond an opinion and move to “support and evidence”
~think in a more conceptual, analytical and global manner
~utilize higher-order, critical thinking skills
~shift from mere memorization of terms to a deep understanding of meaning
~transfer skills to new experiences
~operate in a more student‐centered environment with built in peer collaboration
Congratulations to Southwestern Teacher Recipients of FUTURES
Foundation Grants
The following teachers received funds to help encourage students with challenging yet rewarding projects in the classroom: Mrs. J. Jones, Mrs. E. Kempe and Mr. D. Finkle. Congratulations!
Student Government Association (SGA)
Do you have what it takes to be a leader? SGA is looking for officers for the 2013-2014 school year. For more information, see Ms. Presley.
Welcome New Faculty/Staff:
Welcome...... Linda Nigro- Southwestern Middle School and Deland Middle Math Coach. We are glad you’re here!
SMS Seeks Business Partners
Southwestern Middle School is looking for Business Partners. The objective of the Volusia Partners Program is to encourage involvement of business and civic organizations in schools by developing partnerships that make a difference in
the education of young students. If interested, contact Emmy Wilferd, Volunteer and Business Coordinator, at 822-6815.
News from Ms. Johnson’s Class
Let’s take a trip down memory lane. That’s what we’re doing in class. We will be researching with the assistance of our
Media Specialist, Ms. Pait. ...Famous Firsts by Hispanic Americans.
RACE TO FITNESS
Southwestern recently received the newest version of the Fitnessgram Program in our school. Fitnessgram takes physical education assessment to the next level, encouraging each student to set and monitor individual goals that are appropriate and meaningful for that student. PE teachers can progress monitor and even share reports with parents. This
project is a Race To the Top funded project.
AVID News
I’m Mrs. Finkle, and I am the AVID Elective Teacher and AVID Coordinator at SMS this year. AVID stands for
“Advancement Via Individual Determination.” We have a lot of determined individuals that are making great advancements. The AVID students, 6th, 7th and 8th grade, are off to a great start this year. They have already learned about how
to keep great binders, how important it is to keep a planner, how to take and use Cornell Notes, and how to ask higher
level questions. We are getting ready to get started on our bi-weekly AVID tutorials. We had an awesome AVID Parent
Meeting on Sept. 24 in Media. A door prize was donated by Mrs. Kelly Crump, and the prize was won by Dariauna Robinson’s mom, Mrs. Lawson. We had over 50 people in attendance, and Ms. Oatis fed us well with pizza, cookies, and
punch. Thursday, October 3, we will be hosting the GYST (Get Your Stuff Together) Activity Night from 5:30-7 PM in the
Media Center. On Oct. 25, 2013 we will be going on our first AVID field trip to DSC- DeLand Campus for a College Experience Day. We have a great year ahead in AVID.
College Tutors Needed for AVID Program
6th Grade Star Students
Week 1 Christina Hagan
Week 2 Alexandra Wolford
Week 3 Haley Gonzalez
Week 4 Delaney Simonds
College students are needed to tutor in the Advancement
Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program at selected
area Volusia County middle and high schools. AVID is an
internationally-recognized program designed to help students enroll in a 4-year college. Tutors earn $9.29 per
hour or higher for tutoring college-bound students under
the direct supervision of an AVID elective teacher during
the school day at times scheduled by each school. Recent
college grads and qualified Volusia County substitute
teachers are also encouraged to apply.
Some words describe reality perfectly. “Breakfast,” for instance. Consider this: a child
might go 14 hours between dinner and breakfast. That’s more than half a day without any
nourishment! And research shows that when kids “break” their long “fast” with a healthy
morning meal, they pay better attention in school. They also behave better, participate
more, perform better in the classroom, and even score higher on standardized tests. That’s
why it’s crucial to “break that fast” the right way, with whole grains, fresh fruit and veggies,
wholesome dairy foods, and lean protein. Make all your mornings good morning by starting
with a healthy breakfast!
Look Into These FREE Apps!
Evernote: evernote.com (organizes documents)
My Homework: myhomeworkapp.com (color coded calendar of assignments)
Self-Control: selfcontrolapp.com (blocks specific websites for a set amount of
time so you can do your work)
Study Blue: studyblue.com (make flash cards)
Tiger Times
Volume 2 Issue 2
Page 4
Southwestern is Ready for Online School Payments
Exciting News! Online School Payments (OSP) is now available on Southwestern’s website! This is an easy way to
make school payments for various school events, activities and other purchases. It’s easy to use…..go to our school’s
website and click on:
The following items are currently available for online payments: All items for band, School Instrument Rental, P.E.
Locker Rental, P.E. Shirts and Hall Locker Rental
Heavenly Hats FALL HAT PARADE sponsored by SGA
On October 11, students and staff will be asked to donate $1.00 or more to the Heavenly Hats Foundation for the privilege of wearing their favorite hat to school for the day . Most any cancer patient will tell you that one of the most difficult
things that they will face during their battle with this devastating disease is the loss of their hair. The Hat Parade donation will make their lives just a little easier. Ms. T. Presley, Club Sponsor
P.A.W.S.
P.A.W.S. has begun! What does that mean?
PAWS are for those students who meet all of the following qualifications:
P - Punctual- no tardies all day every day from the PAW time periods ( from PAW to PAW)
A- Academically focused- ALL A's B's C's on their grades - No D's or F's - Mr. Richter will pull the report on
Monday 9/9 from Pinnacle- any student with a D or an F in your class will not get
a PAW- yes that includes reading , electives and PE
W- Well behaved- NO REFERRALS ( from PAW to PAW)
S- Successful Students
Students who earn PAWS get to skip to the front of the lunch line, get invitations to special events, get their name put in
for prizes/treats in the Cafe'.
Congratulations Ben Herstein
Ben Herstein, Volusia County Schools/SMS PRISM Outstanding Math Student. Ben, along with other VCS students
were recognized during the Sept. 10th School Board Meeting. Ben has also been selected SMS Youth Volunteer of the
Year. He volunteers and tutors during Open Media Night and serves as Odyssey Lab Math tutor/volunteer. Ben is always one of the first to offer additional help at club functions.
International Walk to School Day
The Walk to School Day celebration on October 9 is only one week away. Ms. Oatis and Coach Calloway encourage others to join the celebration! Locations of our walking event will be posted soon.
Let's WALK Together to SCHOOL.
Tiger Times
Volume 2 Issue 2
Page 5
Congratulations to Southwestern’s Teacher of the Year!
Sean Richter
Science Lab Donations
The science department, which relies on consumable materials, is continually impacted by rising costs for materials. Although we receive funds from the county for science supplies, it is not enough to cover materials for the labs our science
teachers would like to have students do for the year.
To support our classroom labs, we respectfully ask for a lab donation of $3 - $5 (or more if willing). Your donation would
be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your support and understanding,
The Southwestern Science Department
Volume 2 Issue 2
Page 6
Disability Awareness Week is October 1-11
Here are some myths and facts about people with disabilities. This is taken
from the Easter Seals website. (These are just a few from the site)
Easterseals.com
Myth: People with disabilities are brave and courageous.
Fact: Adjusting to a disability requires adapting to a lifestyle, not bravery and courage.
Myth: Curious children should never ask people about their disabilities.
Fact: Many children have a natural, uninhibited curiosity and may ask questions that some adults consider embarrassing. But scolding curious children may make them think having a disability is "wrong" or "bad." Most
people with disabilities won't mind answering a child's question.
Myth: The lives of people with disabilities are totally different than the lives of people without disabilities.
Fact: People with disabilities go to school, get married, work, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh,
cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, vote, plan and dream like everyone else.
Myth: There is nothing one person can do to help eliminate the barriers confronting people with disabilities.
Fact: Everyone can contribute to change. You can help remove barriers by:
Understanding the need for accessible parking and leaving it for those who need it
Encouraging participation of people with disabilities in community activities by using accessible meeting and
event sites
Understanding children's curiosity about disabilities and people who have them
Advocating a barrier-free environment
Speaking up when negative words or phrases are used about disability
Writing producers and editors a note of support when they portray someone with a disability as a "regular person" in the media
Accepting people with disabilities as individuals capable of the same needs and feelings as yourself, and hiring
qualified disabled persons whenever possible
14–25 AUG 2006
Newsletter Title
Volume 2 Issue 2
Page 7
Festival de la Herencia Hispana
Southwestern Middle School
Cuándo: 09 de octubre 2013
Hora: 11:45-2:30
Dónde: La Biblioteca
Los estudiantes exhibirán información de países hispanos,
personalidades Latino-americanos y compartirán eventos
Hispanos famosos.
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Southwestern Middle School
When: October 9th, 2013
Time: 11:45-2:30
Where: Media Center
Students will display Hispanic Countries, Latino-American Public Figures and
Famous Hispanic Events.
69th Annual Volusia County Fair and Youth Show
November 7-17
Mrs. Salgado’s Family and Consumer Science classes will be decorating cakes and cookies for the County
Fair. Her students will also be submitting cookie recipes and samples. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!.....
Her classes are in need of the following donations: Granulated and Powdered Sugar
Donations are GREATLY appreciated!!
Also, if your child completed a sewing project last term, they can bring it in to enter in the Fair.
Entry Forms for the Fair were sent home Friday, September 27 and must be returned before October 11.
Family Science Night
The science department would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the Family Science Night on
Thursday, September 26, 2013. We would like to extend a special thanks to the Orlando Science Center for taking the
time to prepare such an awesome event. We hope that everyone had a TIGERRIFFIC time!
Butterflies taste food by standing on top
of it! Their taste receptors are in their feet
unlike humans who have most on their
tongue.
Media Message
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Southwestern Middle School
605 W. New Hampshire Ave.
DeLand FL 32720-7228
The Media Center is open in the mornings at 8:20AM and after
school until 4:00PM. The Scholastic Book Fair was a big success!
We would like to thank everyone who participated and made purchases. The
funds raised during this time will greatly enhance our book collection.
Stay tuned for more information on our Reading Counts program. The Reading
Counts Space Race is here!
Phone: 386-822-6815 or 6700
Fax: 386-626-0060
E-mail: [email protected]
We’re on the Web!
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.
http://schools.volusia.k12.fl.us/southwest/index.htm
Southwestern’s October Happenings
Wednesday, October 2…………………………….……Early Release Wednesday
Thursday, October 3……………………………………..GYST (Get Your Stuff Together) 5:30-7:00pm MEDIA
Monday, October 7………………………………………..Boy Scouts will be visiting PE classes 9am-3pm
Monday, October 7………………………………………..SAC/PTSO– 6:30pm Media Center
Tuesday, October 8………………………………………...Explorations Fair: Mainland High School 5-7pm
Tuesday, October 8……………………………………….Boy Scout Night Visit: Café 6-8pm
Wednesday, October 9…………………………………...International Walk to School Day
Wednesday, October 9…………………………………..Early Release Wednesday
Thursday, October 10…………………………………….Cookie Dough Orders Due 8:30am-4:00pm
Wednesday, October 16………………………………….Early Release Wednesday
Monday, October 21……………………………………….Teacher Duty Day/ Student Holiday
Wednesday, October 23…………………………………...Early Release Wednesday
Wednesday, October 23…………………………………….PTSO Fundraiser Kickoff in the Auditorium 9:15-10:40am
Monday, October 28– Friday November 1……………….Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday, October 29…………………………………………..Report Card Distribution
Wednesday, October 30……………………………………...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.
LOOKING AHEAD
Monday, November 4…………………………………………..6th Grade Honor Roll Celebration: Café 8:30-9:30am
Tuesday, November 5………………………………………….7th Grade Honor Roll Celebration: Café 8:30-9:30am
Wednesday, November 6……………………………………….PTSO Take a Hike Walk-a-thon 9:15-10am, 1:30-2:30pm