Middle School

Middle School Principals Report

by Steve Schrad

January 11, 2008

Second Semester Update

Hello everyone! I want to take this opportunity to update you on some important information and events happening this semester.

Safety/Security Plan

You might have noticed or been previously informed that security cameras have been installed in all school buildings within our school district. This allows the office area and myself the ability to view many areas of our building --- entryways, hallways, bus lanes, the gym and cafeteria. Beginning Monday, January 14th, visitors to our school and students arriving after 8:30 a.m. will be required to buzz in for entry. To explain further, a button that is located near each main entryway (east and west sides of the building) will be pushed. The office personnel, Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Seaman, will allow access to the building by acknowledging the individual and releasing the security. Visitors will still be required to check in at the office and put on a visitors badge. This is just another way of making certain that Seward Middle School is a safe place for our students, staff, volunteers, and visitors. Please note that the main entry on the east side of the building will be the double doors at the northwest part of the complex. Those doors lead visitors directly up stairs to the office.

Important Dates (Second Semester)

January 22--Winter Band Concert 7:00 p.m. (H.S. Auditorium)

January 24--7th/8th Boys Basketball at Columbus Lakeview 4:30 p.m.

January 26--Seward County Spelling Bee 10:00/1:00 Civic Center

February--5/7 Seward Boys Basketball Invite 4:00

February 15--Winter Break No School

February 18--Professional Development Day No School

March 7--End of 3rd Quarter

March 10-14--Terra Nova Achievement Tests Morning of school day

March 20--Professional Development Day No School

March 21, 24--Spring Break No School

April 15--6th Vocal Music Concert 7:00 p.m.

April 22--6th Band Concert 7:00 p.m.

April 25--Spring Break No School

April 28--Professional Development Day No School

May 5--5th/6th Grade Track and Field Day 8:30 a.m.

7th/8th Grade Spring Band/Vocal Concert 7:00 p.m.

May 20 Last Day of School*

*Snow days are built into the school calendar. The number of snow days that are used determines the last day of school. The last possible day of school is planned for May 28. It may be earlier depending upon how many of the snow days are used (which now is one), but it will not be later than that date.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Due to the additional days of professional development in the school calendar there will be no spring parent/teacher conferences this year. Teachers are required to contact parents of students that are not meeting levels of proficiency at the mid-point of each quarter. Parents may schedule individual conferences. Also, I encourage parents to sign up and access PowerSchool to check your child's progress.

9th Grade Registration

High school counselors, Dave Greathouse and Carla Schwahn, will be coming to visit with the 8th graders the week of March 10. At this time, they will give 8th graders all high school registration materials. Next, they will schedule a parent meeting sometime in March. Finally, Mr. Greathouse and Mrs. Schwahn will come back to Seward Middle School in the spring to meet with 8th graders for online registration of high school classes.

Yearbooks

Mrs. Dietsch's Technology Exploratory classes are producing a Seward Middle School yearbook. The cost of the book will be $15.00. The yearbooks will go on sale in February.

PowerSchool
If you would like a PowerSchool account to check grades, attendance, and lunch accounts, please stop in the office. Janet Seaman or Cheryl Hayes will set up that account.

I wish you a great 2008!