SWMS Weekly Cowboy Message
Principal's Message for the Week of 12/13/21 - 12/17/21
This section is our SWMS FOUNDATION- It explains WHO we are, WHAT we do, and WHY we believe in SWMS!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
#MindsetMatters
THEME for the 2021-22 school year - "Back in Stride Again: Mindset Matters 2.0"
#WeAreSouthwest #SWMSStrong #MindsetMatters
SWMS VISION STATEMENT
We believe every student can learn and succeed and successful learning occurs in a positive environment characterized by high expectations and commitment of all involved. We are committed to ensuring respect for diversity, enhanced learning, and high achievement for all students.
SWMS MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Southwest Middle School is to prepare students for high school and beyond by creating a community of learners working together in a safe environment that encourages academic, social, and personal growth.
SCHOOL MOTTO - "Who Are You?"
I am gifted and talented.
I am a high achiever.
It's not my APTITUDE
But my ATTITUDE
That determines my ALTITUDE!
CORE VALUES
Teamwork. Respect. Integrity.
COWBOY STANDARDS- At Southwest Middle, we “WALK THE PATH”:
Practice Honesty / Act Responsibly/ Treat others with Respect/ Have Self-Discipline
2021-22 SWMS Clubs
Our SWMS Clubs are up and running! Please see the list of SWMS Clubs. Reach out to the club sponsor(s) if you have questions.
ORCHESTRA CONCERT (Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7pm)
There will be an orchestra concert on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7pm in the gym. Come out to support our orchestra students!
HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK!!!
This week is HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK!
Monday 12/13: Tacky Festive Holiday sweater Day
*Wear your best or worst Holiday shirts or sweaters
Tuesday 12/14: Characters and Canes Day
*Rep your favorite holiday character or the traditional candy of the season – Candy Canes
Wednesday 12/15: Deck your Head & Neck Day
*Wear Holiday / Winter scarves & headwear
Thursday 12/16 Colors / Icons of the Season Day
*Wear the colors or icons/symbols of a Winter Holiday you enjoy
Friday 12/17 “Twas the Night before Winter Break” Pajama Day
*Rock your Holiday and/or Flannel PJs
TESTING THIS WEEK (and upcoming dates)
Students will be completing NWEA testing this week during their ELA and Math classes (Monday – Thursday). This testing is critical for us to know where students are academically in order to guide our instruction. Students should make sure that they are charging their Chromebooks fully at night and bringing them to school each day.
NWEA Reading- December 13-14
NWEA Math- December 15-16
UPCOMING TESTING (after Winter Break):
Interim Assessments (2nd quarter):
7th grade math- January 6-7
8th grade science- January 6-7
6th, 7th, 8th grade ELA- January 10-11
7th, 8th grade Math I- January 20-21
8th grade math- January 24-25
6th grade math- January 27-28
Time to order your 2021-22 YEARBOOKS!!
2021-2022 yearbooks are on sale now!
Take advantage of our Early Bird Pricing by purchasing your yearbook by January 30, 2022. Basic yearbooks are $30, or order a personalized yearbook for $35. Starting February 1st, yearbook prices will increase to $40, so order yours today!
Surprise your 8th grader with a special dedication in the yearbook celebrating their very last year of middle school. Share your favorite memory or best wishes for high school along with your favorite picture - it’s up to you!
COVID PROTOCOLS
As we all know, our goal is to execute all safety procedures to protect students, staff, and families from spreading illnesses.
COVID PROTOCOLS
THANK YOU to our students and families with your immediate notification of student illnesses due to Covid (or any other illnesses). NOTE: If a student has been EXPOSED to Covid, he/she may ONLY return to school with documentation of a negative test, 14 day quarantine (determined by public health), or a note from a doctor.
PLEASE SEE OUR PROCESS BELOW:
NOTIFICATION STEPS FOR COVID:
1. Please notify your teacher and/or grade level principal IMMEDIATELY when you learn of a Covid exposure or illness.
2. The Administrator (grade level principal- or designated staff member) will complete a questionnaire with you. Please answer the questions as accurately as possible. The questions begin the contact tracing process.
3. Once completed, the information will be submitted to the Guilford County Covid dashboard by the Administrator.
4. Public Health will then be in contact with the families with next steps.
5. We (SWMS) do NOT determine quarantine or any steps regarding health. Guilford County Public Health gives us direction on next steps.
For the complete information, please be reminded of our district FAQ document which outlines Covid protocols:
PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES- REMINDERS (Repeat Info)
TRANSPORTATION (Arrival/Dismissal) PROCEDURES:
In making sure that we maintain safety and order, it is imperative that we as the adults MODEL the correct transportation processes and procedures that we have for students.
Our school INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS are 8:20am - 3:20pm. Students may enter the building starting at 8am each day. Please see our daily arrival and dismissal procedures below. Dismissal begins at 3:20pm. Thank you in advance for adhering to our processes and procedures.
Arrival Procedures: https://bit.ly/3B2rpaC
Dismissal Procedures: https://bit.ly/3sKJ0AP
When picking up or dropping off students, please PULL ALL THE WAY in the front circle (as far as possible) to allow as many cars as possible to pick up students. Stopping prematurely before we complete the full front line inadvertently backs up traffic. Thank you for considering our students, staff, and each other by allowing as many cars as possible to safely and efficiently pick up students in our front circle.
STUDENT EARLY CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES:
ALL early student check outs must be done BEFORE 3pm each day. This allows time for us to begin preparing for afternoon dismissal. Please utilize the QR code on our front door to complete the brief questionnaire. Please remember to have your cell phone and Identification when checking students out early. This is safety measure and helps to ensure safety and security. Any parent that arrives after 3pm will be incorporated into our general dismissal beginning at 3:20pm. THANK YOU for adhering to our guidelines and helping to ensure a SAFE and smooth dismissal. We appreciate you!
ONE CARDS: All students will be using their OneCard to sign into school each morning. Please make sure that your student has their OneCard and is wearing it on a lanyard. Students are required to wear the OneCard throughout the school day. If your student has lost his or her OneCard, there is a cost to replace it. Students may either pay $5.00 to their homeroom teacher or parents may go on our school website under the parents tab and pay through the k-12 online system. Once payment is made, a new card can be printed. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Priest.
STUDENT DRESS CODE:
Please make sure you are are aware of our student dress code: https://bit.ly/3qVIBww.
Our students are watching. We are expecting them to Walk the PATH. However we as the adults must walk the PATH FIRST. We must Practice honesty, Act responsibly, Treat others with respect, and have self-discipline.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the school if you have questions: 336-819-2985. THANK YOU for your partnership!
MESSAGE FROM OUR PTSA
REPEAT- SPIRIT WEAR: A Spirit Wear delivery went out in the past few weeks. If you have not received your Spirit Wear order, the main issue has been backorders which is an industry wide issue and they are doing their very best to get the orders sent out quickly. Please contact our Southwest Middle School PTSA through the website or Facebook page if you have any questions or concerns.
REPEAT- MEMBERSHIP: PLEASE JOIN THE PTSA! Alright SWMS Families! It's time to join the PTSA for the 2021-22 school year! Individual Memberships are $8 and Family Memberships are $14 (includes 2 family members). All membership dues go toward our classroom needs, technology, programs for students, teacher appreciation and more!
Click this link to join now https://swms.memberhub.com/store.
COWBOY WEEK AT A GLANCE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13
❖ AWESOME INSTRUCTION: https://bit.ly/3B1SwCr
❖ SPIRIT WEEK: We will have Tacky Festive Holiday sweaters: Wear your best or worst Holiday shirts or sweaters!
❖ ATHLETICS: We will have AWAY basketball games (vs. Kiser Middle) at 4:45pm. (Admission: $5 Adults; $3 kids (free for children under 2)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14
❖ AWESOME INSTRUCTION: https://bit.ly/3B1SwCr
❖ ACADEMICS: There will be grade level meetings during all planning periods.
❖ SBLT MEETING: There will be a School-based Leadership Team meeting at 4pm (in media center).
❖ SPIRIT WEEK: We will have Characters and Canes: Rep your favorite holiday character or the traditional candy of the season – Candy Canes!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15
❖ AWESOME INSTRUCTION: https://bit.ly/3B1SwCr
❖ SPIRIT WEEK: We will have Deck your Head & Neck: Wear Holiday / Winter scarves & headwear!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16
❖ AWESOME INSTRUCTION: https://bit.ly/3B1SwCr
❖ ACADEMICS: There will be PLC’s during all planning periods.
❖ ORCHESTRA CONCERT: There will be an Orchestra concert at 7pm in the gym. Please come out to support our Orchestra students!
❖ SPIRIT WEEK: We will have Colors / Icons of the Season: Wear the colors or icons/symbols of a Winter Holiday you enjoy!
❖ STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON: There will be a Staff Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by our fabulous PTSA!
❖ ATHLETICS: We will have AWAY basketball games (vs. Allen Middle) at 4:45pm.
(Admission: $5 Adults; $3 kids (free for children under 2)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17
❖ AWESOME INSTRUCTION: https://bit.ly/3B1SwCr
❖ SPIRIT WEEK: We will have “Twas the Night before Winter Break” Pajama Day: Rock your Holiday and/or Flannel PJs!
UPCOMING DATES
Dec. 20- Jan. 3: Winter Break
Jan. 6-7 (2022): 7th grade math and 8th grade science interim assessments
Jan. 10-11 (2022): 6-8 grade ELA interim assessments
Jan. 20-21 (2022): 7-8 grade Math 1 interim assessments
Jan. 24-25 (2022): 8th grade math interim assessments
Jan. 27-28 (2022): 6th grade math interim assessments
Southwest Guilford Middle School
Email: southwestmiddleinfo@gmail.com
Website: https://www.gcsnc.com/southwest_guilford_middle
Location: 4368 Southwest School Road, High Point, NC, USA
Phone: 336-819-2985
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swmiddleschool
Twitter: @SWMiddleCowboys