THE BULLDOG BANNER - Spotsylvania County Public Schools
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THE BULLDOG BANNER
Spotsylvania Middle School
8801 Courthouse Road
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
540-582-6341
Principal: Mr. Lane Byrd
Assistant Principal: Mr. Scott Wilson
Instructional Coordinator: Mrs. Margaret Newman
Administrative Intern: Mrs. Alicia Gallaway
Secretary: Mrs. Theresa Watts
Bookkeeper: Mrs. Vanessa Burnette
Nurse: Ms. Staci Chipiwalt
Dear Bulldog Parents and Students,
Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! I hope that your family had a safe & enjoyable summer and are look-
ing forward to a great school year. Our hope is for a return to many procedures and activities here at SMS
that were not possible last year due to the pandemic. And while we continue to process many decisions re-
lated to COVID-19, we have been working hard to prepare the building at SMS for a return to in-person
learning with all of our students starting on the first day of school on Thursday, August 12.
After the challenging experiences of this past year, the focus for our staff will continue to be on supporting
each child in a rewarding school experience. Our academic goal is to provide an enriching learning program
in all areas that will prepare our students to excel in their endeavors. However, please know that the ultimate
goal at SMS will always be to provide every student with a positive & well-rounded experience that goes
beyond academics. I look forward to the many achievements of our students in the classroom and beyond
during the upcoming school year.
We have some new teachers to welcome to the Bulldog family for the upcoming year –
Alli Beck, English teacher Crissy Hokenson, Special Education teacher
Adam Berry, Math teacher Colleen Lilly, Special Education teacher
Lauren Bertermann, Math teacher Dru Perdue, Math teacher
Hannah Bozarth, English teacher Crystal Rayle, Social Studies teacher
Lisa Bruer, Computer Concepts teacher Amanda Smith, English teacher
Sarah Dornan, Librarian Garrett Smith, Autism Resource teacher
Bishop Guempel, Health & PE teacher Justin Ward, Social Studies teacher
Open communication is a key aspect of the positive and successful experience that we strive for at
Spotsylvania Middle School. To help increase communication between home and school, our PTO is once
again providing each student with a student agenda/planner. Please take time to review the agenda regularly
in order to stay informed of your child’s classroom assignments. I would also encourage all parents to use
ParentVUE to regularly check on your student’s academic standing and progress. Using ParentVUE, you
have access to information including class schedules, current grades, course history, and more. Should you
need help with setting up a ParentVUE account, please contact the SMS registrar, Mrs. Lober, in the SMS
counseling office. SMS Business Day/Parent Connection sessions will take place on Tuesday, August
10, from 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m., and 5-7 p.m. We hope to see many students & families on August 10 during
one of the open-house sessions.
Finally, please know that we encourage involvement by all of our students and our parents so that we can
continue to make great things happen here at SMS. I am confident that this year’s Bulldogs are up to the
challenges as we all seek to fulfill our school mission – Together we prepare our students for their future.
We really do believe that what starts here can change the world! So now we begin anew …
We look forward to seeing you soon. GO BULLDOGS!!!
Important Dates
STUDENT BUSINESS DAY
Tuesday, August 10
9-11 a.m.
1-3 p.m.
5-7 p.m.
We welcome both new and returning students. Students will have the opportunity to meet their teachers. Homeroom rosters will
be posted on the school walls and students may pick up their schedules from their homeroom teacher. PE uniforms will be on
sale for $15. Yearbooks will also be on sale for $30. Look for the PTO information table and sign-up to support your child and
the school! PTO will have SMS Spirit Wear for sale. See further PTO information in this newsletter.
SCHOOL BEGINS THURSDAY, AUGUST 12TH!
The 2021-2022 school year will begin for students on Thursday, August 12, 2021. School hours are 8:00
a.m. to 2:45 p.m. We recommend your child ride the bus the first day so the driver can establish pick-up
locations. Students being driven to school should be dropped off in front of the school between 7:40 a.m. and
7:55 a.m. Please be considerate of others when dropping off your child and pull up as far as possible. For
the safety of our children, drivers should also pull up to the curb and have children exit the vehicle on the
right side. We also request that if you need to come into the school at anytime that you park your vehicle in
one of the visitor spots located in the front of the school.
August 10 - SMS Business Day Sessions
August 12 - First Day of School—A Day
September 6 - Holiday for Teachers & Students
September 9 - Interim Time (1st 9-weeks)
September 15 -1/2 Day Early Release @ 11:45 a.m. Parent/Teacher Communication Days will be
1/2 Day Parent/Teacher Communication Day held following early release of the students on
the following days:
September 8 & 9 - Picture Day
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
October 8 - End of 1st Nine Week Marking Period Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
October 11 - Teacher Planning & Development;
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Student Holiday
October 14 - Report Cards Issued
October 20 - 1/2 Day Early Release @ 11:45 a.m.
1/2 Day Division Professional Learning
November 2 - Teacher Planning & Development
FROM THE CLINIC
Vaccinations for 7th graders
This is a reminder for all parents of 7th grade students about the vaccine requirements for public school enrollment in
Virginia. As per the Virginia Department of Health and the Code of Virginia 32.1-46.A.4, for the purpose of protect-
ing the public health by ensuring that each child receives age-appropriate immunizations, all 7th graders registered in
SCPS must show proof of receiving required immunization or submit exemption documentation to the school.
NOTE: no exemption documentation is needed for optional vaccines. Please note the following vaccine
information -
1) T-dap (required for 7th graders)
2) Meningococcal (required for 7th graders)
3) HPV (optional for 7th graders)
For additional information, please visit the SCPS Health Services webpage and view the 'Immunization Require-
ments' documents listed under "Health Forms."
Please contact the school if you have questions. The SMS school nurse, Mrs. Chipiwalt, will return to work at school
on Monday, August 2. In the meantime, the front office will attempt to answer any questions and will collect verifi-
cation documents to forward to the nurse once she is back at SMS. You may also submit documents to the nurse on
MEDICATION
It is the policy of the Spotsylvania County School Board that Medication Request Forms be signed
by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or RN, plus the parent/guardian, and the school princi-
pal/designee in order for any medication to be administered to a student. All medication must be
kept in the school nurse’s clinic and must be transported to and from school by the parent/
guardian.
EXCEPTION: Students having a physician’s authorization to possess and self-administer asthma
inhalers, epinephrine pens, and diabetic supplies.
All medications, including Tylenol, Advil, etc. must be in their original, unopened
container.
Forms are available in the main office and online at:
SMS Library News
The SMS Library is ready to open its doors to our students, parents, and
staff! Mrs. Sarah Dornan, the former FMS Librarian, and Mrs. Belcastro
have been hard at work creating a welcoming library and an interactive
learning program that will meet our students’ needs. All students are
welcome to check out up to three print books and three eBooks. Our library has a variety
of online resources for research and information seeking. Our library programs include
B.R.B Book Club, Read & Ride, Makerspace, Chess Club, Book of the Week, and more! If
you have a SMS library book or any SCPS library book, please return it to SMS as soon as
possible. If you have a fine, please visit SMS and make checks payable to SMS. Visit us
SMS GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
During the 2021-2022 School Year ALL students are eligible for FREE Breakfast and Lunch while in school. A la carte items
are also available for purchase. Students may deposit money in their accounts in the cafeteria during homeroom.
SMS will continue to use the Pre-Pay Program. Students and parents will have an opportunity to set up accounts
that students can use to purchase a la carte items. Parents can set up accounts online at www.myschoolbucks.com.
The students will need to know their student number in order to use this system.
SCHOOL SECURITY
In order to provide security for students and
PARENT PARKING staff, all doors are locked during the school
day except for the front entrance. All parents
and visitors are required to register at the
In order to provide adequate parking for FRONT DESK, present a government
the parents, we have reserved parking issued picture I.D., and secure a visi-
spaces in front of the school. These spaces tor’s pass. We request that you schedule your visits with teachers
are labeled VISITOR PARKING . Please and staff at a convenient time. This needs to be done at a time
use the designated parking areas when when teachers are not with their students. If the teacher or staff
visiting the school. Parents and visitors
member is available , we will contact them and ask that they come
should not leave unattended vehicles in the
painted fire lanes along the curb in front of to the office to personally greet you.
Our office staff has been asked to
request identification from anyone who comes to pick up
a child from school during the day. We cannot release
students to anyone other than the parent unless it is re-
corded in our emergency contact files. Names may be added
to the emergency contact list at any time, but must be submitted to
BUS STOP SCHEDULES
Please be advised that your child’s bus stop information is
being posted in August before school starts. If you need to
make a change to your child’s home address or alternate
pickup/drop off location for the upcoming school year,
please contact our Counseling Department as soon as
possible.
“WELCOME” to all students and their families from the counselors at Spotsyl-
vania Middle School! The counseling staff members for the 2021-2022 school
year are:
Amy Sainz 6th Grade Counselor
Tiffany Swink 7th Grade Counselor
Lindsay Grohowski 8th Grade Counselor
Hillary Lober Counseling Secretary
Donna Mussomele Attendance Secretary/Front Desk Receptionist
Parents, be on the lookout for programs and activities being sponsored by the SMS Counseling
Department this school year. Information about activities will be posted on our school web site.
PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING ALL ABSENCES
Students returning to school after an absence should provide a written excuse signed by a parent or
medical personnel explaining the absence.
Through an automated message center, the system will allow us to contact parents when their child is
absent from school. If your child’s absence is marked as unexcused, the system will make several
attempts to contact you by phone. If no contact is made, the system will notify the attendance secretary,
who will then attempt to contact the parent to investigate the unexcused absence. An UNEXCUSED
absence will be recorded when no parent contact has been made either by phone or written notice.
We appreciate your continued help with keeping the school apprised of your child’s absence.
ATTENDANCE & TARDINESS
School attendance is very important to your child’s education. When your child is late or absent
from school they fall behind in their class work. Obviously if your child is sick it is important that
they stay home until they have recovered. The office will assist in collecting homework for students
who are absent from school for two or more days. If a student is absent from school for only one
day, the homework can be collected by the student upon returning to school. All requests for
homework/make-up work should be submitted by 9:30 a.m. Please indicate whether textbooks are
needed. Any school work may be picked up after 2:00p.m.
PLEASE help us keep tardiness to school at a minimum. When students arrive late to school they
also arrive late for their first class resulting in lost instructional time and disruption to the instruc-
tion. All students should be at school by 7:55 a.m. This provides them with enough time to report
to homeroom by 8:00 a.m. Any student not in homeroom by 8:00 a.m. is recorded as tardy to
school.
STUDENT AGENDAS
Each student will be given an agenda, provided
free by the PTO, in his or her homeroom.
Students should track all of their assignments in
the agenda and may also use it as a hall pass. In SCHOOL PICTURES
the event a student loses the agenda, a replace-
ment can be purchased from the counseling of- The Fall school pictures are
fice at the cost of $5.00 while supplies last. scheduled for September 8 & 9
and will be taken during the
students’ P.E. block.
Additional information will be
sent home soon.
Make-up and club pictures are
scheduled for October 14.
PERMISSION SLIPS REQUIRED
Permission slips for ALL after-school activities are required on
or before the actual date the student intends to stay after school.
We value your child’s safety and know parents will make every
effort to provide permission for after-school functions in
advance.
PHONE MESSAGE/E-MAIL NOTIFICATION
This year SMS will once again be using the phone message/e-mail
notification system. The phone message/e-mail notification system
will allow us the opportunity to inform parents of upcoming events
and other important information by calling and leaving a message. It
is critical that you notify us immediately of any change in your
phone number or e-mail address so our system can be updated. Our
goal is to continue to improve communication between the school
and our parents.BULLDOG ATHLETICS
ATHLETIC MEETING
Athletic information sessions will be offered at the end of each session on Business Day/Parent Connection Day that is scheduled
for Tuesday, August 10, and all students who plan on trying out for any sports season in the 2021-22 school year are encouraged to
attend one of these athletic information sessions with a parent. Athletic information sessions will begin at 10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.,
and 6:45 p.m. in the SMS auditorium.
REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO CONCUSSION TRAINING FOR ALL ATHLETES
AND PARENTS WILL BE DISCUSSED. Students must have a completed athletic physical on file
before participating in a tryout or practice . Forms are available in the main office or online at: http://
www.VHSL.org/forms (select Athletic Physical Form).
Any student trying out for a sport that has asthma must be allowed to carry their own inhaler everyday. Virginia Asthma
Action Plan paperwork must be completed by your doctor and kept on file with the nurse. Your child must be able to
CARRY an inhaler on their own.
Fall sports include girls basketball, girls soccer, and football. Tryouts for girls basketball and for girls soccer will begin on
Monday, August 16. Tryouts for football will begin on Monday, August 30.
Prices for Regular Season Games:
-Adults/Students = $3.00
-Pre-school/elementary students (10 years old or younger) = Free
-Senior citizens (60 years old or older) = Free
INFORMATION FOR PE CLASSES AT SMS
SMS P.E. uniforms will go on sale during Student Business Day for the 2021-2022 school year. Shirts - $5.00 Shorts - $10.00
The purchase of P.E. Department shirts will be mandatory this year and the purchase of P.E. Department shorts will remain
optional. Athletic shorts will be required for P.E. class.
Locks for lockers can be rented during the first week of school for $3.00 or you may purchase your own combination lock and
bring it in for personal use. NO key locks are allowed. All combinations are kept on file in case of emergency.Spotsylvania Middle School
Bell Schedule 2021-2022
REGULAR DAY
School day officially begins @ 8:00 am
Morning announcements begin after 8:00 am bell
Students should be in HR/BDB by 8:00 am bell for on-time attendance
HR/BDB A1/B7 A2/B8 A3/B9 A4/B10 & Lunch A5/B11 A6/B12
7:55 - 8:20 8:20 - 9:16 9:19 - 10:15 10:18 - 11:14 11:17 - 12:47 12:50 - 1:46 1:49 - 2:45
LUNCH SHIFTS (with A4/B10 class)
First Lunch: 11:17 - 11:42 8TH GRADE—SHIFT 1
11:22 - 11:47 8TH GRADE—SHIFT 2
FREE SEATING: 11:18 - 11:43 (Release from class @ 11:17)
Second Lunch: 11:46 - 12:11 7TH GRADE—SHIFT 1
11:51 - 12:16 7TH GRADE—SHIFT 2
Third Lunch: 12:14 - 12:39 6TH GRADE—SHIFT 1
12:19 - 12:44 6TH GRADE—SHIFT 2
GO BULLDOGS!!!
Revised 7/26/21BULLDOG ATHLETICS FALL SCHEDULE
Welcome to the
SMS Parent and Teacher Organization
Welcome back Bulldogs!
The SMS PTO board was busy this summer building a fantastic team to support our
school. For the 21-22 year, Stephanie George will serve as President, Drusilla Mowl
as Vice President, Suzanne Henson as Treasurer, Mary Garecht as Secretary and
Jess Hoburg as Spirit wear chair. We look forward to supporting Spotsylvania Mid-
dle School this year.
Please do not forget to stop by the PTO table in the cafeteria on Business Day Au-
gust 10th for membership sign up. We encourage all families to stop by and intro-
duce yourselves. We also have new spirit wear available for purchase. (CASH OR
CREDIT ONLY) A link will be available on the Facebook page, Spotsylvania Middle
School PTO, to purchase items online.
Our first major event this year will be a fall fundraiser. The returning families can
attest, this is always a good time. Students get a chance to earn different prizes
including a limo lunch, blast party, or maybe even a chance to turn Mr. Byrd into an
ice cream sundae again! This fundraiser is particularly important because it allows
the PTO to fund teacher grants. We hope you and your student get involved to help
SMS. Please look for more information in the coming weeks!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
-SMS PTOYou can also read
