Teaching good behavior is an integral part

of education. Students at Seminole

Middle School are expected to

demonstrate respectful, responsible and

safe behaviors. To help students

incorporate these behaviors into their

lives, we have instituted Positive Behavior

Intervention Support (PBIS). This

initiative focuses on teaching and

rewarding desired behaviors.

OUR ON-GOING MISSION: To

provide a positive, safe educational

environment conducive for academic

growth.

OUR HAWKS EXPECTATIONS:

H: Have RESPECT for self and others

A: Always be PREPARED and ON TIME

W: Will make GOOD CHOICES

K: Keep FOCUSED on GOALS

S: Show RESPONSIBILITY

HAWK MOTTO: HAWKS soar with

PRIDE, RESPECT, DETERMINATION,

and RESILIENCE!

HAWKS TICKETS: Students are

rewarded with Hawks Tickets when they

are observed behaving positively. These

tickets are collected and weekly drawings

are held. The winners are recognized on

our morning news program and awarded a

prize.

HAWKS Tickets Tips:

The color of the tickets will

change each nine weeks. Right now

we are using GOLD tickets. When

we enter the second nine weeks,

you will not be able to use your

gold tickets anymore, so be sure

to turn them in!

There are Hawks ticket collecting

bins in the cafeteria, the grade

level offices and most language

arts classrooms.

HAWKS FLIGHT CARDS: Students

who maintain good academic and conduct

grades are rewarded with a HAWKS

Flight Card each nine weeks. Earning a

Flight Card awards students with special

privileges to recognize their hard work

over the course of a grading period.

Flight Card Criteria:

No Ds or Fs on report card

No Ns or Us in conduct

Flight Card Privileges:

Leave for lunch 2 minutes early on

Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Leave your last class 2 minutes

early on Fridays.

Use to excuse 1 tardy.

Attend positive behavior events.

Flight Card Tips:

Use your planner to keep track of

upcoming homework assignments

and tests.

Use Focus to keep track of your

grades.

Make sure to turn in all

assignments on time and study for

tests!

Act calmly and politely in class. Be

helpful and courteous to your

teacher and your classmates.

SMS REDBOOK: Teachers at SMS use

this recorded method to track student

behavior. When a child does not follow

our HAWKS expectations, their

infraction is recorded in their teacher’s

Redbook and consequences are assigned

accordingly. This record provides

parents, administrators and child study

teams with evidence of the frequency of

a child’s behavioral needs.

1st Step: Verbal warning given to student

and teacher documentation of student

infraction in the Redbook.

2nd Step: Teacher documentation of

student infraction in the Redbook and

parent notification through phone call,

letter or e-mail.

3rd Step: Teacher documentation of

student infraction in the Redbook and

parent notified through phone call, letter

or e-mail. Additional teacher

intervention such as a detention or a

guidance referral will be given.

4th Step: Teacher documentation of

student infraction in the Redbook and

administrative referral given.

START ON TIME PROGRAM: To

encourage students to arrive on time to

each of their classes, SMS utilizes the

Start on Time Program. This program

tracks student tardies and assigns

consequences based on the number of

tardies a student has accumulated. To be

considered “on time,” a student must be

completely inside of their classroom when

the tardy bell rings. We also track and

reward students that are on time with

weekly positive drawings.

1st Tardy: Verbal warning

2nd Tardy: Parent contact

3rd and 4th Tardy: Lunch Detention

5th and 6th Tardy: Assistant Principal’s

Detention (30 min)

7th Tardy: Assistant Principal’s Detention

(1 hour)

8+ Tardies: Administrative referral

DRESS CODE: Students are expected

to follow the Pinellas County School

guidelines for appropriate dress. The

current dress code guidelines can be

found in the 2014-2015 Student Code of

Conduct or online at www.pcsb.org. The

consequences from the code of conduct

for not adhering to the county policy are

listed below.

A. For a first offense, a student shall be

given a verbal warning and the school

principal (or designee) shall call the

student’s parent or guardian.

B. For a second offense, the student is

ineligible to participate in any

extracurricular activity for a period of

time not to exceed 5 days and the school

principal (or designee) shall meet with the

student’s parent or guardian.

C. For a third or subsequent offense, a

student shall receive an in-school

suspension pursuant to F.S. 1003.01(5)

for a period not to exceed 3 days, the

student is ineligible to participate in any

extracurricular activity for a period not

to exceed 30 days, and the school

principal (or designee) shall call the

student’s parent or guardian and send the

parent or guardian a written letter

regarding the student’s in-school

suspension and ineligibility to participate

in extracurricular activities.

STAFF NEWS: Seminole staff kicked

off the year recognizing each other with

“You’ve Been Hawked” awards. Staff

members going above and beyond get the

chance to recognize other staff members

with a positive note, and so far it’s been a

huge success! Kudos to those staff

sending kudos!

A few special staff members were also

recognized with the Golden Staff Award

for going above and beyond.

Congratulations!

September Winners

Sixth Grade: Mrs. Hagerty (guidance)

Seventh Grade: Mr. Mills (band)

Eighth Grade: Mrs. Marn (language arts)

Support: Mr. Wright (campus monitor)

October Winners

Sixth Grade: Mrs. Garabedian

(language arts)

Seventh Grade: Mr. Layton (behavior specialist)

Eighth Grade: Mr. Plant (math)

Support: Mrs. Sand (principal’s secretary)

World Language

World Language Students anticipate their fun

filled St. Petersburg International Folk Festival Field trip, Thursday, October 30th. Students will

enjoy visiting booths representing dozens of countries from around the world. They will

spend their day learning about international

cultures as they sample various cuisines and purchase souvenirs. Hopefully students will find

their heritage countries. The day truly supports the diversity of our own culture. We hope our

French and Spanish students have a great time.

The Chile Pepper Club

The Chile Pepper Spanish Club is in full

swing. Students have planted their Chile Pepper

seeds which are already sprouting! We had our Blind Salsa Tasting Event on September

16th, it is a fun and popular activity. October will be busy as students create masks and skeleton

sculptures for the Latin American Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. We also

look forward to a Saturday movie outing.

Spirt Week

Students have fun participatingin Spirit Week the first week of October. Monday - Dress like your favorite Disney

Character

Tuesday - Tacky Tourist Day

Wednesday - Neon Day

Thursday - Twin Day

Friday - Nerd Day

ReadiStep Assessements

A Message for Parents The ReadiStep assessment will help your child prepare for the future. Through the ReadiSTep assessment, you and your child will learn which skills he or she needs to work on and what types of classes to take in high school. In addition, the ReadiStep assessment will identify areas where your child excels and may want to consider taking higher-level courses, as well as sreas he or she should focus on to improve academically. Planning for High School, College, and Careers In addition to receiving feedback on academic skills, students who take the ReadiStep assessment will receive free access to MyRoad, an online tool that helps middle school students plan for high school and start exploring college and career options. Additional Resources For more information about the ReadiSTep assessment, please visit readistop.collegeboard.org. you will find free publications to help teachers, students, and their families understand the ReadiStep assessment as well as advice for reviewing and using ReadiStep results,

Yearbook As the school year begins, memories are made.

Our yearbook staff is working to capture what

happens in the lives of SMS students. Our

yearbooks are on sale for $25 during 2nd and 3rd

lunch on Wednesdays.

Attendance Did you know…

Students with poor attendance are more likely to drop out of school? A research study conducted by the Rodel Community Scholars at Arizona State University tracked students from kindergarten through high school and found a definite link between poor attendance beginning in kindergarten and dropout patterns. www.greatschools.org

There is also a link between attendance and student achievement? Research shows that students who attend school between 85 and 100 percent of the time pass state tests in reading and math at much higher rates than students who attend school less than 85 percent of the time. From Minneapolis Public

Schools Please help us prepare your child for a bright future by:

Getting your child to school on time on a daily basis

Scheduling appointments after school or over breaks whenever possible

Contacting school staff to problem-solve any transportation concerns

We want your child to succeed and we know that you do too. REMEMBER ATTENDANCE DOES MATTER!

Seminole Middle School Attendance Policy:

If a student is sick, parents must call or send in a

note to the grade level office so the absence is

excused. If you know ahead of time that a child

will be absent due to a doctor’s appointment or

funeral, parents can call or send in a note a day

ahead of time to let the school know. Vacations

are counted as unexcused absences.

Coach Hastings’ 6th grade Health class has challenged

Seminole to stand up against bullying during Cyber

bulling Prevention Week. All classes developed Peer

Pressure Bully Trick Videos as well as Bully

Prevention Videos.

Seminole Middle is a Bully Free Zone!

Attention 8th Graders. It is time to begin thinking about your options for high school next

year. Mrs. Guth will be coming into your classes to discuss the various academies and magnet

programs offered throughout Pinellas County. Please mark your calendar and keep the dates

below in mind as you explore your options and try to make the best decision for your future.

If you want to attend an academy or magnet program in high school, you must apply during

the application period, January 7-16. Students must also log back in during the acceptance

period February 4-11 to accept the program you wish to attend. If you do not accept the

invitation during the acceptance period, your seat will be given to another student.

As you are making your decisions about the many academies and magnet programs offered

throughout the county, please consider attending some of the discovery nights offered.

Information about the academies and magnet programs offered at the various high schools can

be found at PCSB.org.

Discovery Nights

November 17th – Osceola Fundamental

November 18th – Tarpon H.S. and St. Petersburg H.S. – Construction

November 19th – Gibbs H.S.

November 20 – Countryside H.S. and Seminole H.S

December 1 – Clearwater H.S.

December 2 – Dixie Hollins H.S.

December 3rd – Dunedin H.S.

December 4th – Largo IB

December 8th – Boca Ciega Medical Magnet

December 9th – Boca Ciega Fundamental

December 10th – Lakewood – Center for Advances Technologies and Largo H.S. - ExCel

December 15th – Northeast H.S.

December 16th – Pinellas Park HS. – First Responders

December 17th – Pinellas Park H.S – Criminal Justice Academy

Students will be notified of tryouts and practices for: volleyball, basketball, track and cheerleading. Information will be distributed over the morning and afternoon announcements. Be sure they watch and listen for the items below. The Pinellas County School board requires the following:

An Athletic Participation Form filled out by a parent/guardian

A current physical Purchase of separate student

insurance at

www.pcsbstudentaccident.com

The Lost and Found Department is located in the Eighth Grade House. If a student has lost articles of clothing, books, lunch boxes, and backpacks, please have them check the Lost and Found Department. Lost jewelry, glasses, iPods, electronic devices, and money are kept in a separate area. Students must check with Mrs. Haber in the Eighth Grade House if they have lost an item at school.

GRADING POLICY

Please note the grading policy:

90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D 50-59 F

CAR CIRCLE

Parents, we need your cooperation in our car circle! Please use both lanes of the car circle to drop off and pick up students. The two lanes will merge into one lane as the car circle turns east. Please cooperate and alternate entering the single lane from the double lane. Thank you for your cooperation.

Homework Hotline

Having trouble with your homework? The

Homework Helpline provides service to

students of Pinellas County's Schools from 5

to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The

helpline telephone number is (727) 547-

7223 or (727) 442-3226.

Take Stock in Children Pinellas Providing Scholarships, Mentors and Hope

The Take Stock in Children scholarship program is for students that qualify for free/reduced lunch, earn C’s or higher

in their classes, have good attendance, good behavior, and have additional risk factors that make achieving a college

or technical school education after high school a challenge.

Our program is based on the principal that given extensive support, motivation and accountability, children will work

hard to ensure that they graduate from high school and attain a college or technical school degree.

If you would like to nominate a deserving student in grades 6 - 10 to be in the Take Stock in Children scholarship

program, go to the following link and complete the nomination form.

https://www.pinellaseducation.org/Scholarships/tsicnomination

If you have questions you can contact Sherry Wert at werts@pinellaseducation.org or call our office at 727-588-4816.

Be Wise!

Join PTSA

PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) is a non-profit association devoted to the educational success of

students, the support of teachers and the promotion of parental involvement here at Seminole Middle School.

The PTSA is off to a great start! We were able to partner with Largo Village Inn to provided breakfast for the SMS staff on their first day back to school. We successfully sold memberships, spirit items and food at both the 6th Grade and 7th& 8th Grade Open Houses. We’ve also held our Annual Fall Fundraiser and our September Box Tops Contest. At our first general meeting of the school year, we approved the 2014-15 PTSA Budget. We look forward to an exciting year!

2014-15 Membership - 173 Members as of 9/26/14

It’s not too late! Show your support to PTSA and become a member today. Membership is open to parents, grandparents, students, teachers, staff –

anyone who wants to make a difference!

Membership dues are $5.00 per person

Forms are located in the Seminole Middle School front office or on our website www.seminolemiddleptsa.org

SMS PTSA is proud to sponsor the National PTA cultural arts Reflections Program at our school again this year. SMS students are encouraged to explore their artistic talents in the categories of:

Dance Choreography Film Production Literature Musical Composition Photography Visual Arts (which includes art forms such as

drawing, painting, and collage)

This year's theme is

"The world would be a better place if..."

If you are interested in participating, a meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6th

at 4:00pm in Room 405.

Deadline for all entries is Friday, October 31st. For additional questions, please contact Mrs. Love:

loved@pcsb.org or (727) 393-5923.

Fall Fundraiser

Our annual Fall Fundraiser ended September 26th. Many thanks all those who participated by selling and purchasing items from the Great American Catalogs. We are busy processing orders and will have an update of the funds raised soon. The MEGA AirHeads Candy Banks have been given out and all students should have received their celebrity ducks by now. All other prizes will be awarded at the BMX Show – scheduled for Thursday, November 13th. Delivery of all fundraising items is Thursday, October 30th.

Thank You for Your Support!

www.seminolemiddleptsa.org seminolemiddleptsa@gmail.com

Thanks to your efforts, we raised over $250 from our September Box Top Contest collection. Please keep sending in those Box Tops! Collection drop boxes are located in the cafeteria and in the SMS front office.

Upcoming Contest Deadlines:

October 10, 2014 December 10, 2014

September Contest Winners:

6th Grade - Kierstyn Benjamin, Emily Parrish and Christopher Andreadkis

7th Grade - Golan Rhoades 8th Grade - Adam Green

SMS Staff – Mrs. Kominik

Congratulations to our winners!

Get Ready for Cooler Weather with a Hawks Hoodie!

Hawks pullover hoodies are on sale during the month of October. Cost is $20.00 each. Color choices are black, burgundy and blue and can be ordered in all youth and adult sizes. Deadline for orders is October 31st Hoodies will be delivered the week of November 15th.

Other Spirit Items for sale: T-Shirts - $10.00 Drawstring Bags - $10.00 Car Magnets - $5.00

Spirit Order forms can be found on the website

www.seminolemiddleptsa.org printed forms are also available in the front office.

PTSA is collecting Labels for Education. These labels can be submitted as points to purchase educational merchandise from the LFE catalog. Labels can be found on a variety of Campbell’s, Pepperidge Farms, Bic, Prego, V8, Pace, Danon, Pop Secret, Glad, Post, and Swanson products.

Collection box is located in the front office.

Please make sure to include the UPC (barcode)

with your label!

Win $1,000 for Seminole Middle

by entering the Labels for Education Grand Stand for Schools Sweepstakes.

Go to: http://sweeps.labelsforeducation.com/

www.seminolemiddleptsa.org seminolemiddleptsa@gmail.com

2014 -15 HAWKS

Basketball Schedule November 19th: Girls Oak Grove At Seminole

Boys Seminole At Oak Grove

December 2nd: Girls Seminole At Pinellas Park

Boys Pinellas Park At Seminole

December 4th Girls Seminole At Osceola

Boys Osceola At Seminole

December 9th Girls Largo At Seminole

Boys Seminole At Largo

December 11th Girls Seminole At Morgan

Boys Morgan At Seminole

December 17th Girls Seminole At Oak Grove

Boys Oak Grove At Seminole

January 7th Girls Pinellas Park At Seminole

Boys Seminole At Pinellas Park

January 13th Girls Osceola At Seminole

Boys Seminole At Osceola

January 15th Girls Seminole At Largo

Boys Largo At Seminole

January 20th Girls Morgan At Seminole

Boys Seminole At Morgan

1-14 Cheesecake Fundraiser – Chorus 1-15 Pizza Kit Fundraiser - Band 6-10 Spirit Week 6-31 Cheerleading Candy Fundraiser 7 Fall Band Concert 11 Seminole Sound at SHS 14 Picture Retakes 17 End of Report Period 17 MS Band Night at SHS 20 No School for Students 23-31 Red Ribbon Week 29 Report Cards 30 PTSA Fundraiser Delivery 30 SPIFFS – Foreign Language 31 SPIFFS – Multicultural Club

3-14 Sally Foster Holiday Wrap

Fundraiser-Band 13 Fundraiser BMX Show 14 Mid Term Progress Reports 19 Great American Teach-In 21 MOSI - Charmatz 24-28 No School for Students Thanksgiving Break

8-19 Spirit of Giving 9 Winter Concert Band - Seminole Middle School 7:00 PM 18 Winter Chorus Concert Seminole High School 7:00 PM 19 End of Grading Period 22 Winter Holidays Begin