Saline Middle School Hornet Highlights for March 21, 2021

Principal's Message:  

We can feel the excitement and anticipation amongst the staff and students as we combine our Blue and Gold groups; the SMS Hornets will be coming together!  Whether virtual or in-person, 4 day a week instruction will be a reality beginning April 5, 2021!  As we prepare, please note that there will be a new schedule as we will be returning to the 6-minute passing time for our 7th and 8th grade students.  This will be of particular importance to our virtual students who will not hear the bells.

As we come together, we want to state that we stand together with our students and families of APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans) after the week's world events and throughout this pandemic.  Please see the statement issued by the Washtenaw County Superintendents on Saturday.

Lastly, this is our last edition of the SMS Hornet Highlights before Spring Break.  Please review the joint letter from the Washtenaw County Health Department and the Washtenaw County Superintendents around health protocols for a safe return to school.

From all of us at Saline Middle School, we wish you a safe, joyful, restful and fun Spring Break!



Schedule for the Week of March 22-26, 2021

Click here for the daily hybrid schedule.

3/22-A3/23-A3/24-B3/25-BAsynchronous Instruction/ A and B Electives

Blue (A-K)

In-Person

Remote

In-Person

Remote

Remote

Gold (L-Z)

Remote

In-Person

Remote

In-Person

Remote


New and Important Information for the Week:

NEW:  Lunch volunteers needed  Have you been looking for a way to connect with our Saline Middle School Community?  In preparation for four days a week learning, SMS is asking for caregiver volunteers in the lunchroom since we will be having lunch in two separate locations. Volunteers will be asked to assist in the cleaning of lunch tables and general supervision.  Thank you in advance for your willingness and consideration as we continue to move forward to more in-person learning.  The following three documents will have to be filled out:

Survey

Ichat: Must be filled out before the first day of volunteering

Covid Workplace Screening: Must be filled out daily

NEW:  State Testing Information

The Michigan State Testing Window will begin after Spring Break.  Please click on this letter for further information. (La carta en español está aquí)

NWEA will be May 17th-20th (Not a state assessment, but a district assessment).

NEW:  Responsive Teaching Coalition Community Forum:  Active Link Here


NEW:  5th Corner Spring Event


Attendance Change for 3rd trimester in-person students:  In-person students are expected to be in-person to be marked "Present." In-person students will be marked "Absent" if they call in for any reason that is not related to COVID-19.  Students would still be allowed to Zoom if they wish, but they will be marked "excused or unexcused absent" depending on the reason if they are not physically present at SMS.

Do you plan on traveling internationally over Spring Break?  According to the CDC, anyone traveling internationally must quarantine for 10 days upon return.

Note: If a parent travels internationally and returns, the parent would quarantine but the kids could still come to school as long as no symptoms arise. But if—for example—the entire family goes to Mexico for spring break—the kids will not be able to come back to school until 10 days have passed. 

 

Details are here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html

 

The exception is that anyone who has had both doses of vaccine (and is at least two weeks past that second dose, up until 90 days after their immunization) does not need to quarantine.


Artwork recycling contest-Deadline April 30, 2021


2021-22 BYOD+ Expectation (Incoming 6th and 7th graders)

Next school year, there is a BYOD expectation for both 6th and 7th-grade students. For current 6th grade families that have received a school-issued device during COVID, we will collect those devices at the end of this school year. Please refer to the BYOD+ Informational Flyer for more information and the link to the scholarship form if needed.  

Students who are 8th graders in 2021-22 will be provided a school-issued device and expected to participate in BYOD during their 9th-grade year. 

Screen Shot 2021-03-04 at 10.12.52 AM.png

There will be a BYOD community forum on Wednesday, March 24 at 6:30 PM via Zoom: 

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://salineschools-org.zoom.us/j/91511777004?pwd=UU1mTndCNDF1Y0EvTHBoZWJRZEMzQT09

Passcode: 885764


Is your student interested in TRACK?  Click here for all of the information that you need or open up the QR code!


NEW: Hockey Information


TRANSITION INFORMATION:

Please click on the link if you were not able to attend the informational
Webinars or missed emails.
Upcoming Dates:

For information about clubs, athletics and school events, subscribe to the Saline Middle School calendar or go to the Saline MIddle School Website.

Monday, March 15th:  Start of Trimester 3

Monday, March 29th to April 2nd:  Spring Break

Monday, April 5th:  Start of 4 day in-person (see hourly schedule for all students)

Tuesday, April 13th:  PSAT for 8th Grade Students

Monday, April 19th-22nd:  8th Grade M-STEP (Science and Social Studies)

Monday, April 26th-29th:  7th Grade M-STEP (Math and English Language Arts)

Monday, May 3rd-6th:  6th Grade M-STEP (Math and English Language Arts)

Covid-19 Related Items:

Covid-related absences:
  • If your student is currently in quarantine for testing positive or having symptoms within the past 10 days or are awaiting test results
  • If your student has been identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive within the past 10-14 days   
  • If you have traveled outside of the United States in the last fourteen days

The attendance line can be reached at:  734-401-4600; press #1 for attendance OR use the Google Form.  

Updated COVID-19 information from the Washtenaw County Health Department:  If You Test Positive, If You Test Positive (en español), Quarantine/Isolation FAQ, Saliva Testing Site

What Happens When Someone Gets Covid

Flowchart for Symptomatic Individuals

New Saliva test released













Here is the latest version of the SAS Connected Learning Plan. This includes updates to sample schedules and a new flow chart for health scenarios.

From the SMS PTO:

PTO No Hassle Fundraiser.  Please donate at this link:  http://mspto.weebly.com/fundraising.html

Box Tops:  Happy Holidays Saline Middle School Families! Have you downloaded the Box Top$ for Education app yet? Please keep box tops In mind while you are grocery shopping this holiday season. It is now easier than ever to submit box tops via the box tops for education app. Just scan your receipt within 14 days of purchases and the app will check for eligible items in order to give our school credit. If you’re shopping online for groceries or get emailed receipts, you can still earn Box Tops for our school. Download the app and start earning today.


Repeating Messages:

Attendance Reminder:  We are finding that students are electing to learn virtually on a given day for a variety of reasons unrelated to a COVID-19 situation and this is becoming very difficult to track for classroom attendance, particularly in 7th and 8th grade.  

If your student is currently attending in-person for hybrid instruction, please send them to school on a consistent basis UNLESS they are showing the symptoms in the COVID-19 health screener graph below.  If your child is showing symptoms of COVID-19, then we would ask that they either get tested for COVID-19 or see their pediatrician.

If your student prefers to remain virtual for the remainder of the trimester, please email Laura Washington at washingl@salineschools.org


Item Drop Off and Pick-Up Times:  The Saline Middle School vestibule doors will be open from 7:00 am-4:00 pm Monday-Friday this week for drop off and pick-up of items.   


Report Cards:  Report cards are now available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.  If you are having difficulty accessing the Powerschool Parent Portal, please email  powerschool@salineschools.org.  Thank you for your patience as we have had difficulty sending report cards electronically this trimester.


NWEA Scores are now available in Powerschool!  Here are the directions to access them.


Food Pantry Locations: If you or someone you know are in need of food and food items during this difficult time, here is a list of food pantries in the area.

Need tech help?  The SAS Tech Department is here to help!  Fill this form out with your tech questions and problems.

Attendance:  Please remember that if your child is going to be absent, even remotely, please call the Saline Middle School front office to report attendance at 734-401-4600; press #1 for attendance OR use the Google Form.  

Grades:  Please check Powerschool or Summit Platform as many teachers have begun to enter grades.  Please contact the technology department here if you are having difficulty accessing Powerschool.

Breakfast and lunch continue to be free for ALL students as long as Federal funding allows.  

A new Covid-19 saliva test has now been released!  Here is the press release from the Washtenaw County Health Department.


Here is the At-Home Learning Toolkit released by the SAS Elementary buildings.  There is a lot of useful information that may also help our secondary students.


Michigan Family Alliance. https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/
















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