Saline Middle School Hornet Highlights for Sunday, April 18, 2021

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 Principal's Message:  

Happy Ramadan for those who observe!  If you have a student who is fasting and does not wish to be in the cafeteria during lunch times, please reach out to Alex Schukow or Laura Washington as we will find an alternative location.  Thank you!

On a different note, due to increased Covid-19 quarantines, particularly close-contact situations in the school setting, moving forward, you will receive an email if your student is considered a close-contact with information from the health department regarding instructions for quarantine.  Thank you for your continued support.  

SALINE MIDDLE SCHOOL WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
(The daily schedule is now below under repeated information.)

New and Important Information for the Week:


NEW:  8th Grade M-STEP (April 19th - 22nd)

This week we are administering the M-STEP Science and Social Studies assessments on school-issued devices at the building for 8th-grade students. Please review the following M-STEP Family Communication document for important information for in-person students, virtual students, and students not participating in M-STEP.

NEW:  Please bring your charged devices with a power cord. A friendly reminder that in-person learners are expected to bring their changed devices to school each day. While we provided loaner devices for some students last week, students are expected to bring their device. 


NEW:  Engagement Session #2 happening on May 4, 2021.  Please consider attending these important conversations in order to learn protocols for civil discourse and gain understanding with other Saline Area Schools' community members.  Here is the link.


NEW:  Support the Saline Area Schools' Foundation


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).

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, 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:

SALINE MIDDLE SCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE FOR ALL STUDENTS:



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.

Bring Your Own Device Presentation

Thank you to those who joined the BYOD+ Q&A session on March 24, 2021. Attached below is a copy of the presentation, which can also be found on our SHS BYOD+ page.

Here are the details for the Continuous 4-day/week learning plan. (Same as the link in the principal's message)


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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