Saline Middle School Hornet Highlights for Sunday, May 2, 2021

 Principal's Message:  

What a year this has been (and continues to be!).  Please take a few minutes to wish staff members a "Happy Staff Appreciation Week".  From bus drivers, cafeteria staff, counselors, custodial staff, front office staff, media specialists, nurses, paraeducators, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, speech pathologists, substitute teachers, teachers, technology crew, tutors, and vision therapists, we are so fortunate to have so many skilled, knowledgeable and caring staff at Saline Middle School!  

Also, congratulations to Dr. Laatsch who has been named the 19th Saline Area Schools' Superintendent.

                                    SALINE MIDDLE SCHOOL WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

(The daily schedule is now below under repeated information.)

New and Important Information for the Week:

NEW:  6th Grade M-STEP - May 3rd - May 6th

This week, we are administering the 7th-grade M-STEP ELA and Math assessments at Saline Middle School. Please read this family communication letter for more information. 6th-grade students will need to bring a pair of wired headphones on Monday and Tuesday this week for the ELA assessment.

NEW:  The application window for the DEI Advisory Committee has now opened. 

The following Press Release has been posted to the District website. Here is the direct link to the application form. We will be accepting applications through May 10th at 9 PM for review as part of the initial establishment of the Committee. Pages 5-7 of the Board of Education packet show the policy. Saline Middle School Students are welcome to complete an application as well.

NEW:  SEAC Partnership Series

NEW:  Cyber Safety Virtual Camp Opportunity

Family Input Form for Current 6th and 7th Graders:  The parent/guardian input form gives us more information about your child.  This form is optional. Here is the link to the parent/guardian input form and will close on May 14, 2021.

Attention 7th graders! WEB leader applications are now available. WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved and learn valuable leadership skills and we want you to apply. You will be watching our WEB Introduction Video in your Social Studies class to learn more about the WEB program and how to apply. Then you can complete the WEB Leader Application by Wednesday, May 12th at 10:00pm. 

If you have any questions regarding applications, email smsweb@salineschools.org. 

Your WEB Coordinators,

Mrs. Anastasoff, Mr. Foster, Mrs. Meyer, & Miss Tollis

NEW:  The application for summer ONLINE courses is ready. An updated course list for 2021-2022 is included. Summer Application Please note that the form requires a counselor's approval. 

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:  Women of Aerospace

Register here for this conference experience.

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.

• Class of 2028 (Current 5th Graders)
• Class of 2027 (Current 6th Graders)
• Class of 2026 (Current 7th Graders)
• Class of 2025 (Current 8th Graders)

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

Monday, May 17th-20th:  NWEA 

New Wednesday, June 9th:  1/2 Day for Students

New Thursday, June 10th:  1/2 Day for Students and the Last Day of School

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.  

NEW: Updated COVID-19 information from the Washtenaw County Health Department: 

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and Guardians

Cuarenenta y Aislamiento preguntas frecuentas para padres y tutores

If You Test Positive 

Si Da Positivo en la Prueba de Covid-19

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:

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. 

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.

• BYOD+ 3/24 Presentation
• SMS BYOD+ Resource Page
• SHS BYOD+ Resource 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/