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2 0 1 6 – 2 0 1 7E D I T I O NThe Puma BlastThe “Official” Newsletter of Short Pump Middle School (SPMS)Principal’s CornerFebruary 20th is a student holiday, and a staffprofessional development day. Our teachers willreceive training on the following topics in themorning: Cooperative learning (guest speaker),safety table-top exercises, and important testingprotocols. Instructional Planning and Henrico21lesson development will occur in afternoon.**Special Announcement**- - Mr. Thomas McAuley.Monday, February 20th, 2017Presidents Day/Student HolidayWinter 2017Volume 1 Issue 3In This IssueSPMS AdministrationThomas McAuleyPrincipalJennifer MadduxAssociate PrincipalLindsay IngramAssistant PrincipalCynthia Elbert-PollockAdministrative AideJerome T. FlemmingAdministrative AideDoug WrightAdministrative Aide1
School Counseling DepartmentWelcoming New Pumas to Our PackAlthough moving to a new area and school can be an exciting adventure, it can also be achallenging and overwhelming experience and we would like to provide our families withsome neighborhood support. The School Counseling team would like to create a pool ofpeople who are willing to help welcome new Puma families to SPMS and to ourcommunity. If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity, please complete thisform:www.tinyurl.com/pumawelcome. We may use the information collected from theform to help match families in similar neighborhoods or with similar backgrounds. Bycompleting the form, you are agreeing to allow the School Counseling team to share yourpersonal contact information with newly enrolled families. Thank you for your willingnessto support our Puma family!YOUR School Counseling Team:Ms. Riggs, Director 6th gradeMrs. Rich, 7th gradeMrs. Sharpe, 8th grade)Music DepartmentSpring Concerts Just You Wait!Sarah Berry – ChorusJennifer May – StringsBruce Swartz - Band2
Puma PrideVolume 1, Issue 1olume 1, Issue 1Library SPMS Parents & Students please save and Vshareyour boxtops3
Puma PrideVolume 1, Issue 1SPMS PTA BOARDPresidentSarah Westmorelandsjwestmo@verizon.net1st VP MembershipGlenda Eaddyglendajeaddy@yahoo.com2nd VP VolunteersLucille Lindamoodlucillelindamood@verizon.net3rd VP CommunicationsAlissa Poolealissampoole@verizon.netSecretaryAnnemarie Tullannemarietull@comcast.netTreasurerSusan Bellersusandscott2@msn.comLay AdvisoryJill Parkerjill.parker12@gmail.comTim Simmonstimsimmons1@comcast.netSPMS Spirit Night – Dinner & Dessert!Mark your calendar for Thursday, Feb. 23 for SPMS Spirit Night at Zoe’s Kitchen from 5-8:30p.m. and Gelati Celesti from 5-9 p.m. Be sure to show the Spirit Night flyer at Zoe’s, andmention SPMS at Gelati Celesti, and we’ll earn a portion of the evening’s sales.www.spmspta.orgDonations & Volunteers Needed for Puma FestThe SPMS Student Council is sponsoring Puma Fest on March 10 and is looking forrefreshment donations, parent volunteers and more. Puma Fest is a carnival-type event witha variety of activities for students. Check nList to find out how you can help, or contact Mr.Cross at macross@henrico.k12.va.us.Volunteers Needed: County Banquet Committee, SPMS Dance Committee, Library &Counseling OfficeThe Henrico County PTA is looking for a parent volunteer to serve on the annual BanquetCommittee. The volunteer will assist with theme and caterer selection, compilation ofbanquet program content and event set up and break down on May 15. Contact LucilleLindamood at lucillelindamood@verizon.net.The SPMS PTSA is looking for volunteers for the Eighth Grade Dance committees(decorations, refreshments, promotions, volunteers, etc.). The event will be held on June 9.Sign up on nList or contact Elizabeth Stadler at elizabethsstadler@gmail.com.We also need volunteers for the library and counseling office. Sign up on nList or contactLucille Lindamood at lucillelindamood@verizon.net.County CouncilLink --------------------Visit www.spmspta.org or www.facebook.com/spmspta or emailshortpumpmspta@gmail.com for more information about PTA.Puma Fest March 10, 2017“T-shirts are on sale now for our spring event, PumaFEST hosted on March 10th, 2017. Order your shirts by February 23rdonline at https://www.customink.com/g/ypz0-00ax-0pvn Shirts will be delivered to the school and distributed the week ofthe event!”4
Puma PrideVolume 1, Issue 1Quick darLibraryHomeworkAnnouncementsSPMS SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICEAnnouncement 1Attention Governor’s School Applicants: Students unable to attend the January 28 testing session due to school/sports activity or religiousreasons will be offered a make-up opportunity based on availability. This make-up test will be held February 14 at MLWGS from 8:00 am-1:00 pm. Written permission to attend the makeup test must be submitted in writing by December 9 to theGiftedSpecialist, Gifted Education Programs, 3820 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23223. Note: If a student becomes ill or a family emergency occurs and is unable to attend the testingsession on January 28, the parent must notify the gifted program office no later than 4:00 pm onMonday, January 30 in order to reschedule testing. January 28, 2017 Students are required to attend the testing session from 8:00 am-1:00 pm atMLWGS, 1000 North Lombardy StreetVisit the Governor’s School website at www.gsgis.k12.va.usKaren B. Riggs, M. Ed., School Counseling Director ; 804.364.0837; Fax: 804.364.0457“Puma Pride Puma Proud”Announcement 2The Short Pump Middle School PRIDE Committee is working to recognize our students for demonstratingPRIDE (Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence). We are working to develop celebrations for ourstudents who are recognized for PRIDE and we would love to incorporate games in our events. If you haveany age-appropriate board or card games that you would be willing to donate to the cause please dropthem off in the main office in the designated box! Thank you for your support! If you have any questions,please contact Heather Sharpe at 804-364-0837.Announcement 3 Applicant Process Student/Parent - ms/specialty-center-online-application/student parent/Online Portal opens on 11/21.Parents must complete the Authorization and Waiver Form before a student will have access to the onlineportal. This can be done through the Power School Parent Portal. See Specialty Center (star icon) menu on theleft.Reminders: Students cannot access the system until a Permission/Waiver Form is on file. Once the permission form is submittedonline, it will be 24 hours before they can access the Spec App Site. 5
If a parent can not access the online system, the counselor can provide a manual form to the parent. Uponcompletion, the counselor would login to PowerSchool and update the flag for that student. Once the permissionform and waiver flag is set in PS, it will be 24 hours before the student can access the system.Announcement 4: 12/12/2016Short Pump Middle School will be holding a Career Day for 8th grade students on Wednesday April 5, 2017from 8:15 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. We are looking for volunteers from a variety of different occupations andfields to help educate our 8th graders about careers. If you or someone you know are interested involunteering for this wonderful educational experience please contact Heather Sharpe athssharpe@henrico.k12.va.us or 804-364-0837 for more information. Thank you!*We greatly appreciate any and all volunteers to participate in this event. At this time, we are looking forone representative per career/occupation. If we already have a volunteer representing your field we will letyou know. Thanks again!*The online application will be made available through the coderva.org website on January 9, 2017.Additional information about CodeRVA and FAQ may be accessed on the coderva.org website.Athletic Events: All Games/Matches begin 4:45 p.m.Gymnastic Meets2/21 Tuesday, Short Pump @ Liberty2/23 Thursday, Hungary Creek @ Short PumpGymnastics Meet Friday, February 17th. Spring sports tryouts begin on March 23, 2017.6
Look AheadSPMS Parent Info:News You Can Use: Academic/Elective Course Selection Process:PowerSchool timeline regarding the 2017-2018 scheduling process:POWERSCHOOL ONLINE ACADEMIC COURSE ACCEPTANCE AND ELECTIVE SELECTION PROCESS!Parent access window: February 6-17, 2017Access at: nts will be required to login to the PowerSchool portal. New users will be asked to create anaccount.Once successfully logged into PowerSchool, parents will be expected to review and accept therecommended academic courses and select elective courses through the parent portal.Rising seventh and eighth grade studentso After reviewing and accepting the teachers’ academic recommendations, please selecttwo electives and one back-up alternate.Rising ninth grade studentso After reviewing and accepting the teachers’ academic recommendations, please selecttwo electives (a world language class will count as one elective) and the number of backup alternates requested on your screen.o Rising ninth graders signing up for the online P.E. lottery, please be sure that your alternate isthe course you want to take to replace the yearlong P.E. class.March 10—all courses must be enteredMarch 17—printed request letters listing courses the students and parents have selected are due to the highschool for rising ninth graders and are due from the elementary feeder schools for rising sixth gradersMarch 29—final student request verification sheet to be sent home with students through an afternoonhomeroom.7
a variety of activities for students. Check nList to find out how you can help, or contact Mr. Cross at macross@henrico.k12.va.us. Volunteers Needed: County Banquet Committee, SPMS Dance Committee, Library & Counseling Office The Henrico County PTA is looking for a parent volunteer to serve on the annual Banquet Committee.
