Shuswap Middle School

A few scenes from our Grade 8 Dessert and Dance as well as our talented jazz band.  The Dessert and Dance evening was a big success with wonderful grade 7 servers, beautiful grade 8 art work on display, close to 300 students and their families in attendance, and lots of fun at the dance courtesy of our very own DJ…..Mr. Adam Barraball (DJAB!).   The finale of the evening was led by Adam and was wonderful to watch.  Each of our grade 8s were “clapped out” of the gym by their peers.  They will make great grade 9s!  Thanks to Ms. Little for all of her work to organize the evening, and to the many families and staff members who came out to say goodbye to this wonderful group of students.

One more goodbye is in order.  Mr. David Izik-Dzurko, the teacher responsible for the talented jazz band pictured above, has been hired to take the lead with the SAS music department.  We will miss Mr. Izik-Dzurko’s sing-a-longs at Christmas, his Elvis impersonations, and his great work with grade 6 guitars and our jazz band.  Lucky students who will have had the opportunity to work with him at SMS and then join him again in the SAS bands!

On a happy note, we are happy to have Ms. Milanna Cecco returning as Ms. Verney’s partner out in the portables.  At this point, it looks like Ms. Cecco will have a grade 6 class.  Also returning is Mrs. Sarah Hiebert.  She will be working one day a week in Ms. Lafortune’s grade 7 Late French Immersion class, and a number of days throughout the year in Mrs. King’s Early French Immersion class.  Ms. P is happy to have her teaching partner back in the art department.  We are fortunate to have Mrs. Brandsma working with our art students.  We are in great shape for a fantastic 2018/19 school year.

We hope your summer is off to a great start despite the rainy long weekend.  Enjoy and stay safe!

Hellos and Goodbyes

June is always a sad time of year as we have a number of staff leaving.  We hope to get many of them back, but at this time we are saying goodbye to:

Michelle Atkins, Sandra Brandsma, Krista Burden, Milanna Cecco, Ty Davidson, Theresa Fenkhuber, Josiane Gauthier, Heidi Gowan, Sara Hiebert, Ken Jamieson, Ryan Kenny, Alain Muise, Aura Rivette, Paul Rosman, Alida Wagstaff, and Roni Wocknitz.

Thank you to everyone above who has, in their own wonderful way, made a difference for our students.

A special farewell to our “Mr. J” who is retiring.  Mr. Jaimeson’s absence will leave a huge hole at SMS as he has had a positive impact on so many students (including two Woodhurst boys) over the years.  We will miss him, but we know we will see him at the annual staff versus students hockey game he has made a tradition at SMS!  We wish him well in his new adventures and hope he will also come back to visit as a TTOC when he is not travelling the world or helping our community on Salmon Arm’s City Council.  Best of luck, Mr. J!

We are happy to welcome a number of new staff members to join the fabulous staff at SMS:

Joining the green team we have Wyona Maddigan (grade 6 Late French Immersion).  We are thrilled that Emily Keenan has decided to stay in beautiful BC for another year as well!  The red team are excited to have Andi King join their Early French Immersion (grade 6/7) team.  Our yellow team is almost brand new:  welcome to Laura Jegues, Jaime Russell, Danielle Brunwald and Megan Weir (grade 8 French Immersion).  Gilbert Hobart is returning from leave to the yellow team as well.  Joining orange team we are happy to have Deanna Brennan, Chris Matheson (also one of our new vps) and Marlee Penner (grade 8 English).  We have one grade 6 position that we hope to fill this week, as well as a few part time positions.  2018/29 is shaping up to be a fantastic year at SMS!

Message from Peter Jory, Superintendent

Mr. Jory has asked us to share that parents and guardians of eligible children are reminded that a deadline is fast approaching to sign up for the $1,200 B.C. Training and Education Savings Grant.  Please see the website below for more information.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018EDUC0037-001258

 

Class Placement Requests

As per our Spring Update in April, requests for educational reasons were due by May 17th.  While we have had a number of late requests between the due date and today that we have taken into consideration while forming classes; we will not be able to accept any more late requests.  Please know that current teachers (including grade 5 teachers), our learning resource team and counselling team, along with administration put a great deal of thought into forming balanced classes that will work well for our students.

 

Important information for this busy week

Tuesday

– last day for locker cleanout.  Please send an extra bag with your student.

– Grade 8 students at Jackson campus in am and movie in pm

– Grade 8 Dessert and Dance.  Doors open at 6:15.

Wednesday

– Grade 8 Waterslide Celebration

– Grade 6/7 Canoe Beach Celebration

Thursday

– Year End Assembly 9:00.  Effort List for Term 3 and celebration of

2017/18 school year.

– Busses run four hours earlier than usual (dismissal 10:19)

– School closed at 12:15 for staff lunch and staff meeting

Friday

– Office open from 8:00-2:00

Final Words for 2017/18

I continue to be amazed by the dedication of our staff at SMS.  The year end slide show has photos of  many zone championships in sports; numerous activities students may join at lunch or after school: robotics, chess, sewing, magic cards, pintrest, coloring, French, library to name a few; talented concert and jazz bands, and so much more.  Even in the final weeks of school, students are engaged in learning and the school has a safe and respectful academic tone.   I would like to thank our grade 8s for their positive leadership this year, and all students for their hard work.  We look forward to our grade 7s as leaders next year, and to welcoming our new grade 6s.   As always, please feel free to contact us in the office with any questions, suggestions or concerns.  I will be available by email in the summer.  Our office team will be back in action on August 20th.  Have a safe and fun filled summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Our grade 7 band (with just four months of practice!) sounded very professional last Thursday night.  The packed gym enjoyed their selections, as well as the talents of our grade 8 band and jazz band who are very polished!  Thanks to parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends who came out to enjoy the finale of our students’ hard work.  Thanks to Ms. Beach and Mr. Izik-Dzurko for conducting all three fantastic bands!

 

A reminder that our year end concert is tonight.  Hope to see you in the gym!  Musicians, please arrive by 6:30.

Pre-purchased yearbooks were handed out to students on Monday and Tuesday this week.  We have a few extra yearbooks left over if students would like to purchase one.  Extra yearbooks will go on sale tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 7:40.  Payments must be made in cash, $30 each.  First come, first served.