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The Paw print |October 2012

Fall Issue

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|Straughn Middle School |

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| | Transition for Sixth Graders |

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| |Happy Fall Y’all |

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Equal Opportunity Policy:  It is the official policy of Covington County School System that no person shall, on the ground of race, sex, religion, color, creed, national origin, handicap, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment.  Inquiries of complaints  regarding compliance  with federal regulations on 504, Title I, Title II, and Title IX may be directed to Ricky Messick, Covington County Board of Education, 807 C.C. Baker Avenue, Andalusia, AL. 36420, (334) 222-7571.

| | Extend Your Day |

|Thank You ! | |

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|Thanks to parents, friends, and family for| |

|supporting the SMS fall catalog | |

|fundraiser. We ask for your continued | |

|support by joining the SMS PTO. For | |

|additional information, call the office at| |

|222-4090 | |

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|Basketball Begins | |

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|Straughn Middle School basketball teams | |

|are in the start of the 2012 season. | |

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|The first game tipped off on October 15, | |

|2012 with wins against Red Level. | |

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|On Thursday, October 18, all SMS students | |

|had an opportunity to go support their | |

|fellow classmates. The 7th and 8th grade | |

|girls and 8th grade boys started play at | |

|1:00. Our students enjoyed a break from | |

|afternoon class as they cheered the games | |

|on. | |

|Remaining games are: | |

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|Oct 29 SMS VS Pleasant Home Away | |

|4:00 | |

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|Nov 1 SMS VS Opp | |

|Home 3:30 | |

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|Nov 5 SMS VS Florala | |

|Away 4:00 | |

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|Nov 13 SMS VS Opp | |

|Away 4:00 | |

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|Nov 15 SMS VS Florala | |

|Home 4:00 | |

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|Dec 3,5,6 Tournament | |

| |News from EDP | Students enjoy our physical |decorate cupcakes this month. She will |

| |By: Mrs. Lisa Walker |fitness days. We go to the gym to enjoy a |come back before Christmas to teach |

| | |variety of activities. The girls enjoy |another class. All the students seem |

| |We have gotten off to a great year in EDP.|helping each other with cheers and jumps |excited to learn how to decorate cakes, |

| |Several students have had class projects |while the guys enjoy some kind of ball. We|cupcakes, and cookies. This is a tool |

| |that they have been able to complete |are looking forward to cooler afternoon |they will be able to use the rest of |

| |during the after school program. The |weather for some fall walks and outside |their lives. |

| |students have turned in some great |activities. |We are looking forward to much more fun |

| |projects using supplies from EDP. |Mrs. Debbie Biggs will come |as the year progresses. |

| | |teach EDP students how to | |

| |Social Studies at SMS |

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| |iNow |

| |Home Portal |

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| |The iNow Home Portal is now available to all SMS parents and guardians. This home portal website allows you to view your |

| |child’s grades, attendance and discipline information. Announcements and updates pertaining to events taking place at SMS are |

| |also visible through the Home Portal. Each student was issued a unique username and password needed in order to log-in to the |

| |website. Instructions for accessing the iNow website were also distributed to each student. Additional assistance for |

| |accessing the information is available to anyone by calling Ellen Sikes @ (334) 222-4090. |

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By: Ms. Sharon Jones

Autumn has arrived! The air is crisp and cool. The brilliant colors of fall are all around us. Fall harvesting is in full swing. Ripe, red, delicious apples are in abundance. Orange, round pumpkins are just waiting to be carved into Jack-O-Lanterns. Halloween is coming quickly and with it comes loads of spooktacular activities, delicious candy and delectable treats. Keep in mind; you should observe safety procedures as you enjoy activities and treats.

Keep these safety tips in mind

1. Plan you Trick-or-Treat route ahead of time. Pick streets that are will lit and have neighbors you know.

2. Take a parent, or older sibling with you; Trick-or-Treat with a group.

3. Trick-or-Treat when it is still light outside, if possible.

4. Wear a costume that makes it easy for you to walk and be seen.

5. Carry a flashlight and use reflective tape on your costume.

6. If you wear a mask, take it off before crossing streets. If possible, wear make-up instead of a mask.

7. Cross streets only at corners.

8. Use sidewalks. If you must walk in the street, walk facing the traffic.

9. Do not eat your candy until you get home. It is best to let an adult check your candy for safety

Have a FUN and SAFE Halloween.

SMS Welcomes Newbies

Welcome to the start of a brand new school year. As always, we are excited to welcome our sixth graders to Straughn Middle School, our new student enrollees, and returning students to a brand new year. In addition, we are pleased to welcome two new teachers and a new cafeteria worker. Joining us this year :

• Mr. Morgan Boyd, 6th grade Math Teacher

• Ms. Debbie Long, 6th and 7th Grade Reading Teacher

• Ms. Ada Price, cafeteria worker

By: Ms. Cassandra Scott

Transition from elementary school to middle school can be a very difficult time for sixth graders. Challenges such as a new principal, new teachers, and new surroundings may cause feelings of anxiety. In addition, adjusting to tougher academic standards and learning school procedures can be a bit overwhelming. Teachers at Straughn Middle School understand the various emotions that students may be experiencing and will work to make the transition as painless as possible.

How can you help?

Research reports that parent participation in education and student achievement go hand-in-hand. Below is a list of tips to help your child be successful in sixth grade.

Tips for Parents:

• Be informed. Attend Parent meetings. Read all information that is sent home.

• Check student planners.

• View the school’s website for information.

• Communicate with teachers. Phone or email.

• Join PTO.

• Volunteer at the school.

• Talk with your child on a daily basis about his/her school day.

With your support, sixth grade can be a rewarding experience for your child.

Principal Points

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Upcoming Events

*Oct 31 Fall Festival

*Nov 1-12 Science

Fundraiser

*Nov 12 Veterans Day

*Nov 16 Progress Reports

*Nov 16 Alabama/Auburn

Game Day

*Nov 21-23 Thanksgiving

Holidays

*Dec24-Jan 1 Christmas

Holdays

Library News

By: Mrs. Alison Thomasson

Top Titles @ SMS

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Ugly Truth

2. Beautiful: Truth’s Found When Beauty’s Lost

3. Deer Hunting

4. Duck Hunting

5 Ghost Diamond!

Recently Added Titles @ SMS

1. The Kid’s Guide to Sign Language

2. Auburn Tigers

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

4. Atlanta Braves

5. Golf

6. Weapons, Gear, and Uniforms of World War II

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By: Seth Richards

During the early part of the 2012-2013 school year, SMS is using an exciting new educational learning tool. This tool will help bring technology to the forefront of student learning. Glogster, a virtual poster board, allows the students’ the opportunity to create web-based assignments that reflect learning goals. Presently, the 8th grade students are creating these virtual tours at the end of each Unit of learning in World History. So far, student groups have created visual posters on early Egyptian life and the Israelites. The virtual posters allow students to insert links to exciting web sites, videos, and pictures. Also, the students are able to insert their own textual facts and relevant time lines. This helps students to organize the chapter material, as well as put it into their own words. Glogster is being used as a student review, so students can be a part of hands-on learning. It is interactive, visual, and educational, and it also allows the class to be involved in the teaching process. Each student pair presents their material to the class, and receives a group grade for portraying a knowledgeable presentation.

Our educators at SMS plan on expanding this new technology tool to the 7th grade students during the school year. It can be applied in all subjects, and it is already being used in History, Reading, and Science classes. It provides a chance for the students to expand on their creativity and provides students with an opportunity to relate to subject material, and gives them a deeper knowledge of the content.

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