Photos from the 8th Grade Poetry Slam earlier this week. Thank you Elyse!
It's the SCOOP for March 14, 2019
Your weekly news from Santa Barbara Middle School
UPCOMING EVENTS (see details below)
Friday, March 15: Sunrise Swim, 6:45 am; Early Dismissal, varies by trip:
  • Canoe Trip, 6th Grade Trek @ 2 pm
  • Kayaking @ 2:30 pm
  • Catalina @ 3 pm
  • 7th Grade Ojai Bobs @ 3:30 pm
  • Mountaineering @ 5 pm
Monday, March 18 - Friday, March 22: Mid-Year Expeditions (some may depart or return a day earlier or later)
Thursday, March 21: Parent only Cocktail Party at El Paseo Restaurant, 5-7:30pm
Monday, March 25 - Friday, April 5: Spring Break
Monday, April 8: Classes Resume
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALLING ALL GLASS JARS!
The SBMS Auction Decorations team needs your help with collecting glass jars for the event! We're asking for jelly jars, spaghetti sauce jars, milk bottles, salsa jars, and any size/height/width of mason jars. Please ensure jars are washed completely and free of any food residue, and the label is removed as much as possible. Jars can be dropped off at the Development Office at any time. Thank you! 

The 29th Annual Kids Draw Architecture: Saturday, April 13, 1-3 pm at SBMS in conjunction with AFSB & AIASB.
Sessions are free and drawing materials are provided. Local architects and artists will be on hand to offer guidance. Kids Draw Architecture is a program developed by the Architectural
Foundation of Santa Barbara to enrich our community awareness of the built environment by encouraging children to sketch our architectural landmarks. If interested, just show up! Read more here.

SKI POLES NEEDED
The Winter Mountaineering Course is looking for old ski poles with snow baskets for the mid-year expedition. If you have any, please let Victor know.
SEXUALITY IN ADOLESCENCE
Wondering how to talk about SEX with your adolescent?  Here are a few resources and tips from your Assistant Head of School!

  1. Read the book: It's Perfectly Normal - this book is perfect for parents with puberty-aged children. It is straightforward and doesn't hold anything back (Chapters include topics such as sexual intercourse, masturbation, abstinence/birth control, etc).
  2. Another book option: How to Talk to your Child About Sex - this book is meant only for parents, without any materials for children.
  3. Read the book: How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk- I personally love this book. It is not a book about sex, but gives real life scenarios (with comic illustrations) and suggests how to tweak your language to be better received by teens. 
  4. Ask your child about their Life Skills class! Here are some of the topics we cover from 6-9th grade at SBMS! (Please note that this list does not include all topics and is currently being reviewed and updated.)
  5. If either you or your child are too nervous for a sit-down conversation, talk about these topics while on a walk or in the car. Avoiding eye contact can allow your child to feel more comfortable and receptive to the talk. 
MID-YEAR EXPEDITION INFORMATION
Below are websites for each trip. The websites contain Friday trip prep info, trip departure/return info, packing lists, and more. Please read thoroughly!


Gear for the Mid-Year Expeditions may be purchased at our school-run Warehouse; open Mon. 8:30-10am; Tues. 9:30-11am & 2:45-3:45pm; Wed. 2:30-3:30pm; Thurs. 9:30-11am; & Fri. 8:30-10am. By appointment: email  Erik@sbms.org . Mountain Air Sports also is offering 10% discount to SBMS students on trip gear (must be on a trip packing list).
FROM DEVELOPMENT
How Can You Help Make the Auction a Success?
The Annual Spring Dinner and Auction is our largest fundraiser and community event of the year - made possible by you! Our hope is that every family will donate or help facilitate the donation of one auction item to support the success of the event. All donations are tax-deductible gifts. Here are a few ideas:
  • Vacation Stays: Donate a week or weekend getaway or staycation.
  • Massage or Spa Treatments: Give the gift of R&R.
  • Food Experiences: Pick up a gift card to your favorite restaurant or coordinate a private dinner with a local chef.
  • Fine Jewelry & Apparel: Grab a gift card or beautiful new item from a local shop.
  • Sport & Adventure Gear: You know this crowd will put it to the test.
  • Fine Wine or Spirits: Always a hit.
Please stop by the Development Office to drop off an item, or fill out  this online donation form . Thank you in advance for your support!

Who's In?: Guy's Poker Night: April 13, 2019, 5-10 pm
Join a full house of SBMS dads for a Texas Hold 'em tournament, hosted by Steve Byrd! Buy-in is set at $100, and a spread of tacos, tequila, margaritas, and beer will keep you fed and hydrated as you play. Bust out early? No problem - buy back in or watch the games while playing ping-pong or corn hole. Prize money is divvied out among the top three finishers! 

$125 per person to attend - $25 ticket to secure your spot, and please bring $100 cash to event.  RSVP to Steve here . 
LIBRARY NEWS
“The power of kindness” became the recurring theme of our recent Great Reading For Grown-Ups! discussion. ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman prompted meaningful and honest observations and sharing. Trauma, nurture vs nature, loneliness and social media, the transformational properties of love and acceptance all wove through our conversation. Thank you all for participating! It was beautiful.

Our next, and final, title for this school year will be announced soon; please join us! Meanwhile, happy reading and have a beautiful Spring Break!     
 
SPRING EXPEDITIONS & SPRING BREAK
It’s all just a few weeks away! What will your child be reading? Our SBMS Library has many new and noteworthy titles to usher in the season!

Here are a just a few suggested reads for your child:

  • ON THE COME UP by Angie Thomas
  • SEVEN KINGDOMS TRILOGY by Kristin Cashore
  • NEW KID by Jerry Craft
  • THE POET X: A NOVEL by Elizabeth Acevedo
  • THE DEAD QUEENS CLUB by Hannah Capin
  • FIVE FEET APART by Rachael Lippincott
  • DRY by Neal Schusterman
  • BRIDGE OF CLAY by Markus Zusak
  • TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET by Karen M. McManus
  • THE GIRL KING by Mimi Yu
  • THREE DARK CROWNS SERIES by Kendare Blake
  • THE ASSASSINATION OF BRANGWAIN SPURGE by M.T. Anderson
  • A HEART IN A BODY IN THE WORLD by Deb Caletti
  • YOU’LL MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE by Rachel Lynn Solomon
  • THE GIVER: The Graphic Novel Adaptation by Lois Lowry and P. Craig Russell

#checkitoutatSBMSlibrary
PARENT ASSOCIATION
Dear Parents,

What a week to see our inspiring and talented students out around town! From Youth Interactive to Breakfast Culture Club the sounds of music and poetry filled the city.

Next week, the kids are off on their amazing trips and we will be having fun on our own on Thursday night at the Parent only Cocktail Party . We would like to get a good head count, so please click on the link to the evite here .

Songfest is coming up fast! Mark you calendars for April 27. The volunteer sign-up will go out in early April, and we will have an organizational meeting on Thursday, April 11, at 3 pm at school. More info to come…

Upcoming events :
  • Thursday, 3/21: Parent Social and Cocktail Party at El Paseo Mexican Restaurant, 5-7:30pm
  • No host bar & appetizers provided
  • Tuesday, 4/16: 7 pm Parent Meeting on Social Media and Cyber Bullying with Dr. Chunyan Yang from UCSB. Many of you are coming to me with concerns about social media so this will be an important meeting to try to make. In the meantime, click here for A LOT of good info. We will hold an extended Q and A at the end.

Have a wonderful spring break, rest up and enjoy!
Thank you,

Melissa
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Managing Stress & Finding Balance: Increasing Resilience in Our Youth Through Mindfulness and Self-care
Sunday, April 7, 2019, 3:00PM - 5:15PM

LOCATION: Deckers, 6601 Hollister Avenue (corner of Hollister & Los Carneros)

RSVP: You can show up to this FREE workshop without registering but it helps us to know how many are coming so if you  rsvp on eventbrite in advance, you will be entered into a RAFFLE!

DESCRIPTION: How do we offer guidance & support without rescuing our children from the discomfort that naturally comes with healthy challenges and growth? We will [1] introduce & practice simple strategies for supporting our kids in becoming capable & resilient adults, [2] explore simple practices for parents to use in being more present & understanding, [3] discuss the line that separates normal upset & disappointment from depression & anxiety that require professional intervention.

SPEAKER: For over thirty years, Dave Mochel has been focused on the foundations of wellbeing, healthy communities, and leadership. Using principles drawn from modern scientific research and enduring wisdom, he has had the opportunity to work with leaders, educators, executives, parents, students, and athletes all over the world. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?  Parents of youth ages 5-25, as well as teens, educators, and youth providers.
SUMMER CAMPS
SBMS MOUNTAIN BIKING AND BIKE MECHANICS CAMPS
Learn how to ride your bicycle properly on trails and also learn basic bike mechanics. Camp is taught by the experienced staff of S.B. Middle School. Explore the bike trails at Wilcox Preserve, More Mesa, and more. You must bring a bike, helmet, and gloves. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Ages 9-13. Mon.-Fri., 9am-3pm; June 24-28; July 1-3 (for intermediate to advanced bikers, 9am-12 noon $200); July 8-12; July 15-19; July 22-26. $325/week. S.B. Middle School,1321 Alameda Padre Serra. Email summercamp@sbms.org to sign up or for more information.

SUMMER STOCK
This summer our youth theater program, in association with Santa Barbara Middle School, will be putting on the production of The Myth of Perseus, with adaptations by our very own Eric (BigE) and Maureen Lehman. 

Santa Barbara Summer Stock is an all-inclusive youth theater. No experience necessary. All the young actors choose for themselves how much they can take on regarding the performance. It’s all about creating a joy in the art of play. We believe in the creative self and we do our best to bring that out of all the individuals that join us in creating all of our performances. Hope to see you on the stage! 

Dates: June 17, 2019 to July 13, 2019
Times: Monday to Thursday, 9 am-1:30 pm
Performances: Thursday, July 11 and Friday July 12 at 7 pm; Saturday, July 13 at 11 am and 7 pm (tentative dates and times, subject to change)
Cost: $675 for all 4 weeks
Ages: 6 to 14 years old

CATE SCHOOL CAMPS
Cate Summer Institute  is a residential academic program for current 6th and 7th graders. They offer three sessions, June 16-22, June 23-29 and July 28-August 3 (new for 2019!). Students will choose their primary class as well as an elective. All students participate in a outdoor session which will include a different activity each day (surfing, mountain biking, SUP and kayaking, hiking and ropes course). 

Cate Sports Academy  offers day and residential options for 6th - 11th graders. CSA runs Monday - Friday from July 8-August 2. Sports campers will have 5-6 hours of sports training each day and evening activities and field trips at night. They also offer opportunities to swim and play ping pong and relax during non-sports hours. 

Cate Summer Outdoors  is NEW this year. There’s no better place than Cate to enjoy nature. Building on Cate School's successful outdoors program and led by Cate instructor, Pete Bonning, Cate Summer Outdoors is an ideal summer option to make unforgettable memories, form lasting friendships, and develop a deep connection with the natural environment. The landscape of California is vast and varied, and you'll find a little bit of everything in Cate's backyard. From the rugged coastline along the Pacific Ocean to the mountainous regions of the Los Padres National Forest, CSO participants are in close proximity to some of the best backpacking, surfing, and rock climbing in the nation. Space is very limited!
ON THE HORIZON
Saturday, April 13: Kids Draw Architecture, 1-3 pm; more info here.
Tuesday, April 16: Parent Meeting, 7 pm
Tuesday, April 23: Pop-Up Student Art Show, 3:30-5 pm
Wednesday, April 24: Parent Parking Lot Coffee, 8:30 am
Saturday, April 27: Songfest, 2-5 pm at Chase Palm Park
Monday, May 6: No School; In-Service
Friday, May 10 & Saturday, May 11: Drama Performances
Tuesday, May 14: Parent Meeting, 8:30 am
Thursday, May 16: Book Club Discussion, 8:45 am
Saturday, May 18: Annual Dinner & Auction
Sunday, May 26: 9th Grade Departs for EOY Expedition
Tuesday, May 28: 8th Grade Departs for EOY Expedition
Wednesday, May 29: 6th & 7th Grades Depart for EOY Expedition
Friday, June 7: All Grades Return
Monday, June 10: No School
Tuesday, June 11: No School; In-Service
Wednesday, June 12: Last Day of School; 6/7 Media Presentation
Thursday, June 13: 8/9 Media Presentation
Friday, June 14: Rites of Passage
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