It's the SCOOP for February 25, 2021
Your weekly news from Santa Barbara Middle School
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Dear SBMS Families,
It is hard to believe that Spring Break is in just two weeks. While we are all excited for the break, there is no shortage of activities and inspiring lessons happening here on campus. Marlene and her students continue to journey through history with project-based learning and WWII reenactments. The 8th grade English class just finished reading Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street and writing vignettes focusing on literary devices and poetic prose. And in the seventh grade, students are submitting their Kiva.org loans to help directly impact lives around the world. This year has proven that our students can do the hard things and work diligently and creatively to reap the benefits of in-person learning in spite of this pandemic.
In electives, P.A. continues to share lessons of his culinary craft, teaching students how to fuel themselves with nutritious ingredients. Eric Lehman has found new ways to make space for students to express themselves and get their creative juices flowing through cardboard art down on the lower field. And DTL is teaching a relevant and experimental short-form video class and editing. Check out this elective’s awesome video below!
If cases continue to trend downward and we have the potential to move into less-restrictive tiers in Santa Barbara, there may be an opportunity for more sports and electives options in the future. Stay tuned!
With Gratitude,
Brian, Bianca, and the SBMS Staff
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FROM THE OFFICE
Chiara will be on Maternity Leave next week! Starting Thursday, March 4, Savanna Eggers will be in the Front Office and Bridget McIlrath Johnson will assist Brian. Please call/email the following people for help with:
- Attendance/ Tardies/ Early Pick-Ups: Office@sbms.org or (805) 682-2989 (voicemails at this number will go directly to Office@sbms.org email address)
- Transcripts/ Student Records: Office@sbms.org and Anne@sbms.org
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School Calendar/ Activities: (805) 682-2989 or Merritt@sbms.org
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Smart Tuition/ Financial Aid: (805) 682-2989 or Brandi@sbms.org, Maida@sbms.org, Anne@sbms.org
- Admissions: (805) 682-2989 or Mandy@sbms.org
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Brian’s Calendar: Bridget@sbms.org
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WELCOMING BACK BRIDGET
As mentioned above, Bridget will be taking over as Brian's assistant next week. We are so thrilled to welcome Bridget back to SBMS!
"I graduated from SBMS in 1981 and was part of the first Four Corners Trip! My brother Robin graduated from SBMS, my son Asher graduated in 2013 and my niece Aria went to SBMS. My boys are now 19 and 23. I previously was PA Chair for two years and then stayed around to work in the front office, Development, and Admissions. My boyfriend Will Fredericks also works at SBMS as the Facilities Manager. He has a son and daughter, ages 23 and 25, and I am lucky to also have them in my life. I attended SDSU and UCSB and then Nursing School at SBCC. I'm a 6th generation Santa Barbaran. It's great to be back to see everyone and all the new faces while Chiara is out welcoming her little one!"
SAVE THE DATE FOR SHAKESPEARE
Next Thursday, 3/4, 9th-grade students will be performing some of the Bard's greatest hits! Student performances include excerpted monologues from Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and others. Join us on ZOOM at 10:30 am (Cohort 9M) and 1:00 pm (Cohort 9L). Zoom link to join: https://zoom.us/j/8054482573
ADVENTURE DAYS BEFORE SPRING BREAK
We are planning on hosting March adventure days the last week before Spring reak. Look out for cohort-specific emails next week with details for your child's hike.
FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE
Our Admissions Committee is currently reading through application files and crafting our incoming 2021-2022 classes! If you have a new student applying to SBMS, admissions decisions will go out on March 5. Thank you for all of your hard work in the admissions process for your student(s) and your commitment and continued support of SBMS! If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions Director, Mandy!
SBIFF TEEN PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Our SBMS Teen Press has an exciting announcement about this year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival. In a typical year, our Teen Press is all about town covering the latest releases and interviewing Hollywood's biggest stars. Though this year may look a bit different, Teen Press is spreading the word about the festival's plans this year and helping to keep the spirit of this incredible festival alive!
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THE WEEK AHEAD
Sunday, February 28
Monday, March 1
Tuesday, March 2
3:30-4:15pm Art Class with Sophie ( Join here)
Wednesday, March 3
School Picture Day! 📸
Thursday, March 4
10:30am and 1:00pm 9th Grade Shakespeare Performance ( Join here) 3:30-4:15pm Sophie's Yearbook Class ( Join here)
Friday, March 5
11:55am Town Meeting
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⚠️ WEEKLY SAFETY UPDATE ⚠️ |
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With less than a month until Spring Break, we wanted to remind our community that we are still in the widespread purple tier here in Santa Barbara. Though we see cases dropping and each week brings optimistic headlines about the pandemic, we need to continue our hard work. Wearing a mask, social distancing and avoiding high-risk behaviors are still necessary and so important.
The exciting news is that educators will be eligible for the vaccine starting on March 1! With most of our faculty and staff vaccinated by the end of spring break, we are hopeful this will open up more opportunities in the spring for bike rides and cohort activities.
Let’s work together to get to Spring Break safely. If we continue following CDC and local public health guidelines, we will have a good chance of keeping all of our cohorts open. It is likely the guidance will change again in the coming weeks and we will shift to follow the lead of the CDC and local health officials. Let’s encourage our friends and family to stay vigilant and keep the numbers moving in the current direction. The lower the numbers, the fewer restrictions we will have placed on our school and outdoor activities. If you ever feel you have stumbled into a high-risk situation or have been exposed, please report to Erik and he can help you with your contact tracing and your child’s return to campus plan. If you travel at any time, you can reference this chart to check the risk of your trip.
A reminder that there will be a week of distance learning following Spring Break to ensure a safe return to campus. Below are important dates to keep in mind:
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Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 26: Spring Break
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Friday, March 26: Return From Travel (a later return means a later ‘in-person’ to campus return)
- Monday, March 29 - Friday, April 2: Distance Learning Week
- Monday, April 5: Return to In-Person Classes
Thank you for your continued efforts and hard work.
With Gratitude,
Brian, Bianca and the SBMS Health and Safety Team
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LICK THE PLATE
Join us in making a delicious meal this weekend!
Sunday, February 28, 4:30-6pm
Rock Fish & Shrimp Ceviche, Fresh Tortilla Chips
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YOUTHWELL WORKSHOP
Youth Substance Use
DATE: Sunday, March 7th
TIME: 4:30pm-6:00pm
Youth (ages 12-25), parents, and community members are invited to...
- Learn about substance use trends and understand the negative effects of vaping, JUULing, & binge drinking.
- Recognize differences between addiction and recreational use. Hear from students and parents with lived experience.
- Understand how self-medicating can mask the symptoms of mental illness.
- Learn to tell when youth are using and how to engage them in conversations.
- Find out about local support resources.
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PANELISTS INCLUDE... Parents and students with lived experience, emergency room doctor, and local providers.
- IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UCSB, SBCC, CADA, IV COALITION FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES 805.
Uso de Alcohol y Drogas Entre los Jóvenes
FECHA: Domingo, 7 de marzo de 2021
HORA: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Regístrese para el taller (gratis) en YouthWell.org/workshops
Se proporciona interpretación al español.
Los jóvenes (de 12 a 25 años), los padres y los miembros de la comunidad están invitados a...
- Aprender sobre las tendencias en el uso y abuso de alcohol, drogas y sobre los efectos negativos del vapeo, el JUUL.
- Reconocer las diferencias entre adicción y uso recreativo. Escuchar a estudiantes y padres con sus experiencias.
- Comprender cómo la automedicación puede cubrir los síntomas de una enfermedad mental.
- Reconocer los señales cuándo los jóvenes consumen y cómo involucrarlos en las conversaciones.
- Obtener más información sobre los recursos de soporte locales
- EN ASOCIACIÓN CON UCSB, SBCC, CADA, IV COALITION FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES 805.
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SBMS BOOK CLUB
The next book club read is“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle and we will be meeting to discuss on Monday, March 8 from 9:30-10:30am.
Untamed is a 2020 memoir by Glennon Doyle. It was published by The Dial Press on March 10, 2020. It is her third memoir following her works Love Warrior and Carry on, Warrior. The book debuted at number one on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list. where it stayed for seven weeks.
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ON THE HORIZON
Please note that dates and events are subject to change and updates will be communicated. **Subject to SBMS COVID-19 Committee & Public Health Guidance**
March 2021
Monday, March 8: Parent Book Club
Thursday, March 11: 7:00pm Parent Association Meeting
Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 26: Spring Break
Friday, March 26: Return From Travel
Monday, March 29 - Friday, April 2: Distance Learning Week
April 2021
Monday, April 5: Return to In-Person Classes
Saturday, April 24: Songfest
Monday, April 26: No School / Faculty In-Service
May 2021
Monday, May 24 - Friday, June 4: All-School EOY Experiential Education Weeks
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day
June 2021
Monday, June 7: Normal School Day
Tuesday, June 8: Last day of school for 6/7/8
Wednesday, June 9: No School
Thursday, June 10: Rites of Passage**
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