It's the SCOOP for September 25, 2020
Your weekly news from Santa Barbara Middle School
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Dear SBMS Families,
We have exciting news! The path of our journey is taking on a new shape and we are looking forward to sharing some new adventures with your children.
- SBMS will embark upon orientation bike rides, adventure days and other cohort activities by grade level beginning the first week of October 5th. More details to come!
- We have submitted the waiver for our 6th grade return to campus by our target date of October 19, 2020. We expect approval in the next week or two.
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The County of Santa Barbara has dropped below the tiered threshold of more than 7 daily cases (per 100k) in the community. If we remain at these numbers for two weeks, then there is a possibility to reopen ALL of our grade levels by late October.
- Below, please find a tentative calendar of these events.
October 2020
- Orientation bike rides by grade cohorts - starting the week of October 5th (more details to come)
- 6th Grade back on campus by October 19.
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Potential for all grades to come back to campus by the end of October IF we stay below county thresholds.
- If we are unable to get all grades back on campus, we will be providing on-campus recreational opportunities, more community activities and an innovative DLP 5.0.
To maximize our chances for the safest and soonest return, we need your help! Please look out for the following important items in the coming weeks. Make sure to read communications thoroughly, educate your household on our safety protocols, and submit any forms needed to get your child back to on-campus learning or in-person activities.
- Letter/email detailing orientation ride details and the waiver that needs your signature for the orientation bike rides
- Updated COVID Response Plan for reopening
- Waiver to return to campus stating that you and your child have read the COVID Response Plan and will help our community remain healthy and safe
- Magnus Health instructional information for home health screenings to be done on your mobile phone
We are thrilled for the potential to be with your students on campus and in-person in the coming weeks. It takes a village, and we are going to need all of our families to help us do this right, so that we may safely return to in-person instruction and remain on campus as long as possible. We look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks!
To the journey,
Brian, Bianca and the SBMS staff
*Due to COVID and county restrictions, these plans may change, but we will keep you informed along the way! Note that we may need to add an in-service faculty training day to our calendar in the coming weeks to prepare for reopening. Students will still be given assignments that day, they will just be asynchronous.
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SIXTH AND NINTH GRADE MATERIALS PICK-UP
6th and 9th grade pick-up will be at SBMS on Thursday, October 1, from 12-3pm. Please look for the carts outside of the garden. Ninth grade, look for materials from English, Science, and Spanish. If you can't make it on Thursday, the gates will be open from 12-3pm on Friday as well.
ELECTIVES
We hope all of your children are enjoying their electives so far and finding new hobbies and interests. At this time there will be no more elective switches allowed this session. Thank you for your understanding.
8/9 BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Thank you to all the parents and families who joined Wren, Jesse W. and the 8th and 9th grade teachers for Back-to-School Night. If you were unable to attend, you can watch a recording of the evenings here:
QUIET STUDY SPACES
While we are still in DLP 4.0, we ask that you continue to help keep your children on track with a focused study space - a quiet area with good seating, materials needed, no phone and few distractions. This will help to ensure they are soaking up all the valuable lessons they are being taught.
PARENT ASSOCIATION SURVEY
Please take five minutes to answer our Parent Association survey and let us know what you are interested in hearing about this year. More details below in the PA section. |
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COMMUNITY ACTION’S BOOK DRIVE
COLLECTION LOCATIONS:
Reminder to “safely” drop off your books at any one of these SBMS family locations. Look for a bin or basket near their driveway or mailbox where you can simply drive by and drop your books in these containers.
Please use “safe” practices for these drop-offs (masks required with adequate social distancing). Thanks in advance for your book donations! — Our Community Action team is so excited to start “popping up” all over Santa Barbara with our little libraries and some good reads for our greater Santa Barbara community.
Midtown SB - Grossman Family - 3 Carrizo Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Montecito - Richmond Family - 1441 Wyant Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Montecito - Dessouky Family - 1505 Lingate Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Mesa - Matthews Family - 324 Loyola Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Goleta - Roberts Family - 571 Windsor Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
Riviera - Salzman Family - 881 Paseo Ferrelo, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 **UPDATED
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THE WEEK AHEAD
Sunday, September 27
Monday, September 28
Tuesday, September 29
Wednesday, September 30
SBMS Book Club at 9:30am
Thursday, October 1
12-3pm 6th and 9th Grade Pick-Up in front of the garden
Friday, October 2
12pm Town Meeting
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⚠️ WEEKLY SAFETY REMINDER! ⚠️
In order to run at the highest level of safety, we need every last parent, staff member, and student to follow COVID safety guidelines and do their part so we can be together again. Each week, we'll be reinforcing safety protocols to ensure we are all engaging in low-risk behavior and being reminded of good habits. Please be sure to discuss these reminders with your children and talk to them about the importance of following these guidelines.
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Do wear a mask that...
- Covers your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Fits snugly against sides of your face
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For more information, visit our How to Wear Masks web page.
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STRAVA CHALLENGE
SBMS has set a goal to accumulate a total of 5,000 miles as a school during the month of September (only one week left!). We’re asking every student to pedal, hike, walk or run 26 miles. Why 26 miles? That is what each student rides during the Orientation ride. Join the SBMS Strava Club here: https://www.strava.com/clubs/SBMS
WE HAVE REACHED 3,970 MILES!
WE ARE SO CLOSE TO THE PINK GORILLA SUIT!
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FROM DEVELOPMENT
AXXESS BOOKS FOR SALE
SBMS is selling Axxess Books! And this year it is easier than ever to order one. Simply go to axxesscard.com/fundraising, add a book or books to your cart. At check out, it will ask you if you are buying from a non-profit or a school. Select the school option from the drop-down menu and then choose SBMS.
What's even more exciting is that SBMS will receive $13 per book purchased to put towards our fundraising efforts and an additional 5 cents every time the buyer use the Axxess card or phone app to buy something. Memberships will be mailed directly to your home. We will not be offering pick-up on campus at this time.
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LICK THE PLATE
Ready to continue expanding those culinary skills? Join P.A. for two sweet LTP sessions this week! Zoom Link for both: https://zoom.us/j/70379772194
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Sunday, September 27 (4pm-6pm) - Chocolate mousse! There is nothing better than a little chocolate.
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Thursday, October 1 (4pm-6pm) - Creme Brulee! Fancy and decadent.
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FROM THE PARENT ASSOCIATION
GOOD PRACTICE FOR NOVEMBER...PLEASE VOTE!
244 of you have not yet taken the survey. What's more interesting...?
- mycology (study of funghi) of front country trails, or how to monitor your kids' use of social media?
- gut and brain health hacks to beat fatigue, or how to talk to your kids about racism?
You decide (by checking a few boxes on your phone). The survey takes less than 5 minutes. Thanks to the 84 parents who've completed it!
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COVID UPDATES
SBMS continues to closely monitor updates and track statistics related to COVID-19 within our county. We have applied for the waiver to open the 6th grade cohorts on campus by mid to late October. We are also working to update our policies and COVID Response Plan based on successes and the knowledge gained from other CA schools so that we can open safely when the time comes. We will continue to follow guidelines and mandates laid out by the state, county, and CDC and seek direction from our COVID medical team.
Resources:
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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**
October 2020
(See above)
November 2020
Wednesday, November 11: Veteran's Day - No School
Monday, Nov. 16 - Friday, Nov. 20: Academic Conferences **
Monday, November 23 - Friday, November 27: Thanksgiving Break
December 2020
Friday, December 18: Annual Solstice Celebration**
Monday, Dec. 21 - Friday, Jan. 8: Three Week Winter Break**
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