HUGE congratulations to SBMS Learning Specialist  Pam Ormsby Boswell  on being recognized on Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County for dedicating her career to empowering students with different learning abilities! Thank you to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County for this special recognition and for designating October 2018 as Dyslexia Awareness Month!
It's the SCOOP for October 4, 2018
Your weekly news from Santa Barbara Middle School
UPCOMING EVENTS (see details below)
Friday, October 5: Sunrise Swim, 6:45 am at Leadbetter Beach
Tuesday, October 9: Parent Association Meeting, 8:30 am in Lotus Theater
Friday, October 12: Sunrise Swim, 6:45 am at Leadbetter Beach
Friday, October 12: Early Dismissal, 2 pm
Monday, October 15 - Saturday, October 20: All-School Fall Expedition
Thursday, October 18: Parent Cocktail Party, 5-7:30 pm
Saturday, October 20: Homecoming, Goleta Beach, 3 pm (parents arrive by 2:30 pm)
Monday, October 22: No School; Recuperation Day
NEWS & EVENTS 
SIGN UP FOR STUDENT/PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
It's time to sign up for your Student/Parent/Teacher Conference. Please get your calendar in front of you and then call Lilli in the office. Please call 805-682-2989 at your earliest convenience.

F ALL EXPEDITION 2018 INFORMATION
An email was sent to all parents with information regarding the Fall Expedition, including links to the Student Expedition Agreement , Packing List , Health Preparation , and Authorization for Dispensing Medication . Click here to read the letter from Erin. Any questions? Please email Erin .

SUNRISE SWIMS: COFFEE & DONUT ANGELS NEEDED
Please join us most Friday mornings during the school year at Leadbetter Beach for our Sunrise Swim, 6:45 am. Even if you don't want to swim, it's a great way to start the day, see friends, meet other parents, and just get the Middle School vibe! This Friday, October 5, we need a COFFEE ANGEL. Please consider signing up here to bring coffee or donuts throughout the year. Bring a $2 donation for coffee and donuts, and don't forget your coffee mug and a towel.

FROM DEVELOPMENT
Axxess books are now available for sale in the Warehouse (hours below) and the main office (M-F, 8:15 am - 4 pm). They are $40 each, and you can pay with credit card, cash, or check. SBMS receives $13 for every Axxess book sold, so thank you in advance for supporting your school and local businesses! 
Warehouse Hours:
Monday: 8:30-10 am
Tuesday: 9:15-10:15 am and 2:45-3:45 pm
Wednesday: 8:30-10 am
Thursday: 9:15-10:15 am
Friday: 8:30-10 am 
DIAMOND TIME OPEN TO PARENTS! NEW!
Monday mornings parents are invited to join Teresa and Julie Peyton in the school garden. On Friday mornings, come find your bliss with Elyse in the Lotus.

ART STUFF WANTED FOR JUNK ART CLASS
Eric is looking for magazines ( National Geographic, or art, biking or surfing related) as well as old toys, broken jewelry, and left over or forgotten stuff from days gone by. Please do not donate house paints or oil paints. Please drop off at the Junk Art Room or email Eric for more info.

JOIN A PARENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE
We invite parents to get involved in one of the many PA committees that support our school We have a lot of fun, and it's a great way to meet other parents. Click here to take a brief survey.

PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING WITH STUDENT NAME
Please put your child's name on all items which come to school, including jackets and sweatshirts that may be taken off during the day. Please also start labeling all items which will go on the Fall Expedition!
GUIDE TO HOMECOMING 2018
Saturday, October 20, Goleta Beach Park
Students will bike in at 3 pm; Parents arrive by 2:30 pm!

What is Homecoming?
Homecoming is a celebration of our students returning home from the Fall Trip. Whether the challenge is being away from home, completing the bike rides, being a leader to their peers, or simply getting themselves up and ready in the morning, your kids will have met their personal challenges and be different upon their return. In celebration, the parents put on a big welcome home party. We need help from all families to make this event a festive success! As a general guideline, the responsibilities are listed below:

HELP NEEDED
Please look for a sign-up email next week with links to sign up to help, times you should arrive if you're helping, and more.
  • 6th Grade Parents bring drinks and help decorate
  • 7th Grade Parents bring home-baked goodies and pizza for all
  • 8th Grade Parents direct parking and decorate Goleta Beach picnic area, creating a festive pathway for kids to ride through
  • 9th Grade Parents host a sign-making party the week of the trip (see details below) and unload duffel bags
  • ALL GRADES HELP WITH CLEAN-UP
 
SIGN MAKING PARTIES
Make your child a sign for Homecoming! You can do this at home, or you can join us.
  • When: Monday, Oct. 15 & Wednesday, Oct. 17 (time announced in next week's Scoop)
  • Where: SBMS Art Room (supplies provided)
  • Why: To welcome your child home at Homecoming! It is important that every child see a sign with his/her name on it. If you can't attend Homecoming, we would be happy to have a sign there for your child. Please email Gabriela Dodson if you are unable to make a sign for your child and would like one made. 
 
ARRIVAL AND PICK UP DETAILS
Students will bike in at 3 pm - Parents arrive by 2:30 pm!
Here are some IMPORTANT instructions for Saturday:  
  • We need everyone parked, lining the road and holding up their welcome sign by 2:30 pm before the kids arrive. Don't be late or you will miss this very special mass arrival!
  • Plan on picking up your child's duffel bags BEFORE the Homecoming celebration. And don't forget, you will need to bring home your child's bike.
  • Before the riders return, Brian will tell us how the trip went...bring tissues.
  • Children will ride in from the south, along the entry road into the park and enter the lawn area by the bathrooms and into a big spiral just south of picnic Area A. Please wait until ALL the students ride COMPLETELY into the spiral before rushing in to congratulate, hug, and embarrass these exhausted travelers.
  • Stay for pizza (kindly provided at a significant discount by Giovanni's), baked goods, etc. - or just grab some food on your way out.
  • If you signed up to help with clean-up after the kids start to clear out, please consider bringing 2 cars or arrange alternate transportation...your rider will be tired and want to head home!

For questions, email  Gabriela Dodson . Thank you!
VETTED AND FREE ONLINE RESOURCES    
Did you know? SBMS has a wealth of VETTED ONLINE RESOURCES available for you and your child to use. Luisa, SBMS Librarian, has complied an extensive list of free online resources for research, reference, and news. The list includes primary sources, reading lists, images, audio, web tools and more..... 

Simply click here or log into Resources in The Hub and click on the Academic Switchboard tile. Enjoy the bounty of resources available!
FROM THE LIBRARY
FRANKENSTEIN FRENZY!
Are you feeling the Frankenstein frenzy? It's the 200th anniversary of "Frankenstein" written by Mary Shelley. There are numerous events happening in our community to celebrate this powerful and very relevant classic. Check out the movie FRANKENSTEIN: MARY SHELLEY - "Mary Shelley" (2017) showing October 11 at 7 pm at UCSB's Pollock Theater. Free -- however, reserving tickets is highly recommended here.

ALL SCHOOL READ
The entire school, which includes students, teachers and staff, are reading the same book. This year we're reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, which we will discuss and share together. Every student and faculty member has received their own copy of the book. The all-school, small, mixed-grades (6-9) group discussions will be held on October 30.

Great Reading For Grown Ups!
200 years ago, an 18-year-old woman, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, became a published writer. 200 years later, the title of her classic book is a household term for us all. Do you know the real story? Experience the original 1818 text and discover FRANKENSTEIN for yourself!

Books are available for sale in the office, just $10.88. Discussion will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018; 8:45 am. Grab a cup of coffee at 8:30 am at the Parking Lot Coffee, then head up to the Library for discussion! JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
DELI NEWS

Free Snack Sign-Ups
Free Snack Sign-ups have been made and are complete. If you haven't received an email from the sign-up directly, please check the sign-up sheet for your name. If you would like to contribute more than one day of free snack, feel free to sign up in open slots. Thank you for being part of the Free Snack Initiative! View the sign up sheet here .

Deli Volunteers
A BIG gratitude to all the parents who are signed up to help me in the deli -- 53 volunteers come to the deli every week to participate in our community. This level of support is absolutely amazing and a blessing that so many are willing to help. Together we enrich and strengthen our community. The roster is here .

Pasta Tuesday $5
Pay with a Deli Card!

Wildwood Wednesday
Click here for ordering information and click here to download the Wildwood Wednesday menu.

Ordering Lunches
You'll need to create an online account.  Click here  for more information about ordering, and click  here  set up your account and start ordering lunches. The SBMS password for new users is sbms5.

School Food Box Program
Food boxes are picked up in the morning every Wednesday in the Deli. All produce is certified organic and all locally grown for just $25 a week. Sign up here and choose SBMS as your pickup location.
FROM THE PARENT ASSOCIATION
Hello Parents!

The Fall Trip is coming!  Many of you have said you are interested in helping volunteer for our amazing  Homecoming Event  on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 3 pm at Goleta Beach . All parents must arrive by  2:30  pm or before to pick up gear!

Please keep an eye out for the Signup Genius that will be emailed to you and sign up to help wherever you can, volunteers are needed for food, drinks, set-up, and take-down. If you are interested in a bigger role in Homecoming, please contact  Melissa Cunningham  or  Gabriela Dodson  for more information.  We are still looking for a co-chair to assist Gabriela! 

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, October 9: Parent Meeting  (All Parents Welcome all of the time)  8:15 am  mingle with refreshments/coffee. Meeting time is  8:30 - 9:30 am . Our presenter is Dr. Steve Smith. A brief summary of his presentation  Helping Young Athletes Reach Their Potential: What Does Research Tell Us?  can be read here . Erin Finnegan will also be on hand for pre-trip questions and Gabriela will have Homecoming information.

Monday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 17:   Homecoming Sign Making Party . Join us in the art room and make your child a sign for Homecoming!

Thursday, October 18: Parent-only Cocktail Party at Third Window Brewing, 5:00-7:30 pm. Light appetizers will be served and no host bar. Look for the Evite in your inbox. Book babysitters for those younger siblings today!

Thursday October 25:  Please join us for  Parent Parking Lot Coffee  8:30-9:30 am .   What could be better than starting your day with refreshments and coffee alongside teachers and friends at SBMS?  Please bring a mug.

Questions or comments? Please contact Melissa Cunningham, PA Chair.

Warmly, 
Melissa Cunningham , PA Chair

PS: Please take note of this year's Grade Reps and PA Officers .
HAVES & NEEDS
DESKS NEED GOOD HOME
24 total desks needing a new home; ideal for middle school kids, adjustable height. Will accept any donation amount! Contact Maida .

MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR SALE
Giant Revel mountain bike, size XS. 26” wheels, 21 speeds. Was perfect for 5th-7th grade, but now it’s too small for our 5’6” 8th grader. A tried and true SBMS bike with rack already installed. Looks a little rough but rides great—maintained by a Bike Monkey. $100 or best offer. Contact Paul at 971-235-3658

SHOES FOR SALE
Tec Skamania waterproof hiking boots, size 7.5. In great condition -- used for a 6 th  grade backpacking trip, then promptly outgrown. Ready for the next SBMS outing. $25 OBO Paul 971-235-3658

Lotto Campione soccer cleats size 7.5 Like new. Used one SBMS season—ready for more. $10 OBO Paul 971-235-3658

Have something to sell or need something (housing, bike, tent, etc)? Send your "have or need" to Christine .
COMMUNITY NEWS
805 SINGS!
On Sunday, October 7, at 5 pm at Montecito Union School Auditorium. FREE and for ALL AGES. We will get together to sing some songs and hopefully stir up some joy and community bonding.
ON THE HORIZON
Thursday, October 25: Parent Parking Lot Coffee, 8:30 - 9:30 am
Thursday, October 25: Frankenstein Book Club Discussion, 8:45 - 10 am, Library
Friday, October 26: Sunrise Swim, 6:45 am
Friday, November 2: Sunrise Swim, 6:45 am
Saturday, November 3: Parent Work Day
Monday, November 5: No Diamond Time, Campus open at 9 am
Tuesday, November 6: Parent Association Meeting, 7 pm
Monday, November 12 & Tuesday, November 13: ERB Testing
Tuesday, November 13: Early Dismissal, 2 pm
Wednesday, November 14 - Tuesday, November 20: Career Study Week & Conferences
Wednesday, November 21 - Friday, November 23: Thanksgiving Break
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