DEAR INCOMING FAMILIES, WELCOME TO THE SCOOP!
We will be adding you to our weekly newsletters moving forward so you can learn about our end-of-the-year events, read about events and community news, and hear the latest announcements. We are so excited to welcome you into our family!
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It's the SCOOP for May 7, 2021
Your weekly news from Santa Barbara Middle School
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Dear SBMS Families,
These past few weeks have been filled with incredible adventure days on foot and on bike, ceremonies, dance performances, and slam poetry. Even our morning volleyball elective and ocean swim provided some normalcy for our students. And with a false positive scare this week, it was a good reminder that our protocols work and there is value in sticking to them. Though restrictions are loosening in our county and state, and there is hope for a more normal summer, we have to exercise caution. With the trips around the corner, we are approaching the date that a close contact with Covid or a positive case on campus could prevent some students or an entire grade, or even the entire school from being able to go on expeditions. With this in mind, we are asking everyone to put a little more thought into what they do, where they go, and whom they see. Remember, you can do things such as carpool in a safe manner, and it still could be considered a close contact. It is important for families to talk about the importance of maintaining appropriate social distancing measures while at school and in our community. If we cannot contact trace within a cohort with confidence, we will have to consider the entire cohort to be close contacts. Ask your child how their cohort is doing with social distancing. It is a challenge for everyone, especially middle school students whose brains are wired to socialize with friends.
As an exercise to see who could impact you, and in turn, who you could impact, we are encouraging families to take a look at their interactions with non-household members over the past 5 days. If someone you saw outside of school told you they tested positive, if someone in your house tested positive, or if your SBMS student tested positive, how many people would you have to contact? How would it impact the school or the end-of-year trips? We understand that social gatherings are allowed and restrictions are being lifted; we are just trying to all better understand how to contact trace should a positive case end up on campus. We appreciate you and your families being more cautious over the next few weeks with the trips on the horizon. Please remember to follow CDC guidelines:
- Wear a mask
- Social distance
- Stay outdoors
- Stay home if you are not feeling well, contact SBMS, and get a PCR test to rule out Covid
- Think about the trips, think about others. Because of them, us. Because of us, them.
We feel confident that we will follow through with incredible peak experiences to end the year. Please read through your child’s trip letters below and catch up on our latest 6/7/8 grade Cups and Questions meeting regarding trips. If you have any questions or need help with your child’s trip gear, please reach out to erik@sbms.org or erin@sbms.org. They are happy to help!
Thank you again for all of your support and hard work to get our kids back out on the road. We couldn’t think of a better way to end the school year.
With gratitude,
Brian, Bianca, and the SBMS Staff
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END-OF-YEAR EXPEDITIONS
Below are the detailed trip letters for each grade. A reminder that the 9th-grade will join the 6th grade trip from Monday, May 17 - Tuesday, May 18. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!
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PRE-TRIP TESTING
Please note that we have updated our pre-testing schedule. SBMS will be providing two rapid Covid tests to students the Wednesday before the trips and the day before departure to ensure safe expeditions. Please see the Weekly Safety Update below for detailed instructions on how to administer the test to your child. We will have doctors and staff on hand to assist.
Testing Schedule:
- 6th Grade / 9th Grade:
- Wednesday, May 12 at dropoff or first period
- Sunday, May 16 at SBMS from 2pm - 4pm
- Cohort 6A 2pm
- Cohort 6B 2:30pm
- Cohort 9L 3pm
- Cohort 9M 3:30pm
- 7th Grade:
- Wednesday, May 19 at dropoff or first period
- Sunday, May 23 at SBMS from 12pm - 2pm
- Cohort 7C 12pm
- Cohort 7D 12:30pm
- Cohort 7E 1pm
- Cohort 7F 1:30pm
- Cohort 7G 1:45pm
- 8th Grade:
- Wednesday, May 26 at dropoff or first period
- Sunday, May 30 at SBMS from 4pm - 6pm
- Cohort 8H 4pm
- Cohort 8I 4:30pm
- Cohort 8J 5pm
- Cohort 8K 5:30pm
- 9th Grade:
- Wednesday, May 26 at dropoff or first period
- Sunday, May 30 at SBMS from 6pm - 7pm
- Cohort 9L 6pm
- Cohort 9M 6:30pm
If you can't make the testing time on Sunday, please get a PCR test Friday or Saturday. We are not responsible for the timing of results and students without a negative test taken Friday or later will not be able to join the trip.
*Testing requirements are subject to change based upon county regulations and Covid-19 team advice.
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9TH GRADE TRIP PREP ZOOM MEETING
6pm on Monday, 5/10
The 9th grade families need to attend an informational meeting about the upcoming Catalina Trip with Erin Finnegan, Outdoor Program Director, and Jesse Wooten. Please use the following zoom link: https://sbms-org.zoom.us/j/4400483610
WAREHOUSE SHOPPING DAY
We are hosting a drive-through shopping day this Saturday, May 8. We will set up tables along the parking lot with essentials for families to grab as they drive through and will be accepting all credit cards and checks. Learn more about what is for sale here!
Shopping times by grade:
- 6th Grade: 12:30 - 1:30pm
- 7th grade:
- 7C & 7D: 1:30 - 2:15pm
- 7E, 7F & 7G: 2:15 - 3:00pm
- 8th Grade: 3:00 - 3:30pm
- 9th Grade: 3:30 - 4:00pm
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6TH GRADE LIVE VIRTUAL PLAY
The 6th-grade cohorts will be putting on their very own virtual play live from the school amphitheater! Save the date for the online performance of BAD WATER.
STILL WANTED: SUMMER MENTORS!
We are still looking for more SBMS families to volunteer to become SBMS Mentor Families!! This is an easy and fun volunteer opportunity where we ask our current families to step in and be a liaison for our new families as they begin to learn about our SBMS culture.
Here is what it entails - We ask that during the summer our Mentor families -
- Reach out and make contact with your newly assigned Mentee Families — email, phone, zoom, or best of all, in person.
- If Covid protocols allow, we ask you to organize an easy in-person get-together like a summer beach day, family-friendly hike, or a Mission lawn picnic for your family and your mentees. (You can also include other SBMS families.)
- Once the year begins, you will also be another source of information where your mentee can go for help and advice.
This is a simple, yet important outreach opportunity, and we encourage you to sign up. We will need about 25 current SBMS families for this Parent Association-sponsored Mentor program. Please email Sue (sue@sbms.org), ASAP, if you are interested.
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FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE & DELI |
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We're building a Community Kitchen!
We have officially re-launched The SBMS Community Kitchen Campaign. We are thrilled to announce that we will be breaking ground this summer and plan to have a brand new teaching and community space ready to be used this fall!
Fundraising update:
Community Kitchen Campaign Fundraising Goal: $800,000
As of 5/5/21, we have raised over $700,000 from our amazing, generous SBMS family. Folks from every corner of our community, alumni, faculty and staff, current parents, and families from the school's 46-year history, are stepping forward in inspiring ways to show their support for this project. We are actively raising support and invite all of our current parents to join us in building the SBMS Community Kitchen!
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Upcoming Events: Community Kitchen "Lick the Plates" with P.A. |
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May 12 @ 6pm - The upper school (Gr8/9)
Corn Fritters w/ Cilantro Jalapeño Crema
Ingredients:
- 1-1/4 cups fresh or frozen corn, thawed
- 1 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
- 1 cup finely chopped green onions
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 2 quarts of canola oil for deep-fat frying
- 1 bunch of cilantro
- 1 jalapeño
- 1 lime
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 cup sour cream
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May 13 @ 6pm - The lower school (Gr6/7)
Roasted Vegetable Pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 box penne pasta
- 1 bunch of basil
- 4 shallot
- 1 basket of cherry tomatoes
- 1 bag Brussels sprouts
- 2 lemons
- olive oil
- 1\4 cup roasted and salted almonds *optional*
- Parmesan cheese *optional*
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To learn more about the Community Kitchen Campaign, please reach out to Colin:
Colin Brode Donovan Wyatt
Director of Development
805-245-6439
With gratitude to all of our parents. We appreciate your commitment to Middle School!
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THE WEEK AHEAD
Saturday, May 8
Warehouse Shopping Day!
Monday, May 10
6pm 9th Grade Trip Information Meeting ( Join here)
Tuesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 12
6/9 Grade Rapid Testing during first period
6pm Community Kitchen Upper School (8/9) Lick the Plate (Join here)
Thursday, May 13
6pm Community Kitchen Lower School (6/7) Lick the Plate (Join here)
Friday, May 14
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These tips have been learned after many, many bike trips! |
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BEFORE the trip:
Print out the equipment list now, start packing this weekend. Check off everything on your list as you put them in the duffels. Then you'll see what you are missing. You'll have another week or two to fill in the missing pieces. This way it won't be a hectic scramble the weekend before the trip.
Your SBMS Ortlieb: You received two name tags at your Deal Meeting; please put one on each bag. Additionally, find a way to mark it so you know it's yours in the huge pile of Ortliebs. I suggest colored tape or a colored bandana around the handle. I suggest NOT drawing all over it, because these Ortliebs will last you a lifetime - you'll be taking them to college and you don't want them to look like a jr. high student decorated them! (Or maybe you do...) Ortliebs are available through the SBMS Warehouse.
Put your name on everything as you put it in the Ortliebs: Rain gear, jackets, all clothing, plate, bowl, cup, headlamp, helmet, water bottle(s), hydration pack, rack pack, tent, tent stuff sack, sleeping bag stuff sack, towel, toiletry kit. You get the idea. If your name is on your things, and you lose anything, you'll get it back. If it isn't, you may not. In this time of COVID regulations, kids will not be able to borrow a required item that has been “lost.” Items with names on them can be returned easily.
I use separate stuff sacks for grouping stuff such as biking clothes, underwear, socks, eating kit (name on stuff sack), long underwear, shirts, shorts, long pants.
Your tent:
If you are bringing your tent on a trip, here are important steps to take:
- Set it up at home so you know how to set it up.
- Even if you've used it before--be sure it has all of the tent stakes. Check that all of the tie-down lines are attached to the rainfly and that you have a stake to stake the tie-downs away from the tent and fly body. If the tent is new, you'll need to do this.
- Seam seal it (unless it comes seam sealed).
AFTER the trip:
Wash all your trip equipment when you get home from the trip, dry completely, then store trip equipment back in your Ortlieb Duffels, so it's all easy to find for the next trip!
Make sure your tent, fly, and ground cloth are dry as a BONE before folding them up and storing in the Ortlieb, or they'll mildew. Setting it up and letting it dry outside in the sun one day, or in a garage or an extra room is a good idea. It has to be totally dry. All of it.
The sleeping bag should be stored either in its LARGE bag or just open. Do NOT store a sleeping bag in its small/tight stuff sack. That will cause it to lose loft and not be as warm next trip. It needs to be fairly open during storage.
Be sure to dry out the bladder and hose of your hydration pack.
The more organized you are before and after the trip, the more confident and better you'll feel!
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⚠️ WEEKLY SAFETY UPDATE ⚠️ |
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As you know, each grade will be taking two antigen tests prior to leaving for the end-of-year trips. We will give specific directions the morning of but wanted to share how to do the swab first.
How to take a swab
This will be the shallow swab, not the deeper one that goes to the back of your nose!
To collect a nasal swab sample, carefully insert the entire absorbent tip of the swab (usually ½ to ¾ of an inch (1 to 1.5 cm) into the nostril. Firmly sample the nasal wall by rotating the swab in a circular path against the nasal wall 5 times or more for a total of 15 seconds, then slowly remove it from the nostril. Using the same swab, repeat sample collection in the other nostril.
The week before the trip, you will drop off your child and we will administer tests during first period. We will collect the sample and process it that morning. If a positive result comes through, we will call you.
On the Sunday before the trip, you will administer the test in your car. Then you and your child can head home while we process the test. This could take anywhere from 15 - 30 minutes. We will call you if results come back positive.
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LIGHTS UP! THEATRE PRESENTS: THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Lights Up! is so excited to produce their musical outdoors this year! They have many Middle School students that will be in the show and would love for our community to go and support them!
Tickets will be available on a limited basis and must be purchased ahead of time due to Covid requirements.
Performed live and outside at Garden Street Academy (2300 Garden Street)
Dates: May 13, 14, 15, 16
Time: 6:30 pm
Tickets may be purchased here!
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FROM THE PARENT ASSOCIATION
May Parent Association Meeting
May 20, 2021 at 7pm
Alex Zemeckis, MA, SBMS alum and CEO/Founder of The Grounds Recovery Center where he is at the forefront of addiction and substance abuse in young adults, will provide insight into the social, emotional, and physiological reasons teens use and abuse drugs and alcohol.
About Alex Zemeckis, MA
Owner/Founder, The Grounds Recovery
For almost a decade, Alex has worked in the addiction treatment & mental health communities helping young adults find new ways to live. Alex’s earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica. Throughout his career, Alex has worked in various direct care and administrative roles including sober coaching and companion work, admissions, business development and outreach, and as a residential mentor for a prominent treatment program in Colorado. As a featured speaker, Alex maintains a presence within the Recovery world sharing his experience, strength, and hope with those still struggling with addictions. In 2013, Alex launched The Grounds Recovery in San Diego putting into action the skills and lessons he learned throughout his own personal and professional journey. As CEO at The Grounds, Alex personally oversees the admissions and business development departments and mentors Grounds members’ by sharing his passion for the outdoors, the ocean, and yoga.
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ON THE HORIZON
Please note that dates and events are **subject to change** and updates will be communicated.
May 2021
Monday, May 17: 9:30am SBMS Book Club
Monday. May 17 - Friday, May 21: 6th Grade EOY Trip
Monday, May 17 - Tuesday, May 18. 9th grade joining 6th grade trip for one night
Thursday, May 20: Parent Association Meeting
Monday, May 24 - Friday, May 28: 7th Grade EOY Trip
Monday, May 31 - Friday, June 4: 8th Grade EOY Trip
Monday, May 31 - Sunday, June 6: 9th Grade EOY Trip
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day - No school for those not on trips
June 2021
Monday, June 7: Normal School Day (Half-Day)
Tuesday, June 8: Last day of school for grades 6/7/8 (Half-Day)
Tuesday, June 8: 8th Grade Humanities Night
Wednesday, June 9: No School, Media Night
Thursday, June 10: Rites of Passage**
2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
August 2021
Monday, August 30: Diamond Day for Incoming Families
Tuesday, Aug. 31 - Friday, Sept. 3: Orientation Week with Orientation Ride
September 2021
Monday, September 6: Labor Day - No School
Tuesday, September 7: First Day of Academic Classes + Electives
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