From SBMS: It's the SCOOP!

Trouble viewing? Click here to view as webpage.

It's the SCOOP for May 27, 2021

Your weekly news from Santa Barbara Middle School

Dear SBMS Families,

We feel so lucky to be back on the road again with our students, biking down the coast, climbing mountains, cooling off in local creeks, feasting with Chef P.A., and circling up around the fire at night with friends. With two weeks of trips nearly completed and one more to go, this invaluable time in our outdoor classroom has been the medicine that we all needed. Last week our intrepid 6th graders conquered their first SBMS expedition. From summiting Sulphur Mountain in under four hours to spending a week away from home, our gritty class of 2024 rose to the challenge and honored the SBMS Deal with their effort and kindness. This week, the 7th grade has been out on the road enjoying sunny, warm days and full moons at night. Though it has been hot out there, they have found beautiful shady lunch spots and the perfect swimming hole to stay cool. Tonight they will be sharing stories of their climb up Sulphur Mountain and what they learned along the way. Next week the 8th grade heads down to Ojai, and the 9th grade will depart for their island trek across Catalina.

When we return, it will be a busy last week of school. Following half days of school on Monday and Tuesday, we will have 8th grade Humanities Night on June 8 at 7pm and our all-school media presentation on Wednesday, June 9 at 7pm. Our Rites of Passage for our 9th graders and their families will be held at Godric Grove at Elings on Thursday, June 10 at 1:30pm and will be similar to last year's event. Guests will be limited to the 9th grade class, their speakers, and their families. For more details on this year’s ROP, click here.

Please join us for an end-of-year celebratory Parent Association meeting and Cups and Questions on Monday, June 7 at 9:15am. We will wrap up the year with gratitude and discuss our plans and hopes for a new beginning in September. We look forward to seeing you there!

With gratitude,

Brian, Bianca, Erik, and the SBMS Staff

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

8/9 GRADE TRIP PREP / MEDICATION

IMPORTANT! Please be sure to drop off medication to the office for your 8th or 9th grader by Friday morning so we can ensure they will have them on the trips. Thank you!

PRE-TRIP TESTING

See all 8th and 9th graders on Sunday, May 30 from 4-5pm! Please see your time by cohort below. If you can't make the testing time on Sunday, please get your child a PCR test Friday or Saturday. We are not responsible for the timing of results, and students without a negative test will not be able to join the trip.

8th Grade:
Cohort 8H 4pm
Cohort 8I 4:15pm
Cohort 8J 4:30pm
Cohort 8K 5:00pm

9th Grade:
Cohort 9L 5:00pm
Cohort 9M 5:15pm

END-OF-YEAR EXPEDITIONS

Please check trip sites for updates and detailed information. While packing, please be sure to put your child's name on all of their belongings so they do not get lost while out on the road.

8th Grade: Monday, May 31 - Friday, June 4
Departing Rincon on Monday at 8:30am (8H + 8I) and 9am (8J & 8K) - detailed drop-off instruction here.
View the 8th Grade Trip Website Here
9th Grade: Monday, May 31 - Sunday, June 6
Meet at SBMS on Monday at 6am for departure
View the 9th Grade Trip Website Here

9TH GRADE RITES OF PASSAGE RSVP

9th grade families, please remember to RSVP for Rites of Passage and place your orders for meal selection by Tuesday, June 1st. If you have any questions, you can email Bridget at bridget@sbms.org. We look forward to celebrating!

SCHEDULE FOR THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

MONDAY, JUNE 7

Monday will be a half-day of school with regular drop-off and early pick-up like a "Friday" schedule.
6th grade: 12:25pm
7th grade: 12:35pm
8th grade: 12:45pm
9th grade: 12:25pm
9:15am Parent Association Cups and Questions - Join us for our last Cups and Questions of the year! We'll be sharing gratitude and info on the 2021-22 school year. (Join here)

TUESDAY, JUNE 8

Tuesday will also be a half-day schedule with regular drop-off and early pick-up and is the last day of school for grades 6, 7, and 8!
At 7pm, we will be hosting the 8th Grade Humanities Night Digital Showcase with Slam Poetry and Dancing Through History performances. Join the fun here!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9

There will be no school this day!
At 7pm, join us for an SBMS All School Film Presentation here! The film will celebrate this school year, our end-of-year trips, and all that we have accomplished.

THURSDAY, JUNE 10 - RITES OF PASSAGE

We look forward to celebrating our 9th Grade class on Thursday, June 10, at the beautiful Godric Grove. If you are a 6th, 7th, or 8th grade parent and would like to volunteer to help out on this special day, please see the Parent Association section below. Like last year, we will be following COVID guidelines and protocols. You can read through the details here.

When: Thursday, June 10 from 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Where: Godric Grove at Elings Park

How to Watch From Home:

SBMS Rites of Passage 2021 - Part 1 followed by a quick intermission
SBMS Rites of Passage 2021 - Part 2
SBMS Rites of Passage 2021 - Fallback Stream. In case the stream drops due to cell network problems, please join here.

SUMMER COMMUNICATIONS

As you know, our teachers head out for the summer to explore, adventure, and do some learning of their own. The main office will be open with limited hours from 10-2pm on Monday through Thursday and fully closed July 12 - July 23 for construction.

In early June, your student will receive their Summer Assignments with reading lists and packets from their deans. In July, the office will be reaching out regarding your child's med authorization forms as we prepare for the 2021-22 school year. As we get closer to August, you can expect to hear from us with detailed information on Orientation Week, Diamond Days, the start of school and so much more as we start up the Scoop again and host back-to-school Cups and Questions. We hope you all have a fun and relaxing summer!

THE WEEK AHEAD

Sunday, May 30

4pm-5pm 8th Grade Trip Testing at SBMS

5:15pm 9th Grade Trip Testing at SBMS

Monday, May 31

8th and 9th grade depart on end-of-year trips

Memorial Day - No School for 6/7 Grade

Tuesday, June 1

Wednesday, June 2

Thursday, June 3

Friday, June 4

FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE & DELI

An Exciting Campaign update from the Development Office!!!

Click below to see a special message recorded live from the SBMS chuck wagon!

To inspire the entire SBMS community to support this project and help us reach our new goal, an anonymous Middle School family has helped us create the Community Kitchen Matching Challenge.

Here are the Challenge details:

All new gifts will be matched, up to $50,000
To qualify, gifts must be received by the end of the school year (June 15, 2021)

Help us unlock an additional $50,000 of support

for the Community Kitchen and make your gift today!

Donate Now

We are grateful for your support!

⚠️ WEEKLY SAFETY UPDATE ⚠️

Vaccines are readily available for those ages 12- 15 now and appointments are easy to find! Santa Barbara County vaccine providers have appointments and walk-ups available every day, which you can find through the state’s MyTurn website, or county public health website . You can also learn more about the Cottage COVID-19 Vaccine clinic, which has been a great option for our families, here: https://www.cottagehealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19/

COVID Resources

FROM THE PARENT ASSOCIATION

2021 Rites of Passage Volunteers

Our 9th-grade students will be experiencing the Rites of Passage Ceremony in just two weeks and it's time to mobilize volunteers.

Calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade parents! We would love your help! Setting aside a few hours on this special day to help out is an opportunity for you to connect with other parents, learn what this beautiful event is all about, and help make the 2021 event memorable.

Please sign up for a shift at the link below. Since the lower grade kids are out for the summer, they are welcome to help out, too!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4BA9AA29A4F49-2021

Contact Kris Green kris.evergreen@gmail.com with any questions.

COMMUNITY

SBMS FAMILY LOOKING FOR RENTAL

The Works, a returning SBMS family, is looking for a small rental for this coming school year, starting from the end of August 2021 to mid-June 2022. Open to any creative opportunities: home sitting, ADU, guest house, studio, or 1 or 2 BR, space just needs to sleep 3. Give us a call or send an email if you know of any SBMS family looking to rent a guest space for the school year. Thanks so much! 805-705-7591- l eighbwork@gmail.com

SUMMER BEACH CAMP WITH JASON MOORE

Jason Moore, a longtime friend of Middle School and Trip Staff, is hosting his own summer camp with beach activities such as water safety, surfing, marine biology, low tide exploration, wildlife identification, and more. Learn more about the camp, dates and rates here.

UCSB ARTS & LECTURES

Race to Justice FREE Film Screening: We Are the Dream

The Kids of the Oakland ML Oratorical Fest

Thursday, June 3 at 8:30pm PT

West Wind Drive-in

Every year, hundreds of school children participate in the Oakland MLK Oratorical Festival, a stirring public speaking competition featuring poetry and speeches inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This uplifting documentary follows students from across the city as they hope for a coveted spot in the finals. Heartwarming and inspiring, We Are the Dream is a portrait of passionate young people presenting speeches on issues they care about – racial injustice, immigration and more – and a community that celebrates their powerful voices. (Amy Schatz, 2020, G, 70 min.) Get more info here!

ART CORNER

During these last weeks of electives, 6th, 7th and 8th grade artists have been looking closely and drawing from life. Each student chose something gorgeous from the SBMS garden, and drew and painted the flowers and plants in all their spring glory!