Friday Message: 8/31

Friday Message 8/31/18

From Ms. Wood…
Our first full week of the 2018 -2019 school year has been completed!  It was a great week with a lot classroom visits, fun with students, and engaging conversations with staff members.  Mr. Stow and I were invited into Mx. Holmes and Mr. Wamsley’s classes to test out the design and functionality of student created cardboard chairs.  We were highly impressed by their creative designs and functionality! Our SCA leadership team also visited the office this week to discuss their ideas for upcoming events at Sutherland. It was a great conversation and made me look forward all the exciting opportunities that our students will have throughout the year to give back to our community. The service oriented component of our Student Council is admirable and makes me proud of them.

We held two of our “Meet and Greets” this week and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more of our parents and the conversations.  We consider ourselves very lucky to be part of the Sutherland community and want to thank everyone for how welcoming you have been to us both. We look forward to a busy week next week by hosting another “Meet and Greet” on the Wednesday, September 5 before our first PTO meeting.  In addition, we will be hosting Back to School Night on Thursday, September 6. Please be on the lookout for a separate communication regarding Back to School Night information.

Coming Up @ Sutherland...
Monday, September 3rd: Labor Day (Schools are closed)

Tuesday, September 4th: Black Day
     8:15 AM: Morning Study Hall begins in the cafeteria
Wednesday, September 5th: Teal Day
     8:00 AM: Jazz Band Auditions   
     6th grade introduction to counselors through Language Arts classes
     6:15 – 7:00 PM: Come out and meet the new administration team!
     7:00 – 8:30 PM: PTO meeting
Thursday, September 6th: Black Day
     6:30 – 8:30 PM: Back to School Night
Friday, September 7th: Teal Day

Announcements...

A reminder that all schools are closed on Monday. Throughout next week, we will be practicing our various drills (fire, lockdown, bus evacuations). Teachers and staff will review the procedures with students prior to each drill. 

Parents and Guardians, please make sure you take a moment to sign on to ParentPortal to complete the student verification process. Our ability to reach you by phone or by e-mail depends on updated information.

Hello SMS Parents, The Sutherland Debate Team will begin meeting on Monday, September 10.  We are lucky enough to have UVA students that are members of the Charlottesville Debate League work with our team.  This is a club open to all Sutherland students.  Your child will develop skills in research, writing, public speaking, teamwork, and argumentation.  Debate builds confidence and promotes a passion for learning and commitment to civic engagement.  Students will meet weekly on Mondays after school and will be invited to several debate tournaments held throughout the year.  I hope your child decides to participate.

The location is yet to be determined as I’m not sure how many students will want to attend.  Therefore, I am asking students to stop by room E-1 and add their name to the sign-up sheet that is located on a desk outside of the room.  If your child comes home and tells you they couldn’t find the room, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

The deadline for signing up is Friday, September 7.  Please send any questions you may have to dmccullough@k12albemarle.org.

Back to School Night is on Thursday, September 6^th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Mrs. McCullough will meet with parents from 6:00 - 6:30 PM for those with students receiving gifted services. More information to come regarding Thursday evening’s schedule! 

We are excited to invite you to share a free opportunity with K-8 girls and their parents to join the upcoming 2018 ESTEAM for Girls Summit. This Saturday program planned and presented by a diverse group of women and community partners is designed to help build a better future for our girls and young women interested in Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.  K-8 girls join the Summit on Saturday, September 22, 2018!  Come to Albemarle High School from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (K thru 4 students and their parents) and 9am to 2:30 pm (5-8 with lunch included). Visit our website, http://www.esteamforyouth.org/ to register, and check out last year’s highlight!

NEW this year for Professional Women! Join us for “ShESTEAM Meet and Greet” Friday, Sept. 21st, 6:00pm-7:30pm Featuring the Discussion “Mentoring and Leadership at the Intersection” Get involved with this year's activities with a financial contribution; facilitate a session; volunteer; and/or showcase your organization in our exhibit area.

     Contact us! Please visit our website, http://www.esteamforyouth.org/ to register, check out last year’s highlights, or email us at estemforgirls@gmail.com. Many thanks, and we look forward to your support and participation!  Youth Alexis Mason, Heather Arquitt, Zoë Padrón, Joyce Ivory, and Sara Nitcher estemforgirls@gmail.com

     FRENCH FOOD and GAMES? Oui, Oui! Come learn French in a fun and exciting atmosphere at SMS! Students will “Build a French City”, exploring le marché while purchasing their veggies and fruits with Euros, eating in a café français, playing Pétanque in le parc, staying in l’hôtel, buying bread and pastries at la boulangerie, sending letters from la poste, and more! Thursday mornings in the Art Room, from 8-8:55. Cost is $15/class, with all fees included. Must enroll for all 10 classes. Checks payable to SMS for $150 - turn in to the office by Friday, Sept. 7th. Classes begin Thursday, Sept. 12th. No French experience required. If you are already taking French at SMS, this is a fun way to learn more and to practice! Classes will be taught by Michelle Katstra, director of School Programs for the Alliance Française of C'ville and a mom of 3 kids who all attended SMS! Questions? mkatstra@gmail.com. Forms can be found in the Main Office and on the Parks and Rec. table near the cafeteria.