New Smyrna Beach Middle School

New Smyrna Beach Middle School Faculty and Staff, working in partnership with home and community,

enable students to learn, achieve and reach their potential.

NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL

The heat continues! October brings memories of cooler fall weather; hopefully we will experience

that soon. Before you know it we will have the Thanksgiving and winter holiday break. I am

impressed by the efforts of our staff and students as I make my way around campus and visit

classrooms throughout the day. Our technology initiatives are underway and continue to expand

with the number of teachers utilizing BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) in their classrooms this

year. In addition we have eight classrooms that utilize a full complement of IPADS for student

use. It’s an exciting time to be a Stingray! I would like to thank you in advance for your support of

this program as we continue our efforts to bring the best in education to our students and

community.

We had a tremendous turnout at our “Open House.” It’s always gratifying to see parents and

guardians taking an active role in their child(ren)’s education. I encourage you to have your child

participate in the numerous clubs that we have available. You can check out the information in the

newsletter or visit our website for more information.

I would like to thank everyone that attended our recent FACT (Family and Communities Together)

event that our school hosted for Southeast Volusia County in October. We had a great turn out

and a good time was had by all. As an added bonus parents and students learned about various

resources in our area as well as important information about Elementary, Middle and High School.

Congratulations to Mr. Tim Tully for being recognized by his peers as our Teacher of the Year for

2015-2016. Mr. Tully teaches Science and Math and is one of our IPAD “Gurus.” It is a well-

deserved honor and we are very proud of all his efforts.

Mid-term reports recently went out and report cards will follow soon. I encourage you to speak to

your child(ren) regarding their progress. In addition, please be sure to monitor your child’s

progress throughout the grading period using your online access through the Pinnacle system. It’s

important for every child that has questions to ask for help from their teacher. In addition

please speak to your child about the progress they have made on setting goals for our “R.O.C.K.”

theme for the year. Respect, Ownership, Citizenship and Kindness are attributes that will serve

them well in middle school and throughout life. As student’s set goals it’s critical that students

monitor these goals as they work their way to success.

Parents’ Corner October – December, 2014

Volusia County Schools will be undergoing an accreditation visit in February. AdvancED is an

outside organization that is the largest accreditation organization in the world. A team from

AdvancED will visit Volusia County and analyze our practices at the elementary, middle and high

school levels. More information will be coming when we return from the winter break.

When your child returns from the winter break testing will be here before you know it. It’s

important to have your child to school on time every day to make the most of their academic

experience. In closing I would like to thank everyone for all they do every day to support our

students and school!

STRAIGHT A AWARDS

NSBMS Stingrays love to celebrate our students who have earned Straight “A”’s for quarterly

grading periods. Our upcoming Straight “A” Ceremonies will be October 31st, 2014 during 7th period

and January 13th, 2015 during 7th period. Parents will be notified via connect ed call and a special

invitation. Thank you for supporting our very special Stingrays!

SCIENCE PROJECTS AND SCIENCE FAIR

NSB Middle School Science Fair will be held the week of November 17, 2014

11/18/14 – student set up projects during 1st period

11/19/14 – judging of projects in the media center 9 am to 12 pm.

11/20/14 – public viewing of projects in the Media Center 5:15 to 5:55

11/20/14 – science fair awards @ 6:00 pm in the Auditorium. Please take science projects

home after the awards.

FIND COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS ON-LINE

Looking for an activity for your child to participate in? Flyers announcing events and programs

sponsored by community organizations are now available on the district’s website at

http://myvolusiaschools.org Simply select “Parents” icon and locate Tool box on right-hand bottom corner, then click Flyers. New flyers will be posted on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each

month. Be sure to check back frequently for events and activities occurring throughout Volusia

County.

Don’t have computer access at home? A computer is available for your use in the media center and

at every Volusia County Public Library.

GOOD NEWS REFERRAL

Students receive “good news referrals” from their teachers for the positive things they are doing

at New Smyrna Beach Middle School. As a reward, those students will attend our 1st Good News

Referral celebration on Friday November 21st during 7th period in the auditorium. During the

celebration, they will have a chance to receive some cool prizes donated by our generous business

partners & PTSA. We are very proud of these students.

9TH ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE EVENT

Date/Time: Thursday, December 11, 2014; 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Place: Volusia County Fairgrounds/Tommy Lawrence Arena

The purpose of the HS Showcase Event is for middle school students and their parents to learn

about the outstanding programs and academies available to high school students in Volusia County

Schools.

Over 2,600 students and their families attended the 8th Annual high School Showcase. School

representatives and career academy students were on hand to showcase their programs and

academies and to answer questions.

For the 2014-2015 school year, Volusia County Schools has 34 career academies integrated into

five high schools in west Volusia and five high schools in east Volusia. Currently, over 3,000 high

school students are enrolled in Volusia career academies. Please join us for this amazing

opportunity!

8th GRADE ACADEMY AND CAREER EXTRAVAGANZA

New Smyrna Beach Middle School is hosting a New Smyrna Beach Academy and Career

Extravaganza for their 8th grade students during the month of January (date to be determined).

The event will showcase the academies of New Smyrna Beach High School and Volusia County

professionals who work in a related field of each academy. The goal is to assist 8th graders in

preparing for their high school education and the process of choosing a career path.

8TH GRADE WASHINGTON DC TRIP

Mr. Young, Mrs. Porter, and the NSBMS Social Studies Department are proud once again to offer

our 8th grade students the great experience of the Washington DC trip. This year’s trip is March

16th-20th and is a total cost of $770. Permission slips have been distributed to students who are

interested in going and the completed forms were due along with the first payment of $250 by

October 3rd. All forms and money should be turned in to the student’s Social Studies teacher.

Subsequent payments are in November and January.

8TH GRADE INFORMATION

We are committed to ensuring that all of our 8th grade students do their personal best in

preparation for the high school. We have planned a few special events that are exclusively for our

8th graders. The event that 8th graders look forward to the most this year is Gradventure at

Universal Studios, Orlando. For 8th graders it is an event that commemorates their middle school

years. Gradventure is scheduled for May 15, 2015 and you will receive more information about it in

the spring.

It is an 8th grade privilege to attend Gradventure at Universal Studios. Although our goal is for all

of the 8th graders to attend, only those students who demonstrate appropriate behavior in

following classroom and school rules will experience this memorable event. Grades are also looked

at. If your child has (a) discipline referral(s), it is the discretion of the New Smyrna Beach

Middle School administration to determine whether or not your child will attend Gradventure or

participate in any other 8th grade activities.

We appreciate your support in working with your child to earn the privilege to attend and/or

participate in our 8th grade activities this year. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Porter

at 36762.

2014-2015 SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) MEETING DATES

School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm in the Media

Center. All parents are invited to attend our meetings. The dates for the rest of the year are:

October 21, 2014

November 18, 2014

January 20, 2015

February 17, 2015

March 17, 2015

April 21, 2015

May 19, 2015

UPCOMING BAND/CHOIR EVENTS

Nov. 15th All-County Choir concert 2pm Deland HS

Nov. 22nd Jazz fico Fest performance 12pm NSB Boat/ Ski Club

Dec 6th NSB Parade

Dec 13th Edgewater/Oak Hill Parade

Dec 16th Winter Concert 7pm @ NSBHS Auditorium

Jan 31st All-County Band Performance 7pm Deland HS

MENTORING PROGRAM

Our mentoring program here at NSBMS is in full swing. If you are interested your child

participating in the Mentoring Program or you would like more information, please contact Mrs.

Peterson at 424-2550, ext. 36831.

ART NEWS WITH MRS. HUGHES

Thank you to all students, parents, faculty, staff and community members that have donated

time, money and/or supplies to the art department. The Stingray Artists really appreciate

all of the support.

A special thanks to Atlantic Center for the Arts volunteers Mrs. Cathy Berse and Mrs.

Jackie Mann who continue to assist us with projects. We appreciate all of your hard work and

dedication to our students. We are so fortunate to be able to work with you. Thank you for

making our field trip to the New Smyrna Beach Plein Aire Paint Out possible. Advanced Art

students will attend the Paint Out and have an opportunity to sell their work.

A special thanks to Mrs. Karen D’Arcy for her help and support with donations of supplies and her

assistance with the PTA Reflections Art Contest.

Attention ALL NSBMS students don’t forget that you can submit your entries for the PTA

Reflections Art Contest to Mrs. Hughes by December 1. The theme this year is as follows:

The world would be a better place if…

If you have questions about the contest, please see Mrs. Hughes. Detailed contest

information can be found on the Florida PTSA website www.flpta.org

Look for Stingray Art this semester that will be displayed at New Smyrna Beach Middle School,

Volusia County Fair, the Artist’s Workshop, Halifax Art Festival and New Smyrna Beach Public

Library.

Thank you Stingray Artists for using your skills and creativity to represent yourself and our

outstanding school. You R.O.C.K!

STINGRAY STINGERS NEWS

Fundraisers and Performances: Come out to Support the Dance Team

Monday October 6th at Beef O/ Brady’s from 5-9PM 15% of all sales is donated to the team

Thursday October 9th the girls will be performing their Pam Routine at FCAT night 6:15pm

Saturday October 11th at the Winn Dixie in Edgewater at hotdog sale from 10-2pm

Monday October 13th at PJ’s Seafood a bake sale from 5-9pm and 15% of all sales is donated to the team

Wednesday October 15th and Thursday October 16th the dance team will be performing at NSBHS Show

Dolls Halloween Show at 7PM both nights

Sunday October 19th a yard sale and hot dog sale at Stedman’s Laundry on Dixie Freeway from 8-2pm

Monday October 20th Sweet Baby Ray Camp at NSBMS in the GYM for all students from K-5th grade-lunch

provided ($20.00 for the first student, $25.00 for two students, and $30.00 for three)

Wednesday October 22nd at Pub 44 a bake sale and 15% of all sales will be donated to the team from 5-

9PM

Thursday October 23rd at Stavros Pizza on Dixie Freeway there will be a bake sale and 15% of all sales will

be donated to the team from 5-9pm

Thursday November 6th a bake sale and Spirit Night where 15% of all sales will be donated to the team

from 5-9PM

Friday December 5th Light Up Flagler from 5-9 on Flagler Ave. Bake Sale and Performance

Saturday December 6th NSB Christmas Parade at 4PM

Sunday December 7th Light up McDonalds at 5PM-bake sale and performance

Wednesday December 10th and Thursday December 11th Christmas Performance at NSBHS Show Doll

Holiday Show at 7PM

Saturday December 13th Edgewater Christmas Parade at 9AM

Sunday December 14th McDonald’s all you can eat Pancake Breakfast (10th Street, and 44 at Publix)

Tickets are $4.00 per person

Wednesday December 17th Stingray Stinger Holiday Show at NSBMS in the Auditorium at 6:30pm

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA)

The Student Government Association and Students Working Against Tobacco will be teaming up to

host annual Red Ribbon Week events from Monday, October 27th to Friday, October 31st. This

year’s theme is “Love Me, Be Drug Free.” Activities each day are as follows:

Monday, 27th

Dress Up: Rock Out Against Drugs (Rock Star day)

Tuesday, 28th

Dress Up: Buddy Up Against Drugs (Twin Day)

Heart O’Grams on sale during lunches for 25 cents

Wednesday, 29th

Dress Up: Sock It to Drugs (Crazy Sock Day)

Students can bring in a pair of NEW socks for Socktober to be entered in a drawing to win tickets

to the Teacher Talent Show

Heart O’Grams on sale during lunches for 25 cents

Face painting available during lunches for 25 cents

Thursday, 30th

Dress Up: Peace, Love and No Drugs (60’s and 70’s day)

Friday, 31st

Dress Up: Red Ribbon Spirit Day (Wear red)

Heart O ‘Grams will be delivered during 1st period

The Second Annual Teacher Talent Show will be held on November 25th from 1:50 to 2:41, during

7th period. Tickets will be $3 and available for purchase the week of November 17th. Part of the

proceeds from this event will go to support student scholarships for grade level trips. Parents and

families who would like to join us for this event are welcome to attend and must first check in with

the office before proceeding to the show.

Student Government will be hosting a canned food drive from November 17th through November

21st through first period classes. The class with the highest number of items will win a breakfast

party from SGA.

SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECTS

A reminder from the Social Studies department that Social Studies projects are due December

12th. This year’s theme is “Leadership and Legacy.” Any parent interested in supporting the Social

Studies Fair either with volunteering or donations can contact Dana Murphy at

demurphy@volusia.k12.fl.us.

RIGHT TO KNOW

VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOLS SCHOOL NUTRITION SERVICES

New Smyrna Beach Middle School

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS 2014-15

Club Sponsor Day of the Week Location

Art Hughes Every Other Monday Room 1402

Basketball Morang/ Sorice Thursday Gym

Builders Harnden Every Other Thursday Portable 4

Cheer Club Persad Monday & Thursday Cafeteria/Dance Room 1312

Drumming Brodie Tuesday Room 1003 (*4:45)

FFA (Future Farmers of

America) Smith Last Wednesday of each month Room 1504B

FFEA

(FL Future Educators Assoc)

Carey/Doster Last Monday of each month Room 502 (*4:30)

HOSA (Health

Occupations Student Assoc) )

Foley Thursday Room 907

Math Counts Mallace 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month Room 508 (*4:30)

Reading Club Harvey Last Wednesday of each month Room 113 (*3:30)

Robotics Tully Monday Room 313

Running Johnson Tuesday Begins in January 2015 Room 1401

Spanish Clevenger 2nd & 4th Monday of each month Room 1001 (*4:45)

Stingers (Dance) Kudzol/Muessig Tuesday & Wednesday Dance Room 1312

SGA(Student Gov. Assoc.) Keeran 2nd Wednesday of each month 402 (*3:30)

SWAT (Students Working

Against Tobacco)

Opfer 3rd Thursday of each month Media Center (*4:45)

Track Robinson Tuesday Begins in January 2015 Track

Volleyball Booth-Shells Monday & Tuesday Gym

*Unless noted all clubs will meet until 5pm