THE BULLDOG BANNER

Spotsylvania Middle School 8801 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553 540-582-6341

Principal: Mr. Lane Byrd Assistant Principal: Mr. Scott Wilson Instructional Coordinator: Mrs. Margaret Newman Administrative Intern: Mr. Bart Nave Secretary: Mrs. Theresa Watts Bookkeeper: Mrs. Vanessa Burnette Nurse: Ms. Staci Chipiwalt 2020 www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/sms/index.htm

Hello Bulldog Parents and Students, Happy New Year to all! February is quickly on its way. We have now already completed the first half of the 2019-20 school year, and a new DECADE is upon us. A big “thank you” goes out to all Bulldog students, staff, and parents for your efforts to make the first semester a huge success.

We have many accomplishments from the first half of the school year to celebrate. We appreciate all of the effort & determination on display in our classrooms daily. Students continue to earn BARK cards for their respectful, responsible, and productive actions here at SMS, and various rewards are given to winners in our weekly drawings. Parents and students are reminded that Homework (HW) Club at SMS meets regularly on Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00. HW Club is open to all students. Students who bring a signed permission slip can stay after school for HW Club (on most Thursdays) during the school year for extra support from our staff.

Our Bulldog musicians, as always, provided some outstanding performances back in November & December during their winter concerts. In athletics, the SMS team was undefeated in the regular season, finished 12-0, and won the county championship. Way to go, bulldogs! We now look forward to the boys’ and seasons. In December, our drama department also concluded months of hard work by many of our students with two fabulous presentations of our SMS musical, “Music Man, Jr.” It is exciting to see our Bulldogs making great contributions inside and outside of the classroom.

The PTO continues to provide invaluable support for our students and staff at SMS. Through their efforts, we are able to provide many incentives as well as several fun events for our students during the school year. Our Honor Roll Breakfasts for the first semester were held last week on the morning of January 17. Our PTO also provides support at events like the Veteran’s Day Assembly, our school Spelling Bee, and Parent/Teacher Conference Nights. We do have a couple of PTO events coming up soon - Bulldog Bingo on Friday, February 28, at 7:00 p.m., AND our Student-Faculty Basketball Game on Friday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and look for more information on both of these events coming soon. These PTO events are lots of fun for the entire family, and we hope that you can make plans to attend.

Our PTO most recently provided financial support to help bring Doug Reavis, professional speaker & author, to our school on January 14th to share with our students his message of “Silent Strength” and the importance of kindness. Doug shared impactful personal experiences to encourage everyone to be kind to others with their words and with their actions. Finally, the SCA Valentine’s Day dance for all grades is coming up on Friday, February 7, from 3-5 p.m. We hope that many students will be in attendance.

I look forward to more success stories in the second half of this school year. Be sure to engage your student in conversations at home about their experiences at SMS, and encourage them to get involved. GO BULLDOGS!!!

Lane Byrd Principal SPOTSYLVANIA MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR ROLL FOR THE SECOND NINE WEEKS *Denotes All A’s

6th Grade *Isabella Hawkins *Mohie Rahaman *Jeremiah Brown Rylee Affeldt Lily Henson Rey Ramirez Parker Brown *Zoe Ahl *Luke Henson Andrej Randjelovic Xavier Brown *Ronald Alton *Elizabeth Hersom Janaya Raynor *Molly Buckingham Melissa Arellano Addison Hewson Jordyn Raynor Cedric Byers Jr. *Jemario Arthur *Robert Hickox, Jr. *Alondra Reyes Fabrizzio Cantu Jordan Asiedu Teajah Hill *Zackary Rigmaiden Gabriel Carpenter Trenton Averell Mariah Hills *Emma Roberson Caroline Carter Sophie Ayala Diaz *Kailey Hoisington *Rachael Romano Luke Catlett Judith Bahena Isabel Hopkins Natasha Ruiz-Rivera Antonio Chapa *Alexis Barber Lauren Houck *Ian Salyers *Jeffery Chen *Kevin Bautista *Kolton Howard Emmah Sebero Calvin Clayton Madison Beales Desirae Howe *David Seong *Maximilian Cole *Taylor Belling Ethan Hughes *Thomas Slater Dylan Concepcion Jarrett Brito Corey Jeter Jordyn Smith *Alexis Cook Lamar Bryant Jr. Jacob Johnson Jayden Snoke *Samantha Cook *Finius Burkett *Molly Johnson *Avery Steis Kevin Cool. Jr. *Brendan Butler Nathan Johnson Jacie Strawser Ella Cox *Sinaya Butler *Skylar Johnson Adley Strider Kaden Cox Ruben Campa-Coronado Jayden Jones *Morgan Sullivan Elijah Cruz *Amery Carpenter *Kiana Jordan *Andrew Sung *Hannah Daily *Samuel Carryer *Aubrey Kelly Emily Tessier Brody Davies Adrian Castro Zavala Israel Kelly Rocco Thelen Meredith Davis Sara Chicas-Garcia Madeleine Kelly *Lilian Thompson Madison Delay Conor Clarke O'Livia Kenney Hailey Thurston Astrid Denbo Joseph Clegg *Alexander Kourouklis Gabriel Tobar Reyna-Ava Doh *Ian Cochran Grayson Larch Alexander Trotter *Johanne Donfack Joseph Colby-Correa Grayson Laserna *Kurgan Van Theemsche *Jordane Donfack Charles Condiff, Jr. Devyn Lewis *Ethan Velez *Kaya Dougherty Mason Crawford Kaitlyn Madigan *Katie Wallace *Hannah Duggins *Marvin Crenshaw, II Matthew Maradiaga Lanza December Weight *Sarah Dwyer Jan Cruz Gonzalez Mason Marchetti Jacob West Arianna Earley Carter Davis *Airyana Maze Morighan Whitfield *Kaelyn Eggleston Shalaya Davis Abigail McFadden Donavan Williams Kamari Ellis-Chambers Sophia Defrancisco *Marcelo McFarland *Brooklynn Wilson Laila Epperson Hannah De Sir *Allison Meyer Julia Zinck Khairi Finkley *Madison Dunavant Gabrielle Meyer *Sydney Fleming *Jordyn Duncan *Aaliyah Mickels 7th Grade Iszabella Flores *Joshua Dunn *Michael Mickels Deontae Ackers *Charis Flowers *Cora Durbin Henry Mitchell Khaeli Adach *Adrianna Foxx *Shane Dwyer Richard Molina Vega *Ammon Adduru Rebekah Fraser Gordon Dykes Amya Moore *Jamison Aiken Cameron Fredo *Jillian Elkins Kayla Morin Natalie Allison Johanah Gagliardo *Saeed Elqudsi Ella Nardini Samir Almudhafer Drew Gardner Mohammad Emran Laney Neal Rayden Arens *Kelsea Gough *Evelyn Farley *Amelia Nunez *Christopher Argueta Kennedi Graham *Carina Fetea Heather-Montclaire Pack Sonja Asiedu Joshua Greenberg *Caleb Fisher Zade Palmer *Emma Ayers Reagan Halpin Landon Foskey Victoria Pantoja *Aidan Bair Elizabeth Harding *Jaiden Gagnon *Brooklynn Parks Greta Banks Sylvia Hardy Owen Gardner Clayton Payne Caleb Barber Sean Harrison *Gregory Garecht *Alicia Perkins Shayla Battle Ryland Heflin Rachel Gentry Tierra Pierce Siena Baxter *Reagan Holloran *Jessica Giang *Brennan Plato Madison Bean *Zoie Hooks *Westin Giessman Colton Poole Andrejs Benford Alexander Hopkins Amber Goeddey E V Powers, III Lexie Betts *Teos Jackson Jayden Green *Allison Provo Seven Bonilla Nicole Jenkinson Harris Danica Haney Cameron Puller *Jasmine Britos *Sydney Johnson Noah Hart Chelsea Quaye *Indya Brooks *Aaron Jones SPOTSYLVANIA MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR ROLL FOR THE SECOND NINE WEEKS *Denotes All A’s

Kelsey Jones Aleida Salguero Monroy Loren Cox Reagan Reamy Madelyn Juarez Franco *Shannon Sanchez Torin Craig Diaja Reeves Hannah King Tristan Sankey Aden Curry Liam Riggan Garrett LaFrance Yazmin Santos Lourdes Davis Stephen Roberts *Caroline Lainhoff Drew Sherwood *Lawrence DiBella, IV Alexander Romanov Anna Lam *Blaire Shick *Rylee Dolan *Jeffrey Ruiz *Madelynn Lawson *Aminata Sillah Pierson Dunavant Justin Sandy Krystiana Lee Daniel Smith Emma Duncan Carlos Santos Armani Lee Madeline Smith *Aiden Eckenrode Alexis Shumway Camden Leitch Zoe Smith Madison Elrod Katherine Sides Rylie Levasseur Caroline Stapleton *Connor Fitzpatrick *Emily Simmons Kiyah Lewis Ella Stevens *Carter Frezza Madison Sinden Charles Lewis Aleczander Talevich Caroline Frost *Camryne Slepko Shane Maddox *Emma Thompson Taylor Frye *Lilliana Smith *Kaitlyn Malie Daniel Vazquez *John Garecht Carolyn Spruill *Luke Marlowe *Juliana Velez Haselhorst *Aniya Gee *Meredith Stapleton Jacob Martineau Kayla Villamizar Jayceon Giron Tanner Stempin *Chloe McCullough Claire Wagner Madison Gowing Bailey Stimpsom *Marissa McFadden *Madison Wallace Mycah Graves *Joshua Texidor Ocasio Jasmine McNeely Brady Walsh Jacob Greene *Arabella Thelen Emily Miles Catherine Walton Sophie Hamako *Ayden Thomson *Kelli Miller *Kendal Watts Ethan Hardy *Allison Thrift *Lukas Miller *Megan Weinhold Sienna Hardy Sydney Tolliver Dinita Misidor *Jasmine White Payton Hendrick Lytron Tolson *Jayda Moffatt Jaden Wickens *Lauren Hieber *Canyon Valencia Ava Morello *Alisia Williams Thanhcat Ho *Bayleigh Valentine Thiathylia Morton *Kemarra Wright Kendall Hoisington *Jasmine Vega *Tyler Mosher *Juliana Yaafi Brianna Hollandsworth Aidan Venable Robert Natee James Yothers Emily Hoskins Savannah Wayman *Brystal Newman Eleanor Hrcka Chandler Wright *Payton Newman 8th Grade Will Hurd Charlotte Young Antonio Nunez Corey Ahl Gina Huynh *Addison Orlando *Mahum Aiesha Diego Iglesias-Bernier Valery Ortiz-Merida *Charles Aiken Madelynn Jaca

Hudson Ostrander Adam Alhinty *Sawyer Johnston Christine-LaShay Pack Ilena Andaluz Amanda Jones *Juhi Pathak Chaniyah Anderson *Nicolas Jones Isabella Peasley Yvonne Ankah *Zulfiqar Juda Kennedy Pendleton Li Li Avery Natalie Kau *Landon Perdue Jarek Bahena *Frederick Klein Sebastian Perez William Bartram Damian Kooistra *Carsyn Perry Asani Baylor *Djamilatou Koura-Bodji Austin Pool Olivia Bean *Jackson Kourouklis *Iyanna Preston Jillian Bennett Toby Lavoy Lilianna Quillen *Megan Blake James Lavoy Brayden Race *Shelby Brewer Savannah Mahan Christopher Reyes-Palma *Nyla Brown James Merideth *Maraiya Richards Xavier Brown Konner Mickle Bodhisatva Rigmaiden Hayden Bryner *Mona Milani Ezekiel Ro Grace Burdan Dominic Morello Micah Robinson *Brady Butler *Aliyah Naziri *Alexandria Rochford Julia Bywaters *Carter Nguyen Nathan Rodriguez Aleksandra Carpenter James Ohlsson Laci Rodriguez Jasmine Chapnkem *Connor Olson *Sophia Rodriguez *Leah Chong *Ishaan Patel

Audrey Rogers Jackson Clark Mia Pietrandrea BULLDOGS! GO Carmela Romano Samya Clemons Carmen Pope Carsyn Rose Sebastian Congdon Joshua Prouty Christopher Salazar Landyn Courtney *Kiley Raulerson

January 20th - Holiday No school for Teachers & Students

January 28th - Rising Freshman Orientation 6-8pm; located at each High School Cost: $30.00 February 6th & 7th - Interim Reports sent home **$35.00 after February 28th**

February 7th - SCA Valentines Dance 3-5 pm See Mrs. Belcastro in the library

February 12th - Parent/Teacher Conference, 4-6pm Yearbooks may be ordered online. Additional options are also available online to customize the yearbooks. February 17th - Teacher Planning & Development Order now! (no students) http://jostensyearbooks.com

February 28th - Bulldog Bingo

March 13th - End of 9-Week Marking Period

March 16th - March 20th - Spring Break- Holiday for Teachers & Students

March 26th - Report Cards Issued

March 27th - Student-Faculty Basketball Game 3-5:00pm

March 30th-April 3rd - Spring Book Fair

April 1st & 2nd - Spring Pictures

April 16th - Interim Report Issued

April 10th - April 13th - Holiday for Teachers & Students

April 22nd - Parent/Teacher Conference

May 20th-22nd - Early Release for students (11:45 am dismissal)

May 22nd—Last Day for Students & Teachers

**Report cards will be mailed **

Inclement weather days will be made up in the following order:

Day 1-8 Not made up Day 9 February 17 Day 10 April 10 Day 11 Extend two early release days to full days

SMS Homework Club

Homework Club is held each Thursday after school until 4:00 p.m. Please bring them marked with the Students have the opportunity to work on their homework with homeroom teachers name on the envelope. support from SMS teachers and peer tutors, overseen by the The top homeroom will be rewarded each semester. teachers. Thank you and good luck!

Students must have a signed permission slip each Wednesday to Congratulations to Ms. O’Dell, stay after school. Mrs. Meyer and Ms. Steckler’s HR classes!!!

Students are dismissed and must be picked up from the main en- trance of the school at 4:00 p.m.

CITIZENSHIP AWARD

The Spotsylvania Middle School Citizenship Award is given to students whose contributions to our SMS community are recognized through positive attitudes and genuine support of their fellow students. These students have shown themselves to be respectful, responsible, and productive.

The following students were recognized with PTO Citizenship Awards for October and November:

October November

Aelah Suwinski - 6th grade Avery Steis - 6th Grade Dominic Velez - 6th Grade Rocco Thelen - 6th Grade Steven Bonilla - 7th Grade Hannah Duggins - 7th Grade Meredith Davis - 7th Grade Roderick Riley - 7th Grade Xavier Brown - 8th Grade Diaja Reeves - 8th Grade Michelle Pendleton - 8th Grade Roger Thurston - 8th Grade

IT’S A LIbrAry THING

BOGO By the time you get this newsletter, all of the 7th graders a research project with attention of ethical and responsible use BOOK FAIR of information. The 7th graders researched a career after do- ing a career questionnaire with the Counseling Office. March 30th-April 3rd

The 6th graders will begin researching a person this week. Some of their people are famous, others are obscure; but all have made notable contributions in some way to The SMS Library is in need of parent human knowledge or well-being. Ask your child who they volunteers to help us during our Spring are researching. They may be able to tell you some fascinat- Book Fair. Volunteers have the option ing facts. of working mornings or afternoons. If you would like to help at the book fair, The BOGO book fair will take place March 30-April 3. We can always use parent helpers, especially during homeroom/ please call or email Mrs. Belcastro, Bulldog Block from 7:45-8:25. Please email Mrs. Belcastro if library secretary. you are able and willing to help.

January 25 Snow Date - Middle School All-District Band Auditions - AGW MS February 6,7 All-District Chorus Event – Brooke Point High School, Stafford February 14,15 Middle School All-District Band Event – Brooke Point High School March 3-6 Middle School Band Assessment - Massaponax High School March 3-6 District Orchestra Assessment – Mountain View High School, Stafford March 7 11 am – 4 pm Culture a la Carte - Courtland High School March 10,11 All Day District Chorus Assessment (Middle School) - Spotsylvania Middle School April 22 5 - 7 pm SMS Bulldog Expo April 29 7:00 pm SMS Orchestra Spring Concert May 6, 7 4 - 9 pm Solo & Ensemble Festival (Band & Orchestra) – Stafford High School May 6 7:00 pm SMS Band Spring Concert May 8 9 am - 7 pm Kings Dominion Festival (8th grade Band, Chorus & Orchestra) May 12 Massaponax HS Mini Band Camp May 13 7:00 pm SMS Chorus Spring Concert TBD Courtland HS Mini Band Camp TBD Spotsylvania HS Mini Band Camp at SHS 2019/2020 BULLDOG ATHLETICS

BULLDOG BASKETBALL TEAM

Torin Craig Peyton Mullins Christian Esquivel Gregory Newton Michael Gifford Joshua Prouty Joshua Hartsfield Isaiah Ro Devon Hawes Carlos Santos Israel Kelly Amir Savage Konner Mickel

Coach: David Highlander

BULLDOG WRESTLING TEAM

Khaeli Adach Toby Lavoy Parker Brown Shawn Lillis Ezekial Canul Luke Marlowe Conor Clark James Meredith Alex Criego Gabrielle Meyer Aiden DeGraef Anthony Moore Charlie Gallimore Reagan Reamy Martin Herrera Chris Reed Sean James Liam Riggin Alexander Kane Landon Sexton Emma Lashley Samantha Wojciechowski James Lavoy

Coach: Kevin Race

SPRING SPORTS tryouts

Boys Soccer Girls Track and Field

Tryouts for Spring sports start Monday, March 9th. Students must have a physical form and online concussion training on file before they are allowed to try out. Pick up your form today in the front office or download from our school website. Please see Mr. Race if you have any questions. SCA is hosting a Valentine's Dance Friday, February 7th 3-5pm Tickets - $3.00

It is for all students (6th-8th). Tickets will be sold Monday- Thursday the week of the dance during lunch shifts.

The Debate Team had their first Tournament November 9th at Battlefield Middle. Spotsy Middle teams had 6 teams finish in the top ten and took home first place for the team score! Spotsy had two teams of Fred Klein and Charlie Aiken and Meredith Stapleton and Emily Simmons finishing with first place tro- phies! The team of Elizabeth Harding and Emma Thompson finished 4th overall. Spotsy Middle did an incredible job!

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Our annual Helping Hands Giving Cans food drive was a big success. SCA and NJHS delivered the donated items to the Spotsylvania Emergency Concerns Association (SECA) in time for the holi- days. Ms. Steckler’s class won a donut breakfast for bringing in the most cans (over 200!). A big shout out to her class and thank you to everyone who contributed.

Congratulations to following students who were selected to participate in the SMS Spelling BEE:

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Zoe Ahl, Kevin Bautista, Jillian Dylan Concepcion, Ryland Heflin, Connor Fitzpatrick, Aniya Gee, Elkins, Alexis Evans Daniel Smith Nicolas Jones. Fred Klein, Jaspeth Meyer

*Grade Level Winner

And our School Champion is…… Aniya Gee

Congratulations to all on a job well done!

PTO NEWS

Hello Bulldog Parents!!

What an amazing start to the school year! It's hard to believe how many events we have already tackled with the help of so many dedicated volunteers.

Our 2019 Fall Fundraiser event was better than ever! I know we say that every year – but truly, the results get better every time. THANK YOU! Students who sold enough items earned great rewards, like a Limo Lunch to Golden Corral (ooh…Chocolate Fountain!), and a huge Glow Party where Mr. Byrd was SLIMED!!

The PTO Community Spaghetti Dinner was a great success. We had many students show up with their families to enjoy the food, family photos, and performances from our talented school musicians! A special Thanks goes to the NJHS students for serving in the kitchen and helping throughout the night.

New Spirit Wear styles were introduced this year including a long sleeve shirt in white, and a new short sleeve blue design. And as always, SMS hoodies are a huge hit. The Bulldog students look great. Spirit wear is always for sale, and is a great way to show your Bulldog pride at school and in the community. Remember that every Friday is Bulldog Spirit Day!

If you would like to get more involved, but have a hard time coming in to volunteer, our Hospi- tality Committee is always looking for people to donate food items for teacher appreciation, special staff luncheons/thank-you breakfasts, and for Conference Night Dinners. We appreciate any help we can get - contact us!

Get those Bingo dobbers ready...Bulldog Bingo is just around the bend in the new year. Look for information coming home soon!

Be sure to check us out on Facebook for all the latest news and upcoming event information. Our Facebook site is: Spotsylvania Middle School PTO.

Thank you again for all your support this year! It is wonderful to have so many parents and staff working together to make a wonderful learning environment for our students and teachers. SMS families are truly the best!

~ The SMS PTO [email protected]