Thursday, August 31, 2017

Week One Wrap Up



Opening Week Recap

This image shows a back pack belonging to one of our 8th Grade students.
One of our favorite backpacks belongs to 8th grader, Destiny Batista 

We are happy to report that our opening week was an amazing few days here at Swampscott Middle School! It is so great to have all of our students back with us, smiling and eager to learn. We have been in awe of the positive attitudes of our students, and the tireless work ethic of our teachers.  The first few days are always filled with locker stress, scheduling glitches, and general nerves, but because the entire SMS community has come together, we believe that everyone is headed into the long weekend feeling happy and proud to be a part of this school!

A few moments, in particular, have stood out among the rest and we wanted to share them:
  • During 7th-grade lunch two days in a row, a couple of students went out of their way to sit with students who were alone
  • Students helping to pick up trash in the cafeteria without being asked
  • A group of 7th-graders asking a new student to sit with them at lunch
  • So many kids responding to our morning greetings by asking how we are and wishing us a good day
  • An 8th-grade boy helping a classmate with her locker combination while he was waiting for his to be fixed
  • Pleases and thank yous in the lunch line
  • Thanking teachers as students exit classes
  • Working diligently on summer reading projects and the first lessons of the school year
  • And who could forget the incredible rap by one of our 8th-grade students about his teachers during the afternoon announcements on Thursday! EPIC. 
Thanks to everyone for a fabulous start, and have a wonderful long weekend!  We will see you on Tuesday.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Big Blue Pride


Big Blue Pride

Our newly designed Big Blue Pride shirts have arrived! Big Blue Pride Winners are SMS students who are consistently doing the right thing. They demonstrate kindness, both inside and outside of school, and even online.  They are compassionate to all members of the SMS community and treat everyone with respect.  This year we are looking forward to acknowledging even more students who are Big Blue Pride worthy! 

This is an image of 6th Grader, Shea Duffy, who designed the new logo for the Big Blue Pride Shirts.
Meet Our Designer,  Shea Duffy of the 6th Grade

Monday, August 21, 2017

The Count Down Is On!

One Week To Go! 🙌

This image shows the outside of Swampscott Middle School from the view of Forest Avenue.  It showcases the new school flag.

We hope that all of our SMS students and staff enjoy the final week of summer vacation.  As we prepare for opening day, we wanted to share some staff responses to what they are most looking forward to in the 2017-2018 school year:

"Getting to know the new students and working with the new middle school team."
~Danielle Leonard, Administrative Assistant

"The idea of starting anew, for all of our students and all of our staff."
~Karen Reback, 5D ELA, Social Studies, & Reading Teacher

"I want to be able to encourage my students to become the best version of themselves.  I want to create an environment where all of our students want to come every day, because this school is a great place to be."
~Lisa Rapisarda, 6A Social Studies Teacher

"Making new connections with our new students and seeing current students grow." 
~Marianne Hartmann, School Nurse

"Seeing all of the kids again and embarking on another year's journey filled with endless possibilities."
~Dylan Randall,  Guidance Counselor

"I am most excited about meeting the incoming 8th graders."
~Kendra Czernicki, 8A Social Studies Teacher

"I am looking forward to a fresh start, for everyone.  For all to have the chance to improve as people, as students and as a school community."
~Jason Calichman, Principal

We are very fortunate to have a staff so dedicated to making Swampscott Middle School a place filled with positivity, discovery, and daily opportunities to learn and grow.  Shine Bright!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Successful Social!



This image shows a easel welcoming incoming 5th graders during the summer ice cream social.


Good Afternoon,

We would like to thank all of the 5th graders and their families who joined us today at the Ice Cream Social.  We enjoyed seeing all of the smiling faces back in our hallways! A huge thank you to the National Junior Honor Society students for helping us with this event.  This event could not have happened without the effort of Mrs. Leonard, Mrs. Goudreau, and Mrs. Poverchuk, as well as the entire custodial staff in preparing for the day.  We would also like to thank our PTO for funding and participating today's event.

Perhaps the best thing that happened today was Jerry, from Treadwells, telling us that almost every single person who got an ice cream said please and thank you!  Great job on the manners!

We hope that you all are as excited as we are to start the year, and we hope you enjoyed the ice cream, I know we did!

See you on the 29th!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Welcome Back Letter

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year!   We are very excited about this upcoming year.   We would like to let you know that schedules will be finalized and distributed on the first day of school.  Homeroom and team assignments will be emailed on August 24th.      

Jason Calichman is heading up the realm permanently as the Middle School Principal, along with Assistant Principal Lori Sanborn. 

We are pleased to announce some internal transfers for the upcoming school year: 
  • Gina Cobbett, moving from 6th grade to 5th grade special education 
  • Michele Capozzi, moving from guidance counselor to physical education teacher
  • Margarett Ardman, moving from 6th grade science to 8th grade science
  • NancyJo Kelly, moving from Central Office to MS Admin. Assistant

Long time physical education teacher Julie Halloran is retiring at the end of October.  We will miss Mrs. Halloran and thank her for her long time service to the town of Swampscott.  Glen Kane, Josephine Uminski and Maryanne Szatkowski have also retired; we wish them well in their retirement, they will all be missed.

We would like to welcome the following new staff members to the Middle School:       
  • Erin Waffle, Guidance Counselor
  • Jennifer Moore, 6th grade Science teacher.
  • Jaimie Konowitz, 6th grade special education teacher
  • Kaitlin Kohberger, school psychologist
  • Anne Bolthrunis, educational services paraprofessional
  • Colleen Ball, 6th grade special education teacher

This year, school will start for students on Tuesday, August 29th.  Middle School hours are 8:00 to 2:20 p.m.   On the first day of school, students will report to their homerooms where they will be handed their schedules and their locker assignments.

Important Upcoming Dates:
·               There will be an ice cream social on August 17th, 2017 for all incoming fifth grade students.   Only fifth grade students will receive their class and locker assignments at that time. 

·               School will be closed on Friday, September 1st and Monday, September 4th to celebrate Labor Day.    Please note:  You can access the school year calendar on the new district website at www.Swampscottps.org

  •      Picture day is scheduled for Monday, October 16th.
  •      Curriculum Nights: 
    • Tuesday, 9/12 Grades 5 & 6 @ 6:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, 9/14 Grades 7 & 8 @ 6:00 p.m.


Your child(ren) will be given a verification form on the first day of school for parents to review.  Please edit the forms as needed and return them no later than Friday, September 8, 2017.   We hope you had a wonderful summer, see you soon!

Monday, August 14, 2017

Getting Ready for Thursday!


 Ice Cream Social 
Notes to Our Incoming 5th Graders 

This image shows a welcoming note to an incoming 5th Grader signed by Mr. Calichman and Ms. Sanborn


Looking forward to seeing you this Thursday at 12:30.  We will meet you at the front entrance of SMS. 

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

5th Grade Ice Cream Social




Image of Treadwell's Icecream in preparation for the 5th Grade Ice Cream Social at SMS



Incoming 5th graders:  Please join us at Swampscott Middle School on Thursday, August 17th from 12:30-1:30 for an Ice Cream Social.  Students will get their homeroom and locker assignments, as well as eat an ice cream and meet some new friends.



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