MS Memo and Newletter

Springdale Middle School parents and students! 

We have finally made it to the end of the school year! Thank you for your dedication and perseverance through this challenging time.  Congratulations to all the high school seniors who graduated last weekend and to the 8th graders who are being promoted to high school!  

Last Day of School

June 17th is our last day of school. As a result of the COVID-19 Closure, state officials directed all schools to add five days to their previously scheduled school calendar. 

Ice Cream Drive-Through & Chromebook Return

Join the middle school teachers for an ice cream drive-through on Tuesday, June 16th, from 1 PM-3 PM. At this event, all students need to submit their final projects, homework, and return their Chromebook. We will be maintaining strict social distancing. Please stay in your car as you drive through the bus loop. Upon staff approval, students will be permitted to access the school only if they need to retrieve personal items. Chromebooks may also be returned to the office or district office during regular working hours of 8 AM-4 PM.

Next Fall

As many of you may have seen or heard, the state released its Reopening Washington Schools 2020 Guidance on Thursday. This document provides schools with the framework in which to develop reopening plans for the fall. All schools will open for all students across the state! At Mary Walker, we will be working with the county health officials to develop a plan that is responsive to our current status of COVID-19. As we work within the state's guidelines, our goal is to have in-person instruction with social distancing and personal protective equipment. However, if restrictions and health concerns increase, we will be prepared with backup plans that may include a rotating schedule, phased-in opening, or continuous remote learning. There is much work ahead of us. Over the next several weeks, we are looking forward to receiving additional guidance from the state to help us create our plans. I assure you that the Mary Walker Team will be ready to meet all students learning needs next fall. 

Please know that we will be working over the summer to ensure we are prepared for the challenges we'll face in the year ahead! 

Mr. Joachim, Principal

Springdale Middle School

www.marywalker.org/sms

8th Grade Promotion Video

Help Needed: Broadband Speed Test, 8th Grad Promotion, Weekly Newsletter

Dear Middle School Students and Families,

This second semester and end of the school year have certainly been odd. I can't wait to get back to normal. Attached is this week's newsletter. 

  Broadband Speed Test

Stevens County is working to increase our internet speed, and we need your help. Can you please test your internet speed, the following link is being used to map out our county's internet access.  

https://expressoptimizer.net/public/

Due to privacy concerns, I encourage you to select the option to 'Enter my partial address' 

The Stevens County Broadband Action Team is using this data as they are preparing a presentation for the need for better broadband for our elected officials. Thank you for taking a minute to help out!

 8th Grade Promotion

Next Tuesday, June 9, at 7 PM, is our 8th-grade promotion. This event is a drive-through promotion. All 8th-grade families are encouraged to line up at the start of the bus loop before 7 PM. Community members and guests are invited to attend the promotion by parking inside the parking lot to cheer our students along the way. 

Mr. Joachim, Principal

Springdale Middle School

PS: Congratulations to all the high school seniors who graduate today!  

Re: 8th Grade Promotion Help

Way back then…kindergarten! 

On May 26, 2020, at 4:44 PM, Brett Joachim <bjoachim@marywalker.org> wrote:

Dear 8th Graders!  

I have to say, I really, really, miss you guys.   Yes, all of you...the bathroom mess-makers, the eye-rollers, the 'I'm-never-going-to-stop-talkers, and even the cafeteria food players!  I miss you all.  

The 8th-grade promotion is June 9th at 7:00 PM.   I am working with school staff, parents and county officials to establish a safe promotional event that honors all of you.

I need your help! 

What ideas and suggestions do you have for your 8th-grade promotion?  

Also, I need pictures to add to the 8th-grade promotion video.  I was so pleased to find some 6th-grade Egyptian presentation videos and look forward to including them.  It was awesome to browse through those clips. Some of you were so tiny and squeaky back then, as my grandmother would say, "cute as a button!”   I think I have some old dance videos too.  

Please email me photos and video clips.  Or, upload them to tinyurl.com/8thPromotion2020.

Miss you,

Mr. Joachim

Drive-Through 8th Grade Promotion

Next Tuesday, June 9 at 7 PM is our 8th-grade promotion. We are following the Washington State Department of Health guidelines to host a drive-through promotion.  We are all saddened by the fact that we are not hosting a traditional promotion and limited in how we can celebrate.  This class has persevered through some tough times, and we are so proud of each and every student. Please join us to celebrate the class of 2024!  This event is going to be a festive one that honors our hardworking students. 

At the start of the drive-through, students will receive a mini-party bag that includes festive items like a party popper, silly string, candy, and a USB drive with the 8th-grade promotion video. Cars will drive through the bus loop where staff and community members will be honking and cheering them along the way. Near the middle of the bus loop, students will pass through a balloon arch, which will be a symbolic reference to a gateway to their high school years.  Each student will then receive their 8th-grade promotion certificate.  

All 8th-grade families are encouraged to line up at the start of the bus loop prior to 7 PM. Community members and guests are invited to attend the promotion by parking inside the parking lot to cheer our students along the way.

Per State guidelines, 8th-grade students, and only their immediate family members who are staying at home together, should arrive in waves and leave after their individual recognition. Students must remain in the car and should be in the passenger seat as they drive through."  

I greatly appreciate everyone who has shared photos for the 8th grade promotion video.  The deadline to add photos is this Friday at noon.  Feel free to email me photos and video clips, OR just upload them to tinyurl.com/8thPromotion2020.

We look forward to celebrating our 8th graders next Tuesday, June 9 at 7 PM.  See you then!