Newberry Middle School

January 2025 Students of the Month 6th: Sheryln De Leon Perez 7th: Lorrie Siriphong 8th: Karamia Kinard Teacher: Tamara Cannon Support Staff: Jessica Wood

Newberry Middle School Faculty working the School District of Newberry County Recruitment Fair at Mid-Carolina High School (Date: 1/25/25-Saturday) 9AM-11AM

Note from Dr. Swygert-MLP Director Congratulations to Esluamy, Jair, Quang, Emilet, and Shareni for demonstrating outstanding dedication and commitment by achieving Perfect Attendance in the MLP Academy! GO TIGERS!!!

Good afternoon parents/guardians! It is time to schedule your 8th grade student’s first IGP meeting! 8th-12th grade students are required by state law to have an IGP meeting each year to discuss career interests/paths, as well as requirements and progress towards high school graduation. Your student was given a paper copy of the handout that is attached to this email on Tuesday during homeroom. Please see the attached document for information on scheduling IGP meetings. You may also use the link below to access the booking page. https://mswood8thgradeigp.youcanbook.me/ At your students first IGP meeting we will discuss the following: Current grades, attendance, and progress towards 9th grade Important high school information Career interests 9th grade course options and requests for the 25-26 school year Please let me know if you have any questions! I look forward to meeting with you soon. Jessica Wood, M.Ed. Certified School Counselor Newberry Middle School jwood@sdnc.org

Golf Workouts have been cancelled for Wednesday.  The first golf workout will now be Thursday 1-23-2025 at 4:00 to 5:45 at the Country Club of Newberry.  Message from Coach Redd, NHS Golf Coach bredd@sdnc.org

Message from Nurse Werts (1/17/25) Illness Reminder: We need your help to reduce the spread of germs! By working together, taking precautions, we can help to minimize the impact of any illness that can be spread to others. Please be reminded of the following: • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds; • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; • Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick; • Stay home when feeling sick, and obtain consultation from your health care provider. o Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have vomiting or diarrhea o Ill children should stay home until 24 hours after they are fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicines. • Cover your cough/sneeze. It is best to cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. If you cough/sneeze in your hands or in a tissue, make sure you wash your hands afterwards. • These everyday steps are a good way to reduce your chances of getting the flu. However, a yearly flu vaccine is the best protection against flu illness. Recordatorio en caso de enfermedad: Necesitamos su ayuda para reducir la propagación de gérmenes. Al trabajar juntos, tomando precauciones, podemos ayudar a minimizar el impacto de cualquier enfermedad que puede transmitirse a otras personas. Por favor recuerde lo siguiente: • Lávese las manos frecuentemente con agua y jabón durante 20 segundos; • Evitar tocar sus ojos, nariz y boca con las manos sin lavar; • Evitar los besos, abrazos, compartir vasos o cubiertos con personas que están enfermas; • Desinfectar las superficies frecuentemente tocadas, como juguetes y pomos de las puertas, especialmente si alguien está enfermo; • Quédese en casa si se siente enfermo y haga una consulta con su médico. o Mantenga a los niños enfermos en casa por lo menos 24 horas después de que ya no tienen vómitos o diarrea o Los niños enfermos deben permanecer en casa hasta 24 horas después de que les haya pasado la libre sin el uso de medicina para reducir la fiebre. • Cubra su boca cuando tosa o estornudo. Lo mejor es estornudar o toser en su manga superior o codo, no en sus manos. Si usted tose/estornuda en sus manos o en un pañuelo de papel, asegúrese de que usted se lave sus manos después de hacerlo. • Estas instrucciones todos los días son una buena manera de disminuir las posibilidades de la gripe. Sin embargo, la vacuna anual contra la gripe es la mejor protección contra la influenza

IGP Information from Jessica Wood (8th Grade Counselor) Questions: jwood@sdnc.org

1/15/25 RE: FSI Office Teacher of the Week (Dr. Ashley Swygert) Newberry Middle School Please congratulate Dr. Ashley Swygert (MLP Newberry Middle School Lead Teacher & MLP Lead for the School District of Newberry County for being the FSI Office Teacher of the Week. (Week of Jan. 13th-17th) Nomination: Mr. Reid (Principal) Please go to https://fsioffice.com/teacher-all-stars and click on "Vote for A Teacher All-Star." Newberry Middle School is eligible to win $600.00 for school supplies if Dr. Swygert wins the Teacher of the Month. If a monthly winner, she will be invited to attend a celebration to honor all the teachers of the month in Charlotte, North Carolina where the FSI Office Teacher All-Star of the Year is named and awarded classroom furniture, classroom gifts and a check for $5,000.00 to purchase classroom supplies from FSIoffice. Thank you to Dr. Ashley Swygert, for all you do to teacher, inspire, and mentor your students. Please vote for Dr. Swygert during the "voting window" to help her become the FSI Office Teacher of the Year. Voting Window: January Teacher All-Star Jan 20-27 Go Tigers!!! Mr. Reid

Over 200 Students recognized at the Newberry Middle School Quarter Two Awards Ceremony! Date: January 13th Time: 8:15AM-9AM Location: NMS Gym GO TIGERS!!!

Due to the threat of winter weather and the resulting hazardous road conditions, the School District of Newberry County will have an eLearning day on Friday, January 10, 2025, with schools and offices closed. All activities are canceled for January 10. Teachers will post assignments for students to complete, but there will be no live Google Meets on this day. Students who do not have internet access will need to download assignments during school on Thursday. Students will have a five-school-day window of time to turn in eLearning assignments. Additional information regarding eLearning guidelines and expectations can be found at https://bit.ly/426hmBW.

SCDE responds to PowerSchool Data Breach Jan 8, 2025 Late Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) was informed by PowerSchool of a cybersecurity breach involving its PowerSource portal. This was an international incident over which the state and local districts had no control. This breach resulted in unauthorized access to certain customer data from PowerSchool’s Student Information Systems (SIS), including data from multiple states and school districts across the country. During a meeting with PowerSchool’s senior leadership, they confirmed that personally identifiable information (PII) was compromised. The SCDE is currently working to understand the full scope of the breach. PowerSchool has stated that this breach has been contained and has informed the SCDE that it has taken steps to secure its systems, engage cybersecurity experts, and is also coordinating with law enforcement to address the breach. The SCDE is actively communicating with PowerSchool, legal counsel, and local districts to assess the full impact on South Carolina schools, students, and educators and to determine next steps. The SCDE is also in direct communication with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Attorney General’s office and has notified the Governor and legislative leaders. Commenting on the seriousness of this incident, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said, “The protection of our South Carolina students’ and educators’ personal data is non-negotiable. We fully recognize the anxiety this raises for them and their families.” She continued, “While PowerSchool has taken accountability for this breach, our Department will take uncompromising action to ensure we uncover the complete extent of this incident. We will insist that PowerSchool not only notify affected individuals but also provide them with credit and identity monitoring services." The SCDE will continue to engage and support districts and schools throughout this process as more information becomes available. https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/news-releases/scde-responds-to-powerschool-data-breach/

Subject: I-Ready Winter 2024 Challenge Winners Note: Matthew Alexander (8th Grader/Newberry Middle School) & Sheryln De Leon Perez (6th Grader/Newberry Middle School) both completed (16) I-Ready lessons over the Winter Holidays. Both students received (1) free homework pass. In addition, students will receive (1) free hat day of their choosing. They will also receive 1 ice cream, 1 bag of chips, and an additional entree in the cafeteria compliments of Mr. Reid. Kudos to these outstanding scholars for their hard work over the Winter Holiday. "Hard work pays off!" Note: Grade Levels with the Most I-Ready Lessons Completed over the Winter Holiday 6th Grade: 1st Place (WINNER) 8th Grade: 2nd Place 7th Grade: 3rd Place ***If weather permits, 6th Graders will earn an additional 2 minutes at recess for the remainder of the week.

Congrats. to Coach Troy White, WLTX Teacher of the Week (Date: Jan. 7th, 2025) Coach White is the history dept. lead at NMS. Coach White serves as the Head NMS Football Coach and is an Asst. Archery Coach. Coach White is a trained 4.0 Mentor/Observer. Please tune into the WLTX Jan. 7th 5PM Broadcast if you haven't already done so, or see on the WLTX Teacher of the Week page on their website. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/teacher-of-the-week/teacher-of-the-week-troy-white/101-cdf62ae6-6765-4189-9f22-5e430100df71

Track Announcement from Coach Hamilton-NHS Track Coach Questions: please contact Coach Hamilton at dhamilton@sdnc.org

Sixth grade parents, please check with your student. Documentation (invitations) from Mrs. Cantrell, NMS Junior beta sponsor were sent home with 6th grade students meeting Jr. Beta Academic Requirements today in regards to invitations to join Junior beta club. In order for students to join, they must turn in their letters (completed) and $30 by January 15th. Please contact Mrs. Cantrell, Jr. Beta Sponsor at mcantrell@sdnc.org Go Tigers!!!🐅

Quarter 2 Awards Day will be held on January 13th, 2025 (Monday) Time: 8:15am Location: Gym Grades: 6th, 7th, & 8th Students receiving an award will receive notification on 1/8/25 from Ms. Jennifer Brown. Please check with your student after school on this day. We are excited to celebrate student achievement on this day! Go Tigers!!!🐅

RE: Newberry Middle School E-Newsletter (January, 2025) Editor/Sponsor: Mrs. Geron Wiggins See Link Below https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbGPuFUa8/sYUTGbInrwLaMTRkyzyNsw/edit?utm_content=DAGbGPuFUa8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Please see Poster from Coach Redd, NHS Golf Coach if your student is interested in participating in Golf at NHS. Note: 7th & 8th Grade Only. Email: bredd@sdnc.org

ELA Academy Opportunity for students eligible and receiving invites. Invites will be mailed on 1/3/25. (Director: Geron Wiggins) gwiggins@sdnc.org

Information from Coach Pelton: Note to NMS Boys (7th & 8th Grade) interested in playing Soccer at Newberry High School in the Spring. See Schedule below. Contact Coach Pelton at dpelton@sdnc.org if you have questions.