Congratulations to October’s Staff Member of the Month, Mrs. De Lisi! Mrs. De Lisi has tackled her new position with such positivity and adaptability! She is so kind and does so much coordination with all of the substitutes. She goes above and beyond! Mrs. De Lisi has handled tackling her new position with such determination and grace. She genuinely cares about everyone she comes in contact with and works tirelessly to make sure teachers are covered. She has one of the most difficult jobs in the building because there are never enough substitutes to cover all of the absences. Congratulations again, Mrs. De Lisi!

Tis the Season for...
STUFF THE STOCKING!!

The SMS Per Leaders are collecting toys and gifts for Sussex County families in need!

We Accept:
New, Unwrapped Gifts
Gift Cards
Items from our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/OO8SILJMA078?ref_=wl_share

We will collet toys through December 8th. Please drop off at SMS in the boxes in front of the Modern Living Classroom.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Kapuscinski at elisabeth.kapuscinski@sparta.org.

Congratulations to September’s Staff Member of the Month, Mr. Javornik!

Mr. Javornik is a wonderful colleague and a friendly face to all the students. He keeps our building clean and safe. We especially appreciate how quickly he responds when something spills, breaks, explodes, etc. Mr. Javornik has such a demanding job and he does it with a smile! He is also a pleasure to chat with when he has a free minute, which is not often! Congratulations again, Mr. Javornik!

MISSING SCHOOL = MISSING OUT!
ATTENDANCE MATTERS

YOUR CHILD CAN SUFFER ACADEMICALLY if they miss 10% of school (18 days). That’s just 2 days per month!

IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THESE ABSENCES ARE EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED. They all represent lost time in the classroom and a lost opportunity for your child to learn.

Arriving late or leaving early can also negatively impact a student missing instructional time as well as the teachers and other students whose learning/teaching is disrupted when a student leaves early or arrives late.

PLEASE make EVERY effort to schedule appointments after school or on scheduled breaks and days off.

SMS Remembers.

Sparta Middle School Announces 2024-2025 Students of the Fourth Marking Period: Sparta Middle School has recognized the Students of the First Marking Period. These students have been chosen by their team teachers to exemplify good character and positive work habits. The sixth-grade teams are Amber, Sapphire and Topaz. For the seventh grade the teams are Diamond, Garnet and Ruby. The eight grade teams are Pearl, Emerald and Jade. Read the full article here: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/sparta/sections/education/articles/sparta-middle-school-announces-2024-2025-students-of-the-fourth-marking-period

Sparta Middle School has recognized the Students of the First Marking Period. These students have been chosen by their team teachers for exemplifying good character and positive work habits. The sixth-grade teams are Amber, Sapphire and Topaz. For the seventh grade the teams are Diamond, Garnet and Ruby. The eight grade teams are Pearl, Emerald and Jade. The teachers share their comments about the selected students. Read the full article here: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/sparta/sections/education/articles/sparta-middle-school-announces-2024-2025-students-of-the-third-marking-period-1605855

TENNIS SUMMER CAMP: Sparta Tennis Camp will run from July 21-24. Please visit the following link for more details: https://sites.google.com/sparta.org/sparta-high-school-tennis-camp/summer-camp

SHS CROSS COUNTRY: 8th Graders that are interested in joining the Cross Country team in high school should email Coach Horetsky (sierra.horetsky@sparta.org) or see Mr. Gilmartin. They should also join the Google Classroom: https://classroom.google.com/c/NzY1OTExMzEzODg1?cjc=4megevjv

Sparta Middle School Robotics Brings a Trophy Home From VEX World Championship Read the full article here: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/sparta/sections/education/articles/sparta-middle-school-brings-trophy-home-from-vex-world-championship

The SMS PTO invites all SMS friends and family to join us at a Miner's Game on Saturday, June 14th, 6:35PM. Tickets can be purchased through our unique group rate ticketing link (see below). Seats in Section II have been reserved for SMS. Adult supervision is required, this is not a chaperoned event. Hope to see you there! https://tickets.sussexcountyminers.com/event/674f28b9976efbdb240b0628/67efdd7a97859ae362b5bbe7 Québec Capitales vs. Sussex County Miners - Game 17 vs. Québec Capitales 10th Anniversary Bobblehead Giveaway Gates Open: 4:30 pm First Pitch: 6:35 pm Get ready for an unforgettable evening at Skylands Stadium, as the Sussex County Miners celebrate their loyal fans with a one-of-a-kind event—Bobblehead Night! This exciting night will feature a limited-edition bobblehead giveaway that is sure to become a treasured keepsake for our 10th anniversary season. The night doesn’t end after the final pitch—stick around for a spectacular postgame fireworks show, lighting up the Skylands sky. Make sure to come to the stadium early to get your bobble head while supply lasts. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a first-time visitor, this is the perfect chance to show your team pride and add a unique collectible to your collection.

BOYS’ & GIRLS’ TRACK and FIELD SUMMER CAMP: July 7-10, 2025 8:45AM - 12:30PM Open to all boys and girls entering grades 2-9 Camp is held at the Sparta High School Track Purpose: The primary goal of the Sparta Track and Field & Cross Country Summer Camp is to have fun! Camp will focus on the development of fundamental skills for Track and Field & Cross Country by introducing campers to a variety of track and field events. Campers have the opportunity to work on events of their choice and interests. In addition to Coach Gilmartin, staff will include Sparta Track and Field Athletes as well as alumni, including current college track and field & cross country athletes. Activities will include: *Track and Field events such as long jump, high jump, discus & shot put *100, 200, 400 & 800 meter running *Distance and cross country running *Body weight circuit training *Running drills to help with form *Running games Please visit the following website for more information and registration link.: https://sites.google.com/sparta.org/sparta-track-camp/home

GIRLS’ SOFTBALL SUMMER CAMP: Sparta Girls Softball Summer Camp is open to all softball players 2nd through 9th grade. Please visit the following website for more information and registration link:

Congratulations to April’s Staff Member of the Month, Mrs. Trum! Mrs. Trum has worked in the district for many years, but her commitment to her students has not waned. She continuously adapts and changes her units and teaching to meet the needs of her students. Her passion for her content comes through in the classroom which keeps the students engaged and focused. She has high expectations for her kids and supports them as they strive to reach them. Mrs. Trum is also kind and supportive as a colleague. She is there if you need her and always willing to lend a listening ear and words of encouragement. We are going to miss her very much, but we are incredibly happy that she will have more time with her grandchildren. Congratulations and best of luck to Mrs. Trum!

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SUMMER CAMP: The Sparta Youth Girls Basketball Camp is back! The camp will run from June 23 - June 27. Please use the following link for details and registration information: https://sites.google.com/sparta.org/sparta-girls-basketball/summer-camp?authuser=0

2025 Sparta Field Hockey Camp July 28th-July 31st (Aug 1st rain date) Registration is now open!! Any girl entering grades 3-9 may sign up! (beginners are welcome!) Email amy.tripold@sparta.org with any questions Please use the following link to register: https://sites.google.com/sparta.org/sparta-field-hockey-camp/register-online

Teacher Appreciation Week -This week, thanks to the generous support of many SMS families, the PTO treated all SMS staff to a delicious lunch catered by Chef D’s Food Truck. They also stocked the staff room with a variety of sweet and salty treats, and several lucky staff members won raffle prizes! We are truly grateful for everything the SMS PTO does throughout the year to support our staff!

Sparta Middle School Announces 2024-2025 Third Marking Period Honor Roll on TAPinto Sparta! The following grading scales and indicators shall be used for Grade 6 to Grade 8: A+ = 98-100, A = 93-97, A- =90-92 B+ = 87-89, B = 83-86, B- = 80-82 C+ = 77-79, C = 73-76, C- = 70-72 D+ = 67-69, D =63-66, D- = 60-62 F = 0-59 INC = Incomplete – Course work pending and must be completed within 2 weeks of report cards being posted. Honor Roll Criteria High Honor Roll • Student must earn all A’s in major subjects • No grade below a B in any other class • World Language will count as a major subject Honor Roll • Students must earn three A’s in major subjects • No grade below a B in any other class • World Language will not count as a major subject Read the article below to find out who achieved Honor Roll and Honor Roll at Sparta Middle School for the 3rd Marking Period! https://www.tapinto.net/towns/sparta/sections/education/articles/sparta-middle-school-announces-2024-2025-third-marking-period-honor-roll

There are still spots available for students to enroll in the return of the Sparta Summer Arts Workshop! Classes are offered for students grades 5-12 in band, choir, orchestra, STEM, art, and Modern Living from June 30th-July 17th at SMS. Registration is open for 1, 2, or 3 week sessions. For more information and to register, please visit our website or contact Mrs. Fortunato or Mr. Lombardo. http://www.spartasummerarts.org/

The SMS Green Club is co-sponsoring the Sparta Earth Day Fair on Saturday, May 3rd at Sparta Middle School from 10-2. There will be local environmental exhibitors, kid activities, and a food truck.