| Get Your Scorpion Scoop - Week of 9/28-10/2! |
|
|
Principal’s Message
Happy weekend, all.Â
I'm going to get right to it, as this week's newsletter is jam-packed! Please take your time reviewing every section, as there is quite a bit that applies to most every grade level. Thank you for your time in reading the Scoop!
​
First, I would be remiss if I did not share with you a couple of updates from the week prior that got away from me as I wrote the Scoop. We had two amazing events on campus that I just have to circle back to. First, following the incredible support from hundreds of families during our PTA membership and family giving campaign, three first period classes earned and enjoyed Kona Ice, as they were the overall top contributors to the fundraising efforts. Thank you to every family who donated, Kona Ice, and our amazing PTA for arranging for such a great treat for our students in the classes with the highest percentage of participation. It was a great afternoon!
​
Also, SJMS leadership hosted Club Rush! This year, we have the most diverse number of clubs represented, such as Spanish Movie Club, Cooking Club, Debate, Chess, and Cycling Clubs, and Pride, Yearbook, and TUPE Peer Educators Clubs (and MORE!). Our staff and students are creating spaces for so many Scorpions to feel comfortable and explore. Thank you to leadership, and staff and student leaders who are spearheading these opportunities for our Scorpions. We appreciate you! Parents/guardians are encouraged to talk to their students about ways they are spending their time and getting involved on campus. Our school is a safer, more inclusive, kinder, and more respectful environment when students are spending their time in a constructive way!
​
And now an exciting message from Mrs. Fisher:
Hello 8th grade families! My name is Mariah Fisher and I am the drama teacher here at San Jose. I am here to support your children with their exploration of what is next for their creative minds! Creativity is a key to success regardless of what path they choose to take through high school, college and beyond, and I am here to answer questions, help them reflect on their interests and give them a little sneak peek into what options might look like!Â
I highly encourage families to sign up for high school tours. These tours can give a big picture of what each program looks like and how they fit into a day in the life of a high schooler.Â
I will also be offering opportunities to connect with each program in a more in-depth way. I have scheduled visits to specific programs that will give the kids a chance to ask questions, interact with current students and really have a chance to see if specific programs match their interests.Â
I will be at the October 20th PTA meeting to answer questions and give a brief overview of the programs and visit opportunities. Please feel free to message me on parent square as questions come up. I've had my own three children, and countless former students go through the MSA program and am happy to answer any questions you might have. My two daughters thrived in both the science and arts programs at Novato High, so it is a great place to be able to activate both sides of the brain.Â
Next week, all 8th graders will have access to a Google form bookmark that will be listed in their Chromebook bookmark drop down menu. Any student is welcome to fill out the Google form! I will use student submissions to send out permission slips and finalize student numbers for our field trips. Please encourage your child to fill out the form and pick some programs to take a closer look at!
​
Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out by ParentSquare or email (mfisher@nusd.org). I look forward to supporting your student!
Scorpions, you just have to review the update from our fabulous counselors, Ms. K and Mr. E, below! We are beyond blessed to have these amazing staff members on campus. Our counselors have been working tirelessly to get into classrooms for presentations, meet with students in need, and collaborate with staff and students to bring awareness, mindfulness, joy, and education to all. Be sure to spend some extra time in the counselors' section below. There are great updates and videos for your perusal!
​
Speaking of incredible supports and offerings from our counselors, that's not all San Jose has to offer. We strive to have opportunities and enrichment in as many areas as possible for our Scorpions: academic, social emotional, career exploration, visual and performing arts, language learning, and more. We need our community's help to spread the word about the amazing components of not just SJMS, but NUSD as a whole. Let's work as a community to truly invest in our young people, who are paving the way for all of our futures. Use the QR code below to get involved in how you can support NUSD in a critical time of need. Save our programs and support every child in Novato!
​
 ​
As you may have heard at Back to School Night, we have two exciting field trips planned for 7th Grade Science this year!Â
​
In the fall, we will be visiting the Marine Mammal Center and the Rodeo Beach area. This will be on Tuesday, October 27th, 2026.
We would love any interested parent/guardian volunteers to accompany us for the day. However, the school volunteer/chaperone process has gotten a little more complicated recently, so we wanted to give you information about the approval process well in advance.
Before the date of the field trip, interested parent/guardian volunteers MUST:
Fill out a volunteer application. (PDF attached) Fill out a Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Questionnaire (or submit a clear test within the last 4 years). (PDF attached) Complete the Mandated Reporter Training for Volunteers (linked).
We have attached all necessary forms to this message. (Please follow the instructions for "Volunteers on Campus (Not Alone With Children)." You may also pick up a volunteer packet in the office. All materials can be turned into Ms. Dugdale in the front office. PLEASE have these completed by Tuesday, October 20th (one week before the trip).
If you are interested in chaperoning this field trip, please fill out the linked Chaperone Interest Google Form. We will contact you directly with more information/reminders about these requirements and field trip logistics as the date approaches.
We completely understand that this process has gotten very complicated, and that there are a lot of hoops to jump through. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.​
|
|
Student Birthday Celebration Program
Have you heard about our birthday packages? Check them out and find the best way to celebrate your Scorpion! We sent out our first batch of balloons this past week, and it was TRULY joyous! We celebrate every Scorpion via morning announcements, but if you wish to add a little extra something to your child's day, reach out to Mrs. Dugdale in the front office. She's ready to ensure a fun celebration is in store for your kiddo.
|
|
|
Please be sure to review each section of the newsletter, including the last section titled "Fliers, Opportunities, Announcements, and More!", as it is updated weekly and includes excellent opportunities and information for our families.
In collaboration,
Whitney McEachern, Principal
|
|
October:
đź“Ś 10/2 - 8th Grade Empower Tomorrow Field Trip, College of Marin Indian Valley Campus, 11:45-2:30
đź“Ś 10/3 - Reflections Entries Due
​📌 10/5-6, 10/12-13, 10/16 - School Fuel Softball Tournament
​📌 10/7 - Walk and Roll to School! (SAVE THE DATE! More info coming from leadership soon.)
​📌 10/9 - Lunch on the Lawn
​📌 10/9 - Choir Concert
​📌 10/12 - Staff Development Day, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
​📌 10/20 - PTA Meeting, 6 PM, SJMS Library
​📌 10/21 - Outsiders Production for Students, 2 PM, Black Box Theater
​📌 10/23-26 - Outsiders Drama Production
​📌 10/29 - Minimum Day, 12:44 PM Dismissal​
|
|
|
|
|
​
If your student wants to participate in the reflections art project for school fuel it's due next week. You can find more information below:
​
🎨Attention Creative Scorpions🌍
The Reflections Art Competition is coming up. Â This year's theme is What My Culture Means to Me.Â
Choose your favorite way to create: Painting • Drawing • Stories/Poetry • Dance • Music • Photography
How will you share your reflection in this creative celebration of who we are?
Student entry forms are in the Main Office. All entries and filled out forms need to be submitted by October 3.
​
|
|
Hi Scorpion Families!
We have a few behavioral updates for you and would certainly appreciate any help we can get at home around these issues.
Horseplay: while it may be developmentally appropriate, it is not appropriate behavior here at school. Â Students oftentimes end up hurting one another, and fights can occur when students behave this way. Â Please assist us in asking your students to keep their hands to themselves while at school.
Gum: we are now at the point of the year where every student knows the expectation. Â If students are caught with gum on campus, they will be given opportunities for campus beautification. Â This will happen each week with whichever group of students have been assigned by staff throughout the prior week.
Bus Etiquette: students can be removed and banned from the city buses for behaviors such as repeated inappropriate language, throwing things, and harassment. Â These are things that have been recently reported to the school and the city bus drivers have the authority to hold students accountable for their behavior while on the bus.
On a lighter note, we will be awarding another 30 students, selected at random, on Monday for having perfect attendance.  Thanks for all you do as parents and families to support your student’s success!
Yours in partnership,Â
Mr. G
|
Routines and Dreams!
Happy Fall, parents and guardians! As our school year picks up momentum, establishing strong daily routines is the single best way to set your student up for success. From consistent sleep schedules to designated homework zones, predictable habits give middle school brains the anchor they need to thrive.
Speaking of predicting the future: did you ever guess you’d be in your current career when you were your child’s age? Did you take an interest assessment back in the day that pointed you toward becoming a chef, only to end up as an architect?
While daily routines anchor our students in the present, career awareness helps them look ahead and connect today’s habits to tomorrow’s dreams. This past week, our 8th graders took another exciting step toward their futures with Mr. E, completing a Career Interest Profiler on CaliforniaColleges.edu. Students identified potential career paths matching their personal strengths, explored two additional career guidance sites, and were encouraged to interview you, their teachers, and other trusted adults about their professional journeys. 8th graders will also participate in the Empower Tomorrow Field Trip at College of Marin’s Indian Valley Campus next Friday where they’ll meet adults from their various careers and have an opportunity to ask questions and see their tools for their respective careers.
We encourage you to check in with your 8th grader about their Career Interest Profiler results and view the presentation slides. Ask them what surprised them about their top career matches! You can also create a parent account to review your student's career assessments, track their college planning progress, and eventually use the platform to guide them through high school course planning, college applications, and financial aid options (like FAFSA/CADAA).
Recently, we visited all 6th-grade English classes to deliver an Introduction to Counseling & Wellness at SJMS. Students learned how to self-refer for a 1-on-1 meeting with a counselor, how to utilize the Wellness Hub, and how to request a wellness break during the school day. We also explored the many scenarios and challenges counselors can help students navigate. Shout-out to our 6th-grade class—we were so impressed by their active participation and thoughtful questions!
This past week, our 7th and 8th graders covered this same material during Science classes through a custom video presentation that we created. In addition to reviewing counseling services, self-referrals, and wellness support, we partnered with students from leadership to share an important message for Suicide Prevention Month. Student leaders highlighted key warning signs to watch for, emphasized the importance of speaking up when a peer is struggling, and shared local and national crisis resources like the 988 Lifeline. You can watch the full video with your student here: Â Introduction to Counseling & Wellness 7th/8th 26-27Â
A snapshot of what’s coming up in counseling and wellness:
Week of 10/05/2026- 7th Grade- We Lead Ours -WELO:
​Â
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome back We Lead Ours (WELO). WELO will be delivering their 5-day workshop on substance use education and prevention to our 7th graders through their Science classes. We have been fortunate to partner with WELO for several years now, and our students always benefit from their engaging, empowering curriculum. We look forward to another fantastic week of learning and skill-building with their team!Â
https://www.weleadours.org/Â
Friday, 10/02/2026- Empower Tomorrow Field Trip (all 8th graders)
​
Wellness Hub:
We are delighted to welcome the return of our Wellness Hub for the third year! The Wellness Hub is closed the first couple of weeks of school and will have more information for you to follow! We aim to keep our Wellness Hub stocked for students to have access to a safe space on campus that is filled with snacks, mindful activities, arts and crafts, board games, etc. We welcome new or gently used donations, and we also update our Wellness Hub Amazon Wishlist regularly as our inventory runs low. If you wish to support wellness initiatives at SJMS, we have linked our wishlist here! Thank you for your consideration and partnership. We look forward to sharing more news and happenings with you soon! SJMS Wellness Hub WishlistÂ
Thank you!
|
|
Three cheers for our Flag Football team, our 6th grade Girl’s Volleyball team, and our 7th/8th grade Girl’s Volleyball team on opening their seasons this past week.  All teams played hard in their respective matches vs. Hall, Davidson, and Del Mar.
Upcoming games:
9/28: 6th Volleyball vs. Sinaloa @ 4:00 9/30: Cross Country @ Mill Valley @ 4:00 10/1: Cross Country @ St. Hilary’s @ 4:00 10/1: 7th/8th Volleyball vs. Mill Valley @ 4:00 10/2: Flag Football @ San Domenico @ 4:00
GO SCORPIONS!
|
|
|
|
The 2026-2027 NUSD Middle School Handbook was sent home with your Scorpion at either schedule pick up or the first day of school. The final page should have been signed and returned to SJMS by Friday, 8/28. Please keep the handbook in a safe place at home, and consistently review it, as well is the SJMS Behavior Matrix. Both consist of expectations that are reviewed regularly at school. We highly encourage you to discuss high expectations at home with your Scorpion. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your student knows how to be #ScorpionStrong!
Middle School Handbook PDF:
SJMS Behavior Matrix:
 
|
|
|
