| Get Your Scorpion Scoop - Week of 11/2-11/6! |
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Principal’s Message
Happy weekend to you, Scorpion Community.
It was a very festive and busy week at San Jose, filled with spirit and loads of activities for students. Thank you so much to students, staff, community partners, and parents/guardians who participated in, chaperoned, planned, led, facilitated, supported (you name it!) one of the many engagements we had this week. We could not do what we do and offer what we offer without so many supportive Scorpions. I am beyond grateful to those in our community who show up with positivity, solutions, ideas, kindness, and support. YOU make this school what it is!
Buckle up and enjoy the review below...
- Leadership hosted a super fun spirit week, concluding with an epic costume contest on Friday. We were so impressed with the creativity and team approach to so many of the costumes we saw, including staff!
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Our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) students have completed their Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) projects!
An ofrenda—meaning "offering"—is a traditional altar built to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away. Far from gloomy, these colorful altars are filled with photos, favorite foods, candles, marigold flowers (cempasúchil), and meaningful personal mementos that tell the story of someone's life.
Our students created small individual ofrendas honoring family members, beloved pets, famous historical figures, and fictional characters. You can view their work displayed across campus at the locations listed below. Please stop by any of these locations to appreciate our students' creativity and learn more about this vibrant cultural tradition!
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7th Graders attended their first Ocean Ambassadors field trip this past week. They visited the Marine Mammal Center and then spent some time at Rodeo Beach. We are beyond fortunate to partner with Ocean Ambassadors and be provided with opportunities to explore our Bay Area neighborhoods, where students can apply their learning from science. Great job planning, science team!
- Math continues to incorporate best practices and strategies that they learn through NUSD Math Task Force meetings/collaborations and professional development. Our math team is finding ways to blend essential standards with Building Thinking Math Classrooms tasks. It makes learning engaging and authentic! This last week, Ms. Cutting's classes practiced ordering In'n'Out (figuratively, of course). Way to go, Ms. Cutting's students!
- 8th graders participated in SJMS's yearly Independence Debates, led by Mr. Fahy and Mr. Schultz. Students stepped back in time to tackle one of history's most pivotal questions: Should the American colonies declare independence from Great Britain? The classrooms transformed into a passionate forum for debate, with students fully embracing their assigned historical roles as either Loyalists, Patriots, or Neutralists. Mr. Fahy and Mr. Schultz are tackling the essential standards in the most creative, engaging ways possible!
- SJMS musicians were busy showcasing their talent this last week, as Ms. Becker led her Scorpions in playing under the dome for all to hear! We were dazzled by band students throughout the day on Friday, as they took a mini field trip and set up in the center of campus. Many teachers brought their classes out to listen, and staff from all over campus paused their daily activities to listen to the delightful music. Then, jazz band mesmerized their audience at Novato High's Big Band Dance! We are so fortunate to partner with visual and performing arts teams across the district to bring creativity and art to our community. Way to go, Scorpions!
- Lastly, as you'll hear about in Mr. G's update below, we engaged in one of our most important safety drills of the year - a comprehensive disaster drill. Our partners from North Bay Security Group were there to guide students and staff through the simulation, and our students and staff did a fantastic job of cooperating and practicing safety. We plan to debrief as a staff on Wednesday and bring the top of safety to our PTA, ELAC, and School Site Council groups. Thank you for your partnership in keeping San Jose safe.
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Final Four Shows: Your Last Chance to See The OutsidersThis week is your last chance to see San Jose Middle School Advanced Drama’s production of The Outsiders, with our final cast taking the stage for four performances.
Set in 1960s Oklahoma, The Outsiders follows the rivalry between the working-class Greasers and the wealthier Socs. At the center are Ponyboy, Johnny, Dallas, and Cherry, whose friendships, rivalries, and choices bring the two groups together and push them apart.
For our 7th graders who are reading The Outsiders right now, here is a chance to go straight from the book to the theater. See the Greasers and the Socs played by students you see in class every day, and watch the scenes you are reading happen right in front of you.
Only four performances remain:
Thursday, Nov. 5 • 6:00 PM
Friday, Nov. 6 • 3:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 7 • 1:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 7 • 6:00 PM
Tickets are just $3 for students and $10 for adults. Student tickets also include a free baked good from the concession stand.
Come for the story. Come for the performances. Come see The Outsiders brought to life by SJMS students before the curtain closes for the final time.
Tickets:
https://fanspot.app/discover/california/novato/sjms-advanced-drama-ebwxa4
Stay Gold, Scorpions.
It looks like there is potential for rain on and off this week. Help your Scorpion be prepared by wearing layers, appropriate footwear, and bringing rain gear, if possible. If your student could use help obtaining colder weather gear, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Regina, our community liaison. We are here to help.
There are three weeks until Thanksgiving Break, folks. Now is a great time for Scorpions to reach out to their teachers, ask for extra help before school, at lunch, after school, or during class, depending on staff availability. And, please be sure you are regularly checking JumpRope to view your student's progress. Teachers are here to troubleshoot and clarify if you have questions.
Make it a great week,
Whitney McEachern, Principal
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November:
📌 11/2 - Novato High School Specialized Program Applications OPEN!
📌 11/5 - Reflections Art Exhibit
📌 11/5-7 - Outsiders Drama Production
📌 11/6 - Lunch on the Lawn
📌 11/11 - Veteran's Day, No School
📌 11/16 - PTA Meeting, 6 PM, SJMS Library (or by Zoom)
📌 11/18 - ELAC Meeting, 5:30 PM, SJMS Library
📌 11/19 - International Dinner (Potluck)
📌 11/23-27 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
📌 11/28-29 - Choir Caroling, Downtown Novato
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We have begun planning the auction. We are looking for big items like vacation homes, sports tickets (Giants, 49ers, Valkyries, Warriors, Sharks etc. They can be for next season too). We are also seeking experiences or items families would like to donate too. Does your company want to Sponsor a game? Please reach out to Julia julia.cavanaugh@gmail.com and we can coordinate your donation. It will be a stellar time as we reach out of this world to support the kids. Donations can be made online as well just click on the link. https://paybee.io/@sjscorpions@37
Lunch on the lawn is coming up again Friday, November 6.
Next PTA Association meeting is Monday, November 19 at 6pm in the library
Please follow us on Instagram as well for updates @sjms_pta Instagram
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Dear Scorpion Families,
We had a wonderful day on Friday celebrating Halloween, judging the pumpkin carving contest, and enjoying the costume parade. It was great to see so many students participate, and I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween weekend.
On Friday, we also conducted our annual comprehensive disaster drill. While the process can feel a bit slow for students, it gives our staff a valuable opportunity to walk through emergency scenarios and practice our response roles.
Please continue to partner with us in encouraging students to use respectful and positive language. While teasing and name-calling can sometimes seem typical for this age group, much of the language we are hearing around campus is inappropriate for school. When asked, "Should we call your parents so you can repeat what you just said?", students often ask us not to make that call. We truly appreciate your support at home in reinforcing positive communication.
Thank you,
Mr. G
Assistant Principal
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A November full of gratitude, recognizing indigenous peoples, and career development!
As we enter the month of November, it is a wonderful opportunity to help our middle schoolers practice dialing in their daily routines at home. With cooler weather and busier schedules, establishing consistent morning and evening habits—like packing backpacks the night before, laying out clothes, and setting a reliable wake-up alarm—makes a world of difference. When students take ownership of these small daily steps, they arrive at school on time, equipped with all their necessary supplies, and feeling calm and confident for the day ahead.
November is also a powerful time for reflection and growth across our school community. As we approach Thanksgiving Break, we encourage families to engage in meaningful conversations about gratitude and personal values. Taking time to identify what matters most and reflecting on the things we appreciate builds emotional resilience and strengthens relationships. Additionally, this month we honor Native American Heritage Month by recognizing, celebrating, and learning about the rich histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples.
Finally, in celebration of National Career Development Month, Ms. K and Mr. E will be pushing into classrooms to deliver engaging college and career lessons for all 6th and 7th grade students. These interactive sessions will help students explore their interests, learn about various career paths, and start connecting their current academic habits to their future goals!
With gratitude,
Your SJMS School Counseling Team
Megan Kovacevich (Ms. K): mkovacevich@nusd.org
*All 7th-grade students & 6th-grade students with last names A–G
Evan Englar (Mr. E): eenglar@nusd.org
*All 8th-grade students & 6th-grade students with last names H–Z
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The last few weeks of the Fall Sports Season are upon us. Come check out one of these great teams before their seasons are over! We will be sending out interest forms for coaching and participating in Winter Basketball later this week.
Upcoming games/competitions:
- 11/02: 7th/8th Volleyball @Miller Creek vs. Miller Creek @4:00
- 11/03: 6th Volleyball @Davidson vs. Davidson @4:00
- 11/04: Flag Football @SJMS vs. Miller Creek @4:00
- 11/06: 6th Volleyball @Miller Creek vs. Miller Creek @4:00
GO SCORPIONS!
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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:
 
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