February 26, 2026

Dear Bullpup Families,

We can’t wait to see you all here for Parent-Teacher-STUDENT Conferences (PTSC’s) next week on Thursday evening and Friday morning! As you may recall, we run a modified version of student-led conferences here at SMS – we expect every student to attend with their parent or guardian. Your student has been reflecting on their progress toward their goals and their performance in their classes. They’ll share that with you at the conferences with the teacher there to answer any additional questions you have. The parent-school partnership is crucial for middle school success. Please make time in your schedule to come with your student to their conferences.

As in the Fall, when you come to the PTSC’s, you’ll start in your student’s Homebase. There, you’ll receive your student’s Passport that lists all of your student’s classes, their current grades, and their attendance. You’ll then visit those classes, collecting a teacher signature at each stop. Parents who come with their student and turn in a completed Passport will be eligible for a prize drawing on Friday.

PTSC’s Schedule

Thursday, March 5th: Regular School Day, PTSC’s from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 6th: No School for Students, PTSC’s from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Testing Season Approaches

Although nobody loves standardized tests, we sure do love showing off how much our students have learned! The time of year when we get to do that is rapidly approaching. This year, we have been selected once again as a NAEP testing school, which is a national test of student achievement. Selected 8th graders only will take that test on Tuesday, March 3rd. If your student was selected you have already received an email letting you know.

After the NAEP, our gaze will turn firmly toward the ISAT tests. These are the state-wide tests that measure your student’s and our school’s progress toward excellence. It is very important for our community, our school, and your student that our Bullpups give their absolute best on the test. We will send out more tips and tricks as they approach, but for now we’d ask that you ensure that your family schedule will allow your student will be in school and ready to rock on testing days. There are four tests that all 7th graders and 8th graders take, the ELA Computer Adaptive Test, the ELA Performance Task, the Math Computer Adaptive Test, and the Math Performance Task. In addition, 8th graders take the Science ISAT. Generally, we are testing on Tuesdays through Thursdays starting the week of March 23rd and running through May 14th. Attendance is ALWAYS important and during ISAT testing it’s even moreso.

Please help us show the world how awesome our Bullpups are – make sure your student is ready to show up and show out for ISAT’s!

Thank you for your support and I’ll see you at Conferences next week!

Mr. Penrose