Carver Announcements for March 29, 2020

Hello Carver Families,

Tomorrow starts SPS at Home learning for all students. Please ask your student to log on Canvas on their chromebook each day to access each course. Each teacher for your student will post daily announcements for the learning that day, assignments, and times when they will be available to give personal feedback and answer individual questions.  Some additional information to know for this week:

1.        If you have not yet spoken to a Carver teacher about device, internet, and food access questions, please make sure to answer the phone call on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The district has asked that we speak to each parent personally. The call may appear to be a Carver number or it may have a blocked Caller ID number.  If possible, please answer that call and speak with the Carver teacher for a few minutes. The Carver staff member will be asking a few scripted questions about how best to support your student related to online assignments, any need for food, computer access, and other similar questions. To ensure we have visited with each family about these important questions, we will make home visits if we have been unable to reach you by phone. The goal is to make sure each student has access to learning during this time away from school.

2.        Carver nutrition services staff will be handing out a breakfast and lunch combined food pack from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm each day in the Carver car line. Your student does not need to be present in the car to get the food pack. If you are unable to make it to the car line during those time, you are welcome to send a neighbor or other person to pick up the food pack! No ID’s are needed!

3.        During the SPS at Home learning time, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teachers for any questions on learning or assignments. You can find a list of email addresses at this link (click here) or at sps.org. In sps.org, please select ‘Carver’ from the list of schools at the top of the page, then select ‘About’ on the Carver page. You can find the list of teacher emails listed under staff directory.

4.        Due to the Stay-At-Home order, the phones will be answered remotely by the office secretary beginning March 30. Please call the main number at 523-6800 to speak to an off-site staff member.

5.        READING IS IMPORTANT! Please follow the Carver Library Instagram page at carver_ms_library. Mrs. McGuane will be sharing out inspirational quotes, updates, links to resources to promote reading, and links to free Audible books and webcasts by popular authors. Parents can also message the librarian through the Instagram Library page for assistance on accessing Canvas.

6.        Parents! Need help accessing and checking online learning with your student??? Click here for a guide created by our librarian for quick “how-to” items for parents.  Please be sure to reach out with questions as we navigate online learning. Ask your student to canvas inbox (email) his or her teachers and read the answers from the teacher together or email the teachers directly! Teachers are available via email or the librarian is willing to help via email or Instagram. At Carver, we want you to know we are in this together and we want to help you and your child during this SPS at Home learning experience.

7.        Need help with technology for your student or yourself? Check out this resource from SPS for tech support! Click here for the link or access it by going to sps.org and clicking SPS at Home.

8.        Carver PE Department has partnered with Foundation for Springfield Public Schools to for a Pick-a-Project. Click here to view a flyer on the project. The project is designed to raise money to purchase a specialized heart monitor that will send wireless updates on the student’s performance for the day to the teacher and parents and can also be set to average a class performance for friendly class competitions. Please considering donating or sharing this link to promote Carver’s Pick-a-Project! Click here to donate or to copy and share the link! Thank you!

9.        We want your photos! Please use this link to share photos of your family during this extended break and of your student during online learning!

10.     Check out the newsletter link from our counseling staff at Carver. We are here to help when you need it! Click here for the link.

Thank you for your assistance as we work toward providing an education for your student. Please know as a Carver family, we are committed to serving all students and care about your family.

Take care and be safe.

Dr. Dana Powers

Carver Principal

Carver Announcements for March 22, 2020

Hello Carver Families,

As you know, Spring Break was extended, and the district is currently planning for when and how to best educate all students in a safe and dependable manner while we are not in session. Some information to know for this week:

1.        On Monday or Tuesday – March 23rd and 24th – you will receive a call from a Carver teacher.  It may appear to be a Carver number or it may have a blocked Caller ID number.  If possible, please answer that call and speak with the Carver teacher for a few minutes. The Carver teacher will be asking a few scripted questions about how best to support your student related to online assignments, any need for food, computer access, and other similar questions. 

2.        Carver will be handing out a breakfast and lunch combined food pack from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm each day in the Carver car line. Your student does not need to be present in the car to get the food pack.

3.        Online instruction for our students will begin March 30th, so they need to be ready to learn from home at that time. Students will need access to a computer and Internet order to complete assignments. If those tools are not readily available for your student, please let the Carver teacher know that important information when you receive the call on Monday or Tuesday.

4.        We will have limited ability in the office to answer the phones March 23^rd – March 27^th in the Carver office as we will be shorthanded during the week. We will return check phone messages and return calls and email messages as soon as possible.

5.        Soon after the March 30^th learning begins for students, teachers will begin updating grades online. Please be sure to check assignments and grades online each day for your student and talk with your student about each grade. Please be sure to email your child’s teacher for detailed information on assignments and grades during the extended time off. To check grades and assignments, please follow these steps:

·       Home Access Center website: https://homeaccess.sps.org/homeaccess

·       Log-in: Enter User Name and Password

o   If you have not previously logged on, you will be asked to create two questions with answers in case you forget your password in the future.

o   If you need your log-in and password, please come in or call the office.

·       Click on Grades for grade card for the quarter and on Classes for assignments and overall scores in each class throughout the quarter.  

6.        Carver PE Department has partnered with Foundation for Springfield Public Schools to for a Pick-a-Project. Click here to view a flyer on the project. The project is designed to raise money to purchase a specialized heart monitor that will send wireless updates on the student’s performance for the day to the teacher and parents and can also be set to average a class performance for friendly class competitions. Please considering donating or sharing this link to promote Carver’s Pick-a-Project! Click here to donate or to copy and share the link! Thank you!

Thank you for your assistance as we work toward providing an education for your student. Please know as a Carver family, we are committed to serving all students and care about your family.

Take care and be safe.

Dr. Dana Powers

Carver Principal

Carver Announcements for March 9, 2020

Hello Carver Families!

This information is intended to keep parents updated on reminders, upcoming activities, and announcements during the school year. Be sure to check Carver's webpage for updated daily announcements.

1.        Third quarter ends on March 12! Please be sure to check assignments, grades, and attendance online each day for your student and talk with your student about each grade. To check grades and assignments, please follow these steps:

·       Home Access Center website: https://homeaccess.sps.org/homeaccess

·       Log-in: Enter User Name and Password

o   If you have not previously logged on, you will be asked to create two questions with answers in case you forget your password in the future.

o   If you need your log-in and password, please come in or call the office.

·       Click on Grades for grade card for the quarter and on Classes for assignments and overall scores in each class throughout the quarter.  

2.        The next Carver PTSA meeting is scheduled for March 12^th from 5 pm – 6 pm in the Carver library. All parents/guardians are invited to attend. PTSA is also nominating for several offices for the 2020-21 school year this spring. Please contact CarverPTSA@outlook.com or attend the PTSA meeting for information about offices. If you need more information about meetings or events, please contact PTSA via email at CarverPTSA@outlook.com or on facebook at Carver PTSA. We hope to see you at the PTSA meetings!

3.        Make Explore part of your summer plans! Explore will offer students exciting opportunities to pursue interests and passions. There will be two sessions of Explore. Session I is scheduled for June 3-30. Session II will be held July 6-July 31. Middle school students will attend Explore classes Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration for middle school students begins March 4. Students in 8^th grade may register for High school Explore classes beginning March 2. Register for Explore classes at www.sps.org/Explore.

4.        Carver PE Department has partnered with Foundation for Springfield Public Schools to for a Pick-a-Project. Click here to view a flyer on the project. The project is designed to raise money to purchase a specialized heart monitor that will send wireless updates on the student’s performance for the day to the teacher and parents and can also be set to average a class performance for friendly class competitions. Please considering donating or sharing this link to promote Carver’s Pick-a-Project! Click here to donate or to copy and share the link! Thank you!

5.        MAP testing dates begin April 20^th – May 7^th for students in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades. Testing will be in the morning and finish by lunch. Please make attendance a priority during MAP weeks and, if possible, schedule all appointments for after school.

6.        Come cheer on our 8^th grade basketball team on Tuesday at Cherokee and on Thursday at Glendale as we play in the tournament! We encourage parents to come cheer with your student in the stands for our teams! For students without a guardian present in the stands, the guardian must pick up the student by 8 pm for each home and away game for all sports. Students attending the game as a spectator should make clear arrangements to have a ride at the designated pick-up time of 8 pm PRIOR to attending the game. Students picked up later than the expected pick-up time or with no pick-up ride in the stands by 8 pm could forfeit the privilege of attending future athletic activities as a spectator. If the game is not over at the 8 pm pick-up time, the driver/pick-up ride/guardian can enter the game for FREE for the remainder of the game to sit with the student in the stands and cheer our teams to victory. Please visit with your student prior to the start of the game on spectator expectations.

7.        The annual PTSA Carver Dodgeball Tournament Fundraiser has been rescheduled for March 27 at 5:30 pm – 7 pm. If your student turned in a permission slip and/or money, those items will be returned or held in the office. Please ask your student if you would like both returned. If you have not yet signed up yet, permission slips are still available in the office. Players can sign up with a team or as individuals for $5 per person. Extra lives to stay in the game can be purchased at the door for $1 each. There will be adult and student teams available. (Adult teams will not play student teams in the tournament.) Individuals not participating can pay $1 at the door. PTSA will have pizza and concessions available during the event.

8.        As a reminder, school ends at 2:45 pm! Please have your student picked up before 3 pm each day. Students not picked up before 3 pm will come to the office and we will call home. Please come into the office to speak to an administrator when your pick up your student after 3 pm. For our families that need a later pick up than 3 pm, please enroll your student in the Y-Teens (after school program provided for pay by the YMCA). Click here for registration information.

9.        DOES YOUR STUDENT NEED SOME HELP WITH HOMEWORK? After school tutoring is available through the Springfield Park Board, Monday-Thursday, 2:50-3:50 p.m. Scholarships are available for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch. Forms are available in the office.

10.     READING IS IMPORTANT! Please join our Carver Library Instagram page at carver_ms_library to learn about upcoming library events, book recommendations, book reviews, and a parent newsletter.

11.     CELL PHONE POLICY FOR CARVER: Students can use cell phones in green zones during the day. A green zone is between classes (students using a cell phone are not excused for being late to class for using a cell phone and will receive a tardy consequence), during lunch, before school until 8 am, and after school ends at 2:45 pm. Carver is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or cases. The restroom and bathrooms are red zones. No phone use in the restroom or locker rooms. Classrooms are also red zones for phones unless the teacher has specifically allowed cell phone use in the syllabus. Please contact the teacher if you have questions about cell phone use in the classroom. Please make sure your student with a cell phone understands the cell phone policy if you send a cell phone with them to school. If an emergency arises during the day, please contact the office (417-523-6800), and a message can be relayed to your student. Thank you for helping us navigate student cell phone use during the learning time at school.

12.     Want to stay connected to the weekly announcements? The announcements can be found on Carver’s Twitter and Facebook pages at:

 Our Facebook page is: Carver Middle School Cougars

 Our Twitter name is: @CarverMSCougars

Thank you for all you do to help our Carver school community! Go Cougars!

Dr. Dana Powers

Carver Principal

Carver Announcements for March 2, 2020

Hello Carver Families!

This information is intended to keep parents updated on reminders, upcoming activities, and announcements during the school year. Be sure to check Carver's webpage for updated daily announcements.

1.        Third quarter ends on March 12! An alert now phone call will be coming on March 6 for each student with all A’s and B’s and for each student with a D or F grade. Please be sure to check assignments, grades, and attendance online each day for your student and talk with your student about each grade. To check grades and assignments, please follow these steps:

·       Home Access Center website: https://homeaccess.sps.org/homeaccess

·       Log-in: Enter User Name and Password

o   If you have not previously logged on, you will be asked to create two questions with answers in case you forget your password in the future.

o   If you need your log-in and password, please come in or call the office.

·       Click on Grades for grade card for the quarter and on Classes for assignments and overall scores in each class throughout the quarter.  

2.        The next Carver PTSA meeting is scheduled for March 12^th from 5 pm – 6 pm in the Carver library. All parents/guardians are invited to attend. PTSA is also nominating for several offices for the 2020-21 school year this spring. Please contact CarverPTSA@outlook.com or attend the PTSA meeting for information about offices. If you need more information about meetings or events, please contact PTSA via email at CarverPTSA@outlook.com or on facebook at Carver PTSA. We hope to see you at the PTSA meetings!

3.        Make Explore part of your summer plans! Explore will offer students exciting opportunities to pursue interests and passions. There will be two sessions of Explore. Session I is scheduled for June 3-30. Session II will be held July 6-July 31. Middle school students will attend Explore classes Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration for middle school students begins March 4. Students in 8^th grade may register for High school Explore classes beginning March 2. Register for Explore classes at www.sps.org/Explore.

4.        Come cheer on our basketball teams! We encourage parents to come cheer with your student in the stands for our teams! For students without a guardian present in the stands, the guardian must pick up the student by 8 pm for each home and away game for all sports. Students attending the game as a spectator should make clear arrangements to have a ride at the designated pick-up time of 8 pm PRIOR to attending the game. Students picked up later than the expected pick-up time or with no pick-up ride in the stands by 8 pm could forfeit the privilege of attending future athletic activities as a spectator. If the game is not over at the 8 pm pick-up time, the driver/pick-up ride/guardian can enter the game for FREE for the remainder of the game to sit with the student in the stands and cheer our teams to victory. Please visit with your student prior to the start of the game on spectator expectations.

5.        The annual PTSA Carver Dodgeball Tournament Fundraiser has been rescheduled for March 27 at 5:30 pm – 7 pm. If your student turned in a permission slip and/or money, those items will be returned or held in the office. Please ask your student if you would like both returned. If you have not yet signed up yet, permission slips are still available in the office. Players can sign up with a team or as individuals for $5 per person. Extra lives to stay in the game can be purchased at the door for $1 each. There will be adult and student teams available. (Adult teams will not play student teams in the tournament.) Individuals not participating can pay $1 at the door. PTSA will have pizza and concessions available during the event.

6.        As a reminder, school ends at 2:45 pm! Please have your student picked up before 3 pm each day. Students not picked up before 3 pm will come to the office and we will call home. Please come into the office to speak to an administrator when your pick up your student after 3 pm. For our families that need a later pick up than 3 pm, please enroll your student in the Y-Teens (after school program provided for pay by the YMCA). Click here for registration information.

7.        DOES YOUR STUDENT NEED SOME HELP WITH HOMEWORK? After school tutoring is available through the Springfield Park Board, Monday-Thursday, 2:50-3:50 p.m. Scholarships are available for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch. Forms are available in the office.

8.        READING IS IMPORTANT! Please join our Carver Library Instagram page at carver_ms_library to learn about upcoming library events, book recommendations, book reviews, and a parent newsletter.

9.        CELL PHONE POLICY FOR CARVER: Students can use cell phones in green zones during the day. A green zone is between classes (students using a cell phone are not excused for being late to class for using a cell phone and will receive a tardy consequence), during lunch, before school until 8 am, and after school ends at 2:45 pm. Carver is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or cases. The restroom and bathrooms are red zones. No phone use in the restroom or locker rooms. Classrooms are also red zones for phones unless the teacher has specifically allowed cell phone use in the syllabus. Please contact the teacher if you have questions about cell phone use in the classroom. Please make sure your student with a cell phone understands the cell phone policy if you send a cell phone with them to school. If an emergency arises during the day, please contact the office (417-523-6800), and a message can be relayed to your student. Thank you for helping us navigate student cell phone use during the learning time at school.

10.     Want to stay connected to the weekly announcements? The announcements can be found on Carver’s Twitter and Facebook pages at:

 Our Facebook page is: Carver Middle School Cougars

 Our Twitter name is: @CarverMSCougars

Thank you for all you do to help our Carver school community! Go Cougars!

Dr. Dana Powers

Carver Principal