NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PTA GENERAL ASSOC. MEETING
3/7 (TUE) 7:00PM VIRTUAL (JOIN VIA ZOOM HERE)
THIS Tuesday, March 7th, during the SPMS General Association PTA Meeting, the election of the 2023-24 PTA Executive Board will take place. The Nominating Committee will present the following slate of candidates, and nominations from the floor will be taken. PTA members in good standing for 30 days will be eligible to vote. The nominees for each elected office are as follows:
President – Megan Gardner
Executive Vice President – Tony Chen
1st VP (Ways & Means) – Jennifer Wang
2nd VP (Programs) – Phoenix Rodman
3rd VP (Membership) – Ingi Jennings
Recording Secretary – Patti Urzua
Treasurer – Teresa Wong
Financial Secretary – Linda Kao
Auditor (Financial Reviewer) – Gina Loyonnet
Historian – Crystal Arceo
Motion to Amend Standing Rules:
Additionally, those PTA members in good standing who are in attendance will also be asked to vote on a motion to amend a number of the PTA’s Standing Rules. These amendments concern the following rules:
(1) changing the General Association meeting dates so that is now the last Tuesday in September, November, March, and May;
(2) raising the cumulative amount that the Executive Board is authorized to spend when paying bills for unbudgeted expenditures between General Association meetings from $750 to $1,000;
(3) generally adopting job descriptions that are set forth on the online CAPTA Toolkit (https://capta.org/pta-leaders/run-your-pta/job-descriptions/) for our applicable Executive Board positions;
(4) amending the Wish Night Chair’s duties and setting forth guidelines as to how Wish Night funds may be spent; and
(5) amending and reorganizing the names and descriptions of the numerous PTA committees and PTA delegates/liaisons.
MAIN EVENT POKER TOURNAMENT
3/11 (SAT) 6:30PM @ WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING
The SPMS athletic boosters are looking for your support please — after school sports and intramurals are funded by money raised through Membership and the annual SPMS Main Event Poker Tournament. It’s our 8th year partnering with the D.U.D.E.S. And if you haven’t heard of it, please check out the coverage from the South Pasadenan: DUDES, Boosters and Ladies in the House! & Success — $19,000 Raised
Join us at the War Memorial Building on March 11th for the 8th Annual SPMS Main Event Poker Tournament! Enjoy a great night with friends and help support SPMS Athletic Boosters. Our goal is to foster school spirit by giving all students an opportunity to interact and support each other. Whether playing or being a fan cheering on their friends, all students can benefit from Athletic Boosters.
The $125 buy-in includes 2,500 chips, dinner, and beverages — or for just $25 come eat, drink, socialize and enjoy the free blackjack. If you can’t make it this year, please consider a $25 donation. Parents, neighbors, friends or relatives, whether you just want to try your hand at the card table, or you’re a card shark, we promise a fun evening for everyone.
For more information and to register: SPMS Main Event Poker Tournament
*we’ve sold out of poker seats for the last 2 events, so get your ticket now!
EFFECTIVE SCHOOL SOLUTIONS
3/13 (MON) 7:00PM WEBINAR (JOIN VIA ZOOM HERE)
“Having Hope: Suicide Prevention for Parents”
The good news is that we can help prevent suicide: parents and caregivers are in a prime position to learn how to recognize the signs of suicide risk and to access help. This workshop helps parents and caregivers build the skills and confidence necessary to identify vulnerable youth and assist in seeking help. Presented by Jennifer Fightlin.
CHALLENGE SUCCESS
3/16 (THU) 6:30PM WEBINAR (JOIN VIA ZOOM HERE)
“The Well-Balanced Student”
This workshop examines the tension that parents, students, and teachers often experience over issues such as homework, grades, and the culture of competition, and offers tools for creating a healthier school climate. Presented by Margaret Dunlap.
PARENT SOCIAL
3/17 (FRI) 5:30-8:00PM @ MAMMA’S PIZZA
RSVP HERE – http://evite.me/kBy28XHnAV
All SPMS Parents are welcome to attend our Happy Hour Parent Social at Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza (Back Patio) on Friday 3/17. This is a casual and fun event to meet other parents and chat about life at SPMS and beyond.
The SPMS Parent Socials are adults only, non-hosted events. Any questions, please email spmspta@spusd.net
FAMILY FOLLIES & BBQ BONANZA
4/14 (FRI) 5:00PM BBQ/ 7:00PM FOLLIES
BUY TICKETS HERE
Join us for a variety show for the whole family featuring South Pasadena parents, teacher, and more!
LET’S TALK ABOUT
https://spmspta.org/lets-talk-about/
NATASHA STEBBINS, SPMS TYB SPECIALIST
When I look back on the time as I prepared to be a first-time mom, I recall gathering information from other caregivers and parenting sites on baby gear, sleeping, feeding, and milestones. What I don’t remember is ever really being told just how much parenting would involve letting go. As my children have developed into more independent humans, making their own decisions, I have at times felt unprepared for how to manage this emotionally and, more importantly, in my parenting style. From the moment children are born, the process of letting go begins and in adolescence caregivers and their children often reach new levels of stress in determining just how much independence is manageable for the child and the caregiver.
LIBRARY CORNER
https://spmspta.org/library-corner/
ROZANNA BARANETS, SPMS LIBRARIAN
Welcome to the first of what is hopefully many months of Book Picks and Recommendations lovingly selected by me, your SPMS librarian Ms. Baranets.
I say lovingly because this month’s suggestions are all about what we love most about February – love. My aides and I put out a selection of books about love and romance earlier this month. At first I was reluctant to do so, knowing full well that I’d be isolating about 50% of our student population. (Sorry, but boys really don’t come asking if I can suggest any good steamy romances.) Sadly, I was right. But! I did get a surprisingly large group of girls standing around the table like office staff at the water cooler telling their friends which ones they’d read and chatting about which ones looked good.
WELLNESS CENTER
WISH LIST ITEMS
Please look through the wishlist created by the SPMS Wellness Center. All donations may be delivered to SPMS Front Office, Attention: Natasha Stebbins. Thank you!
MUSIC
SPMS MUSIC BOOSTERS
Check out the Music Boosters Website for the latest news.
The SPMS Advanced Choir will be competing in the A Capella Scholarship Festival on April 22, 2023 in Glendale. Based on auditions, SPMS was one of 5 middle schools accepted into the competition. We wish them good-luck!
SPORTS
SPMS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
Check out the Athletic Boosters Website for game schedules and information about intramurals.
Current Schedule:
INTRAMURALS (open to all 6th-8th graders): Basketball begins 2/13
Mon/Wed 3:00-4:30pm
COMPETITIVE: 7th & 8th Grade Boys and Girls Soccer.
Upcoming Tryouts: Track & Boys Volleyball
- Please stay tuned for upcoming information about track and boys volleyball! We will announce tryout dates and start dates as soon as possible.
- Just a reminder: student athletes are not allowed to play more than one sport per season. For example, if your student makes the volleyball team, they may not also participate in track. Thank you for understanding!
AMAZON SMILE
Sign up/update charity to South Pasadena Middle School PTA. Please note that BOTH the AmazonSmile App on your phone and smile.amazon.com via your Web Browser must both be set up individually to ensure that the donations are made to SPMS PTA. See here for detailed instructions on how to add South Pasadena Middle School PTA as your Amazon Smile Charity.
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS
Email your photos from school events to media@spmspta.org
