Students

Information for SOM Students

Southwest Middle School (SOM) is committed to guide our students through their journey as 7^th and 8^th graders.  We understand the achievements, struggles, and changes that middle school students go through.

Check the tabs on the right for more information and resources for student academics, activities, and support!

Non-privileged Rules and Procedures

Board Policy Links

• BP 0410 Nondiscrimination 
• BP 5145.3  Nondiscrimination / Harassment 

For more information, please refer to SUHSD Board Policy 0410 – Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities/Title IX.

CDE and US Dept of Ed Links

• California Department of Education – Office of Equal Opportunity
• United States Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights

Dress Code

The mission of Southwest Middle (SOM) is to provide our students a safe space where they can be afforded a world-class education that prepares them for college and career. SOM does not require students to be in a traditional uniform but we do enforce a “Dress for Success” policy. 

SOM must be a safe place for students to learn and work. Our responsibility as a school is to ensure that students are free from harassment and intimidation. 

Students are required to wear clothes that are neat in appearance and appropriate for school (CA Title V, Sec. 3022; SUHSD Policy 5132). Attire should protect the health and safety of the students. 

Our dress code at Southwest Middle School has been established to provide and model guidelines for student attire in a public-school while being sensitive towards our students’ diverse backgrounds. We realize that students are returning to school during a time period where the weather tends to be warmer than usual; however, attire still must follow the motto, “dress for success”.

If a student’s attire is deemed inappropriate for the learning environment, they will be asked to contact their parent/guardian for clothing, or will be provided with an outfit to borrow.

Check out our New Student Handbook!

Need help with your iPad? 

Please visit the library during Nutrition, lunch, before school, and after school!

For all IT issues, submit a help ticket by using this link

Online Resources: 

•  Jupiter Grades login
• How to back up Notability files to Google Drive:
  • Direction to backup Notability files to Google DrivePDF
• SOM Calendar URL:
  • https://www.google.com/calendar/ical/michelle.zamora%40southwestms.org/public/basic.ics   (use this to sync with iCal)
• Online Text book Resources

Algebra https://www.classzone.com/cz/index.htm McDougal Littell

Math 7 https://www.classzone.com/cz/index.htm McDougal

U.S. History 8 https://my.hrw.com/ Holt, Rinehart, Winston

On-line Dictionary https://www.m-w.com

On-line Encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Online Academic Enrichment Opportunities: Applications and Websites

Optional academic enrichment activities to help  families during a statewide mandatory social distancing.

If there is an option to “Log in with Google”, please do so with your “…@sweetwaterschools.net” account.

Achieve3000 (Read and complete 5-step lessons) Check with your ELA Teacher if you have forgotten your log-in info Subjects: English, ELD, Spanish, Science, History/Social Science, Arts, Health/PE

NewsELA (read about anything; login in with google) Subjects: English, ELD, Mathematics,Spanish, Science, History/Social Science, Arts, Health/PE

Duolingo Subjects: English, ELD, Spanish, Science

Prodigy Subjects: Mathematics (Check with your math teacher for class code)

Khan Academy Subjects: English (Grammar), Mathematics,Science, History/Social Science

Vocabulary.com (vocabulary and spelling practice) Subjects: English, ELD, Mathematics,Spanish, Science, History/Social Science, Arts, Health/PE

Kahoot (choose any subject/topic)

YouTube: Just Dance Subjects: Arts, Health/PE Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems (by JFK Center for the Arts) Subjects: Arts

Code.orgSubjects: Mathematics, Science BrainPop.com and https://esp.brainpop.com/ (Username: southwestms  Password: school) Subjects: English, ELD, Mathematics,Spanish, Science, History/Social Science, Arts   Gizmos https://www.explorelearning.com/  (Username: BarronScience password: Barron) Subjects: Science, Mathematics

Working from Home

• Find a space that is quiet and free of distractions.
• You will need:
  • Good lighting (lamps, windows)
  • A flat surface to write (desk, table)
  • A spot to sit where you won’t fall asleep (chair)
  • Your materials close by (computer/tablet and charger, notebooks, paper/whiteboard, pencils, pens, headphones)
    • You should not have leave to find your supplies. These should all be kept organized in one spot.
  • Use headphones if you have them. These keep the background noise down while you’re working.

How to Study for a Test

AVOID last minute cramming.  Study each day for 10-20 minutes.

1. Concentrate on ONE section at a time.
2. Notice bold, colored, & italics print in the book.  Find those words in your notes & mark with hi-liter.
3. Look for important facts or details. See how these facts fit together; are they part of a group?   If you are using an organizer they should be in the same section.   Shade the section with a meaningful color.
4. Say the material ALOUD.   Have someone else say them aloud. Or say them into a cassette recorder for playback that you can listen to over and over.
5. Make 3 by 5 flash cards.   Write the key word on one side and the details or definition on the back.  Use them to play games like Concentration, Jeopardy, or Quiz Bowl.
6. Use mnemonic aids, little sayings, or a poem to help you remember a concept.
7. Study by reviewing information over time.
8. 20 MINUTES of studying, then a 5 MINUTE BREAK.
9. After each break, cover again the sections you just studied.   If you really know it, add new material.
10. Pretend you are giving the exam; what questions would you ask? Now look up the answers.
11. Have someone make up a practice test.    Now take a practice test.
12. AFTER you have studied, meet with a STUDY BUDY or GROUP to exchange information.

Resources