Paws & Stripes Newsletter
Important Dates
Principal's Update
Bulldog Families,
We hope you are having a fabulous summer!!
This newsletter is intended to be a summer reference tool for families - keeping everyone in the know on important information, dates, points of contact, and resources for both our existing Bulldogs and our new Bulldogs!
1. Most Important Dates to Start SY26-27
- Teachers will return to school on August 10, 2026
- SpMS SY26/27 Back to School event is on August 13, 2026
- New Family Orientation (1515-1615)
- Returning Family Self-Guided Tour (1600-1730)
- Students will return to school on August 17, 2026
- SpMS Open House event is on September 2, 2026
2. Notable Points of Contact:
Please reach out to the school directly with any questions or requests:
SpMS Email Contact Information:
· spangdahlemmsattendance@dodea.edu– For all Bulldog absences
· spangdahlemmsregistrar@dodea.edu – For all student registration and records
· Secretary: Ms. Bobbi DeMato, Bobbi.DeMato@dodea.edu
· Administrative Officer, Front Office: Mr. Timothy Bachmann, Timothy.Bachmann@dodea.edu
· Counselor: Mr. Jed Weyland, Jed.Weyland@dodea.edu
· Principal: Ms. Stefanie Adams, Stefanie.Adams@dodea.edu
SpMS Phone Contact Information:
· Main Office, Commercial: +49 (0)6317-106-6640
· Main Office, DSN: 324-483-6640
SpMS Other Contact Information:
· SpMS School Newsletters: https://spangdahlemms.dodea.edu/school-news
· SpMS Official Website: https://spangdahlemms.dodea.edu/
· SpMS Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpangMS/
· DoWEA Official Website: https://www.dodea.edu/
· DoWEA Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoDschools
· AAFES School Meal Program: https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/school-lunch-program/
· Spangdahlem AB School Liaison Office (SLO) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpangSLO
· SpMS PTSA: SpangMS.PTSA@gmail.com
· PTSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMS.PTSA
3. Resources
Please see the links for documents you may need.
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Beginning of Year Info/Event
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Bus Transportation
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SY26-27 SpMS Calendars
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Student Supply Lists
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School/DoWEA Policies to Review
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Summer Learning Bridge (all grades)! ELA and Math practice to keep sharp!
Please check back regularly for any updates.
Updates will be noted at the top of the section.
As always, thank you for your partnership in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for our students!
Bulldog Proud,
Communication Channels:
Quick Access
Reminders
- New to Spang? Please stop by our Main Office to complete registration.
- PCSing or recently arrived? Let us know ASAP!
📧 Contact our registrar at spangdahlemmsregistrar@dodea.edu
Attendance: SpangdahlemMSAttendance@dodea.edu
Registrar: SpangdahlemMSRegistrar@dodea.edu
Secretary:
Counselor: Mr. Jed Weyland, Jed.Weyland@dodea.edu
Nurse: Ms. Shannon Burrous, Shannon.Burrous@dodea.edu
Principal: Ms. Stefanie Adams, Stefanie.Adams@dodea.edu
Summer Learning for Students
Every August we welcome students back after a relaxing break and spend several weeks refocusing on learning. We love break, too, but we want to give parents some suggestions for keeping student’s brains active over break.
Parents and Students are able to access our Summer Bridge Learning resources/practice packets all summer long! Brush up on your Literacy, Reading, Math, and Math Vocab through practice sheets and visual glossaries. The included math practice is designed to prepare students for their upcoming grade level concepts (as well as a little review from this year's learning) and book suggestions for summer reading.
Summer Learning Bridge (all grades)! ELA and Math practice to keep sharp!
• Don't forget to visit our Base library for summer reading, too!
For those looking beyond the next school year:
Is your student planning to attend a college or trade school after high school? Start planning now! Check out SchooLinks (accessible through student accounts in ClassLink at https://launchpad.classlink.com/dodea) for information about financial aid options, choosing a career path, and information about post-secondary education options for your student.
Thinking your student might be able to use the G.I. Bill for their education? Make sure you and your student qualify! Visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/ for details about benefits.
SY26-27 Cell Phone & Digital Device Policy Update
☀️ Warmer Weather Reminder! ☀️
As temperatures begin to rise, please keep the DoDEA Dress Code in mind and check student outfits as they head to their learning environment each day!
✔ Students SHOULD Wear:
- Shirts with sleeves
- Clothing that fully covers from armpit to mid-thigh
- Non-see-through clothing
- Safe shoes for school
❌ Students SHOULD NOT Wear:
- Clothing with inappropriate language or images
- Clothing promoting drugs, alcohol, violence, or hate
- Clothing that is too revealing
- Hoods or headgear that cover the face
- Bedroom slippers
🐾 Bulldog Reminder:
School is a place for learning, safety, and respect. Dress choices should help keep our focus on learning while maintaining a positive school environment for everyone!
Thank you for helping us finish the school year strong!
Forgot your Chromebook at home?
- Option 1: Students can call home in the front office to ask a parent to bring their computer in from home.
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Option 2: If option 1 is not viable, students need to go to the front office to check out a 'rental' for the day so they can fully participate in their learning ('rental' Chromebooks are due returned to the front office at the end of the school day and do not go home).
Buses
- All bus-riders are REQUIRED to have their bus pass on them every day. Bus drivers will submit bus referrals to the Student Transportation Office/School if students do not have their valid pass with them, along with any other procedure/behavior discrepancies.
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Thank you for your patience as the Student Transportation Office finalizes routes. Please reach out to the STO with any questions or concerns: EMAIL EIFEL.SBO@DODEA.EDU or PHONE DSN: 324-406-6649, COMM: +49 631 7106 6649.
Communication
- You are encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns! We always tell our students that communication is key, and this applies to our adults too :)
- At SpMS we support communication through the chain-of-command. Please first start with your child's teacher.
- Please reach out to your student(s)' teachers to clarify any misunderstandings or questions you might have.
Attendance
- DoDEA Attendance Policy: Parents/Sponsor/Guardians are required to report...
- Planned absences no later than the day before absence.
- Unplanned absences must be reported by 1000 on the day of the absence.
- Absences that are 3+ days require an Extended Absence Form to be completed (signed by administration and teachers, noting work that will be missed). This form is to be completed as soon as the absence is known so we can appropriately plan for the student.
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Reporting: EMAIL spangdahlemmsattendance@dodea.edu or PHONE DSN: 324-483-6640, COMM: +49-063171066640.
Join the PTSA!
Please consider joining the PTSA this year to help us support the students, teachers, and staff all year with fun events like the Monster Bash, Valentine's Dance, and with fun treats like popcorn and ice cream. These things take money, and help to execute and we want your support.
- Use the QR code to activate your membership - you can now select the Family membership and order your Bulldog swag all at the same time!
- Become a member and participate, or become a member to simply donate! All funds and hours go directly to our Bulldogs' awesome experience this year!
- Contact: EMAIL SpangMS.PTSA@gmail.com
- PTSA Store - Purchase Spirit Wear: https://epta-00030202.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true
Counselor's Corner
On Deployments
As the mission grows and provides new experiences for your child, we want to make sure that they are supported at home and at school.
Ms. Bridgewater, our amazing MFLC (Military Family Life Counselor) is here to support the unique challenges that our military affiliated children face. She helps by instilling ways to:
- Communicate
- Resolve Conflict
- Work through emotions
- Handle deployment/separation
- Increase self-esteem/confidence
If you are deploying at any point this school year, please consider allowing your child to speak with our MFLC and help them work through any and all emotions they might have. Permission slips are located in the front office.
Nurse's Notes
Medication During the School Day
Students are NOT allowed to carry any medication with them unless approved by the nurse/administration. ANY medication - including prescription, over the counter (Tylenol/Ibuprofen, cold medication, cough drops, etc.), or supplements that is given to a student during the school day or a school-sponsored event must have a physician's order.
If you would like your student to have access to medications during school hours or events, please have your physician fill out the medication form. Once the form is completed by your physician, bring the form and the medication to the nurse's office.
FLU Vaccine
As per Army Regulation 40-562/BUMEDINST 6230.15A/AFI 48-110_IP/CG COMDTINST M6230.4G, "Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases," October 7, 2013, it is mandatory for children attending DoD-sponsored primary and secondary schools to be up to date on age-appropriate immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) unless there is documentation of previous immunization, religious exemption or medical contraindication. Parents and sponsors must provide schools with a copy of their dependent’s official proof of immunization upon initial registration and when requested by school officials to verify compliance with this requirement.
All students enrolled in DoDEA schools are required to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine annually. Other administrative exemptions will be granted on an individual basis, as in cases of documented vaccine shortages at local medical treatment facilities (MTFs). ⚠️ DoDEA mandates a 1 December deadline to receive the flu vaccine⚠️
School Nurse POC:
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Contacts
School Open for Students: 0730 - 1530 |
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| Grade | Regular Hours | Wednesday Hours |
| 6 - 8 | 8:00 a.m. - 2:40 p.m. (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) | 8:00 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. (Early Release for Students) |
| Teachers | 7:40 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. (Mon - Fri) | |
| Office | 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Mon - Fri) | |
| It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to notify the school every time a student is absent (NLT 1000): SpangdahlemMSAttendance@dodea.edu |
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