Paws & Stripes Newsletter
Important Dates
Semester 1 Important Dates
- Oct 6: PTSA Meeting @ 1500 (commons)
- Oct 7: School Picture Day
- Oct 9: No School - CSI Day #1
- Oct 12: No School - Holiday
- Oct 15: Last day of Q1
- Oct 16: Q1 Teacher Work Day
- Oct 19: Q2 Starts
- Oct 23: Q1 Report Cards
- Oct 29: Q2 SAC Meeting @ 1515
- Oct 29: SpMS Monster Bash (by the PTSA)
- Oct 30: No School - MS Parent Teacher Conference Day
- Nov 3: PTSA Meeting @ 1500 (commons)
- Nov 11: No School - Holiday
- Nov 19: Winter Concert
- Nov 20: No School - Q2 CCR Training Day
- Nov 25-27: No School - Thanksgiving Break
- Dec 1: PTSA Meeting @1500 (commons)
- Dec 9: PTSA Winter Market (after school)
- Dec 17: Last Day of Q2
- Dec 18: No School - Q2 Teacher Work Day
- Dec 19-Jan 3: No School - Winter Break
- Jan 4: STUDENT/TEACHER RETURN
Principal's Update
Hello Bulldog Nation!
There is a lot to be proud of at Spangdahlem Middle School! Our Bulldogs are working hard, finding their stride, building relationships, and showing us each day what they are capable of. As we settle into the school year, our focus remains simple: create the conditions where every student can grow, succeed, and feel connected to our school community.
Our early-release Wednesdays give our teachers something incredibly valuable—dedicated time to learn and work together. Throughout September and October, our staff will be taking a close look at student achievement data, classroom evidence, and instructional practices as we sharpen our schoolwide goals for literacy and mathematics. We aren't just asking, “Where do our students need to grow?” We are also asking the more important question: “What can we do differently—and better—to help them get there?”
This work belongs to all of us. Once our goals are finalized, we will share them with our Bulldog families and invite your voice into the conversation. After all, school improvement shouldn't be something that happens behind the scenes—our students and families are essential partners in it.
As we continue building our school goals, here's something I'd like every Bulldog family to consider:
What do you believe has the greatest impact on your student's success at school?
Attendance? Relationships with teachers? Organization? Reading and understanding complex information? Mathematical thinking? Study habits? Motivation? Something entirely different?
Keep that answer in mind. We’ll be asking you soon.
Together, we are Rooted in Excellence and Rising Through Innovation. 💜🐾
As always, thank you for your partnership in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for our students!
Bulldog Proud,
Remember to visit the Virtual Welcome Folder for important information for this school year.
🐾 Upcoming Important Dates:
- Sept 30; 6th Grade Parent Boot Camp @1500-1600 (see below)
- Sept 30: 7th & 8th Grade SPA Session (see below)
- Oct 1 & 2: 6th Grade CoGAT screener
- Oct 6: PTSA Meeting @ 1500
- Oct 7: Picture Day for MS
- Oct 9: No School - CSI Training Day
- Oct 12: No School - Federal Holiday
- Oct 15: Last Day Q1
- Oct 16: No School - Teacher Work Day
- Oct 19: Begin Q2
- Oct 23: Q1 Report Cards in ASPEN (Email will be sent)
- Oct 29: PTSA's Monster Bash Halloween Dance
- Oct 29: SAC Q2 Meeting @ 1515
- Oct 30: No School - MS Parent/Teacher Conference Day
Suicide Prevention and Awareness (SPA)
As we work our way through September, I want to highlight the importance of suicide prevention & awareness. Your role in supporting your child is crucial. We encourage you to visit sossignsofsuicide.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and the key messages students will learn. Please feel free to visit DoWEA's Suicide Prevention Awareness web page for more program information. If you’re concerned, please reach out and we can put you in touch with our school counselor or mental health professionals.
On September 23 (6th grade) & 30 (7/8th grade), we will host prevention and awareness sessions facilitated by our school counselors and school psychologist to support students with whatever concerns they might have regarding youth suicide. Opt out forms are due to the school NLT Sept 21.
On Friday, Sept 4, an information letter and opt out form were emailed to parents. If you are in need of another letter/opt out form, please reach out to Bobbi.DeMato@dodea.edu . We are here to support your child, as well as families, in any ways we can. Please reach out if you need assistance or have questions: jed.weyland@dodea.edu (counselor) or keela.stoneking@dodea.edu (school psychologist).
6th Grade Parent Boot Camp
RSVP today! HERE
Bulldog Student Clubs
Access Club Info & Points of Contact Here: https://spangdahlemms.dodea.edu/news/articles/spms-sy26-27-club-meeting-times-pocs
Parent Teacher Conference Day
Mark your calendars! If you would like to request a conference with teachers for this day - please complete the below form.
P/T Conference Request Form
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School Meal Menus - September 2026
Reminder Highlights:
- Personal Digital Devices: New DoWEA Policy SY26-27
- All devices capable of communication by voice, text, or other data with one or more other parties or devices, or capable of connection to a smartphone, the internet, or a cellular or wireless network, including a smartphone, cell phone, Bluetooth-enabled device, tablet, smartwatch or other wearable device, and gaming device. This does not include school-owned devices provided to a student and school-approved devices used by a student in accordance with this section.
- Prohibited from the start of the school day to the end of the school day (0800-1440)
- Must be securely stowed away, out of sight (in locked locker)
- Must be on silent/vibrate
- All devices capable of communication by voice, text, or other data with one or more other parties or devices, or capable of connection to a smartphone, the internet, or a cellular or wireless network, including a smartphone, cell phone, Bluetooth-enabled device, tablet, smartwatch or other wearable device, and gaming device. This does not include school-owned devices provided to a student and school-approved devices used by a student in accordance with this section.
Communication Channels:
Quick Access
Attendance: SpangdahlemMSAttendance@dodea.edu
Registrar: SpangdahlemMSRegistrar@dodea.edu
Front Office: Ms. Amy Kuzdal, Amy.Kuzdal@dodea.edu
Secretary: Ms. Bobbi DeMato, Bobbi.DeMato@dodea.edu
Counselor: Mr. Jed Weyland, Jed.Weyland@dodea.edu
Nurse: Dr. Kelly Pretorius, Kelly.Pretorius@dodea.edu
Principal: Ms. Stefanie Adams, Stefanie.Adams@dodea.edu
School Activities
SpMS Picture Day
SpMS Parent-Teacher Conference Day
SpMS SAC
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, School Dances, 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!
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 & STO
- All bus-riders are REQUIRED to have their bus pass on them every day - AM & PM. 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.
- 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...
- Sign-In/Sign-Out: Parents are required to come in to the front office for sign-in/out if a student is entering or leaving campus between 0800-1440.
- 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.
- Reporting: EMAIL spangdahlemmsattendance@dodea.edu or PHONE DSN: 324-483-6640, COMM: +49-063171066640.
Upcoming Events
Activities
Resources
Follow us on Social Media
School Procedures
School Administrators
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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