Parents and families play a powerful role in shaping the success of our school. That’s why we’re asking you to take a few minutes to complete the School Climate Survey. Please scan the QR Code or use the link for the survey. Why is this important? It gives YOU a voice in decisions that affect your child’s education. It helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can grow. It strengthens the partnership between school and home. It ensures that every student feels supported, safe, and valued. The feedback we receive will directly guide how we improve our school environment, support our students, and build even stronger connections with families. When parents and schools work together, students thrive— and your input makes that possible! Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your feedback helps us build the best learning environment for every child!
Click the link: Parent Survey Link
📚✨ ACAP Testing Is Coming Up! ✨📚
As we prepare for the upcoming ACAP test, we want to partner with our families to help our students be successful. ACAP is an important opportunity for students to show what they have learned throughout the year, and doing their best truly matters. Encouragement, rest, and positive support from home go a long way in helping students feel confident and ready.
Attendance during testing is critical. ACAP testing will begin March 17th and continue through the entire testing window. On days when students are not scheduled to test, those days will serve as ACAP Prep Days and are just as important as testing days. These days are used for review, skill practice, and preparation that directly supports student success.
🎉 ACAP Attendance Incentive 🎉
Students who are present all day, every day for the entire ACAP testing window will earn a BIG reward!
✅ Dress Out of Uniform for the ENTIRE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL (25–26 school year!)
Allowed: jeans, joggers, and sweats
🚫 Not allowed: boots, hoodies, slides or leggings
Please make plans now to ensure your child is at school all day, every day during ACAP testing to be included in this incentive. Thank you for your continued support and for helping us set our students up for success! 💙🐾
As we prepare for the upcoming ACAP test, we want to partner with our families to help our students be successful. ACAP is an important opportunity for students to show what they have learned throughout the year, and doing their best truly matters. Encouragement, rest, and positive support from home go a long way in helping students feel confident and ready.
Attendance during testing is critical. ACAP testing will begin March 17th and continue through the entire testing window. On days when students are not scheduled to test, those days will serve as ACAP Prep Days and are just as important as testing days. These days are used for review, skill practice, and preparation that directly supports student success.
🎉 ACAP Attendance Incentive 🎉
Students who are present all day, every day for the entire ACAP testing window will earn a BIG reward!
✅ Dress Out of Uniform for the ENTIRE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL (25–26 school year!)
Allowed: jeans, joggers, and sweats
🚫 Not allowed: boots, hoodies, slides or leggings
Please make plans now to ensure your child is at school all day, every day during ACAP testing to be included in this incentive. Thank you for your continued support and for helping us set our students up for success! 💙🐾
Report Cards were sent home today with students. Please check their backpacks.
We are now fully underway with ACAP testing! Students will test every Tuesday and Thursday through April 7th. Please refer to the attached calendar and plan accordingly.
It is very important that students are present and on time each testing day. Students who arrive tardy on testing days will be sent to the cafeteria and will remain there until the testing session for that day is complete.
Thank you for your support in helping our students do their best!
It is very important that students are present and on time each testing day. Students who arrive tardy on testing days will be sent to the cafeteria and will remain there until the testing session for that day is complete.
Thank you for your support in helping our students do their best!
Tomorrow is Day 1 of ACAP Testing at Semmes Middle School!
Our students came in focused, prepared, and ready to do their best. We are proud of the hard work they have shown all year and know they will continue to give their best effort throughout the testing window.
Parents, thank you for your support by making sure students arrive to school on time, well-rested, and ready to succeed. Let’s keep the momentum going—SMS students are ready to shine!
Just a reminder that tomorrow is a Virtual Learning Day for students. Students have work that will need to be completed at home and returned back to school on Tuesday.
Also, Monday is a Teacher Work Day and there will be no school for students. We will see all students on Tuesday, ready for ACAP Testing!
Also, Monday is a Teacher Work Day and there will be no school for students. We will see all students on Tuesday, ready for ACAP Testing!
Mark your calendars with the upcoming 2026 ACAP Testing dates!
State Testing Success Starts at Home!
As we prepare for the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP), parents can play a big role in helping students have a successful testing day!
Prepare the Night Before
• Make sure your child goes to bed early and gets 8–10 hours of sleep. Fatigue can significantly impact focus and memory.
Start the Day Right
• Provide a healthy breakfast with protein and complex carbs (eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, whole grain toast).
• Make sure your child arrives at school on time so they are not rushed or stressed.
Encourage a Positive Mindset
• Remind your child that the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) is simply a way to show what they already know.
• Encourage them to do their best rather than aim for perfection.
Celebrate Effort
• Focus on effort and growth, not just scores.
• Offer encouragement like: “I’m proud of how hard you worked preparing for this.”
Let your child know you believe in them, just as we do at Semmes Middle School! Confidence from parents can significantly reduce testing anxiety and help students perform their best.
As we prepare for the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP), parents can play a big role in helping students have a successful testing day!
Prepare the Night Before
• Make sure your child goes to bed early and gets 8–10 hours of sleep. Fatigue can significantly impact focus and memory.
Start the Day Right
• Provide a healthy breakfast with protein and complex carbs (eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, whole grain toast).
• Make sure your child arrives at school on time so they are not rushed or stressed.
Encourage a Positive Mindset
• Remind your child that the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) is simply a way to show what they already know.
• Encourage them to do their best rather than aim for perfection.
Celebrate Effort
• Focus on effort and growth, not just scores.
• Offer encouragement like: “I’m proud of how hard you worked preparing for this.”
Let your child know you believe in them, just as we do at Semmes Middle School! Confidence from parents can significantly reduce testing anxiety and help students perform their best.
Semmes Middle School Families — Weekly Outlook!
Hello Bulldog families! We have several important events coming up at Semmes Middle School, so please take a moment to review the week ahead and help your student stay prepared. We’re excited about the great things happening at SMS and appreciate your continued support!
Important Dates to Remember:
• Friday, March 13 – Distance Learning Day (students will complete assignments from home)
• Monday, March 16 – Teacher Workday – No school for students
• Tuesday, March 17 – ACAP Testing Begins
Our students will begin the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) on March 17, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work they have been putting in to prepare. This is an important opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned this year.
🔔 Parents — please pay close attention to the ACAP testing schedule and session dates that are shared by the school. Being aware of testing days helps ensure students arrive prepared and on time.
✅ Tips to Help Your Child Have a Successful Testing Day:
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before testing
• Eat a healthy breakfast to help with focus and energy
• Arrive at school on time so students are relaxed and ready to begin
• Encourage a positive mindset — remind them to simply do their best
• Limit late-night screen time before testing days
• Talk about confidence — preparation + effort = success!
Our Bulldogs have been working hard, and we cannot wait to see them shine. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a successful testing season!
Let’s have a great week, SMS families!
Hello Bulldog families! We have several important events coming up at Semmes Middle School, so please take a moment to review the week ahead and help your student stay prepared. We’re excited about the great things happening at SMS and appreciate your continued support!
Important Dates to Remember:
• Friday, March 13 – Distance Learning Day (students will complete assignments from home)
• Monday, March 16 – Teacher Workday – No school for students
• Tuesday, March 17 – ACAP Testing Begins
Our students will begin the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) on March 17, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work they have been putting in to prepare. This is an important opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned this year.
🔔 Parents — please pay close attention to the ACAP testing schedule and session dates that are shared by the school. Being aware of testing days helps ensure students arrive prepared and on time.
✅ Tips to Help Your Child Have a Successful Testing Day:
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before testing
• Eat a healthy breakfast to help with focus and energy
• Arrive at school on time so students are relaxed and ready to begin
• Encourage a positive mindset — remind them to simply do their best
• Limit late-night screen time before testing days
• Talk about confidence — preparation + effort = success!
Our Bulldogs have been working hard, and we cannot wait to see them shine. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a successful testing season!
Let’s have a great week, SMS families!
NJHS Service Project!
For the next 13 school days, we’re turning up the energy and keeping Semmes moving!
Here’s the deal:
✅ Be present every single day
✅ No late check-ins. No early check-outs. No absences.
✅ Stay in the groove for all 13 days
Students who earn 100% attendance during the challenge will unlock a special reward:
👖 Out of Uniform Day on March 12th!👖
Wear jeans or joggers with your GROOVIEST shirt and show off your Semmes spirit in style!
Don’t miss a beat.
Don’t break the streak.
Stay in the groove and let’s keep Semmes On the Move!
Here’s the deal:
✅ Be present every single day
✅ No late check-ins. No early check-outs. No absences.
✅ Stay in the groove for all 13 days
Students who earn 100% attendance during the challenge will unlock a special reward:
👖 Out of Uniform Day on March 12th!👖
Wear jeans or joggers with your GROOVIEST shirt and show off your Semmes spirit in style!
Don’t miss a beat.
Don’t break the streak.
Stay in the groove and let’s keep Semmes On the Move!
Attention parents/guardians:
NO balloons, flowers, vases, gifts or giftbags will be allowed on MCPSS busses or in the school building at anytime.
Students had the opportunity to purchase PTO sponsored Valentine’s Grams that will be delivered on Thursday, February 12th during homeroom.
NO balloons, flowers, vases, gifts or giftbags will be allowed on MCPSS busses or in the school building at anytime.
Students had the opportunity to purchase PTO sponsored Valentine’s Grams that will be delivered on Thursday, February 12th during homeroom.
Semmes Middle School is excited to support the United Way Foundation with an Out-of-Uniform Day fundraiser! Students may participate by bringing $2.00 and enjoy being out of uniform while supporting a great cause.
Out-of-Uniform Guidelines:
✔️ Appropriate jeans, joggers, sweatpants, or pajama pants
✔️ School-appropriate shirt
✔️ School tennis shoes required
🚫 Not permitted:
• Boots
• Crocs
• Slides
• Face paint
Thank you for supporting our students and helping make a positive impact in our community! 💙
Good morning, Semmes Bulldog family! Take a look at what is happening this week around Semmes Middle School!
Just a reminder about Mardi Gras Monday! $2 to wear Mardi Gras Shirt and Jeans! See attachment for details.
Valentine Grams sold during lunch waves starting tomorrow. $1.00
February Menus
Take a look at what is happening around Semmes Middle School this week!
At the beginning of this week, we understood that the extreme cold weather called for layering our school uniforms with additional cold weather gear. The remainder of the week will warm up to nicer temperatures so we will all return to the required SMS Uniform policy. Below are a few important reminders about the uniform policy:
NO hoodies in the building.
NO boots of any kind (cowboy boots, Ugg boots, fashion boots). All shoes worn must have shoelaces.
NO blankets may be brought into the building.
Please refer to SMS Uniform policy for any additional questions.
Again, full proper SMS uniforms will return tomorrow, January 29, 2026. The weather is warming up, and the buildings are nice and warm for students and teachers. Thank you for your cooperation in making sure your students arrive to school in their proper uniforms!
NO hoodies in the building.
NO boots of any kind (cowboy boots, Ugg boots, fashion boots). All shoes worn must have shoelaces.
NO blankets may be brought into the building.
Please refer to SMS Uniform policy for any additional questions.
Again, full proper SMS uniforms will return tomorrow, January 29, 2026. The weather is warming up, and the buildings are nice and warm for students and teachers. Thank you for your cooperation in making sure your students arrive to school in their proper uniforms!
Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s success. When students are at school all day, every day, they are able to fully participate in instruction, build strong routines, and stay connected with their teachers and peers. Missing school—whether it’s a full day or arriving late and leaving early—can quickly add up and make it difficult for students to keep up academically and socially.
Parents and guardians play a vital role in their child’s education. State law places the responsibility on families to ensure that students attend school regularly and remain on campus for the entire instructional day unless there is a valid, documented reason for an absence. Even excused absences result in missed learning time that cannot always be fully made up.
Consistent attendance helps students:
✔️ Stay on track academically
✔️ Build responsibility and good habits
✔️ Feel connected and supported at school
✔️ Be better prepared for future success
We understand that illness and emergencies happen, and we appreciate families communicating with the school when those situations arise. Working together, we can help our students develop strong attendance habits that will benefit them now and in the future.
Thank you for partnering with us to make school attendance a priority!
Parents and guardians play a vital role in their child’s education. State law places the responsibility on families to ensure that students attend school regularly and remain on campus for the entire instructional day unless there is a valid, documented reason for an absence. Even excused absences result in missed learning time that cannot always be fully made up.
Consistent attendance helps students:
✔️ Stay on track academically
✔️ Build responsibility and good habits
✔️ Feel connected and supported at school
✔️ Be better prepared for future success
We understand that illness and emergencies happen, and we appreciate families communicating with the school when those situations arise. Working together, we can help our students develop strong attendance habits that will benefit them now and in the future.
Thank you for partnering with us to make school attendance a priority!
Happy Monday! Please take a look at what is going on around Semmes Middle School this week!
