
In October we think Pink. On Friday, October 17th wear pink and bring $1 for HAT day!!


✨ Weekly Act of Kindness ✨
“Do the Right Thing — Even When No One’s Watching.” 👀
This week, we’re focusing on character in the small moments —
☑️ Be where you’re supposed to be
☑️ Turn in your work on time
☑️ Follow directions the first time
☑️ Take responsibility when you mess up
☑️ Encourage others to do the right thing
☑️ Lead by example — even in the small stuff
It’s about getting the easy things right and showing that doing the right thing isn’t about who’s watching — it’s about who you are.
“Do the Right Thing — Even When No One’s Watching.” 👀
This week, we’re focusing on character in the small moments —
☑️ Be where you’re supposed to be
☑️ Turn in your work on time
☑️ Follow directions the first time
☑️ Take responsibility when you mess up
☑️ Encourage others to do the right thing
☑️ Lead by example — even in the small stuff
It’s about getting the easy things right and showing that doing the right thing isn’t about who’s watching — it’s about who you are.


8th graders are having fun making SLIME🦠



Spirit week and Dress up days at Swain Middle!


Calling all Parents & Caregivers! 📣 Your voice is incredibly important in shaping the future of Swain Middle School!
As part of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, we invite you to participate in two short, anonymous surveys designed to gather your valuable feedback. This helps us understand our progress and ensure transparency in our work.
Why participate?
Help us understand our progress within the High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework.
Provide your input on early implementation efforts for the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative.
Your voice matters!
Look for the survey links directly in your email or texts. Please complete both surveys by October 20, 2025.
Thank you for helping us make Swain Middle School the best it can be!
As part of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, we invite you to participate in two short, anonymous surveys designed to gather your valuable feedback. This helps us understand our progress and ensure transparency in our work.
Why participate?
Help us understand our progress within the High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework.
Provide your input on early implementation efforts for the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative.
Your voice matters!
Look for the survey links directly in your email or texts. Please complete both surveys by October 20, 2025.
Thank you for helping us make Swain Middle School the best it can be!



Weekly Act of Kindness Challenge: “Listen to Lift Others Up”
Challenge: Show kindness this week by being an active listener! When someone gives directions or shares something important, pause, listen carefully, and follow through the first time. Listening shows respect and responsibility.
Ways to show it:
✅ Make eye contact and stay quiet while others speak.
✅ Follow directions right away.
✅ Help a classmate understand directions if they’re unsure.
Remember: Not listening or following directions is a choice you make. Choose to listen — it shows kindness, maturity, and leadership.
Challenge: Show kindness this week by being an active listener! When someone gives directions or shares something important, pause, listen carefully, and follow through the first time. Listening shows respect and responsibility.
Ways to show it:
✅ Make eye contact and stay quiet while others speak.
✅ Follow directions right away.
✅ Help a classmate understand directions if they’re unsure.
Remember: Not listening or following directions is a choice you make. Choose to listen — it shows kindness, maturity, and leadership.


Swain Middle would like to thank Sandra D's for the sweet treats today!


Thank you custodians for your hard work and dedication! Pictured below are David King, Paula Brady and John Nations.




Halloween Dance
October 28
October 28


✨ The Weekly Thought of Kindness is HERE! ✨
Kindness starts in the mind. This week, let’s train our thoughts to build a more supportive and positive community for everyone. Join us by focusing on these daily thoughts:
➡️ Monday: Gratitude - Start the week by mentally noting things and people you are truly thankful for. Find the good!
➡️ Tuesday: Empathy - Before reacting to a person, pause and think: "They might be having a difficult day." This helps us choose patience.
➡️ Wednesday: Compassion - If you see a mistake, practice replacing judgment with grace and understanding. We all mess up sometimes!
➡️ Thursday: Self-Kindness - Give yourself the same break you would give a friend. It’s okay to not be perfect; be kind to yourself.
➡️ Friday: Release - End the week by intentionally letting go of a small annoyance or past frustration. Choose to release it!
Let’s make this week our kindest one yet!
Kindness starts in the mind. This week, let’s train our thoughts to build a more supportive and positive community for everyone. Join us by focusing on these daily thoughts:
➡️ Monday: Gratitude - Start the week by mentally noting things and people you are truly thankful for. Find the good!
➡️ Tuesday: Empathy - Before reacting to a person, pause and think: "They might be having a difficult day." This helps us choose patience.
➡️ Wednesday: Compassion - If you see a mistake, practice replacing judgment with grace and understanding. We all mess up sometimes!
➡️ Thursday: Self-Kindness - Give yourself the same break you would give a friend. It’s okay to not be perfect; be kind to yourself.
➡️ Friday: Release - End the week by intentionally letting go of a small annoyance or past frustration. Choose to release it!
Let’s make this week our kindest one yet!


Weekly Kindness Challenge: No Gossip, No Drama!
This week, we're making it a priority to create a positive and peaceful vibe at school! Let's focus on kindness, respect, and lifting each other up by avoiding gossip and steering clear of drama.
💬 How you can join the challenge?:
✅ Speak positively about others.
✅ Step away from gossip or change the subject.
✅ Be a peacemaker—encourage calm solutions instead of fueling drama.
✅ Compliment and encourage your friends and classmates.
Let’s make our school a “No Gossip, No Drama Zone” this week!
This week, we're making it a priority to create a positive and peaceful vibe at school! Let's focus on kindness, respect, and lifting each other up by avoiding gossip and steering clear of drama.
💬 How you can join the challenge?:
✅ Speak positively about others.
✅ Step away from gossip or change the subject.
✅ Be a peacemaker—encourage calm solutions instead of fueling drama.
✅ Compliment and encourage your friends and classmates.
Let’s make our school a “No Gossip, No Drama Zone” this week!


SMS would like to say thank you to our wonderful friends at C4C! You brightened our teachers’ day with apples and caramel dip — such a sweet surprise that brought smiles all around!


National IT Professionals Day!
Happy National IT Professionals Day! Thank you to our IT team for keeping us connected, supported, and running smoothly every day. We appreciate all you do!
Happy National IT Professionals Day! Thank you to our IT team for keeping us connected, supported, and running smoothly every day. We appreciate all you do!


It's easy to get caught up in our own world, but this week, our kindness challenge is all about paying attention. 👀
Our "Remember a Detail" Challenge asks us to notice the little things. It’s a way to show a classmate or friend you truly see them. 🤝
How it works:
Listen for a small detail a friend mentions👂
Follow up on it later in the week.
Your act of kindness could be a quick check in asking how their test went, or just sharing that you are a friend they can count on.
Let's do our best to make someone feel seen this week. ✨
Our "Remember a Detail" Challenge asks us to notice the little things. It’s a way to show a classmate or friend you truly see them. 🤝
How it works:
Listen for a small detail a friend mentions👂
Follow up on it later in the week.
Your act of kindness could be a quick check in asking how their test went, or just sharing that you are a friend they can count on.
Let's do our best to make someone feel seen this week. ✨


Swain Middle School is so proud to celebrate Kayla Kirkland, Swain County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year! ✨
Her dedication, hard work, and heart for students make such a difference at Swain Middle. Congratulations, Kayla — we are so lucky to have you on our team!
Her dedication, hard work, and heart for students make such a difference at Swain Middle. Congratulations, Kayla — we are so lucky to have you on our team!


Weekly Act of Kindness Challenge!
This week our challenge is all about caring for others. You never know what someone might be going through, so let’s spread kindness in small but powerful ways. Hold the door for a classmate, invite someone to sit with you at lunch, give a compliment, or just share a smile. A simple act of kindness could be the bright spot in someone’s day.
It could be a sticky note in a locker, on a desk, or handed to a friend. A few kind words might be the encouragement someone really needs today. Let’s fill our school with kindness, one note at a time!
This week our challenge is all about caring for others. You never know what someone might be going through, so let’s spread kindness in small but powerful ways. Hold the door for a classmate, invite someone to sit with you at lunch, give a compliment, or just share a smile. A simple act of kindness could be the bright spot in someone’s day.
It could be a sticky note in a locker, on a desk, or handed to a friend. A few kind words might be the encouragement someone really needs today. Let’s fill our school with kindness, one note at a time!


Weekly Act of Kindness Challenge: Caring for Our Campus 🏫
This week, we will focus on taking responsibility for our campus. By being mindful of the spaces we use, we can make our school a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming place for everyone. ✨
Challenge:
🗑️ Pick up trash you see in hallways, classrooms, and outdoor areas.
🪑 Straighten chairs, books, and materials in shared spaces.
📚 Make sure supplies and personal items are put away neatly.
🤝 Encourage friends and classmates to do the same.
Guiding Principle:
"Leave every space better than you found it." 🌟
Think about how a small action—like picking up a stray piece of paper or putting away a chair—can make a big difference for everyone. Taking care of our campus is a way of showing kindness to our teachers, classmates, and ourselves.
This week, we will focus on taking responsibility for our campus. By being mindful of the spaces we use, we can make our school a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming place for everyone. ✨
Challenge:
🗑️ Pick up trash you see in hallways, classrooms, and outdoor areas.
🪑 Straighten chairs, books, and materials in shared spaces.
📚 Make sure supplies and personal items are put away neatly.
🤝 Encourage friends and classmates to do the same.
Guiding Principle:
"Leave every space better than you found it." 🌟
Think about how a small action—like picking up a stray piece of paper or putting away a chair—can make a big difference for everyone. Taking care of our campus is a way of showing kindness to our teachers, classmates, and ourselves.


🌟 Special Guest at Swain Middle! 🌟
Today at our Maroon Meeting, we welcomed Chris Collins—speaker, author, and culture coach—who brought energy, humor, and powerful leadership lessons to our students!
Chris also spent the day meeting with students, encouraging them to lead with purpose, stay positive, and take charge of their futures!
We’re grateful for his inspiring message and the impact he left on our school community!
Today at our Maroon Meeting, we welcomed Chris Collins—speaker, author, and culture coach—who brought energy, humor, and powerful leadership lessons to our students!
Chris also spent the day meeting with students, encouraging them to lead with purpose, stay positive, and take charge of their futures!
We’re grateful for his inspiring message and the impact he left on our school community!


🌟 Weekly Act of Kindness Challenge 🌟
Message of the Week: “Positive language creates a positive environment. Choose your words wisely.”
Objective: This week, your challenge is to use positive words in all your conversations and make a conscious effort to avoid negative talk. Whether you’re greeting a classmate, working with a partner, or talking with a teacher, choose words that uplift, encourage, and inspire.
💡 Ideas to Try:
✅ Greet someone with a genuine compliment.
✅ Replace “I can’t” with “I’ll try.”
✅ Encourage a classmate who seems discouraged.
✅ Use kind words to resolve conflicts.
Together, let’s create an environment where positivity is the language we all speak.
Message of the Week: “Positive language creates a positive environment. Choose your words wisely.”
Objective: This week, your challenge is to use positive words in all your conversations and make a conscious effort to avoid negative talk. Whether you’re greeting a classmate, working with a partner, or talking with a teacher, choose words that uplift, encourage, and inspire.
💡 Ideas to Try:
✅ Greet someone with a genuine compliment.
✅ Replace “I can’t” with “I’ll try.”
✅ Encourage a classmate who seems discouraged.
✅ Use kind words to resolve conflicts.
Together, let’s create an environment where positivity is the language we all speak.


🌟 SMS Weekly Act of Kindness – Week 1 🌟
Focus Area: Building Our School Community
We’re kicking off the 2025–2026 school year with kindness! This week’s challenge is simple but powerful:
Greet at least 3 people each morning—especially someone you don’t know yet.
A smile or “good morning” can brighten someone’s day and help make Swain Middle a place where every voice matters and everyone belongs.
Let’s lead with kindness, right from Day 1!
