Dear Parents/Guardian,

We would like acknowledge the SMS Music students who have performed at the All State Competition in Eugene.  They are Angela Delicino and Mark Smolinski (All-State Band), Cayden Butler and Elaina Thompson (All-State Choir), and Zach VanManen, Luke Simchuk, Ryan Rudd, Jacob Maier, Gabe Masters and Dylan Foster (All-State Orchestra).  Congratulations!

For the first time in the history of South Middle School after the first seven preliminary rounds, ten students earned perfect scores to become the ten finalists. Nolan Alger, Emmett Allen, Jakob Blacksmith, Mason Craig, Norman Isley, Thomas McGee, Derek Seals, Aiden Russell, Bryce Timberlake, and Mackenzie Van Ess earned their spot to compete in front of the whole school that determines the winner.  Jakob Blacksmith was our winner in the National Geography Bee and we wish him the best in his state competition that will be held at Western Oregon University.  Congratulations Jakob!

Wrestling, Girls Basketball, Brain Bowl, Color Guard, Builders Club, and our Robotic Club are all in full swing.  We are very excited to have all of these programs and others available to our students and we want to thank our advisors, coaches, volunteers, and our staff in assisting in all of our clubs and athletics.

Although we are in a dry spell we want to remind you if there is the possibility of school closures or late starts due to the weather, please listen to KAJO (AM1270) or KLDR (FM98.3).  You can check our district’s website and the local TV stations will have information you need in determining if school is canceled or delayed.  Please check our webpage before calling the school for closure and or delay info.  Many of our families have our new communication system, Remind 101 which allows you to receive text messages.  If you do not have this valuable communication tool please call our offices and we can assist you in receiving text messages that pertain to SMS. 

Any pertinent information regarding SMS can be located on our homepage.  If you have questions on academics and the Common Core State Standards please click the blue Common Core Standards under Parent Resources and you will find many helpful tools.  The two articles from the National PTA are very helpful in answering questions about C.C.S.S. and how you can get involved in your student’s academics.

As you read this newsletter you will have received your student’s grades for first semester.  With proficiency grading you might encounter an ‘I’ grade on the report card.  If you have questions regarding your student’s grades please feel free to talk to your student’s teachers.  Students who have an “I” and who have made arrangements with their teachers prior the end of semester have the opportunity to turn that “I” into a positive letter grade.  

“Parents- we are in the midst of cold and flu season.  We have seen an increase in illnesses recently, particularly bronchitis and pneumonia.  We strongly encourage you to help your students get enough rest and fluids, keep them at home if they are ill, and take them to the doctor if necessary.  Thank you and best wishes in staying healthy.” February 18, 2015 is immunization exclusion day.  If you have a student who is not updated in their immunizations they cannot attend school past 2/17/15.  If you have questions please call Shelley Touey at 541-474-5750.  If you have not received a letter/email/or a letter from the State of Oregon this does not pertain to you.

Sincerely,

Jeff Weiss                                               

Principal

Emergency School Closures

The District is implementing a Snow Route protocol this year that would affect only certain locations North and South of the Rogue River.  In addition, a           document that explains how the district makes emergency closure  decisions and an Emergency Closure Frequently Asked Questions section will be added that   answers common questions that the District receives about emergency closures.  This  information will be posted on the Home page of the  District's website. Please check the District website for further updates.

Jakob Blacksmith wins the Geography Bee

For the 28^th year, the National Geographic Society held the National Geography Bee for students in the fourth through eighth grades in thousands of schools across the United States and in the five U.S. territories, as well as in Department of Defense Schools around the world.  This year all sixth, seventh, and eighth students at South (a total of 631 students) competed in the first seven rounds of the bee.  For the first time in the history of South Middle School after the first seven preliminary rounds, ten student earned perfect scores to become the ten finalists. Nolan Alger, Emmett Allen, Jakob Blacksmith, Mason Craig, Norman Isley, Thomas McGee, Derek Seals, Aiden Russell, Bryce Timberlake, and Mackenzie Van Ess earned their spot to compete in front of the whole school that determines the winner. 

Ms. MacMillan, Mr. Warner, Mrs. Richardson, and Mr. Scarcello presided over an all school assembly that was held on January 9th, 2015 to determine the school champion.  After six rounds of questions and a championship round, eighth grader, Jakob Blacksmith won the Geography Bee. Applying his knowledge of great literature and geography, Jakob answered this question: “Jack London’s classic novel The Call of the Wild tells the story of a pet dog that learns to survive in the wild after being kidnapped. This story takes place in the Yukon in which country? Of  course, Canada! Mason Craig, another eighth grader, captured runner-up and Thomas McGee, a seventh grader, garnered third place again, earning the third place honor for the second year in a row.  Jakob will advance to the state level of competition by taking a written examination.  All school winners are eligible to win the national championship and its first prize, a $25,000 college scholarship, at the national competition, May 20 and 21 in Washington D.C. which is hosted by “Jeopardy!” host, Alex Trebek.  Good luck Jakob!  South Middle School is proud of you.

Hey SMS, we need some young, strong athletes to participate in track this season!  Come join with your friends.

What other sport can you run, jump and throw things together?!

Make sure to have a current physical, coaches card and participation fee on file at the office.

See you soon :) Whoop, whoop

Coach Lellis

long distance coach  

Remember, Immunization Exclusion Day is Wednesday, February 18, 2015

If your child is missing any school required immunizations, or if you have not shared the up-dated record with the school, please do so as soon as possible, so that they won’t miss school.

    Martha Covrig RN BSN, MPH, GP#7 District Nurse

NURSE’S NOTES NURSE’S NOTES NURSE’S NOTES NURSE’S NOTES

Flu season is well under way, and it is important that we work together to keep our children healthy. Viruses spread easily among children.  You can help prevent the spread of illness and flu or help your child get better if he/she does get sick by following a few simple steps:

• You and your child could benefit from getting a flu shot
• Remind your child to cover his/her nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and dispose of the tissue immediately
• Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces and shared items at least once a day
• Ensure that bathrooms are stocked with soap, hand towels and tissues
• Teach your child not to touch his/her mouth, nose and eyes
• If your child is sick and has a fever, keep him/her at home to prevent the spread of illness to others (including staying home until fever free without the use of medication)
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people

Common symptoms of flu include: high fever, severe headache, muscle and body aches, exhaustion, and dry cough. Additionally, children often exhibit other flu symptoms that are rare in adults, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If your child develops symptoms and you are concerned that they might have the flu, call your doctor early, especially if they have a chronic disease (eg.asthma).  The physician may prescribe an antiviral medication, which can help lessen the duration of the virus and reduce the risk of complications, such as pneumonia. To be effective, antiviral medication should be taken within 12-48 hours after flu symptoms begin.

Remember, Immunization Exclusion Day is Wednesday, February 18, 2015

If your child is missing any school required immunizations, or if you have not shared the up-dated record with the school, please do so as soon as possible, so that they won’t miss school.

Martha Covrig RN BSN, MPH, GP#7 District Nurse (Flu information adapted from

 the National Association of School Nurses and Center for Disease Control)

 8^th Grade Oregon Shakespeare Festival Field Trip

What:  A field trip to see the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s rendition of Much Ado About Nothing

Where:  The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon

Who:  8^th graders at South Middle School who have a regular education Language Arts class with Mr. Gottula or Mrs. Reid will have the chance to participate—but there are limited spots (only 141 tickets were available), so return your permission slip AND bring in your money to secure your spot. First come, first serve!  Students with discipline issues will be addressed by the administration and those students who have received discipline warnings and referrals may not be allowed to take part in this activity.

When:  Tuesday, March 3^rd, 2015.  The bus will leave at 11:45am and return by 5:00pm.  In order to attend this optional field trip, STUDENTS WILL NEED TO HAVE RIDES ARRANGED TO PICK THEM UP FROM SOUTH BY 5:00PM.

Cost:  $17.00 per student.  There may be scholarships available, so please contact Mrs. Reid with any scholarship requests (jereid@grantspass.k12.or.us or 474-5750 ext 138).

Each student also needs a sack lunch for that day; sack lunches are available from the cafeteria for the same price as a hot lunch at school.  Please check the box at the bottom if your student needs a sack lunch from South’s cafeteria.

Students will be reading the play in their English Language Arts classes this year and the instruction is essential to the understanding of the play.  If you have any concerns or questions please contact Mrs. Reid at jereid@grantspass.k12.or.us.or  or 474-5750 ext. 138.

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Please fill out this permission slip and return it to MRS. REID as soon as possible to secure your ticket.  Keep the top half for your information if so desired.

________________________________  has my permission to go to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon on Tuesday, March 3^rd,  with the South Middle School 8^th grade team.  We will be returning to South by 5:00pm and my student has a ride arranged at that time.

________________________________________                            _______________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                  Date

Student’s printed name: ____________________              Please circle your student’s Language

Arts teacher:    

    Gottula          Reid

            Please check this box if your student needs a sack lunch from South’s cafeteria.

            Please check this box if you are providing any extra amount of money to fund a

scholarship for another student’s admission to the play.