Dear Parents;

I would like to thank all of our students and our staff for a successful year at SMS.  Without all of us working as a team, especially with the changes we have experienced we would not be as successful as we are.  I have learned what I always have known having a child go through SMS, we are a very special place with excellent teachers, caring staff members, and amazing parents that provide great examples for our students.  I am very impressed with the politeness our students have towards their fellow peers and staff.  The simple words of Please and Thank You are used quite a bit and it is refreshing to hear.  Thank you for being excellent role models and teaching your students that manners do count and are recognized.

Another successful year is almost complete as we near that time to say "Good Bye", to our 8^th graders.  I am very proud of this 8^th grade class with their many accomplishments and I am confident they will continue their successes in high school.  It has been enjoyable watching them grow and blossom into young adults. I have only been around this current 8^th grade group for two years but I can tell you, I have witnessed their growth during these two years in many positive ways. 

I would also like to say "Thank you parents", for the support and contributions you made to South Middle School.  Without your support, we could not accomplish all that we do.

Our end of the year calendar is just about completed and we will be included in this newsletter.   Our ‘Moving On’ Ceremony will be held on June 11^th at 10:30 a.m. in our Large Gym.  Participation in end of the year activities is based upon citizenship and behavior.  I would encourage you to have the "finish strong" conversation with your student.

There are some summer school options for 8^th graders who will be attending the high school next year.  If you have interest in summer class offerings please contact the high school counseling office. 

We will be offering Summer School for middle students who did not pass their Language Arts or Math classes this semester.  Summer school will be held at North Middle School from June 15-26 and the time will be from 9:00-12:00.  The middle schools will identify students for this program because space is limited.

We are in a block schedule format from May 11-21 to accommodate our Smarter Balance Assessments.  We are not testing every day during this period of time; although, it is a slightly different schedule for the students.  Starting and ending times have not changed.  Please encourage your students to take their time on these assessments and to take them seriously.

As the weather finally gets warmer dress code issues increase.  Too low, too short and modesty are the common areas of infractions. Please help us avoid dress code violations.   We recently sent you an email alerting every one of our upcoming events.  If you have questions please look at our website which contains all of our events for the rest of the school year.

I wish all of you a safe, fun-filled summer. Be looking for our August newsletter for all the back to school dates and information, 2015-16 will be another great year.

Sincerely,

Jeff Weiss

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

The school year is almost over and summer break will soon be here.  Summer plans usually include some days in the water, in the sun and having fun.  Don’t forget to use healthy habits like sunscreen and plenty of water for good hydration.  This will go far towards staying well in the summer.  Seasonal allergies are often still acting up through out the summer.  Keep up the prevention of colds (yes, even in summer) by covering coughs and sneezes and good hand-washing etc.

Summer is a good time to get re-organized for the new school year.  Up-date your child’s health protocol if there are any changes.  Become familiar with the school district’s plans for emergencies and formalize your family emergency plans.  Check out the links on the parent and student pages of the school district web site for emergency preparedness information. 

The health protocols are used to advise staff working with your child of their individual needs, especially when there is a possible emergency related to their health needs.  Just a reminder about student health protocols: you may renew this year’s protocol by signing the “returning student” statement on the Emergency Contact and Health Information form that is part of the registration process.  If there are any changes to your child’s health protocol or your child has new health needs you will need to complete a new protocol form. 

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/water.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle

http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/er/dehydration.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle

http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/summer_safety.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle

Martha Covrig, RN, District Nurse, Grants Pass School District #7

This Spring Break 41 students from South Middle School and 8 adults got the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. This trip was not only rewarding to the kids, but the parents too! We got to visit all the different memorials, watch the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery, visit 4 of the Smithsonian Museums, tour Colonial Williamsburg, participate in Colonial Jamestown activities, tour the Capitol Building and so much more! This trip broadened our knowledge on topics such as U.S. History, Art, Literature and Science. Join us next year when we go to Florida!

May Newsletter from the library:

Beginning May 4^th, students may check out one book.  All library books and textbooks (Math & 6^th grade Science books) will need to be returned by May 29^th.  No more library books may be checked out.  The library will be closed for inventory beginning June 1^st.  Students that do not return their books, might not be able to participate in the end of the year festivities.  If the book is lost, it will have to be paid for by June 5^th.  Eighth graders that have not taken care of their fines while at South Middle, will still be responsible for them at GPHS.  Thank you,

Ms. Wright

Trojan Follies Talent show

At South Middle School, the Trojan Follies talent show is one our longest-standing  traditions, with a 35 year history. Now, as in the past, the purpose of this show is to showcase our students' talents, and to raise money for scholarships awarded to South students who graduate from Grants Pass High School.  So be sure you make a point to support our Trojan Follies Talent Show at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 21st in South's Big Gym.  The cost is Adults $4 and Students $2.  See you there!

South PTSA Needs YOU!

Would you like to keep a pulse on what is going on in your child’s School, School District and Community? Would you like to help students, parents and teachers succeed? South's PTSA would love to have you join them! We are looking for leadership to take us into the next school year and beyond. PTSA is a non-partisan national organization that supports ALL students. Nominations are now being accepted for our 2015/16 School Year. President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer all need to be filled. Submit your nominations to the Front Office, 

or Lisa Gavlik (541) 226-6407 or lisa.gavlik@gmail.com.

End of the Year Activities

The end of the school year is here!  Our scheduled activities are a wonderful way to end the year with fellow classmates and staff, we just want to give a few  reminders in regards to student behavior. Students must have a passing grade in all classes to attend end of year activities. Students who have received any disciplinary referrals during the term may not be able to  participate. Students may not have any overdue library books or missing textbooks. We strongly believe that positive student attitude, behavior and  effort should be rewarded!

Get Your Yearbook Get your Yearbook Get Your Yearbook

Yearbooks are on sale for $30.00! Make sure and purchase your copy from the office today! Yearbooks will be passed out the last week of school and time will be allotted for students to sign each other’s books.  So don’t miss out, reserve yours today in the front office!

8th  Grade Criteria for End of the Year Activities

At South Middle School we provide various end of the year  activities for 8^th graders to make their last year at South memorable. The following is a list of   upcoming activities as well as criteria for participation in these activities:

8^th grade dance- This dance is free to all SMS 8^th grade students and is held at the Taprock Convention Center on Tuesday the 9^th of June.  The time is from 6 pm-8 pm and a taco bar dinner and dessert is provided for your student.  The theme is Hawaiian and students may dress from casual to semi-formal. All   attire must be dress code appropriate. You must provide a ride for your student to Taprock and then from Taprock once the dance is over. Students with suspendable discipline issues may be prohibited from attending. This is at the  administrators' discretion.

 8^th grade fun day- We will be going to the Family Fun Center over in Central Point Wednesday, June 10th.  We will be leaving at 9am SHARP so make sure your student is on time so they don’t risk missing the bus. There will be an entry charge to the park more information will be on the permission slip.  A pizza lunch will be provided and a concession stand is also open at the center, so if students want to buy snacks they can use their own money for that as well.  More information and permission slips will be handed out later this month for this activity.  If students choose not to participate in this activity, or are not  allowed due to discipline issues, students will stay at SMS and participate in other activities that day. 

 8^th Grade Moving on Ceremony - Thursday the 11^th of June @ 10:30 am. The Moving on Ceremony will last approximately 1 hour. The all school assembly will  begin at 9:00 am and the 8^th grade only assembly will be at 10:30 am.

Wednesday June 10th is South Middle School's fun day!  8th grade will be going to the Family Fun Center.  We will be leaving SMS @ 9am and returning at 2:30pm. There is NO late start on this LAST WEDNESDAY of the year.

The cost is $20 - this includes pizza lunch, unlimited miniature golf, one boat ride, two go-cart rides and entrance to the park.  Checks can be made to South Middle School and turned into the front office.  A permission slip will be handed out to your student and has to be returned to their Language Arts teacher prior to departure.