South Middle School
350 West Harbeck
541-474-5750
Winter Newsletter
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We would like to congratulate all of our STAR Breakfast, Student of the Month, and other students who have achieved recognition for a job well done. We would also like to acknowledge Madison Gibbs, who participated in an event put on by the Josephine County Libraries. Madison earned first place in a Read-a-palooza contest that earned Madison $500, that will go to the South Middle School Library to purchase books. Madison was also selected to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Tree lighting Ceremony on December 1st. Congratulations!
With the tragic events taking place recently in our country we are constantly reminded how important it is to be kind and accepting of everyone. It is something we are always trying to work on at South, empathizing with others and to practice ‘The Golden Rule’. As a staff we are working on Climate and Culture at South. We recently surveyed our students to hear their voice on how we can be a better school, and more accepting of others. We are promoting Acts of Kindness, which is on the back of your students Time Tracker. The simple message is: treat people the way you want to be treated. Speak to people the way you want to be spoken to, and hopefully respect will be earned when given.
We want you to know the SAFETY of your students, and our staff is our number one priority. We have monthly drills we practice and we are constantly reviewing our procedures. We do this so that we are prepared as well as can be expected, if we need to put one of these plans into action.
We have a system called “Remind” that allows us to text message you regarding information that pertains to SMS. If you have not signed up please do so. It is a very easy process. Join your student’s class by texting 81010; then in the text window enter the appropriate class code:
For 6th grade - @sms2024
For 7th grade - @southms23
For 8th grade - @southms22
This program will allow information from our school that pertains to snow days, school information, the school calendar reminder when school is not in session, and when we have a situation that needs to be communicated to you fast. Our emails can be found on our school website: http://www.grantspass.k12.or.us/Domain/15
We are concentrating our efforts on attendance, and how important it is for students to attend on a consistent and regular basis. We do not want students at school if they are experiencing a fever or vomiting. The more students are at school, the more successful they will be. Our goal is to have every student here daily. Thank you for getting your student to school. As you know, it ties into their success as a middle school student and it provides a great foundation as they move on to high school.
With Winter time here, it is time for a review of our emergency school closure notification. Any time there is a chance our school will be closed due to weather, we will post the information on our district website, as well as our local radio and television stations. I will always encourage you to check our website for all information regarding South Middle School. Please do not call the school if at all possible.
It is not too early to wish Happy Holidays to you all. I am wishing you nothing but joy and peace during this special time of the year. It is a busy time of the year for us as we head into the holidays. Day of Caring and Holiday Concerts keep our calendar busy for the next few weeks. We appreciate all of our volunteers and involvement with our students and our programs. Without your help and dedication to our school many of these events would not take place or be successful. On behalf of our entire South staff, we would simply like to say thank you for all you do for us.
We want to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season.
South Middle School Sports News
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Boys’ Basketball season is underway! Please check online on the South “Athletics” page for schedules. Please remember that we utilize Remind, the texting app., for sports updates and information also. To join please text @south29 to the number 81010.
Please check on the South Middle School website for schedules on our “Boys Basketball” page or upload the google calendar on the “Athletic Schedules” page.
UPCOMING SPORTS
Girls’ Basketball & Wrestling will begin after Winter Break
If your student/s is/are interested in participating in either sport, please talk to them now about having the following requirements fulfilled:
- A current sports physical must be on file with the office.
- A “coaches card” or Medical Emergency Consent form must be filled out by a parent for each sport.
- Please remit $75.00 (check or cash) to the SMS office ($150.00 cap per student, per year). So for example, if you have a student who wants to participate in Wrestling and you have paid for both Football and Basketball, then you would NOT owe the participation fee for Wrestling.
Girls’ Basketball is open to our 7th & 8th grade girls and generally we end up having 2 teams for each grade (JV and Varsity). All girls who tryout make the team and tryouts are generally the first week we return from break. Please join the Remind app. for Girls' Basketball, by texting @south32 to 81010.
Wrestling is open to both girls and boys of 6th, 7th & 8th grades. There is one team and everyone travels together. Please join the Remind app. for Wrestling by texting @south30 to 81010.
We’ll update our website and individual sport web pages as we get closer to Winter Break. As always, please call or email the SMS office with any questions.
Thank you!
What an EXCEPTIONAL SEASON for all the XC athletes this year!! We had two school records BROKEN (whoop, whoop)
Mark Astry 6th grade, shattered the boys record in 11:34.1 at his first meet! Mary Sturley 8th grade, crushed the girls record in 11:44.1 All student athletes PR'd throughout their eight weeks of training and competition.
Coach Wright and I are especially proud of these young athletes for their determination, focus and close friendships they have made. This ALWAYS pays off and landed 12 athletes from SMS to the SOMSAC State Middle School meet. What a marvelous, driven crew. Thank you for making us laugh, designing sweatshirts and participating in the car wash fundraiser.
Coach Lellis and Coach Wright
Academic Scavenger Hunt
Congratulations to the 53 students who participated in the State of Jefferson Academic Scavenger Hunt hosted by Southern Oregon University Youth Programs. This is South’s third year competing, and we placed third in the Middle School Division B competition on November 14th. We competed against 6 other middle schools from around Southern Oregon. A huge shout out to the parents and guardians that came on Pizza, Parent and Hunt evening to help students find answer to some really tough questions. South is looking forward to competing next year!
NURSE’S NOTES NURSE’S NOTES NURSE’S NOTES NURSE’S NOTES
Flu season is just getting started, and it is important that we work together to keep our children and youth healthy. Viruses spread easily among children and youth. You can help prevent the spread of illness and flu or help your child or youth get better if he/she does get sick by following a few simple steps:
- You and your child/youth could benefit from getting a flu shot
- Remind your child/youth 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/youth not to touch his/her mouth, nose and eyes
- If your child/youth 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 for at least 24 hours)
- 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/youth 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.
This year Immunization Exclusion Day is Wednesday, February 21, 2018 While it may seem a ways off, if your child/youth is missing any school required immunizations, or if you have not shared recent immunizations with the school, please do so as soon as possible, so that they won’t miss school come February.
Martha Covrig RN BSN, MPH, GP#7 District Nurse (Flu information adapted from
the National Association of School Nurses and Center for Disease Control)
Lost and Found
Our lost and found is OVERFLOWING!!! Please remind your student to check for any missing items.
All unclaimed lost and found items will be donated to campus closet over Christmas break.
Book Fair
December 11-15th in the library 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Extended hours on Tuesday the 12 8:00a.m.-8:00p.m.
Books make great Christmas gifts and it’s a way to
help support your school library!
Upcoming Events
November 27th-December 1st: Canned Food Drive
December 5th: South Holiday Music Concert, 6:30pm at GPHS in the PAC
December 8th: Dance, 4:30pm in South Middle School Gym
December 11th-15th: Book Fair, 8am-4pm each day, and 8am-8pm on Tuesday, December 12th
December 14th: PTSA Meeting, in the Library at 6:15pm
December 16th-January 1st: Christmas Break
January 2nd: Classes Resume
January 5th: Dance, 4:30pm South Middle School Gym
January 11th: PTSA Meeting, in the Library at 6:15pm
January 15th: Martin Luther King Day-No Classes
Campus Closet
125 Manzanita Ave, on the corner of 6th and Manzanita.
Campus Closet is a service sponsored by Grants Pass Council PTA. It serves all school age students from families with limited income or other emergency needs. It is located at the United Community Action Network building, on the corner of 6th and Manzanita, 125 Manzanita Ave. The facility is operated by parent and community volunteers and serves Grants Pass School District students enrolled in grades K-12. Sorry, no adults, preschoolers, or infants.
For questions, call Rebecca de Greyt at (541)956-4474.
Students are welcome to shop at Campus Closet two times per school year. An admit slip is required for each family each and every school year. Students may obtain an Admit Slip from their School’s Counseling Center or Front Office. All school age Students are welcome to shop at Campus Closet. The amount of clothing student’s receive per visit varies, due to stock on hand.
Hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm,
with one Tuesday a month being open for longer hours. Those Tuesdays are:
March 6th, April 10th, and May 15th
Clothing drives are held at each of the District 7 schools on a yearly basis to stock the shelves at Campus Closet. The Closet also is grateful to receive clothing donations from students, teachers, community members and retailers throughout the year. Campus Closet also benefits from cash donations by our District 7 community, including payroll deductions by GPSD #7 employees, community organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary and others, and the general public. With cash donations, Campus Closet is able to purchase brand new socks and underwear, of which two pair of each are given to each student when they shop at the Closet.
Campus Closet is organized by Mary Cardiff, and is powered by countless volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering with Campus Closet, please sign up with Volunteer Spot. Volunteer opportunities are available for sorting donations, washing, mending, hanging, folding, helping with drives, and working at the Campus Closet during our open shopping times.
REMINDERS
School Doors Open at 8:15am...
Parents & students, just a reminder that school doors open officially at 8:15am, so if students are arriving before 8:15am, there is not any supervision. Cafeteria doors open at 7:50am for breakfast. Thank you!
Bus Notes
Please send notes for your student riding a different bus home than normal. Bus drivers must have notes from parents or guardians in order for a student to ride a different bus. The student must then bring the notes to the office.
Medication At School
When your child must take prescription and/or non-prescription medicine at school, please follow these steps:
- The parent/guardian MUST bring the medicine, in person, to the office. It may not be sent with the child. Additionally, the parent/guardian must pick up the container when the child has completed the course of medication.
- The medicine must be in its original container.
- The parent/guardian must fill out the appropriate form with instructions/permission for the school to administer the medication.
- The parent/guardian must inform the school, in writing, of any changes in medication instructions.
Free Lunch & Breakfast
Cafeteria doors open at 7:50am on regular start days, 8:50am on Wednesdays for breakfast. Breakfast and Lunch are always free to all students!
Contact Information
Please write notes or visit the office in order to change contact information (phone numbers, addresses, email addresses). Unfortunately, we are not able to make these changes over the phone.
THANK YOU!
YOU CAN HELP SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL EARN DONATIONS
JUST BY SHOPPING WITH YOUR FRED MEYER REWARDS CARD!
Fred Meyer is donating $2.5 million per year to non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, based on where their customers tell them to give. Here’s how the program works:
· Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to South Middle School at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You can search for us by our name or by our non-profit number
83257
· Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping South Middle School earn a donation!
· You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today.
· If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store.
· For more information, please visit www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards.
If you shop on Amazon, please consider shopping AmazonSmile and earning money for South Middle School!
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.
