SlingerMiddle School
Dean Goneau, Principal **** November, 2009 ***** Jody Heipp, Assoc. Principal
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Quite often, teachers and administrators from other school districts tell me how impressed they are with students from SMS. My reply is always the same – “We have great kids who are the product of an outstanding partnership between the school and parents.”
The faculty and support staff work together to offer challenging classes based on a very relevant and current curriculum. We strive to work with every student in a meaningful way that respects the student and the goals of the District. I truly enjoy seeing all the great learning activities that take place here in their classrooms.
At the same time, I know a large part of our students’ successes come from the support they receive at home. You strive to make sure your children are prepared for the success they experience here at SMS. I see it in their outstanding behavior; I see it in their respect for others; and, I see it every time we have an event at school. You are always here to show them and us that support. That means so much to us. Thank you for all you do.
Dean Goneau
Principal
During your conference check out …
THE BOOK FAIR
The Middle School Library will be sponsoring its annual Book Fair during the November 12th & November 18th Parent Teacher Conferences.
The Book Fair will be open for students to browse and purchase on the school days of November 12ththrough November 18th. All proceeds go to the MS Library for the purchase of books, bookmarks
and other promotional materials. Plan to stop by when
you come for conferences; it's a great opportunity to start your holiday gift shopping.
ONLINE GRADES
Our on-line gradebook provides parents with information needed regarding their child’s classes. If you have not already registered for this, please contact Lisa Kowalczyk @ 644-6204 ext 5177. Teachers update their gradebooks on the 15th and 30th of each month. Computer
problems periodically occur and delay posting of grades. Papers
and projects do take time to grade, so please remember this when looking for updates. Use the on-line grade book as a tool to guide your child with the
understanding that all information may not be current.
TECHNOLOGY REQUEST
Please assist us with gathering data for our PARENT Technology and Literacy Survey -- Fall 2009. We are working with School Perceptions LLC, an independent firm with expertise conducting school surveys. By completing the survey linked on each of our school websites, the data will be returned to School Perceptions and your identity will remain completely confidential. Please complete your survey by November 20th. This information will be used in updating our 2010-2013
Technology and Literacy Plan. Thank you for your participation!
DC-NY 2010 FIELD TRIP
Attention Parents of Students attending the 2010 DC/NY Trip:A current list with all students signed up to attend the trip has been posted outside the 7th and 8th Grade teacher planning areas. Please use this list to help when determining your “travel partners” or your 4-person group. Just a reminder that the 2nd payment of $370, is due January 13th. There is a drop-box in the middle school office.
The FINAL 4-person group sign-up and t-shirt size order will be Jan. 27, 2010 in the Middle School cafeteria at 2:45 p.m. The permission slip, medical/emergency card, and trip rules will be given to each student to be filled-out and returned April 14th which will be the 3rd & final payment.
If you have any questions, please be sure to see Mrs. McCallum or Mrs. Roth.
ATTENTION NJHS STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Remember to mark your calendars for our monthly NJHS meetings. Our meetings will be held the first week of each month; check the NJHS website (linked from the SMS website) for actual meeting dates. All meetings run until approximately 3:30, unless otherwise noted. Students need to have a ride home from the meetings. Upcoming NJHS events:
- NJHS Students will once again provide babysitting during parent teacher conferences in room 109.
- Thanksgiving Library Program, Saturday, November 21st.
- Santa letters written to elementary students in early December
Contact Mrs. Erickson with any questions you may have. Members are reminded they need to complete 15 service hours AND participate in two NJHS-sponsored activities each semester.
The JASON Project - 7TH GRADE
The JASON Project, a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, connects students with great explorers and great events to inspire and motivate them to learn science. JASON embeds the cutting-edge research of its partners into core science curricula and professional development. Leading scientists work side by side with JASON students in the classroom and in an online global community, challenging them to apply their knowledge to the same real-world scenarios the scientists face every day.
This year’s JASON theme, Operation: Resilient Planet, puts the 7th grade students on a mission to investigate the health of our environment and discover how to protect our planet's ecosystems. Students will visit some of Earth's most diverse ecosystems to uncover the mysteries of our planet - side by side with host researchers such as Bob Ballard and Sylvia Earle. Once students have completed the JASON curriculum in their science classes, each student will compose a research paper for English class, and assemble a poster board presentation for science class. In early May, all their great work gets put on display at our annual JASON Open House. The JASON Project will begin mid-December. Please watch for more information coming soon.
WINTER CONCERTS…
The SlingerMiddle School 6th and 7th grade bands will hold their Winter Concerts on Wednesday, December 9th. The 6th grade band will perform at 6:00pm in the middle school gym. At 7:15pm, the 7th grade band will perform their concert selections. Don't miss this great evening of band music with some holiday tunes to get your sugarplums dancing!
The 8th grade band will join the 9th grade band in providing some wintry tunes on Monday, December 14th. That concert will be held at the SlingerHigh School Auditorium and begins at 7:30pm.
The Slinger Middle School Choruses will present their Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 15th at 6:00pm in the Slinger Middle School Gym. The 6th, 7th and 8th grade choruses will present a variety of music to celebrate the season. You’re sure to hear some of your favorites, along with a few new tunes! Come hear all the great SlingerMiddle School vocal talent!
FLOWERS & BALLOONS
Even though flower and balloon deliveries on a special occasion are a nice thought, we do not permit your children to carry them around during the school day. Latex balloons are not allowed because of the allergic reaction they can cause. If a delivery is made to the school, the student is notified, but the flowers or balloons must be left in the office until the end of the day.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones have definitely become a useful item. However, students need to have them turned off and in their lockers during the day. They need to go outside or into the cafeteria to use them, and it needs to be after the school day. They are not to be used in the hallways or during performances or contests. If students have ringing phones in their lockers or have them out during the day, they will be confiscated. We do appreciate you following these steps to help ensure that phones do not interrupt learning.
Athletics...
Monday, January 4th will be the start of the boys’ basketball season. Interested 7th or 8th grade boys must sign up with Ms. Freeman in early December. To be eligible to attend practices, athletes must have a green physical card on file for the first year of participation in a MS sport and a buff colored waiver card signed if it is their second year participating in a MS sport. Athletes also need to pay the $40.00 fee and turn in a signed athletic code once during each year of participation. All cards, codes and fees are to be turned into Ms. Freeman.
Note...Girl’s volleyball will start March 1st and boy’s track starts March 29th. Get your appointment for physicals set up early so you are ready for the start of the season.
TARGET’s: Take Charge of Education
SlingerMiddle School is participating in the “Take Charge of Education” program sponsored by Target
Stores. Twice a year Target donates up to 1% of purchases made using the Target Visa and Target Guest Card to eligible schools designated by your purchases.
It doesn’t cost cardholders anything to sign up for the program and you can designate SlingerMiddle School in one of two ways:
- Call 1-800-316-6142
USED CELL PHONE COLLECTION
SlingerMiddle School is conducting a recycling fundraiser. There is nothing to buy. We are simply asking you to protect the environment by donating your used digital phone(s). The fund drive begins January 4th, 2010 and ends January 29th,2010. All proceeds will help fund school related activities. Please ask friends, relatives and neighbors to contribute. Thank you for your help. Contact the SlingerMiddle School Office or Mr. Plechaty at ext. 2217 with any questions you may have.
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Calendar Highlights
Please Note: SlingerMiddle School highlights for the year. All middle school events are posted on the web calendar or on your local cable TV station.
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CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS…
Parent Teacher Conferences
- Nov. 12
- Nov. 18
No School
- Nov. 25
- Nov. 26
- Nov. 27
Delayed Start
- Dec. 2
Winter Break
- Dec. 24
- Dec. 25
- Dec. 28
- Dec. 29
- Dec. 30
- Dec. 31
Classes Resume
- Jan. 4
Semester Break
- Jan 22 – no school
HELPFUL LEARNING WEBSITE LINKS
(Grammar)
(science and social studies)
(states & capitals .for 7th graders)
Safety is a key concern when you drop off your child in the morning. Please only open car doors if you are pulled up to the curb. When two cars pull alongside each other and a student needs to dart between cars, we have a dangerous situation. The lot is a busy place in the morning, but with patience all of us can make sure our kids are safe. Thank you.
Box Tops for Ambassadors
The SMS Student Ambassador group has been busy welcoming new students to the middle school. Our group is currently funded by proceeds from the General Mills box tops for education program. By clipping and collecting those $.10 tabs from cereal and other product boxes, you're helping make SlingerMiddle School a friendly place for new kids. Tabs can be dropped off, anytime, in the box in the office. For more information, visit the Box Tops website at
We will no longer be collecting Morning Glory, Golden Guensey Kids Caps or Milk Moola. Your support is appreciated!
Emergency Response System
The School District of Slinger has an Emergency Response System. In case of an extreme emergency when students are at school, parents will be notified of that emergency in amatter of minutes through this new web-based messenger service. The new response system will deliver a pre-recorded message to the:
1. Primary family primary phone
2.Primary family 2nd phone (if any)
3. Family 2 Guardian 1 phone number that is on file with the school office
4.Student's/family's e-mail address if it is on file with the school office.
The effectiveness of this system is based on whether our school offices have up-to-date information for phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and primary/secondary family information. Please keep the school office aware of any changes that occur.
Slinger Shirt Sales
Once again, every student at SlingerMiddle School will have the opportunity to purchase a Slinger Owls shirt/sweatshirt. The sale will run from Nov. 5th-18th. Late orders cannot beaccepted. Apparel samples will be available both nights of conferences in the front lobby. Order forms will also be available at that time, or you can print a copy from the website or pick one up in the office. Please make checks payable to SlingerMiddle School.
Toys for Tots Dance
The annual Toys for Tots Dance sponsored by Student Council will take place on Friday, December 4. All proceeds of the dance are used to purchase toys for needy children in WashingtonCounty. Tickets are $4.00 in advance and $5.00 at the door. Students can purchase an advance ticket for $2.00 with the donation of a brand new toy (valued at or above $2.00) Dec. 3-4 during lunch.
EMERGENY DRILLS
SlingerMiddle School is required to hold emergency fire drills each month to be prepared in the event of an actual emergency.
In October, a drill was held with the police and fire department. We were able to have everyone out of the building in 2 minutes and everyone accounted for, students and staff, in less than 8 minutes.
The fire department was very pleased with this as in an actual emergency we would have everyone accounted for by the time they arrived.
The cooperation from all students in these very important drills is appreciated.