SMS Trojan News
Principal's Corner
September 9th - 13th
It has been wonderful to welcome our students back into the building this past week! I hope you have been able to ask your child how their first week has been and that they have had something fun to report from at least a few classes and teachers. I know as I walked around to different classrooms this last week, I've seen teachers engaging students in numerous team-building activities as we get to know our students (and let them get to know us) while we learn about Trojan PRIDE.
On Friday afternoon, students received their 2019-2020 Semester 1 Student Planner. The first copy is FREE for students; beyond that, we will be asking students to pay $2 if they lose their student planner. It will be a valuable tool this year for our students to learn time management as well as setting goals. Also, it will be great for YOU to stay on top of what is going on with your student - feel free to have your student show you their new planner!
In their new planner, all students set the same 6-week goal: to have at least 95% attendance through October 11th (just one day missed in the first 6 weeks!). Showing up to school has a huge impact on a student's academic success. Even as your student is growing older and becoming more independent, you play a key role in making sure they get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for school and in life.
Some things we know about attendance at the middle level:
- By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
- By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Absences add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she missed just two days every month!
Here are some practical tips to help support regular attendance:
- Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
- Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor's appointments when school is in session.
- Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
We're off to a great start this school year; let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day and access the great things our teachers are doing in class! We want to partner with you so that your child finds his or her path to success in school. If you have any questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.
-Mr. Sale
Important Dates
- September 9th - Athletic Parent Night (5:30PM, SMS Cafeteria)
- September 13th - Fall Fundraiser Kickoff (AM Assembly, SMS Gym)
- September 16th - Picture Day (During students' Health/PE/Careers classes)
- September 17th - TIDE (Team for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) Meeting (5:30PM, GPHS Library)
- September 20th - PTSA Meeting (12PM, Mr. Sale's Office)
- September 20th - Middle School "Tailgater" and bus over to GPHS Football Game (5:30 - 6:30 at SMS, bus students to GPHS for 7PM kick-off, parents pick up at GPHS)
- September 27th - Coffee with the Principal (8:00 - 10:00AM, Mr. Sale's Office)
- September 30th - 8th Grade Vision Screening (10:30 - 12PM, SMS Gym)
South Middle School
Email: bsale@grantspass.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.grantspass.k12.or.us/Subsite08
Location: South Middle School, West Harbeck Road, Grants Pass, OR, USA
Phone: 541-474-5750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMSTrojans/