South Spartan News

Vision:

We provide diverse and meaningful experiences for all learners in a safe and supportive environment by fostering curiosity, inquiry, and innovation. We grow and learn together by embracing change and taking risks.

Mission:

Every Learner, Every Day

Beliefs:

We imagine a school in which ALL learners find joy in coming to school every day in a caring and personalized learning environment embedded with critical thinking, communication, citizenship, and empathy.

Spartan Families,

I appreciate your time in reading this newsletter. This is one of the ways we communicate all of the great things happening at South Middle School. Here are some other ways you can get information about what is happening at South:

Twitter @southms_gf

bit.ly/gfspartanslive

https://www.facebook.com/spartanPTO/

Speaking of communication, good two-way communication between families and schools is necessary for building strong relationships and succeeding both academically and socially. Please know you can always email or call me to discuss any of your concerns. I would love to hear from you.

I want to give a huge Spartan Salute to all choir, band, and orchestra students for putting on amazing performances this past month. Mrs. Black Erickson, Mrs. Svendson, Mrs. McFarlane, and Mrs. Mercer did a great job preparing their students for these events.

We are in need of more parents in our South Parent Teacher Organization. PTO gives parents and the school the opportunity to work together to make the school experience more successful. Please consider joining our PTO as we meet once a month on the second Monday of each month, at 5:30 PM in the South Media Center. All are welcome!

I also want to welcome the following teachers to the South Spartan Team:

- Rizaldy Buco- 8th-grade Explorers Math Teacher

- Taonarufaro Karimanzira- 8th-grade Voyageurs Special Education Teacher

- Ryan Powers- Designated Substitute

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday break and you got the opportunity to rest and recharge.

Spartan Pride!

Travis Neil

tneil280@mygfschools.org

Principal

Please see the letter below outlining the new tardy policy taking effect on October 31, 2022. Also, please note that the automated attendance notification email will now go out daily at 10:00am.

The deadline for the 9th grade in-district transfer requests for the incoming 9th graders is January 6, 2023. Please stop by the front office in order to fill out the transfer request form.

January 3- School Resumes

January 5- South Middle School Art Show at Myra Museum

January 9- PTO Meeting 5:30pm

January 13- Ends of Quarter 2

January 16- No School

January 18- Early Out 1:00pm

Intramural Ping Pong will begin for 6th graders on Tuesday, January 10th. Practice will be every Monday and Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 in the South Middle School Cafetorium.

Fill out the form below and watch your email and our website for more information regarding practice times. Cost is $12.50.

Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/3yTP82bKzBnGhVAD8

Here is the link to pay: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action

Boys and Girls Basketball will begin on December 14th and the season will run until February 24th. We will have 5 practices prior to winter break (December 14-20 )

• The deadline to sign up is Wednesday January 4, 2023.
• This is to insure that students have enough practices in and are able to play in all of the seasons games.

Fill out the form below and watch your email and our website for more information regarding practice times and game schedules. Cost is 50$.

Here is the link to pay: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action or you may send a check made out to GFPS or EXACT cash to the school office.

Boys Basketball Link: https://forms.gle/gkTyBKhiSMgqrFEc9

Girls Basketball Link: https://forms.gle/E3hVWUPKXQmb2vKY6

Setting a Pattern of Rules and Consequences

Kids are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs if their parents have established a
pattern of setting clear rules and consequences for breaking those rules. This applies to no-use
rules about tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs — as well as bedtimes and homework. Have clear
expectations for behavior, monitor your child, and implement appropriate consequences. In
setting these rules, be sure you discuss your rules and expectations in advance and follow
through with the consequences you’ve set.

Don’t forget to acknowledge times when your child follows the rules! Parents who have a warm
relationship with their children while maintaining rules for behavior are teaching their children
self-discipline. Parents who have rules that are too harsh or no rules at all are more likely to
have children who are at greater risk for drug-taking behavior.

For more information and resources, visit www.parentslead.org.

South Middle School still has MVP cards for sale in the office until January 13, 2023. If you would like to purchase the cards, they are available for $20. The money raised goes towards needs in our school and students. If you have any questions, please contact the main office.

https://www.smore.com/j04ndw

Come join us in the Spartan Media Center on January 9th at 5:30p.m.

• Thank you to everyone who participated in the Ole & Lena's Pizza fundraiser!

All sixth grade students are invited to join the 6th grade choir! Practices will be on Monday's after school from 3:40-4:20 in Mrs. Mercer's Music Room 604. I hope to see you there!

The annual All City Orchestra Festival and concert will take place Thursday, January 26, with guest artist Mark Wood of Electrify Your Strings! Middle school orchestra students will bus to Red River HS for workshops and rehearsals from 9:00-2:00. The festival culminates with a 7:00pm concert featuring the GFPS middle and high school orchestras! Performing students will meet at 6:30pm in the Red River HS music department.

Audience tickets may be reserved at https://www.spacompany.org/tickets. Reduced rate tickets are offered for immediate family of participating students until January 24. To take advantage of this offer, use the family ticket order form available from Mrs. McFarlane. Form and payment are due by January 24. After January 24, tickets are full price at $10 for adults, $6 for students with ID and senior citizens 55+, until sold out.

During the January 26 HS & MS concert, you may enter to win a Stingray Electric Violin, MSRP: $799! Raffle tickets are $5 each or $10 for 3. All proceeds benefit GFPS Orchestras!

The MySchoolBucks (MSB) Store is open for families to use! Families can pay for athletic fees, add funds to lunch accounts and other items online or via the MySchoolBucks button on the Grand Forks Public Schools' smartphone app.

Follow South Middle School on YouTube to see the latest updates from our 8th grade students and their production of Spartan Media!

bit.ly/gfspartanslive

2022-2023

Sept. 16 - Dec. 31 cost will be $21 and after January 1, 2023 the cost will be $25

All-Color Yearbooks

Personalization and Icons are available through ONLINE SALES ONLY at

• Personalization & Icons end February 15, 2023.

www.jostens.com

NOTE: South has a limited number of 2021-22 Yearbooks left. If you are interested in purchasing one of the remaining books, you may do so at registration. The cost is $10.