Cardinal Corner
November 16 - 30, 2022
Nov. 10: Boys Basketball vs Sandburg, 7/8, 3:15pm
Nov. 16: Boys Basketball @ Thomas, 8/7, 3:30pm; Girls Basketball @ Lincoln, Mt. Prospect, 8/7, 3:30pm; RULER Parent Zoom Presentation, 6-6:30pm; PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
Nov. 19, 21-23: Girls Basketball Regionals, 7th Grade
Nov. 21-25: Thanksgiving Break — No School
Nov. 28: Boys Basketball @ Sundling, 7/8, 3:30pm
Nov. 28-29: Girls Basketball Regionals, 8th Grade
Nov. 30: Girls Basketball Sectionals, 7th Grade
Dec. 1-2: Girls Basketball Regionals, 8th Grade
Dec. 14 & 15: NWEA MAP Winter MAP Testing
Dear South School Families:
As we head into the Thanksgiving Holiday, we have a lot to be thankful for at South. It is wonderful to see students working together on projects, staying after school to participate in clubs and sports, as well as participating in two school fundraisers.
I am blown away by the generosity of our families and community as we raised $1,024 for the PTA Scholarship funds and an overwhelming amount of food for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry. Please see the section below for further details.
On Friday, we will be celebrating the Pack the Piggies event with two sixth grade students from each Homebase throwing whip cream pies at the following staff members: Dr. Morrison, Mrs. Calderone, Mrs. Vassos, Mr. Osmanski, Ms. Bora, Mr. Stordahl, Mr. Comiskey, Ms. Buck, and Mr. Cook.
Since we exceeded our goal of food collected for the food pantry, during a Friday in December, Dr. Morrison will be keeping his promise to wear a blowup Sumo wrestler outfit and dancing in the hallways during passing periods, .
On a more serious note, it is very concerning to hear that SMS students have been using inappropriate and hurtful language to insult fellow classmates. Upon hearing of these incidents, we are immediately addressing these situations and are consistently finding a common response of, "I was only joking." We are asking parents to support our efforts in stopping these behaviors by having a conversation with your children about the importance of treating everyone with respect regardless of their nationality/heritage, race, and/or gender identity.
Last Wednesday, you received an email regarding South's RULER Zoom presentation for Parents. The presentation will takes place on Wednesday, November 16th at 6pm. Here is a link to the zoom meeting: https://sd25-org.zoom.us/j/86146167225?pwd=RW1QbWd0ZGRVVndXRUEvQmxORnBxUT09 South's PTA meeting will follow the RULER presentation. We hope you will join us.
We hope you and your family have a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Dr. Jim Morrison
Principal
Ms. Sheri Rosen
Associate Principal
Dr. Perkins
Associate Principal
Native American Heritage Month
November is the month to remember the contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives as well as honoring the unique heritage of our continent’s first inhabitants.
Thanksgiving Day
A day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Celebrated the fourth Thursday in November, a federal holiday in all states.
Veterans Day Highlights
For the month of November, Veterans affiliated with South families were featured in our daily announcements. We additionally brought in Veterans to discuss their service and South students had the opportunity to speak about Veterans and Freedom. Two videos were featured in the announcements. They can be found HERE and HERE.
Thank you to all Veterans for their service.
IESA Speech Contest - Area 3
On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, South welcomed students, coaches, and parents from 11 schools to participate in and watch a number of performances for our IESA Speech Contest. Students performed in multiple solo, duet, and small group performances involving improv, monologues, scripted scenes, poetry, as well as original pieces. All these performances were then judged to earn a ranking of Division I, II, or III.
We are proud to say that our Cardinals that participated earned Division I rankings in each of their events, the best ranking you can earn. Congratulations!
Team Improv
Ashlyn P. 8 I
Morgan W. 8 I
Piper S. 8 I
Effie Z. 7 I
Duet Improv
Ashlyn P. 8 I
Morgan W. 8 I
Duet Improv
Piper S. 8 I
Effie Z. 7 I
Duet Improv
Eilidh M. 7 I
Diana F. 7 I
Solo Acting
Sama M. 8 I
Original Script Solo
Sama M. 8 I
Original Script Solo
Dylan S. 8 I
Movie Permission Slip
An email was sent out to all parents in accordance with Arlington Heights School District 25 Board Policy, any movie or tv show, even shown in short clips, with a rating of PG (Parental Guidance) or greater requires parent permission. If you haven't already completed it, please take a minute to fill out this permission form for your child's team by Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Thank you!
8th Grade High School Information
Dec. 7, 2022 - Prospect High School - Pathway Night (Elective Night) 6-7:45pm
PHS Time Frame Based on Students Last Name
- Last Initials A-M - Enter door #23 (field house) 6-6:15pm, Career Pathways & Electives Presentation for students and families with last initials A-M
- 6:15-7pm, Career Pathways Fair
- Last Initials N-Z - Enter door #23 (field house) 6:45-7pm, Career Pathways & Electives Presentation for students and families with last initials N-Z
- 7-7:45pm, Career Pathways Fair
Jan.12, 2023 is RMHS Incoming 9th Grade Curriculum/Elective Night
RULER
Parent Zoom Presentation on RULER - Nov. 16, 2022, 6pm - https://sd25-org.zoom.us/j/86146167225?pwd=RW1QbWd0ZGRVVndXRUEvQmxORnBxUT09
We are continuing to promote the social-emotional wellbeing of our students and grow their emotional intelligence through implementation of the RULER approach. For the past couple months, the emphasis across all three grade levels has been on establishing Grade Level Charters. A Charter addresses two essential questions:
How do we want to FEEL in school?
What BEHAVIORS can we exhibit that will bring out those feelings?
Students started by creating Homebase Charters. Next, each Homebase sent a “Rep” to a grade level meeting where we talked about all the many feelings students want to have at school. We discussed, listened, and distilled the list of feelings down to the five most essential for each grade level. Finally, just this week, students worked with their Homebases to brainstorm BEHAVIORS that will help us achieve the chosen feelings.
Once that list is narrowed down, we will have complete Charters for each grade level. Charters do not replace discipline and rules. Rather, they emphasize the importance of establishing a safe climate and sense of community in the classroom. This is so important, not only for the emotional wellbeing of students but most importantly for effective learning! Students who feel safe and connected achieve more. Period.
Without further ado, here are the Charter words for each grade level!
6th grade wants to feel: SAFE - RESPECTED - ACCEPTED - TRUSTED - BLISSFUL
7th grade wants to feel: SAFE - RESPECTED - ACCEPTED - CHILLAXED - CONNECTED
8th grade wants to feel: SAFE - RESPECTED - VALUED - CONFIDENT - CONTENT
Congratulations 1st Quarter C.A.R.D.S Awards Recipients
Students that earn this award are considered exemplar in one of the categories of C.A.R.D.S (Caring, Achieving, Respectful, Dedicated, or Serving).
Good Neighbors Network
Good Neighbors Network is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to under-resourced community members. Here is an Assistance Application which will connect families in need to supportive resources. The Good Neighbors Network inspires and empowers all community members to participate in initiatives to help local families with school supplies, household goods, scholarship (1st generation student), a holiday/birthday party gift pantry and much more.
ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge Official Race Shirt and Posters
Let your imagination run (pun intended) wild! All D25 students have the opportunity to submit a design for the ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge official race shirt and posters! These shirts will be worn by over 500 participants at the ABC/25 Get Burbed Challenge on April 15, 2023. The design winner also gets to help select the color of the shirt!
Official rules and regulations and t-shirt design forms can be found at abc25challenge.org/tshirt. Submissions are due back to our school office by Dec. 2, 2022.
Why Join ABC/25?
Why Join? ABC/25 stands for A Better Community for District 25. The mission of the Foundation is “To foster innovation, creativity, and excellence for the children of District 25.” By joining, you support District 25 schools and teachers with funds for innovative, creative, and excellence experiences for your students. Over 50% of the Foundation's grant money comes from membership dues. Once a school reaches 25% membership (including families and staff), that school gets an additional $2,500!
New this year are member benefits! Learn more at www.ABC25.org
We are currently offering a raffle for members that join by the end of October to win a ride to school by the Arlington Heights Police Department. Also new this year is a STEM interactive assembly event that will be free for members ($10 for non-members).
American Heart Association
Get ready! The American Heart Challenge kicked off at our school on Tues., November 1, 2022!
We’re excited to learn about physical and emotional well-being while having FUN and CHANGING LIVES. Donations raised helps to fund research to improve treatments and survival rates for tiny heart heroes. Sign up today so you don’t miss out! Visit our school page at
http://www2.heart.org/goto/SouthMiddleSchoolArlingtonHeightsIL
The Homebase(s) that have the highest percentage of students sign up for the challenge will win a prize. Note that students signing up for the challenge counts towards the Homebase total, however donations are completely optional.
Teacher Appreciation Feedback Wanted!
South teachers and staff work so hard to support our students' learning and well-being. You're invited to fill out the form below if you would like to recognize a staff member or team for their positive efforts. We will be sure to pass along the good news. Thank you in advance for sharing your encouraging words.
Recognizing South Graduates
We are looking to honor South graduates who have made significant accomplishments/achievements by displaying them on a TV monitor that is located in our school entrance. We are asking you to please complete this form and provide us with a picture of the graduate.
Free COVID-19 Testing Kits
Free COVID-19 testing kits are now available at South Middle School. If you would like one or more for your family, please come by South Middle School and simply request them with our front office staff!
PTA Meeting: November 16, 2022, 6:30pm
Be sure to join us at our next PTA meeting on Nov. 17, 2022, 6:30pm, via Zoom. All are welcome!
Meeting link - https://sd25-org.zoom.us/j/86146167225?pwd=RW1QbWd0ZGRVVndXRUEvQmxORnBxUT09
PTA Needs Your Help!
The South PTA still needs volunteers! Please fill out the attached form to let us know how you can help. Day, evening and at-home jobs are available. The PTA relies on your help to make things happen! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tj3mihaJZDe6fzIJBaywH2M6_gTvHy5YwkWTem7MzMo/edit
Join South's PTA
Remember to join South's PTA to support all of our student, family, and school programs. Note that each D25 school’s PTA is independent.
Office Information
The SMS Office is open Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm.
Address: 400 South Highland Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Twitter: @AHSD25South
Main Line: (847) 398-4250
Absence Line: (847) 506-6999 x7300
Fax line: (847) 394-6260