The Panther
Patrick Henry Middle School
Mission: To educate and prepare each student to succeed in a changing world.
Newsletter Date:
April 1, 2021
Volume 1, Issue 4
Principal's Corner
We are now in the fourth quarter at PHMS, which tends to be a very busy time for both students and staff! While we still have a lot to accomplish over the next two months, we also are beginning to plan for what comes next! As you know, all of our students have registered for classes for the 21-22 school year, and we will begin the planning! We know there are changes coming to Patrick Henry as some of our current students will make the transition to the new Ben Reifel Middle School, while we welcome many new students and families to PHMS for the first time!
This includes welcoming all of our new incoming 6th graders, as well as new 7th and 8th graders from other middle schools. We will be sending a welcome video, along with a virtual tour to new families in the coming weeks!
We know that middle school can be a big change for students moving from 5th to 6th grade! To help with the transition, each summer we host a summer “Running Start” to middle school program for all incoming 6th graders. This is a chance for students to get to know the school, practice lockers, find the cafeteria, library, classrooms, and get to know some of their future classmates! There are six different sessions to choose from during the month of July. Each session runs for four days either in the morning, or in the afternoon. There is a registration form included in this edition of the newsletter. Sessions do fill up quickly, so please submit your registration form to the PHMS office as soon as possible. Once all sessions are full, additional registrations will be added to a waitlist. For additional questions regarding our summer Running Start Program, please contact our school office at 367-7639.
Kim Sharping
Principal
Patrick Henry Middle School
605.367.7639
End of Day Student Messages
April Calendar
- Panther Days - April 16th, 23rd and 30th
- No School/Spring Break - April 2nd thru 5th
- Map Testing - April 20th, 27th and 28th
- Spring Orchestra Concert at Lincoln High School - April 29th (6th grade-6:30; 7th grade-7:00 and 8th grade-7:30)
Child Nutrition News
Child Nutrition Services is excited to begin offering Ala Carte’ sales at the high schools February 1, 2021. Our team assessed safety concerns involved with COVID-19 regarding offering Ala Carte’ items. We are pleased to make these options available to students with limited touch points for safety.
We know and understand that one size does not fit all for our student’s nutrition needs from the meal of the day and want to provide access for those who need just a bit more to be energized and ready to learn.
In order to purchase Ala Carte’, students must have funds in their account. These items are not part of the free school lunch students are currently receiving. We will not allow any form of charging related to extra items purchased.
All food sold in School Nutrition Programs must meet stringent guidelines. Please understand snack items meet specific calorie, sodium, and fat requirements.
Congratulations to our March Students of the Month
Jersey Kock
Liam (William) Torgerson
Mimi (Kamimila) Meng
School Bus Inc
Job Description:
School Bus Inc is looking for part time school bus drivers who will make it a priority to provide students with a safe and enjoyable experience to and from school each day.
· No experience necessary, paid Training
· $500 sign on Bonus ($1000 for those who come with CDL w/passenger & school bus endorsements)
· $18.15 hourly rate
· 20-25 hrs./weekly (possibly more at certain times of the year)
· No nights, weekends, or Holidays!
· A work schedule that matches your child’s school schedule!
Why Join Our Team?
· Safety: Our top priority is the safety of all passengers and employees
· Value our Employees: People are the foundation of any great business.
· Customer Focused: SBI will continue to build on the strong partnerships that we have built over the years, based on trust and integrity.
Minimum Requirements:
· 18 yrs. Of age or older
· Able to pass a background check.
· Drug Screen
· Willing to work a flexible schedule.
Apply today as it will take a minimum of 20 days for licensing and training.
JROTC Program
Accelerated ELA Class
Mrs. Reynoldson's Accelerated ELA class was able to Zoom with bestselling author, Wil Mara on Friday, February 5th! They were surprised to find Wil waiting on Zoom for them a few minutes into the class period. He talked with them about his upcoming books (they even got to see "never-before-seen" book covers!), his "Twisted" series being made into a TV series, reluctant readers, and life in general. He really made their year! If you haven't read any of his books, check them out. They are a quick read and always has some mystery and fantasy involved, however, you better go check them out fast because there is only one copy of each book in our library!
Athletics
7th and 8th grade boys and girls track will start on Monday, March 22nd. Information for signups will be in the announcements and bulletin for students starting March 8th.
Please go to the Patrick Henry athletics web page on the Sioux Falls School District website. Once there, go to the Patrick Henry link on the page to sign up for sports, view the schedules, see the requirements and parent letters. We also ask that you watch the short information video on the page. We are looking forward to a great year.
Link to the Patrick Henry Athletics Page:
https://sfsdathletics.k12.sd.us/middle-schools/patrick-henry-middle-school
Athletics Information Video Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sJ4q94aVS24SaVWscdc6gQOEgsjyKTQm/view
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Chris Andersen
Athletic Coordinator Patrick Henry MS
All athletes need to have a physical on file at school before they can participate. Check the district athletics information page about physicals and the district permission packet.
Lincoln High School Summer Camp Flyer
Counselor's Corner
Sub Communication
Your Passport to Adventure
School Related Cancellations and Postponements
It is important to be prepared for the winter storms and extreme cold that every South Dakota winter brings. Please read the following information so you are aware of the procedures for school related cancellations and postponements.
District leaders rely on experts from the National Weather Service and city/county officials when we make decisions on school cancellations, late starts or early dismissals.
Cancelling School/Late Start
When a severe storm hits the area, or is forecast, we start contacting local officials as early as 3:00 a.m. We communicate with our Operational Services Department, the Weather Bureau, the City Street Department, Sioux Falls Transit, and our transportation contractors. It is our goal to decide whether or not to cancel school by 5 a.m. to allow time for parking lots and sidewalks to be cleared, food services to prepare meals and the bus company to begin operations. In the event that school needs to be cancelled or delayed, families will be alerted via a ParentLink phone call. These calls will generally be sent between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. to accommodate families whose children are picked up by buses at 6:45 a.m. Announcements are also made on the District’s website, Sioux Falls School District social media sites (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiouxFallsSchoolDistrict/ and Twitter: twitter.com/SFSchools ) the SFSD app, and over the local radio and television stations.
Because the public schools have a limited rural area, it is often possible for Sioux Falls to have school when nearby towns may not.
Early Dismissal
Storms occasionally move in during the day, making it necessary to assess whether or not to dismiss school early. We choose early dismissal only under the most extreme circumstances. In most cases, it is safer for students to remain at school due to the need for transportation and proper supervision. In the rare instances when schools are dismissed early, families will receive a ParentLink phone call and the information will appear on the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us, and our Sioux Falls School District social media sites (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiouxFallsSchoolDistrict/ and Twitter: twitter.com/SFSchools ). Announcements are also made over the local radio and television stations.
Notifications refer to dismissal “one hour early” or “two hours early” because of the number of different building schedules. In addition to noting the early dismissal, announcements about evening activities are normally included.
It is very important that every family has a plan for early dismissal. Be sure your student knows where to go in case no one is at home. Parents/Guardians are urged to talk with their student about his/her safety during winter weather emergencies.
Be Safe This Winter
The school system offers these suggestions concerning cold weather and
emergency situations:
1. Listen for a ParentLink phone call regarding school closings, late starts, or early dismissals. Check the District’s website at www.sf.k12.sd.us for updated information.
Follow us on our Sioux Falls School District social media sites (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiouxFallsSchoolDistrict/ and Twitter: twitter.com/SFSchools ) for updated information. Announcements will also be made on local radio and television stations. (Please avoid calling schools or the Instructional Planning Center. Phone lines are needed for emergency communications.)
2. Make sure students are properly dressed for predicted weather conditions so they are prepared for walking or waiting for a bus in the cold or for being delayed on a bus in a weather-related situation.
3. Students should not arrive at school until the scheduled time for outdoor staff supervision or the breakfast program begins.
4. Develop a plan and inform your student about where your student will go if school is dismissed early.
5. School officials will use their best judgment about school closings, late starts, or early dismissals, but please remember that a parent has the right to keep children home or to pick them up from school early if they feel weather conditions require this action
Reporting an absence
If your child is going to be absent, please call the school (367-7639) prior to 8:40am. An absence must be reported either by note or phone in the day of the absence, or before if you know ahead of time. Absences can also be reported via voice mail outside of regular office hours. Students leaving during the day need to pick up a pass in the office by 9:00am and also check out with a parent/guardian at the office when leaving. If they come back during the school day, a pass from the front office needs to be issued in order for them to get back into the classroom. After attendance is taken each morning, the attendance secretary will begin
calling parents/guardians who have not notified the school regarding a student’s absence. Student safety is the main concern and this procedure provides another check on a student’s absence.
Daily Student and Staff Health Screen Evaluation
3 Steps to Take While Waiting for Your Covid Test Results
Page 2
What have you done in the last 10 days with other people? Activity/Location/Date
Contact us
Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/patrick-henry/students-parents
Location: 2200 South 5th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-367-7639
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanthersSF
Twitter: @PanthersSF