EdisonEcho
Edison Middle School
Our Vision and Mission: To educate and prepare each student to succeed in a changing world
Office: 605-367-7643
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/edison/home
Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us
Counseling Center: 605-367-8331
Fax: 605-367-8457
Edison is now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Facebook: @WeAreTheCats
Twitter: @EdisonCats
Instagram: @sfsdedisoncats
Newsletter Date:
January 11th, 2023
Volume 2, Issue 17
Dates to Remember...
January 13
- No School, teacher work day
January 16
- No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day
February 6
- No School, Inservice
February 13 and 16
- Parent Teacher Conferences (PM)
February 20-21
- No School, Presidents' Day Break
Tips From the Office...
Please let the office know as soon as possible if your child is going to be tardy or absent from school. You can call the office or email sfsdedisonattendance@k12.sd.us. If your child is leaving early from school for any reason, please try and let the office know before school starts to avoid classroom disruption.
Student Check In/Out Procedure- You do NOT need to walk your student in to school to check them in if they are late or returning from an appointment. When a student is checking OUT we do need to see the adult that is picking them up in the office. If you are unable to come inside, call the office and we will have a staff member walk your student out to their ride to verify who is picking them up.
Please call or email the office if you have any questions.
605-367-7643
Principal's Corner
Happy New Year! We are in our final week of the first semester! Time has gone quickly! First semester will officially end on Thursday, January 12. We will begin second semester on Tuesday, January 17. First semester report cards will be complete and available online January 19. Just a reminder we do not have school on Friday, January 13 and Monday, January 16 due to the end of the semester and the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
January is the time for restarts and resolutions. As we conclude first semester and move into second semester, set goals for success with your student entering the new semester! We are excited to begin a new semester with your student! 2023 is going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Amber Blume, Principal
Superintendent Column
By now, our bodies have somewhat adjusted to the shortage of daylight that comes with the winter season. The cold weather pushes most of us indoors for activities, yet the dream of a slower pace is quickly replaced by holiday concerts, long to-do lists, and for our high school students - preparing for semester tests.
The District Office doesn’t slow down either. This month, I wanted to share some exciting, education-related news with you that demonstrates our ongoing commitment to becoming THE BEST school district in the nation:
SFSD is delighted with the ongoing interest in the Avera Family Forum Series launched in September. After an out-of-state company approached SFSD about offering monthly sessions to support families, SFSD knew it had one of the best resources available just down the street. We contacted our partners at Avera Behavioral Health, and as we anticipated, they eagerly jumped at the opportunity to participate. Our first online collaboration in September focused on suicide prevention. In October, we tackled the topic of anxiety, and in November, we provided practical advice for parents on setting parameters with digital media. The 40-minute video had been viewed more than 700 times just two weeks after presenting the digital media topic. This video, along with others offered on the third Tuesday of each month, can be found at sf.k12.sd.us under the Counseling Services tab. This partnership is a perfect example of how schools and the community work together to benefit everyone.
Another exciting collaboration turns the spotlight on student ideas. SFSD is now accepting applications for participants in its first-ever TEDxYouth Event to be held in late March. Any high school SFSD student with a big idea and the drive to perfect it for a live audience is invited to apply. Judges will select 15 participants who will bring their ideas to the stage in a ticketed public performance. We’re excited to have the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation as our premier sponsor, along with Thad Giedd of Pinnacle Productions, whose talent has secured TEDx licensing for this Sioux Falls youth event. Student voices are critical to the success of our schools and our community, and I can’t wait to hear what’s on the minds of our selected speakers.
Top-notch students are always due in part to top-notch teachers, and the Sioux Falls School District is proud to employ so many of them! Nominations are now open for the 2023 Dr. John W. Harris Sioux Falls Teacher of the Year award sponsored by Vern Eide Motorcars. This is the 35th year for the award showcasing the never-give-up tenacity of teachers who believe in, encourage, and challenge students to stretch and grow daily. You’ve likely encountered one or more of them, so why not make a nomination today? The nomination is easy to complete by the January 16, 2023, deadline. The spring celebration is one of the best ways to show appreciation for an exemplary educator.
This update demonstrates our drive to support parents, students, and teachers, and as we close 2022, your public schools are eager to ring in another new year by giving our very best every day. Thank you for your partnership this semester!
Student of the Month
Team 6-1
Team 6-2
Team 6-3
Team 6-1
Team 6-2
Team 6-3
Team 7-1
Team 7-2
Team 7-3
Team 7-1
Team 7-2
Team 7-3
Team 8-1
Team 8-2
Team 8-3
Team 8-1
Team 8-2
Team 8-3
Edison's PTO
Be a part of the PTO board next year! If you would like to get more involved with the school, would like to meet interesting people, and want to make a difference in the Edison community, think about being a part of our board or on a committee. Please contact LeAnn Minister or Peg Preston at edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com to learn more!
Mark your calendars! The January PTO meeting will be held via zoom on Wednesday, January 18th, at noon. Join us as we hear an update from Principal Blume, and learn about volunteer opportunities for upcoming events. An email with the Zoom link will be sent out closer to the 18th.
Save the date: Parent Teacher Conferences February 13 & 16
Conferences make for long days for our teachers and staff, and they have greatly appreciated having meals provided for them by our Edison families. Thank you! Please be on the look-out in the coming weeks for an email detailing how you can contribute to conference meals for our teachers and staff.
Thank you!
Your Edison PTO Board
LeAnn Minister, Peg Preston, Kristina Sipma, and Shannon Huber
Contact us:
edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com
www.edisonsf.org
Music Notes
January Music Notes
MAIN CONCERTS -
Mar. 30 EMS Orchestra Concerts in Gym 6:00-6th gr., 6:45-7th gr., 7:30-8th gr.
Apr. 25 EMS Band Concerts in Gym 6th grade–6:30 p.m. & 7th/8th grade–7:30 p.m.
May 16 EMS Chorus Concerts in Gym 6th grade – 6:30 p.m. & 7th/8th grade – 7:45 p.m.
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES -
Mar. 16 & 17 Cinderella Musical Performances 7:00 p.m.
Mar. 18 Band Solo/Ensemble Contest at EMS (Edison MS) 8:00 am–1:00 p.m.
Apr. 4 5th Grade Area Band Festival with Jazz Band 6:00 p.m.
Apr. 13 Brio Concert with 5th Grade Orchestra Festival Concert 6:00 p.m.
Apr. 21 Brio/Inventions/Jazz Band Tour Day All Day
April 22 Orchestra Contest at Susan B Anthony Elementary All Day
April 28 Inventions Friends and Family Concert in auditorium 7:00 p.m.
Musician of the Month~
Each month the band, orchestra, and chorus areas will each recognize a 6th, 7th, and 8th grader that shows exceptional dedication, responsibility, and character each and every day. Lewis Drug supports our Musician of the Month program by donating packages of M & Ms to hand out to the musicians we recognize.
Musicians of the month for December are:
Band: Skyler Gillitzer (8) Robert Powell (7) Kade Kimbern (6)
Chorus: Emmeline Murray (8) Layla Smith (7) Aniya Brost (6)
Orchestra: Lucien Anderson (8) Aaliyah Swanson (7) Brenna Downham (6)
8th Graders Heading to High School~
High school counselors will be coming in to talk to the 8th graders about registering for high school soon. The Edison music department encourages all of our 8th graders to STAY INVOLVED IN MUSIC in high school!
High School Band Auditions~
Students are not required to audition for band classes and marching band at the Sioux Falls public high schools. However, students may choose to audition for an upper level band class instead of the normal Freshman Band. Audition music is available now for both RHS and LHS. Students are encouraged to get help in private lessons or from Mr. Jensen/Miss Deinken.
Private Lessons~
Now is a great time of year to consider starting private lessons on your instrument/voice. Individual lessons with a skilled teacher are a great way to learn, grow, and excel as a musician. The private lesson list can be found on the Edison Music Dept. website at http://emsmusicdept.weebly.com/private-instructors-list.html
Ensemble Schedule~
Jazz Band meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:45 – 8:45 a.m.
Brio meets on Wednesday and Friday morning from 8:10 – 8:45 a.m.
Inventions meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
Edison Music Department Website~
The Edison Music Department has a website! Refer to this website for information and dates.
http://emsmusicdept.weebly.com/
“Like” us on Facebook!~
Edison Music Department has a Facebook page! This page will be used for informational purposes only. You can check concert dates, rehearsal dates, practicing tips, etc. on our page. We will NOT have any pictures of students posted, it will strictly be used for getting information out to you!
The page is: www.facebook.com/EMSMusicDept
There are other Edison schools out there so check before you “like” our site!
Band directors – Rick Jensen - Rick.T.Jensen@k12.sd.us & Emily Deinken – Emily.Deinken@k12.sd.us
Chorus directors – Amber Sundvold – Amber.Sundvold@k12.sd.us & Mollie Weflen – Mollie.Weflen@k12.sd.us
Orchestra directors – Stacy Sip – Stacy.Sip@k12.sd.us & Shannon Abels – Shannon.Abels@k12.sd.us
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” – Plato
Library News
*****A Reminder about Library Fines******
· We do not charge late fees at the EMS Library. The only time your child will be charged for a book is if it is lost or it is damaged to the point that it must be replaced.
· If your student has overdue books or fines, they are unable to check out books until the fine is satisfied or the books are returned.
· If your child has an overdue book or a fine from another school, the fine can be paid or the book returned at Edison. We will get the payment or book to the appropriate school.
News from the Counseling Office
8th Graders Thinking About High School Already?
8th grade students will be working on high school transition activities during pro! They will take an interest inventory assessment on SDMyLife.com. They will use the Welcome to High School handbook to answer questions about high school and help prepare them. Here are a few dates you should know about coming up:
Open-enrollment:
December 1st– 1st day to submit open enrollment forms for 2022-2023
All done on-line. http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/parents/school-registration-enrollment/open-enrollment-procedures-application
Kiosks available at IPC( 201 E 38th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105) for those that do not have computer access.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
High School Parent Days – It is very important to attend a parent day/night at your prospective high school
JHS
1/21/2023, 9:30 - 11:00 am
1/24/2023, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
WHS
1/5/2023, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
1/7/2023, 9:30 - 11:00 am
RHS
1/21/2023, 9:30 - 11:00 am
1/26/2023, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
LHS
1/7/2023, 9:00 - 10:00 am
1/9/2023, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
CTE Open House
1/31/23, 4:00-7:30
January 11th – HS counselors visit from 3-3:45 am to discuss High School Registration and classes.
HS registration!!
January 25th – 8th graders will register with their high school counselors during 7th period. High School registration sheets due no later than January 24th to their PRO teacher.
In December, counselors will be teaching 2nd quarter lessons in all classrooms 6th-8th grade. The 2nd quarter focus in on Decision Making, Self-Awareness, Mindfulness, and Self-Regulation. Each lesson has a slightly different focus per grade level and will build each subsequent year.
Edison Athletic Information
Edison Families-
Our winter sports seasons are underway with Girls’ basketball at Edison. Boy’s basketball, boys wrestling and girls wrestling will begin on January 17th. Sign up for these sports will begin on January 3rd.
This year due to a variety of reasons the boys wrestling and boys basketball season will be held at the same time. Starting in 2023-24 boys wrestling will be held in November and December, so that boys can participate in both wrestling and basketball. I would like to encourage 8th grade boys and their parents to discuss the option of going out for wrestling this year. As a former basketball coach, I loved having 50 boys out for basketball, but also realized that most of these 8th grade boys will not play in high school, since only 20 freshmen will make the basketball team. So, if you have never tried wrestling I would encourage you to do so. In the end, do what is best for you this year.
Just a reminder for those attending the basketball games. Please be mindful when entering or leaving the gym during a game. Please wait for a stoppage of play before walking by the basketball court. The student athletes as well as your safety is most important. I look forward to seeing you at our games cheering on our student athletes at Edison.
Go Cats!
David Christian
Athletic Coordinator
Edison Athletics Website
Hello SFSD Families –
The Sioux Falls School District remains committed to helping you and your student(s) feel connected to your current and all future schools. As part of this commitment, the four high schools have recently started sending out a monthly Futures newsletter to families K-12. This informative e-newsletter will keep you up to date on your future home attendance high school's upcoming athletics and fine arts events, camps, K-8 student opportunities, and ways to get involved. Whether you are a future Cavalier, Patriot, Rough Rider, or Warrior, we want you to feel part of the family now!
Example of what the Futures newsletter looks like depending on your home attendance school:
SFSD Child Nutrition Newsletter
Box Tops!
YOU CAN SCAN ANY RECEIPT FROM PLACES LIKE TARGET, WALMART, HY-VEE, SAMS, COSTCO, ETC. AND IT WILL TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE ANY BOX TOPS ITEMS!!!
Contact us
Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/edison/home
Location: 2101 South West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-367-7643
Facebook: facebook.com/WeAreTheCats
Twitter: @EdisonCats