Dear SHMS Families:

The winter concerts came to an end this week. Congratulations to our sixth grade ensembles who performed on Tuesday night. I was impressed by all of the performances over the past two weeks. I want to thank our music teachers and art teachers for supporting our students and school community. The artwork in the main breezeway looks wonderful.

Congratulations to the SHMS wrestling team for winning the H. Louis Stopper Wrestling tournament last weekend. Well done!

We are trying to have a little fun before winter break. We will have a SHMS Winter Spirit Week next week. Please see the days below:

Monday12/19-Pajama Day

Tuesday 12/20-Sports Day

Wednesday 12/21-Vacation Vibes (dress for the vacation you want-Hawaiian shirt, staycation, mountainside)

Thursday 12/22-Ugly Sweater Day

Friday 12/23-6th grade: Winter "Wonder" Day 7th & 8th Grade: Panther Pride Day

Have a great weekend.

Dr. Chris Matsanka

Pictured: Mr. Miller’s classes conducted a green roof lab outside at our model green roofs. Using temperature probes, they tested to see if high growth or low growth plants would have a higher temperature increase.

SHMS Music News:

Congratulations to all music ensembles for fabulous concerts in these last two weeks. The hard work that these students have put in over the last few months were extremely evident in their performances. 7 am rehearsals will resume on Tuesday January 3rd with a Music Day 1. See January calendar attached!

At the start of the new year, please be reminded that all students are eligible to join any performing ensemble, and beginners are always welcome! Contact the following directors if your student is interested in joining:

6th/7th/8th Grade Band & 6th Grade Orchestra: Ally Williams (awilliams@wssd.org)

7th/8th Grade Chorus: Sarah Elsheakh (selsheakh@wssd.org)

7th/8th Grade Orchestra: John Shankweiler (jshankweiler@wssd.org)

6th Grade Chorus: James McLaughlin (jmclaughlin1@wssd.org)

Have a safe and enjoyable break!

SHMS Music

Click below to view and print the 8th grade MLK Permission Slip

Above: Congratulations to the 2022 Fall 7th grade Badminton Champions - Travis McDonough and Owen Iverson.

This week, the district launched its Strategic Plan Community Survey! Your thoughts and feedback are incredibly important to us. All community members are invited to participate! Complete the survey by Thursday, Dec. 22 at 11:59pm. Please click here, or access the link at the QR code.

Attend a WSSD Strategic Plan Community Meeting!

As part of the strategic planning process, WSSD will be holding four two-hour community meetings in the months of January and March. These meetings will provide an opportunity to solicit your feedback and to gather your input in both small and large groups.

Our District-wide Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

On Monday, January 16th, the district will be holding a community-wide celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The MLK Day of Service celebrates and honors the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy of service, equality, and selflessness. The event will include community service, educational activities, and performances. The day will take place from 8:30am-12:30pm. This is a family-friendly event. Learn more about the full program at wssd.org/mlk. More information is available through building communications about how to get involved. We look forward to your participation!

PeachJar, Our Community Digital Flyer System

On January 20, PeachJar, our community digital flyer system, will be launched! This new platform will enable us to send important community flyers to families digitally.

Each week, school-approved digital flyers will be shared to your email inbox, where you can easily click to sign up for programs and events. You will be able to access the PeachJar community flyer board right from the homepage of your child’s school. You will also be able to change your email subscription options, if you choose to do so. More information about PeachJar will be sent out in the coming weeks.

For more information, please contact Ms. Lindsey Norward (lnorward@wssd.org), Communications and Community Relations Liaison. If you have a community organization to be considered for approval to the PeachJar distribution list, please fill out this form.