EdisonEcho
Edison Middle School
Mission: To Prepare students to succeed academically, responsibly, and socially in an ever-changing world.
Office: 605-367-7643
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 1, 2021
Volume 1, Issue 6
Dates to Remember...
January 14
- End of 2nd Quarter
January 15-18
- No School-Teacher Inservice
February 15-16
- No School-Presidents' Day Break
Tips from the Office...
...We are still accepting donations of masks and water bottles!
...With the colder weather upon us, please be sure students are dressed appropriately and that all winter clothing items are labeled with the student’s name. Students should check the lost and found by the bus doors/Art room if they are missing any items.
Please remind your student to bring a water bottle each day!
Principal's Corner
Happy New Year Edison families! I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the New Year and you are well on your way to fulfilling all your resolutions. One of the many wonderful things about the world of education is the new beginnings experienced throughout the school year: the beginning of school, returning from a long break, a new quarter, or a new semester. Each time we have a new beginning, we can start with a clean slate. New beginnings also allow for reflection and evaluation of where we have been and where we want to go.
As we bring an end to the first semester, we have time to reflect on the first half of the school year, what we have accomplished, and reevaluate the goals we have set. Our students continue to make substantial improvements in their achievement and work tirelessly towards their goals. The December MAP scores showed wonderful growth for many of our students. Please make time to ask your student about their “growth goals” and “stretch goals” and encourage them to reach for the stars.
We also want to recognize all the hard work and dedication that parents/guardians have put into their student’s education. We continue to value the relationship between home and school to ensure all students grow and succeed. Please continue to encourage your students down the path of success through regular attendance, a commitment to excellence, and a relentless effort to be a life-long learner. Thank you for being there for your student and providing the support and encouragement that they need.
Starting second semester, I will also have a “new beginning.” Last spring, Dr. Maher appointed me the principal of the new middle school, Ben Reifel, that will open this coming fall. Starting January 18th, I will shift my attention to preparing for the opening of Ben Reifel, and Mrs. Blume will take over as the principal at Edison.
I am a true believer that our pathways and experiences are laid out for us to take/experience throughout our lives. Each pathway and experience lead us to interact with a set of people to help us learn and grow. They “pack our parachutes” each day without us even knowing it. We are all interconnected to ensure that we help each other become a better person.
I want to share a quick story with you that expresses what you and your children have meant to me over the years and my time at Edison.
Who’s Packing your Parachute? (author unknown)
Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience! One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!" "How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb. "I packed your parachute," the man replied. Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!" Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute had not worked, I would not be here today." Plumb could not sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb said, "I kept wondering what he had looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said 'Good morning, how are you?' or anything.” Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent at a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he did not know. Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?" Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. He also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory - he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.
Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason. As you go through this day, week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachutes.
Thank you for “packing my parachute” every day! Your support, encouragement, and faith does not go unnoticed.
Thank you for entrusting your children with us and being a partner in providing a positive educational environment for all our students. We are truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of students and parents. I am sad about leaving my Edison Family and will miss working with each of you, but I take solace knowing that “Once a member of the Edison Family, always a member of the Edison Family.” Edison: ONE TEAM. ONE DREAM.
Take care!
December Student of the Month
6th Grade
Jack Teller
Jack Paulson
Collin Foley
Liv Hendrickson
Hannah Baier
Cecilia Johnson
7th Grade
Hayden Oltmanns
Izaiah Chavez
Owen Douglas
Sondrine Munezero
Allyssia Weber
Lena Alhasnawi
8th Grade
Samuel Bauer
Rayden Hastings
Aaron Karkue
Jenna Cwach
Sophia Gordon
Betsy Haft
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-Time throughout the month of January! They took an interest inventory assessment on SDMyLife.com before break, so ask them about that as well! Students are given a Course Registration Booklet and packet to answer questions about high school and help prepare them for registration and beyond.
Here are a few dates you should know about coming up:
January 7th – HS counselors visit during 8th period to discuss High School Registration and classes. Please look for this form to come home and help your student complete and sign it! This form is required with parent signature on January 28th when they register.
HS registration!!
January 28th – 8th graders will register with their high school counselors during 8th period
PARENT INFORMATION: will be virtual this year due to COVID-19. Please check with your student’s high school for more information. The high school webpages will continue to update you with information regarding your future freshman, so it is important to refer to the applicable website:
Jefferson High School – https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/jefferson/home
Lincoln High School - https://www.lhscounseling.com/
Roosevelt High School – https://sites.google.com/k12.sd.us/sfroosevelt/home
Washington High School – http://www.whscounseling.com/
New Tech High School - https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/new-technology/home
CTE Academy Information
For more information about CTE Academy, please check out the website! There are several courses available to freshman second semester.
Edison Student Council
The goals of Edison’s Student Council are to build school spirit and pride, to assume responsibility as citizens in our school and community, and to promote a safe, caring environment.
Heartland House Christmas – Thank you to everyone who adopted a child at the Heartland House this year for Christmas! We were able to provide each child with gifts and a fleece blanket.
Pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house. Please collect pop tabs and deliver them to room 144. These pop tabs are recycled and help support the Ronald McDonald house which provides a temporary home for families who have seriously ill children.
Next meeting date: January 12.
Edison's PTO
HAPPY 2021 from the PTO!
Looking for a great New Year’s resolution? Why not become active in the Edison PTO? It’s a great way to be involved in your student's education, be informed about Edison and the district, and meet other parents. Everyone is welcome and the level of commitment is up to you!
Monthly Meetings
Held at noon on the third Wednesday of every month over zoom. New faces are always welcome!
Join us at our next PTO meeting: Wednesday, January 20th at noon
Zoom Meeting Link: click here
The Meeting ID is: 766 2166 3468
The Passcode is: 679743
If you cannot attend the meeting, minutes will be posted, and we hope to have them recorded through Zoom. Go to Edisonsf.org for more information.
Open Board Positions for Next Year
We will have openings for Secretary, Bookfair Coordinator, and Co-President. If you would like to get more involved with the school, would like to meet interesting people, and want to make a difference, please think about taking one of these roles. It’s not as much work as you think it is...and it's wonderfully rewarding! Contact us at edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com to learn more!
Teacher appreciation
Do you have any ideas for how we can show our Edison teachers/staff how thankful we are for all their hard work? Send your ideas to edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com!
Make a donation
As a PTO, we function solely from donations and fundraising as we have no membership dues. Funds raised will help enrich our student’s learning experiences, including continued library updates, as well as counselor, student, and classroom needs.
You can also send cash in an envelope marked “PTO” or a check made out to “Edison PTO” and leave it with the office staff.
Donate Now!
Amazon Smile
Earn money for Edison PTO by shopping with AmazonSmile!
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your purchase to the charitable organization of your choice. Scan or click for more info and to sign up.
Choose “Edison Middle School Parent Teacher Organization” in Sioux Falls as your charity.
On behalf of the PTO, we would like to congratulate and say farewell to Principal Shane Hieronimus and Lead Secretary Jennifer Taylor in the office. Both will be leaving Edison this month to take positions at the new Ben Reifel Middle School. We are truly thankful for all their help with PTO and for everything they have done for our students and staff at Edison. They will be missed! Best of luck to them both in their new endeavors!
Congratulations, also, to Amber Blume and Rachael Eggers-Ferry who will be taking on new roles as principal and assistant principal, respectively, at Edison. We look forward to working with them in these new capacities! We also want to welcome Carly King, who will be replacing Ms. Jennifer in the office, to the Edison Family.
PTO OFFICERS:
Co-Presidents: Nikki Schmaltz and Allison Pay Crawford
Treasurer: Kristina Sipma
Secretary: Katie Sumey
Book Fair: Karen Walters
Spiritwear: Mary Grandi-Koball
Go Cats!
Allison Pay Crawford and Nikki Schmaltz
2020-21 PTO Co-Presidents
Contact us
edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com
www.edisonsf.org
Edison Middle School on Facebook
For the latest info, past minutes of meetings and
budget information, visit our website at edisonsf.org.
Music Notes
Concert Dates~
THERE WILL BE NO IN-PERSON EVENING PERFORMANCES THIS SEMESTER. INFORMATION ON HOW WE WILL HANDLE OUR CONCERTS WILL BE SHARED BY THE DIRECTORS OF EACH GROUP.
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.
Musicians of the month for December are:
Band: Cade Whiting (8) Nadia Schneider (7) Lily Osmundson (6)
Chorus: Hannah Skroch (8) Alexia Collins/Ella Thompson (7) Brekken Biteler/Liv Hendrickson (6)
Orchestra: Leah Mannes (8) Kaleb Stolz (7) Asher Dyer (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 will be available for LHS before the winter break and for RHS and WHS after winter break. Students are encouraged to get help on their music in private lessons or from Mr. Rygg/Mrs. Gage.
Variety Show~
Got a talent or unique skill you'd like to perform?? Auditions for the Edison Virtual Variety Show will be on January 26, 27, & 28 after school in the chorus room from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. Sign-up sheets will be posted at the beginning of January by the chorus room. Any Edison student can audition for the variety show. Students can audition in multiple acts if they would like. The acts will be recorded and a video will be made of the virtual variety show by mid-late March.
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
Cleaning Your Closets?
The Sioux Falls School District is always on the lookout for donations of gently-used band and orchestra instruments. Given our funding challenges, this is a great way to increase our instrument supply and allow more students to play in band and orchestra. Please contact Mrs. Sip or Mr. Rygg for more information.
Sign Language Interpreter~
Please notify your child’s director if you need a sign language interpreter for the spring concert. Notify the director at least ONE MONTH before the concert date. (Concert dates and director emails are included in this ECHO.)
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-
- Jason Rygg - Jason.Rygg@k12.sd.us
- Holly Gage - Holly.Gage@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
“Sometimes music is the only medicine the heart and soul need.” - Unknown
Gifted Education
Mathcounts has continued to meet weekly since October with a participation rate of more than 20 students consistently. The Edison Mathcounts representatives will be selected based on testing criteria from our meeting January 7. Edison will have 8 student representatives participating in the South Dakota chapter competition to be held in early February. A thank you to the parents who have encouraged their son or daughter to participate in the Mathcounts meetings this school year. If you have any questions regarding the Mathcounts meetings or competition, please contact me @ michael.gerszewski@k12.sd.us
Mr. Gerszewski
Library Info
Congratulations to author Emerson Weber, a 6th grader here at Edison! HarperCollins Publishing just released her picture book, Sincerely, Emerson. This story is based on Emerson's real-life experiences during the beginning of the pandemic. The publisher's description states:
"One tiny act of kindness can have a huge impact. And in this heartwarming, hopeful, absolutely true story, a simple letter does just that.
A true story that quickly went viral, this is now a timely, extraordinary picture book. Sincerely, Emerson follows eleven-year-old Emerson Weber as she writes a letter of thanks to her postal carrier, Doug, and creates a nationwide outpouring of love.
This is a story of gratitude, hope, and recognition: for all the essential helpers we see every day, and all those who go unseen."
Click on this link to watch KELO's news story about her.
https://www.keloland.com/news/positively-keloland/sending-a-positive-message-through-a-new-book/
Way to go, Emerson!
Athletic Information
It’s 2021 and we continue to look forward to the next adventure in the Athletic Activities for the “CATS” of Edison Middle School.
The Girls’ Basketball Season is ending and the Boys’ Basketball Season is just beginning.
Online signup for Boys’ Basketball has been taking place since December 21st with practices beginning on Tuesday, January 19th.
A “paperwork” reminder for 7th & 8th grade boys planning on participating in basketball. You will need the following completed before beginning practices:
1) The Online “Activity Participation Packet,” which only needs to be completed once a year.
2) The “Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form” – this is a paper document that should be on record in the school office. An athletic physical is required just ONCE during a student’s middle school years.
If you are NOT sure if these have been completed, please check with Mr. Brown.
COVID and Winter Sport Guidelines
We will continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines set forth by the Sioux Falls School District. Your son will be screened prior to all practices and games. We also ask that parents/guardians be diligent in monitoring your son’s health. It is our desire to have a successful boys’ basketball season. Thank you for doing your part. It’s much appreciated.
Middle School Athletics Website
When you log into the following website, you will find various points of information by clicking on the tabs at the top of this page. By going to the tab entitled “School Athletic Web Sites”, then clicking on the “Edison” tab, you will find information specifically for Edison Middle School.
msmetroconference.com
By scrolling through this website, you will find the message board, practice and game schedules, information and forms on transportation, along with many other sources of information.
We look forward to continuing a successful 2020-2021 middle school athletic program
“GO CATS!!!!”
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.
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