South Spartan News

Vision:

We provide diverse and meaningful experiences for all learners in a safe and supportive environment by fostering curiosity, inquiry, and innovation. We grow and learn together by embracing change and taking risks.

Mission:

Every Learner, Every Day

Beliefs:

We imagine a school in which ALL learners find joy in coming to school every day in a caring and personalized learning environment embedded with critical thinking, communication, citizenship, and empathy.

Greetings South Families,

Students will be asked to participate in the North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) to measure student performance against the state’s challenging content and achievement standards in English Language Arts (reading and writing) and mathematics. The 8th grade students will also be asked to take the science assessment. Your student’s test scores are used to determine where teachers and administrators may need to make adjustments to instruction.

Under state law, parents can direct school districts not to administer any state test or state assessment required in accordance with section 15.1-21-08 in ND Century Code. This form (Click on this link: Parent Directive) should be completed by guardians to withhold the administration of a student assessment. A separate form must be completed for each assessment: ELA (reading and writing), mathematics, and if applicable to your learner, science. Please complete the forms and submit them to Amy Bartch at the district office by mail.

Amy Bartsch

Mark Sanford Education Center

2400 47th Ave. S

Grand Forks, ND 58201

South will be testing April 13 - April 26 with retake time available for students. If you have any questions regarding the test or the information that is being sent to you about how your student will be participating in this test or opting out, please contact Theresa Ostgarden at 701-746-2345 or by email: tostgarden220@mygfschools.org.

5th Grade Transition Letter

Please see the letter below outlining the new tardy policy taking effect on October 31, 2022. Also, please note that the automated attendance notification email will now go out daily at 10:00am.

April 7th- No School- Holiday Break

April 10th- No School Holiday Break

April 12th- Early Release 1:00pm

April 26th- Early Release 1:00pm

First, here are the final South Middle School band events for the school year. Please make sure they are on your family calendars!

• Thursday, April 27 All City Band Concert at 7pm at the Chester Fritz (required for all band students)

• Tuesday, May 9 SMS Spring Band Concert at 7pm at the SMS Cafetorium (required for all band students)

• Wednesday, May 17 Solo/Ensemble Festival (9am-1pm, optional)

Second, 2023-24 class registration is just around the corner! I am not sure what it will look like this year, but please remember to sign up for band class! Also, 7-8th graders are eligible to be in jazz band. Jazz band is one of the most public and active music ensembles in our school, so we need strong and passionate musicians. Jazz band instruments are typically alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, trombone, trumpet, drums, bass, piano, and the occasional flute and clarinet. If your student is interested in learning a secondary instrument for jazz band, now is the best time to start. Please have conversations with your student about band and jazz band next year, and let me know if you have any questions or want to get started on a secondary instrument.

Third, I want to recognize and celebrate the FIVE South Middle School musicians who auditioned and were selected to perform in the North Dakota Junior High All State Band. This is a HUGE accomplishment, and we are so proud of these young musicians. Unfortunately, the event was canceled due to the blizzard that occurred across the state on March 10-11. Nevertheless, they have much to be proud of for being selected! Give them a big congratulations if you see them!

(See attached photo for all state musicians) from left to right:

Logan Hartze (oboe), Lux Nagel (tenor sax), Riku Pasch (alto sax), Connor Stein (alto sax), and Caleb Zerr (trombone)

Please watch your email - more information to come on spring-concert-specifics and summer music offerings!

Ms. Svendson

Our Spring Orchestra Concert will be held on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:00pm in the South Cafetorium. Orchestra students will meet at 6:30pm, and wear concert black.

The annual Middle School Orchestra Solo & Ensemble Festival will take place on Friday, May 5 at UND's Hughes Fine Arts Center between 9:00am-noon. Orchestra students will perform a solo and/or ensemble (duet, trio, quartet, etc.) for an adjudicator. Orchestra students will bus to UND after the 8:30am bell. Specific performance times will be announced closer to the festival-- Parents/family are welcome to attend, if able! Students will need money for a celebratory buffet lunch afterwards. More information coming soon!

The Grand Forks Public Schools high school summer school registration form is now open! The high school summer school registration form can be located at https://bit.ly/SSHSReg23

If your student has any questions or needs assistance with registering for high school summer school, please have them speak with their school counselor.

Explain to your child what it means to be a good friend and that true friends protect, look out

for one another, and have each other’s back. True friends do not ask each other to do things that
they know are wrong and will get them in trouble, or things that are harmful. Talk often to your child about who their friends are and the things they do with their friends. Encourage them to stick to their beliefs and values and look for friends who share those values.
Source: www.parentslead.org

https://www.smore.com/3xam1

Come join us in the Spartan Media Center on Monday April 10th at 5:30p.m.

• Please look forward to new fundraising information!

South is excited to present Newsies, Jr. on March 30 and 31 at 7:00 p.m. Admission price, at the door, is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

“Newsies Jr.” is a musical inspired by the true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City. When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’ expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.

“Newsies Jr.” is a 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film.

This musical accommodates a large cast and tech crew. The creativity and teamwork the students are putting into the show will be amazing to see. Come join us!

All sixth grade students are invited to join the 6th grade choir! Practices will be on Monday's after school from 3:40-4:20 in Mrs. Mercer's Music Room 604. I hope to see you there!

The MySchoolBucks (MSB) Store is open for families to use! Families can pay for athletic fees, add funds to lunch accounts and other items online or via the MySchoolBucks button on the Grand Forks Public Schools' smartphone app.

Follow South Middle School on YouTube to see the latest updates from our 8th grade students and their production of Spartan Media!

bit.ly/gfspartanslive

2022-2023

Cost will be $25

All-Color Yearbooks

Personalization and Icons are available through ONLINE SALES ONLY at

• Personalization & Icons end February 15, 2023.

www.jostens.com

NOTE: South has a limited number of 2021-22 Yearbooks left. If you are interested in purchasing one of the remaining books, you may do so at registration. The cost is $10.