SMS Trojan News
Principal's Corner
January 6th - January 10th
I trust your Winter Break was restful spending time with family. And I also hope that if you made some new year's resolutions, that you are still finding success!
We have an exciting week with Girls Basketball (girls, grades 7 & 8) and Wrestling (girls and boys, all grades) practices starting. We'll take Monday off just to focus on transitioning back to school, with practices and try-outs starting on Tuesday this week! Please see our Athletics Webpage or contact Mr. Lingo, our athletic director, for more information. Sign-ups will close at the end of the week. Please let us know if you'd like to set up a payment plan that we could help out with - we want ALL kids to participate and do not want cost to be a deterrent!
We have two full weeks of school followed by a short week before the end of the semester. We will be working hard the next three weeks to ensure a smooth transition into Semester 2. For the most part, there will not be many schedule changes for your student in regards to core classes (math, science, language arts, social studies). There will, however, be changes if your student took Art, Computers, Health and Careers. We'll have another schedule handout in the gym the first day of Semester 2.
Please remember that Attendance is still crucial - especially as we start a new year! Many routines and school attendance patterns can be "reset" when we start school in 2020. Set your family up for success by getting off to a smooth and drama-free January! here's a "Nighttime Checklist" that you might find useful:
- Choose and lay out clothing and shoes.
- Gather any items that need to go to school (permission slips, library books, homework, etc.) and put in your backpack.
- Grown-ups - find your keys, wallet and phone!
- Prepare lunches (if you take one to school).
- Set your alarm!
Other tips:
- Many households find that taking baths and showers at night helps reduce the morning rush.
- Kids who get tired of adult "nagging" each step of the way might succeed with a series of alarms for their routine. (Or it might stress them out. You know your child best.)
- If your vehicle is unreliable, have a back-up plan to get kids to school. Make an arrangement with another parent so you can help each other out in a pinch.
- Set an "on time" goal with each child and adult. Decide on a shared reward if everyone makes it out the door on time all week. (It can be as simple as a pizza dinner on Friday.)
What we do matters, but it doesn't matter if we're not present for school every day! Make it a priority this new year to be in attendance each and every day.
Make it a great week,
Mr. Sale
Important Dates
- January 9th - TIDE Meeting (Team of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) (Redwood Elem., 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.) - dinner and childcare provided
- January 10th - Shave Ice/Hot Cocoa (Student lunch times)
- January 10th - Sign-ups for Girls BBall and Wrestling close today!
- January 17th - NMS/SMS Dance - hosted by Grants Pass High Leadership (GPHS TBA)
- January 17th - January PTSA (Mr. Sale's office, 12:00 p.m.)
- January 20th - MLK Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
- January 23rd - Movie Night @ SMS (SMS TBA)
- January 24th - Clerical Day - NO SCHOOL
- January 27th - Grades mailed home
- January 31st - NMS/SMS Leadership Retreat
South Middle School
Email: bsale@grantspass.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.grantspass.k12.or.us/Subsite08
Location: South Middle School, West Harbeck Road, Grants Pass, OR, USA
Phone: 541-474-5750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMSTrojans/