SMS Middle Ground
Connecting Home and School: November 2017
Mid-Term Progress Reports
We've reached the halfway mark of our second quarter which means it's time to check
academic progress! Go to your Harmony Family Access account to see your child's current grades. If you have any difficulty accessing your account, call our office! If you have any questions about your child's progress, please check with your child and/or contact the classroom teacher!Our semester ends on Tuesday, December 19th. We will be in class all day that day. Christmas break starts on Wednesday, December 20th. Teachers will return to SMS on Wednesday, January 3rd for a Records Day. Kids return to class on Thursday, January 4th. Semester report cards will be published on Friday, January 5th.
Guidance News: Important Information for 8th Grade Parents!
Preparing for transition to high school is an important and exciting task! At SCSD2, Scottsburg High School offers your 8th grader a launchpad to success, offering paths and support to help students find a bright future! Read on to find out about upcoming activities designed to support our 8th graders and their parents taking the first steps on their personal paths.
Eighth graders began early in the school year to think about the transition to high school. In August, students were given an overview of the year’s activities in “Roadmap to the High School” guidance lessons. Activities are now accelerating in preparation for students to request freshman classes in December.
Next week, the high school will bring a New Tech/HSTW panel discussion to SMS to help students understand their program choice. Then, on the mornings of November 20 & 21, 8th graders will tour the high school, visiting both program buildings.
On the evening of Wednesday, November 29th, SHS will host the Spaghetti Dinner. All students and their families are encouraged to attend because attendees receive the paper to request classes for freshman year, learn about elective classes, ask questions and, of course, eat spaghetti! Students who cannot attend will receive the form at school later that week. (Course request forms should be completed and returned to the middle school office as soon as possible.)
In the days immediately before winter break, the high school counselors will meet individually with students at SMS to review the forms and further discuss initial path/course selection determinations.
Second semester activities will be outlined after the first of the year.
MORE ON PATHWAYS
If you were unable to attend Shannon Mount's pathways presentation on SMS Conference night, you missed some key information! Click HERE to get access to her slides which include some interesting links to colleges and beyond!
SMS Traffic Update
Please remember that we need to stop all traffic and clear the drive to let buses arrive on campus and depart from campus. This results in a temporary stoppage for both incoming and outgoing traffic. Thank you for keeping the entry intersection clear, for adhering to instructions from our traffic guard, and for staying in the line of traffic. Pulling out to pass others in the two-way drive is dangerous to you and to other vehicles. If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact Miss Nass! Thank you!
Inclement Weather Plans
We're entering the official season of ice, snow, sleet, fog, and freezing temps. And since we are in Indiana, these things likely happen on the same day! In the case of inclement weather that threatens safety, SCSD2 may alter the school schedule. Changes to the school schedule are made by Dr. Slaton, SCSD2 Superintendent. He does so in cases where the existing conditions or anticipated conditions would be hazardous for our bus, student, staff, and parent drivers and/or student walkers.
If a late start is called, all district schools will be on a 2-hour delay. Classes at SMS start at 10:05. Bus routes run two hours late but patience may be required for slower routes on difficult roads. If you need to bring your child to school at the normal time due to your work schedule, you can drop off your child at the office after 7:00 AM on any late start day.
When a decision is made to change the schedule, Dr. Slaton will send out a SchoolMessenger call. Notification will also be made on I105.3, local TV stations, school Facebook pages, school websites, and via Eventlink. Ensure quick delivery of schedule change information by checking your phone contacts in Harmony and by signing up for Eventlink.
For those new to our district, be sure to listen/watch media specifically for Scott County School District 2. Don't confuse us with Scott County District 1 (Austin) or Scott County, Kentucky!
And when kids ask... we do not have to make up late starts or early dismissals. However, we do make-up missed school days. The first designated make-up day is Wednesday, November 22nd. If we can get through November without snow, our next designated snow days (in order) are listed below.
SCSD2 Make-Up Days
Wed. Nov. 22nd
Mon. Feb. 19th
Mon. Mar. 19th
Tue. Mar. 20th
Wed. Mar. 21st
Thu. Mar. 22nd
Fri. Mar. 23rd
Additional make-up days will be scheduled at the end of the year, as needed.
Local Opportunities for Parents!
Scottsburg First Christian Church invites all parents to attend "Social Media Tips Every Parent Should Know" at 5 PM on Sunday, November 12th. Tiffany and Eric Copple will be sharing valuable information about keeping your kids safe online. Check this out if your child is on social media!!
Upcoming Events
SMS Picture Retake Day- Thursday, November 16th
Lifetouch will be at SMS on the 16th. Students absent on our original picture day and students that moved in since picture day, will sit for a photo that will be used in our spring yearbook. These pictures can be purchased on the SMS website. Follow the LIfetouch instructions and pay online. Parents that are dissatisfied with original paid picture day packages, should return the entire, uncut package to school for a free retake.
SMS Fall Play- Friday, November 17th
The SMS Drama Club will be presenting "Bad Ideas for Bad Television Shows" on Friday, November 17th at 6:00 PM in the SMS Great Room. Admission is $3.00 and light refreshments will be available at intermission.
SCSD2 Late Start Day- Wednesday, December 13th
All district schools will operate on a two-hour delay schedule to allow teachers to collaborate on our second round of benchmark testing. Class will start at 10:05 that day. Buses will run normal routes two hours late. The building will be open at 7:00 AM for any parent that needs to drop a student off early due to a work commitment.
SCSD2 Christmas Break- Wednesday, December 20th to Wednesday, January 3rd.
Wishing you all the best during our break. School will be in session all day on Tuesday, December 19th and will resume with a full day on Thursday, January 4th. This is the official start of the second semester. Semester one report cards will be published Friday, January 5th.
Scottsburg Middle School
Website: www.sms.scsd2.k12.in.us
Location: 425 South 3rd Street, Scottsburg, IN, United States
Phone: 812-752-8926
Facebook: facebook.com/ScottsburgMiddleSchool
Twitter: @ScottsburgMS