February Newsletter 2021
Memorial Middle School
Parent's Calendar for 2020-2021 School Year
Memorial School Calendar of Events
February
15 - No School - Presidents' Day Break16 - No School - Presidents' Day Break
23 - Spring Parent Teacher Conferences (Virtual)
25 - Spring Parent Teacher Conferences (Virtual)
The Truth About Tests by Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent
At the start of the 2020-21 school year, no one knew exactly what learning would look like. Could students stay focused enough to learn or would they be distracted by masks? How could instructional groups be formed to meet the needs of learners with social distancing in place? How much learning was lost from going remote last spring?
Now, solidly in the middle of third quarter and with vaccinations becoming more readily available in our community, there is a strong possibility that, with continued hard work and diligence, we will make it through the entire year with students in our classrooms. As we navigate some of the challenges that may still come this year, our focus is now shifting to the needs that may linger long past the pandemic into the future. What are the lasting effects we need to plan for as we look ahead to next year and beyond?
For many months now, educational leaders across the nation have been talking about how the pandemic’s ripple will be felt in the future. Our own staff also recognize those realities, along with the “regular” challenges of any school year. It almost feels like we are now on a train track instead of a highway – the regular school year and the COVID track that runs parallel to it.
The academic benchmarks our students and schools strived to achieve not long ago are now viewed through the lens of a pandemic, and the gaps that exist will need to be filled over time. We can take some comfort in knowing this is not just a Sioux Falls problem or a South Dakota problem, but rather a world-wide problem. The good news is that Sioux Falls Public Schools has persevered through the pandemic and continues to stand ready to provide the support our students need.
Teachers use many tools to assess student learning. Conversations, daily work, journal entries, and exams help us determine success. This year, those tools are more important than ever. In March and April, Sioux Falls students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 will complete the South Dakota Assessments. Teachers use the information to make decisions about the individual support or acceleration needed for each student. They refine and refocus instruction so targeted supports can be used when working one-on-one or in a small group with your child.
As a District, we look at the results through multiple lenses – district, level, school, and grade levels, analyzing trends, allocating our resources to match the needs, and determining the effectiveness of our programs.
While few people really love taking tests, it is important to understand the connection between results that drive instruction and the ability to help students achieve more. Teachers can be more effective, our District is more successful, and our community ultimately benefits when our future workforce has the skills needed to conquer any challenge that comes their way.
Note from the Principal
With the second half of this school year well under way, I would like to thank parents for their continued support of our students, of our teachers, and of our school as we collectively strive to provide optimal opportunities for learning each and every day. February is a short month full of activities, from conferences, to basketball, and as all 8th graders undertake the process of registering for high school, there is no doubt that the month will fly by quickly.
Winter parent teacher conferences will once again be held virtually. On Friday, February 5th you will receive a sign up link from your student’s PRO-Time teacher. Virtual conferences will be held from 4:15 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23rd and Thursday, February 25th. Conferences are a great time for teachers and parents to connect, for teachers to share students’ academic progress, and for parents to share information about the students’ strengths, needs, and learning styles.
Again, on behalf of the entire Memorial staff, thank you for your continued support of our students and the work we do for them. It truly is the community, parents, and staff working together that allows us to maintain the many successes we have long enjoyed at Memorial Middle School. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact a teacher or me directly. We are here to provide the best educational experience for your student.
Happy National School Counseling Week!!
Registrar Sandra Bones, 7th Grade Counselor Alex Dobbs, 8th Grade Counselor Kerri Andela
& 6th Grade Counselor Renee Halde
January Student of the Month
Brittany Roth
Noah Reed
Loghan Wellnitz
Beckett Whitlock
Mara Dahmen
Aarav Chaudhari
Evelynn Nixon
Riley Nelson
Allyson Tiggelaar
Gavin DeJong
Mya Heinz
Jaxon Sheaffer
Tina Lunic
Connor Schmidt
Cora Nelson
Kaden Rezac
Miley Willging
Kyrion Thomas
CDC Covid-19 Guidelines
Child Nutrition News February 1, 2021
Child Nutrition Services is excited to begin offering Ala Carte’ sales February 1, 2021. Our team assessed safety concerns involved with COVID-19 regarding offering Ala Carte’ items. We are pleased to make these options available to students with limited touch points for safety.
We know and understand that one size does not fit all for our student’s nutrition needs from the meal of the day and want to provide access for those who need just a bit more to be energized and ready to learn.
In order to purchase Ala Carte’, students must have funds in their account. These items are not part of the free school lunch students are currently receiving. We will not allow any form of charging related to extra items purchased.
All food sold in School Nutrition Programs must meet stringent guidelines. Please understand snack items meet specific calorie, sodium, and fat requirements.
Sincerely,
Gay Anderson SNS
Child Nutrition Supervisor
Sioux Falls School District
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.
Contact Us
Office Hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
After Hours: (605) 362-2792
- Press 1 for attendance
- Press 2 to leave a message
Cafeteria: (605) 362-2799
Counseling Office: (605) 362-2789
After School Program: (605) 370-9649
Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/memorial/home
Location: Memorial Middle School, 1401 S Sertoma Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA
Phone: (605) 362-2785
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MemorialMSSF/
Twitter: @MemorialMSSF