Cardinal Corner
September 1 - 15, 2019
Important Dates
Sept. 2 - Labor Day - No School
Sept. 4 - FastBridge Testing
Sept. 5 - FastBridge Testing
Sept. 6 - FastBridge Testing; Cross Country Barrington Invite - Beese Park, Barrington
Sept. 9 - 6th grade MAP Testing Begins
Sept. 12 - 7th & 8th Grade Parent Curriculum Night, 6:30-8:30pm; Girls Basketball @ Plum Grove, 3:15pm, Plum Grove Jr. High; Cross Country Thomas, 3:30pm, Home
Sept. 13 - Girls Basketball vs Jane Addams 3:15pm, Home
Principal Column
Dear South School Families,
The start of the school year went very well. Students have learned their new schedules, locker locations and locker numbers. They have received their Chromebooks, PE uniforms, classroom expectations, and have transitioned nicely into the new school year.
On Fri., Aug. 23, 2019, our students attended our Welcome Back Pep assembly. During the student counsel led assembly, new teachers were introduced; students learned and sang South School's fight song; and each grade level team competed in a Disney Trivia competition for the Traveling Team trophy. Congratulations to the 8th grade West team.
The Sixth Grade Curriculum Night was well attended. Sixth grade parents followed their child's schedule and learned about each class's curriculum and exceptions. We are looking forward to meeting the seventh and eighth grade parents, Thurs., Sept. 12, 2019, for their Curriculum Night.
For further information and pictures, please follow us on Twitter at: @AHSD25South.org
Dr. Jim Morrison, Principal
South Middle School
7th & 8th Grade Parent Curriculum Night
Sept. 12, 2019 - 7th & 8th Grade Parent Curriculum Night @ 6:30-8:30pm. Parents will have the opportunity to meet their child's teachers by following their daily schedule, in addition to learning about Creative Arts and PE. Parents will also have time to visit their child's locker.
Chromebook Rules and Expectations
This year at South, we are requiring all families to review the Chromebook rules and expectations with their child through a Google Form. In order to do so, please use this link AHSD Chromebook Usage Form. The form will go step by step through all of the regulations, expectations, and insurance information for student-issued Chromebooks.
At the end of the form there is a checkbox for you and your child to indicate whether or not you would like their assigned Chromebook to go home with them each school day.
The earliest possible date for Chromebooks to be sent home at the end of the school day is Tues., Sept. 3, 2019. Only students whose parents/guardians have indicated they gave permission, will be allowed to start taking home their Chromebook on that day.
As always, please email southclc@sd25.org with any Chromebook questions or concerns.
Communication
Through the online registration process, we should have your most up-to-date contact information, including current email addresses. We do many communications through our School Messenger system, occasionally automated phone/text messages, however we will primarily use email to contact you. It is very important that you keep the school office updated with any changes to your preferred contact information by contacting us at chumbert@sd25.org.
Additionally, we will continue to update our main South web page featuring: Announcements, electronic flyers/forms, staff contact information, calendar events, videos, etc. Families can also follow us at Twitter @AHSD25South and Facebook. We are always looking for additional ways to enhance home/school communication. These are some of the most immediate ways for families to be connected to South Middle School to during the school year.
FastBridge and MAP Assessments
FastBridge
FastBridge is a universal screening assessment that will be administered to all 6th-8th grade students in ELA and Math classes this Fall and Spring. The math assessment focuses on computation and/or application of strategies, and the reading assessment asks students to read grade-level passages out loud, focusing on fluency.
The testing window for ELA will be Sept. 4-6, 2019, and math is Sept.3-17, 2019.
NWEA MAP Testing
The NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) will be administered to all 6th grade students, new students as well as those in need of progress monitoring in the fall. The testing window will be Sept. 9-16, 2019.
The computerized format of MAP, aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards, assesses students in both reading and mathematics and is an adaptive test. The total time for testing in both areas is approximately two hours. You may find additional information about MAP testing at the Northwest Evaluation Association’s website - http://www.nwea.org/.
PowerSchool
Our online gradebook program and portal is PowerSchool. As part of Curriculum Night, we will share information about setting up and accessing parent accounts for the PowerSchool grade portal. This online tool will mainly contain information like most recent grades but will also contain attendance information and other historical student data. We will be teaching students PowerSchool through their classes. Online tutorials and handouts will be available on our website to assist parents with logging in and finding information. We are in our third year of using this online grade portal, where we continue to refine and enhance our practices.
Temporary Bus Passes
Student will continue to use their temporary bus passes until the permanent passes are delivered to our school. Please have your child take a photo of their bus pass. They can show the bus driver the picture if they forget or lose their pass.
If your child loses his/her bus pass, they need to go to the school office during their lunch period, to receive another one. He/she will only have one chance to come after school to get a new pass because of how crowded and busy the office is at the end of the school day.
Crisis Emergency Drills
In September, we will be having our first round of these drills—all on one day. We will have a slightly modified schedule to allow for extended education and practice of our drills, while still being able to attend all classes that day.
Picture Day
Tues., Oct. 8, 2019, is South's picture re-take day.
Schoology
Schoology is another online communication tool, which features individual class resources, course calendars with dates, homework assignments, etc. Some teachers have also been developing other Schoology components like online assessments, blogs, etc.
Students are being introduced to Schoology in classes now and will have their own student login accounts. Parents can always access Schoology through their child’s account. However, at Curriculum Night, we will share parent login information. For ease, parent login information can be set to be the same for both PowerSchool and Schoology.
While we promote and support the Schoology online calendar feature, we still reinforce students in using their South assignment notebooks. All teachers have a spot in the classroom and allow class time for students to record homework in their assignment notebook.
You can find the District 25 Schoology link along with student/parent resources on the South web page.
District 214 High School for the 2020-21 School Year
Cheerleading Clinics/Tryouts
Fall 2019
Dear Parents and Students:
The South Spirit Cheerleading Squad will be holding clinics and tryouts in September. Tryout clinics will be held on the following days:
Tuesday, September 17th, 3:00 – 4:00:
Learn Fundamentals and Cheer
Wednesday, September 18th, 3:00 – 4:00:
Review/Practice Fundamentals and Cheer
*Fundamental Tryouts for all girls will begin at 3:00.
Friday, September 20th, 3:00 – End of tryouts:
*Tryouts begin at 3:00. Girls are assigned a number and try out in that order. Last numbers typically try out at approximately 4:30 P.M. We are sorry that we are unable to adjust the tryout order due to girls’ outside-of-school commitments. We must be consistent and fair. Thank you for your understanding.
Your child has expressed an interest in participating on the 2019-2020 South Cheerleading Squad. There are many requirements for participating in this activity, so please read this over carefully with your child before signing the permission slip.
**All students are required to have a current physical on file in order to try out. If they do not have a physical on file, they may not participate until one has been submitted to the school nurse. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the school nurse about her physical.
Students are able to try out for cheerleading or poms. A student can only participate in one squad during the season. Students may not participate in another activity that will conflict with the cheer season. The season typically runs from the middle of October through the middle of January.
Requirements for participation on the South Cheer Squad:
* South Cheer will require participation for the boys’ (winter) basketball season at South Middle School. That means that every South cheerleader will need to be at all practices unless a parent notifies the coach 24 hours in advance. Members will be excused in an emergency or if they are absent from school. Practices are typically held from 3:00 – 4:00. The practice dates and times will be determined by the coaches prior to the start of the season. Sometimes these practice times change due to the basketball game schedule. It is very important that each member has arranged for their ride home from practices and games ahead of time.
Our goal is to begin practices the first week of October.
* Every South Cheerleader will be expected to attend every home game. The squad members will be expected to stay for both the 7th and 8th grade games. Games typically occur Monday through Thursday from approximately 3:15 – 5:45 P.M. There will be one away game that we will attend at Thomas Middle School.
* South Cheerleaders will be expected to maintain a passing grade in every class to stay eligible. If any of the member’s grades falls below a “D,” the squad member will not be eligible to participate in practices or games until the grade has improved. After school study sessions with a teacher will be priority over practices and games. They may attend practice and/or the game after the study session is complete if they are eligible to do so.
All Cheerleaders will be required to buy shoes, briefs, mock turtlenecks, and a hairbow. The cost will be determined at the start of the season. Additional clothing, such as t-shirts and sweatshirts, will be offered during the season as an option to purchase, not a requirement. The school will provide uniforms. At the end of the season, the uniforms will need to be cleaned and returned.
Please remember, the selection of the South Cheer Squad is based strictly on the points earned during tryouts. We have many talented students at South. Unfortunately, we cannot take everyone on the squad. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. Please keep in mind that being a previous member will not guarantee a spot on next year’s squad.
Please detach and fill out the permission slip on the next page of this packet and return it to Mrs. Holbrook (Women’s PE office) by Friday September 13th
Feel free to contact me with any questions. We are looking forward to a great season!
Cheer Coach
Cathy Holbrook cholbrook@sd25.org
Washington, D.C. & Gettysburg Trip
Attention to all interested students, there is still time to join us on our annual educational trip to Washington, D.C. & Gettysburg!
To answer all of your questions, I will be hosting an informational enrollment meeting for your families to discuss our itinerary, what is included, and the price of the tour.
RSVP with the link below by September 17th so I can plan accordingly.
I believe this will be a truly impactful experience for the students, and I hope you are excited to learn more about this incredible opportunity!
Sincerely,
Shaun Marusek
Teacher and Trip Leader
smarusek@sd25.orgFall 2019 Next Generation of Engineers
We're excited to announce our Fall 2019 Next Generation of Engineers: Engineering and Design Course at Rolling Meadows High School. This is an opportunity for 7th and 8th graders to explore STEM career paths in engineering, design, manufacturing, and technology. Students will work in groups with teachers and fellow students to apply problem-solving skills in a fun and hands-on environments.
Below you will find a Next Generation of Engineers PDF flyer, as well as the link to the Google Application form for this course.
- Space is extremely limited.
- Accepting applications now till Fri., Sept. 13, 2019.
- All parents/guardians will be notified of acceptance by Fri., Oct 4, 2019.
Kent Dyer
Career Technology Education Teacher
Rolling Meadows High School | High School District 214