EdisonEcho

Edison Middle School

Mission: To Prepare students to succeed academically, responsibly, and socially in an ever-changing world.

Mission: To Prepare students to succeed academically, responsibly, and socially in an ever-changing world.

Mission: To Prepare students to succeed academically, responsibly, and socially in an ever-changing world.
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Office: 605-367-7643

Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us

Counseling Center: 605-367-8331

Fax: 605-367-8457


Newsletter Date:

December 1, 2019

Volume 1, Issue 5

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Dates to Remember

DEC 3, 4, 5

  • Variety Show auditions

DEC 10

  • EMS Band concert for all grades

DEC 12

  • EMS Chorus concert for all grades
DEC 17
  • Fundraising Items Delivered: 3:30pm-6:30pm in the Edison Café.
DEC 17-19
  • MAP Assessments (2 Hour Late Start Schedule)
DEC 18
  • PTO Meeting

DEC 21-JAN 1

  • Holiday Break
tips from the office...

tips from the office...

Please do not drop off holiday gifts for students at school. We are unable to deliver items to students. If you send your student to school with treats for any class or drop off food items to be delivered to a class, please coordinate this ahead of time with the teacher.

As the number of student illnesses increase, please remember to call the Edison Office at 367-7643 or email SFSDEdisonAttendance@k12.sd.us before 8:45 am to report any absences. If students become sick during school hours, they must report to the Health Office. Students cannot text or call parents/guardians from their personal cell phones to be picked up as students are not allowed to use their personal phones during school hours.

With the colder weather upon us, please be sure students are dressed appropriately and that all winter clothing items, such as coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, are labeled with the student’s name.

tips from the office...
District Parent Calendar's

Click to view the Sioux Falls School District Parent Calendars.

Principal's Corner

Developing compassion and empathy is something all parents strive to instill in their children. As parents, we want our children to look at the world through a lens of compassion and empathy to demonstrate a caring, loving, compassionate world. The Edison staff also strives to instill those character traits in all our students. We encourage our students to demonstrate acts of kindness towards one another and towards staff each day, as well as an appreciation for everyone. I might be a tad biased, but I truly believe our staff and students do a wonderful job demonstrating compassion and empathy towards one another and championing for one another. Studies show that when we understand another person’s misfortune and the desire to alleviate that misfortune, we feel better about ourselves and exhibit a greater satisfaction in our life. In many instances, we benefit more from the act of compassion and a demonstration of empathy than the recipient of the act.


One act of compassion and empathy that the students have been working on is the gift drive and blanket drive for the Heartland House. Students have gathered gifts and made fleece blankets for 190 children that would not have otherwise received a gift during the holiday season. Over the past 22 years, Edison students have exhibited a compassionate attitude by helping numerous children at the Heartland House, and we are blessed to be able to help again. I absolutely love seeing the caring attitude and excitement on our students’ faces when they can help someone else. They are truly exhibiting a compassionate and caring attitude, and I must say it is refreshing to witness.


At this time of the year, when life can be extremely hectic with all that goes on around us, I would like to encourage our Edison families and students to add at least one act of kindness a week in their lives. The challenge is not to make this a holiday challenge, but more importantly, a lifestyle challenge. A simple act of kindness can make such a difference in another person’s life. You can simply take the time to give of yourself by serving others, buying a stranger a meal, delivering a plate of cookies to an elderly neighbor, etc. The selfless and compassionate act that you do can make a tremendous difference in your home, at school, in the community, and in your life. I truly believe you will see a change in your daily outlook on life and your attitude towards others. If you are living your life with this philosophy and character trait, continue to do so and encourage a friend, family member, or neighbor to join you.


Please note one correction to a date from last months ECHO. All 5th grade parents and students from the Edison attendance area will have transition meetings (Surviving Middle School) planned for them on April 6th and 7th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. We had an incorrect date in last months ECHO.


Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us. We are blessed to be able to work with such a compassionate, empathetic, and caring group of students. From the Edison Family and my family to yours, we want to wish you a happy holiday season and blessed new year.

Superintendent Message

Click here to view the latest Superintendent's Column.

News from the Counseling Office

News from the Counseling Office

Heart & Soul is coming to Edison this spring!

Heart and Sole is a transformational physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls in 6th to 8th grades. We teach life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K run. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.

Registration opens January 6th! - https://www.embe.org/program/heart-sole/


CTE Academy Information

We have one additional day available that students can come to visit the CTE Academy. All middle school students and parents are welcome to attend on February 11th from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. during Parent/Teacher Conferences/Career Fair


8th Graders Thinking About High School Already?

8th grade students will be working on high school transition activities during PRO-Time! They will take an interest inventory assessment on SDMyLife.com. They will use the SDMyLife Magazine and Welcome to High School handbook to answer questions about high school and help prepare them. Here are a few dates you should know about coming up:

New Tech Students-

Dec. 6 Applications are due to New Tech (NTH will take applications all year—if they have already done the lottery draw they will be put on the waiting list.)


December 3rd – 1st day to submit open enrollment forms for 2020-2021


MARK YOUR CALENDAR! High School Parent Nights – It is very important to attend a parent night at your prospective high school

WHS

1/31/2020, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

2/01/2020, 9:00 - 11:00 am

RHS

1/23/2020, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

1/25/2020, 9:30 - 11:00 am

LHS

1/04/2020, 9:00 - 11:00 am

1/07/2020, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

NTH

1/23/2019, 6:00 - 7:00 pm


January 24th – HS counselors visit from 9-10 am to discuss High School Registration and classes


HS registration!!

February 7th – 8th graders will register with their high school counselors during 7th period



Binders Needed…

Every year we have students that are unable to purchase binders and try to unsuccessfully organize themselves in other ways. We try to help provide students with binders that cannot afford binders and need one.

We can always use more zipper binders to help our students in being more successful. If you would feel the urge to help some of our less fortunate students out, we would appreciate donations of binders to the Counseling Center. OTHER school supplies are also accepted including pens, pencils, folders, pencil pouches, notebooks, composition books, etc.

News from the Counseling Office
Click here for News from the Nurse's Office

Guidelines for keeping children home when sick

Edison's PTO

Edison's PTO

Parent Teacher Organization

Happy Holidays from the Edison PTO!


On behalf of the PTO, we want to extend our deep-felt thankfulness for all the Edison families, teachers, staff, and administration. A spirit of giving is evident within the halls of Edison. Just ask your student what their PRO-Time has been doing to help a child in need or about the student council’s activities which help others in need during this season. Teachers have done an excellent job in finding creative ways to continue the tradition of caring that Edison is known for. Families continue to be generous this year by contributing to the needs of our school.


We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone who participated in the Color-A-Thon, ShopFund Catalog sales, and to those who have donated to the Edison PTO. Because of you, we have been able to increase student allocation funding to the PRO-Time teachers and fund the library updates beyond what we expected to be able to do.


If you’re looking for end-of-the-year-giving opportunities, please visit www.edisonsf.org and you can donate directly to the Edison PTO. If you’re looking for another giving option that continues whenever you make an Amazon purchase, don’t forget about AmazonSmile! Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Just start your shopping at smile.amazon.com and choose Edison Sioux Falls PTO!


We have so much to be thankful for. We hope you and your family enjoy this season and we look forward to a wonderful 2020.


Please join us at our next PTO meeting: Wednesday, December 18th at noon in the conference room. New faces are always welcome.


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Catalog sales delivery info: Tuesday, December 17th 3:30pm-6:30pm in the Edison Café.


Go Cats!

Allison Pay Crawford and Shannon Van Buskirk

2019-20 PTO Co-Presidents


PTO Officers:

Co-President: Allison Pay Crawford

Co-President: Shannon Van Buskirk

Treasurer: Emilie Yu
Secretary: Karen Walters


Contact us

edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com
www.edisonsf.org
Edison Middle School on Facebook


We are excited to have Edison Middle School take part in the Amazon
Smile program, please consider participating in this to benefit Edison
students.


For the latest info, past minutes of meetings and

budget information, visit our website at edisonsf.org.

Edison's PTO

8th Grade Party!

Wednesday, May 20th 2020 at 1-3:45pm

2101 South West Avenue

Sioux Falls, SD

SAVE THE DATE!

Edison 8th Graders will be celebrating their middle school success on the last day of school! Parents will have the chance to help in many ways.

Please consider signing up to head up a committee!

Many hands make for light work!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aada723a02-8thgrade1
Get Directions
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Student Council

The goals of Edison’s Student Council are to build school spirit and pride, to assume responsibility as citizens in our school and community, and to promote a safe, caring environment.

Student Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Students are actively involved in several projects this fall. Parents, families, and friends are encouraged to participate and become involved in these projects. The current projects are:


Coats for Kids –

This year we collected 53 coats, 14 pairs of boots and snow pants, and 112 pairs of mittens and hats. These items were given to needy children in our district by Student Services. Mrs. Andrew’s PRO-Time collected the most items and received ice cream from Dairy Queen.


Heartland House Christmas – The adoption of the 188 Heartland House children for Christmas is going well. A variety of fund raisers have taken place from bake sales to carnivals. Each child will receive a gift and a fleece blanket. All gifts need to be wrapped and turned in to the art room by December 10. Two Men and A Truck will deliver the gifts to the Heartland House for us.


Santa Letters for Make-A-Wish- Make-A-Wish is an agency that grants wishes to seriously ill children. Each year Macy’s donates $1-2 for each letter written to Santa to Make-A-Wish. Schools across the state participate in a contest to see which school can write the most letters. Edison has won the contest for the last 3 years. We wrote 6,766 letters last year. Let’s top it this year! So, start writing letters. Letters should be written on ½ sheet of printer or notebook paper.


Pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Please collect pop tabs and deliver them to room 144. These pop tabs are recycled and help support the Ronald McDonald House which provides a temporary home for families who have seriously ill children.


Next meeting date: December 10 at 8:15.

Student of the Month

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Music Notes

Music Notes

Musician of the Month~

Each month the band, orchestra, and chorus areas will each recognize a 6th, 7th, and 8th grader that shows exceptional dedication, responsibility, and character each and every day.

Musicians of the month for November are:


Band: Molly Riffle (8) Logan Edwards (7) Alisyn Nordgaard (6)

Chorus: Katelyn Elrod/Anna Leuning (8) Hudson Weber/Ivy Pudwill (7)
Learys Mercado Castello/Chalease Kenyon (6)

Orchestra: Kaitlyn Isaak (8) Sarah Ulin (7) Kjersten Logan (6)


SD Jr. Honor Choir Congrats~

Congratulations to the Edison students who auditioned and were selected for the South Dakota American Choral Directors Association Junior Honor Choirs. They will work to prepare their music and participate in an honor choir with students from all over the state in Rapid City, SD in January 2020. Students that were selected are: Aydn Calhoun, Ryan Calhoun, Elsa Friesen, & Lucas Mournet. Good luck to all of you!


Variety Show~

Got a talent or unique skill you'd like to perform on stage?? Auditions for the Edison variety show will be on December 3, 4, & 5 after school in the auditorium from 4:00- 6:00 p.m.

The variety show will be performed on February 27 & 28, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the Edison auditorium. All seats are $4. Tickets will only be sold at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

There will be a student show on Friday, February 28 at 4 p.m. for Edison students and staff. Admission for the student show is $1.


Special Joint Concerts with the High School Bands~

Eighth grade band parents please watch for information regarding special concerts with the local high school bands. Concert dates are Nov. 21 at Washington, Nov. 25 at Lincoln, and Dec. 12 at Roosevelt. Eighth grade band students should play in the concert at their future high school. Those not sure where they will go next year are welcome at any of the concerts. Watch for an email with full details about the concert and rehearsal for your future high school and make every effort to join us. It will be well worth it!


High School Band Auditions~

Students are not required to audition for band classes and marching band at the Sioux Falls public high schools. However, students may choose to audition for an upper level band class instead of the normal Freshman Band. Audition music will be available for LHS in mid-December and for RHS and WHS after Winter Break. Students are encouraged to get help on their music in private lessons or from Mr. Rygg/Mr. Eckart.


Private Lessons~

Now is a great time of year to consider starting private lessons on your instrument/voice. Individual lessons with a skilled teacher are a great way to learn, grow, and excel as a musician. The private lesson list can be found on the Edison Music Dept. website at http://emsmusicdept.weebly.com/private-instructors-list.html


Cleaning Your Closets?

The Sioux Falls School District is always on the lookout for donations of gently-used band and orchestra instruments. Given our funding challenges, this is a great way to increase our instrument supply and allow more students to play in band and orchestra. Please contact Mrs. Sip or Mr. Rygg for more information.


All-State Band~

The South Dakota Middle School All-State Band is a special event designed to inspire and encourage top band students from across the state. Tryouts are held in December, but interested students need to start practicing the required music now. For more information, please contact Mr. Rygg or visit http://sdmea.net/ and look under the Events list and MSASB (Middle School All-State Band). We encourage you to give it a try!


Edison Inventions Stampede Night~

The Edison Inventions will be singing the national anthem at the Stampede hockey game on Friday, January 3, 2020. A ticket order form is included in this ECHO if you are interested in buying tickets at the reduced ticket price.


Sign Language Interpreter~

Please notify your child’s director if you need a sign language interpreter for either the winter or spring concert. Notify the director at least ONE MONTH before the concert date. (Concert dates and director

emails are included in this ECHO.)


Ensemble Schedule~

Jazz Band meets Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:40 – 8:40 a.m.

Wind Ensemble meets Thursday mornings from 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.

Brio meets Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:10 – 8:45 a.m.

Inventions meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:40 – 8:45 a.m.

Illuminations meets Monday mornings from 7:40 – 8:45 a.m.

Edison Music Department Website~

The Edison Music Department has a website! Refer to this website for information and dates.

http://emsmusicdept.weebly.com/


“Like” us on Facebook!~

Edison Music Department has a Facebook page! This page will be used for informational purposes only. You can check concert dates, rehearsal dates, practicing tips, etc. on our page. We will NOT have any pictures of students posted, it will strictly be used for getting information out to you!

The page is: www.facebook.com/EMSMusicDept

There are other Edison schools out there so check before you “like” our site!


Band directors

Chorus directors

Orchestra directors


“Music can change the world.” - Beethoven

Music Notes

Concert Dates~

Make sure your child’s concert dates are on your calendar. High school concerts are in the high school auditoriums.

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Dodgeball Tournament Winners

Dodgeball Tournament Winners

Congratulations to “The Sweats” on their first-place finish in the Dodgeball tournament. Their team was composed of Dakadius Justus, Devante Justus, Alex Fries, Ayden Poulos, Chase Ulrich, & Carson Cisneros. Team 7-3 would like to thank all the teachers, students, and parents who helped by working at the tournament, and provided something for the bake sale. Thank you for your support in our efforts to buy gifts for children at the Heartland House of Sioux Falls.

Dodgeball Tournament Winners

8th Grade Drawing & Painting Students

Eighth grade Drawing and Painting students had their paintings featured at the South Dakota Symphony Concert at Washington Pavilion on November 23-24. Students created paintings after studying the art of Viktor Hartman and the music composed by Mussorgsky. These painting were displayed outside the concert hall and were also projected on the big screen during the concert. Students and their families were given complimentary tickets to the concert.

Wear Pink and Pay to Spray Day was a HUGE Success!

Wear Pink and Pay to Spray Day was a HUGE Success!

Thanks to our Puma students and families for making our first Wear Pink and Pay to Spray Day a HUGE success! Team 6-4 and ALL of Edison Middle School worked together to show our community that they are not alone. We are excited to share that TOGETHER, our school raised $1236 to donate! We were able to donate $618 to the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Center and $618 to The Avera Prairie Cancer Center in honor of our Edison families that have been touched by cancer! We showed that we are ONE TEAM and together, WE ARE BETTER!!!

Wear Pink and Pay to Spray Day was a HUGE Success!
Mathcounts

Mathcounts

Mr. Gerszewski has been hosting an average of over 20 kids each Thursday morning as they challenge themselves and one another to solve various types of math problems. Mathcounts will continue to meet each Thursday at 7:30 am unless there is no school that day. Thanks parents for encouraging and supporting your sons/daughters to attend our Mathcounts meetings.

Mathcounts
Spelling Bee Finalists

Spelling Bee Finalists

Thank you to all who participated in the Spelling Bee Pretest! Congratulations to our top spellers who will advance to the school Spelling Bee, which will be held on Monday, December 9th. Good luck to each of you!


Kera Olson

Arthur Tao

Laura Ge

Hannah Basel

Leni Olson

Annika Kvale

Gabriel Grimm-Henze

James Plorde

Piper Hendrickson

Tessa Blom

Keaton Koski

Xavier Shirley

Peyton Tordoff

Jamie Nguyen

Eric Erbentraut

Jadelyn Stokke

Spelling Bee Finalists

Athletic Information

All Edison Athletic information can be found on the Edison Athletic Website.

www.sf.k12.sd.us/athletics/edison/home

Click on "THE CAT'S INFORMATION" - which is located above the Edison Logo....this link will be your "GO TO SITE" for information throughout the year.

This site includes:

Message Board

Seasonal Sign Up Dates along with the Links to sign up for a particular sport.

Athletic Picture Dates

As well as the following:

Click on your student’s sport link...under one of the following:

FALL SPORTS, WINTER SPORTS, SPRING SPORTS.

You should see a Coach's Parent Letter, Season Calendars, Cross Country & Track Meet Results, as well as other important information.


Any questions: contact Mr. Brown (Coordinator of Athletics) or one of the coaches.

7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball - Signup

All Edison Athletic information can be found on the Edison Athletic Website.

www.sf.k12.sd.us/athletics/edison/home

Click on "THE CAT'S INFORMATION" - which is located above the Edison logo. This link will be your "GO-TO" site for information throughout the year.

Approximately halfway down on the right side, you should see:

"SPORTS SIGN-UPS – 2019-2020"

Boys Basketball Sign-Up begins on December 16th.

Practice begins on Monday, January 13th.

To find important information go to:

WINTER SPORTS

Then click on Boys Basketball. You should see a Parent Letter, Coach's Informational Letter, Calendars, etc.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

There are two requirements that need to be completed before participation can be permitted.

1) Activity Participation Packet – on-line through the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus

2) Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form – a two-page paper document

If your son participated in a Fall sport, these should already be completed. If he did not, you may have still completed them ahead of time.

You will find information on Required Forms on the Edison Athletic Website as well.

www.sf.k12.sd.us/athletics/edison/home

Below the “Edison Logo,” click on:

“List of Required Forms.”


Any questions, please contact Mr. Brown, Coordinator of Athletics, Edison Middle School

(605) 367-7643 or Darwin.Brown@k12.sd.us

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14th Annual Project Warm-Up

Saturday, Dec. 14th, 11am-3pm

1510 South Lake Avenue

Sioux Falls, SD

Over the past 13 years, Project Warm-Up has collected and distributed over 22,000 blankets to local children and families in need due to financial hardship, family tragedy, illness, loss of home due to flood, tornado, fire, or poverty.

Project Warm-Up is fully funded by the generous donations of wonderful people in our local communities.

To continue to our mission-

We need your help!
Host a blanket making party with your club, team, youth group, book club, colleagues, class, family, or friends!
Donate funds

Donate fleece (sizes: 1.25 yard, 1.5 yard, 1.75 yard, or 2 yards)


Donations can be dropped off at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School or the Instructional Planning Center
Join us on Saturday, December 14th at Sonia Sotomayor

for the biggest blanket-making party ever!

Thank you for helping us, help others!


For more information contact:
Tracy Vik : Tracy.vik@k12.sd.us
605-360-4858


Like us on Facebook: Project Warm-Up

www.projectwarmup.org
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Box Tops!

YOU CAN SCAN ANY RECEIPT FROM PLACES LIKE TARGET, WALMART, HY-VEE, SAMS, COSTCO, ETC. AND IT WILL TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE ANY BOX TOPS ITEMS!!!

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Contact us

Contact us

2101 South West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us 605-367-7643 sf.k12.sd.us/edison/home
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