Welcome Spartan Families
Incoming 6th Graders
From Mrs. Smith.....
Hello! My name is Sarah Smith and I am the principal at Schmucker Middle School. I know that this seems early, but we are already planning and preparing for your students to start middle school next year. Below are some important dates and information you will need to get the ball rolling. The most time sensitive is the Instrument Selection Night, highlighted below. All 6th grade students take a music class, so we encourage you to think about an selecting an instrument. The first Instrument Selection Night is February 26, 2024.
We will be sending out more information as time draws closer to these dates. We are excited to welcome your family to our school community.
Note form School Counselors
At Schmucker Middle School, school counselors support all students in the areas of Academic Development, Social Emotional Wellness, and College and Career Readiness. We are already working on class placement and preparation notes for the Class of 2031!
We will share general information and information pertaining to individual students as we are able to, but if you have questions or concerns regarding your student, feel free to contact us:
Student Last Names A-G, Mrs. Allie Marks: amarks@phm.k12.in.us
Student Last Names H-N, Miss Cara Watt: cwatt@phm.k12.in.us
Student Last Names O-Z, Mrs. Andrea Hoover: ahoover@phm.k12.in.us
5th Grade Parent Night
We will be holding a parent night for our incoming 6th graders and families! The evening will begin at 6pm in the cafeteria with a presentation covering general information regarding the transition to middle school. After the presentation SMS administrators and counselors will be available to answer any questions you may have. The building will also be open for families to walk through.
Please join us on Wednesday May 15, 2024 from 6:00pm - 7:15pm:
At the parent meeting there will be information regarding sports for next year as well as PTO information.
5th Grade Tour Dates
One of our favorite events in May is when our 5th graders come to visit Schmucker! We are so excited to welcome this group of future Spartans to Schmucker! Students will be led on a tour of SMS by current 7th and 8th grade students. During this time students will be able to ask questions and spend time in certain areas of the building. Students will also be eating lunch while at SMS and our counselors will go through an informational presentation with them as well. Please see the dates below for when your student will be visiting SMS!
May 13th - Prairie Vista
May 15th - Bittersweet
May 16th - Elsie
May 21st - Moran
May 22nd - Disney
Music Selection Process
Every 6th grade student is required to take a music elective class. If your student will not be enrolling in band or orchestra they must choose a chorus elective. Please take a moment to review the communication linked below. If your student will not be selecting an instrument, please complete the Google Form. Thank you!
Disclaimer: After analyzing Math/Reading data from 5th grade, some students may be placed in a Math or Reading Strategies class in order to receive extra support in those areas. This support class would take the place of the music class in their schedule. We will not know what students will be selected for these support classes until later in the spring, so we would still like for everyone to select a music choice just in case.
Instrument Selection Information
Honors Science & Social Studies
Next year, we are offering our 6th grade honors science and honors social studies class to students who choose to accept the rigor of a more advanced grade level course. Honors courses require students to learn and understand the grade level standards, as well as to use their reading, writing, and speaking skills to demonstrate a higher level of goal attainment. If your student requests an honors level course, they are accepting these responsibilities. Placement in these courses are not guaranteed and will be contingent on student schedules, availability, and academic data. Please review the link below for more information and to complete the form. Thank you!