January Newsletter 2021
Memorial Middle School
Parent's Calendar for 2020-2021 School Year
Memorial School Calendar of Events
January
4 - Classes Resume14 - End of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester
15 - No Classes - Teacher Workday
18 - No Classes - Teacher Inservice
19 – Beginning of 3rd Quarter/2nd Semester
Note from the Principal
Memorial Middle School Parents,
I wish all the Memorial families a Happy New Year as we celebrate the start of 2021! I thank you for all of your efforts in partnering with us as we near the end of the first semester of this school year. I look forward to us successfully completing the second semester with in-person learning.
The end of the second quarter and first semester is January 14th. The third quarter and second semester begins on January 19th. This midpoint will bring some schedule changes for students with respect to encore classes. Quarterly report cards will be complete and available online on January 20th. The winter virtual conference will be scheduled in February, yet the virtual conferences dates and times will be Tuesday, February 23rd and Thursday, February 25th from 4:15-8:00 p.m. Teachers will be emailing parents information about conference sign-up the first week in February. Conferences provide parents and teachers with valuable time to continue the ongoing dialogue regarding students and their progress. Please see the information below about keeping informed through Infinite Campus. Your Parent Portal allows you to engage in your student’s schooling by having real-time access.
December Student of the Month
Addison Srstka
Turner O'Bryan
Desiree Hinsch
Rocco Koball
Emma Smajlovic
Graham Tomlin
Mackenzie Nguyen
Blake Buskohl
Mackenzie Vakiner
Cael Nofziger
Izzy Ochowicz
Mason Chantharath
Ava Brown
Alex Montoya
Nevayah Rawls
Max Weber
Brianna Wells
Noah Austin
Counselor Connections
MMS Counselor Connections
MMS Counseling Office: 605-362-2789
Renae Halde 6th grade
Alex Dobbs 7th grade
Kerri Andela 8th grade
CDC Covid-19 Guidelines
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