Panther Herald
Quarterly Newsletter from SSMS- August/September 2020
We can do this!
Summer finally came to a close and school started August 24. This 2020 year has, so far, been a very different year. Much different than any prior year. But no matter how different it was, it did not change how excited we were having the students return to the school for another year! While several proactive measures were put into place to protect the students from the virus, our plan is to keep school feeling like school to our students. They meet with an advisor weekly, rotate to each class, and participate in several extra-curricular classes, like band, choir, and sports. I am confident in our teachers and students, no matter what the future may hold! Each have risen to the challenge and have made our start to school very successful these past few weeks. Our students and staff are Panther STRONG! We can do this! Let's have a great year
New Teachers at Siloam Springs Middle School!
Back Row- Aaron Meier-7th Grade Science/HS Football; Hannah Bowen, ESL Grades 7-8; Heather Hinesly, Middle School Band Director; Shannon Torell, Grade 7, Mathematics; Debbie Funderburg, Special Education, Grade 8; Holly Parker, Special Education, Grades 7 and 8
Front Row- Gina Bell, Reading Interventionist, Grades 7-8; Caitlyn Delaney, Speech Pathologist, Grades 7-8, Dr. Alexandra Vasile, Grade 8, Science; Samantha Thompson, Library Media Specialist, Grades 7-8; Annalise Mozzoni, Grade 8, English Language Arts; Dennis Yocham, Assistant Principal.
This team brings a wide range of experience from throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma and will do great things while they are here! Please welcome and say Hello! to our newest Panthers at the Middle School.
Meet the Middle School Administration Team!
Principal- Dr. Jacob Hayward
He is a 4th generation educator stemming from his Great-Grandfather, who was a superintendent in Missouri. Dr. Hayward is married to Michelle, who works in Fayetteville School district. They have a blended family of 5, with 7 grandchildren ranging 3 months to 6 years old.
When not working, you will find Dr. Hayward (a self-admitted science fiction nerd) reading and collecting comics, talking Star Wars, and traveling when time permits.
Mrs. Micah Cummings
Mr. Dennis Yocham
This is my 21st year in education, first as an administrator. I have my Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State, a M.S. in Sports Administration from Central Missouri, and a B.S.E. in Exercise Science from the University of Arkansas. I have predominantly taught science in my career; however, I have taught a few years of Algebra 1 as well. I've also been a basketball and baseball coach during my career. I'm extremely excited to be here at Siloam Springs Middle School.
My wife Tracy is a 1988 graduate of Siloam Springs High School. She is an Assistant Principal in the Rogers School District. We have two beautiful daughters, Torria and Aubrey.
Some New Procedures
We enjoy when you come to the building. However, the current situation is causing us to make some changes. Here are some new procedures we have implemented due to COVID-19:
- Our current guidelines do not permit visitors coming to campus nor eat in the cafeteria.
- When you come in the main entrance (East side with flag poles on Dogwood), our front office staff will greet you through the telecom system. They will ask a series of questions to determine how to best assist you.
- When needing to pick up a child, we will ask parents/guardians to wait in the foyer area and show ID through the window.
- We are asking parents to continue checking their child's health in the morning and assess them to ensure they are not showing any of the symptoms identified with COVID-19.
Thank you for understanding our steps for change and for continuing to support our efforts to ensure students safety during this unique time.
Home Access Center Information
One tool available to each of you is our Home Access Center or HAC. This site is available 24/7 and provides you with grades, attendance and scheduling information. We wanted to share with you some information about how to access this information. If you have log in issues, please contact the office at 479-524-6184.
Home Access Center Information English
Home Access Center Information Spanish
Some Important Dates
September 24 and 29- Secondary Parent Teacher Conferences
October 12-16- Aspire Interim Testing. Measuring 1st quarter progress that week.
October 19- End of the 1st 9 Weeks
November 25-27- Thanksgiving Break. Note only 3 days this year.
December 18- End of the 2nd 9 Weeks
December 21-January 1- Holiday Break
Siloam Springs Middle School Information
Email: haywardj@gosiloam.com
Website: http://middleschool.siloamschools.com/
Location: 600 South Dogwood Street, Siloam Springs, AR, USA
Phone: 4795246184
Twitter: @middlesiloam