EdisonEcho
Edison Middle School
Mission: To Prepare students to succeed academically, responsibly, and socially in an ever-changing world.
Office: 605-367-7643
Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us
Counseling Center: 605-367-8331
Fax: 605-367-8457
Newsletter Date:
November 1, 2019
Volume 1, Issue 4
Dates to Remember
NOV 20
- PTO Meeting
NOV 27, 28, 29
- NO SCHOOL-Thanksgiving break
- Spanish Immersion and Honors Night for incoming 6th graders
- Variety Show auditions
DEC 10
- EMS Band concert for all grades
DEC 12
- EMS Chorus concert for all grades
- Christmas Break
tips from the office...
...Sick During the School Day
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.
...Lost & Found Items
Please label all student items, including coats, hats, gloves, lunches, water bottles, etc. as the number of lost and found items grows quickly. Students can check the lost and found for any missing belongings, which is located on south side of the art room near the bus doors.
Principal's Corner
Students and families, thank you for taking the time to attend conferences and meet with your teachers and student’s teachers. Open lines of communication are an essential component to a student’s learning and success. When parents, students, and teachers work together, great things can happen. As a building, we had 83% of our parents/students attend conferences. The high turnout rate is a tribute to the parents being invested in their student’s academic success. Conferences can be a great time to connect with your student’s teachers; however, please know that conferences don’t have to be the only time to connect with staff. Parents are always welcome to come in, email, and/or call. We invite you to be part of what's going on at Edison and with your student’s education.
A special thank you to Edison PTO and all the volunteers that provided the meals for our staff on all three days of conferences. We are very appreciative of the continued support that the PTO gives the Edison community and our staff.
High school registration and informational meetings are just around the corner. New Tech High has already started to accept applications for enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year. We will have other high school registration and transition events throughout the month of December/January to ensure that all our 8th graders have a smooth transition from Edison to their respective high schools.
In addition to the various high school registration events coming up, we will have several middle school events to help our current 5th grade students and families as they begin to think about the transition to Edison for next fall. 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 16th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. An informational meeting for identified gifted 5th grade students from across the SFSD and their families choosing to enroll into the Honors Program or learn more about the program will be held on December 2nd at 6:00 PM in the Edison auditorium. The Edison Spanish Immersion meeting for Spanish Immersion 5th grade students and their parents will be on December 2nd at 7:15 PM.
As the seasonal weather and colder temperatures arrive, please help us remind students to dress appropriately for the season. It never ceases to amaze me, as I welcome students into school each morning, how many of them run up the steps with no coat, and in some instances, in shorts and flip-flops. Students who arrive early and stay late need to be as prepared as those students who are walking home. We have had several students still at Edison an hour or more after school has been dismissed. We worry about those students being outside on our coming winter days/nights. Please enroll your students in the YMCA Y-Club Navigators if you are not able to pick them up after school in a timely manner (by 4:30 PM). Students who walk or are dropped off before school are encouraged to arrive after 8:20 AM unless they are participating in an activity. Students that arrive prior to 8:30 AM can go to the café. Please note that supervision in the café’ does not start until 8:00 AM. Prior to 8:00 AM, the students are on their honor. Students are not allowed in the building from 8:30 to 8:40 AM unless there is inclement weather or for those arriving to eat breakfast.
From my family and the Edison Family, we are wishing the best for your family this season!
News from the Counseling Office
CTE Academy Information
We have an 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-
Nov. 30 Required if your student is interested in applying to NEW TECH - Parent and Student Visitation Evening at New Tech- 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Dec. 6 Applications are due to New Tech (NTH will take applications all year — if they have already done the lottery draw, students 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
1/23/2020, 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.
Edison's PTO
Parent Teacher Organization
Greetings from the PTO
We encourage you to join us throughout the year at our monthly
meetings. They are a great opportunity to ask questions of our
administration, as well as network with other parents to address the needs of Edison. PTO meetings happen at noon on the third
Wednesday of every month.
Great Opportunities: The Edison PTO is looking for a Vice President
and a Co-Treasurer. If you would like to get more involved with the
school, would like to meet interesting people, and want to make a
difference, please think about taking one of these roles. It’s not as
much work as you think it is...and it's wonderfully rewarding! Contact
us at edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com to learn more!
As a PTO, we function solely off of donations and
fundraising as we have no membership dues.
Everyone is a member! Fundraising is optional and
donations are welcomed. Both are very, very much
appreciated. If you have further questions about our
fundraising efforts, read our monthly meeting minutes or
contact via email.
November is a month to reflect on what we are thankful for. I want to
personally thank all who helped provide food, set up and clean up,
and sell spirit wear for conferences. The response from our families
for the meals is phenomenal and greatly appreciated by staff.
In November, we hold our final major fundraising effort of the school
year, Cherrydale catalog sales. Look for more information coming
home on October 30th and reminder emails from Mr. Hieronimus! This
ongoing fundraising supports our commitment to Edison and our
kids. We were able to make updates to our Library through the Color-
A-Thon and now we can make more updates with the money raised
for the Catalog Sales. Several of the updates have been made to our
Library, so stop in and take a look.
We will be holding our final major fundraising effort of the school year,
Cherrydale catalog sales, which is tied to the Color-A-Thon. Look for
reminder emails from Mr. Hieronimus! This ongoing fundraising
supports our commitment to Edison and our kids. We were able to
make Library updates because of the success of our fundraising
efforts. As a PTO, we function solely off of donations and fundraising
as we have no membership dues. Everyone is a member! Fundraising
is optional and donations are welcomed. Both are very, very much
appreciated. If you have further questions about our fundraising
efforts, please contact edisonsiouxfall@gmail.com or read our monthly
meeting minutes.
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.
Fall Conference Meal Donations
Over 75 Parents/Students Volunteered to help/donate!
Valerie Kaufman
Amanda Webb
Courtney Callejas
Amy Horsted
Bobbi Schramm
Kelly Blount
Kristin Engelson
Alicia Peterson
Nikki Schmaltz
Julie Parker
Erika Batcheller
Sheila Etrheim
Dennis Schoenwald
George Gongopoulos
Stephanie Gongopoulos
Mandy Peterson
Sharon Ulin
Amy and Curran Littel
Carol Ortega
Katie Sumey
Shelly Haan
Stephanie Lucas
Desiree Langel
Jen Akossi
We LOVE your support!
Jennifer Adler
Stephanie Hiatt
Susan Eichacker
Emily Spaans
Danette Saur
Kara Dirkson
Jen VanEssen
Kristi Egland
Angela Avila
Megan Wiessner
Amira Al-Haj
Nicole Groen
Barb Newitt
Becca Hohn
Tamara Mannes
Trisha Thill
Iryna Vercellino
Becky Wall
Amanda Webb
Barb Young
Samantha Lewis
Jamie Nordin
Stephanie Richter
Mali Teller
Therese Marlette
We can’t THANK you enough!
Christopher and Arthur Tao
Shannon Huber
Sheri Jans
Kristy Dillon
Terra Brost
Sara Thomas
Gail Sievert
Jacki Crandall
Paula Erickson
Eskedar Yimar
Katie Van Demark
Deb Piper
Heidi Binstock
Jessica Robbins
Angie Haft
Sarah Morel
Stephanie Nunn
Yngve Opdal
Cindy Rogich
Sarah Henrichs
Shelley Nolan-Hefty
Lizzy Bauer
Lori Blom
Mary Grandi
Color-A-Thon Success
asked for better weather!! Hope you all had a great time!! If you have
some time, stop by the Library and see what our fundraising efforts
can do.
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to our Parent/Student VOLUNTEERS at
this years COLOR-A-THON:
This wouldn't be possible without your help!
Emily Spaans
Valerie Kauffman
Nicole Schroeder
Gesine Ziebarth
LeAnn Minister
Stephanie Lucas
Jan Hiebert
Kelly Blount
Patrick Quittem
Samantha Wescott
Kristen Engelson
Lizzy Bauer
We appreciate all you do for EMS!
Janell Slaight
Alicia Peterson
Kristen Engelson
Denise Abild-Haerter
Shannon Van Buskirk
Emilie Yu
Allison Crawford
Karen Walters
Luke Jerstad
Simon Van Buskirk
Maggie Walters
Charlotte Crawford
Have you purchased your Spirit Wear?
For those of you who have not had a chance to stop by the Spirit Wear table to grab a slip with the online web address, here's the link:
https://edisoncat2019.itemorder.com
The store will be open from November 8th through November 23rd with delivery taking place on December 13th. This window is for those looking to give Spirit Wear as Christmas gifts.
8th Grade Party!
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!
Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 01:00 PM
Edison Middle School, South West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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 has started meeting 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 –
We are collecting gently used winter coats, snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and mittens between now and Monday, November 4. Please turn in to room 144.
The PRO who collects the most will receive ice cream from Dairy Queen. Please mark bags of items with your PRO-Time’s teacher’s name.
We will use a point system to determine the winner. Coats will be worth 5 points, boots and snow pants 3 points, and hats, gloves, and scarves will be worth 1 point.
Heartland House Christmas – We have committed to providing the kids at the Heartland House with Christmas presents. Now is a good time to start fund raising. Each child will receive an age appropriate toy and a fleece blanket. Mrs. Sherard has some fleece to be tied, and we will need a lot more. Please work on collecting fleece. If you want to tie a blanket, stop by the art room and talk to Mrs. Sherard.
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: November 12 at 8:15.
Student of the Month
6th Grade
Melanie Marsh
Team 6-1
Lucy Hennies
Team 6-2
Alyvia Hutchinson
Team 6-3
Brayden Anderson
Team 6-1
Christopher Tao
Team 6-2
Joseph Rensch
Team 6-3
7th Grade
Saige Roach
Team 7-1
Sarina Walpole
Team 7-2
Piper Hendrickson
Team 7-3
Noah Blind
Team 7-1
Cameron Anderson Jr.
Team 7-2
Dylan Hinrichs
Team 7-3
8th Grade
Cierra Haluszka
Team 8-1
Rachel Eden
Team 8-2
Ainsley Anderson
Team 8-3
Elijah Else
Team 8-1
Josue OrtizHernandez
Team 8-2
Glory Suehne
Team 8-3
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 October are:
Band: Sophia Stensaas(8) Annika Kvale(7) Jack Robbins(6)
Chorus: Leni Olson/Dillon Glover(8) Lily Gruber/Preston Spaans(7) Kyra Gurath/Hudson Schumacher(6)
Orchestra: Raja Tate(8) Colton Tolly(7) Allyssa Buehring(6)
Ensemble Schedule~
Jazz Band meets Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:45 – 8:45 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.
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!
Got Talent??~
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. Sign-up sheets will be posted sometime in November by the chorus room. Any Edison student can audition for the variety show. Students can audition in multiple acts if they would like. The show will be performed on February 27 & 28, 2020.
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!
All-State Orchestra~
All state orchestra music has already been given out to all students that were interested. We have also helped them in class with their music. Forms should come home from all interested kids for you to sign and return to school. We will start finding times to audition as soon as the paperwork is returned to school. All information can also be found at this website. http://sdmea.net/.
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 will be included in the December ECHO if you are interested in attending.
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.)
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
Jason Rygg - Jason.Rygg@k12.sd.us
Tim Eckart – Tim.Eckart@k12.sd.us
Chorus directors
Amber Sundvold – Amber.Sundvold@k12.sd.us
Mollie Turbak – Mollie.Turbak@k12.sd.us
Orchestra directors
Stacy Sip – Stacy.Sip@k12.sd.us
Shannon Abels – Shannon.Abels@k12.sd.us
Concert Dates~
Make sure your child’s concert dates are on your calendar. High school concerts are in the high school auditoriums.
Library News
YARP @your EMS Library
Since 1989, each year the Young Adult Reading Program (YARP) Teen Reads Committee of the South Dakota Library Association publishes a list of books to promote quality literature and to help South Dakota teachers and librarians in selecting and promoting books for adolescents. Students read books from the list and give it a star rating of 1 to 5, 5 being best. One winner is selected from the Middle School list and another winner from the High School list. Please encourage your child to read any of the books listed below.
o Undefeated Sheinkin
o Auma’s Long Run Odhiambo
o Not If I Save You First Carter
o Witch Boy Ostertag
o Cells at Work Shimizu
o Chasing Helicity Zee
o City of Ghosts Schwab
o Ghost Boys Rhodes
o Prince and the Dressmaker Wang
o Wild Bird Van Draanen
o Braced Gerber
o LifeL1k3 Kristoff
Mathcounts
THANK YOU!
The Edison staff wishes to thank the Edison PTO for the delicious food served at conferences!
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.
14th Annual Project Warm-Up
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
Saturday, Dec 14, 2019, 11:00 AM
Sonia Sotomayor Spanish Immersion Elementary School, South Lake Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Lace'em Up Youth Basketball Tournament
The 2019 Lace'em Up Youth Basketball Tournament will be held on November 8th and 9th in the Lincoln High School Gymnasium. This tournament is for boys and girls youth teams in grades 3rd - 8th grade. Registration information can be accessed online at https://www.ladypats.com/Laceem_Up_Tournament/
If you have any questions about registration please contact Jay at (605)310-7160 or through email at jugovsky@gmail.com
New Technology High
Interested in a future at New Tech High?
More information on attached flyer
Substitute Teachers Needed
PROJECT STANDUP
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!!!
Contact us
Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/edison/home
Location: 2101 South West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-367-7643
Facebook: facebook.com/WeAreTheCats