Office: 605-367-7643

Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/edison/home

Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us

Counseling Center: 605-367-8331

Fax: 605-367-8457

Edison is now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Facebook: @WeAreTheCats

Twitter: @EdisonCats

Instagram: @sfsdedisoncats

Newsletter Date:

March 7th, 2023

Volume 2, Issue 19

Our lost and found is overflowing! All items will be laid out on tables by the lunchroom. All unclaimed items will be donated next Friday, March 17. Please check the Edison Facebook or Instagram pages for pictures soon!

Please remember that outside food is not allowed in the cafeteria, aside from pre-packed cold lunch.

Please let the office know as soon as possible if your child is going to be tardy or absent from school. You can call the office or email sfsdedisonattendance@k12.sd.us. If your child is leaving early from school for any reason, please try and let the office know before school starts to avoid classroom disruption.

Student Check In/Out Procedure- You do NOT need to walk your student in to school to check them in if they are late or returning from an appointment. When a student is checking OUT we do need to see the adult that is picking them up in the office. If you are unable to come inside, call the office and we will have a staff member walk your student out to their ride to verify who is picking them up.

Please call or email the office if you have any questions.

605-367-7643

sfsdedisonoffice@k12.sd.us

Hello Edison Families-

Across the Sioux Falls School District schools are utilizing PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports). PBIS focused on tiered intervention supports and focuses on positive reinforcement of expected behavior. At Edison, we focus our expected behaviors in an acronym D.R.E.A.M. (Driven, Respectful, Excellence, Act Responsibly, and Motivated). Teachers positively reinforce students they see exhibiting these characteristics through our PBIS point system. Points can be cashed in for prizes, which are housed in our PBIS store. We are incredibly fortunate to have a supportive PTO that supports our school PBIS store and we are thankful for their partnership!

Starting second semester, we began weekly focuses to target specific expected behaviors and positively reinforce those that were meeting the expected behaviors. The past few weeks we have focused on being to class on time, having hoods/hat/earbuds away, using manners, and being prepared with materials for class. As we move into testing season and prepare for the South Dakota Assessment, we will focus on students being “Ready to Learn.” A team of teachers have defined what being “Ready to Learn” looks like specifically and we will do lessons in our protime focused on those expectations. Students will receive points for really digging into the work we do in our classrooms as we have our final weeks before the test and being ready to learn.

In the next few weeks, we have a lot happening at Edison as we transition into Spring. Here are some highlights…

· March 10 No School

· March 16 & 17 Cinderella Musical 7:00pm (tickets can be purchased in the office)

· March 20 Track and Field/Soccer begins

· March 22 End of 3rd Quarter (semester mid-term)

· March 27 6pm & April 4 7pm- Surviving Middle School- Incoming 6th grade orientation

· March 30 Orchestra Concert

· March 31 Edison School Dance 4-5:30pm

· April 4 Incoming 6th grade Band festival 6pm

· April 7 & 10 No School

· April 13 Incoming 6th grade Orchestra festival 6pm

· April 25 Band Concert

· April 28 Inventions Concert

· May 16 Chorus Concert

· May 18 Middle School Activities Night @ Edison 7pm

Thank you for your partnership in your child’s learning! We are fortunate to have great students, families, and staff at Edison!

Sincerely,

Amber Blume, Principal

By now, our bodies have somewhat adjusted to the shortage of daylight that comes with the winter season. The cold weather pushes most of us indoors for activities, yet the dream of a slower pace is quickly replaced by holiday concerts, long to-do lists, and for our high school students - preparing for semester tests.

The District Office doesn’t slow down either. This month, I wanted to share some exciting, education-related news with you that demonstrates our ongoing commitment to becoming THE BEST school district in the nation:

• SFSD is delighted with the ongoing interest in the Avera Family Forum Series launched in September. After an out-of-state company approached SFSD about offering monthly sessions to support families, SFSD knew it had one of the best resources available just down the street. We contacted our partners at Avera Behavioral Health, and as we anticipated, they eagerly jumped at the opportunity to participate. Our first online collaboration in September focused on suicide prevention. In October, we tackled the topic of anxiety, and in November, we provided practical advice for parents on setting parameters with digital media. The 40-minute video had been viewed more than 700 times just two weeks after presenting the digital media topic. This video, along with others offered on the third Tuesday of each month, can be found at sf.k12.sd.us under the Counseling Services tab. This partnership is a perfect example of how schools and the community work together to benefit everyone.

• Another exciting collaboration turns the spotlight on student ideas. SFSD is now accepting applications for participants in its first-ever TEDxYouth Event to be held in late March. Any high school SFSD student with a big idea and the drive to perfect it for a live audience is invited to apply. Judges will select 15 participants who will bring their ideas to the stage in a ticketed public performance. We’re excited to have the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation as our premier sponsor, along with Thad Giedd of Pinnacle Productions, whose talent has secured TEDx licensing for this Sioux Falls youth event. Student voices are critical to the success of our schools and our community, and I can’t wait to hear what’s on the minds of our selected speakers.

• Top-notch students are always due in part to top-notch teachers, and the Sioux Falls School District is proud to employ so many of them! Nominations are now open for the 2023 Dr. John W. Harris Sioux Falls Teacher of the Year award sponsored by Vern Eide Motorcars. This is the 35th year for the award showcasing the never-give-up tenacity of teachers who believe in, encourage, and challenge students to stretch and grow daily. You’ve likely encountered one or more of them, so why not make a nomination today? The nomination is easy to complete by the January 16, 2023, deadline. The spring celebration is one of the best ways to show appreciation for an exemplary educator.

This update demonstrates our drive to support parents, students, and teachers, and as we close 2022, your public schools are eager to ring in another new year by giving our very best every day. Thank you for your partnership this semester!

THANK YOU to all the family members who provided for the conference meals for our teachers and staff! Every staff member and teacher we ran into voiced great appreciation for the meals. Thank you for taking the time to support our Edison community in this way!

THANK YOU for visiting the Book Fair and Spirit Wear booths during conferences! There were a good number of sales which directly benefited our students and teachers. Over $1000 in books were sold at the Book Fair and $265 sold in Spirit Wear. Once again, thank you for supporting Edison!

PTO Positions for 2023-24

We have a few PTO board members who are “retiring” this year and we are looking to fill their positions. Please contact the PTO if you would like to learn more about the following openings:

Co-President: Helps run monthly meetings, student/teacher conference meals, provides support during CATapult Day, PTO fundraisers and other activities during the year.

Secretary: Takes minutes for the monthly meetings, keeps an accurate account of procedures, updates the PTO website, and offers support during annual PTO activities.

Treasurer: Has custody of the Edison Middle School PTO funds; keeps a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and in accordance with the budget adopted makes payments and expenditures. The Treasurer is responsible for the maintenance of such books by the Internal Revenue Code. This position also offers support during annual PTO activities.

Color Run Co-Coordinator: Partners with the other co-coordinator to plan and implement the PTO’s annual Color Run fundraising event. Working with the PTO board and Edison staff, this position involves recruiting volunteers, managing communications, and coordinating logistics for the event.

Next PTO Meeting
We hope you will join us for our next PTO meeting. We will discuss spring events and hear an update from Principal Blume. The meeting is March 15th at 12:00pm via Zoom and can be accessed by the link below.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88144870067?pwd=Y3E0ZXgyOU91b1pIQTFpZkhKMzdoZz09
Meeting ID: 881 4487 0067
Passcode: 907743

Edison PTO
edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com
www.edisonsf.org

March Music Notes

MAIN CONCERTS -

Mar. 30 EMS Orchestra Concerts in Gym 6:00-6th gr., 6:45-7th gr., 7:30-8th gr.

Apr. 25 EMS Band Concerts in Gym 6th grade–6:30 p.m. & 7th/8th grade–7:30 p.m.

May 16 EMS Chorus Concerts in Gym 6th grade – 6:30 p.m. & 7th/8th grade – 7:45 p.m.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES -

Mar. 16 & 17 Cinderella Musical Performances in auditorium 7:00 p.m.

Mar. 18 Band Solo/Ensemble Contest at EMS (Edison MS) 8:00 am–1:00 p.m.

Apr. 4 5th Grade Area Band Festival with Jazz Band 6:00 p.m.

Apr. 13 Brio Concert with 5th Grade Orchestra Festival Concert 6:00 p.m.

Apr. 21 Brio/Inventions/Jazz Band Tour Day All Day

April 22 Orchestra Contest at Susan B Anthony Elementary All Day

April 28 Inventions Friends and Family Concert in auditorium 7:00 p.m.

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. Lewis Drug supports our Musician of the Month program by donating packages of M & Ms to hand out to the musicians we recognize.

Musicians of the month for FEBRUARY are:

Band: Robyn Jenkins (8) Ariah Wiebe (7) Eden Hitchcock (6)

Chorus: Ahna Braden (8) Soph Gonzalez (7) Aliesha Wolbrink (6)

Orchestra: Evelyn Akkerman (8) Alex Fischer (7) Soren Minister (6)

HIGH SCHOOL BAND NOTES~

Be on the lookout for information coming soon about Marching Band opportunities at your student’s future high school. Parent meetings, schedules/information and sign-ups are often done during the month of March. We encourage all of our 8th graders to give Marching Band a try next year. Color guard (flags, rifles, etc.) is a fun option in Marching Band too, and is open to band students as well as your friends who do not play an instrument.

ORCHESTRA CONTEST~

Your student will have the option of performing in a small group contest where they play in front of a judge and get a rating on how well they perform. Contest is not until April 22, however, we will choose music soon to start working on. We will help students choose music during orchestra class.

ENSEMBLE SCHEDULE~

Jazz Band meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:45 – 8:45 a.m.

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

Inventions meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:45 - 8:45 a.m.

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

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER~

Please notify your child’s director if you need a sign language interpreter for the 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 – Rick Jensen - Rick.T.Jensen@k12.sd.us & Emily Deinken – Emily.Deinken@k12.sd.us

• Chorus directors – Amber Sundvold – Amber.Sundvold@k12.sd.us & Mollie Weflen– Mollie.Weflen@k12.sd.us

• Orchestra directors – Stacy Sip – Stacy.Sip@k12.sd.us & Shannon Abels – Shannon.Abels@k12.sd.us

“Music isn't what I do. It's who I am.” Raquel Castro

The library will once again be doing Food for Fines in honor of National Library Week, April 24-28th. Students that owe money for lost or damaged books can reduce or erase their fines by bringing nonperishable food items to the library anytime between April 24th and 28th. One food item equals one dollar off a fine. This is a limited time offer. No food will be accepted after Friday April 28.

In addition to Food for Fines, students will have an opportunity to participate in several activities throughout the week.

7th grade registration will be in the beginning of March during science classes and 6th grade registration will be at the end of March during science classes. A form will be sent home with your child and a signature requested.

Attention 8th grade Families: Connections Classes available this summer.

Why should freshmen attend Connections?

Connections students start high school right and earn a half credit toward graduation. The program is packed with ideas, strategies, people, and new experiences that will help prepare students for a great first day and a successful first year of high school. Connections students review important reading, math, and study strategies. They also learn problem-solving techniques and organizational ideas that make the transition to high school less stressful. Connections students also participate in activities that increase confidence, create relationships, and familiarize them with how high school works so that they are ready for high school. After Connections they will be able to assist other freshmen in the transition to high school as well.

SD Public Universities and Technical College Partner for Student Career Exploration Summer Camps

PIERRE, S.D. – In a cooperative effort with the South Dakota Board of Regents and the South Dakota Department of Education, South Dakota’s rising 7th and 8th grade students will have an opportunity to participate in free, five-day career exploration camps this summer. 2023 is the second year South Dakota's Career Exploration Camps will be offered, with greater capacity for students.

Hosted on South Dakota college campuses, these camps will expose students to various career paths through fun, engaging and hands-on learning. Throughout the week, campers will spend time on university and technical college campuses and visit area businesses to see careers in action. By the end of camp, students will have a better understanding of themselves, their career interests and how their education prepares them for professions.

“We look forward to building off the success of last year’s inaugural career camps by partnering with our state’s technical colleges again this summer to offer more camps and a wider variety of career opportunities,” said South Dakota Board of Regents Executive Director Dr. Brian Maher. “We’re excited to showcase career options to our state’s middle schoolers and highlight the possibilities students have right here in South Dakota.

“This unique partnership among our public universities, technical colleges, and the Department of Education signifies a united approach to providing opportunities to our state’s young people so they can identify potential careers early on and narrow their focus as they move forward through their K-12 education,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Joseph Graves.

These career exploration summer camps are provided at no expense to students in South Dakota. The camp dates and locations are listed below. Those interested in learning more about what to expect or to apply can visit: ourdakotadreams.com.

2023 SUMMER CAMP DATES & LOCATIONS

June 18-22 | University of South Dakota + Southeast Technical College

June 25-29 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College

July 9-13 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College

July 9-13 | South Dakota State University + Lake Area Technical College

July 9-13 | Northern State University + Lake Area Technical College

July 9-13 | Dakota State University + Mitchell Technical College

This opportunity is being administered by the South Dakota Board of Regents and funded with federal dollars available to the South Dakota Department of Education through the American Rescue Plan.

Contact your middle school counselor or future high school for more information on times and cost. Each High School has their own unique dates and schedules. Limited space.

Edison Families-

Wrestling for the first time in many decades held practices here in our building. There were 21 7th and 8th grade boys and girls who competed in wrestling this year. They wrestled on 4 Saturdays throughout their season. I witnessed tremendous growth from their first match to their last. Great Job! A big thanks to our coaches, Mr Bachmeier and Mr. Goede. We look forward to building the excitement and interest in our wrestling program going forward.

Our boys’ basketball season finished up the first week of March with 112 7th and 8th graders participating. It has been great to see the teams improve over the course of the season. I would like to thank the coaches for their hard work and dedication to Edison Athletics. The coaches are for 8th grade: Mr. Frank and Mr. Randall, and the 7th grade coaches are Mr. Punt and Mr. Petrich.

Track and Field/ 8th grade Soccer

7th and 8th grade Boys and Girls track sign-ups are open through March 17th with the first practice beginning March 20th.

For the very first ever Edison will be offering 8th grade boys and girls Soccer. Signups are open through March 17th. Practice will begin March 20th. There will be a link on the Edison athletic website for students to sign-up. All student athletes are required to have a sport physical and complete a parent permission packet. If your son or daughter has already participated in a school sport, they are ready to go.

Athletic information Night

For current 6th and 7th graders. An informational meeting about athletics for the 2023-24 school year will be held on Thursday May 18th at 7PM in the gymnasium.