Dear Families,
To our incoming fourth graders and parents, welcome to Stayton Intermediate/Middle School. To our returning students and families, welcome back. I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer break and the warm weather. Now that the middle of August is upon us, we all know what that means. School is just around the corner and it’s time to get ready for the best year ever!!
Over the next few weeks you will be receiving a lot of information in our newsletters. Early on, Mrs. Nau, my office manager, and I try to get out as much information as we can in order to alleviate questions and concerns related to Open House, the start of school and/or the start of our athletic seasons. I know at times it can be very stressful to open your email and see yet another email or newsletter from the school. Please know we are just doing our best to communicate and inform you with the information needed to start the school year seamlessly. All newsletters will be emailed, texted and posted to the website and Facebook page.
There are two changes that I want to make parents aware of. The first is for our sixth grade parents. This year our sixth graders will be in a true middle school model. They will have lockers and be moving from content specific classrooms throughout their day. I am very excited about this new opportunity for kids. This allows us to utilize content specific teachers across all our middle school students.
The second change deals with our dismissal time campus wide. District-wide communication was sent out notifying families of SB 918. This bill deals with abbreviated school day programs, and the aligning of school schedules across the district. This alignment is in regard to total minutes during each school day that students at each grade level receive instruction. What that means for SIMS is our release time is now 2:45 PM each day. It has minimal impact on our instructional day, however, it is important for everyone to understand that students will be released ten minutes earlier this year.
While I am on the topic of instructional time, it is important for families to understand the importance of getting their students to school on time. We start school promptly at 8:00 AM Tuesday through Friday. We start school promptly at 9:00 AM on Mondays. If your child is a walker or dropped off by a parent, grandparent or friend, please be aware that lost instructional time occurs first period as well as any other period of the day. Every sixth, seventh and eighth grader will have a core class first period (Math, Science, Social Studies, ELA). Please be on time. It is what is best for your child.
Please see the information below with regard to athletics, outdoor school and our open house. Mrs. Nau, Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Goodman and Mrs. Hill are all willing to answer any questions you may have as well. If you have athletic questions, any of those hard working ladies can guide you in the right direction. Mr. Olson is our athletic director for the district. If you have questions, please feel free to call either the intermediate building or the middle school building. We are all here to serve you.
With that, welcome back and I look forward to seeing you at open house and any and all opportunities to be on campus and share in the joy of your student’s growth and development as future community leaders. See you all soon.
Go Vikings!!
Mr. Proctor
