Cardinal Corner
Summer 2019 Edition
Important Dates
Aug 16 - 6th Grade Orientation 9-10:45am
Aug 16 - Chill Out 10:45-11:15am
Aug 22 - First Day of School 7:45am-2:45pmAug 30 - Picture Day
Sept 2 - Labor Day
Welcome to a New School Year
Dear South School Families,
I hope you are enjoying the summer! I am very excited to join the South School Community and am looking forward to meeting you and your children. Our administrative team has been working hard to prepare for and welcome our students to the 2019-20 school year!
I am taking a new approach to communicate with South Middle School families by using the SMORE program to create the new Cardinal Corner newsletter. I hope you enjoy the format and ease of access to documents, especially since you can simply view it all on your smartphones.
Please take a moment to read through this letter in its entirety as it contains pertinent information.
New Staff
Deb Solus (Former SPED teacher) - Long-term maternity leave for Gillian Hengels
Bill Comiskey - STEM
Liz Colicchia - CMA
Mallory Sherwood - 7th Grade Spanish
Carolyn Schneider - Band
Renee Kazecki - Speech Pathologist
Katherine Blake - TA
TBD - 6th Grade Social Studies
Our team is looking forward to carrying on the SMS traditions that make our school community so special.
I am thrilled to begin this journey with everyone. Please feel free to reach out to the SMS office with any questions or concerns.
Please enjoy the rest of your summer,
Dr. Jim Morrison, Principal
South Middle School
SMS OFFICE HOURS
South summer office hours are over. We will now resume our regular hours for the school year:
7am - 3pm, Monday - Friday
Please feel free to call or stop in the office during these times!
(847) 398-4250
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Thurs., Aug. 22, 2019, will be the First Day of School! Plan for your child to be at the bus stop on time or at school by 7:30am.
Our doors will open at 7:40am!
Sixth Grade Summer Orientation and PTA Chill out
The morning event will finish with students attending the PTA Chill Out from 10:45-11:45 am. This is an outdoor event. Inclement weather will determine if the event is canceled.
We look forward to meeting our new South Cardinals!
STUDENT SCHEDULES
Student Schedules: A complete 10-period daily schedule will be provided to your child during homebase on the first day of school, Thurs. Aug. 22, 2019.
TEAM & HOMEBASE PLACEMENT, - AUGUST 8TH EMAIL
Team & Homebase Placement If your child’s registration paperwork is complete and you have paid in full, you will receive your child's 2019-2020 team and homebase placements along with their locker assignment via email on Thurs., August 8, 2019.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Please click this link for the SMS 2019-2020 supply lists for each grade. Some individual teachers may require a specific item or two, but the general list shared on our website should prove effective for getting a head start on shopping for supplies.
CURRICULUM NIGHTS
August 27 - 6th Grade Parent Curriculum Night @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
September 12 - 7th & 8th Grade Parent Curriculum Night @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
D25 SUMMER READING - REACH FOR THE STARS
Click on this link for additional information regarding SUMMER READING!
District 25 Middle Schools are thrilled to present students with Summer Reading 2019: Reach for the Stars. We've carefully selected titles to give students an opportunity to read about different perspectives and life experiences. Each of the characters has a story to tell and in doing so they show a tremendous amount of strength, passion, perseverance, and hope.
The expectation is that every SMS student READ AT LEAST ONE BOOK…our hope is that students READ SEVERAL.
How many books do you think you can read when reading is a choice, not a chore?
PHYSICAL FORMS REQUIRED FOR ALL 6TH GRADERS:
Physical Forms Required for ALL 6th Graders: All 6th grade students need a physical form completed by Tues., Oct. 15, 2019. During this time of year the doctor’s offices can get overwhelmed with physical appointments, so please plan ahead!
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS
Interscholastic Sports: We encourage all our students to get involved in extracurricular activities at SMS and sports are one of the many opportunities they will have. All students in grades 6th-8th are eligible to participate in cross-country, which begins in early August. Both seventh and eighth grade girls basketball tryouts will be the first week in September.
Physical forms are required for all student athletes.
2019 South Middle School Golf
From Mr. O'Grady:
South state qualifying competition is open to both boys and girls who will be in grades 6th-8th during the 2019-20 school year. Students are invited to try-out for the opportunity to represent South Middle School at the IESA State Golf Tournament at Kellogg Golf Course in Peoria on Saturday, September 14, 2019. This competition is geared toward student athletes that are experienced golfers and have a firm understanding of golf rules and etiquette. This opportunity is not for the beginner or inexperienced golfer. Tryout will consist of 9 holes of golf at Arlington Lakes on Monday, August 12, @ 11:30. In order to have the chance to golf at the state meet, players must finish in the top 4 at our qualifying round, then make the cut at sectional competition. Students will be responsible for the green fees of $10 associated with try-outs. Checks can be made out to AHSD25 and dropped off at SMS c/o Phil O’Grady by Friday, August 10. Any questions contact Coach O’Grady at pogrady@sd25.org
Schedule
1) Tryouts will be held Monday, August 12 from 11:30 – 2:30 @ Arlington Lakes Golf Club. Top 4 male and top 4 female scores/players from this event will represent SMS at sectionals on Wednesday, Sept 4.
2) Top 4 boys & top 4 girls will compete in sectional competition on Wednesday, September 4th. Golf sites for sectionals TBD.
3) Boys and girls IESA State Golf Tournament will be at Kellogg Golf Course on Saturday, September 14.
** Students must have a current physical on file with our school nurse
______ Yes, I will be attending the tryout and agree with the requirements listed above.
_________________________________ Student Name
__________________________________Parent Signature
__________________________________Email Address
CARDINALS CROSS COUNTRY 2019
From: Ms. Vassos and Mr. Frintner
Welcome to the 2019 Cross Country season!!! Here is some information as we begin our season:
PHYSICALS: you need to have a current physical (within the past 13 months) on file in the nurse’s office before you can join us for practice. If you are unsure about your status, contact the school office, and someone will be able to help you.
SUMMER PRACTICES: If you are available, we would love for you to join us for practices before the official beginning of the school year.
Practices are as follows:
7th and 8th graders:
Monday, August 12: 8:00 – 9:15 AM
Tuesday, August 13: 8:00 – 9:15 AM
Wednesday, August 14: 3:30 – 4:30 PM (coaches have tech academy)
Thursday, August 15: 8:00 – 9:15 AM
Incoming 6th graders:
Since we haven’t had the opportunity to meet you yet, we need you to bring a copy of your most current physical to us on the first day that you attend. You are more than welcome to join us starting this week:
Monday, August 19: 3:30 – 4:30 PM (coaches have school)
Tuesday, August 20: 3:30 – 4:30 PM (coaches have school)
Wednesday, August 21: 3:30 – 4:30 PM (coaches have school)
Thursday, August 22 (First day of school)
Practice: 2:45-4:15 PM
Friday, August 23: 245- 4 pm
If you haven’t been that physically active, you will be in a much better position at the beginning of our season if you start now! We recommend that you run 30-40 minutes at least 4 times a week (at a relaxed pace) starting now.
Contact Mr. Frintner at dfrintner@sd25.org or Ms. Vassos svassos@sd25.org with any questions.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you really soon!!!