EdisonEcho
Edison Middle School
Our Vision and Mission: To educate and prepare each student to succeed in a changing world
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:
September 7th, 2022
Volume 2, Issue 13
Dates to Remember...
September 7-8
- MAP Testing
October 7
- Picture Re-Takes
October 10
- No School, Native American Day
October 11
- No School, Inservice
Tips From the Office...
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.
Please call or email the office if you have any questions.
605-367-7643
Yearbook Order: Yearbooks can be pre-ordered using the link below. Orders must be placed by November 1st. We will have a very limited amount of extra yearbooks this year
Principal's Corner
Hello Edison Families,
We are officially in week 3 of school and are getting into the swing of things! As we continue through this school year, please know that we value our relationship between home and school and look to partner with you to make this a successful year for your student. Our mantra at Edison is “One Team, One Dream.” We certainly hope we can build on our students’ dreams this year. In our PRO classes, students have been learning about our DREAM characteristics. These are characteristics we want every student at Edison to exhibit every day. DREAM stands for: D-Driven, R-Respectful, E-Excellence, A-Act Responsibly, and M-Motivated.
In the next few days, students at Edison will be taking the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests. These assessments help us determine students’ strengths and needs as we journey through the school year! Please encourage your student to do their best, make sure their Chromebook is charged each day and they come to school well rested!
Fall activity competitions start this week and we have approximately 250 student athletes that are participating in a Fall activity including Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, and Performance Dance. We look forward to seeing our student athletes compete and have fun!
Thanks for sharing your students with us! We have enjoyed these first few days of school and look forward to a great school year.
Sincerely,
Amber Blume, Principal
Same and Different
By Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent
I was recently asked, “How was the start of the new school year?” My reply? “It was very normal!” As I said it, I realized how good it felt to have some of the concerns of the past two years fade into the rearview mirror and how wonderful it is to welcome our students and families with many of our traditions and events back up and running in true form.
Back-to-school activities abound and schedules have accelerated as we start to enjoy the many things our students are involved in at all levels. We want to make sure you don’t miss a thing, so be sure to download our school district app and visit our website at sf.k12.sd.us. .
Even without a pandemic, there are changes that happen every year as we adapt to the needs of a growing school district. Some of those changes are easy to deal with and others can be more challenging or have other factors that impact the pace, the complexity, or even the quality of the change.
Some big realities that continue to influence many things in our school district are workforce shortages and supply chain delays and disruptions. A wise person once told me there is a difference between problems and dilemmas. Problems can be solved, but dilemmas can only be managed. I would say both workforce and supply issues are dilemmas that we will have to deal with over time until they can be resolved at some point in the future.
We know we are not alone, and some of the daily challenges our school district faces are small in comparison to other places across the country. We were able to start school on time with a regular schedule. We are able to provide bus transportation. We have a school nutrition program at all schools.
Those things sound simple and part of regular school district expectations, yet significant changes and cutbacks are happening in many places, even to the point of full elimination of some basic services. My hope is that we won’t be faced with decisions that feel catastrophic, and that over time, we are able to fill all open positions and restore our regular flow of supplies and services.
Even with the challenges and opportunities of each day, we know one thing stays the same - students come to school for an education, to be with their friends, and to learn and grow as they develop their gifts and talents.
We’re glad you’re part of the Sioux Falls School District, and as we move through the school year, we hope you’re taking the time to connect with your child’s school and with other families. We appreciate your patience as we continue to implement many changes this year - all with the goal of improving your SFSD experience.
Edison's PTO
CAT-apult Day Thank You
THANK YOU to all our volunteers who helped during CAT-apult Day! Hundreds of students and their families got a great start to the new year with your help!
PTO Meeting – September 21st @ Noon
Please take a moment to learn about upcoming events at Edison! We hope you can join us over your lunch break at our next PTO meeting, September 21st at noon, via Zoom. Principal Blume and the PTO Board will give updates on the beginning of school, as well as events such as the Color Run and Parent-Teacher conferences.
Join Zoom Meeting
Time: Sep 21, 2022 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88144870067?pwd=Y3E0ZXgyOU91b1pIQTFpZkhKMzdoZz09
Meeting ID: 881 4487 0067
Passcode: 907743
Color Run! – October 14th @ 4:15pm
Mark your calendars for the Color Run! This is our major fundraiser for the year and is a lively event for students and the whole family! Students run/walk around Edison's block, passing through "color" stations and enjoying music by a local DJ. Siblings and parents are welcome to run/walk as well! More information about how to register and volunteer will be sent out later this month.
Parent Teacher Conferences – October 4 & 6
Please save the date for Parent Teacher Conferences! Edison’s PTO will be organizing meals for teachers and staff on these days, and we appreciate any help we can receive from families! In a few weeks we will send out a sign-up asking for food and monetary donations.
Spirit Wear
The Spirit Wear Store will be open during Parent-Teacher conferences in early October.
Edison PTO
Co-Presidents: LeAnn Minister & Peg Preston
Treasurer: Kristina Sipma
Secretary: Shannon Huber
Spirit Wear: Angela Gosch
Book Fair: Chelsey McClenahan
Music Notes
Important Dates for First Semester~
Make sure your child’s concert dates are on your calendar.
Sept. 20, 21, 22 Inventions Auditions in the Chorus Room 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 WHS Fall Choir Concert w/8th grade chorus students (rehearsal 6 pm)7:00 p.m. @ WHS
Oct. 18, 19, 20 Brio Auditions in the Orchestra Room 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Oct. 21 LHS Fall Choir Concert w/8th grade chorus students (rehearsal 6 pm)7:00 p.m. @ LHS
Nov. 7 RHS Fall Choir Concert w/8th grade chorus students (rehearsal 6 pm)7:00 p.m. @ RHS
Nov. 8 Edison Orchestra-City Wide 6-12 Orchestra Festival SF Arena Time TBA
Nov. 21 LHS Band Concert w/8th graders (rehearsal on 11/18 at 7:30 a.m.) 7:00 p.m. @ LHS
Nov. 29, 30, & Dec. 1 Musical auditions in the Auditorium 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 6 Edison Band Concerts 6th grade–6:30 p.m., 7th & 8th grade–7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 RHS Band Concert w/8th graders (7:30 am rehearsal) 7:00 p.m. @ RHS
Dec. 13 Edison Chorus Concerts 6th grade – 6:30 p.m. & 7th/8th grade – 7:45 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 in rehearsal. We will always list these students in this section of the ECHO. We will announce our first Musicians of the Month in the October ECHO.
Ensemble Schedule~
Jazz Band will meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, October 19.
Wind Ensemble will meet on Thursday mornings from 7:45 - 8:45 a.m starting on October 27. Open to all 7th & 8th graders in band.
Brio - Students who audition and are selected for the string ensemble, Brio, will meet on Wednesday and Friday morning from 8:10 – 8:45 a.m. Audition dates are 10/18, 10/19, & 10/20 from 4:00-5:00.
Inventions - Students who audition and are selected for the vocal ensemble Inventions, will meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:45 - 8:45 a.m. Audition dates are 9/20, 9/21, & 9/22.
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. Jensen 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!
Jazz Band~
Jazz Band will meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings, starting on OCtober 19. It is open without auditions to any 7th or 8th grader who plays a jazz instrument. Jazz instruments are saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, piano, drumset, bass guitar, and sometimes electric guitar. If we have more students than we have room for on drumset, bass guitar, or electric guitar, we will do an informal tryout during the first two weeks of Jazz Band rehearsal. Contact Mr. Jensen with any Jazz Band questions.
All-State Orchestra~
The South Dakota Middle School All-State Orchestra is in its seventh year! The top orchestra students in the state of South Dakota come together to perform for this special event. Auditions are held in October, but interested students need to start practicing the required music now. The students all have access to the audition information and music in their schoology/orchestra class. For more information please contact Mrs. Sip or visit http://sdmea.net/ and look under the Events list for: Middle School All-State Orchestra. All the information you need and the audition music is there for you!
Inventions Auditions~
Inventions is a show choir open to 7th and 8th grade chorus students. Those interested in auditioning for this group should sign up on the door by the chorus room. Auditions will be held after school on Sept. 20, 21, & 22 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. in the chorus room. Students can audition in groups of 1, 2, or 3. They should come prepared with a song of their choice and they will individually sing the first verse of “My Country Tis of Thee”, which we will practice in chorus.
SD Junior Honors Choir~
7th and 8th grade singers have the opportunity to audition for the 2023 SD Jr. Honor Choir. Around 175 voices from around the state of SD will be chosen from all the auditions submitted for these choirs. Students in grades 7, 8, and 9 are eligible to be chosen as part of either the mixed choir or the women’s choir. The honor choirs take place January 20 – 21, 2023, in Rapid City, SD. It costs $15 to audition and $145 to participate if you're chosen. More info to come in the next ECHO or watch for info on the music dept. website.
If you know your child will be auditioning, please email Amber.Sundvold@k12.sd.us.
Edison Musical Auditions~
We will hold auditions for this year’s musical at the end of November. All chorus students will be given details and there will be some all school announcements for those that are not in chorus but interested in auditioning. The performances will be in mid-March.
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. 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!
Thank you for encouraging your child to participate in Band, Chorus and Orchestra at Edison! We look forward to making music with them!
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 is the universal language of mankind.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Library News
Welcome back! We are so excited to see you in the Edison Library!
The library is open from 8:00-4:00 everyday. Students may check out three items at a time.
Library items are due two weeks from the date of check out. However, items can be renewed. We do not charge late fees, but if an item is lost or damaged, students will be charged the amount of a replacement copy. (This includes audiobooks which can cost up to $80 to replace.)
To access the library, go to libcat.sf.k12.sd.us and choose Edison. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Smith at kjerstin.smith@k12.sd.us.
News from the Counseling Office
Counselors
Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world and an emerging self-identity. Middle school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe, respectful learning environment whereby young adolescents can maximize personal and academic achievement. Middle school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic, career and social/emotional development. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set informed career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.
Counselors at Edison follow their students throughout middle school.
Mrs. Nelson- ALL 6th grade
Mrs. Murphy – ALL 7th grade
Mr. Biteler – ALL 8th grade
WEB
The WEB program is off to another roaring start. Training for this year’s WEB leaders was held on August 10th with the big sixth grade orientation on August 11th. These 8th graders will now be mentors to the 6th graders throughout the year. WEB leaders will visit their assigned 6th grade pro-time once a month!
Glenn Abbott, Muriel Jensen, Evelyn Akkerman, Julia Bauer
Ella Brue, Nataliia Kulai, Robyn Jenkins, Elise Chap
Kayla Heidelberger, Leighton Crawford, Julia Lunic, George Vansco,
Lola Schoenwald, Darline Avila Vasquez, Elena Schellpfeffer, Desiree Hinsch,
Adelyn Dicus, Callie Towe, Nattalie Askey, Chaska Parsons,
Quin Mebius, Jasaya Pinckney, Taryn Whiting, Karen Gonzalez
Ben Foutz, Owen Reed, Daniella Van Zee, Elise Jordan
Nathanial Herbst, Brielle Kolling, Juliet Meyers, Serena PinonBethanya Alazar, Samantha Nelson, Lauren Huber, Alyka Gubbels, Sophie Young
Edison Athletic Information
The 2023-23 fall sports season is off to a great start with more than 250 students participating in football, volleyball, cross country and performance dance. We are looking forward to our first contests in each activity. There are currently no restrictions on the number of spectators at each event, so we are hoping to fill the gym and the sidelines in football and cross country with sports fans. Hope to see you there cheering in a positive manner.
The next season will be Girls’ basketball with sign-ups taking place in October. First practice November 8th.
All our athletic information can be found here
https://sfsdathletics.k12.sd.us/middle-schools/edison-middle-school
Athletic Events Code of Conduct
For those who come to cheer on Edison athletics. There are a few basic guidelines that must be followed for a positive experience for all.
The following criteria has been established to ensure that all athletes, officials, event workers, and visitors will have a positive experience attending an athletic event at Edison.
Attending events:
1. Gym opens at 3:55PM—please wait for gym to be prepared for the event.
2. Student must be in the gym by 4PM unless have a pass from a teacher due to academics.
3. Students may leave once, 1person at a time to use the restroom in the hallway by cafeteria.
4. The second time a student must leave the gym for any reason they are not allowed back into the event.
Edison encourages:
· Enthusiastic support of your team
· Good sportsmanship
· Family friendly atmosphere
· Commitment to safety
· Welcoming attitude to all fans and visitors
Unacceptable behaviors:
· All school rules apply towards dress code
· Disruptive or unruly behavior
· Foul or obscene language
· Rudeness to fellow fans or Edison staff.
· No stomping on the bleachers.
The Athletic Coordinator/ Staff Supervisor retains the right to remove you from the event and the persons involved must leave the building or football field if you are in violation of any of these conditions. Failure to comply will result in suspension of your privilege to attend future events.
If you have any questions about athletics, please feel free to contact me
David Christian
Go Cats!
“In purrsuit of Excellence”
Edison Athletics Website
PASI-Parent Advocates for Spanish Immersion
PASI is holding a Chipotle event on Monday. 33% of sales on Monday, Sept 12 4-8p are given back to our organization if more than $150 in sales occur. Nothing of us is required other than spreading the word.
SFSD Child Nutrition Newsletter
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
Twitter: @EdisonCats