January Newsletter 2024
Memorial Middle School
Important Dates:
Jan. 3 - Classes Resume
Jan. 11 - End of 1st Semester
Jan. 12 - No Classes - Teacher Work Day
Jan. 15 - No Classes - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance
Jan. 16 - 2nd Semester/3rd Quarter begins!
Feb. 5 - No Classes - Teacher Inservice
Feb. 13 & 15 - Evening Parent Teacher Conferences
Memorial Social Media
Memorial is excited to share with you our social media sites. We showcase all of the amazing things that happen in our school every day!
FACEBOOK: MemorialMSSF https://www.facebook.com/MemorialMSSF
INSTAGRAM: memorialmssf https://www.instagram.com/memorialmssf/
TWITTER: @memorialmssf https://twitter.com/memorialmssf
Note from the Principal
Memorial Middle School Parents,
As we step into the new year, I'd like to express gratitude for your continued support and dedication to your child's education. Here at Memorial Middle School, we strongly believe that parent engagement plays a crucial role in the success of our students. Your active participation has truly made a positive impact on the lives of our students.
In the initial weeks of January, our attention is centered on concluding the first semester and anticipating the start of the second semester in the school year. The first semester concludes on Thursday, January 11th, and the second semester commences on Tuesday, January 16th. Students can expect some schedule adjustments concerning encore (and maybe even core) classes at this midpoint. Furthermore, the first semester report cards will be finalized and accessible online on Friday, January 19th.
Spring parent-teacher conferences are set for the evenings of Tuesday, February 13th, and Thursday, February 15th, running from 4:15 to 8:00 p.m. Details for conference format will be sent by teachers via email towards the end of January. These conferences offer a valuable opportunity for parents and teachers to maintain an open dialogue about students and their academic journey. Take a moment to explore the information provided through Infinite Campus. Your Parent Portal provides real-time access, enabling active engagement in your student's education.
I sincerely appreciate your continued support, and I genuinely wish you a fantastic beginning to the new year! Your ongoing encouragement means a lot, and I hope the upcoming months bring you joy, success, and fulfillment in all your endeavors. May this new year be filled with positive experiences, growth, and memorable moments for you and your loved ones. Thank you once again for your unwavering support, and I look forward to the positive journey that lies ahead for all of us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Demi Moon, Ed.D.
Principal
NEW Starting 2nd Semester (January 16th)
Changes coming mid January! Parent Portal will only allow you to request full day absences. With any partial day requests, you will need to contact the school directly.
605.362.2785 or SFSDMemorialOffice@k12.sd.us.
Aubrey Hanna
Challengers (6)
Thomas Douglas
Challengers (6)
Ethan Munce
Mavericks (6)
Briar Koball
Mavericks (6)
Laynie Persson
Rangers (6)
Gavin Baker
Rangers (6)
Kaylee Pearson
Blue Dynamos (7)
Preston Riedel
Blue Dynamos (7)
Violet Vyskocil
Pathfinders (7)
Braxton Begley
Pathfinders (7)
Andrew Brockmueller
Sevenators (7)
Eva Hummel
Sevenators (7)
Addilynn Gardner
Crazy 8s (8)
Karson Tolley
Crazy 8s (8)
Harley Lenning
Gator 8s (8)
Roy Simmons
Gator 8s (8)
Cohen Jensen
Super 8s (8)
Awstyn Lundy
Rockin 8s (8)
Counselor Connections - January 2024
Counseling Assignments:
Renee Halde: 6th Grade
Alex Dobbs: 7th Grade
Kerri Andela: 8th Grade
Counseling Office Phone #: 362-2789
Website: http://memorialcounseling.weebly.com
Our Mission: As professional school counselors we help provide an environment in which students can achieve academic, career, and personal/social success. It is our goal and challenge to help students “Become the Best Version of Themselves.”
Second Step (Social Emotional Learning) Program
Here is a summary of the December Second Step Lessons being taught in PRO Time (1st period) & parent/guardian follow-up questions to go with each lesson:
The 5 Love Languages - Different people with different personalities give and receive love in different ways. Dr. Gary Chapman calls these different ways of giving and receiving love the Five Love Languages. This unique concept provides an opportunity to improve our relationships in our families and communities. Here is a brief description of each love language:
Acts of Service - For these people, actions speak louder than words.
Receiving Gifts - For some people, receiving a heartfelt gift is what makes them feel most loved.
Quality Time - This language is all about giving the other person your undivided attention.
Words of Affirmation - This language uses words to affirm other people.
Physical Touch - To this person, nothing speaks more deeply than appropriate physical touch.
The following is a quiz you and your family members can take and share your results with one another. A New Year’s Resolution might be finding new ways to bond as a family and this tool could help. Here is the link: 5 Love Languages Quiz
Getting Ready for High School (Parents of Current 8th Graders) - You have a vital role in your 8th grader’s transition to high school! Your son or daughter has already completed some career exploration activities in November using the SD MyLife/Xello Program. Students can show the results of their career assessment to you by logging into the SD MyLife Website: www.sdmylife.com.
In January and February, students will be learning about high school and be registering for classes for next year. Please read the below timeline and talk with your son/daughter about what to expect.
Month of January - Students will be getting high school course booklets and “Welcome to High School” packets in their PRO Time Classes. This is their information to keep and use as a resource during all of high school. It is important that they keep this information in a safe place since they will not get replacement copies. For the first few weeks, students will leave this information with their PRO Teachers at school. Once registration gets closer, they will get to bring this information home.
WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL Packet
January 25th–High school counselors will visit Memorial students here at school to discuss registration.
February 1st–High school counselors will return to Memorial to help students actually register for their classes for next school year.
What high school is the home attendance center for my son/daughter based on where we live? You can enter your address in the following tool to check on this information:
HS Registration Meetings/Tours - Be sure to attend one of the following meetings with your son/daughter. This is a great opportunity to learn about the school, ask questions and tour the building. Here is the information about the meetings at each school:
JHS: Saturday, January 20th - 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Tuesday, January 23rd - 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
LHS: Saturday, January 6th - 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Monday, January 8th - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
RHS: Saturday, January 6th - 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Tuesday, January 9th - 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
WHS: Thursday, January 16th - 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 20th - 9:30 am to 11:00 am
CTE Open House Tuesday, January 30th - 3:45 pm to 7:45 pm
Questions or Concerns: If there are questions/concerns or anything you feel it would be helpful for use to know about your child, feel free to contact your child’s assigned counselor.
Memorial Closet
Are you looking to clean out some closets? We are in the need of some specific loaner clothes and tennis shoes for when kids forget theirs. We will take any size and fit, as long as the items are in good condition. (Even though we could use a variety of items, we are in a great need of size large sweatshirts, girls' athletic shorts, and leggings.) If you would like to do this, you can drop them off in the office. We kindly ask that you do NOT bring in a huge garbage bag full of random clothes. Please take a look at the specific items that we are in need of. Thank you so much for your generosity. We appreciate it.
Human Rights Essay Finalists
After School Program Changes
Effective December 21st, 2023
Due to a number of challenges, the SFSD will be transitioning after school direct care programming to an off-site community based model. Memorial will end their on-site programming as of December 21, 2023. There are currently two community partners, YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs, who will be offering off-site care as well as transportation. The school will continue to offer extra-curricular activities such as sports, fine arts, and clubs and will work to further expand these offerings. Please reach out to your school office for any additional information. Providing a productive, safe and supportive environment for students is our primary concern. The off-site programs will widen opportunities for students and parents. Please see the pdf attachment below for more info.
Thank you for your understanding.
Dr. Demi Moon, Principal
Josh Siegfried, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Wimmer, Coordinator of Community Partnerships and Afterschool Programs
Child Nutrition Newsletter
Important Info - Please Read
Growing debt from unpaid meals is forcing the Sioux Falls School District to make fiscally responsible changes.
On Friday, December 1, 2023, all negative meal accounts were reset to a zero balance thanks to generous donors.
On Monday, December 4, per the school board policy, when an account has any amount of negative balance, breakfast will not be able to be charged. Once an account reaches a negative (-)$20 balance, the student will be offered a Smart Snack and a milk rather than a hot lunch and $1 will be charged each time to the student account. Once an account reaches a negative (-)$75 balance, no Smart Snack or meal can be served.
Any student who qualifies for Free/Reduced Meals because of limited family income IS and WILL CONTINUE to receive hot meals. The debt, in question, is accruing because those who earn more than the federally identified income – and/or have not filled out a Free/Reduced Meal Application - are not paying for meals eaten by their child(ren).
If you haven’t completed a Free/Reduced Meal Application this school year, but believe you may qualify, immediate action is requested.
Nutrition Office ✆ 605-367-7635
Please call the SFSD Nutrition Office with any questions or concerns regarding your student's breakfast/lunch account.
Music Department
Submit Your Nomination Now for Teacher of the Year
MMS Sports
FREE Tutoring Available
The Dakota Dreams Online Tutoring Program is available to your K-12 students for free!
To use the program:
- Encourage parents/guardians to first register their student(s) on the online tutoring platform.
- Once registered, students can login for homework help during program hours, and/or they can sign-up for Tutor Tracks – a seven-week, tutor-led program for 1-8th graders reinforcing the fundamentals of Reading, Grammar and Math.
Our tutors – BHSU and NSU education students – look forward to supporting your students and are available seven days a week.
Mustang Club Business Sponsors
Contact Us
Office Hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
After Hours: (605) 362-2792
- Press 1 for attendance
- Press 2 to leave a message
Email: SFSDMemorialOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/memorial/home
Location: Memorial Middle School, 1401 S Sertoma Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA
Phone: (605) 362-2785
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MemorialMSSF/
Twitter: @MemorialMSSF