Spartan Blog, Week of October 1-5, 2012

Spartan Pledge

Supporting our school community core values.

Success in the Middle:
Middle school is a transition time in the lives of our children.  Your child may act like he/she wishes you would disappear sometimes.  But when it comes to school success, middle graders still need their parents around.  When parents get involved in learning, student achievement soars.  Middle graders score higher on tests, turn in better projects and participate more in class if they know their parents care.  You can be involved in your child's learning at any time of day.  Talk about homework while your making dinner.  Watch a documentary together at night.  Visit a museum on the weekend.  You'll show your child that you think learning is important.  Teachers will welcome your commitment, whether you help in the classroom, volunteer at evening events or simply support your own child at home (2012 Resources for Educators).

You should have received letter inviting you to attend our first Parent Advisory Committee Meeting on Monday, October 15th at 6 p.m. in the Spearfish Middle School Library.   I am interested in connecting with you to develop a mission and purpose for a Parent Advisory Group (PAG) at Spearfish Middle School (SMS).  I look forward to seeing you on October 15th.

Middle Years, Working Together for School Success (2012), provides the following checklist to help you guide your middle school child to a successful school year:

• I attend school every day unless I'm sick and I get there on time
• I get 8-10 hours of sleep each night
• I eat a healthy breakfast each  morning
• I pay attention in class
• I write down my assignments for each subject
• I start projects when I get them
• I complete my homework on time and
• I read for pleasure each day.

Coming Events:

Oct. 3                          2:00 pm – EARLY RELEASE Oct. 8                          NO SCHOOL – (Native AmericanDay) Oct. 9                          5:30 pm - School Bd. Mtg. October 4-12                 6th grade Wolff/Opbroek Mining Field Trip October 4, 5, 11, and 12 October 8                     No School October 9                     Building Technology Committee Meeting,  1:00-3:30 p.m. in Conference room. October 10                    SMS P/T Conferences, Wed, October 10, 3:45pm – 7:15pm Grades 7 & 8 in Gym; 6th grade in classrooms Oct. 15                        Parent Advisory Committee, Monday, October 15th at 6:00 p.m. SMS Library Oct. 22-26                   Red Ribbon Week Oct. 26                        NO SCHOOL – P/T Conf. by appt. Nov. 7                         2 pm – EARLY RELEASE Nov. 12                       NO SCHOOL Veterans Day Nov. 21                       End of First Trimester Nov. 21                       12:50 pm – EARLY RELEASE Nov. 22-23                  Thanksgiving Vacation