FEBRUARY
2024
Southern Middle School
Principal: Melissa Bell, Ed. D. ~ melissa.bell@sycsd.org
Assistant Principal: Ryan Updike ~ ryan.updike@sycsd.org
SMS Main Office ~ (717) 235-4811 x3500 ~ smsattendance@sycsd.org
great job leaving space for students to walk in both directions, they are walking, and demonstrating care toward one another as they move about. For many students, having 500 students
SMS Families:
The After School Club Program is in full swing, but it is not too late for students to sign up. Permission slips are available in the main office or click After School Club Permission Form. Transportation is provided.
The Homework Club is a wonderful opportunity for students to get extra help or to catch up on missing assignments. Weekly attendance is not required.
Registration for the spring session of Girls on the Run is also now open! Sign up here. Use code SMS24 to register for free.
Important Scheduling Information:
It is that time to begin selecting classes for next school year already! At the Middle School, classes are scheduled by grade level beginning with the current 8th grade.
For 8th grade students: The Sapphire portal opened Tuesday, January 30th for parents and students to review teacher course recommendations and select their high school courses.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Please review the important scheduling dates in this newsletter for current 8th grade students. We will begin scheduling incoming 6th grade students and current 7th grade in early March.
Melissa S. Bell, Ed. D.
SMS Principal
Para acceder al boletín en un idioma diferente, haga clic en el enlace y copie la URL en Google Translate.
SMS Calendar of Events
February 1: Band Winter Concert 7 p.m.
February 2: York County Choral Festival
February 8: Progress Reports Posted
February 14: SHS Curriculum Fair 6 p.m.
Parent/Teacher Conferences 3 - 7 p.m.
February 15: Sixth Grade Transition Night 5 p.m.
Parent/Teacher Conferences 3-5 p.m.
February 16: School Closed
February 19: Schools Closed
February 22: SMS Spring Picture Day
February 27: Grades 3-12 District Orchestra Concert 7 p.m.
March 1st: 1/2 Day Early Dismissal (11:44 a.m.)
March 13: SMS PTSO Meeting 6 p.m.
3rd Marking Period Ends
March 20: Report Cards Posted
March 27-April 1: Spring Break/Schools Closed
Warrior Word
Check out our recent issue of the Warrior Word, our student newspaper. Click here to view the newspaper.
Employment at SYCSD
It’s always been challenging for schools to hire enough qualified teachers, substitute teachers, instructional aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and the other staff members who keep a school day humming. But those challenges have never been more daunting.
Spring Picture Day is Coming!
Mark your calendars — Spring Picture Day is scheduled for Thursday, February 22, 2024. Picture order forms will be handed out soon during homeroom.
If ordering online, the SMS Picture Day ID is EVTF9MVFT. Orders can be placed online up to 48 hours after Picture Day. If you need to purchase after that, you will need to contact LifeTouch directly for an access code.
American Legion - Essay Contests
Americanism Essay Contest
The Americanism Essay Contest was created to teach students the value of patriotism and what it means to be Americans. Thousands of students participate in the program each year and help promote a lifelong respect of our flag and country.
Current Essay Theme: “What does Freedom mean to me?”
Learn more at https://glenrocklegion.org/ or email Mr. Thiele for a PDF of the contest rules.
All essays may be mailed to:
Joelene Thiele
225 Pleasant Grove Rd.
Red Lion, Pa 17356
PA American Legion 6-8 Grade 2024 Essay Contest
Essay Theme: Do you Believe That U.S. Flag Etiquette Should Be Taught in School?
For more info, click here or see the brochure here.
ATTENDANCE HIGHLIGHT
So many ways to submit your attendance excuse notes:
1. Email: smsattendance@sycsd.org.
If you email attendance notes to your child’s teacher(s), please include the above address as well so that the attendance clerk is aware of it.
In the subject line please include your child’s full name, grade and the date of the absence. In the body of the email, list the reason for the absence(s), and write your full name. You may attach scanned or photographed images of doctor’s notes as well.
2. Fax: 717-227-9681
3. You can also send written notes into school with your child to be submitted in his/her homeroom. We encourage you to check the parent/public portal in Sapphire to make sure the written notes were processed by the main office.
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Sherman:
717-235-4811 ext. 3501 ~ Fax: 717-227-9681
smsattendance@sycsd.org or margarida.sherman@sycsd.org
FID (Flexible Instruction Day)
With winter weather upon us, there is the potential that we may be utilizing FID Days (Flexible Instruction Days).
FID days allow us to provide instruction to students at home, rather than in the classroom, when situations like winter weather or a building emergency require us to close our schools.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will count this as a full day of school, which will enable us to maintain our current calendar. In accordance with PA Department of Education requirements, students must log in to their classes for attendance purposes.
Spring Conferences
Due to limited conference availability for Parent Teacher conferences on February 14th and 15th - 22 available slots for 100-130 students - teachers will be sending feedback via email to all families and indicating a need for a conference.
For families who a conference was not requested, but who wish to have additional discussions, they may contact their child's teachers with a request for a conference, phone call, or email communication outside of the February conference times.
For any family in which a conference has been requested, please schedule using the MyConferenceTime link found on the parent portal at www.sycsd.org beginning February 1st.
Thank you for your understanding and please feel free to reach out to teachers at any time with questions or concerns about your child's progress.
1. You can choose to schedule conferences with individual teachers or a conference with your student’s team of teachers through MyConferenceTime.
If you have an issue finding an open time slot or finding one that works for you (either individual or team), please reach out to one of your child’s teachers. Start by selecting out school.
2. Click here to meet with your child’s team of teachers. You
can choose to meet in-person or virtually.
or:
Click a teacher’s name to meet with a teacher individually. You
can choose to meet in-person or virtually.
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our January Students of the Month, who have exhibited PRIDE (Prepared—Respect—Integrity—Doing Your Best—Engaged) in their behavior at SMS. Two students are selected from each team. Please congratulate:
Natalie Hrebik, Cooper Myers, Tre Oliver, Charlotte Hanley, Ezra Silliman, Emma Neitzel, Carleigh Ables, Duncan Ness
WEB
WEB stands for Where Everyone Belongs! WEB is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes 7th graders and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their middle school experience.
On January 29th, our WEB lesson was about overcoming obstacles. We used fun games and activities to help the 7th graders identify strategies to get through difficulties.
Coming up on March 11, our WEB lesson will be focusing on collaboration and teamwork. Students will participate in various team competition games and teams will win prizes based on sportsmanship, collaboration, communication, and including everyone.
Rotary Student of the First Semester Winners
Congratulations to our Rotary Student of the First Semester Winners, who were nominated for this award based how they demonstrate PRIDE on a daily basis. Winners were recognized at a breakfast with the Southern York County Rotary Club. Photos of the winners are below.
7th Grade Winner - Emerson Rankin
Pictured with Dr. Bell, Principal, and Len Reppert, Assistant Superintendent.
8th Grade Winner - Austin Arpin
Pictured with Dr. Bell, Principal, and Len Reppert, Assistant Superintendent.
The winners with their families and Dr. Bell.
Brown’s Teacher of the Month
Mrs. Hulme was selected by Brown's Orchard as the Teacher of the Month based on student nominations. She received a surprise visit today from Mrs. Brown to share the honor. Congrats, Mrs. Hulme!
Geography Bee
Congratulations to Garrett Miles, Mason Keck, and Brayden Krebs, who placed as the top three in our school for the Geography Bee.
These students will be participating in the regional round of the competition this spring! More info on the International Geography Bee can be found HERE!
STALL DAY/PI DAY
Stall day is a school wide event and fundraiser for The American Heart Association. Students can bring anything from pennies to dollars to collect for the American Heart Association now through March 13th.
If the school is able to raise $750 dollars, there will be a half-day stall day (which would mean they successfully stalled their classes for half the day). If they raise $1500 collectively, they stall the whole school day, which means school still happens, but there are alternative games and events in classrooms.
Additionally, the school is raising money for Animal Rescue Inc. in New Freedom, PA. We will be collecting money and donations (from the donation list) for pie day, which will occur the same day as stall day.
Students may bring in $5 or a donation from the list and choose one of the teacher volunteers to pie with a cream pie. This is the second year for both of these events and would like to continue to make this a yearly tradition for local charities.
Both stall day and pie day will accept money now through March 13th, with the events taking place on March 14th.
Athletic Department
FIRST DAY OF SPRING SPORTS: March 4, 2024
Meet the Teams Night: March 14th at 7:00 pm in the SHS Stadium
For any student interested in trying out for the following spring sports, open practice times will be held as follows:
JH Boys Soccer: 1:30 -3 p.m. on the turf fields on the following Sundays 2/11, 2/18, and the 2/25.
JH Girls Soccer: 1:30 -3 p.m. on the turf fields on the following Sundays 2/11, 2/18, and the 2/25.
JH Girls Volleyball: 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27th and Thursday, February 29th. Open gym at the middle school.
Spring Fitness Club
Intramural Sports
Basketball, football, soccer, floor hockey, baseball and much more!
* Every Tuesday after school, starting 3/5
* Middle School Gymnasium
* Supervised by Mr. Miller & Mr. Nalls
* Club Bus transportation
* See Mr. Miller or Mr. Nalls for more info!
Come as you are. Become part of a unique team of girls and unlock your amazing potential. Join Heart & Sole, an after-school program for middle schoolers, where you can cultivate your strengths and be your best self.
Our club focuses on the five key parts of who you are: your body, brain, heart, spirit, and how you connect with others.
Learn more about yourself as you work on communicating your goals through exercises and discussions that help you reflect on who you want to be and where you want to go. The season concludes with the Girls on the Run 5k, an event that celebrates everything you have accomplished.
Lottery Registration: January 22 - February 5
Registration Reopens: February 6
Program start date: Week of February 26
Meeting Times/days per week: Tues/Wed 2:45 - 4:15 p.m.
5K Celebration: April 28 at York College
Coach Contact: Joanna Chronister, joanna.chronister@sycsd.org
Register at gotrmidstatepa.org or scan the QR code below!
Use code: SMS24 to register for free!
Be a
force
of nature
2024 WSSA Mechanicsburg Sport Stacking Tournament
Sport Stacking is an individual and team sport where participants stack 12 specially designed cups up and down in pre-determined sequences.
This unique sport promotes hand-eye coordination, ambidexterity, concentration, teamwork and sportsmanship. Sport stacking competitions are open to all ages and abilities! See Mrs. Marhevka for more info.
The Athletics apparel store will be open all year for parents, students, faculty and staff to purchase from.
WHEN: March 23, 2024 8:00 am LOCATION: Upper Allen Elem School
COST: Jan 8 to Mar 18 ($20) Mar 19 to Mar 19 ($25)
More Information and Online Registration theWSSA.com/t/3424
BATTLE
OF THE BUILDINGS
Tickets and T-shirts for the Battle of the Buildings fundraiser are now available! The 2024 Battle of the Buildings will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 in the Susquehannock High School gymnasium.
This will be the thirteenth year for the Battle of the Buildings, a fundraiser sponsored by the Southern York County School District Foundation and the Susquehannock Alumni Association to raise money for scholarships and alumni programs. This year, the T-shirt sales are a fundraiser for the Class of 2026.
The event, which features competing teams of high school students and staff from each of the district’s schools, is typically one of the most popular and well-attended events in Southern York County School District. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever.
New this year, doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and fun basketball games will be offered for $1. Tickets for the pregame basketball activity will be sold at the door.
Warrior Council will also hold a fundraiser for Coats of Friendship and will be collecting winter outerwear (coats, gloves, and hats), so if you have an item that you wish to donate, please be sure to bring it with you.
The support of local sponsors is an important part of the event’s success. Please see this flyer for more information about sponsorship levels and deadlines.
Counseling Department
PCBH School-Based Counseling Program
The SYCSD/PCBH School-Based Counseling Program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to bridge the gap for young people who need mental health care and young people who receive mental health care.
The PCBH program provides coordinated mental health services at a licensed satellite office of PCBH in the familiar environment of the school setting. Please contact Mrs. Hall or Mr. Katz for more information.
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) continues to actively function in the middle school. The SAP team is a group of trained staff members who work to identify, intervene and refer students who are having difficulties due to a variety of possibilities.
The program is available to all students at SMS (except anyone already receiving drug/alcohol or mental health counseling). To make a referral, please contact the guidance office or fill out this form SMS SAP Info Request.
Introducing Check and Connect
Check and Connect is a newly offered data driven program at Southern Middle School developed by the University of Minnesota. For most students, it will not be necessary, but for some it can mean the difference in a successful experience at school.
Check and Connect is a voluntary program that uses attendance, grade, and behavior data to look at a student’s ability to succeed in school. To sum it up, the Check and Connect program is designed to better the student’s success by helping them to improve their routines around the academic setting.
By using weekly check-ins, the Check and Connect Mentor helps the student see their potential success. Often times, the Mentor can act as a secondary counselor, a tutor, and an additional person who holds the student accountable for their actions.
Check and Connect is not just for students. The program mentor works with teachers, administrators, and caregivers to find ways to help the student. It is a team effort to help the student succeed.
If you believe your child is not finding success at school, Check and Connect may be a way of helping them forward. Please contact your child’s counselor or an administrator if you would like to learn more about the program or are interested in signing them up.
Aevidum Newsletter
Club Advisors: Mr. Katz & Mr. Snare
The SMS Aevidum Club recently participated in the 7th & 8th Grade PTSO dance on January 26th by selling glow glasses, glow necklaces, Shirley Temples, temporary inspirational tattoos, and more.
Along with that, the club also worked on their soon-to-be-published podcast episode from the dance to highlight the great times that everyone had as a school community.
The club also recently created cards and are preparing for additional outreach to connect with students who have identified that they don’t feel connected to SMS.
The goal will be to invite those students to join with an Aevidum activity to see if together we can make a difference in the way that they and others feel. Aevidum’s mission is to create an atmosphere where all students feel acknowledged, accepted, appreciated, and cared for.
Follow the SMS Aevidum Club on Instagram @smsaevidum for club happenings, mental health resources, and a variety of other content. Take a listen to the SMS Aevidum Podcast on Spotify here. You may also email the club at smsaevidum@sycsd.org.
Timeline for 8th Grade Scheduling
Jan 19-26 - Teachers discuss course recommendations and enter them into Sapphire.
January 25: Scheduling presentation (attached) occurred in the auditorium during 8th grade team’s IE period.
Jan. 30 - Feb. 6 - Students schedule electives OR indicate any changes from the recommendations through the Community Portal in Sapphire.
Students finalize course selections by registering for the designated number of credits and alternate courses online.
Feb 6 (3 p.m.) - Sapphire Community Portal closes for online scheduling.
Feb 14 (6-7 p.m.) - Curriculum Fair @ SHS for incoming 9th grade students.
Feb 28 (all day) - SHS Counselors meet with students last names E-K & S-Z in your team’s hallway to review courses.
If a student elects to take a course that is not recommended, an email from parent/guardian is highly encouraged approving this scheduling change.
Feb 29 (all day) - SHS Counselors meet with students last names A-D & L-R in your team’s hallway to review courses.
If a student elects to take a course that is not recommended, an email from parent/guardian is highly encouraged approving this scheduling change.
Feb 29: Final day to communicate any course request changes. Parents/guardians are encouraged to email their student’s school counselor directly by this date for any course selection changes.
Additional information about the course selection process can be viewed at:
SHS Curriculum Guide 2024-2025 available January, 18, 2024
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Katz at 717-235-4811 x3523 or jason.katz@sycsd.org.
STAFF RECOGNITION
SMS strives to be student-centered and customer service focused. We would like to know if a staff member, including all support staff, (teacher, custodian, instructional aid, secretary, or bus driver) has gone over and above to assist you and/or child.
To send a shout out, simply complete this Google Form and a shout out will be automatically generated and sent to the staff member at the end of the calendar month. Our goal is to let staff know they had a positive impact and to measure our overall commitment to being student-centered and customer service oriented.
If you have had such an interaction with a staff member, please consider sending that staff member a shout out.
The PTSO 7th and 8th Grade Dance held on January 26th was a huge success. We had a great turnout and the students had lots of fun. Thank you to all the parents and guardians who donated their time and money to make this event happen.
Southern Middle School PTSO
President: Jenn Clements ~Secretary: Tara Welsh Treasurer: Kelley Fisher ~ Hospitality: Lisa Russell, Erin Saenz
The next PTSO meeting is on March 13 at 6 p.m. in the SMS Library.
SAFE TO SAY
At SYCSD we are committed to implementing programs that involve and/or educate students, parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, local law enforcement, mental health and wellness professionals, and elected officials to protect our students, staff, and community.
The Safe2Say Something (S2SS) program is an anonymous reporting system, mandated by PA state law, designed to help students and staff recognize the warning signs and signals (especially on social media) of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others.
S2SS trains students and school staff to treat every warning sign seriously and to act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult and/or by reporting it anonymously via telephone, mobile device, or website to the S2SS Crisis Center.
District staff members have been trained to respond to and manage tips that are submitted in coordination with state and local law enforcement officials. The curriculum is designed to be age-appropriate and research-based.
Music
Department
Winter Concert
The Winter Band Concert is Thursday, February 1st at 7 pm and will take place at SHS. The concert will feature the SMS and SHS Jazz and Concert Bands and will conclude with the combined piece by SMS and SHS Concert Bands.
Choral Festival
Southern Middle School Concert Choir will be sending students to the York County Choral Festival on Friday, February 2, 2024, being hosted in the Spring Grove Area School District.
These students will perform as members of the York County Jr. High Choir, which will be made-up of students from the various schools in York County.
The choir will be led by guest conductors Ms. Samantha Roberts (Dover Area HS Choral Director) and our very own, Mr. Jay Althouse, Director of Secondary Choral Music in the SYCSD!
We are proud to have the opportunity to showcase the talents of our students at this county-wide festival!
Music
Department
SUSKY Swing Dance
Featuring the Susquehannock Jazz Band
Friday March 1, 2024 ~ 6 - 9 p.m.
Southern Elementary School, Glen Rock, Pa
$20/per person includes food, swing dance lessons, and entertainment.
BRING CASH FOR A SCRATCH OFF RAFFLE &
BAKE SALE TO BENEFIT THE SYCSD BAND BOOSTERS
TICKETS:
Email warriorbands@gmail.com
or scan the QR code to the right.
The All-District Orchestra Concert will be held on Tuesday, February 27th in the SHS Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. This concert will feature the; 3rd Grade Orchestra, 4th & 5th Grade Orchestra, 6th Grade Orchestra, MS Orchestra and HS Orchestra.
The concert will finish with a combined piece featuring all the students in the SYCSD Orchestra Program. Admission is Free and we hope to see you there!
Smart Snack Price List
Pop Tarts $.85 ~ Fresh Baked Cookies $1.00
Fruit snacks/Fruit roll-ups $.85 ~ Granola Bar $.85
Ice Cream $1.00 ~ Rice Crispy Treat $1.25
Frito Lay Snacks $1.00 ~ Bottled Water $.75
Naked Juice $2.50 ~ Snapple 100% Juice 1.25
Izzi Beverage $1.50
