As you're trying to reignite your year, coming up with a new or renewed vision, set new goals, and trying to get the fire back, you're not going to get there without a plan. The mindset must be that I'm an ignition, folks with me will always put on compulsion to choose success in life. There is a hero in every heart just waiting for ignition.

We can't soar without IGNITING..what's your plan to ensure your child can ACHIEVE?

We are here to partner with you. Be a part of SGMS!!

We are super excited to kick off our first dance of the year on Friday!!! Dance proceeds will go to our PBIS team to fund Positive Behavior incentives and the DOJO Store. If you are not connected on DOJO please reach out to your child's teacher ASAP. House Honor and House Valor are vying for having the highest % of families connected. (Currently by grade level 6, 7, 8--House Honor: 85, 87, 68; House Valor: 85, 89, 70)

Dojo points are a must for students to connect their behaviors to EXCEL! It's not a word its an action. It's about relationships to grow students, not a gotcha, not a punishment but a consistent reminder to say you are Epitomizing integrity, eXpressing respect, Committing to learn, Exercising responsibility and Leading with courage. They exchange currency is DOJO points--students have the opportunity to earn 5 each class. Please ensure you are following up daily to see how many points your child earned. The expectation is teaching, modeling and building students and staff to grow and exemplify EXCEL-lence each and every day. If your child is not increasing their points please have a conversation and help foster that character that Stands out for doing EXCEL-lence each day.

• Start w/ Hello week 9/18-9/22-is a call-to-action event for schools and youth organizations dedicated to kindness, inclusion, and making connections. Students will be taking part in activities each day.
• Monday 9/18: Soccer/VB 4:45 pm vs Ferndale (Locations: Ferndale VB and HPAC Soccer)
• Tuesday 9/19: WEAR GREEN-this is in coordination with Sandy Hook Promise
• Wednesday 9/20: Football @ Jamestown 5 pm
• Thursday 9/21: Soccer/VB 4:45 pm @ SGMS vs Welborn;
• Friday 9/22: PBIS Dance 3:30-5:45--WE NEED YOU --Students love to have their families support and help at events outside of school. If you can give 30 minutes up to 2.5 hours we need your help. Please rsvp at bottom of newsletter if you are able to help at the dance and note time.

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Monday 9/25: Optional teacher workday--No school for students
• Tuesday 9/26: Soccer/VB 4:45 pm vs Penn Griffin (Locations: PG and HPAC)
• Thursday 9/28: Soccer/VB 4:45 pm @ SGMS vs Lincoln
• MAP Testing 9/27 and 9/29
• Title 1 Night 10/5 Flyers to come your way soon
• October 6th-October 20th: School Fundraiser Kicks off--Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and other great items to sell and earn prizes

Student voice is important for many reasons. As students mature as leaders, they naturally gain more independence in both their social and academic lives. By assuming responsibility, they demonstrate a willingness to help others, to listen empathetically, and to make sound decisions.

Two areas of Student leadership that will be taking place for students to be a part in the next couple of weeks is Student Council and Natural Helpers. These have similar and different roles that will be used to grow SGMS.

Student Council: Each homeroom will hold a vote for One representative from each homeroom that will be the Student Council representative. This will be done on Tuesday morning during Homeroom/Success Block. HR teachers will take nominations of students who want to be the HR rep. This representative will attend all meetings and be the point person for collection and communication of any Student Council initiatives. Homeroom teachers will hold a peer vote on Tuesday morning to determine the ONE Student Council representative. All students interested in being a part of Student council may attend after school meetings but the representative for each Homeroom is the person that receives the most Votes and will be the point of contact for their HR. Encourage your child if they want to be a part of leadership activities in and with the school to listen for when meetings will be held afterschool.

Looking ahead: Student council representatives from each Homeroom will meet afterschool 9/27. At this meeting students will hear information about officer positions and directions if they are interested in being a Student Council officer. Student campaigns will go live with advertisements on 10/3, recordings of their campaign will be on the morning show 10/5, campaigning opportunity evening of 10/5 and voting on 10/6 during success block. This is an exciting time to grow and nurture leadership in students.

Natural Helpers will be kicking off on 10/11 with a survey during Homeroom. This survey is to identify students that others trust. We will not carry over any Natural Helpers from last year but they can be chosen again. The survey will determine 10 students per grade level that are deemed by peers as empathetic, trustworthy, kind and dependable.

The Natural Helpers program will provide training to students who have been identified as “listeners” by their peers and school staff. Natural Helpers are trained with helping and listening skills so that they may connect vulnerable peers to trusted adults and other appropriate resources. Students continue to cultivate their robust social networks to implement service projects that aim to support connection with their peers during these times of isolation, and that provide resources to promote mental wellbeing and in turn be standout Knights.

As we IGNITE this school year we want to ensure every child is on the right path for success. Therefore, we want to ensure you are connected and informed. All teams will be hosting 1st quarter conferences beginning now through 11/3. Please let your HR or team teacher know a good day and time to meet and discuss the progress of your child. These may be held in person or virtual. Stay tuned and connected so your Childs teacher can reach you to schedule. Any questions or concerns please reach out to the school at 336-674-4266.