

Spartan News
SMS Weekly Newsletter: October 20, 2024
Cheer Team During Our Football Win Against TCMS!
Ms. Welch and Roman cheering for the Bills!
Support Each Other- Meet Expectations- Show Pride
UPCOMING DATES
10/21-10/25 Hygiene Drive
10/25 Kona Ice
10/27 7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Open Gym 1:30 - 3:00 PM.(Must have updated KHSAA Physical)
10/29 Band Concert: 6th Grade @6:00 PM. 7th and 8th grade @7:00 PM.
10/30 SMS Trunk or Treat
10/30 SMS Volleyball vs Crawford @ SMS
10/24 SMS Football vs Beaumont @ PLD 6:00 PM
10/30 6th Grade Boys Basketball Open Gym 7:30 - 8:30 AM. (Must have updated KHSAA Physical)
11/7 SMS Choir Concert @ Tates Creek Presbyterian Church 7:00 PM
11/21 College, Career, and Special Programs Night at SMS
11/27-11/29 Thanksgiving Break
12/11 Boys Basketball Tryouts (Must have updated KHSAA Physical)
12/23-1/6 Winter Break
1/16 Science Night at SMS
1/20 No School
1/21 Kona Ice
2/18 Multicultural Night at SMS
2/28 Kona Ice
3/21 Spartan Family Breakfast at SMS
3/21 SPARTAN DAY!
3/26 Wellness Night at SMS
4/25 Kona Ice
SPARTAN INFORMATION AND REMINDERS
6th Grade Parents -Please look for the email from Mr. Payne explaining a Research Project we are excited to participate in with our Leadership Academy Classes. Students will be given ebucks from their writing teachers when they bring back (or if they already have) the parent permission.
- Intramural Soccer has started and will be on Fridays until 5. Having a ride at 5 is important. Athletes do not need a physical but should have a water bottle they can keep with them on the field. We do not go back into the school building.
- ONE Way Bible Study group is starting on Wednesday mornings from 8:00 - 8:30 AM. Students should wait at the front doors until 8 am.
The Academic Team will be meeting on Wednesday's after school until 5:30 PM and on Friday mornings at 8:00 AM each week.
- The Student Council will meet on Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. weekly in room 505 until further notice. Please check emails for updates and reminders!
Chess Club is Tuesdays after school, 4-5pm in Room #202.
Intramurals: Second session (pickleball/volleyball) will run November 12- December 19
Third sessions (basketball) will run January 21-April 2. Permission slips must be turned into Mr. Jerry Smith at room 404.
- Please join our PTSA! Please click http://southernms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true to become a member for $5! They do so much to support our students and staff!
- Did you know you can attend SBDM meetings? (Site Based Decision Making Council). There is a public input portion on the agenda, and you can bring any concerns or questions you have to the council. The council can either offer feedback or choose to put the input on the next agenda- but it is a chance to have your voice heard! All SBDM meetings take place in SMS Library. If you cannot attend an SBDM meeting and have input, you can also email to kevin.payne@fayette.kyschools.us.
Dress Code Reminder- Students can only wear pajama pants on Fridays if they have maintained their eOS employability. Pajama pants are not permitted any other day than Friday unless a Spirit Week theme.
- *ATTENTION CAR RIDERS* You may only use the car loop in the mornings and afternoons to pickup/drop off your students. Using the staff lot creates a safety issue for our kids.
AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING
We will be offering Academic Restart, our after school tutoring program, each week Monday-Thursday. Students do not need to sign up. It is a drop in program. There is no cost. It will be in Ms. Pack's room (406). Mr. Payne will announce when he dismisses the car riders to the drop off loop to go to "Academic Restart". Students need to come up with something to work on.
Rides need to be here by 5 or students can walk home.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Pack at Jennifer.pack@fayette.kyschools.us
ATTENDANCE
A note from Ms. Cornett, the Attendance Specialist:
- Procedure for Student Absences due to Illness and/or Appointments: If your student is absent, please have them bring an excuse note/doctor’s note to Ms. Cornett as soon as they return. Notes need to be returned within three days of the absence. Parents/guardians can also email a note to cari.cornett@fayette.kyschools.us
- Parent notes must be HANDWRITTEN and have the date you wrote it, include the student's first and last name, date of dismissal and/or absence, the reason for early dismissal or absence, and a signature.
- Doctor’s notes can’t be handwritten, they need to come from the doctor’s office your student was seen at. The note needs to include the student’s first and last name and date(s) of service.
- Notes can also be faxed to 859-422-9957 Attn: Ms. Cornett
INFINITE CAMPUS
Is your Infinite Campus Contact Information Updated?
Please help us ensure your contact information is up-to-date in Campus Parent.
Campus Parent is a confidential, secure website where families can access real-time academic information. It also enables us to quickly send important messages to families about transportation impacts, school closures, safety, and more. Your student’s teachers can also use this tool to contact you directly about missed assignments or other classroom concerns.
To update your contact information and preferences, visit fcps.net/ic.
NEW SPARTAN MERCHANDISE STORE
SPARTAN OPPORTUNITIES
INTERESTED IN TECHNICAL CENTERS?- RISING 9TH GRADERS
Any 8th graders interested in more information about Southside Technical Center, Eastside Technical Center or Locust Trace AgriScience Center, please fill out the Google form below. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Vanzant at molly.vanzant@fayette.kyschools.us.
Interested in SCAPA?- RISING 9TH GRADERS
The Gifted and Talented (GT) High School Programs - Liberal Arts Academy, MSTC and SCAPA - want to make families aware that any 8th grader considering a gifted and talented high school program will need to submit an interest form by October 25, 2024. To ensure opportunity and access for districtwide GT programs for the 2025–2026 school year, required assessments and auditions needed for program inclusion will occur during the district wide approved testing and audition windows (November–December 2024). The GT HS Program Flyer lists program information and links for submitting the GT Interest Forms.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS BIOMED PROGRAM-RISING 9TH GRADERS
Kindness Across The Commonwealth
BEHAVIOR SYSTEM: EOS
eOS
SMS School-Wide Expectations
PBIS
October eOS Store Dates
8th Grade- 10/11
7th Grade- 10/18
6th Grade- 10/25
8:35 AM-9:00 AM
SECOND-STEP (Social and Emotional Learning at SMS)
Every week your student receives a social-emotional learning lesson during their Academic Leadership class. The lessons will differ by grade level. Second Step is the program utilized and it helps students build social-emotional skills- like nurturing positive relationships, managing emotions, and meeting goals. This helps our students thrive in school and life.
6th Grade- Unit 1 Lesson 7 - Performance Task Bringing it all Together
7th Grade- Unit 1 Lesson 7 - Performance Task Advice on Roadblocks
8th Grade- Unit 1 Lesson 7 - Performance Task My Path Forward
MRS. MORRISON'S MONTHLY MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT
Have you signed your DESSA consent?
DESSA stands for Devereux Student Strengths Assessment. It will allow us to understand the important role social and emotional skills play in your child's academic success and beyond, SMS will participate in the DESSA from October 21st to November 1st. It is an optional assessment but if you would like your child to participate, Click here to sign the consent form. If you would like more information please scan the QR code or contact me.
Valerie Morrison, LCSW
Southern Middle School
District Mental Health Specialist
valerie.morrison@fayette.kyschools.us
859.422.3582 ext. 41890
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Ms. Maria Abbott- Registrar
Please help us welcome our fantastic new Registrar, Ms. Abbott! Born and raised in Lexington, Ms. Abbott comes to us with 11 years of experience in the education field. Prior to education Ms. Abbott was a cafeteria management and had experience in restaurant management. She has two daughters and many animals; 3 cats, 2 fish, a dog, and a turtle. She enjoys traveling when she is able to, one of her favorite places being California. She is a welcoming and kind person, excited to meet our Spartan families.When asked why she is excited to be at Southern Middle, she says "I am excited for the new experience of being in a Middle School!". We are very lucky to have Ms. Abbott join our Spartan family!
Contact Us
Email: kevin.payne@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: https://southernmiddle.fcps.net/
Location: 400 Wilson Downing Road, Lexington, KY, USA
Phone: (859) 422-3852
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernmiddleschoolfcps
Twitter: @southern_middle