Herd It Here

Within the Ben Reifel family circle, we foster growth of academic, social, and emotional skills to positively impact our lives and the community beyond our walls.

https://www.facebook.com/brmsbison/

Instagram:

Relay Services for Hearing Impaired: Dial 711, then the desired number

Email: SFSDBRMSOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/ben-reifel/home
Location: 6700 East 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-371-4155

September 5

• MAP Testing (more information in Principal's Message)

• Parent Information Night (informational flyer below)

• Picture Makeup Day

• No School (Native American Day Observance & Inservice)

• Picture Retake Day

Ben Reifel Families,

Welcome to the 24-25 school year! We are off to an amazing start. Each day begins with the message, “Ben Reifel students, you are the eye of your future, rise up to the challenges and charge the storm.” Inspired by Aaron Barrette's article, "Embrace Your Inner Bison and Run Toward the Storm," we encourage our students to confront challenges head-on, much like Bison do during a storm. We are Bison!

Mr. Hieronimus and I continuously discuss our core values with students, emphasizing their importance in our decisions for the Bison Community. Bringing these values to life daily, both in and outside the classroom, helps us all charge the storm together.

As Beth Young said, “Bison run into the storm together. Together is much easier to face that challenge with hope and courage.” Our “herd” at Ben Reifel will face challenges together, celebrating our successes along the way. We are blessed to have you as part of our “herd.” #followtheherd

On Thursday, September 5, students will take their MAP tests (reading and math) during core classes. These growth tests help us measure student performance and inform our instruction. Students will use their results to set growth goals throughout the year, with parents receiving results in October. Please reach out to your student’s PRO-Time teacher with any questions.

All our fall activities are off to an excellent start. Please view our newsletter and the BRMS website for all upcoming events. Don’t forget to follow us on our social media pages (Facebook and Instagram) to see all the fabulous happenings at Ben Reifel. We are excited to see what the 24-25 school year brings for our herd!

Thank you for being part of our Ben Reifel Family.

Rebecca VanDrongelen

Assistant Principal, Ben Reifel Middle School

Click here to order pictures ONLY if a student missed having their picture taken on Roundup Day on August 19th

Access Code: Y39CA6 - This code is available to order online from September 2nd - September 15th and is only for those who missed having their photo taken on Bison Roundup Day.

** If your student had their picture taken on Bison Roundup Day and you have not ordered pictures yet, you will need to order from the paper packet available from their PRO-Time teacher. You can no longer order using a code online. **

** Picture Retakes: If a family chooses to have a student's photo retaken, the date for retakes is October 18th ** (A new access code will be provided in October newsletter.)

Please let the office know of any upcoming appointments or times your student will miss school - the sooner the better! Use your Infinite Campus/Parent Portal account to report the absence (select "Absence Requests").

You can also email the office at sfsdBRMSoffice@k12.sd.us or call 605-371-4155 before 8:40am. The office needs to create the pass and add your student to morning announcements, which post at 8:40am.

Dismissal passes are listed in the morning announcements, which are published at 8:40am. We and the teachers appreciate you letting us know before this time to help reduce classroom disruptions!

Students not utilizing district busing can be dropped off beginning at 8:00am with supervision beginning at 8:15am. These students will remain outside until the first bell at 8:40am unless there is inclement weather or the temperature with wind chill is below 0°F. Under these conditions, the cafeteria will be open at 8am with supervision.

Students must be off school grounds by 4:15pm, unless participating in an after-school activity or program.

We ask that parents/guardians ring the front office intercom button when picking up a student and state the reason for their visit into the intercom.

If a parent/guardian needs a student's emergency contact to pick up a student for any reason, the parent/guardian must notify the office of the emergency contact taking their student from school PRIOR TO THE PICKUP TIME.

Please note that there are two lanes in the drop-off lane by the building. The inside lane closest to the building should only be used for drop-off/pick-up and the outside lane is a drive-through lane. Parking in the drop-off/pick-up lane congests the traffic flow and creates an unsafe situation for our students. We also have parents parking in locations that congest the flow of traffic.

Please use the parking lot and designated parking spots to park. Please do not park in the bus loading zones on the east end of the building (West side of Faith Ave.) and the north side of the building.

We want to make sure we have space for our buses to get students to school and home in a timely manner.

Please encourage students to use caution when crossing the street and walking in the parking lot. Everyone will need to practice patience and understanding to ensure that everyone is safe. We want to ensure that all students are safe during this very busy time. We all need to do our part to ensure that our students are safe.

By making simple changes in your daily routine, you can reduce the dangers that students face as they arrive and depart from school each day.

• Consider carpooling with neighbors or friends to reduce congestion.
• Don’t use cell phones or drive distracted.
• Do not speed into the school parking lot attempting to cut in front of another parent.
• Do not impede traffic flow by double parking or waiting at a stop sign forcing other traffic to drive into oncoming lanes just to get around you.
• Do not double-park waiting for your student. This condition exposes students to being struck by other vehicles leaving the curb.
• Explain to your student why it’s important to exit from the safe side of the vehicle (right side).

A friendly reminder to please review the link for further information on outside food and drinks brought into the school.

2024-2025 Healthy Foods Guidelines

We understand that communication between students and home is important. In an effort to reduce classroom disruptions, we ask that you call the front office at 605-371-4155 if you need to relay a message to your student.

The PTO is excited to announce a Puzzle Piece fundraiser for the students and staff at BRMS. Families can purchase an envelope for $5.00, which contains a puzzle piece. Each puzzle piece will create a picture of Ben Reifel, which is feature above. All envelopes will enter a drawing, and the prize will be the completed puzzle. Please consider buying a puzzle piece. Imagine having this beautiful puzzle displayed in your home!

Counselors

6th Grade - Lindsey Carmon Lindsey.Carmon@k12.sd.us

7th Grade - Rachael Anderson Rachael.Anderson@k12.sd.us

8th Grade -Tanielle Sylvester Tanielle.Sylvester@k12.sd.us

Counseling Secretary/Registrar

Tanya Carlson

Counseling Center phone:

(605) 371-4153

Greetings from the Ben Reifel student council co-coordinators! Our names are Mrs. Logan (7-2) and Mrs. Cleveland (8-3), and we are excited to plan fun activities alongside our future student council representatives. Two students from each team will be elected to represent their classmates, and we encourage all interested students to consider running. Elections for student council representatives will be held towards the end of September. More information about campaigning and elections will be provided to students as the year gets underway.

Student Council Coordinators: Mrs. Cleveland and Mrs. Logan

Please bookmark the Ben Reifel Athletics website on your phone and/or computer.

The Bison Fan Club is available so students can attend a supervised event after school to support their classmates and promote schoolwide Unity. We all share the responsibility, individually and as a group, for making our school the best school possible and helping our students to represent it well. We want our students to support one another through good sportsmanship and exhibiting the Bison Way. The students are expected to show the Bison Way through:

Integrity - Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Unity - Champion for ALL

Empathy - Promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Excellence - Bring your BEST self. Make the Ben Reifel Family proud.

The Bison Fan Club allows students to attend all HOME games while understanding what it means to be part of the Bison Fan Club and the rules/etiquette of attending events. It also is an excellent way for parents/guardians to know that their student is staying after school for an event.

Expectations/Etiquette at Events:

• Students must be in the gym by 4:00 p.m.

• Students who attend events must stay at the game in the designated student section.

• Students are not allowed to attend an event if they have ISS or detention on the day of the event.

• Students are picked up no later than 6:00 p.m.

• Students are expected to exhibit the Bison WAY

With events starting next week, we want students to be able to attend. Parents/Guardians, please fill out the form below and submit it. Once this form is completed, students will get their Bison Fan Club sticker from Mr. Egstad on the back of their student ID. Student IDs are needed and required to attend events.

Ben Reifel Fan Club Google Form

You can also find the form in the Message Board on the Ben Reifel Athletic Website.

Pete Egstad

Coordinator of Athletics

Peter.Egstad@k12.sd.us

8th Grade/HS Fall Concert

Eighth grade choir students are invited to perform with the high school choirs so the students can meet the high school directors, sing with high school singers and start to get a "feel" for the outstanding high school choir programs in Sioux Falls. The WHS fall concert is Tuesday, November 5 at 7:00. Students will rehearse together the evening of the concert prior to the concert, and we will work together to learn the music in class. A letter will be distributed in class and via e-mail to parents the week of September 9. Students should wear a Ben Reifel shirt or Ben Reifel school colors and blue jeans, joggers, or khakis. Please return the bottom portion of that letter to Mrs. Spencer or Ms. Green by September 27. This is a terrific opportunity for our 8th graders!

Concert dates for 2024-2025 - all choirs - graded performances
Winter Concert – December 12, 2024; 6th grade – 6:00pm; 7th grade – 6:45pm; 8th grade – 7:30pm; BRMS Auditorium
Spring Concert - May 13, 2025; 6th grade – 6:00pm; 7th grade – 6:45pm; 8th grade – 7:30pm; BRMS Auditorium

Concert attendance is mandatory. Absences due to non-school activities of any kind will not be excused. Choir is a graded class, and performances are our main form of assessment. In addition, it is vital to the success of our program that students honor the commitment made to the BRMS choirs.

More specific information about attire and what time to report will be sent as the event date gets closer.

Show Choir
Unity (show choir) auditions will be held before and after school from September 9-13. Unity is an optional ensemble that is open to any choir student by audition. Interested students will sign up for an audition time on the choir room door and will audition for Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green. The audition music was distributed to students August 26-27 in the choir room. A pdf of the music and audio rehearsal tracks are in the choir Canvas page. Unity will rehearse Tuesday and Thursday mornings each week from 7:30-8:40 a.m., beginning September 17.

South Dakota Jr. High Honor Choir – Grades 7-8
Seventh and eighth grade choir students can audition for the South Dakota Jr. High Honor Choir, which will take place in Rapid City, January 17-18, 2025. Music is available in the choir room and can be sent home via e-mail upon request. The audition deadline is October 4. The cost to audition is $15.00. If selected, the cost for participation is $180, which includes the students’ hotel room for Friday evening, T-shirt, and 3 meals. If selected, honor choir members are required to stay in the hotel with the other choir members.

Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.

National Treble Honor Choir, grades 5-7
Sixth and seventh graders with unchanged voices are eligible to audition for this honor choir. The National ACDA honor choirs will take place in Dallas, TX March 19-22, 2025. The audition fee is $30. The participation fee for students who are selected has not yet been set, but it is typically approximately $375. This fee typically covers music, choral practice tracks, T-shirt, video and audio recordings of the performance, and four meals. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for making housing reservations and travel arrangements for their singers in the ACDA designated conference hotel.

Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.

National TTBB (Tenor/Bass) Honor Choir, grades 7-10
Students in grades 7 and 8 with changed or changing voices are eligible to audition for this honor choir. The National ACDA honor choirs will take place in Dallas, TX March 19-22, 2025. The audition fee is $30. The participation fee for students who are selected has not yet been set, but it is typically approximately $375. This fee typically covers music, choral practice tracks, T-shirt, video and audio recordings of the performance, and four meals. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for making housing reservations and travel arrangements for their singers in the ACDA designated conference hotel.

Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.

National Treble Honor Choir, grades 8-10
Eighth graders with unchanged voices are eligible to audition for this honor choir. The National ACDA honor choirs will take place in Dallas, TX March 19-22, 2025. The audition fee is $30. The participation fee for students who are selected has not yet been set, but it is typically approximately $375. This fee typically covers music, choral practice tracks, T-shirt, video and audio recordings of the performance, and four meals. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for making housing reservations and travel arrangements for their singers in the ACDA designated conference hotel.

Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.

Most of the communication regarding important choir events will come from Mrs. Spencer via e-mail. If you do not receive any e-mails within the first two weeks of school from Mrs. Spencer, please send an e-mail to Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us so that I have your correct e-mail address.

Facebook Page

BRMS Choirs are on Facebook! Stay up to date with information by liking and following our page. Click this link: https://www.facebook.com/Ben-Reifel-Middle-School-Choirs-102400049050456/

or search for Ben Reifel Middle School Choirs.

As always, if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Spencer at Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us or Ms. Green at Pamela.Green@k12.sd.us.

Welcome to Band this year at Ben Reifel Middle School! We are excited to get started with marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble & fun 6th-8th grade concert music!

New Band Method Book -

If you have not done so already, please purchase the Tradition of Excellence for Concert Band, Book 1 (6th) or Tradition of Excellence for Concert Band, Book 2 (7th & 8th) as soon as possible. We use this in class daily.

Marching Band Reminders

We have rehearsal each Monday & Wednesday through Oct. 2 from 7:40am-8:40am.

Please order the marching band t-shirt as soon as possible. Orders are due Sept. 9. Your child should also wear black pants and tennis shoes for our performance. If funds are a concern, please reach out to Mrs. Dunbar, Ali.Dunbar@k12.sd.us

School Instruments

Students currently using a school instrument will be able to continue using a school instrument at BRMS. These instruments will be distributed during the first week of school. Students will be expected to pay a $70 usage fee unless they qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Linked Here is the Instrument Usage Form that must be filled out for each student who plans to use a school instrument.

There are many great phone apps available to enhance and promote great practice at home. We encourage you to download some sort of metronome and tuner app as well as the app: “Band Mate”. Please reach out to a band director if you’d like ways to incorporate these apps into practice at home.

Percussion Stick Bags

We would like each percussionist to purchase their own sticks and mallets for the upcoming school year. Linked Here is a letter with the required materials. If funds are a concern, please reach out to a band director

If you have questions or concerns, please contact one of the directors.

Ali Dunbar, Ali.Dunbar@k12.sd.us

Brooke Bigge, Brooke.Bigge@k12.sd.us

Greetings from BRMS Orchestra! This month, we are getting our string playing music skills back into shape and tuning our instruments and minds towards music making. It is a wonderful time to be a young person making music with such excellent fellow musicians. Making music with others is one of the best feelings in the world!

If your musician has a personal instrument that you are renting or that you own, please remember to expect that instrument to go home on off days from orchestra class. If your musician has a school instrument assigned to them, please return the instrument check out form as soon as possible (available in the orchestra room and on Canvas) so that we can begin sending that instrument home for practice soon!

*VERY IMPORTANT: Please check with me first before purchasing from any other source or vendor, especially online. Most Instruments sold online are not acceptable and of very poor quality- not even as a toy. Check with me before purchasing!

The string instrument family is played in such a way that fingernails of the left hand especially should be trimmed short (the free edge of the nail has no white edge). Please help your musician have the best chance of playing well on their violin, viola, cello or bass, and insist on short nails.

Music books will be checked out to students the week of 9/2-9/6. These books will be assigned to your musician and are expected to be protected in your musician’s folder which was issued this week. Shoulder rests for violins and violas will also be checked out soon. We are fortunate to have available a set of over 250 Kun and Foam shaped shoulder rests. Like instruments, shoulder rests and books will be returned at the end of the school year in May 2025.

Every musician needs a musical hero to look up to! Here are some examples of musicians that illustrate excellent playing technique and musicianship:

Violin: Midori, Sarah Chang, Joshua Bell, Itzak Pearlman

Viola: William Primrose, Nobuko Imai, Timothy Ridout, Yuri Bashmet

Cello: Yo-Yo Ma, Sol Gabetta, Sara Sant-Ambrogio, Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Bass: Gary Karr, Chi-Chi Nwanoku, Edgar Meyer, Francois Rabbath

Musically,

Andrew Travers

605-299-5223 (text only)

Andrew.Travers@k12.sd.us

BRMS Orchestra Director