Cardinal Corner

District News

March 11: School Board Meeting @ Greenbrier 6:15pm

School News/Sports

March 3: Musical Rehearsal, 3-5pm; Science Olympiad, 6-9pm

March 4: Girls Volleyball, TBD; Wrestling Practice, 3-4:30pm; Musical Rehearsal, 3-5pm; Music For Youth Spring Concert, 4-7:30pm

March 5: Wrestling Practice, 3-4:30pm; Musical Rehearsal, 3-5pm

March 6: Wrestling Practice, 3-4:30pm; Musical Rehearsal, 3-5pm; Music For Youth, 4-7:30pm

March 7: Wrestling State Tournament, TBD

March 8: Wrestling State Tournament, TBD; Sci O Regional Tournament@ Harper College

March 10: Science Olympiad, 6-9pm

March 11: Music Rehearsal, 3-5pm

March 12: Special Olympics, TBD; Music Rehearsal, 3-5pm

March 13: Music Rehearsal, 3-4pm; Music For Youth, 4-7:30pm

Dear South Parents and Guardians:

As we head into March, we will be administering Illinois standardized tests. Eighth grade students will be taking the Illinois Science Assessment March 11-13, 2025, during their science classes, and we will administer the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) to 6th - 8th grade students, April 8-10, 2025. We will be following a modified schedule for IAR testing days. Please make sure your child is well rested, eats a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with headphones as well as a fully-charged Chromebook.

We hope you will participate in the 24-25 5Essentials Survey for parents. See more information and the link below to take the survey. Thank you to all of the parents who took the survey already. As you know, we need at least 20% of our families to participate for South to be able to receive our complete results. South students and staff will be participating in the state-required 5E survey, which identifies five indicators that lead to improved outcomes for all students, including an increase in attendance, as well as gains in state test scores. The survey will be administered during the week of March 3, 2025.

Thank you to the PTA for the delicious catered lunch for all of our teachers from Mago Grill & Cantina, during parent-teacher conferences. We truly appreciate the generosity of our PTA, and feel very lucky for everything they do for our staff and students.

Just a reminder, students are not allowed to be texting during the school day. If your child feels sick, they need to communicate with their teacher to go see the nurse. The nurse will then assess the student and call home as necessary.

Now that the weather is getting nicer, please speak with your child about how to safely ride or walk to and from school. For all of our students who ride bicycles to school, please be sure to lock your bikes up as we’ve been seeing a lot of unlocked bicycles, and do not want students bikes to get stolen. Also remind your child that they MUST cross busy streets at the stop lights or stop sign, or where there is a crossing guard. We want to ensure all our students are safe going to and from school!

Have a great weekend!

South Administration

Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset, they break their daily fasts by sharing meals with family and friends. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a three-day festival known as Eid al-Fitr.

*You can exchange Ramadan greetings by saying “Ramadan Kareem,” which translates into “Have a generous Ramadan,” or “Ramadan Mubarak,” which translates into “Happy Ramadan.”

Greek-American Heritage month, also known as Hellenic Heritage Month, is observed in March of each year. March 25 is celebrated as Greece’s National Independence Day.

This is a time to honor Greek heritage, including Greek history, culture, accomplishments, and experiences. With a vast cultural legacy and history, it is also a time to highlight Greek-American contributions to American history.

Irish–American Heritage Month is celebrated by proclamation of the President and Congress in the United States to honor the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States. It was first celebrated in 1991 and coincides with the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in March.

March is Women's History Month – commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

For more information, visit:

https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Holi marks the closing of the winter season and marks the onset of Spring. Throwing of colors to each other is the signature of this festival. It is also known as the Festival of Colors, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love. It is an ancient Hindu festival and one of the most popular in Hinduism.

*Date changes year to year

5Essentials Survey | Click here to take it

If you have not already, please take a few minutes to complete the 5Essentials Survey. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at our school and guide improvement. A report will be generated only if we have 20% parent participation. At this point, we only have 3% of our parents taking the survey.

Survey Link: https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/

*Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.*

Student Survey (Grades 4-8 ONLY)

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered at South Middle School in the near future. For a copy of the questions, click here.

If you do not want your child to participate, fill out the information in this form (linked here) and ask your child to return this sheet to their teacher.

The Cardinal Players Improv Club had a successful South Middle LIVE show last month. Through laughter and comedy, the group was able to raise over $650 for the ABC/25 Foundation as thanks for their new sound equipment funded through their grants. Congratulations!

The annual ArtExpo took place in early February this year. This art show was hosted by District 214 with local sender middle schools including District 25. Twelve South artists were chosen to represent the Visual Arts Program at South Middle School this year. To see all the great work on display from this year's show, please click here.

2024-25 yearbook sales are wrapping up (ORDER DEADLINE is Saturday, March 1, 2025) and we have a last call for orders. Anyone wanting a yearbook should order now as quantities are limited and extra copies may not be available in June. Don’t miss out, order today!

Most students receive a yearbook by way of their Parent’s South PTA Membership, an additional yearbook order, or an a la carte non-member yearbook order. Order forms are available and direct emails have been sent with ordering information. If you want to ensure a yearbook for your student, this is the last call for orders!

To confirm a yearbook order or ask any questions, email PTA YEARBOOK COMMITTEE at southcardinalsyearbook@gmail.com. Please include your child’s name in the subject.

SPANISH Yearbook Order Form

POLISH Yearbook Order Form

UKRAINIAN Yearbook Order Form

RUSSIAN Yearbook Order Form

ENGLISH Yearbook Order Form

BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) is a centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking services for mental and behavioral health needs. It’s common for young people to struggle with behavioral and/or mental health challenges. Please know you are not alone, and neither is your child. Click HERE for support.

Join the ABC/25 Foundation for the ABC/25 Fore Education Fundraiser at Topgolf Schaumburg, April 6, 2025, 1-4pm. This is a family-friendly afternoon of golfing, but children must be supervised by a caregiver during the event.

Buy a bay for up to six golfers for $400 or if golf isn't your thing—get a spectator ticket for $30, so you can still enjoy a great time with us! Scan the QR code on the flyer to purchase your bay today or go to https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/abc25-for-education-topgolf--2025.

Your bay ticket includes three hours of golf, appetizers, non-alcoholic drinks (cash bar available), access to our raffle and silent auction items, a DJ, and freebies from local businesses! Spectator tickets include all the same perks minus the golf.

Can't make it but still want to support us? There is a donation option on the ticketing page just for you! Reach out to abc25president@gmail.com with any questions or if you would like to inquire about options for single golfers.

• March 12: Graduation picture retake day for those that were unable to take their photos.

• May 29: Eighth Grade Great America Field Trip

• June 2: Eighth Grade Picnic, 12:30-2:45pm at South
• June 3: Eighth Grade Graduation @ 4:30 pm, Forest View Education Center Field House, 2201 S. Goebbert Rd., Arlington Heights. Students arrive at 4pm.

Additional information and the opt-out form can be found on the D25 website.

We are looking to honor South Middle School graduates who have made significant accomplishments/achievements by displaying them on an SMS TV monitor that is located in our school entrance. We are asking you to please complete this form and provide us with a picture of the graduate.

The wrestling team recently completed their regular season with Varsity going 4-3 in Duals and JV completing a 6-1 season. The overall pin count on the season was 81. At the Regional tournament 26 wrestlers participated with 6 wrestlers qualifying for Sectionals. Gabe Z. joined the exclusive club of South wrestlers to qualify for Sectionals multiple times.

7th Grade Volleyball

The 7th grade girls volleyball team is heading into the regional with a 14-4 record. We won our last 10/11 games.

8th Grade Volleyball

The 8th grade girls volleyball had a great end to the season, defeating Thomas at home during their last game. The 8th grade team has won every home game this season (excluding tournaments). The girls are working hard to prepare for their postseason and regionals soon.

• March 12th - Graduation picture retake day for those that are not able to take their photos.

• May 29th - 8th Grade Great America Field Trip

• June 2nd - 8th Grade Picnic from 12:30-2:45 PM at South

• June 3rd - 8th Grade Graduation @ 4:30 PM at Forest View Education Center Field House: 2201 S. Goebbert Rd., Arlington Heights.

Cardinal Families join the ABC/25 Foundation and Help Our School Earn $2,500!

Did you know that by becoming a member of the ABC/25 Foundation, you directly support grants that enhance our teachers' innovative ideas in the classroom? Once South reaches 25% membership, ABC/25 will reward us with a $2,500 grant to use however we choose!

Currently, South has 23.3% membership, and we need only 10 more families to join to reach this goal. Membership is a simple way to make a big impact on our students and teachers.

Not a member yet? It's not too late to join us! Become a member for $40 by February 15, and you'll be entered into a raffle for your child(ren) to win a ride to school with the Arlington Heights Police! Join us here: https://sd25.revtrak.net/ABC25-Foundation/#/v/ABC25-Foundation-Donation

1. Send Cash. Cost is $25 (non-member) or $20 (member). Include a note with your child's name. Deliver to the main office.

2. Purchase Online. Cost is $26.64 (non-member, includes $1.64 CC processing fee) or $21.44 (member, includes $1.44 CC processing fee); you'll enter your child's name and homebase/teacher. Order at https://smspta.memberhub.com/store.

The SMS Office is open Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm.

Address: 400 South Highland Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Twitter: @AHSD25South

Main Line: (847) 398-4250

Absence Line: (847) 506-6999 x7300

Fax line: (847) 394-6260