South Middle School Newsletter

The nine weeks closed this week on Thursday, the 17th. Next week, we will distribute report cards on October 24. We will also engage in our A Day cash in on Friday next week. This is an opportunity for students to receive some award for their hard work over the first nine weeks. I would encourage parents to review your students' report card with them and set a goal for the second nine weeks, check in throughout the second nine weeks to see how that goal is progressing. Just a reminder that parent teacher conferences are next Wednesday from 5-7 at the school.

In the coming weeks, there will be many activities for students to participate in. Of note will be our pep rally to kick off our basketball season. We will be monitoring behavior for attendance to this event, so if your student wants to go it is imperative that they don't receive and OSS or and ISS from the period starting October 21 up to the pep rally. We strive to provide an enjoyable environment for out students, and we expect our students to engage in their education with appropriate behavior. I hope everyone has an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

October 20: Tree Drive

October 21-28: Book Fair

October 23: 2 Hour Delay - Teacher Prep (Spotlight Assemblies)

October 23: Parent Teacher Conferences (5-7)

October 24: Report Cards

October 25: A Day Cash In

October 28: WV Storyteller (8th grade)

October 30: A Day Reward trip

October 31: A Day Afternoon Activities

The book fair is coming! The book fair will run October 21st - October 28th. Students will visit the book fair during their reading classes. Cash, cards, and e-wallets will be accepted. See the information below on how to set up an e-wallet. The book fair will also be open for shopping during Parent Teacher Conferences on October 23rd.

Students and parents can set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and family can add funds. Any student who sets up an eWallet before Monday will be entered in a raffle!

Are you available to volunteer your time at the book fair? Please sign up below!

Pro tips for charging iPad at home:

1) Sign out of apps, close all tabs.

2) Dim the screen.

3) Disconnect from Wi-Fi.

4) Check to make sure your cable is secure to the adapter and be sure you see the charge symbol on the battery icon. A good practice is to charge iPads and cell phones next to each other so you don't forget.

5) Report any issues with your iPad/charger as soon as you can.

We're experiencing way too many lunch detentions for not keeping in the habit of charging/bringing iPads to school.

South Spirit is sponsoring a Halloween Dance on Saturday, October 26, 6-8pm. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale October 21-25 during all lunch shifts. Wear your best costumes (school-appropriate) and be ready to have a great time! Concessions will be available!

Have you heard about A Day? This is a special event that happens at the end of every nine weeks. Students have the opportunity to "cash in" their A's for prizes. Check out the raffles, events, and items to "buy" for this nine weeks.

Berkeley County Schools is excited to partner with the Cook Center for Human Connection and their Mental Health and Wellness Resource Center: ParentGuidance.org. This FREE resource offers over 50 courses in English and Spanish created and given by licensed clinicians addressing topics like: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Harm, Bullying, Social Media, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss etc.

https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/page/cook-center-for-human-connection

Please continue to send in any plastic bags you wish to recycle. See the infographic below for all the items we can recycle.

150 Bulldog Blvd

Martinsburg, WV 25401

(304) 267-3545

Principal: Mark Barney mbarney@k12.wv.us

Assistant Principal: Leah Hite lrhite@k12.wv.us

Assistant Principal: Cassie Dumire cdumire@k12.wv.us