The Mustang Memo
We/Me. We are South. We are Mustangs. We are Family. 2024
Parent Newsletter, November 2024
Our daily attendance averages are dropping. Help us improve by getting your student to school on time, everyday!
We need your student at school!
6th Grade average daily attendance is 94.4%. This is the highest attendance average for the school, way to go 6th grade!
7th Grade has the lowest of the three grades at only a 92.3% daily attendance average.
8th Grade has improved since last month with a daily attendance average of 93.2%.
As a whole, South Middle School ada is at 93.3% but we can do better! Parents, help us get our average to over 96% for November. Remember, every day counts!
Attendance Reminders
Did you know:
Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.
Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.
Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.
Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.
Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.
Lancaster County School District Expectations for Using IXL in the Secondary Classroom 2024
IXL is a supplement and support for the ELA and mathematics classroom for grades 6-12 and the science classroom for grade 6.
IXL is available to all secondary ( grade 6-12) students within the Lancaster County School District and usage is encouraged, although not required.
It is required that all students using IXL be required to complete the Diagnostic Test prior to skill plans being pinned. The diagnostic data is needed as a baseline for each student to show and to work on growth for individual plans to be built according to student need. Additionally, this data will be collected by the Department of Secondary Education to assist in evaluating student growth and should be completed by the last school day of September for fall courses and the last school day of January for spring courses.
Teachers should pin the SC standards, (and when applicable) the SC Ready Test Prep Skill Plan as well as NWEA MAP Growth Plan.
Teachers should monitor student data on their dashboard weekly and use it to discuss student progress in PLC meetings as necessary.
IXL practice is individualized to meet students where they are, therefore, teachers may only record grades from IXL when assessments have been generated using the Quiz feature.
Students should work to reach the proficiency level for no more than two skills each week (one per content area).
The goal is always 80 as the Smartscore. As soon as a student reaches an 80 Smartscore, the student’s data registers as proficient. Students should not be required to work to achieve a 90 or 100. The Smartscore is never to be used as a numeric grade.
On average, it takes approximately 20 minutes of focused time for a learner to reach proficiency as a middle or high school student. If a student has been working for 30 minutes and still has not reached proficiency, students should take a pause and seek additional support for that particular skill.
Smartscores:
100= Mastery
90= Excellence
80=Proficiency
In order to provide expanded opportunities in the learning platform, students can also access IXL practice at home using a variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers. Students should NOT, however, be required to use IXL at home.
Each week, students are encouraged to select their two lowest skills from their individualized skill plan from which to work to achieve proficiency. Teachers should, however, use their professional judgment and additional classroom data in helping to determine which skills need specific instruction, practice and refinement for their students.
Upcoming Dates
Monday, Nov 4 - A Day, STEP Team Tryouts
Tuesday, Nov 5 - NO SCHOOL-Election Day
Wednesday, Nov 6 - B Day, Basketball Tryouts, STEP Team Tryouts, All County Band Tryouts
Thursday, Nov 7 - A Day, Basketball Tryouts, STEP Team Tryouts, All County Band Tryouts
Friday, Nov 8 - B Day
Monday, Nov 11 - A Day, Veterans Day Program @ 10 am,
Tuesday, Nov 12 - B Day
Wednesday, Nov 13 - A Day
Thursday, Nov 14 - B Day, 8th Grade Career Center Field Trip, Family Title 1 Night 5:30-7:00
Friday, Nov 15 - A Day, Winter Sports Pictures
Monday, Nov 18 - B Day
Tuesday, Nov 19 - A Day, LCSD Board Meeting 7:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov 20 - B Day, Progress Reports Issued
Thursday, Nov 21 - A Day
Friday, Nov 22 - B Day
Saturday, Nov 23 - Basketball Jamboree @ North Central
Monday, Nov 25 - A Day, Perfect Attendance Celebration, SIC/PTO 5:30 pm
Tuesday, Nov 26 - B Day
Wednesday, Nov 27-Friday Nov 29 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Want to Know What Your Child is Learning?
Check out these Family Friendly Standards for each grade level!
Mustang of the Month
September
6th Grade:
1. Otoniel Valdivia Argueta
7th Grade:
1. Aniya Tidwell
2. Kianna Thompson
8th Grade:
1. Karlei Starkey
2. Alexya Donnelly
October
6th Grade:
1. Gabrielle Watts
2. Messiah Strain
7th Grade:
1. Kaylan Stover
2. Cheyenne Broughton
8th Grade:
1. Tayziya Wright
Car Rider Announcements
Being on time is important too!
Lancaster County School District is implementing the new tardy policy for 2024-2025.
Updated Cell Phone Policy Information
Parents, please remember the LCSD dress code policy:
MUSC Vaccine Dates
Admission Fee for Sporting Events
The cost for admission to all LCSD Middle School events is $5.00. As a reminder, the clear bag policy as well as metal detectors will be enforced at all LCSD events.
SMS Basketball Schedule
Clear Bag Policy
Metal Detectors will also be used at the gates.
November Lunch Menu
Cold and Flu Season is Here:
Cold & Flu season has arrived with a vengeance. Please use cough etiquette. Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue or cough into the bend of your arm.
These viruses are transmitted primarily through droplets in the air. Droplets are produced when someone sneezes, coughs, or even talks. These droplets "float" in the air and are picked up by someone walking by. Droplets can also land on surfaces and transmit the viruses in them. Viruses can live on solid, soft, or porous surfaces. Therefore, cold, flu, & covid viruses can be transmitted on clothing, counters, and anything we touch.
This scenario shows why frequent handwashing and surface disinfecting can decrease virus transmission.
Example- Suzy has a cold. She coughs (uncovered) out in class, swipes at her nose/mouth with her bare hand. Does not sanitize or wash them. At least 4-6 students sitting around her have been exposed to her infected droplets. With her contaminated hand she touches desks, door knobs, counters, and other students. Everyone touching surfaces after Suzy has now been exposed. The viruses are then transmitted onto to multiple surfaces & people and carried throughout the building...
REMEMBER:
Frequent hand washing/sanitizing
Cover cough sneeze
Cough into sleeve, or a tissue
If sick, stay home
If you have a fever (100.0 or higher)...Stay home.
Keep hands away from face, mouth.
Sanitize surfaces frequently with disinfectant
Again, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands!!!
Join our PTO/School Improvement Council
Email Rosa.Hudson@lcsd.k12.sc.us for information on how to join our PTO/SIC. Get involved at SMS today!