• 8/13 & 14 - New Student and Family Tours 10am-Noon
• 8/19 - First Day of Cross Country Practice 4pm at McLeod Field (open to 6th-8th Grade!)
• 8/21 - First Day for 6th Grade 8am
• 8/21 - Mandatory Parent Meeting for Fall Athletics 5:30pm in SGMS Cafeteria
• 8/22 - First Day for ALL students 8am
• 8/22 - First Day of Football and Volleyball Practice 3:45-5:15pm at SGMS
• 9/2 - Labor Day, No School!
• 9/20 - PD Day for Teacher, No School!

Hello SGMS Families!

I am so excited to start this year and get all the greatness going! I've already had so many wonderful interactions with students, parents, and staff in the SGMS community, I can only imagine its going to continue to get that much better! You will find a LOT of information in this edition of the "SGMS Happenings". To start, I'd like to give a HUGE thank you and shout out to some individuals who have worked all summer to ensure our school and district are ready for the new year. Eric Jamieson and Mike Frederick - thank you for your dedication to helping SGMS look beautiful for the upcoming year, Lisa Swoboda - thank you for holding down the main office and completing all the transition work for our students, to our Paint Crew (including Ms. Zahn, Ms. Clark, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Swoboda) the areas you have painted are beautiful, to Kerwin Klumpers and the Maintenance team (including Mr. Hurly and Mr. Fullinwider) - you have worked so hard to ensure our building and the district are in great shape, as well as tackling some huge projects, Mr. Schad, Mr. Rosberg and all coaches who ran summer camps - thank you for your tireless work to ensure students have ways to engage through athletics in the summer and your work in preparation for the school year, to our friends at L'esprit - thank you for continuing to meet with families and students to ensure their mental wellness needs are being met, to the tech department - you have SO much work to do over the summer and you always make it look easy, Mr. Connor Webb, Ms. Laura Hunt, Ms. Anne Bullard, Ms. Victoria Clark and Mr. Robert Hurly - thank you for teaching ESY, and finally to Mrs. Willyerd and Mrs. Martenson - you two have helped tremendously with so many new projects, checking in and handing out new curriculum, and preparing for fun new challenges for our students. To you all - Thank you!

It is our goal to ensure that families always feel connected and in the know - so we will plan on putting out new and updated information weekly! If you ever have any questions or concerns about anything you can always reach out to me at becky.ayler@livingston.k12.mt.us or Mrs. Willyerd at chandra.willyerd@livingston.k12.mt.us. We always welcome open communication with our families!

As I stated before, I cannot WAIT for the new year to start! We are so excited to see our students. Thank you for being so welcoming of me as I transition into this new role. It will be a GREAT year!

Mrs. Ayler

If your new student is nervous, excited, or any emotion (or if YOU are as their parent 😅) Mrs. Swoboda is welcoming any new students and families to come tour SGMS on August 13th and 14th from 10am to noon. No need to call in or confirm, just come during those times, and we will be ready for you!

If you haven't registered yet, its ok, but let's get them registered ASAP! You can find all information here:

All school lists can be found here:

Check out all the information for breakfast and lunch for your student here:

Does your student need to ride the bus? Check out helpful information here:

Not sure what your student needs medically for the start of the year? Check out Nurse Holly's information here:

My name is Officer Hannah Buckley with the Livingston Police Department. I will be the School Resource Officer at that start of the 2024 school year. I have been an officer with the department since December of 2022. I completed the MT LEO Basic Academy in December of 2023 and the National School Resource Officer Basic Training in the summer of 2024. I am excited to take on this new role as your SRO. My goal is to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our communities youth. Building positive relationships, being a mentor, and creating a safe environment will be my main focus. Children deserve a safe place to learn, and I will ensure that that mentality is continued throughout the school year. Don’t be afraid to say hi or ask for my help. I look forward to working with all of you!

Hi I'm Carolyn Dettori-your SGMS and PHS parent liaison! I'm a '99 graduate of PHS who has lived around the world since leaving for college. I moved back last summer and started in this role. I love serving as a resource for parents and school staff for any and all issues beyond the academic realm. We know our students will learn better when parents have the support they need so they can support their students, and I'm here for you parents (grandparents, guardians, etc)! I help find practical resources when needed, am a listening ear, can help build bridges between families and the school when there are challenges, facilitate our monthly Teen Toolbox parenting series and more. As a parent of teens myself, I understand a lot of challenges we face. I love working with the great team here at school, along with our other community partners, to see you - our amazing parents - supported so you can support your students! Feel free to reach out with any questions/needs. dettoric@chphealth.org or (406)823-6364.

I live in Pray, MT and currently consult for the Livingston School District and other schools across Montana in literacy instruction. I moved to Park County in 2003, initially working as a special educator and literacy specialist. I instantly loved this area and all it has to offer. I truly had a great experience as a teacher helping students learn how to read, but I decided to leave the classroom in 2011 to teach college students and begin a doctoral program at the University of Montana. Since graduating in 2014, I continue to teach education courses online at U of M and also travel across the United States, presenting and training teachers in reading and writing best practices. I’m thrilled to work with the educators and students in Livingston again this year.

Dive into Discovery: Yellowstone Science

Are you ready for your child to embark on an exciting journey of discovery right here in Park County? We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Ripple: The Center for Education and Ecosystem Studies! This collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting journey to embed local science inquiry into the Sleeping Giant Middle School curriculum.

Imagine your child studying animal migration, exploring the fascinating food chain in our local waters, or discovering the amazing adaptations of ospreys – all in their own backyard! Your child will be at the forefront of real-world scientific research, from tracking animal migrations to studying the adaptations of ospreys – all while working alongside seasoned experts.

Here’s the scoop:

• Hands-on Learning: Ripple gets your child out of the classroom and into the field, conducting real scientific research on topics relevant to our local environment. Your child can look forward to exciting field trips, in-class experiments, and opportunities to explore the natural world right outside their door.
• STEM Pathway: This program is a stepping stone for students interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). By engaging in real-world research and inquiry, your child will build a strong foundation for future academic and career pursuits.
• Expert Guidance: Led by Park County's own Dr. Chris Pavlovich, founder of the 5th-grade Watershed Warriors program, and a team of professional scientists and educators, your child will be learning from the best. Our partnership with Ripple brings experienced scientists and educators into our school community, providing invaluable support and mentorship.
• Teacher Empowerment: We recognize the expertise of our dedicated teachers and will support them with enriching professional development opportunities. Through collaboration with seasoned scientists and educators, our teachers will deepen their own knowledge and bring an enhanced, dynamic approach to science education, ensuring that your child receives the highest quality learning experience.
• Gradual Integration: We’ll be introducing Ripple’s engaging programs step by step, ensuring a smooth transition for both students and teachers. In the first phase, your child will participate in select field trips and classroom activities designed to spark their curiosity and build a foundation for deeper exploration.
• A Brighter Future: By fostering a love of science and a deep understanding of our local environment, we’re laying the groundwork for a brighter future for your child and our entire community. The ripples created here could impact our world for years to come! Ripple has already impacted over 80,000 students in Montana, and we’re thrilled to be part of this incredible initiative. Get ready for an unforgettable year of scientific discovery – the ripples your child creates here could impact our world for years to come!

While we’re starting small, our goal is to build a robust program that allows your child to dive deep into local ecosystems, conduct real-world research, and develop a strong foundation in STEM. We’re excited to embark on this adventure together and can’t wait to see the ripples of change your child will create!

Want to learn more?

Visit Ripple's website: http://cfwep.org/about-us/ Contact Dr. Chris Pavlovich at cpavlovich@mtech.edu Together, let’s dive into discovery and explore the wonders of Yellowstone Science!