Falcon Flyer for Families!

Hello Falcons!

It is another great week to SOAR! We have some exciting events this week. Monday, is a school holiday. Tuesday, we have our monthly SIC at 5:30 and PTO at 6:30. All are welcome to attend! Wednesday, we have Volleyball starting at 5:00, and 7th grade Football will start at 5:15. Thursday, the 17th we have Family Night in the Auditorium starting at 6:00.

Quarter 2 begins Tuesday. Let's start the quarter strong and stay strong, Falcons! Please remember, if you make below a 75 on a major test, then you can ask your teacher to retake it as long as you complete tutoring or remediation before the retake. The highest you can earn on the retake is a 75. You can attend tutoring, as well, every Tuesday through Thursday until 5:00.

Have a great week,

Dr. Persinski

Forget to turn in your donation envelope? You can still turn it in! Students, you are only $400 away from meeting your goal and pie-ing the administrators! Hit the target, and your principals with be pied in the face at the November Pep Rally!

Sullivan's state school report card should be available by October 15. You can view school report cards at www.screportcards.com. To find out more about Sullivan's rating and plans, please come to our SIC and PTO meetings Tuesday in the Media Center.

The state school report card illustrates some areas of growth for Sullivan, and it reveals areas of necessary improvement. An area of needed improvement is the Student Progress metric. Each student receives a targeted goal from the state, and it's set based on what is needed to ensure that he/she meets proficiency by the end of 8th grade. Students receive 2 goals, one is an Median Annual Target, the other goal is a Added-Value Target. In 2022-2023, the state measured student progress in ELA and Math using Median Annual Targets (MATs). MATs are set at the 50th percentile of historical growth. In 2023-2024, the state increased the rigor and measured student progress in ELA and Math using Added-Value Targets (AVTs), and AVTs are set between the 55th and 80th percentile and are based on the prior year's score. In other words, in 2023, the distance to the goal increased.

In order to meet the AVT goal, Sullivan created a plan to target student growth during Enrichment time; students are grouped according to their needed area of growth and they receive tutoring and practice in that area. Once a student is successful in a targeted area, he/she is rotated to a new skill area for practice. Quarter 1 focused on literacy skills; Quarters 2 and 3 will focus on Math skills. Students will continue to work on literacy skills throughout the year in ELA class, along with content area reading in Social Studies and Science.

Another way Sullivan is working to encourage students to meet goals is through goal-setting. Students are looking at their data and setting goals in order to strive to make academic growth throughout the year. Goals are set with Falcon Time teachers, and teachers are helping the students set strategies to meet the goals.

School climate is an important area on the school report card and illustrates the student, teacher, and parent perceptions of the school. The surveys were taken in the spring of 2024 through Parent Portal in PowerSchool. Sullivan plans to analyze the results of the surveys and to directly address the areas of student, parent, and teacher concern.

A more recent climate survey was issued through Leader in Me in August of 2024 and was taken by parents, students, and teachers. Feedback from our MRA Survey showed promise and rated us as "Satisfactory." We are excited about the feedback provided and we are eager to address our areas of growth. Please see the parent, student, and teacher feedback as reported August 2024, see HERE.

Family and Community Engagement Night
October 17-Auditorium doors open at 5:30; Presentation starts at 6:00

• Learn about the importance of MAPs testing is about and what it means for your student!
• Get study tips and how to help your student be successful.
• Learn about community resources such as NAMI, RHPD, and the York County Sheriffs Office.
• Learn about Mental Health and lives of adolescents.

7th Grade Only will be having their vision screening performed by the Lion's Club on October 18th. This is a free and non-invasive screening provided for the benefit of helping identify vision problems early. If you do not wish for your 7th grade student to have this screening, please email Nurse Bailey at cmbailey@rhmail.org by noon on October 17th.

ABOUT KEVIN ATLAS

At nearly seven feet tall with his left arm discontinued just below his elbow, Kevin faced his fair share of adversity in his early life. After being cut from his school team, a local AAU basketball coach reached out to invite Kevin to join his elite squad and provided the mentorship Kevin needed to believe in his abilities. With that support, Kevin, went on to have his life turned into an Oscar-qualifying documentary titled, “Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story”. He went on to earn a full athletic scholarship to Manhattan College, becoming the first disabled player in NCAA history to receive a full Division I athletic scholarship in his sport.

After a successful college career, Kevin went on to play professionally in Asia and has since committed to sharing his story with youth, becoming one of the top young professional speakers in the nation. Kevin has since partnered with BSN SPORTS’ parent company, Varsity Brands, on developing inspiring programs and content for America’s schools. Kevin hosts the powerful Varsity Brands Believe In You Series, an episodic video series starring personalities across the country and touching on topics including overcoming obstacles, mental health, overcoming chemical dependency, and more. Additionally, through the Believe in You Speaking Tour, Kevin is on track to visit hundreds of schools with Varsity Brands over the next several years.

Let's celebrate Red Ribbon Week! Please make sure to follow Dress-Down day guidelines:

1. Shirts and tops must be school-appropriate and not revealing.

2. Jeans are allowed during dress down days. Jeans may be any color or pattern but must not have holes or tears in them of any kind. No leggings or pajama pants.

3. Dress down clothing cannot have inappropriate writing on it, fit appropriately, and must not interrupt the safety of the learning environment.

Monday 10/21/24

“Don’t Let Drugs Pull You Back” Dress in 80’s and 90’s attire (see dress down guidelines attached)

Tuesday 10/22/24

“Believe, Achieve, and Succeed Drug Free” Wear your favorite college or school shirt (dress code pants).

Wednesday 10/23/24

“Rock Our School Colors Drug and Alcohol Free” Wear Sullivan Gear shirts, sweatshirts and blue and grey shirts (with dress code bottoms)

Thursday 10/24/24

“Shine Bright Drug and Alcohol Free” Wear neon shirts and accessories (dress code bottoms (follow attached dress code guidelines)

Friday 10/25/24

“Celebrate with Style Drug and Alcohol Free” Students will have a full dress down day (dress down guidelines are attached).

Help support our students who have displayed positive behavior! Contribute to our Falcon Store where students can use their hard-earned Falcon dollars for various snacks and other items. The most requested items are:

Walmart Wish list: https://www.walmart.com/lists/shared/WL/9255b584-b4af-4240-ba3f-3b2b4b875d32

Amazon Wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/28KJCRMKVATGL?ref_=wl_share

Home Depot Wish List: https://www.homedepot.com/list/view/details/shared/b1751560-7601-11ef-80f3-f96e8524e63a

• Cotton Candy (found at Sam's for 9.98/box) 6 boxes

Show your Sullivan pride by purchasing a Sullivan sweatshirt! Only $15!!

You can purchase in the front office starting October 1.

Grade level Ts are available, as well, for $10.

Come out and support the Falcons at Volleyball and Football!

This week at HOME: VB October 16 at 5:00 pm; 7th FB @ 5:15

Calendars are below!

Volleyball Schedule

7th Football Schedule

8th Football Schedule

Eighth grade will travel to Washington, DC for the grade level field trip in Spring 2025! For more information, click HERE and reach out to Coach E at CEspich@rhmail.org today.

This is a friendly school safety reminder that students should not arrive at Sullivan Middle School until 7:45 or later since supervision does not occur until this time. Members of our community have shared that students are arriving on, and around, campus prior to supervision as early as 7:00 a.m., and they are not making good choices while being unsupervised.

• If your child is a walker or car rider, please encourage your student to use crosswalks and to not challenge cars/traffic.
• Please do not use the bus loop before 8:10 and use our car rider loop if you are a car rider. The front office will accept students after 8:10.
• Please do not pick up/drop off along Caswell as Eden Terrace/Caswell is a heavy intersection, and U-turns are not safe along Caswell.

We thank you for keeping our students safe!

Sullivan is looking for volunteers to assist with math tutoring in our after school tutoring program Tuesdays through Wednesdays 3:45 - 5:00. If you are interested, please make sure that you have a current volunteer card with Rock Hill Schools and notify Dr. Persinski or another administrator.

Thank you!

The next SIC and PTO meeting will be held Tuesday, October 15, at 5:30 and 6:30 in the Media Center!

SIC--If you would like to join our SIC meetings, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Kati McFadden, Parent and Chair. More information can be found HERE.

PTO-If you would like to assist PTO, please reach out to one of the officers.

President: Erica Smith
Vice President: Ashley Lang

Secretary: Melissa Maynard

Treasurer: Amanda Winters

sullivanmspto@gmail.com

The district Fall 2024 School Improvement Council meeting will be Tuesday, October 15 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. There will be a face-to-face option and a Zoom option. You must register for the meeting to receive the link to participate in the meeting via Zoom. The face-to-face meeting will be held in Conference Room B at the district office.

Link for meeting registration: https://tinyurl.com/2024-Fall-SIC-Meeting

After School Tutoring will begin Tuesday, September 3 for core classes from 3:45 - 5:00.

Oct 1-3; 8-10; 15-16; 18-21; 22-24; 29-30
Nov 6-7; Nov 12-14; Nov 19-21
Dec 3-5

The ST-ARTS program is a 3-week summer institute where identified GT artistic middle school students pursue a "major" and "minor" study with world class experts in music, theatre, dance, and art. This program is competitive and does act as our GT identification process for artistic giftedness. It is vital that ALL middle school students are afforded the opportunity to audition. There is an online application that is linked in the flyer. Read HERE.

COVID and flu can cause mild to severe respiratory illness in children and adults. The symptoms include fever, chills, cough, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, nausea, or diarrhea. Children typically experience nasal congestion, sore throat, and headache with COVID. They experience cough, sore throat, and fever with flu.

If you suspect your child is getting sick, please do not send them to school. Students who are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above should complete the following steps:

1. Stay home from school

2. Call the school to report your child’s symptoms

3. Utilize the district COVID/Flu testing sites if you would like your child tested. This testing is free for all students and staff.

4. Notification of illness and testing will ensure your child’s absences are coded correctly for COVID or flu. High school students will not have to make up seat time related to an absence if they have a positive COVID or flu test. Home tests are not accepted.

5. Return to School Criteria: Students and staff must be fever free for 24 hours without medication and symptoms significantly improving without medication

Here are a few things parents can do to help our schools reduce the spread of illness:

• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

• Take time to get a flu and/or COVID vaccine. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and COVID. SC Department of Public Health strongly recommends all South Carolina residents older than 6 months old get the flu vaccine as soon as possible to prevent the flu, unless they have a medical reason not to be vaccinated.

• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.

• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu and COVID.

• Please don’t send children to school if they are sick. Any child that comes to school sick will be sent home. Staying home when sick will allow your children to rest and prevents the spread of illness in our school.

Please register for Parent Portal. This hub includes our Transportation Forms, Technology Agreement forms. surveys, and updated attendance and grades.

Parent Portal access is available on the PowerSchool website: https://rock-hill.powerschool.com/public

For PowerSchool questions, email askpowerschool@rhmail.org

Want to follow your student's Canvas to view assignments? See directions HERE.

October 11: No School

October 14: No School (Teacher PD Day)

October 15: SIC/PTO Meeting

October 17: Community Nightctober 17: Community Night

October 22: Kevin Atlas "Believe in YOU" Presentation to Students (Day event)

October 25: Kona Ice

October 28: Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra--Performance for Students (Day event)

October 31: No Tricks, All Treats for Teachers (PTO)

November 1: Early Release Day--Leader in Me

Through the 24-25 school year, SMS will host family academic & community nights. Study tips, IB and World Language information, adolescent social-emotional support, and other safety information will be shared! Save the dates!

October 17

January 23

March 27 *Also IB Showcase Night!

Here is a link to our calendar of activities for 2024-2025. *This does not include athletics or clubs.

October 7, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/3mcvu-falcon-flyer-for-families

September 30, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/c1k5h9-falcon-flyer-for-families

September 23, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/nhsdr-falcon-flyer-for-familie

September 16, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/ejca1-falcon-flyer-for-families

September 9, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/sg487-falcon-flyer-for-families

August 30, 2024:https://secure.smore.com/n/h2c9r7

August 23, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/ev4fu

August 19, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/n9hkw-falcon-flyer-for-families

August 12, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/d4ce3

August 5, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/29zbu-falcon-flyer-for-families

July 22, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/6vpyk-falcon-flyer-for-families

July 12, 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/qjr5b-falcon-flyer-for-families

Summer 2024: https://secure.smore.com/n/c67gt-falcon-flyer