EdisonEcho
Edison Middle School
Mission: To Prepare students to succeed academically, responsibly, and socially in an ever-changing world.
Office: 605-367-7643
Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us
Counseling Center: 605-367-8331
Fax: 605-367-8457
Edison is now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Facebook: @WeAreTheCats
Twitter: @EdisonCats
Instagram: @sfsdedisoncats
Newsletter Date:
September 1, 2020
Volume 1, Issue 2
Dates to Remember...
Sept 4 & 7
- No School – Labor Day Break
Sep 8
- 8th Grade Picture Day
Sep 14-16
- MAP Assessments
Oct 6 & 8
- Fall Conferences
Oct 12-13
- No School
Tips from the Office...
...REPORTING AN ABSENCE - If a student will be absent for any reason, a parent/guardian must call the office at 367-7643 or email SFSDEdisonAttendance@k12.sd.us by 8:45am.
...PICKING UP STUDENTS BEFORE THE SCHOOL DAY IS OVER - A parent/guardian is required to call the office at 367-7643 or email SFSDEdisonAttendance@k12.sd.us with requests for students to leave early. Please notify the office by 8:45am. Students are required to sign out and remain in the office until a parent, guardian, or emergency contact arrives in the office to pick up the student.
...DROPPING OFF STUDENTS LATE/TARDY STUDENTS - A parent/guardian is required to call the office at 367-7643, email SFSDEdisonAttendance@k12.sd.us, or send a note with the student for late drop-offs; otherwise, students will be marked tardy. We encourage students to return from medical appointments with a doctor’s note. Students must sign in and receive a pass from the office before going to class.
Principal's Corner
Edison Middle School – “One TEAM. One DREAM” is the motto of Edison, and it is more than just a slogan; it is a promise. It is the “CATS” promise, and it is OUR way. When a student falls, there is a TEAM to catch that student, and when a student succeeds, there is a TEAM there too. The TEAM is there to lift them higher, to challenge them...to GREATNESS. We believe that is how every student succeeds academically, socially, and responsibly. This is what makes Edison great. No one is as good as ALL of us. Students, parents, teachers, custodians, education assistants, clerical, cafeteria workers, counselors, and administration work together as One TEAM. We have One DREAM in our hearts and that is to educate and prepare each student to succeed in a changing world. One TEAM. One DREAM. Even though our TEAM may be spread out over multiple settings, we are all ONE TEAM. We are #EdisonStrong and #Together. We are in this together, and we will come through this exceptional time in our lives because of each other.
We are committed to working hard to ensure students’ social, emotional, and academic needs are met while pursuing academic excellence. Our staff works diligently to help students succeed while providing them support in their academic pursuit. The Edison staff aims to provide high-quality instruction that creates an attitude of determination and an uncommon desire to succeed. Our staff is committed to being the best. They set high, attainable goals and expectations for all students while providing support for our students to meet those expectations. They will never accept the status quo, but rather continue to challenge themselves and students to improve. Our staff’s collective commitments to our students and their families:
T: Together we champion for all students.
E: Expect excellence and growth.
A: Advocate for student safety, health, and learning.
M: Meaningful relationships with students, parents, and staff.
We encourage our students to be active in the Edison community whether that is through the fine arts, athletics, volunteering, or academic contests. Research shows that students who are involved in their school community tend to be more well-rounded students and have an increased engagement in their classes, which leads to increased learning. Edison strives to foster a sense of community and cooperation while allowing plenty of opportunity for exploration—both in the academic setting and through co-curricular activities. Our students also have collective commitments that we expect them to live by each day and to leave Edison with:
D: Driven
R: Respectful
E: Excellence
A: Act Responsibly
M: Motivated
A crucial component of the Edison Family is the PTO. The PTO plays a vital role in the support of our students and staff. We have one of the most supportive and involved PTOs in the SFSD. Please consider joining our PTO to lend your support and involvement at Edison. Our Edison community is strengthened by the relationships we have created with our partnerships throughout the community. We would not have the success we have had without the continued support and participation of students, staff, families, and community organizations.
We realize that middle school is a time of change and the workload that students might experience is one of the primary changes. Listed below are a few suggestions to help students be successful at Edison or in the Virtual Academy:
- Review your child’s progress on Infinite Campus. This will allow you to stay informed on your students’ progress in their classes.
- Maintain contact with your child’s teachers and staff members to establish a successful home/school connection. All teachers have their contact information, assignments, and useful resources available to you on the Edison library homepage.
- Encourage the use of the “Assignment Notebook.” Students who can plan accordingly and not procrastinate tend to do much better with their studies. If you have any questions regarding assignments, grades, etc., please feel free to contact your student’s teacher(s).
Again, welcome to the Edison TEAM. We are humbled and grateful to be working with you and your student(s). We are blessed to have you and your student as part of the Edison TEAM. One TEAM, One DREAM! If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Enjoy the coming school year!
Edison's PTO
Welcome back to school!
The 2020-21 school year is officially off and running! And while this year is certainly going to look a little different, one thing that’s not going to change is the PTO’s commitment to supporting the Edison community. Many of the activities and fundraisers we have done in the past won’t be possible this year, but we will adapt and help to address needs as they arise.
The PTO would like to thank the Edison staff for their time and energy at Catapult Day. It is such a great way to kick off the school year and help our new students feel comfortable on the first day of school. Additional thanks to Jimmy John’s for providing a generous discount on the meals that the Administration and PTO provided to staff during Catapult Day.
Who can be involved with PTO?
As a parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, guardian, etc.) of an Edison Middle School student, you are automatically a member of the Edison Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
Why do I need to get involved?
Family involvement at school is very rewarding and important to the success of your
child. The PTO needs your voice and commitment to provide enriching events
and opportunities to our students.
What do we do?
In normal years, the Edison PTO sponsors and/or organizes many wonderful events
throughout the school year. These include:
- assisting with Catapult Day
- sponsoring school assemblies
- “Chill on the Hill” (sledding at Great Bear)
- teacher appreciation week
- parent/teacher conference meals
- Color Run
- Cats Spirit Wear sales
We also use money raised from donations and fundraisers to purchase items for the school and support our teachers. A few recent examples include:
- recent library updates
- Elkay Water filling stations
- choir risers
- a projector and screen for the gym
- landscaping improvements
- teacher lounge updates
- auditorium lighting and sound updates
- benches for the courtyard
Does it cost to join?
No, there are no membership fees.
How can I get involved?
Attend our monthly zoom meetings
- Held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from NOON to 1pm
September 16, 2020
October 21, 2020
November 18, 2020
December 16, 2020
January 20, 2021
February 17, 2021
March 17, 2021
April 21, 2021
May 19, 2021
- Zoom link:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76621663468?pwd=VE02TDZsY0tiREd1S21QUGRVQ0JmUT09
The Meeting ID is: 766 2166 3468
The Passcode is: 679743
- We have room for the first 100 participants
- If you cannot attend the meeting, minutes will be posted and we hope to have them recorded through Zoom. Check out the Edison PTO site for more information
Sign up to volunteer for events or provide items for teacher meals and teacher appreciation
We aren’t really sure what this will look like this year, but watch for emails and/or SignUpGenius links in the future.
Make a donation
This year may bring more demand for PTO funds with little ability to fundraise. Funds raised will help enrich our student’s learning experiences, including continued library updates, as well as counselor, student, and classroom needs. If you would like to send money to support the PTO, you can send cash in an envelope marked “PTO” or send a check made out to “Edison PTO” and leave it with the office staff.
Amazon Smile
Don't forget about AmazonSmile when shopping! Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of
your purchase to the charitable organization of your choice. Just start your shopping at
Amazon Smile and choose Edison Middle School of Sioux Falls.
Spirit Wear
Get outfitted in Edison gear! Shop online where you’ll find a HUGE selection of items with a new updated logo. We even have sports specific choices for football, volleyball and cross country. Just put your order in and it will be delivered to the Edison office in a couple of weeks for your child to pick up (or you can choose to have it shipped to you for $10).
Visit https://www.walloffame247.com/edison-middle-school to put in your order!
Last day to place an order for the “back to school” sale is September 6th
PTO OFFICERS:
Co-Presidents: Nikki Schmaltz and Allison Pay Crawford
Treasurer: Kristina Sipma
Secretary: Katie Sumey
Book Fair: Karen Walters
Spiritwear: Mary Grandi-Koball
Go Cats!
Allison Pay Crawford and Nikki Schmaltz
2020-21 PTO Co-Presidents
Contact us
edisonsiouxfalls@gmail.com
www.edisonsf.org
Edison Middle School on Facebook
For the latest info, past minutes of meetings and
budget information, visit our website at edisonsf.org.
Music Notes
Welcome~
The Music Department at Edison welcomes you to a new school year! We are excited to see students returning to band, chorus, and orchestra and are eager to get to know our new students and make music with them. One of our band directors, Mr. Tim Eckart, will be serving as SFEA President during this upcoming school year. We will miss him and we wish him well in his new position! We welcome Holly Gage to our music department! Mr. Rygg and Mrs. Gage are the band directors. Mrs. Sip and Miss Abels are the orchestra directors. Mrs. Weflen and Mrs. Sundvold are the chorus directors. You can read more about them on the Edison Music Department website at: http://emsmusicdept.weebly.com/ Please call the school office or e-mail any one of us if you have questions.
Band/Chorus/Orchestra!~
These groups meet every other day during the school day. Students can be in two performance groups as they meet on opposite days. Each group performs two evening concerts per year. If you were in band or orchestra last year we hope you continue!! It’s never too late to try chorus if you enjoy singing! If your child did not get signed up for band, chorus, or orchestra last spring please call the Edison office now!
Important Dates for First Semester~
Sept. 22, 23, 24 Invention/Illuminations Auditions in the Chorus Room 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Oct. 19, 20, 21 Brio Auditions in the Orchestra Room 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
**Important Concert Announcement -
THERE WILL BE NO IN-PERSON EVENING PERFORMANCES THIS SEMESTER. INFORMATION ON HOW WE WILL HANDLE OUR CONCERTS WILL BE SHARED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Musician of the Month~
Each month the band, orchestra, and chorus areas will each recognize a 6th, 7th, and 8th grader that shows exceptional dedication, responsibility, and character each and every day in rehearsal. We will always list these students in this section of the ECHO. This program starts in September.
Ensemble Schedule~
Jazz Band will be meeting two mornings a week from 7:45 – 8:45 a.m.
Wind Ensemble will meet one morning a week from 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
Brio- Students who audition and are selected for the string ensemble, Brio, will be meeting two mornings a week from 8:10 – 8:45 a.m.
Students who audition and are selected for the vocal ensembles Inventions and Illuminations will meet one-two mornings a week before school. Audition dates are 9/22, 9/23, & 9/24.
**The exact mornings that our ensembles will meet will be determined in the near future.
All-State Band~
The South Dakota Middle School All-State Band is a special event designed to inspire and encourage top band students from across the state. Tryouts are held in December, but interested students need to start practicing the required music now. For more information, please contact Mr. Rygg or visit http://sdmea.net/ and look under the Events list and MSASB (Middle School All-State Band). We encourage you to give it a try!
Jazz Band Auditions~
Jazz Band auditions will be held during school in late September and/or early October. Audition music will be available in the band room and auditions will happen during regular band class. If students would like to audition before or after school, that’s fine too! Mr. Rygg is available after school for any students who would like extra help on the audition material, as soon as it becomes available.
All-State Orchestra~
The South Dakota Middle School All-State Orchestra is in its fourth year! The top orchestra students in the state of South Dakota come together to perform for this special event. Auditions are held in October/early November, but interested students need to start practicing the required music now. For more information please contact Mrs. Sip or visit http://sdmea.net/ and look under the Events list for: Middle School All-State Orchestra. All the information you need and the audition music is there for you!
Inventions/Illuminations Auditions~
Inventions and Illuminations are swing choirs open to 7th and 8th grade chorus students. Those interested in auditioning for these groups should sign up on the door by the chorus room in early September. Auditions will be held after school on Sept. 22, 23, & 24 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the chorus room. Students can audition in groups of 1, 2, or 3. They should come prepared with a song of their choice and they will individually sing the first verse of “My Country Tis of Thee”, which we will practice in chorus.
SD Junior Honors Choir~
The SD Junior Honor Choir that was supposed to be held in Rapid City in January of 2021, has been cancelled.
Edison Music Department Website~
The Edison Music Department has a website! Refer to this website for information and dates.
http://emsmusicdept.weebly.com/
“Like” us on Facebook!~
Edison Music Department has a Facebook page! This page will be used for informational purposes only. We will NOT have any pictures of students posted, it will strictly be used for getting information out to you!
The page is: www.facebook.com/EMSMusicDept
There are other Edison schools out there so check before you “like” our site!
Thank you for encouraging your child to participate in Band, Chorus and Orchestra at Edison! We look forward to making music with them!
Band directors-
- Jason Rygg - Jason.Rygg@k12.sd.us
- Holly Gage - Holly.Gage@k12.sd.us
Chorus directors-
- Amber Sundvold - Amber.Sundvold@k12.sd.us
- Mollie Weflen - Mollie.Weflen@k12.sd.us
Orchestra directors-
- Stacy Sip - Stacy.Sip@k12.sd.us
- Shannon Abels - Shannon.Abels@k12.sd.us
“Where words fail, music speaks.” ― Hans Christian Andersen
Athletic Information
Greetings Edison Middle School Families:
We’d like to direct you to the District Athletic Website. The following website has information for both high school and middle school students and families.
SIOUX FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT Athletics
You will find various points of information by clicking on the tabs at the top of this page.
For information on Edison Middle School Athletics, click on the “More” tab and then select “Middle Schools” and choose “Edison Middle School”. You will find the following:
MESSAGE BOARD
On the message board, you will currently see information concerning the requirements needed in order for your student to participate in Middle School Athletics.
Required Forms for Participation:
1) “Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form” needs to be completed just once during your student’s middle school years. Once completed, this 2-page form should be turned in to the school office.
2) “Activity Participation Packet” needs to be completed “annually” through the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus.
FALL INFORMATION
VIRTUAL PARENT MEETING – as a measure to help assist activities and school starting on time in the Sioux Falls School District, we have made the decision to release the information electronically, and there will be no in-person sport’s night at the school. We ask students and their parents that plan on participating in school sponsored athletics during the upcoming school year (2020-2021) to view the video in its entirety.
SPORTS INFORMATION
7th & 8th Grade Fall Sports Sign Up: “On-line Sign Up” for Volleyball, Cross Country, and Football is now open and can be completed in the Sports Information section. Go to the DROP DOWN ARROW next to the sport for which you want to sign up. Click on Sign Up and complete to required information. Don’t forget to click on “Submit” when done.
Fall Sports: 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball, Cross Country, and Football practices are scheduled to begin on Monday, August 31st.
ATHLETIC INFORMATION
The “Edison Activity Calendar”, which was shared in the Virtual Video, is located in this section along with other important information.
COACHES DIRECTORY
The Edison Coaching Staff is listed here as well as in the Virtual Video.
We are looking forward to a GREAT YEAR. We ask that you help make Edison Athletics all that it can be.
GOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Online Registration Information
OLR Annual Student Update-Existing
OLR New Student Online Registration
Box Tops!
YOU CAN SCAN ANY RECEIPT FROM PLACES LIKE TARGET, WALMART, HY-VEE, SAMS, COSTCO, ETC. AND IT WILL TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE ANY BOX TOPS ITEMS!!!
Contact us
Email: SFSDEdisonOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/edison/home
Location: 2101 South West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-367-7643
Facebook: facebook.com/WeAreTheCats