Sheldon Middle School Backpack Program

We are happy to announce a new program at the Sheldon Middle School that will benefit several of our students and impact all students!  The Sheldon Middle School received a large donation of money from a local church to be used for middle school student needs.  After looking at the needs of our students we felt the need to start a backpack program for those families who have students that receive free meals at the school during the week but that might not have sufficient food on the weekends.  Each Friday, those students will receive a sack of food to take home to supplement the family's weekend food supply.  Letters were sent home to those families who qualified on Friday and we have already received several of the permission forms back this week!  ALL our students will take a turn with their homeroom or TA to pack the bags, so they will all be helping with this great project!

Here is a link to the video that we showed the students last week to help them realize just how many students are hungry over the weekend and that this is not just a big city problem, but also a problem right here in SHELDON!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO BE A PART OF THE SHELDON MIDDLE SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE FUNDS TO THE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT MRS. KOPPERUD OR MRS. BARWICK AT 324-4346!

Magazine Sales at SMS Were a SUCCESS!

The Sheldon Middle School students successfully raised over $33,000 with their annual Great American magazine fundraiser the past few weeks!  The profits from this fundraiser allow us to purchase planners for all students, attend educational and exciting field trips, and provide rewards for positive behavior just to name a few!  We also had over $3,000 in donations, which is 100% profit for us!  THANK YOU!!!!

IF YOU DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO ORDER OR RENEW YOUR FAVORITE MAGAZINE AND YOU WOULD STILL LIKE TO (AND SMS STILL GETS THE PROFITS--YEA!) FOLLOW THE LINK LISTED BELOW, CLICK ON "SHOP NOW", AND ENTER THE SMS SCHOOL CODE:  2540532

http://www.gaschoolstore.com

Thank you to all those who have already purchased a magazine or made a donation so far!  The students and staff of SMS greatly appreciate your support!!!!!

Love INC Fall Classes Beginning Soon!

Love In the Name of Christ Loving Help Classes are beginning OCTOBER 3rd!  Here are a few that might be of interest to parents of Sheldon Middle School students:

Budget Class--This 10-week class teaches financial success tools like budgeting, how to get out of debt, managing your checkbook, and how to increase cash flow.  You can even be matched up with a personal budget mentor and earn vouchers for groceries, gas, and other necessities!  Thursdays from 6:30-7:30

Positive Parenting Class--This class will discuss topics relating to being a great parent like discipline, consequences, challenging behaviors, respect, and general parenting tools.  Make your family a more well-oiled machine and enroll today!  Thursdays from 6:30-7:30

Grief Recovery Support Group--This is a weekly seminar and support group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them and will be held on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 PM at Our Savior Lutheran Church beginning on October 8th!

Contact Erin at the Love INC office to enroll in either of these programs!

611 Park Row
Sheldon, Iowa 51201
324-9707
sheldonloveinc5@hotmail.com

Just Around The Corner

A new school year is just around the corner here at Sheldon Middle School!  Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

**School Registration at Archer  Wednesday, August 7th (TODAY) 5:00-7:00 PM

**Open House at SMS  Wednesday, August 14th 5:00-6:30 PM with special session for incoming 7th graders and parents from 6:00-6:30 in the middle school gym

**First Day of School!  Thursday, August 15th

Can't wait to see all our great SMS students and their families!  Please call the SMS office if you have any questions at 324-4346!

Summer Safety Tip...Are You Facebook Safe???

Many students will be spending time on Facebook and other social networking sites over the summer break. Make sure that they are being safe online!  Follow this link and "like" the Facebook Safety page to help your student be online safe!

Facebook Safety

Avoid the Summer Slide! Summer Reading Resource

Now that summer is in full swing, school is probably a long ways away from most students' minds.  But did you know that summer vacation can set a student's education back?  For the average student, that lapse of learning during the summer set them back one whole month!  However, there is a way to avoid the summer slide!  Studies show that reading as few as six books over the summer break will maintain the education they accumulated from the previous school year. More than that will actually enable a student to get ahead.

Here is a website that will help students find out what reading level they are at and then help them select books for the summer.  It will tell them where the books can be checked out or purchased.  What a great way to help your students enjoy reading over the summer and stay in the learning loop!

Click on the link below to access the Find A Book, Iowa website:

Find A Book, Iowa

Bullying Poetry

Check out this amazing spoken word poem and video from Shane Koyczan.  It explores the profound and lasting impact that bullying can have on an individual.  It is a very moving piece of art that was brought to our attention by one of our 8th grade students.  To learn more, check out Shane's website:  tothisdayproject.com 

SMS February Whole School Assembly

The February whole school assembly featured the SMS Jazz Band, which is comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Here they are in action!  On Monday, February 18th they will be attending the jazz festival in Le Mars.  Stay tuned to find out how they did!

Mrs. De Groot's TA and Ms. Noack's TA also honored Mary Van Meeteren as the Feature ORAB of the month!  

 Mary has worked as a lunch lady at Sheldon Middle School for over thirty years!  Her dedication to the students of Sheldon Middle School makes her a true ORAB!  Her actions often speak louder than her words, and we are proud to honor her this month!  Thanks for all you do, Mary!

DARE Graduation 2013

On Friday, February 15th the SMS 5th Graders took their oath to be drug and alcohol free during the DARE graduation ceremony. DARE graduation is one of the culminating events of the DARE program. All students received their DARE t-shirt and graduation certificate. Officer Dykstra also awarded DARE medallions to the eight students whose DARE essays exemplified what the students had learned about in DARE. All the 5th graders did a wonderful job and we hope that they have learned the skills to help them make safe, healthy, and responsible choices about everything from not using drugs and alcohol to being a good friend! Stay tuned for information in April about the DARE Day outing to Arnolds Park, which will take place in mid-May.

SMS 5th Grade Students at DARE Graduation

They had a great time!

The eight students who were presented with DARE medallions for the exemplary DARE essays:

(From L to R) Kaylena E, Kelsie G, Hannah U, Olivia R, Melody S, Madison VM, Ashley B, Taylor B

More 6-2 Vokis

Group 6-2 Jennifer, Marra, and Alexius

Internet Safety In A Nutshell

As we continue to deal with Internet issues at home and school, the website linked below does a great job of using short videos to get across important messages about Internet safety "in a nutshell".  The Utah Education Network has produced and is still producing Internet safety, etiquette, and proper usage videos for students.  If you have students at home, we would encourage you to watch them together and then discuss your expectations for Internet usage and safety. Most importantly, continue to monitor your student's Internet and other technology usage.  It will keep them out of trouble and most importantly SAFE!

INTERNET SAFETY IN A NUTSHELL VIDEOS LINKED HERE

Need A Little Inspiration?

Our featured ORAB of January is Rob Roozeboom, the founder of RISE Ministries.  Rob has a very inspiring story to share and he lives his life inspiring others.  We are lucky to have Rob in our ORAB community!  He did a great job sharing his message with us this morning at our whole school respect assembly!  Congratulations, Rob!  Check out more about why we picked Rob as our featured ORAB (Organized, Respectful and Responsible, Active, and Best) at his website linked below.

Rise Ministries Link

Door Decorating Fun and Photos

Better late than never : )  Here are photos of the 7th and 8th grade TA door decorating competition! This event helped get students and staff in the holiday spirit and encouraged team work! The winning TAs received SOAR cards that they can redeem for various prizes : )

Mr. Alber's Angel--I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause 1st Place 8th Grade

Mrs. Vreeman's Vreemanators--Silver Bells 2nd Place 8th Grade

B/K TA--All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth 3rd Place 8th Grade

 Ms. Noack's Ninjas--12 Days of Christmas 4th Place 8th Grade

 Swans a swimming and geese a laying!

 Mrs. Kruger's Top Dogs--I'm Dreaming of A White Christmas 5th Place 8th Grade

 Miss Larson's Lartians--Deck The Halls 6th Place 8th Grade

Mrs. Woelber--Frosty the Snowman 1st Place 7th Grade

Mr. Gude--Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 2nd Place 7th Grade

 Mrs. DeGroot--Feliz Navidad 3rd Place 7th Grade

Mrs. Holles--Let It Snow 4th Place 7th Grade

 

Mrs. Kleinwolterink--Here Comes Santa Clause 5th Place 7th Grade

Miss Kooiker--Jingle Bell Rock 6th Place 7th Grade

Iowa City West Student Reaches Out Through Twitter

 

Cyber bullying is a hot topic!  We hear so much about how students hide behind a pseudonym and use social media as a stage to bully and humiliate others.  Check out this you tube video from the Today Show about an Iowa City West high school student who decided to use social media in a positive way!  This is a perfect example of how one person really can make a difference!