Back To School Pep Talk

It's almost here...the 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR AT SMS!!!!!  We are so excited to see all our students next week for the start of another great school year here at Sheldon Middle School!  Our theme for this year is CELEBRATE!  We will be celebrating our students and teachers, the diversity we have at SMS, our successes, and in general all the great things about our school and community!

Here are the important dates for next week:
Monday, August 24:  4:00-6:00 PM MS athletic practices begin at SMS--must have physical and waiver form to practice
Tuesday, August 25: 4:00-5:15 PM MS athletic practice
Tuesday, August 25: 5:00-6:30 PM Open House at SMS--get your schedule, meet your teachers, and practice opening your locker
Tuesday, August 25: 6:30-7:00 PM 7th Grade Transition Meeting for all 7th graders and parents
Wednesday, August 26:  FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL--SMS starts at 8:25 AM each day

We hope everyone has a great last few days of summer and wish everyone the best on a school year of learning!  As Kid President says in this video, "It's time to get our learn on!"

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! 

Sandy Hook School Shooting Tragedy

As we became aware of the details of the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, it brought about feelings of sadness, fear, disbelief, and questioning to our staff and students.  This morning we observed a moment of silence for the victims and families of Sandy Hook here at SMS.  We are also making print resources available to staff to help answer questions and deal with student concerns.  Please know that at any time Mrs. Kopperud is available and willing to help students deal with this tragedy.  Here is a great resource for parents from the Crisis Management Institute.  Not only are there print resources, but also a few videos from the director, Cheri Lovre, explaining how parents can help their children deal with this situation.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved with and responding to this tragic event. 

Sandy Hook School Shooting Parent Resources

Featured ORAB

Every month, SMS holds a whole school respect assembly to focus on student recognition, activities, Accelerated Reader progress, things to work on, and most importantly...RESPECT!  The last few years we have had themes for the year. 

2009-12  Faces of Respect:  We learned about a famous person each month and how they had used respect in their life.  Examples were Jackie Robinson, Albert Einstein, and Princess Diana.

2010-11  Respect in Action:  Each of the 7th and 8th grade TA groups did some sort of community service project to give students examples of respect put into action.  Examples included park clean up, sending care packages to overseas troops, and a school wide food packing event.

2011-12  Voices of Respect:  Each month a guest speaker came in and shared about how their career was respectful and how they use respect in their daily lives.  Examples include National Guard troops, firefighters, and even the Iowa State Fair Queen. 

2012-13  Featured ORAB:  Each TA group has been able to choose someone that they feel is a true ORAB.  Someone who is Organized, Respectful and Responsible, Active, and the Best!  We have had three amazing assemblies and have honored the following people as featured ORABS:  October--Laurie Pruiksma, a retired math teacher, November--Mr. Koerselman and Mr. Weber, National Guardsmen who are also parents of SMS students, and December--Scott Stallman, Hannah Hickman, Will DeKok, and Tori Meendering, members of the class of 2013.

Student surveys continue to verify that these assemblies are worthwhile for the students and truly teach them about RESPECT!

Giving Back...

Giving to others is what the holiday season is all about.  Here at the Sheldon Middle School we help students learn this lesson by doing the Adopt A Family program through O'Brien County Upper Des Moines.  Last Friday, several members of the 5th-8th grade student council went shopping for the family we had adopted.  They really got into the spirit of giving and made the connection that this was probably a family from right here in Sheldon that might not have a Christmas without the help of this program.  Check out this neat story of a five year old from right here in Siouxland who has also found the spirit of giving this year!

Onawa, Iowa preschooler learns to give back

New Bullying Website For Iowans

Check out this great website for teens, parents, and educators!  A great resource for those being bullied, those who bully, and those who are concerned about bullying. 

Your Life Iowa

So Much To Be Thankful For!

A few weeks ago, the 7th and 8th grade TA groups were given a challenge...collect over 40 different food and personal hygiene items from a list that was provided to SMS by Love, INC.  On Friday, November 16th the TA's brought the food they had collected to the commons and placed them in front of the "Thankful Turkey" that was created by the Builder's Club and SMS students.  Last week, before Thanksgiving, the 7th and 8th grade students and staff delivered over 470 food and personal hygiene items to Love, INC here in Sheldon!  It was amazing and very heartwarming to see nearly every student in the 7th and 8th grades participate in this project to help others!  The students also participated in a poverty simulation that helped them understand that for some people, the cards are stacked against them despite their hard work and best efforts to get out of poverty and that even basic necessities like food are hard to afford.  Hunger and poverty are growing issues right here in Sheldon.  A growing number of our students recieve free or reduced priced lunches.  Please be thankful for what you have!  Check out this website and quiz to see how much you know about hunger and poverty in America:

Hunger In America Quiz