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