
Herd It Here
January 2023
Ben Reifel Middle School Mission Statement
Within the Ben Reifel family circle, we foster growth of academic, social, and emotional
skills to positively impact our lives and the community beyond our walls.
Ben Reifel Middle School
https://www.facebook.com/brmsbison/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brmsbisonEmail: SFSDBRMSOffice@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/ben-reifel/home
Location: 6700 East 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-371-4155
Ben Reifel Middle School Motto
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
January 12
- End of 1st Semester
- No School - Teacher Work Day and
February 6
- No School - Inservice
- Conferences (evening only)
- No School - President's Day Break
From the Assistant Principal's Desk
Greetings Ben Reifel Families,
Happy New Year! January is the month to set new goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. We set these goals and resolutions to make the most of every day. The core values at Ben Reifel are the goals that we instill all year long. One of our core values is excellence. We define excellence as bringing our best self each day and understanding the power of yet. We express to the students that we don’t expect anyone to be perfect but to bring their best self each day. Carol Dweck defines the power of yet as, “Becoming is better than being.” The power of yet is growth mindset.
My grandmother, who was a 1st grade teacher for over 40 years, always stated that time flies and to make the most of each day. Michael Altshuler stated it best about time flying. He stated, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” The Ben Reifel staff, students, and families are the “pilots” for securing that all goals and resolutions are attained. We wish you a blessed and happy 2023! We will “pilot” together to make it the best year yet!
Please mark your calendars because January is filled with lots of activities. Our 8th graders will begin the process of registering for high school during the month of January. It is a very exciting time for these students as they prepare for their next adventure.
On January 12th, we will hold our Student of the Month breakfast. Invitations to this celebration will be sent out soon. We will have a Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Ben’s Bows event on January 19th. Boys’ basketball and wrestling will begin practicing on January 17th. Our first ever Ben Reifel Musical will be held January 26th and 27th.
Sincerely,
Mrs. VanDrongelen
Assistant Principal
Office Tips
During a 2-hour late start, the buses run 2 hours after their usual pick up time. For example, if your student's usual bus pick up time is 8:30am, the bus will arrive to your student's stop at 10:30am. School starts two hours later than the usual start time at 10:55am. Students can enter the building at 10:40am unless there is inclement weather occurring between 10:00am and 10:40am, in which students will be supervised in the cafe. This means no students can enter the building before 10:00am, even during inclement weather or if the temperature with wind chill is below zero.
November Student of the Month
6th Grade
Team 6.1
Milo Mueller and Briar Rave
Not pictured: Aria Julius and Anna Strizheus
Team 6.2
Grace Painter, Gracie Johnson, Thomas Brzica, and Aaron Spencer
Team 6.3
Mackenzie Asmus, Olivia Dunham, Savanna Menzia, and Mason Glaser
7th Grade
Team 7.1
Milah Yttreness, Annika Galloway, Siena Medici
Not pictured: Lexie Maag
Team 7.2
Giuliana Zepeda, Kellby Haverhals, Faith Wright, and Mason Iery
Team 7.3
Joshua Flores-Ortega, Qumika Gurung, Kjerstin Kyte, and Ayla Wright
Team 7.4
Kayavanh Khao-on and Amara Franklin
8th Grade
Team 8.1
Alvin Feliciano-Soto, Halima Simon, Kacie Wiechmann, and Kaydence Dumke
Team 8.2
Marillya Namanny, Evelyn Peterson, and Landon Doyle
Not pictured: Aubrielle Perry
Team 8.3
Kamya Swier, Ryder Dobberpuhl, and Carson Coulter
Not pictured: Itzel Lopez Murillo
Ben Reifel Middle School PTO
The BRMS PTO is always looking for new members! Get involved at school and help us fulfill our mission to strengthen, complement, and encourage the educational and social culture of BRMS and to unify and enhance the school experience with other opportunities for families, staff, and students to learn, socialize, connect and flourish. There are no membership costs to becoming part of the PTO, either!
The best way to learn about PTO activities and get involved is to follow our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BenReifelMiddleSchoolPTO
BRMS Chill on the Hill at Great Bear
Ben Reifel Middle School students are invited to go tubing together at Great Bear Park on Tuesday, January 24, 2023!
Please have students bring snow gear to school that morning (snow pants, coat, hat, gloves, boots). Students will leave backpacks, chromebooks, instruments, school shoes, etc in the mini gym while tubing. The bus will depart BRMS at 4:00pm and transport the students to Great Bear. The bus will load up at 6:30pm and bring students back to Ben Reifel. Please pick up your student at BRMS at 7:00pm. If you would like to pick your student up at Great Bear, you will need to check in with administration.
Cost for tubing is $8 per student, bring extra money if they would like to purchase a snack from the concessions.
If you would like to transport your student to and from the Hill yourself, that is an option and Great Bear will still honor the $8 ticket price.
Sign up here:
Due to high demand we have added another bus and more sign up spots are available!
Tuesday, Jan 24, 2023, 04:00 PM
Great Bear Ski Valley, East Rice Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Ben Reifel Counseling Center
Counseling Center phone:
(605) 371-4153
Counseling Secretaries
Tanya Carlson (Monday - Wednesday)
Ashton Parker (Thursday - Friday)
Counselors
6th Grade - Nick Stansbury Nick.Stansbury@k12.sd.us
7th Grade - Lindsey Carmon Lindsey.Carmon@k12.sd.us
8th Grade - Rachael Anderson Rachael.Anderson@k12.sd.us
Greetings from Student Council!
During the month of December, we were excited to spread some holiday cheer by asking students to participate in holiday door wars. Each grade level PRO-Time, along with Encore classes and support staff, were provided a theme and encouraged to decorate their doors accordingly. We have some really creative students at BRMS, and the judges had a challenging time selecting the winning doors. These PRO-Times won the contest and will be receiving donuts from Fly Boy.
6th grade: Mrs. Brackey (6-2)
7th grade: Mrs. Logan (7-2)
8th grade: Mrs. Todd (8-3)
Support Staff: Mrs. Holiday (Speech)
The Student Council will resume meetings starting January 20th at 8:00 where we will make plans for upcoming events this winter. Happy new year!
Ben's Garden
From the Nurse’s Office
Follow the link below for tips on fighting the flu:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/images/freeresources/print-large/sick-with-the-flu-large.jpg
Ben Reifel 7th & 8th Grade Athletics 2022-2023
The Ben Reifel Athletic Website is one that you will want to bookmark
on your phone and/or computer.
7th & 8th Boys’ & Girls’ Wrestling
7th & 8th Grade Boys’ and Girls’ Wrestling begins on Tuesday, January 17th. Required paperwork needs to be on record prior to beginning practice on the 17th. Online signup begins on Monday, December 19th and goes through Friday, January 13th. The first wrestling meet is scheduled for 9am on Saturday, January 28th at George McGovern Middle School.
7th & 8th Girls’ Basketball
7th & 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball begins on Tuesday, January 17th. Required paperwork needs to be on record prior to beginning practice on the 17th. Online signup begins on Monday, December 19th and goes through Friday, January 13th. The first games begin at 4:15pm. The first 8th grade boys’ basketball games are scheduled for Friday, January 27th versus George McGovern. The first 7th grade boys’ basketball games are scheduled for Monday, January 30th versus George McGovern.
PLEASE CHECK THE CALENDAR ON THE BEN REIFEL ATHLETIC WEBSITE TO SEE WHICH TEAMS PLAY AT BEN REIFEL AND WHICH TEAMS PLAY AT GEORGE McGOVERN.
Ben Reifel Bison Fan Club
Any Ben Reifel student may complete the application, which in turn permits them to get an “Activity Pass” sticker. The following explains the ins & outs of the Fan Club expectations. We currently have over 130 students who have submitted their Bison Fan Club Application and received their Activity Sticker for their Student ID, which permits them to sign up to be a spectator for home Bison games. Sign up is done weekly. Each Friday, your student’s Pro-Time teacher will receive the following weeks list of events. Students may choose which games they wish to attend during that week.
Where: Ben Reifel Middle School Home Sporting Events
When: The schedule of Home Game Events is available on the District Website and the BRMS Athletic website. Student spectators must be picked up by someone no later than 6:00pm - NO exceptions will be made. Failure to be picked up by 6:00pm will result in students not attending future Bison Activities as a spectator.
How:
1. Complete the application form once and return to Mr. Brown in Room C110.
2. Get a Bison Fan Club sticker from Mr. Brown for the back of your student ID once the form is completed and turned in.
3. Your ID is needed and REQUIRED to attend games.
4. You MUST sign up by using your Schoology Account and using the link in your PRO-Time’s
folder at least 24 hours in advance to go to a game.
The first 50 students to sign up if they have their ID with the sticker will be allowed to attend the game.
Rules and Etiquette at Games:
1. Students must be in the gym at the event by 4:00pm.
2. Students who come to the game MUST stay at the game in the designated student section.
3. Students are not allowed to stay after school if they have ISS or detention.
4. All fans should cheer in a positive manner.
5. Cursing and other offensive language towards refs, coaches, players, spectators, and other classmates/fans will not be tolerated.
6. Games are free; however, students must have their ID to attend.
Any questions, please email me at the address below.
Darwin Brown
Coordinator of Athletics
605-371-4155
Hello from Bison Cheer!
Connect with us on Remind
@2223brc
Connect with us on Instragram
@bisoncheerdance
Ben Reifel Middle School Physical Education
This month, students participated in a variety of activities to improve their cardiovascular fitness. Students also completed their first semester fitness testing, including the mile run.
Injuries and Illness REMINDER:
If your child is ill or injured and unable to participate in class, please send a note. If the illness or injury requires your child to sit out of 2 consecutive class periods, please provide us with a note from a doctor to excuse your child.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher:
Teacher Contact Information:
Mrs. Bergan - ginger.bergan@k12.sd.us
Mr. Egstad - peter.egstad@k12.sd.us
Mr. Ricketts - jim.ricketts@k12.sd.us
Mrs. Smith - julie.smith@k12.sd.us
Welcome to Ben Reifel Choir Department
All Choirs Skyforce singing opportunity
All members of the BRMS Choirs are invited to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Skyforce game on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Students who choose to sing with us will receive a free ticket to the game. Parents/guardians do not need to order a ticket for your singer ~ Mrs. Spencer will take care of that once we know who will be singing.The game is at 6:30; student singers will need to report at 5:45 to rehearse on the court.
Friends and family can purchase tickets to the game for $10 through this link: https://offer.fevo.com/skyforce-vs-legends-mi3ttw8-0fa6a8a?fevoUri=skyforce-vs-legends-mi3ttw8-0fa6a8a%2F
Friends and family will be seated in the section adjacent to where the students will be seated.
We will prepare the music during choir rehearsals at school so the students are ready to perform.
Please complete this form no later than January 27 whether or not your child will be singing with us on the 31st. Please only complete the form once per child. If you have more than one child in choirs at BRMS, please complete the form for each child. Skyforce Google Form link: https://forms.gle/PAjLrJTqHVqqAdPTA.
As the event gets nearer, more specific details will be sent home via e-mail.
As always, please e-mail me with any questions at Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us
Annie, Jr.
Rehearsals are in full swing for the Ben Reifel choir department musical, Annie, Jr. It’s going to be a great show!
These are the cast and crew members: Kai Beyer, Jax Blaylock, Audrey Bleeker, Marissa Bouwman, Jack Clarke, Elle Christopherson, Ashley Corp, Drew Eckart, Ahmani Enriquez, Harper Fonder, Beck Gieseke, Peyton Grieme, Colleen Hansen, Jordyn Hendricks, Harper Hesse, Mason Iery, Zoey Lemke, Kaitlin Kardaras, Katelyn Mack, Liliann Martens, Elizabeth Morgans, Rae Peterson, Hanna Pyle, Abby Raether, Calli Schmitt, Anne Secrest, Parker Stanley, Brody Stolz, Amen Tereda, Israel Tereda, Maddi Ueke, Afton Vander Well, Emmery Vis, Morgan Wessels, Jocelyn Witte, Sophia Witte, Milah Yttreness.
Performances will be held in the Ben Reifel auditorium January 26 and 27 at 7:00 p.m. and January 28 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 per seat. Tickets will be sold at the door only.
We hope to see you all there!
Ben Reifel Stampede Night - December 9
Connection, the BRMS 6th grade show choir, sang the Star-Spangled Banner at the Stampede game on December 9. They did a great job and had a fun evening!
As always, if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Spencer at Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us or Ms. Green at Pamela.Green@k12.sd.us.
Band at BRMS!
6TH-8TH SPRING BAND CONCERT
Monday, May 1st, 2023
6th Grade - 6:00pm - Students Arrive by 5:40pm
7th Grade - 7:00pm - Students Arrive by 6:40pm
8th Grade - 8:00pm - Students Arrive by 7:40pm
Students should wear all black
High School Band Auditions
High School Band Auditions will be coming up in February for 8th graders. The public high schools need to place students into their top bands soon after registration. All interested 8th graders should have received the audition music in Dec. Please let us know if you have any questions or still need music.
High School Registration
The High School Registration process will soon begin. 8th Grade band students should know that high school band is quite a change from middle school band and that all band members should definitely try band in high school for at least one year. Many students who were rather indifferent about band in middle school become quite involved at the high school level. It is also a great way to earn the Fine Arts required credit. In addition, students will get a chance to take a major trip as part of the high school band. We strongly encourage you to register for band in high school.
Pops Concert! - Jan. 30
The BRMS Band Department will present its annual evening Pops Concert Monday, January 30 at 7 pm. This concert will feature the BRMS Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Bows of the Bison.
MS All State Band
Congratulations to our many students who auditioned for Middle School All-State Band. 21 auditions were recorded and submitted. Woodwind and brass entries submitted 5 recordings each and percussion entries submitted 7 recordings each. We are anxiously awaiting the results to be posted by January 16th! All-State Band is March 3-5 and will be in Huron this year.
Middle School All-State Jazz Band Auditions
Similar to All State Band, audition materials for All State Jazz Band are now available. Those selected will be part of an event that takes place February 3-4 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center. The audition deadline is Friday, January 6, 2022.
7th & 8th Grade Solo & Ensemble Band Event
The Sioux Falls School District Solo & Ensemble Band Event for 7th and 8th grade band members is scheduled for Saturday, March 18 at Edison Middle School. Your student will only need to attend for 30-40 minutes between 8:00am-12:00pm. They will play a piece for a judge either in a small group or as a solo and then receive critiques. We have found this event to be so valuable; students gain confidence, independence and great skill while preparing for this performance. All 7th & 8th graders participate in this event. Students will select their piece the first week in January. Please reach out to a director if you have questions.
Private Lessons
At BRMS, we have a number of students who study privately (take private band lessons) with someone who specializes in their instrument. Private lessons can really spark their enthusiasm and boost their playing ability. If you would like more information on private lessons or would like us to help connect you with a private teacher, please contact one of the band directors and we can help you with that.
Always feel free to reach out with questions or concerns. Thank you!
Ali Dunbar
BRMS Head Band Director
Brooke Bigge
BRMS Assistant Band Director
Ben Reifel Orchestra
Greetings BRMS Orchestra Students and Families,
The Ben Reifel Middle School Orchestra program is looking forward to our school community performances in the new year. First on the calendar is a night of ensembles on Thursday, January 19th, with Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Bows of the Bison Orchestra (BBO). This performance will be members of BBO performing, and I encourage everyone to come and support your colleagues!
At the end of January, we will get to enjoy our first BRMS sponsored musical, Annie Jr. on Thursday and Friday the 26th and 27th. There is also a matinee on Saturday (28th) morning at 10 AM. Musicians from band, orchestra, and choir are performing in this musical, and I encourage everyone to attend and support our performers as often as they can.
At the beginning of February (3rd and 4th), we have MS All-State Jazz Band, and at the end of February, we have Festival of Orchestras (23rd), and MS All-State Orchestra (24th and 25th)! It is a great honor to perform with these All-State ensembles and the Festival. Best wishes to all who have auditioned! The process of auditioning is challenging and worth the growth produced.
My best wishes to you and yours in the New Year. Remember that a musician only needs to practice on the days that they breathe.
Musically,
Andrew Travers
Ben Reifel Middle School Orchestra Director
605-299-5223 (Text Only)
The Sioux Falls School District remains committed to helping you and your student(s) feel connected to your current and all future schools. As part of this commitment, the four high schools have recently started sending out a monthly Futures newsletter to families K-12. This informative e-newsletter will keep you up to date on your future home attendance high school's upcoming athletics and fine arts events, camps, K-8 student opportunities, and ways to get involved. Whether you are a future Cavalier, Patriot, Rough Rider, or Warrior, we want you to feel part of the family now!
Thank you for your continued support in your child's education.
Example of what the Futures newsletter looks like depending on your home attendance school: