Ben Reifel Middle School
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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
From the Assistant Principal's Desk
Greetings Ben Reifel Families,
Laura Ingalls Wilder stated, “Some old-fashion things like sunshine and fresh air are hard to beat.” With all the weather we have had, many of us are wondering when we will have some good old sunshine and fresh air. As we know, March can be a tough month, but there are positives within the month. One positive thing about March is…Spring! I know it is very hard to believe, but it is true. Spring is a time for flowers to be in bloom, windows to be open once the chill is out of the air, and most importantly, extra sunlight. We know there are better days ahead!
Our Ben Reifel Mission Statement is to foster growth of academic, social, and emotional skills to positively impact our lives and the community beyond our walls. Fostering our community beyond our walls is very important to us. Ben Reifel has had many positive community outreach events to foster our academic, social, and emotional skills. In October, we held our Digital Footprint Parent Night. Our librarian, Mrs. Heinert discussed the importance of knowing what social media platforms students are using/viewing currently. In November, Mrs. Heinert held our BRMS Family Book Club. Families and BRMS staff discussed the book Refugee by Alan Gratz. In January, Taste of Ben Reifel was held. Ms. Roder, Ms. Sweeney, and Ms. Buettner were instrumental in making this event a huge success. Families and staff were able to learn about the different cultures and foods of Ben Reifel.
In the upcoming months, we will continue to provide community outreach events. On March 30th, we will be holding BRMS Fine Arts Night from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Please join us for a night of Artistry, Rhythm, Tempo, and Snacks. On April 20, at 6:30pm, we will hold our second Family Book Club event. We will be reading The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor. Please reach out to Mrs. Heinert if interested in participating. On May 12, will be our BRMS Community Outreach Day. Each team has community outreach partners that they will work with on that day. We are extremely proud of the work that has been done and will be done to reach the community beyond our walls. The community outreach events do foster growth for all of us. Please consider joining us. Remember that sunshine and fresh air are our future!
Take care!
Sincerely,
Mrs. VanDrongelen
Office Tips
Please refer to the Ben Reifel Athletic website for information on practice and game schedules, coach information, and more. Mr. Brown, the Athletic Coordinator, has all athletics information posted here. You can also find more information in the Athletics section below.
When attending games at Ben Reifel, spectators enter the gymnasium through the outside door labeled "S," which is located on the southwest corner of the building and faces 41st Street. There is also a sign on the building that says "Gymnasium Entrance."
Greetings from Student Council!
Student Council representatives were spreading the love last month. On Valentine’s Day they joined the RISE students to play Minute to Win It games, pose in the photo booth and exchange Valentines. We love spending time with this amazing group of students.
Since 2011, the Special Olympics has inspired respect and acceptance by advocating for inclusive words and actions, working toward ending discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities through their Spread the Word: Inclusion campaign. The first Wednesday in March is the date celebrated world-wide. Student Council is honored to be a part of this annual campaign.
During the week of February 27th, Student Council is providing opportunities for all BRMS students to take the pledge to include all people in our community. Pencils promoting Spread the Word will be given to students to promote Spread the Word: Inclusion.
Welcome to Ben Reifel Choir Department
Ben Reifel Night at Stampede
Unity, the BRMS 7th and 8th grade show choir, will be singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Stampede game on March 25.
Friends, family, and BRMS staff can get discounted tickets through this special ticket offer: https://fevo.me/benreifel. Parent, family, and friend tickets will all be at the Will Call window. Doors open at 5 p.m. with puck drop at 6:05 p.m. The deadline to order discounted tickets is 1:00 p.m. on March 25.
The Denny Sanford Premier Center is cashless so please plan accordingly for concessions.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The choir department will again be doing a fundraiser through Nothing Bundt Cakes. Bundtlets are $6.00 each. Gift cards, which can be redeemed at a later date for a $6.00 bundtlet, are also available. Choir members will bring home order sheets March 16-17 and sales will run through March 31. Orders will be delivered to BRMS on Saturday, April 15. If you do not have a student in choir but would like to order, please e-mail your order to Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us.
Best of Show
Congratulations to our two BRMS show choirs, Connection and Unity, who performed at Best of Show on Friday, February 10. Connection won the award for Best Closer and Unity won the award for Best Dance Break. We are so proud of their performances and their behavior! Both groups will perform their shows again at Last of Show at WHS on Monday, March 20.
Spring Choir Concert ~ all choirs
May 15, 2023; 6th grade – 6:00 p.m.; 7th grade – 7:00 p.m.; 8th grade – 8:00 p.m.
Concert attendance is mandatory. Absences due to non-school activities of any kind will not be excused. Choir is a graded class, and performances are our main form of assessment. In addition, it is vital to the success of our program that students honor the commitment made to the BRMS choirs.
We ask that the students wear nice clothes and we do not specify colors. If they have black and white for other events or concerts that's fine, but we do not specify. Ideally, student performers would wear nice pants (not jeans) with a nice shirt. If there are questions or more specific clarification is needed, please e-mail Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us or Pamela.Green@k12.sd.us.
More specific information about what time to report will be sent via e-mail as the event date gets closer.
BRMS Choirs at Skyforce Game
Fifty BRMS choir students sang the Star-Spangled Banner at the Skyforce game on January 31. They did a wonderful job and had a lot of fun!
Facebook Page
BRMS Choirs are on Facebook! Stay up to date with information by liking and following our page. Click this link: https://www.facebook.com/Ben-Reifel-Middle-School-Choirs-102400049050456/ or search for Ben Reifel Middle School Choirs.
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
Tuesday, May 2nd, 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
BRMS Fine Arts Night!
Thursday, Mar. 30 - 6:00-7:30pm
Students in Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Connections Show Choir, Bows of the Bison and the BRMS Color Guard will perform at this event. There will be over 500 pieces of art to view around the BRMS cafeteria and foyer area. We welcome all BRMS families to attend this event! Attached is a flyer.
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 (location change from previous newsletter). All 7th & 8th graders participate in this event. We have assisted students in selecting solos and ensembles. We hope that you are hearing this piece at home. If not, encourage your child to play it for you! 🙂
Please let a band director know if your child needs a specific performance time that morning.
8th Grade Large Group Contest - April 14 (During School Day)
Memorial Middle School is hosting an event called Large Group Contest. It is similar to the solo/ensemble event that 7th and 8th grade students participate in each year, but this one has an entire band (Large Group) perform for judges to receive helpful comments and a rating (superior/excellent/good). There is also a scheduled time slot for one of the judges to comment live and work with the band after their performance. We hope to get a chance to hear some performances by other schools while we are there as well.
Summer Music Camp Opportunities
There are many excellent summer playing opportunities available in the region for middle school students. Opportunities range from summer band to various music camps. Look for more information to come or contact us if you are interested.
Summer Youth Band Registration is now open! Use the QR code below for more info and to register.
Ali Dunbar
BRMS Head Band Director
Brooke Bigge
BRMS Assistant Band Director
Ben Reifel Orchestra
Greetings BRMS Orchestra Students and Families,
I hope you are warm, well, and growing through music. I am looking forward to Spring after the late February weather. Here are the next three most important events as we approach warmer weather. Please consider connecting our Practice Challenge with the Solo & Ensemble festival in April. Now is a GREAT time to pick a solo or collaborate with a friend or friends to perform your own chosen piece of music.
Thursday, March 23, 2023
5th Grade Orchestra Festival
Ben Reifel MS Auditorium
Area 5th Graders from Harvey Dunn, John Harris, Rosa Parks, and Cleveland Elementary schools come to BRMS to rehearse music. Rehearsal 5 - 5:45 pm; Concert 6 - 6:30 pm. Only BBO musicians are required to attend. Get a volunteer form if you would like to participate. Optional Event.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
4th - 8th Solo & Ensemble Festival
Susan B Anthony Elementary
This is an event for all string musicians who wish to play a solo, duet, or larger ensemble piece for a judge. Students should choose a piece soon and begin preparations soon. Mr. T. can help suggest a piece for you. Cost is $3 per student per event. Optional Event.
Thursday, April 25, 2023
BRMS Orchestras Spring Concert
Ben Reifel MS Auditorium
This is our Orchestra Spring Concert. 6th Grade Orchestra @ 6 PM; 7th Grade Orchestra @ 7 PM; 8th Grade Orchestra @ 8 PM. Concert will feature special guests with 6th grade, special guest soloists with 7th grade, and special music selections with 8th grade orchestra. Required concert for all BRMS Orchestra musicians.
Musically,
Andrew Travers
Ben Reifel Middle School Orchestra Director
605-299-5223 (Text Only)
Free Summer Camps
SD Public Universities and Technical College Partner for Student Career Exploration Summer Camps
PIERRE, S.D. – In a cooperative effort with the South Dakota Board of Regents and the South Dakota Department of Education, South Dakota’s rising 7th and 8th grade students will have an opportunity to participate in free, five-day career exploration camps this summer. 2023 is the second year South Dakota's Career Exploration Camps will be offered, with greater capacity for students.
Hosted on South Dakota college campuses, these camps will expose students to various career paths through fun, engaging and hands-on learning. Throughout the week, campers will spend time on university and technical college campuses and visit area businesses to see careers in action. By the end of camp, students will have a better understanding of themselves, their career interests and how their education prepares them for professions.
“We look forward to building off the success of last year’s inaugural career camps by partnering with our state’s technical colleges again this summer to offer more camps and a wider variety of career opportunities,” said South Dakota Board of Regents Executive Director Dr. Brian Maher. “We’re excited to showcase career options to our state’s middle schoolers and highlight the possibilities students have right here in South Dakota.
“This unique partnership among our public universities, technical colleges, and the Department of Education signifies a united approach to providing opportunities to our state’s young people so they can identify potential careers early on and narrow their focus as they move forward through their K-12 education,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Joseph Graves.
These career exploration summer camps are provided at no expense to students in South Dakota. The camp dates and locations are listed below. Those interested in learning more about what to expect or to apply can visit: ourdakotadreams.com.
2023 SUMMER CAMP DATES & LOCATIONS
June 18-22 | University of South Dakota + Southeast Technical College
June 25-29 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College
July 9-13 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College
July 9-13 | South Dakota State University + Lake Area Technical College
July 9-13 | Northern State University + Lake Area Technical College
July 9-13 | Dakota State University + Mitchell Technical College
This opportunity is being administered by the South Dakota Board of Regents and funded with federal dollars available to the South Dakota Department of Education through the American Rescue Plan.
