Herd It Here
September 2022
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
From the Assistant Principal's Desk
Ben Reifel Families,
Sydney Harris stated, “The purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” At our first staff meeting the teachers, educational assistants, counselors, clerical, and the administration were encouraged to collaborate their “why.” Staff “whys” were to educate students, to change lives, develop life-long learners, and to help dreams come true. The staff’s dedication to our students and their “whys” were evident during these first few days of school. Their dedication/“whys” will continue throughout the school year. Thank you for having your student(s) be part of the Ben Reifel Family. We are excited for the great things to come in the 22-23 school year.
On Wednesday, September 7, during their core classes, students will be taking their MAP test (reading and math). The MAP Growth test scores help teachers and the administration check student performance by measuring achievement and growth.
The teachers and the administration will use the test results/data to inform their instruction and drive their Professional Learning Communities. Students will use their test results/data to develop growth/stretch goals throughout the school year. Parents will know the results of the assessment in October. Please reach out to your student’s PRO-Time teacher will any questions.
Parent/student/teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 4, and Thursday, October 6, from 4:15 pm to 8:00 pm. The teachers will be reaching out soon to schedule your parent/student/teacher conference either in-person or virtually.
Conferences are a platform for parents, students, and teachers to communicate about the strengths and weaknesses of a student’s progress academically, behaviorally, and socially. Communication builds a bridge between you, your student, and the teacher. Strong communication between teachers and parents creates a solid understanding of the whole child. Understanding the whole child and continued communication between the teachers/students/parents ensures success.
We look forward to conferences on October 4 and 6. Students are encouraged to attend. Communication is key! We encourage you to reach out to the teachers at Ben Reifel with any questions or concerns even after your conference is complete.
Sincerely,
Mrs. VanDrongelen
Assistant Principal
Office Tips
8th Graders - Picture Day is September 16
Ben Reifel Middle School PTO
Greetings from Student Council!
The BRMS Student Council is an elected group of students that work with advisors to plan and generate school spirit, organize events for middle school students, and help improve the school environment. Students that participate in student council will discover that it helps with team building, character, leadership, decision making, organization skills, and responsibility.
We are looking for dynamic, enthusiastic, and committed middle school students to join our student council. The BRMS Student Council will consist of two students from each team. This is a year-long activity, and, if you volunteer, you will be expected to come to all meetings, which are held at 8:15am, once to twice a month.
If you are interested in being a part of this amazing group of students, you will want to be aware of the following dates:
An online Google Form application will be available for all interested students the week of September 12th. The application will be posted on team Schoology pages.
Campaigning in the house areas will take place the week of September 19th.
Elections will take place September 26th-28th.
Thanks for showing an interest and Go Bison!
With Bison Pride,
Mrs. Cleveland and Mrs. Todd
Student Council Advisors
Welcome to Ben Reifel Choir Department
8th Grade/HS Fall Concert
Eighth grade choir students are invited to perform with the high school choirs so the students can meet the high school directors, sing with high school singers and start to get a "feel" for the outstanding high school choir programs in Sioux Falls.
The WHS fall concert is Monday, October 17 at 7:00. Students will rehearse together the evening of the concert prior to the concert and we will work together to learn the music in class. A letter will be distributed in class and via e-mail to parents during the first week of school. Students should wear a Ben Reifel shirt or Ben Reifel school colors and blue jeans, joggers, or khakis.
Please return the bottom portion of that letter to Mrs. Spencer or Ms. Green by September 23. This is a terrific opportunity for our 8th graders!
Concert dates for 2022-2023 - all choirs
Winter Concert – December 6, 2022; 6th grade – 6:00pm; 7th grade – 7:00pm; 8th grade – 8:00pm
Spring Concert – May 15, 2023; 6th grade – 6:00pm; 7th grade – 7:00pm; 8th grade – 8:00pm
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.
More specific information about attire and what time to report will be sent as the event date gets closer.
Show Choirs
Unity (the 7th and 8th grade show choir) auditions will be held before and after school from September 6-9. Unity is an optional ensemble that is open to 7th and 8th grade choir students by audition. Interested students will sign up for an audition time on the choir room door and will audition for Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green. The audition music will be available to the students in the choir room and will also be sent home via e-mail. Unity will rehearse Thursday mornings each week from 7:30-8:40am, beginning September 15.
6th grade parents: There is an auditioned 6th grade ensemble, Connection, as well as the large choir that is open to everyone. All 6th grade choir students are eligible to audition for Connection, which is our 6th grade show choir. Auditions for that ensemble will be held before and after school the week of September 12 in the choir room. Audition music will be handed out in class and sent home via e-mail. Interested students will sign up for an audition time on the choir room door and will audition for Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green. Rehearsals for those selected will be Friday mornings each week from 7:30-8:40 beginning September 23.
Honor Choirs - all grades, optional
South Dakota Jr. High Honor Choir – Grades 7-8
Seventh and eighth grade choir students can audition for the South Dakota Jr. High Honor Choir, which will take place in Rapid City, January 20-21, 2023. Music is available in the choir room and can be sent home via e-mail upon request. The audition deadline is October 7. The cost to audition is $15.00. If selected, the cost for participation is $145, which includes the students’ hotel room for Friday evening, T-shirt, and 3 meals. If selected, honor choir members are required to stay in the hotel with the other choir members.
Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.
National Elementary Honor Choir, unchanged voices in grades 4-6
Sixth graders who have unchanged voices are eligible to audition for this honor choir. The National ACDA honor choirs will take place in Cincinnati, OH February 22-25, 2023. The audition fee is $30. The participation fee for students who are selected is $350. This fee covers music, folder, choral practice tracks, T-shirt, and five meals. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for making housing reservations and travel arrangements for their singers in the ACDA designated conference hotel.
Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.
National Junior High/Middle School Honor Choir, SATB voices in grades 6-9
Students in grades 6-9 with changed or changing voices are eligible to audition for this honor choir. The National ACDA honor choirs will take place in Cincinnati, OH February 22-25, 2023. The audition fee is $30. The participation fee for students who are selected is $350. This fee covers music, folder, choral practice tracks, T-shirt, and five meals. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for making housing reservations and travel arrangements for their singers in the ACDA designated conference hotel.
Honor choir is entirely optional and all costs and transportation are the responsibility of the family. Mrs. Spencer and Ms. Green are happy to help prepare the students both for the auditions and for the actual event once singers have been chosen.
Music Department Spirit Wear
The BRMS Music Department is selling music department T-shirts to raise funds for travel and expenses for our department. This is entirely optional and all proceeds from the sales will go directly to the ensemble(s) in which your child participates. The deadline to order is Monday, September 5 at midnight. Please let us know if there are any questions.
https://dakotasportsonline.chipply.com/BENRIEFELMUSIC/store.aspx
If you do not receive any e-mails within the first two weeks of school from Mrs. Spencer, please send an e-mail to Jennifer.Spencer@k12.sd.us so that I have your correct e-mail address.
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!
Welcome to Band this year at Ben Reifel Middle School! We are excited to get started with marching band, jazz band, and fun concert music!
Band Book:
If you have not done so already, we ask that you purchase the book Sound Innovations method book for your child to use at school and for home practice. The cost of the book is $8.99 for all but the Combined Percussion book for percussionists is $12.99, since it has twice the number of pages. You may purchase the book at a local music store or online. They are not for sale through the school.
6th Grade Method Book - Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 1
(This is the same book as was used in 5th Grade in the District)
7th and 8th Grade Method Book - Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 2
When students own their own book, they are able to write in it as needed to help with note-reading and counting rhythms. However, if students are not able to afford a book of their own, the school does have a supply of school-owned books that can be checked out and used for the year, if necessary.
Band Ensembles at BRMS!
At BRMS we are planning to have several optional band ensembles in addition to the student's regular band class period. We plan to have a Wind Ensemble (7th & 8th Graders), Jazz Band (7th & 8th Graders), and a Marching Band (6th-8th Graders). These ensembles will meet before school, two days a week.
Use the form Linked Here to register for the 2022 BRMS MARCHING BISON season! Marching Band at BRMS is open to all 6th-8th band students; it is not a required ensemble, but we highly encourage your student to give it a try!
Rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:40-8:45am beginning Monday, Aug. 29 with our last rehearsal being Wednesday, Sept. 28. The students will have one performance the morning of Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Festival of Bands Parade in Sioux Falls, SD.
Each student will need to order a marching band long-sleeve shirt for this event. Marching Band Shirt Order Form Linked Here. If funds are a concern, please reach out to a band director and we will secure funds so that your child may participate if they choose.
School Instruments
Students currently using a school instrument will be able to continue using a school instrument at BRMS. Students will be expected to pay a $70 rental fee unless they qualify for free or reduced lunch. Linked here is the digital instrument check-out form.
Percussion Stick Bags
All percussionists are required to have their own stick bag. Linked Here is a letter with the required materials. If funds are a concern, please reach out to a band director.
Ali Dunbar
BRMS Head Band Director
Brooke Bigge
BRMS Assistant Band Director
Ben Reifel Orchestra
Greetings from BRMS Orchestra!
Please purchase your Orchestra Expressions Book 2 for your student soon. The advantages to having your own book are that you can write in it, customize it, and keep it all year round. Books are available to borrow from the orchestra room as well.
I am encouraging students, especially in 7th and 8th grade, to consider renting their own instrument. I recommend using local vendors like Popplers, Schmitt, or J. Reick, South Dakota vendors like Taylor Music, and online shops like Shar Music, Johnson String Instruments, and Baroque Violin Shop. I recommend renting first because children grow and change their minds!
Please check with me first before purchasing from any other source or vendor, especially online. Most instruments sold online are not acceptable and of very poor quality- not even as a toy. Check with me before purchasing!
Instruments through the school will be going home next week. Look for the Instrument Check Out Form coming home this week. When this form is returned, the school instrument can start coming to your home!
