SMS Newsletter

All 5th graders will be working through instrument try-outs for 5th grade band beginning this week. If a student decides to join band, he or she should attend the Instrument Display Night on September 22 at 7:00 in the MS band room. That night, students will select instruments and have an opportunity to buy/rent/borrow an instrument to take home. If you need more info, please contact Mr. Carlson at peter.carlson@sheldonschools.com.

The 6th graders will be a field trip called Outdoor Classroom all day on September 8. They will travel to the Prairie Heritage Center near Sutherland and spend the day with their class working through several different outdoor education modules. A school sack lunch will be provided for each student with the cost being deducted from the student's lunch account. It is supposed to be a warm day; students should dress for the weather and drink plenty of water.

Homecoming buttons will be sold the week of homecoming. Anyone who'd like to purchase a button can do so from 8:00 - 8:20 in the MS commons; buttons cost $1 each. Homecoming week is September 26-30 with the theme set as "Welcome to the Jungle."

The Sheldon Police Department would like to remind students and families that a moped endorsement is required for a student to legally operate a moped. If a student does not have this license, he or she could risk fines and other consequences that could impact their ability to drive at age 16. If you need info on the moped safety courses, please reach out to the MS office.

Mrs. Diekevers recently won a giveaway by Prins Insurance. She was nominated by students and received $100 to spend in her classroom. Mrs. Diekevers teaches 7/8th grade social studies and 7th grade health at SMS. Way to go, Mrs. D! (Mrs. Miller at the HS and Ms. Ferrell and Mrs. Meendering at East were also awarded!)

Please remember that school starts at 8:25 and breakfast is served from 8:00 - 8:25. We are having several students arrive at school prior to 8:00. We certainly understand that sometimes that is what works best for families; however, when possible, please do not send your child to school until 8:00. No staff is on duty until this time. Thank you for your help; let us know if you have questions or concerns.

Middle school students are encouraged to either sit with their parents or sit in the south upper corner of the bleachers when attending varsity football games. Students should be in the bleachers unless they are using the restroom or making a trip to the concession stands. Please do not bring any footballs with you or play any games in the grassy areas during varsity games. Thank you!

We will be mailing out ISASP scores from last spring next week. If you have any questions about your child's scores, please give us a call. 324-4346.

*Breakfast is served from 7:50 - 8:20

*Meal prices are $1.75 for breakfast and $2.75 for lunch.

*Ala carte items may be purchased at an additional expense.

*Check your food service balance on the Infinite Campus portal.

Please remember that students should not text/call/email parents to go home if they are feeling ill. If they are not feeling well, students should ask to see a school nurse. Based on her check-up, if the nurse feels your child should go home, we will contact you.

Water Bottle Reminder- Water bottles may be brought to school and used by students throughout the day.

Medication - If your student takes medication, we MUST have a medication form on file for each specific medication. Medication includes aspirin, non-aspirin products and any other over-the-counter medication, as well as prescriptions. You may specify online during registration if you will allow your child to be given Ibuprofen and/or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) during the school day. You may send medication to school, but it must be kept in the office in the original container. A separate form is required for inhalers which are carried by the student and needs to be signed by a physician.

Physicals - Just a reminder that if your child is planning to play any sports at SMS, a physical must be completed by a doctor prior to starting practice. Physical forms are available here.

Classes at SMS start at 8:25.

Classes dismiss at 3:25 (2:25 on Wednesdays)

Cell phones are not allowed to be used by students from 8:00 - 3:25. If you need to get a hold of your child at school, please call the office at 324-4346. These limitations are put in place to help your child to focus while at school while also developing verbal speaking skills and face to face interactions. Thank you for your support of this policy!

*6th Grade Outdoor Classroom - September 8

*5th Grade Band Display Night - September 22 - 7:00

*Homecoming - September 26-30 (Theme: Welcome to the Jungle!)

*7/8 Honor Band auditions - October 15

*Conferences - November 1 and 3

*8th Grade Science Fair - November 15

The Parent Portal is a great tool for looking at your student’s attendance, assignments and grades. This can be accessed on the sheldonschools.com website, clicking on the Parents tab and then Parent Portal. From the Parent tab, existing students can also be registered. If you need assistance accessing your parent portal, please give us a call at 712-324-4346. We can look up your username and reset your password if you’ve forgotten it.

Email: deanna.vanriesen@sheldonschools.com
Website: sheldonschools.com
Location: 310 23rd Avenue, Sheldon, IA, USA
Phone: 712.324.4346
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smsorabs
Twitter: @cindy_barwick

Board Policy – Code No. 102.E1 Students, parents, employees and others doing business with or performing services for the Sheldon Community School District are hereby notified that this school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (except students), religion, national origin, creed, sex/gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or socio-economic status in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities. The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (except students), religion, national origin, creed, sex/ gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or socio-economic status in admission or access to, or treatment in, its hiring and employment practices. Any person having inquiries concerning the school district's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), § 504 or Iowa Code § 280.3 is directed to contact:

Cynthia Barwick, MS Principal Sheldon CSD
310 23rd Avenue Sheldon, Iowa 51201 712-324-4346

Cynthia Barwick, Middle School Principal, has been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district's efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, § 504 and Iowa Code § 280.3 (2007).