Calendar
Monday, Jan. 15 – No school, professional development day
Monday, Jan. 29 – PTO meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center
Principals’ Note Welcome to 2024! We hope this year is already off to a great start for you and your family.
January and February can sometimes be quite challenging for students and adults. It can be a long grind, with no lengthy break in sight. The weather can be unpredictable. Our patience can wear thin. Nonetheless, it is a great time for learning. It is the most consistent and predictable stretch of the year and a great opportunity to dive into deep learning – for both students and staff.
Please look for separate communication at the end of the month regarding our Spring Parent Teacher Conferences scheduled for Feb. 22 and 29.
Mike Herdliska, Middle School Principal
Transitions Although it is early January, we’ve already begun working on some of our transitions to the 2024-2025 school year. On Dec. 8th our eighth-grade students visited the high school with Mrs. Pentico and Ms. Millerd during their science class.
During the visit, students met with Mr. Thompson, the high school counselor, and a team of peer leaders. They took a tour of the high school, focusing on the electives available and the environments they are offered in. This visit was a brief exposure to the opportunities that await our students in high school.
In late January, we will begin working with the students on transitioning to high school and creating their high school schedules. Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Anderson, our college and career transition counselor, will be visiting the classes to discuss graduation requirements and opportunities available to them as high school students.
We will continue to send communication regarding the high school transition process to ensure you and your student feel prepared.
Recess We do try to get outside for recess whenever possible, using 25 degrees as our signal to stay inside. Please remind your child to come prepared to spend 25 minutes outside, which may require more than shorts and a sweatshirt.
Student Recognition Congratulations to the following students and staff who were recognized during our November/December Assembly on Dec. 15 – Ashtyn Swancutt, Annabelle Boelkins, Greyson Burg, Claire Kreinbringh, Nate VanRoekel, Owen Lohneyer, Peyton Gordon, Mrs. Burg, and Mrs. Spence.
Yearbook Photos Parents, use this link and upload pictures from any school event: sports, clubs, concerts, dress up days, etc. – https://plicbooks.com/go/YR7RQ1. Group pictures are best so we can get as many students represented as possible! It’s extra helpful if you can tag the picture with grade level and/or event. Thank you!
8th Grade Strength & Conditioning Athletic Development/Strength Conditioning for 8th grade students will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 a.m. for all 8th graders interested. If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Walter.
Solon Food Pantry Donations The High School Learning Center is having a canned food drive. Please bring in canned foods and non-perishable food items for the Solon Food Pantry. Drop off items in the box provided by the concession stand. Donations will be accepted until Monday, Jan. 15. Please help others who are hungry have a better holiday season.
Update from the Nurse’s Office Please remember to keep your child home for 24 hours after fever (without fever-reducing medication), diarrhea and/or vomiting. If they have symptoms that may impact their ability to remain in the classroom, those symptoms should be improving before they return to school.
Remember to please call the office if you are getting phone calls or texts from your child to come and get them because they are not feeling well.
Nutrition Update Please check https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c7PLMBQOn79owFqk26TnryayMYtCyvyc/view for the latest update from the Nutrition Department.
Individual IASP Results Please see https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B_MKCC37DLMhadpY9z2otB5stApcDpAFSZCThZpzQE/edit for information on how to access your child’s ISASP scores.
PTO News Next meeting – Monday, Jan. 29, 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center
SMS Media Center Update New year, new books! Encourage your student(s) to pick up a book or two for their 40-book challenge. We have some fun things planned for this semester, so stop in and see what’s new!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected].
Community Center News Thursday Early-Out Activities are geared specifically toward middle-school aged children and includes a variety of activities such as dodgeball, bingo, movies, and much more. Admission to get in has been raised to $2. We also have a yearly pass available at the Community Center for $50.
Thursday Activities Students involved in co-curricular activities are welcome to remain in the commons area until 3:15 p.m. when released to practices or games. Students not involved in co-curricular activities must make other plans for this time.
Daily Assignments Website Please see https://sites.google.com/solon.k12.ia.us/sms-daily-work/home for assistance with knowing what your child is doing in class and what homework he/she may have.
Handbooks Student handbooks can be found on the SMS website, www.solon.k12.ia.us/o/sms, under the “documents” tab. The majority of the expectations, processes, and protocol found in the handbook are covered with students during the opening weeks of the school year.
Sports Physicals & Concussion Forms Any student wishing to participate in middle school athletics must have an updated physical and concussion form on file in the office.
Absences & Appointments Please contact the office when your son/daughter will be late or need to leave early. We will get your child a pass and have him/her waiting for you upon your arrival. You are welcome to come in to sign your child in/out, but it is not required.
You are welcome to use the bus drop off area during the school day for drop off or pick up.
SCSD Classroom Celebrations Guidelines Please see SCSD guidance on treats and snacks at http://drive.google.com/file/d/1LRpxb5zV3eV6gltjKLJEyb_Rsv365zxl/view.
Co-Curricular
Eligibility Process Students who wish to participate in or attend school sponsored activities must attend school the entire day, which precedes the activity, unless permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent. Medical and dental appointments are excluded from this expectation when appropriate documentation is provided.
Academic and Attendance Requirements:
1. A student must be passing all subjects to be eligible for co-curricular activities. Those who fail to meet this requirement at any of the weekly checkpoints will be ineligible until the next checkpoint.
2. A student must be in attendance the entire school day, excluding field trips and excused appointments, to be eligible for co-curricular activities on that day.
3. Students are responsible for all assignments and tests given during an absence for a schedule event and may be required to have all work done upon return.
4. Any exception to the above expectations must be cleared through the building principal, and likely involve a review of student progress through the collaboration of student, staff, and parents.
Activities Schedules Go to https://wamacconference.org/public/genie/150/school/12/ to find schedules, locations, dates, and times. Any questions can be directed to Casey Hack, District Activities Director, at [email protected].
Bell Schedules Regular Day
HB – 8:10-8:26
1 – 8:30-9:12
2 – 9:16-9:58
3 – 10:02-10:44
Lunch A – 10:48-11:13
Lunch B – 11:16-11:41
Lunch C – 11:44-12:09
4 – 12:13-12:56
5 – 1:00-1:43
6 – 1:47-2:30
7 – 2:34-3:18
1:45 Dismissal
1 – 8:10-8:47
2 – 8:51-9:28
3 – 9:32-10:09
4 – 10:13-10:50
5 & Recess Lunch
6th Lunch – 10:54-11:19
6th Recess – 11:19-11:44
6th 5th Period – 11:48-12:25
7/8 5th Period – 10:54-11:31
8th Lunch – 11:35-12:00
7th Lunch – 12:00-12:25
6 – 12:29-1:06
7 – 1:10-1:47
2-Hour Delay
1 – 10:10-10:43
2 – 10:46-11:19
3 – 11:22-11:55
6th Lunch – 11:22-11:47
6th Recess – 11:47-12:12
8th Lunch – 11:58-12:23
7th Lunch – 12:23-12:48
6th 3rd Period – 12:15-12:48
4 – 12:51-1:25
5 – 1:28-2:02
6 – 2:05-2:39
7 – 2:42-3:18
Solon Middle School contact information
1775 Racine Ave., Solon, IA 52333
Phone – 319-624-3401
Fax – 319-624-2389
Email – [email protected]