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SFMS Messenger – April 2017
April 2017

What is Autism Awareness Month?
Greetings!
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. More than 3.5 million Americans currently live with ASD, and 1 in 68 children are born with a variation of it, so it’s likely you know, whether or not you’re aware of it, someone on the autism spectrum.
With a growing incidence in the country, The Autism Society was founded in 1965 and in the early 1970s began a nationwide campaign to raise awareness. The first National Autism Awareness Month occurred in April of 1970. Nearly 50 years later, April is still celebrated as a time to raise awareness around the differences of those on the spectrum, supporting people and educating the public on autism.  source = http://www.autism-society.org/
Sincerely,
Meloney Markofski, Principal 
Sheboygan Falls Middle School
Learning beyond the book

Grade 8 Update
 
The Eighth grade visited Lakeshore Technical College. They toured the Agriculture and Energy building and learned about the Wind Energy program and what working with turbines looks like. Students practiced putting on harnesses to climb the turbines and also how to do a rescue if someone was injured. They also learned about the Health Care/Nursing clinical skills programs and how to safely move patients. In addition, students toured the Welding and fabrication career areas and learned about various manufacturing careers using welding, plasma cutters, and robotics. Finally, the last area toured was the Public Safety building and Criminal Justice careers. Students saw a video of police training and asked questions of law enforcement officials.
Grade 5 Update
The 5th grade students have been gearing up for Junior Achievement BizTown!  The program focuses on business management, business and personal finances, and citizenship. The lessons encourage them to think like entrepreneurs and how to make a profit.  Citizenship lessons have the students reflect on what it means to hold yourself to a high virtue to make a difference in a community.  Recently, several 5th graders ran for mayor and DJ of JA BizTown.  They gave speeches and all students cast a ballot for mayor and DJ.  Another wonderful part of the program is working with local businesses to give the students real world connections and experiences.  Mrs. Cynthia Roeck comes to us from Cleveland State Bank to share finance lessons.  Bemis Manufacturing came to to do interviews with the students to give them job application experience.  We took our trip April 3 where students ran Biz Town for a whole day!

Grade 6 Mesoamerica project
Each sixth grade student ended the third quarter by creating a project related to the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, or Inca civilizations. Students had to research their topics and write accompanying papers. After that, they presented their knowledge about the topic to their classmates and community members who served as panelists.

Grade 7 Business Expo
On Friday March 31, seventh grade entrepreneurs participated in our annual business expo. Fifth and sixth grade shoppers had the opportunity to purchase products which were created and marketed by seventh grade students. Through this experience, 7th graders gained insight into economic concepts such as supply and demand. We also focused on different economic roles individuals play such as consumer, worker, citizen, decision maker, saver, and global participant. These skills will be vital for future participation in the highly competitive 21st century global market. Some of the outstanding products our students created included: painted pottery, locker magnets, micro chip key-chains, and video games. Many students and teachers commented on the ingenuity demonstrated by the students as well as the overall success of the 2017 Expo.

READ 180
The READ 180 eighth graders are currently involved in a project-based learning experience.  After completing their “Creatures of the Deep” workshop, collaborative teams chose topics to extend their learning while focusing on a specific audience. Some chosen audience members include: classroom teachers, related studies instructors and classrooms. As students use Google Drive to create an infographics presentation, they are challenged when considering appropriate information, vocabulary, and images. Understanding their audience’s interests, background, and personality is key to creating an effective presentation. Through this project-based learning experience, students will exercise 21st Century skills which include: Information Literacy, Media Literacy, Communication and Collaboration, and Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.

2017-18 Registration Date Set

SAVE THE DATE
The registration date for the 2017-18 school year has been set for July 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please note: registration is just ONE day this summer and will take place at the High School.  Registration notifications, forms, and payments will all be done through Infinite Campus and convenience fees are waived during July and August.  If online registration and fee payment are completed prior to this date, the only thing that will have to be done at registration will be to have your student photographed and pick up schedules/teacher assignments.
Students unable to attend registration day will be able to make up photos in September after school starts.
Summer School deadline April 18

Just a reminder – Summer School registration is now available online. If you are unable to complete online registration, please contact the school office for paper versions of the course guide and registration form.
Nurse Notes
Tidbit Times
 
The Public Health Department puts out a great little newsletter called Tidbit Times. Check out the link below for this month’s issue.
Message from SRO

from School Resource Officer Hall:


Middle School parents, please be good to our neighbors and avoid blocking driveways around the middle school during student drop off and pick up.

Calendar
APRIL
April 10 – Jazz Concert- MS/HS Jazz Ensembles- 7pm- HS Aud.
April 13 – NO SCHOOL for Students or Staff
April 14 – NO SCHOOL for Students or Staff
April 17 – NO SCHOOL for Students or Staff
MAY
May 8 – 6-8 Bands Dress Rehersal – 7:55-9:45am-HS
              6-8 Spring Bands Concert-7pm HS
May 15 – 6-8 Chorus Dress Rehearsal- 7:55-9:45- HS
                 6-8 Chorus Spring Concert- 7pm- HS
May 16 – 6th Grade Marsh field trip
May 18 – 6th Grade to Marsh field trip
May 19 – 6th Grade fieldtrip to Marsh
                Jazz in the Park- MS/HS Jazz Ensembles- Settlers’ Park

Beginning the Community Conversation about Mental Health and Wellness

A Community Conversation was held in early March to open lines of communication with interested community members about mental health and wellness.
On Monday March 6, the District hosted “Think Haus,” an initiative of Lakeland University to engage in community conversations. The evening’s topic was mental health and wellness and the importance of information and community involvement in finding support for those affected. The event was held at the Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library and was open to the public.

Christie Gause-Bemis, a Department of Public Instruction education consultant, spoke with an interested crowd of approximately 30 community members. Ann Roy, director of student services, co-presented. Gause-Bemis underscored the importance of community involvement.

As more and more school districts and communities become increasingly aware of the need for more mental health services, the District is seeking to be proactive and open up lines of communication as it seeks community collaboration.
To guide its efforts, amongst other things, the District completed the State of Wisconsin’s Mental Health Assessment of the District.  Using the results, a core committee of staff members, working with Ann Roy, have identified five core priorities for the District, including:
1. Help all staff learn more about mental health, including mental illness and wellness.
2. Identify and “map” system-wide resources that exist to address mental health issues.
3. Provide opportunities for all students to learn more about mental health.
4. Implement mental health wellness curriculum.
5. Develop a clear and consistent referral process, including referral to outside resources.
Roy also presented to the Board of Education earlier in April about this topic. Roy presented these priorities and other detailed information to the Board of Education about the mental health issues affecting the schools. She explained the actions that have been taken already and discussed possible future actions. The presentation was intended to provide the Board with an in-depth look at this issue as the District plans its next steps.

Learn More
School District of Sheboygan Falls
Sheboygan Falls Middle School 
101 School Street, Sheboygan Falls, WI  53085  |  Phone: 920-467-7880