We’re recharged, ready to roll, and excited to kick off 3rd quarter! We hope your winter break was filled with rest, family time, and a whole lot of joy. There’s something refreshing about the start of a new year; it’s a chance to reset, refocus, and keep building on the great things happening here at Simmons Middle School.

ICU Update

One of the biggest highlights from last quarter was launching our schoolwide ICU system, and wow, what an impact it’s already had! When we began, we were tracking over 1,200 missing assignments across the building. But thanks to the hard work of our staff and students, we ended the final week before break with just under 300 missing assignments.  That’s incredible progress, and we’re just getting started. ICU is all about giving students the time, support, and accountability they need to be successful. We're excited to keep the momentum going this semester and ensure all students are mastering their standards and completing their work. 

December Highlights
December was full of holiday cheer and celebration! Students and staff had fun participating in themed dress-up days, and we ended the week with some well-earned laughs. Congrats to Mr. Gonnelly, who was crowned Ugliest Sweater Champion in our schoolwide vote (he wore that title proudly)!

We also want to give a huge round of applause to our music department for the outstanding holiday concerts. Their hard work and talent brought joy to everyone in attendance. If you missed it, or just want more, be sure to join us for the upcoming Jazz Band Concert later this month!

Looking Ahead: Let’s Keep It Going
As we dive into January, there’s a lot to look forward to! We encourage families to take a few minutes to complete the Parent Climate Survey (link is further down in the newsletter) your feedback matters and helps guide our work.

Also, there are many small ways to support SMS that make a big difference:

     ☑️Join the PTA (just $10!)
     ☑️Collect Ken’s & Kessler’s receipts
     ☑️Download the Box Tops app
Details on all of those can be found below.

Dr. Colleen Murley

Principal

Mrs. Kelsey Scarborough

Assistant Principal

Throughout the school year, help your student collect Ken’s and Kessler’s grocery receipts and have them turn them in to the office. At the end of the year, our amazing PTA submits all the receipts and earns money back from the stores, which goes right back into supporting our students and staff.

So next time you shop, don’t toss those receipts! Send them to school with your student and help us turn grocery trips into great opportunities for us.

If you would like to take a more active role and get involved, please attend one of our monthly meetings, which take place on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30pm in our library.

If you are unable to take an active role, please still consider becoming a member for $10. Your membership alone helps support the PTA, and you’re welcome to simply donate without any additional time commitments.

You can click here or scan the QR code below to register online.

Monday, January 12th

6:30pm in SMS Library

1️⃣ Scan the code (or click here) to download the app

2️⃣ Enter the referral code: LWSB9TFD

3️⃣ Scan any / all of your paper receipts AND connect your Walmart account

The Exchange Club’s Young Citizenship Award recognizes middle school students who consistently model outstanding citizenship at both school and home. Honorees are selected for demonstrating strong character through a positive attitude, service to others, leadership, and sportsmanship.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Sabotage fundraiser! We raised over $1,500 and were able to shop for 12 local children through the Angel Tree program. Our student senators had a great time giving back to our community in such a meaningful way!

Congratulations to our winning homerooms: Mr. Panerio and Mrs. Wilkinson for having the most positive points and earning extra gym time during homeroom. 

Every other year, our school district is required by federal law to administer a climate survey to parents, staff, and students. This survey gives families an important opportunity to share feedback and help guide improvements in our schools.

Scan the QR code above, or click here to complete the survey.

The monthly calendar for all Youth Power events can be viewed by clicking here!

Don't forget that you can donate 25 VALID Ken’s or Kessler’s receipts to earn 1 point.

You can only do this 1x  per school year! 

We are excited to announce that three 8th grade SMS vocal students were selected through a statewide audition process to participate in the 2026 SD Junior Honor Choir!

Congratulations to Joy Drevlow, Ava Briese, and Lauryn Robinson!

The event will be held in Rapid City on January 23-24 and will combine over 200 auditioned voices from across the state to sing and perform in two choirs. All of these students are involved in the SMS choir, participate in the Simmons Singers show choir, and are active in multiple other school events.

On Monday, January 19th, the Jazz band will be performing in the All School Jazz Concert which will be held in the Thomas Kelly Theatre at Central High School.  The concert starts at 7:00pm and will feature the Simmons, Holgate and Central Jazz bands.  

There is an admission charge to get into the All School Jazz Concert.  It is $6 for adults and $4 for students.  Activity passes are accepted.

If your family was granted a transfer request for this current school year, you do not need to reapply next year unless you have a change of address, or there has been a change to your neighborhood school boundary.
If your family was granted a transfer and you have a new kindergarten student starting school next year, then you MUST submit a separate transfer request for that kindergarten student.

Even if the rest of your family is currently attending a requested school, kindergarteners are not automatically placed at that same school. The District will do everything possible to honor sibling placement, but a formal request is still required.