Simmons Middle School

October 2025

1300 S. 3rd Street (605)-725-7900

From the Principals’ Desk

We loved finishing out September with Homecoming Week. Our kids and staff had a blast at the parade, and the pep rally was a huge hit! It was a great week celebrating what it means to be Golden Eagles. Check out the photos from our day on our Facebook page; you can feel the pride and spirit shining through!

October brings with it the sounds of practice and preparation for our upcoming fall music concerts. We’re so proud of the hard work our student performers and music staff are putting in, and we can’t wait for you to see them shine!

We also want to extend a big thank you to all of our families who completed the Annual Online Registration. Having that information up to date has made such a difference, from ensuring students are ready for field trips to having the correct contact information in place. Your attention to that process was truly appreciated, so thank you!

As we head further into fall, we invite you to attend our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences. These meetings are a great way to connect, ask questions, and celebrate the progress your child is making. If you’re looking for a simple way to support our staff, consider reaching out to our PTA. They do a great job organizing and providing a meal for teachers during conferences. You can get involved by paying a $10 membership fee to join, or take a more active role by attending one of their monthly meetings.

Thanks for being such a vital part of our school community. We’re looking forward to all that October brings!

Colleen

Dr. Colleen Murley

Principal

Kelsey

Mrs. Kelsey Scarborough

Assistant Principal

Panerio

Panerio's Homeroom Wins

Float

Panerio's Homeroom's Float

King & Queen

Queen Samson & King Panerio

Upcoming Dates

  • Friday, October 10th

    • No School (Staff Development)

  • Monday, October 13th

    • No School (Native Americans' Day)

    • PTA @ 6:30pm (SMS Library)

  • Thursday, October 16th

    • Family Spooky STEM Night (6:30pm-8:00pm)

  • Friday, October 17th

    • End of the 1st Quarter

    • Fall Social (3:10pm to 5:00pm)

  • Monday, October 20th

    • 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Concert (7:00pm @ CHS)

  • Tuesday, October 21st

    • Picture Re-take Day

  • Thursday, October 23rd

    • Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:00pm to 9:00pm)

  • Friday, October 24th

    • No School

    • Parent/Teacher Conferences (8:00am to 1:00pm)

  • Tuesday, October 28th

    • SMS Fall Music Concert (7:00pm @ SMS)

Upcoming Youth Power Events

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

Don't Forget To Join Our PTA today!

We do not ask much of parents. Our PTA caters a dinner for our teachers on both conference nights, collects Ken’s and Kessler’s receipts, sells concessions at our middle school social, along with shows our teachers appreciation through out the school year!

  • 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.

PTA QR Code

Next Meeting:

Monday, October 13th 6:30pm in SMS Library

Picture Re-Take Day

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Picture Retake Day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st. Students who missed the original picture day, or those who would like their photos re-taken, may have their picture taken at this time. Students choosing to do re-takes must bring their original picture packet to return to the photographer.

All Things Music

Conductor

Fall 7th & 8th Grade Concert

SMS will host its Fall Concert on Tuesday, October 28th, at 7:00pm. The concert will feature performances by the 7th grade band as well as the 7th and 8th grade choir. Students are asked to arrive at SMS by 6:40pm and are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.

Band News

Band

Upcoming Performances

The 8th grade band has three performances during the month of October.

  • Roncalli Marching Band Festival on Wednesday, October 1st.

  • Groton Street Marching Competition on Friday, October 10th.

  • CHS Indoor Marching Concert on Friday, October 17th.

Information about these performance times and livestream links will be shared through Remind as the performances get closer.

Orchestra News

Fall Ochestra

Fall 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Concert

The 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Fall Concert is Monday, October 20th at the T.F.K. Theater at Central High School starting at 7:00pm. Students will need to arrive by 6:30pm for dress rehearsal. Concert dress for students is all black. More information will be sent home soon! The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for students. Activity passes are accepted.

Orchestra Shirts

The orchestra shirt store is now open until midnight on Thursday, September 25th!  Orders will then be ready for pick up after 4pm on Thursday, October 9th.

Here is the link: https://www.dssia.com/chs_orchestra_2025/shop/home

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Haz clic aquí para la versión en español

Scan
QR Code
  • Scan the code above (or click here) to download the app

  • Enter the referral code: LWSB9TFD

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

THANKS FOR HELPING US EARN MONEY TO GIVE BACK TO OUR SCHOOL!

Young Citizenship Award

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.

Exchange Club

Congratulations to the September Exchange Club's Young Citizenship Award winners Hla Say and Steven Htoo!

SMS Fall Social

Our SMS Social will be Friday, October 17 afterschool until 5:00pm. Tickets are $3 and will ONLY be sold during homeroom that morning.

  • Our PTA will offer a concession stands that will have pop and pizza slices for sale

  • A dance will be available in the main gym with music provided by our Student Senate

  • Games and activities will also be available for the students in the Aux gym & Cafeteria

  • Students in Youth Power can earn a point for attending

  • We ask that students’ rides pick students up promptly at 5:00pm

Volunteers Needed!

If you are interested in helping our PTA sell concessions at the social, please call the school at 725-7900 or email Dr. Murley at Colleen.Murley@k12.sd.us.

Donations Needed!

If you are able to purchase pop to donate to our concessions stand, please drop off any 16oz bottles to the school sometime during the week of October 13th.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Our Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 23rd, from 4:00pm to 9:00pm and on Friday, October 24th from 8:00am to 1:00pm.  There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday. 

  • Ms. Stubbe will be here Thursday evening, but she is not available Friday.

  • Ms. Foster will be available Thursday evening, but she is not available Friday.

  • Mrs. Trefz will be available Thursday 6:00pm to 9:00pm, and Friday 8:00am to 10:45am.

From the Librarian

The SMS library homepage has many great databases and weblinks that students can use for homework and research projects.  To access the library webpage from home,  go to the Aberdeen School District website at http://www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us/

  • Click on Schools

  • Click on Simmons Middle School

  • Click on More

  • Click on Library then Simmons Middle School

The SD State Library has many electronic resources which can be access by going to library.sd.gov and clicking on Electronic Resources.

The Book Fair Is Coming!!!

Book Fair

Please help get books into the hands of our students by supporting the SMS book fair. We will be continuing the e-wallet feature this year. You can put money into an e-wallet for your student. (You just need to make an account online at the link below). Your student can shop the book fair with a barcode that you print at home, which will be scanned during checkout. We can also look up a student’s name if they forget the barcode. Not sure you are ready for this feature? No problem, send a check (made out to SMS) or cash with your student to shop.

Grownups, you can shop at the book fair during conferences. Your student will be bringing home their wish list on Monday, October 20th. Our book fair will run all week, October 20th-24th. You can also order online at the link below.

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/simmonsmiddleschool3

Thank you for supporting our book fair! Happy Reading! 

Family Spooky STEM Night

Thursday, October 16th

6:30pm-8:00pm

Catapult

Build a catapult, and launch some candy pumpkins!

Let's have a spooky good time!

Congratulations!

SOM

6th Graders

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7th Graders

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8th Graders

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Stay Connected With Us!

Click the links below or scan the QR codes to follow us and stay updated on all the exciting things happening at our school!

Website

Click here to go to our website

Twitter

Click here to go to our X (Twitter)

@AberdeenSMS

Instagram

Click here to go to our Instagram

@aberdeensimmonsmiddle

Facebook

Click here to go to our Facebook

@ASDSimmonsMiddleSchool