Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are excited to welcome our students and families back to Simmons Middle School for another year of opportunities to learn and grow together. We’ve missed the business of the day to day in our building!
Once again, we have experienced some construction over the summer. Our art room will be temporarily relocated for the first semester as construction progresses on our new art room. We hope to have it completed by the holiday break.
Additionally, please join me in welcoming Mrs. Lambrechts as our new assistant principal at Simmons Middle School! Mrs. Lambrechts was previously a 5th grade teacher at Simmons Elementary, so she should be a familiar face for many students.
This newsletter contains important information to help your family prepare for the first days of school. Please take a few moments to read through it carefully. You'll also find our Back-to-School Guide, which includes helpful information for all families and is especially valuable for our new students and incoming sixth graders.
We hope you'll join us for our Back-to-School Open House on Thursday, August 13 (see the schedule below for your child's assigned time). Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet teachers, locate classrooms, reconnect with friends, and begin the year with confidence and excitement.
At Simmons Middle School, we value the partnership we share with our families. Working together, we can help every student grow academically, socially, and personally. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas throughout the year, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to support your child and your family every step of the way.
Thank you for being part of the Simmons Middle School community. We look forward to an amazing 2026–2027 school year filled with learning, achievement, and memorable experiences. Welcome back! |
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Dr. Colleen Murley
Principal |
| Mrs. Lisa Lambrechts
Principal |
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7:30am - Front Doors Unlock & Breakfast Available |
Students not eating breakfast at school should not arrive until 7:45. All students will go to the gym or library when they arrive, unless they are eating breakfast in the cafeteria. |
| 8:00am - School Day Begins |
Students who arrive to their classroom after 8:00am are considered late. Please plan to have your child in the building no later than 7:55am. |
| 3:10pm - School Dismisses |
School is dismissed at 3:10pm.
Students are expected to be off school grounds by 3:20pm unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher or coach. |
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6th Grade WEB Orientation
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We strongly encourage all 6th graders to attend our WEB Orientation at SMS on Friday, August 14th from 9:00am to 11:00am. This event is designed to help students make a smooth and positive transition from elementary to middle school.
Our trained 8th grade WEB Leaders will serve as mentors, guiding students through activities and discussions to help them feel more comfortable and connected.
Students should attend on their own and wear comfortable clothing that allows for sitting, standing, and movement. No supplies are needed. Please leave backpacks, purses, money, and other items at home. THIS IS A STUDENT ONLY EVENT!
For more information contact our counselor, Mrs. Angel Samson at 725-7900. |
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6th Grade - Back To School Open House
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Our Back to School Open House for all 6th grade students and their parents will be held on Monday, August 17th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
When you arrive, please stop to pick up a copy of your student's schedule and head directly to their homeroom teacher. After meeting the teacher, students may place their supplies in their lockers and take time to explore the building. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, ensure your Parent Portal account is accessible and deposit lunch money into your child’s account. |
| 7th & 8th Grade - Schedule & Chromebook Pick Up
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All 7th and 8th grade students and their parents are invited to come to SMS on Monday, August 17th anytime between 8:00am and 3:00pm to pick up class schedules and Chromebooks.
Please bring $35 to pay for the Device Insurance on your child's Chromebook or you can pay online with a card through Parent Portal. Make checks payable to ASD. Students may also visit their lockers to drop off supplies and ensure lunch account funds are added.
If any parents need help accessing their Parent Portal account, please stop by the office for assistance. This will allow you to stay up to date on your child’s attendance, grades, and more throughout the school year. |
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| Click here to ensure your child has all the necessary supplies to start the year!
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Be sure to save the link for the district calendar for easy access throughout the year so you never miss and important no-school day, holiday, or early dismissal. |
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Everything you need to know to have a great year! |
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Review the highlights from our school handbook with your child. |
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"Annual Online Registration"
All permission forms and the technology user agreement for your child are available through the ASD Yearly Update in Parent Portal (Annual Online Registration). This process must be completed each year by a parent or guardian prior to the start of school. If you need assistance accessing your Parent Portal account, please contact the school, and we would be happy to help. |
Please note that Chromebooks will not be issued to students until it has been confirmed that the online yearly update process has been successfully completed through Parent Portal. |
The annual $35 Chromebook insurance fee provides accidental damage protection for your child's Chromebook during the 2026-2027 school year. If a Chromebook is accidentally damaged, families who have purchased insurance will only be responsible for the $35 insurance fee. If the Chromebook is damaged due to negligence or purposeful mistreatment, fees will be assessed according to the use policy. 7th & 8th Graders Our 7th and 8th graders are strongly encouraged to secure Chromebook insurance prior to students receiving their device to ensure coverage for the upcoming school year. Fees can be paid online or in person at open house. 6th Graders
Due to limited device availability, 6th grade students will not be issued an individual Chromebook. Students will have access to classroom Chromebooks throughout the school day; therefore, 6th grade students do not need to purchase Chromebook insurance. |
At any point during the day, if your child needs to leave the building a parent/guardian must notify the office. You can do this by either calling the school, sending a signed note in with your child, or by completing an Absence Request online through Parent Portal.
Upon leaving, your child must stop at the office and sign out. If/when they arrive back to school they need to stop back at the office to sign back in. If your child will be absent from school, please notify the office as soon as possible by calling 725-7900 to speak with one of our secretaries or leave a message. Families may also report an absence through Parent Portal using the Absence Request feature or by emailing Lisa.Clark@k12.sd.us. Additionally, please notify our office staff right away of any extended absences or family vacations as we will work with your student's teachers to have work prepared for them if necessary. |
A Reminder From Our School Nurse |
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| 6th Grade Vaccination Requirements
One dose of Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and one dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine are REQUIRED for 6th grade entry. These shots should be given on or after the 11th birthday. If your child is 10 years old when entering 6th grade they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the vaccinations. These requirements are specified in South Dakota Codified Law 1328-7.1. Please visit with your physician or Brown County Community Health Center (605-626-2649) to see if your child needs these vaccinations.
The Aberdeen School District Health Office asks that all incoming 6th grade students have their required immunizations completed and documentation submitted prior to the start of the school year. Proof of immunization may be dropped off at the school office ahead of time or brought to the 6th Grade Open House on Monday, August 17th. |
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Middle School Immunization Requirements
South Dakota Codified Law 13-28-7.1 requires that students enrolled in a public school meet certain immunization requirements. Minimum requirements are defined as having received: *Four or more doses of DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) vaccine. One dose must be given after age 4. *One dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) given after age 11.
*Four or more doses of Polio Vaccine, with one dose given after age 4. *Two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) given after age 12 months. *Two doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox) given after age 12 months. *One dose of MCV4 (Meningococcal) given after age 11.
If your child is 10 years old when entering 6th grade they have 45 days after their 11th birthday to receive the Tdap and MCV4 vaccinations. These vaccinations can be obtained through your family physician or the Brown County Community Health Center (605-626-2649). |
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Medications
Students at the elementary and middle school are not allowed to self-administer prescription or nonprescription medication with the exception of insulin, cough drops or medication specifically referred to in board policy JLCD-R. Prescription medication must be delivered to the school office by the parent/guardian. The medication will be counted by school staff and the parent/guardian. Prescription medication shall be in pharmacy labeled containers, including the student’s name, name of the drug, dosage to be taken, name of the physician and date of the prescription. Non-prescription medication must be in the original container/package. Medication cannot be brought to school in envelopes or baggies. |
| The parent/guardian must complete the Parent Request for Assistance with Medication Form. It is the responsibility of the student to come to the office to take the medication. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pick up unused medication. The Aberdeen School District recognizes that some students need to receive medication during the school day. The School Board permits the dispensation of medication in school when the student’s health and continuing attendance so requires and when the medication is administered in accordance with the School Board policy and regulations.
If your child needs to take medication during the school day, the following guidelines must be followed to ensure the safety on on or before the last day of school or one week after the last dose is given. If the medication is not picked up it will be destroyed. |
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Essential Apps/Links For This Year |
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All school district families have a Parent Portal account. If you’re unsure how to access your account, or if you have questions or need assistance, please contact the office and talk to Mary Weisser. |
| Aberdeen School District App |
Our district is no longer using platforms such as Remind or Seesaw for parent communication and school updates. Instead, all important announcements, reminders, and messages will be centralized in one convenient location—the Aberdeen School District App! Download it today to stay up to date and connected with your child's teachers, school, and activities. |
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Watch the Golden Eagles live, anytime. |
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| Check it out! AberdeenStreams.com is a single front door for every live stream the district produces. Instead of asking you to track
down individual YouTube channels for each school, sport, or event, we point everyone to one easy-to-remember URL (aberdeenstreams.com)
and the site routes you to where you need to be. |
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Both breakfast and lunch will be served on the first day of school: Tuesday, August 18th. |
Please make sure your student has money deposited into their lunch account. You can do that by either: ➡️send cash/check to school with your student to deposit in the office. (Students will have to fill out a green slip to accompany their deposit) OR
➡️sign in to Parent Portal, and find "Food Service" along the left side. Deposit more lunch money and pay by card (4.75% fee) or e-check by providing your routing number from a checking or savings account ($0.35 fee) 26-27 Meal Prices Breakfast: $3.00 Lunch: $4.10 If students wish to purchase additional "a la carte" items or second helpings, these items will be charged to the student's lunch account if funds are available.
If you are interested in restricting the number of extra items your child can purchase, please contact Lara Werner at 605-725-7105 or at Lara.Werner@k12.sd.us.
Free/Reduced Lunch Information
If you are concerned that you may not be able to afford school meal prices, we urge you to fill out an application for free/reduced meal benefits as soon as possible. Some students will still qualify directly, however the majority of families must complete the application each school year!
Free/Reduced Applications are now available to be completed through the Campus Parent Portal app. Once logged into the app, go the the More tab and click on Meal Benefits. |
Additional Information Click below for additional information about special dietary accommodations, nutrition resources, or our food service partner, Lunchtime Solutions. |
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We are thrilled to welcome several new staff members to our building this year! Please join us in giving them a warm welcome. We are excited to have them on board and look forward to working alongside them!
Mrs. Jodi Carlsgaard - Special Education Achieve Mrs. Lisa Lambrechts - Assistant Principal
Dr. Travis Netzer - Band Ms. Jayden Siedschlag - Library
Miss Allison Schmidt- 7th Grade Math Miss Margot Steed - 8th Grade Math
Mrs. Hailey Tobin - 7th Grade Math |
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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. |
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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in any program receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 defines a person with a disability as anyone who: has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Aberdeen Public Schools acknowledges its responsibility under Section 504 to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding students and personnel. No discrimination against any person with a disability shall knowingly be permitted in programs or practices in the school district. Under Section 504, the school district has the responsibility to provide notice to parents, to identify, to evaluate, and, if the student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to provide access to appropriate educational services.
If the parent or person in parental relationship disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he/she has a right to file a grievance or request a due process hearing with and impartial hearing officer. |
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Please note that the school district does not provide health or accident insurance for injuries that occur at school.
Because children are more prone to injury, we recommend reviewing your current insurance coverage to ensure it meets your needs. If you do not have insurance or feel your coverage is limited due to deductibles or co-pays, you may want to consider the optional student insurance plan. Details about costs and coverage are included with the premium envelope.
This plan is underwritten by Security Life Insurance Company of America and administered by Student Assurance Services, Inc.
Information can be found online at http://www.sas-mn.com/.
Delta Dental will also provide their dental accident plan to our students. If you are interested in applying for dental coverage you may access their application online at www.deltadentalsd.com.
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School Reporting Requirements
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The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that all teachers are highly qualified for their teaching assignments. It is our district’s policy to hire only highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals. If you would like information regarding the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher, please contact the school principal. |
In accordance with federal Title regulations, the Aberdeen School District must inform students and parents of Policy KLB (Public Complaints about the Curriculum or Classroom Instructional Materials), Policy KLD (Public Complaints about School Personnel), and Policy KED (Public Complaints about Federal Programs).
The Aberdeen School District welcomes constructive criticism of the schools when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program and to help the school personnel in performing their tasks more effectively. The policies provide the specific procedures for contacting district personnel with this feedback. The policies are available on the district’s website and can also be obtained in all district buildings.
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District and School Report Card |
The state of South Dakota has recently changed the way student achievement is calculated and considered. More emphasis has been placed on how students are growing academically through the entire school year, instead of how they perform on a test one time a year. This new system is being put in place a piece at a time with input from the United States Department of Education and other educational groups. Student test scores, along with other information, are being used to help determine a School Performance Index or SPI that allows our schools to be compared to others in the state to see how we are doing. Detailed reports of how all students in South Dakota scored may be found by going to the Department of Education’s Webpage at: http://doe.sd.gov/reportcard/index.aspx, and by looking at the State Level Reports. District and School Level Reports may also be found on the same web site by selecting the school year and the type of report you would like to view.
For help in getting to these reports or understanding what is in these reports, please call your child’s school and talk to the Principal. |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in any program receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 defines a person with a disability as anyone who:
*has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. *has a record of such impairment; or *is regarded as having such an impairment.
Aberdeen Public Schools acknowledges its responsibility under Section 504 to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding students and personnel. No discrimination against any person with a disability shall knowingly be permitted in programs or practices in the school district. Under Section 504, the school district has the responsibility to provide notice to parents, to identify, to evaluate, and, if the student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to provide access to appropriate educational services. If the parent or person in parental relationship disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he/she has a right to file a grievance or request a due process hearing with and impartial hearing officer.
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1300 S 3rd St
Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-725-7900 |
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