Winter Parents Meeting

There will be a meeting for all students participating in boys basketball, dance, and/or theater and their familes on Monday, December 17th in the SMS gym. All students participating in these activities and their families should attend. Travel guidelines, eligibility, and activity specific expecations will be discussed. Students and their families will have a chance to meet with their coach/advisor and ask questions. Schedules will be distributed at this time as well. If you have any questions, please contact me at the middle school at 717-1215.

8th Grade White Girls Basketball Game Canceled

The basketball game between Belle Fourche and the 8th grade White team scheduled for 12/11/12 has been canceled. Belle Fourche only has one basketball team in the 8th grade and was therefore unable to meet their previously scheduled obligations. Tonight's game versus Sturgis will be the last action this season for the members of the 8th grade White team.

8th Girls Basketball Games Added

The 8th grade Maroon team will be playing in the Newell Tournament on Saturday, December 15th. The bus will leave SMS at 7:30 am. Their first game is at 9:00 am in Austin Auditorium. Remember the 7th and 8th grade games vs. Pierre that were originally scheduled for the 15th have been cancelled.

Support Your Spartans

All types of activites are in full swing here at SMS. Girls basketball and wrestling are constantly competing, choir and band are preparing for their winter concerts, and students have just begun a new trimester of classes. Please support your students in every way you can. It's great to see friends and family members at sporting events. Athletes really enjoy and appreciate your support. The choir concert is coming up on December 3rd at 7:00 in the SHS auditorium. The band is performing on December 10th also at 7:30 in the SHS auditorium. Even if you don't have students participating in activties, please come out and show your support for the great kids we have at SMS. If you're unsure as to our events schedule, all activities are listed on the activities calendar located on the SMS homepage: http://spearfish.k12.sd.us/sms/index.html. Students also need your support in their academic endeavors. Consider setting up a regular time to talk about what is going on in their classes, review homework, and to log on to parent portal to check their progress. It may seem silly to make an appointment with your middle schooler, but as hectic as many of our lives are, it can be a way to connect and talk about school in a purposeful and productive way.

Girls Basketball Schedule Change

The girls basketball games versus Pierre scheduled for Saturday, December 15th will not take place due to a scheduling conflict. The last games of the girls basketball season will be on Tuesday, December 11th for the 7th grade teams and for the 8th grade white team. 8th Maroon will travel to Newell on Saturday, December 15th for a tournament.

8th Grade Girls Basketball Game Cancelled

The 8th Grade White girls basketball game versus Rapid City Christain has been cancelled. They do not have enough players for an 8th grade team. The 7th grade White game versus Rapid City Christain will take place at 4:15. We will play six quarters of action of intense basketball action. The 7th and 8th grade Maroon games versus STM will proceed as scheduled in Rapid City.

Activity Pictures

Pictures for all SMS girls basketball teams will be taken on Tuesday, November 6th beginning at 3:30 in the SMS multipurpose room. SMS wrestling pictures will be taken on Thursday, November 15th beginning at 3:30 also in the SMS multipurpose room. Pictures packets will be distributed by coaches and should be returned on picture day to the Lifetouch employees. Please do not turn picture packets into the office.

Winter Activities Meeting

A meeting for students participating in girls basketball and wrestling will be held on Monday, October 22nd at 7:30 pm in the middle school gym. All students planning to participate in these activities and their families should attend. There will be a short presentation on general guidelines concerning eligibility, travel, and concussion protocols. Students and families will then have an opportunity to meet with coaches to discuss activity specific guidelines and receive practice and game schedules.

Fall Sports Wrapping Up

It’s hard for me to believe, but the fall sports (football, volleyball, and cross country) are wrapping up. Cross country finishes their season today in Rapid City. All six volleyball teams finish their 2012 campaign on Saturday at our home tournament. The 8th grade football team is on their way to Sturgis right now and concludes their season on the 16th when they square off with Rapid City North and the 7th grade football team wraps things up against Douglas on the 18th. It’s been a great season for all of the fall activities with fantastic numbers and success on all fronts. As we look towards the winter sports, it’s useful to reflect on our experiences and remember why we have co-curricular activities. We want our students to be active and to strive for greatness in all parts of their busy lives. Activities teach teamwork, time management, and perseverance. These are important skills for our young people to develop as they prepare for success in our ever changing world. Complement our athletes on their achievement s and encourage them to stay involved. Too often we see students shy away from activities as they move into the upper grades. If we all work to make activities a positive and rewarding experience, we can help our students to stay engaged in activities and to reap the benefits they bestow.

Homecoming 2012

When it comes to activities, homecoming is a pretty big week. We have middle school volleyball, cross country, and football in action this week along with all of the in-school activities such as dress up days, a pep rally, and the parade. Of course all of this culminates in a fevered pitch when the SHS Spartans take the pitch versus Douglas on Friday night. It's truly a special time of the school year. As we enjoy all of the homecoming festivities, it's important to keep in mind why we have activities. Co-curricular activities support students in their learning and provide them with the opportunity to develop teamwork skills, practice time management, and to learn what it is like to dedicate time and energy to something greater than themselves, the team. To this end it is imperative that students and families keep the big picture in mind during homecoming week and beyond. Remember, co-curricular activities support student learning, they do not replace it. Realize sportsmanship is something that must be learned early and honed throughout one's life. Go to a game to cheer for the Spartans not against the other team. While you’re there, watch the game, don't run around. Doing these things will make attending an activity enjoyable for everyone. Go Spartans. Beat Douglas.

Fall Activity Pictures

Pictures for fall activities will be on Tuesday, September 25th beginning at 3:30 in the SMS commons. Football is first, followed by volleyball andcross country respectively. Coaches will have picture packets for athletes. If you have any questions, contact your student's coach. It's always nice to preserve Spartan Pride for posterity. If you'd like a picture button of SMS activities director, Kevin O'Dea, contact the SMS office. Quantities are limited so order soon.

7th Football Changes

The jamboree scheduled for Saturday, September 15th in Douglas has been canceled. Currently that puts the 7th grade out of action that day. We are looking to add a game on that day or at another time to fill the void left by that cancelation.

8th Volleyball vs. Belle Fourche

All three 8th grade teams were in action at home versus Belle Fourche tonight. SMS Silver handled the Broncs: 25-20 and 25-23. SMS White used three sets to take care of business: 27-25, 19-25, and 15-12. The match between SMS Maroon and Belle Fourche was very spirited with a lot of great vollies, with the Broncs coming out on top 23-25, 14-25. All three games were well played and the crowd was into the action on a warm evening in the friendly confines of SMS gymnasium, or as I like to call it the Spartan Dome. Cross Country competed in the Belle Fourche Invitational and the 7th grade volleyball teams traveled to Belle Fourche as well. Results will be posted for those events as they become available.

First Competition

All of our fall sports teams will be in action this week. Volleyball kicks things off tomorrow against our heated rivals, the Belle Fourche Broncs. The 8th grade teams will be at home and the 7th grade teams will head north to the unfriendly confines of the Belle Fourche Middle School gym. The silver, white, and maroon teams will be playing for both grade levels. The first games begin at 4:30 and the games will run in succession. Cross country also begins competion on Thursday. They will be headed to Belle as well to compete in the Belle Fourche Invitational. Racing beings at 3:30. Be sure to be prompt as SMS kids are quite fast. You just might miss them. Both football teams begin their season on Saturday in Belle Fourche. They are participating in a jamboree with simulated game situations versus two teams. All scrimmages take place at Lou Graslie Field adjacent to the high school.

Week 1

I can't believe the first week of school is almost over. Fall activities are in full swing and we have our first competitions next week. Cross country and volleyball are in action next Thursday and football kicks things off with a jamboree next Saturday. If your student is not currently involved in activities please encourage them to do so. It's not too late. Whether it's band, choir, student council, or sports, there is something for everyone right now at SMS. If they would like to join a team, have them contact a coach. They will need to have a sports physical before they can practice. Football and volleyball players will also need to complete their baseline concussion test before practicing. We've had a great start to the school year. Let's keep this positive energy flowing. It's all about Spartan PRIDE at SMS.

Volleyball Changes

We have a great problem here at SMS related to our volleyball teams. We have way more girls participating than we planned on. To help solve this "problem", we are planning on three teams at each grade level (silver/white/maroon). I'm working hard to add more games for the third team and to move things around in the schedule so competition opportunities will be as equal as possible. Please communicate with your athlete and keep a close eye on the online calendars to stay abreast of the evolving schedule. Having this many girls participating is a great thing for Spartan volleyball.

Make up Impact Testing

For those students who missed impact testing on August 23rd, or for those who need to retake their test, make up testing will be available on Monday, August 27th at 2:00 pm in room 92 of SMS. This is during the SMS open house, so students who need to test must arrive at the open house early enough to take care of open house items before they test.

Impact Testing

Impact testing is coming to the Middle School.  Impact testing is a tool that medical professionals can use to determine the impact and severity of a concussion on student athletes.  Students complete a baseline test prior to beginning practice/competition.  If they suffer a head injury, they retake the test to help determine if they have recovered from their injury.

We will be conducting the baseline tests for SMS volleyball and football players on Thursday, August 23rd in room 92.  The testing schedule is as follows:

• 1:00: 8th grade football
• 2:00: 7th grade football
• 3:00: 7th grade volleyball
• 4:00: 8th grade volleyball

Students will need their school login and password.  If they have forgotten it, they should contact the technology office prior to their testing time.  If you have any questions, please contact Kevin O'Dea as the middle school. (kodea@spearfish.k12.sd.us or 717-1215)

Fall Activities BBQ

Prior to the fall activities parent meeting on Monday, August 20th, there will be a BBQ hosted by parents interested in forming a SMS booster club.  We hope you will join us for a tasty dinner followed by information regarding SMS fall activities.

It would also be great if you could support a SMS Booster Club.  Activities are an important part of the educational process.  The more cooperation there is between students, families, and the school, the more successful our students will be in school and beyond.

I hope to see you all on the 20th  in the SMS commons area.

Upcoming Events

There's a lot happening at SMS as we prepare for another exciting school year.  Many people have been wondering when practice is going to begin for the fall activities (football, volleyball,  and cross country). 

Football and volleyball will begin on Thursday, August 23rd. Cross country athletes have the option of practicing with the high school team.  They begin practice this Friday, the 10th.  Middle school cross country practice begins on Thursday, August 23rd at 5:30. 

There is a parent meeting for all who plan to participate in fall activities on Monday, August 20th in the commons area of Spearfish Middle School at 6:30 pm.  We will review general eligibility and participation guidelines and you'll have a chance to meet with coaches and pick up practice and game schedules.

Along those lines, information related to SMS activities can be found in a couple of new places this year.  An SMS events calendar has been added to the SMS web page.  You can find it on the SMS home page (http://spearfish.k12.sd.us/sms/index.html), or on my web page (http://www.spearfish.k12.sd.us/~kodea/index.html). 

In the near future, we will also be adding SMS activity schedules to the district calendar.  Hopefully these additional tools will help everyone stay informed of all the great happenings here at SMS.

Remember, in order to participate in any athletic activity, students must have a sports physical.  You can turn paperwork into the SMS office, or you can bring it with you on the 20th.

Welcome

The purpose of this blog will be to provide information and updates related to the exciting things happening at Spearfish Middle School.  As the new Dean of Students and Activities Director, there are sure to be many things to blog about.   Many of the posts will center on co-curricular activities, but other school happenings and information will be posted here as well. 

I intend to use this space to improve effective communication between students, families, and SMS and to streamline the dissemination of information between these parties.  I'm looking forward to a great first year at SMS and can't wait to get the school year started!