The Bulldog's Woof

  1.  SOUTH PTO The March meeting of the South PTO is  this Thursday, 3/13 @ 7pm.  See attached agenda. 2.  MARCH MADNESS We are going to try something new this year and have a March Madness 3v3 Tourney here at South. It will be a single-elimination, bracket-style tournament with 5th and 6th graders matched up, and 7th & 8th.  The tourney will be held on Tuesday, 3/18,  after school in the Gym. Money raised will go to South's PTO.  See Ms. Ricketts with any questions or to register your team. All forms and registration must be submitted directly to her in room 1045 since this event is first come first serve. No forms will be accepted without payment. 3.  PARENT  DISCUSSION GROUP:  The Anxious Generation  - THURSDAY, 3/20 The final meeting of  The Anxious Generation  book club has been moved to  Thursday, 3/20  to allow more people to join the conversation. In the final meeting, we will talk about what we...

  Spring cleaning?   Consider contributing to South Mrs. Joyce, one of our 6th grade Math teachers, has long used Lego bricks to help students visualize fractions. This year, she excitedly told me about the breakthrough of using MagnaTiles to visualize geometry in 3D. How many sets of magnetic blocks do  you  have sitting in box in your attic?? If your family's days of playing with magnetic tiles are a distant memory,  please  consider donating them to your friendly Math teacher! Once they're here, we find they are also a great way to spend indoor recess. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly middle school kids let their inner child run free as soon as certain things happen: You give them something to color, You read aloud to them, or They have downtime and toys like fidgets, MagnaTiles, Lego, etc. It never fails!  30 seconds in, and suddenly the kids are giggling and chatting--or attentively following along with a story--entirely engrossed in their ...

We were happy to have everyone back at South this morning, hopefully, refreshed--and germ-free--after a week away! (1.) Student report cards were due back, signed by a parent or guardian, before the break. Please send that in if you haven't already done so.  This month, South Middle School also received  our  report card! The state's  school  &  district report cards  are available for review on the DESE website. There is a link for families' convenience on the  South website , under the  About Us  section. Please let me know if you have any questions about our report card, or would like to discuss further. (2.) There is still time to  donate to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital  to support childhood cancer research, as well as children with cancer and their families. This is an annual fundraiser organized by Ms. Mac and supported by South's Student Council for this noble cause. Everyone's support is greatly appreciat...

It's three-fer Thursday, one day early! (1.) This Friday, South's Student Council is organizing a PJ Day Fundraiser. Stay comfy-cozy in your pajamas for the last day before break & donate to St. Jude's Research Hospital, in support of cancer research and care for kids receiving treatment. You can bring cash donations to homeroom, checks (made payable to South Middle School), or donate online:  St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital  -  tax free donation! (2.) You can still  buy this year's yearbook on  Josten's.com . Reserve your copy today for $35! (3.) Want to show your teachers some love on Valentine's Day? Skip the candy and send in these much-desired items: Kleenex/Puffs/facial tissues Clorox/Lysol/disinfectant wipes Expo markers - dry erase for whiteboards Expo spray/whiteboard cleaner Pencils Electric pencil sharpener (This would be  true  love!) Well, OK, chocolate is always appreciated too !

(1.) As the DPW works to get the roads clear, South is warm & open for tonight's PTO meeting!  Nobody can say you have grocery shopping to do; we  know  you all rushed out last night to get milk & bread before the storm!  The meeting starts at 7 in the South Library Media Center. (2.) Term 2 Report Cards went home yesterday. Parents/guardians, please sign one copy & return it to homeroom. The second copy is for your records (or your fridge!) (3.) Ms. Nguyen's February newsletter from the South Library is here! Make sure you've returned any overdue books and check out new reading material before the school vacation week 2/15-2/23.

  Next week, the community reading group at South will meet to begin discussing Jonathan Haidt's book,  The Anxious Generation .  I hope you'll join us!   All are invited to meet in the  South Media Center on TUESDAY, 2/4 at 7:00 PM  to discuss the first 2 parts of Haidt's book.  The Introduction & "A Tidal Wave: The Surge of Suffering" lay out the landscape of adolescents' plummeting mental wellness over the past 15-20 years.  In Part 2, "The Backstory: The Decline of the Play-Based Childhood," Haidt explores parenting & societal changes and the impacts on kids' social skills and development. In all, it's about 110 pages of reading, but it's not hard reading. Also, a bunch of the South teachers are listening to the audiobook and said it's good, if that's easier for you!  After February break, we'll meet on 2/25 to discuss the next section, where Haidt lays out the current setting for adolescents in a smartphone-enable...