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Welcome to South's new school year!

In just under 2 weeks, students will be returning to South for our final year as a 6-8 middle school. It’s been 66 years since they broke ground at our current building, and this will be its 64th year in operation. Meanwhile, after breaking ground on our new building just 6 months ago, the steel structure is nearly complete and crews are actively putting up the exterior walls, pouring concrete floors, and installing the roof. Time flies, and we’ll soon be preparing to move next year's grades 5-8 into the brand-new, state-of-the-art school building! (Sorry, 8th graders... but you will always be remembered as our final graduates in the original South!)

In the meantime, we cannot wait to greet our returning and new-to-South students on Wednesday, 9/7! Please read through some important information below and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – WEDNESDAY, 9/7

Students will receive their schedules on the first day of school. Homerooms will be posted on Aspen at the end of next week, however on the first day of school students should report by grade to the following locations between 7:43-7:52 AM:

  • Grade 6 – Auditorium (on the right immediately inside our front door)

  • Grade 7 – Gymnasium (turn right up the hall & it’s on your left)

  • Grade 8 – Cafeteria (turn right up the hall & go straight)

The first day will follow a Day 1 schedule, although periods will be shortened after we hold an extended homeroom for student orientation.


ARRIVAL
Students must report to school by 8:02 AMat the latest every day to hear the Daily Announcements and avoid being marked late.
  • Bus information will be sent by our Transportation Office.
  • Students may ride their bikes to school—wear a helmet & use the bike racks in front.
  • Walkers and bike riders must use sidewalks & crosswalks. South has a crossing guard at the corner of Liberty and Peach and another where our driveway (and Cardinal) turns onto Peach.
  • If you are carpooling or driving your child, please see the traffic patterns described below.
    • DROP-OFF: All cars must use the upper driveway loop. PULL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE END OF THE BUILDING BEFORE UNLOADING. Buses take priority in the driveway and drivers are reminded not to pass a bus when the Stop sign is out and red lights are flashing.
    • PICK-UP: Only buses may park in the front driveway during dismissal. After the first wave of buses has loaded and left, drivers may pull into the lot to pick up students. If you decide to park on Peach St, please remind your child to cross in the crosswalk or stay on the sidewalk.
    • DRIVING AWAY: Our driveway can accommodate a 2nd lane for drivers to pull around other cars, but (a) students should not unload in the “middle lane”, and (b) please drive away slowly as this is a busy area with people walking and crossing.
SUPPLIES

Students are not expected to bring all school supplies on the first day of school! Teachers may add or change items, so you may want to wait until the first day of school (or if you shop early, save your receipts!) For those who like to start shopping, here are some suggested supplies:

One item not on these lists is a refillable water bottle. Students may always have water in class and can use one of our filtering, bottle-filler water bubblers to refill.


SUMMER WORK

Don’t forget to complete your summer work if you haven’t already done so!


FOOD SERVICES

Massachusetts is once again offering free school lunch and breakfast for all students.

  • School lunch is served daily. Students may use their account to purchase one 2nd lunch or to buy snacks for themselves during lunch.

  • Breakfast is served daily in our cafeteria from 7:45-10:00 AM, and students are recommended to pick up breakfast before school if interested.

Students may choose to bring a lunch to school any day. We cannot heat students' lunches, however. 


MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 

  • School Photo Day is Friday, 9/16, during school hours

  • Back-to-School Night will be Thursday, 9/22, 6:30-8:00 PM for all adult caregivers of South students

  • Tuesday, 9/27, is a districtwide Early Release Day for students. Dismissal will be at 11:45 AM for middle schools

FOLLOW SOUTH ON SOCIAL MEDIA


SOUTH PTO

Email southmiddle.pto@gmail.com to join their mailing list for future information about PTO meetings and school events.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all soon! Next week, I'll send additional information to prepare for the start of school. 


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