Woof - Tuesday 9/20/2022

The school year is off and running, even though it feels in many ways like the first day of school was only yesterday! Attached, you will find some calendars that may be of use throughout the school year.

• Days of the Cycle calendar for middle schools
• District calendar (updated at the 9/12 School Committee meeting)

If you use calendars on your smartphone or on Gmail at home, you may also find it useful to subscribe to our school calendars to have events automatically added: ("How To" information is listed at the END of this message!)

• South Middle School events: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/braintreeschools.org_mmvuu4q93c2c3d4ci9cc87f0lg%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
• Days of the Cycle: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/braintreeschools.org_958ca40jff18uhrn3rl45euh8k%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

How to add a calendar:
> On an iPhone, open Calendar app; click "Calendars" at the bottom center; then click "Add Calendar" on the bottom left. Paste in the address above.
> On your computer, open the Google Calendar; where it says "Other calendars" on the lefthand side, click the + sign and then "Subscribe to calendar"; on the left, under "Add calendar", click "From URL" & paste in the address above.

DRESS CODE
At the 9/12/2022 School Committee meeting, a revised dress code was approved. Please review the attached Dress Code for Middle Schools.

COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES
Please be aware that school staff are not expected to monitor email or online communications outside of school hours.

• With the adoption of online devices for school use, it has become very easy for students to email or message a teacher asking for help. The best strategy is to call or message a classmate to ask for help, or to ask your teacher in school the next day!
• When a parent or guardian wants to contact the school, please be prepared to be patient. During the school day, we want teachers in front of their students, not on their computers. And after hours, they are often preparing lessons for the next day and grading completed work. All staff have been requested to respond to emails within 1-2 school days. That means you may not hear back for 48 hours (or longer over a weekend or vacation days). In most cases, a staff member will respond within 24 hours to acknowledge your message, but they may still need additional time to seek out the answer to your question. They may also contact you by telephone to respond more thoroughly, so please be prepared to answer the phone! Do not expect a reply any earlier than 24 hours.

If you have not heard back after 2 school days, please feel free to contact your child's guidance counselor for support or to contact the Main Office.

AFTERSCHOOL
There is a late bus for students every day to allow normal bus riders to stay after school. It leaves South between 3:15 and 3:30 most days. Homework Lab is open Monday through Thursday from dismissal to 3:15 PM. Students do not need to sign up in advance to stay for Homework Lab and can drop in any day by 2:35. Our paraprofessional staff are on hand to help students with their work.

CONCERT CHOIR AUDITIONS - 9/22 & 9/23 Afterschool
It's not too late for students to sign up to audition to be a part of Concert Choir at South Middle School! Participation in Concert Choir is open to all South students grade 6-8. Make sure you sign up at school for an audition time slot on the bulletin board in the hallway next to the auditorium. Concert Choir will be held afterschool weekly on Tuesdays until 4 pm starting 9/27. This group will learn separate songs from the other chorus classes and participate in outside events like singing at the Providence Bruins, all-town events, and also take a trip to Canobie Lake Park. Students in Concert Choir are also invited to try-out for district and SEMSBA festivals. If you love to sing, we would love for you to try out! Contact Ms. Ouellette at amy.ouellette@braintreeschools.org with any questions!
STUDENT COUNCIL
Join Student Council and make your thoughts heard! The first meeting of South's Student Council will be held Thursday, 9/29, before school in room 204, from 7:30-7:55 AM. All are welcome! Bring your positive attitudes and great ideas! See Ms. Motta or Ms. Norris with any questions. Speak out. Be heard. Make a difference.
GRADE 8 WASHINGTON, D.C. TRIP
The annual 8th grade trip to Washington DC is scheduled for March 22-25, 2023. This trip is optional and open to all 8th graders in good standing academically and behaviorally. To register, visit www.GrandClassroom.com, click "Find my trip/Register", search South Middle School and MA, and sign up! See Mr. Puglisi or Ms. Norris with any questions.
SOUTH SOCCER
Join us for the first matches against East this Thursday at East Middle School, starting at 3:30 PM. Go Bulldogs!

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
We hope to see all parents & guardians at Back to School Night on Thursday night (9/22) from 6:30-8:00 PM. Meet your child's teachers and follow their day 1 schedule! Schedules will be sent home with students this week, along with a schedule for Back to School Night. Please prepare to park off-site. Our lot was taken over by construction crews, so folks will be parking on Peach St. or at St. Clare's on Liberty St. It's a great day to carpool with neighbors or walk if you live nearby!

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Don’t forget to check the Braintree Schools’ Community Events page for information about goings-on around town. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please don’t hesitate to email us or call the school at 781-380-0160.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH SOUTH!

Follow South on Twitter: @SMSBraintree

Follow South on Instagram: SMSBraintree

Like the South PTO on Facebook, and email southmiddle.pto@gmail.com to get on their mailing list!

* Anytime you are purchasing books, please consider using South’s Bookshop.org affiliate links to raise funds for school & Media Center book purchases, and to support local, independent booksellers and South!