The school year is off to a fantastic start thanks to all the great students, staff and parents. A focus this year will be on recognizing all the positive behaviors in our students. Our school community has embraced the Character Traits of respect, responsibility, kindness, honesty, andperseverance. As we witness these traits in our students, staff members will hand out Rocket Award tickets. Students will be able to log into a website called Good-Kid.com and enter the special code listed on the ticket. Students accumulate tickets and will have a chance to win special incentives, participate in special events, and be recognized for being positive. So far, our students have already entered over 1100 tickets!! Please support your child by encouraging them to show respect, responsibility, kindness, honesty, and perseverance, in settings beyond the school.

In addition to focusing on positive behaviors, we will begin our second year of Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) testing. MAP assessments provide detailed, actionable data about where each child is on their unique learning path. These tests include test items that interest children and help to capture detail about what they know and what they are ready to learn. It is information teachers can use in the classroom to help every child, every day. Each student will be assessed in the areas of reading and math.

The connection between home and school is crucial to the success of our students. Last spring we created a Parent Advisory Council to help create structures to increase the parent involvement at South Milwaukee Middle School. The purpose of the Parent Advisory Council is to enhance and support the educational experience at South Milwaukee Middle School by:

• Promoting open communication and understanding between parents and staff of the South Milwaukee Middle School.
• Developing a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement.
• Improving the environment at South Milwaukee Middle School through volunteer and financial support.

If you wish to learn more about our PAC, please email me at jhendrickson@sdsm.k12.wi.us

Again, I am excited about this school year and I look forward to working with you.

Jim Hendrickson, Principal