SWSC News September 4th, 2026
Penny Wars Wrap-Up
Penny Wars ran Monday through Friday last week, and the classroom with the highest total wins an Ice Cream Sundae Party. Thank you to the SES PTO for putting it together and to every family who sent in coins and bills.
No School Monday, September 7th
SES will be closed Monday, September 7th for Labor Day. Classes resume Tuesday, September 8th.
Fall Festival: Thursday, September 24th
The Sullivan Elementary Fall Festival is coming Thursday, September 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for a fun evening.
Calling All Community Helpers
We still need groups to host carnival game booths at the Fall Festival. Would your church small group, sorority, fraternity, community organization, sports team, or group of parents like to run a booth? Gather your group, run a game, and help create lasting memories for our kids. Please reach out to the SES office to join the fun.
Biddy Basketball
Biddy Basketball will run every Thursday from September 24th through October 22nd. Forms have been sent home, and extra forms are available in the office.
Dartettes
Dartette practices continue every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the SES gym. Parents should pick up their child in the gym parking lot. All participants must have a completed sports physical on file in FinalForms, with all parent and student signatures completed, before they can participate.
School Smiles: Friday, October 2nd
The dentist will be at SES on Friday, October 2nd, providing cleanings, fluoride, x-rays, sealants, restorative care, and free dental supplies. Forms will be sent home soon, or you may register online at https://schoolsmiles.com/student-signup/. All students need to register, as it is the start of a new school year.
Lost and Found
Please check the SES Facebook page every Friday for our weekly Lost and Found post, and check the comments to claim your student's items.
SES PTO on Facebook
The SES PTO has a new Facebook page: Sullivan Elementary School PTO. Please like and share it with friends and family to stay up to date on everything planned for our students, teachers, and staff this year.
Lunch Reminder
If you bring in outside food, it must arrive in a lunchbox or lunch sack. Please do not send it in restaurant packaging. Menus with complete nutritional information are available through the Nutrislice app.
Arrow Homework Hub
The Arrow Homework Hub meets every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the library. Students can get extra help with homework and assignments from our high school student helpers, and free snacks are provided. Parents should plan to pick up students at 4:00 PM at the front of the building.
Check Harmony
We are a few weeks into the school year and hopefully everyone is settling into a good routine. Please check Harmony regularly for grades and attendance. Staying in the habit of checking in helps everyone stay on track and avoid surprises. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a great year.
Attendance Reminder
Parents may call in or excuse up to 5 absences per semester. After the 5th absence, additional absences must have documentation in order to be excused.
Car Rider Drop-Off Reminder
Morning drop-off is at Door #9 (front entrance). Please pull all the way forward to our SRO before allowing your child to exit the vehicle so 3-4 cars can unload at the same time. Unless weather makes it necessary, students do not need to be dropped off directly at the front door. Thank you for helping us keep morning drop-off moving safely and efficiently.
FFA News
Any middle school student interested in joining Sullivan FFA needs to join the sportsYou page, which is how families and students get updates on all events and meetings. The code is BJZ9-76PU. 8th graders in FFA are invited to SOAR Camp, October 2nd through 4th, designed for students beginning their FFA careers. Registration closes September 15th, so time is running short. Interested students and parents should contact Ms. Gofourth at cgofourth@swest.k12.in.us.
Student Council Results
Student council voting closed at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 4th, and winners are being announced Friday afternoon. Thank you to everyone who ran and to every student who voted.
Dartettes
Dartette practices are every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the SES gym.
Fall Baseball Open Practices
Open to students in grades 6-8 at the SHS Baseball Field:
• Thursday, September 10th: 4:00-5:30 PM
• Thursday, September 24th: 4:00-5:30 PM
Lunch Money
Please bring lunch money to the office between 7:45 and 8:15 AM. Money turned in after that window will be posted the following day.
Stay Connected
Follow SMS on Facebook, where we share pictures, important updates, upcoming events, and all the great things happening at Sullivan Middle School.
Mark Your Calendars
• September 7th: Labor Day, No School
• September 15th: Midterms Sent Home
• September 17th: Fall Sports Pictures
• September 18th: No School, SWSC Professional Development Day
• September 22nd: 8th Grade River Raft Field Trip
JH Football Handles Edgewood, 38-18
The Sullivan junior high football team traveled to Edgewood on Thursday, September 3rd and came home with a 38-18 win. Jack Phegley, Ashton Hale, and Mason Metheny each found the end zone on the ground, and Mason added two touchdown passes, one to Kollin Bostic and one to Blake Kelley. Blake also came up with an interception on defense. The Arrows are back home Tuesday, September 8th against North Knox at 6:00 PM.
Fall Carnival: Friday, September 11th
The Carlisle Fall Carnival is Friday, September 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Bring the whole family out for a great night at CEMS.
Biddy Basketball Registration Due September 10th
Biddy Basketball registration is due by Thursday, September 10th. Forms have gone home with your son. Please get them turned in before the deadline.
Indians Host Dugger
Our 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams are back home Tuesday, September 8th against Dugger at 6:00 PM. Come pack the gym and cheer on the Indians. Remaining home dates this season are September 22nd against West Vigo, September 24th against Linton, and October 6th against Rivet.
Grandparents Day: Friday, September 25th
Grandparents Day will be held Friday, September 25th from 7:00 to 8:00 AM in the CEMS Cafe. Grandparents, we would love to see you.
No School Days
• September 7th: Labor Day
• September 18th: Professional Development Day
School Smiles: October 1st
School Smiles will be at Carlisle on Thursday, October 1st. Your child will come home with a QR code to sign up online if you would like for them to see the dentist on site.
Birthday Grams
Get your Birthday Grams! There are two options to choose from: a $5 Gram (balloon, card, and choice of a full-size candy bar, selection varies based on availability) or a $20 Party (Hostess cakes and juice boxes for the class, plus a birthday gram, balloon, and choice of a full-size candy for the birthday student). Please see Debra McCray with any questions at 812-398-3851 ext. 2402 or dmccrary@swest.k12.in.us.
Homecoming Is Coming: Friday, September 25th
Fall homecoming is scheduled for Friday, September 25th, when the Golden Arrows host Owen Valley. Voting for homecoming court candidates is open, and the campaigning has begun. Students with questions should see Mrs. Badger in room 211.
Medieval Faire Field Trip
The Social Studies Department is sponsoring a field trip to Clayshire Castle's Medieval Faire on Saturday, September 26th. The cost is $20, which covers transportation and admission. See Mr. Simmons in room 221 to sign up or for more information.
Free After-School Tutoring
Free tutoring is available every week for any student who wants it:
• Tuesday: Room 101 with Mr. Obryan
• Wednesday: Room 221 with Mr. Simmons
• Thursday: CRC Room with Mrs. Couch
Throwback Thursday: Missing Your SHS Yearbook?
The past, our stories, always school spirit. If there is a gap on your shelf, past Sullivan High School yearbooks are available for purchase. Contact Audrey Badger at abadger@swest.k12.in.us or 812-268-6301 ext. 2149 to track one down. Current students and families may also reserve the 2027 yearbook through Jostens.com.
Busy Thursday at Home
Thursday, September 10th is the biggest home night of the week, with boys soccer at 5:00 PM, JV volleyball at 6:00 PM, and both varsity volleyball and girls soccer at 7:00 PM. Come out and support the Arrows.
Boys Tennis Wins South Knox Invitational for Third Straight Year
The Golden Arrow boys' tennis team took first place at the South Knox Invitational on Saturday, August 29th, finishing with 12 points to edge host South Knox at 11 and Mater Dei at 7. It is the third year in a row Sullivan has won the event, which alternates each year between Sullivan and South Knox.
Three Arrows brought home flight titles. Hunter Pinkston won the #1 singles flight, taking down Josh Bacon of Mater Dei 6-3, 6-2 and then Reid Hall of South Knox 7-6 (5), 6-3. Jaxon Zollman won the #2 singles flight with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Nolan Mehringer and a 2-6, 6-1, (10-3) comeback against Layne Hays. The #1 doubles team of Zane Abbott and Tanner Boyll swept its flight, beating Maddox Sargeant and Owen Robinson 6-4, 6-1 and Cooper Seib and Drew VanBibber 6-1, 6-3.
At #3 singles, Blake DeSanto delivered the day's most dramatic finish, rallying from an 8-4 deficit in the third-set super-tiebreaker to win six straight points and take the match from Austin Laue 7-6 (3), 5-7, (10-8). Easton Monroe and Carter Lee also picked up a win at #2 doubles, outlasting Blake Townsend and Isaac Coomes 4-6, 6-2, (11-9).
We showed our toughness and depth again this weekend. There were plenty of testers with our team playing four three-setters. Fortunately, three of those four went our way and that made the difference for us on the day. I am proud of all of our flight winners. -Wes Kirk
The Arrows are back in action Tuesday at Owen Valley and Wednesday at Vincennes Lincoln before returning home Friday, September 11th against Bloomfield at 4:30 PM.
Football Rolls Past South Vermillion, 55-7
The Golden Arrows put together a dominant Friday night at home on August 28th, handling South Vermillion 55-7 to move to 2-0 on the season.
Clark French led the way with 175 total yards and two touchdowns, his third straight game with at least one rushing score. Maddox Grise threw for 166 yards and four touchdowns, and Lane Simmons added 42 total yards and two more scores. Just as impressive, Sullivan finished the night without a single penalty yard, its cleanest game of the young season. The defense has been the story so far, giving up just 14 points total across the first two weeks.
Sullivan opens conference play tonight, Friday, September 4th, on the road at Northview at 7:00 PM, then travels to Linton-Stockton next Friday, September 11th, for another 7:00 PM kickoff. Load up the car and bring the purple and gold with you.
Girls Golf Edges Owen Valley in Three-Stroke Thriller
The Sullivan girls' golf team hosted Owen Valley in a dual match at the Sullivan Elks Golf Course earlier this week and came away with a 224 to 227 win. The weather was hot, but Coach Clarence Johnson noted that girls from both teams handled the conditions very well.
Lanie Donnar led the Arrows with a 51. Kennedy Boles followed at 55, and Kendal Redman and Olivia Eslinger each carded a 59 to round out the team's counting scores. Paisley Drake shot 60, Aubrey Andreae 63, and Hailey Barker 67.
The Arrows are back out Wednesday, September 9th at Northview and again Thursday, September 10th against West Vigo.
Cross Country Picks Up Hardware at Riverton Parke
The Arrows headed north to the Riverton Parke Invitational on Saturday, August 29th, and took full advantage of near perfect running weather. Just about every runner posted a season best.
Leading the girls was Jillian, who crossed in 23:48 for 11th place and just missed a medal. Leilyn came in a few spots back at 24:24, while Jocelyn (25:58) and Emmerie (26:50) each cut several minutes off the previous week's race.
Not to be outdone, the boys improved on their times from LaVern Gibson as well. Jordan was the first Arrow across the line, placing 8th in 18:27. Jace ran a solid 19:58 for 20th. Freshman Cooper went out fast and never looked back, finishing in 22:32, and Nick (22:46), Grayson (22:56), and Logan (27:01) all continued to improve. Ranger and Ben ran in the JV race and also took minutes off their previous times.
Up next, the Arrows run at the Clay City Invitational on Tuesday, September 8th, and then head to the Washington Invitational on Saturday, September 12th. Special thanks to Susan Brooks for the pictures.
