Cardinal Corner

Aug: 18: Locker Set Up; Students and parents are welcome to walk the building and set up lockers 4:00 – 6:00 PM (All SMS Families)

Aug 20: First Day of School - Adjusted Bell Schedule

Aug 25: Picture Day - All School

Aug 26: Choir and Theatre Info Meeting, 3:00 - 4:00pm

🟨 Aug 27: 6th Grade Curriculum Night – 6:30–8:30 PM – UPDATED DATE 🟨

Aug 28: Practice Crisis Drills

Sept 7: Labor Day, No School

🟨 Sept 9: 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night – 6:30–8:15 PM – UPDATED DATE 🟨

Sept 14-16: Fall MAP Testing - Adjusted Bell Schedule

Sept 15 & 16: Girls Basketball Tryouts - UPDATED DATE

Dear South Middle School Families,

The countdown is almost over! We are just days away from welcoming our students back to South Middle School, and our entire staff is incredibly excited to see our hallways filled with students once again. We are looking forward to an amazing 2026–2027 school year filled with learning, growth, new experiences, and plenty of opportunities to connect as a school community.

As we prepare for the first day, we wanted to share a few important reminders to help everyone get ready for a smooth start to the school year:

• IMPORTANT: Updated Curriculum Night Dates: Please note that our Curriculum Night dates have been updated. 6th Grade Curriculum Night is Thursday, August 27, from 6:30–8:30 PM, and 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night is Wednesday, September 9, from 6:30–8:15 PM. Please update your calendars with these new dates.
• Take a final look at the Back-to-School Newsletter: Please review the information shared in our newsletter, including important dates, procedures, schedules, transportation information, and other reminders.
• Check your student's schedule: Encourage your student to review the schedule information they have received and become familiar with their homebase teacher's location.
• Get those school supplies ready: Make sure students have the supplies they will need to start the year prepared and confident.
• Plan for the morning: Talk with your student about their transportation and arrival plans, and allow a little extra time as everyone gets back into their school-year routines.
• Bring the excitement! The first day is a great opportunity for students to reconnect with friends, meet new people, and begin a new chapter. We encourage students to come ready to learn, participate, and make the most of the year ahead.

We know that the start of a new school year can bring a mix of excitement and nerves, especially for our incoming sixth graders. Please know that our staff will be ready to welcome, support, and guide students every step of the way.

We are so excited to welcome all of our students back for the 2026–2027 school year! Thank you for your partnership and support as we begin another wonderful year together.

South Middle School Administration

Please use the following links to access important information for the school year:

• District 25 Student/Parent Handbook
• School Supply List
• “In’s and Out’s” and procedures of South Middle School

• Please do not drive through the bus lane.
• Pull as far forward as possible in the drop off lane, prior to exiting the car on the passenger side.
• Please have your child use the designated crosswalks and sidewalks, and not go between cars for their safety.
• Sixth grade enter at the far end of the front circle Door 3, Seventh grade students enter the doors on the track side, Eighth grade door 2.
• On rainy days, students can enter any door; but please remember to pull all the way forward in the drop off circle and your child can enter the nearest door.

• Parents are NOT allowed to drop off in the staff parking lot.

• If interested in registering for bussing or determining if you are eligible for bussing to South please visit: https://www.sd25.org/transportation.

• Questions: District Transportation specialist is Laura Comastro lcomastro@sd25.org.

Make sure your email is up to date in our system, so you will receive all important information.

• School Messenger: Email, phone, text—make sure your contact information is up to date.

• Schoology: Student platform that hosts your child's classroom information.

• PowerSchool: If you're not able to access, reach out to SouthCLC@sd25.org.
  

• South Webpage: Daily Announcements and general information.

To keep our building and students safe, we are reducing the number of adult visitors entering the school. Please review our updated lunch drop-off procedures below and discuss them with your child so they know what to expect.

• Drop-Off Location: Place lunches in the front vestibule inside the designated grade-level bins.
• Timing: This applies to any lunch dropped off after 7:50 AM.
• Labeling: Clearly write your child's first and last name on their lunch. Post-it notes and markers are available next to the bins if you need them.
• Fountain Drinks: Place drinks next to the bin rather than inside to prevent spills.
• Lunch: Bins are brought directly to the cafeteria during the 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade lunch periods.
• No Outside Delivery: Food delivery services (such as DoorDash, UberEats, etc.) are NOT permitted to drop off student food.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school safe and organized!

Sixth Grade Curriculum Night: August 27, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm - UPDATED DATE

• Click Here for INFO - 6th Grade Curriculum Night

Seventh & Eighth Grade Curriculum Night: September 9, 2026, 6:30-8:15pm - UPDATED DATE

• Click Here for INFO - 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night

We are looking forward to seeing all of our South Cardinal Families!

Before coming to school on the FIRST DAY, Thursday, August 20, 2026:

• PLEASE turn on your Chromebooks and connect to your home wi-fi.

• PLEASE allow your Chromebook to charge.

This will ensure that your Chromebook has the latest date/time.

August 25, 2026

Ukraine Independence Day takes place on August 24 and it marks Ukraine's declaration of independence from the U.S.S.R. in 1991. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is the most popular day of the year for Ukrainians around the world.

Established by Congress in 1971 to commemorate the 1920 passage of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote, and to encourage the ongoing efforts for women’s equality in all areas of American life.

South Theatre’s lineup for this school year is ready to go! Join us for our joint Kickoff Info Meeting with South Choir on Wednesday, August 26th from 3-4pm to hear about this year’s opportunities and how to get involved. Students and Parents welcome!

UPDATED DATE - Girls basketball tryouts will be held September 15–16 from 2:45–6:00 p.m. Students interested in trying out should plan to attend both days.

Please remember that all participants must have a current physical on file with the school before they are eligible to try out. We look forward to a great season and wish all of our athletes the best of luck!

If your child is interested in joining South’s Golf Club, please fill out the golf registration form. Please click here to register.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Conlin (oconlin@sd25.org) or Ms. Buck (abuck@sd25.org).

Welcome to new and returning band members! All band participants for this year should fill out the band registration form. We will be sharing how students can upload their band placement video with students once school starts. All are welcome, regardless of ability.

Contact Mrs. Scapillato or Mrs. Schneider with any questions.

Let’s welcome our wonderful teachers back to South! Please help us provide a delicious Welcome Back Breakfast and Stock the Teacher’s Lounge to start the year off right! Sign up here!

Remember to join South PTA during your student’s registration to support all our student, family, and school programs.

Note that each D25 school’s PTA is independent.

The SMS Office is open Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm.

Address: 400 South Highland Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Twitter: @AHSD25South

Main Line: (847) 398-4250

Absence Line: (847) 506-6999 x7300

Fax line: (847) 394-6260