The SMS Press
January 2, 2025
From the Principal's Office
I hope you all have been enjoying the break and time with family, I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday. We will be starting winter Fastbridge testing in ELA and Math the week of January 13th. Please make sure your student gets plenty of rest and eats a healthy breakfast so they are alert and ready to perform their best.
Healthy Minute
Getting enough Sleep!
You always hear the phrase that sleep is so important, and ‘get your 8 hours’ of rest, but does it really make that big of a difference? In fact, it does make a big difference in everyday functioning. Studies show that “children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk for many health and behavior problems.” During your shut eye is the most important time for the body to perform its restorative duties to help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Middle school aged students should actually aim for 9-12 hours per night, according to the CDC. Ways to help support this include a consistent bedtime for your student during the school week as well as reducing technology use in the evening when it is time to wind down for the night. Blue lights on TV’s (gaming), cell phones, computers and other devices disrupt restful, restorative sleep. Embrace the winter months with less daylight and catch up on as much sleep as your body allows. Set your student up for success and design a bedtime routine to ensure they are prepared for school to learn and engage most effectively.
Counselor Corner
The New Year is the perfect time to focus on our Mental Wellness. Often, when kids come in with symptoms that might look like depression or anxiety, we assess their overall wellbeing. We ask about sleep habits, nutrition, physical activity, time spent outdoors and other wellness practices. Some students are assigned "homework", where they are asked to track at least two of these areas. Once we have a baseline we create a plan for improvement. One of the most basic wellness practices is SLEEP! Our kids need 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Numerous studies show the imperative role a healthy sleep routine has on humans of all ages. HERE is a quick read with helpful tips.
Commit to a sleep schedule and reap the benefits. You might see a happier middle schooler and that's a win/win for everyone!
Students earn Spartan Tickets for showing Work, Respect, Belong behavior. They are able to use those tickets to purchase items in the Spartan Store. If you would like to contribute, here is the wishlist.
Attendance Matters!
Class starts each day with students in classrooms by 7:55am. The warning bell rings at 7:50am. To see if your child has been tardy to any of their classes, check PowerSchool to view your child’s attendance. If you see any errors, please contact Ms. Charity.
**Our school day ends at 3:06pm. Unless your student is registered for an after school activity, they must leave the building by 3:30pm.**
Charity Gurovitsch
SMS Attendance Secretary
charity.gurovitsch@superior.k12.wi.us
(715) 394-8740, ext. 31113
Food Service
Breakfast and dinner at SMS continue to be free for all students, but lunch is paid. We encourage all families to apply for free and reduced lunch. Even if you are not eligible, your application helps our school. You can apply multiple times throughout the school year, especially if your home situation changes. You can easily add funds into your student's lunch account through My School Bucks.
