SWSC News October 16, 2026

Fall Picture Retakes: Wednesday, October 21

Picture retakes are Wednesday, October 21. If your child missed picture day or you would like a new photo, make sure they are ready to smile!

5th and 6th Grade Boys Basketball

Open gym starts the first week back: Monday through Wednesday, October 19 to 21, from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. in the elementary gym. Tryouts follow on October 26 to 29, also 5:30 to 7:00 in the elementary gym. Players must have a physical on file before attending open gym or tryouts. The 5/6 boys season tips off at home on Monday, November 23.

5th and 6th Grade Girls Basketball

Open gym will be November 3 and 5 from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. in the elementary gym, with tryouts November 9 and 10 from 5:00 to 6:30. Players must have a physical on file before attending open gym or tryouts. Now is a great time to schedule that physical if your daughter still needs one.

Boys Biddy Basketball: Final Night October 22

Boys Biddy Basketball wraps up on Thursday, October 22. Grades K to 2 meet from 5:30 to 6:30 P.M., and grades 3 to 5 meet from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. Enter through door 23.

Archery Practices Begin

Archery practice starts this week and will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 at Sullivan High School (enter through door 18). New archers only will also practice every Wednesday in October from 5:30 to 6:30.

Trunk or Treat Volunteers Needed

Help make our Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 30 a fun and memorable event for our students! Decorating begins at 8:15 and the event wraps up by noon. If you would like to decorate a trunk and hand out treats, please sign up to volunteer here. The same day, the FFA hosts Fright Night at the FFA Ag Barn from 5:30 to 9:00 P.M.

After-School Activities

• Homework Help: Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:00 P.M. Contact your child's teacher to sign up. Pick up is at Door #1 (main entrance), and you MUST note the change in Pick-Up Patrol.
• Spell Bowl: Practice every Tuesday after school until 4:00 P.M. Pick up at the main entrance; put the change in Pick-Up Patrol.
• Dartettes: Practice every Wednesday after school until 4:00 P.M. in the SES gym.

SES Reminders

• Check the SES Facebook page every Friday for the Lost and Found post, and claim items in the comments.
• Follow the Sullivan Elementary School PTO Facebook page to stay up to date on PTO events for students, teachers, and staff.
• Outside food must come in a lunchbox or lunch sack, not in restaurant packaging (McDonald's, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Subway, etc.).
• Coming up: Fall Book Fair October 26 to 30; Trunk or Treat and FFA Fright Night Friday, October 30; Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1; Veterans Day Program Wednesday, November 11 at 8:45 A.M.; Thanksgiving Break (no school) November 25 to 27.

Winter Sports for SES Families

Winter basketball starts at SES! Our 5th graders try out for the Sullivan 5/6 teams this fall, and the 5/6 boys play their November home games right here in the SES gym: Monday, November 23 vs. Vincennes Rivet and Monday, November 30 vs. North Daviess, both at 6:00 P.M.

Get ready to read, discover, and explore! The SES Fall Book Fair runs Monday, October 26 through Friday, October 30, and students will shop during their Library Specials time. Visit the SES Book Fair page at www.scholastic.com/bf/sullivanelementaryschool2 to preview books and set up an eWallet before the fair.

• eWallets: Scholastic's eWallet lets your child shop without carrying cash. New this year, unspent funds stay in the eWallet, you can transfer funds between children, and eWallet funds can also be used to shop online with Scholastic, including Book Clubs.
• Share the Fair: No kid should leave the Fair empty-handed! Families and community members can contribute to Share the Fair, Scholastic's giving program that helps SES students who need support buying new books.

SES 2nd graders traveled back in time to ancient Greece! After learning all about Greek myths, the classes celebrated with a Greek feast on Friday, October 9. Students dressed the part in white togas, gold sashes, and green laurel crowns, then gathered around their tables to share a feast of Greek-inspired snacks. It was a fun way to bring the stories of gods, heroes, and legends to life, and the smiles said it all. Thank you to SES 2nd-grade teachers for making learning so memorable!

Report Cards and Picture Retakes: Wednesday, October 21

First grading period report cards will be posted in Harmony on Wednesday, October 21. Picture retakes are the same day. Please take a few minutes with your student to look over grades and set goals for the second grading period.

Earning the Next PBIS Celebration

A new grading period means a fresh start! To take part in the PBIS celebration at the end of each grading period, students must meet these expectations for the entire grading period:

• 0 suspensions
• No more than 4 behavior referrals
• No failing grades due to missing assignments
• No more than 3 unexcused absences

Arrow Homework Hub

Need a little extra help? Arrow Homework Hub meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 P.M. in the Library.

Arrows Stop

The Arrows Stop is open after school on the first Friday of every month, with pop, candy, and chips for students to purchase. The next opening is Friday, November 6.

Clubs and Organizations

• Beta: Meets every Friday during Arrow Academy.
• FCA: Meets every Wednesday at 7:45 in the Multipurpose Room.
• Dartettes: Practice every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 in the SES gym.
• PTO: Interested in joining the SMS PTO? Use this sign-up form. We'd love to have you!

SMS Reminders

• Attendance: Parents may call in or excuse up to 5 absences per semester. After the 5th absence, additional absences must have documentation to be excused.
• Phones: Southwest School Corporation maintains a bell-to-bell cell phone policy. The SMS school day is 8:05 to 2:55.
• Lunch Money: Bring lunch money to the office between 7:45 and 8:15 A.M. Money turned in later is posted the following day.
• 
  

Winter Sports Are on the Way

• 7/8 Boys Basketball: The 7/8 boys play eight games this month, opening at home against West Vigo on Tuesday, November 3 at 6:00 P.M. Their other home games are November 11 vs. Vincennes Rivet, November 17 vs. Vincennes Clark, and November 30 vs. Clay City, with road games at St. Patrick's (November 5), Woodrow Wilson (November 9, 5:30 P.M.), Dugger at Union (November 18), and White River Valley (November 23).
• 5/6 Boys Basketball: the 5/6 boys open their season at home in the SES gym on Monday, November 23 against Vincennes Rivet and host North Daviess on Monday, November 30. Both games start at 6:00 P.M.
• 7/8 Girls Basketball: the Lady Arrows tip off their season on Monday, November 30 at 6:00 P.M. at North Central (Farmersburg).

Word of the Week (WOW) Is Back

Carlisle is bringing back WOW this year! All students have to do is scan one of the QR codes located around the school and use the Word of the Week correctly in a sentence for a chance to win a prize. Encourage your student to give it a try each week.

Middle School Dance: Saturday, October 24

The Carlisle Middle School Dance is Saturday, October 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Admission is $5.

Red Ribbon Week and Costume Parade

Red Ribbon Week is October 26 to 30. Watch for flyers with the daily dress-up themes. On Friday, October 30, students should bring their costumes for the parade!

Indians Basketball Is Coming

Indians basketball tips off in November! The 7/8 boys open the season with three games at Palestine on November 2, 3, and 4 at 7:00 P.M., then play their home opener Monday, November 23 against Hutsonville at 6:00 P.M. The 7/8 girls open Thursday, November 19 at Palestine at 6:00 P.M. Go Indians!

Thank you to the Twin Rivers program for visiting Carlisle and sharing with our 8th graders all of the medical career opportunities available to them in high school. Students moved from station to station, visiting display boards and talking with Twin Rivers staff and students about the training and certifications they can start earning before graduation. It was a great look ahead for our 8th graders as they begin planning for high school and beyond.

Carlisle 4th graders had a blast at Nature's Classroom on October 8 and 9! Students hiked wooded trails, gathered under a covered bridge, explored the lakeshore, collected colorful fall leaves, and worked together on hands-on building projects. Nature's Classroom is a cherished Carlisle tradition, and they are so happy to carry it on for another class of 4th graders.

New School Start Time: 8:10 A.M.

Starting Monday, October 19, the official start of the SHS school day is 8:10 A.M. Students must report to ACT by 8:10. Bus schedules and times will not change.

Wrestling Sign-Ups

Any boys or girls interested in high school wrestling can still sign up using the SportsYou codes in the main office.

Free After-School Tutoring

• Tuesday: Room 101, Mr. Obryan
• Wednesday: Room 221, Mr. Simmons
• Thursday: CRC room, Mrs. Couch

Clubs and Opportunities

• Beta Club: Check SportsYou for important state convention information, including the extended registration deadline, testing and submission windows, and competition assignments. Be sure to scroll through the page for all new posts.
• NYC This Summer: Interested in visiting New York City this summer? See Mrs. Hollis or email her as soon as possible.
• Key Club: Anyone interested in Key Club or the food drive should watch for ACT meetings in the Library.

Winter Sports Are on the Way

• Girls basketball has a full November with eight games. The Lady Arrows play at Bedford North Lawrence on November 5 and at White River Valley on November 7, then come home for their home opener Tuesday, November 10 vs. Bloomfield. More home games follow against Owen Valley (November 14) and Edgewood (November 21), with road trips to Vincennes Lincoln (November 18), Terre Haute North (November 24), and Vincennes Rivet (November 28, 11:00 A.M. JV and 12:00 P.M. varsity). JV games start at 6:00 P.M. and varsity at 7:30 P.M. unless noted.
• Boys basketball tips off Thursday, November 19 at Barr Reeve (6:00 P.M.), followed by the home opener the night before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 25, against South Knox (JV at 6:00, varsity at 7:30). The varsity then plays in the Gobbler Games at Greencastle on Saturday, November 28 at 11:30 A.M.
• Girls wrestling kicks off at home with the Sullivan Fall Brawl on Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 A.M. The Lady Arrows then wrestle every Saturday in November: Castle (November 14, 10:00 A.M.), the Ben Davis Invite (November 21, 8:00 A.M.), and Lawrence Central (November 28, 9:00 A.M.).

Help Us Celebrate Our Teams

SHS wants to recognize our sports and club teams' accomplishments. Coaches, parents, and players who would like to share game updates can email Mrs. Knowles at sknowles@swest.k12.in.us. Golf and soccer coaches have been sending updates, and we would love for this to grow!

SHS National History Honor Society students will bring local history to life at Tombstone Tales on Sunday, October 25 at 4:00 P.M. in the Beth Reed Auditorium at Merom Camp and Retreat Center (8555 W. Phillips St., Merom). Students will share stories and facts about Sullivan County's citizens and settlers. This program is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Donna Adams at the Sullivan County Public Library, 812-268-4957 or dadams@sullivan.lib.in.us. Students who would still like to take part can see Dr. Herrin in room 218.

Get ready for a spooky night of family fun at Sullivan High School FFA’s Annual Fright Night on Friday, October 30, from 5:30–9:00 p.m. The FFA members have been working hard to prepare another fun-filled evening, and families are invited to come out and enjoy the event together.

In addition to the Halloween fun, Sullivan FFA is looking for volunteers to help supervise the event and a few more participants for Trunk-or-Treat. If you are willing to lend a hand or decorate your vehicle and pass out treats, please reach out to Ella Goeppner (egoeppner@swest.k12.in.us), Agriculture Teacher & FFA Advisor.

Bring your kids, grandkids, family, and friends and enjoy one of Sullivan FFA’s favorite events of the year! 🎃👻

Sullivan's #1 doubles team of Zane Abbott and Tanner Boyll made a memorable postseason run, reaching the Sectional Finals of the IHSAA State Tournament before falling to Barr-Reeve's #1 doubles team of Grant Armes and Kierson Lengacher in a match played at Jasper on Thursday, October 8. Along the way, the duo pulled off a dramatic comeback against Paoli. Zane and Tanner finished their first season as partners with an outstanding 18-4 record, the second most wins of anyone on the team this season and the third best record at #1 doubles in school history.

Coach's Comments: “I am very impressed with the season Tanner and Zane put together at the highest doubles position. I knew these two to be athletic, but this was the first year Tanner has played full-time varsity tennis, and this was also the first year these two played together as partners. They surpassed my already high expectations and finished with the second most wins of anyone on our team this season and the third best record at #1 doubles in school history. I am very happy to have gotten an extra week with these guys. I appreciate Jaxon Zollman and Hunter Pinkston partnering up with me at practice to give our #1 doubles team some match play. The amazing comeback Zane and Tanner had against Paoli will stay fresh in my mind. That was one of the best comebacks I have seen in my nearly 30-year coaching career. We scored some games in both sets against Barr-Reeve, but they just did not give us very many free points and they put a lot of pressure on us with their serves, returns, and net play. There is never any shame getting beaten by a good team and anytime you are going multiple days to Jasper in the post-season, you know something went well and that makes you very happy as a coach. My thanks to Zane for all he contributed to the tennis team the past 4 years. Zane is smooth, has all the shots, and handles pressure very well. I am excited to see Tanner's tennis game a year from now. Tanner is one of the smartest and most competitive tennis players I have coached at Sullivan.”

Congratulations to Zane on a great four-year career, and we can't wait to see what Tanner does next season. Go Arrows!

What a season! The Lady Arrows soccer team captured the IHSAA 2A Sectional Championship at Northview with three straight wins:

• Quarterfinal, Monday, October 5: Sullivan 6, Owen Valley 1
• Semifinal, Wednesday, October 7: Sullivan 2, Northview 0. The Lady Arrows kept a clean sheet against the host Knights, improving to 13-1-3 and winning for the seventh time in eight matches.
• Championship, Saturday, October 10: Sullivan 1, West Vigo 0. Another shutout, and the Sectional trophy came home to Sullivan!

The defense was the story of the week, allowing just one goal in three Sectional games and posting back-to-back shutouts when it mattered most. The team celebrated with the Sectional trophy on the field, a moment these players and coaches earned all season long.

The Sectional title brought Regional soccer to Sullivan. The Lady Arrows hosted Tri-West Hendricks in the IHSAA 2A Regional Semifinals on Wednesday, October 14 at the SHS Soccer Field, where the community turned out to bring the energy. Tri-West ended Sullivan's run that night, but it does not take away from a remarkable year: the Lady Arrows entered the Regional at 14-1-3, won nine games by three goals or more, and brought home a Sectional championship.

Thank you to our seniors for your leadership and an amazing season, and congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff. We are so proud of you!

Bundle up, Arrow Nation! The Golden Arrows close the regular season at home tonight, Friday, October 16, against West Vigo. It is Senior Night. Gates open at 6:00 P.M., our seniors will be recognized at 6:40 P.M., and kickoff is at 7:00 P.M. The Boosters will be grilling burgers and hot dogs, and John Montgomery will call the action live on WNDI 95.3 FM for those who cannot make it. Come out, pack the stands, and help us send off our senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members the right way before the Arrows turn to the IHSAA Sectional. Purple and gold, everyone!

The Lady Arrows volleyball team opened Sectional play by sweeping Eastern Greene in three sets on Thursday night, October 15, at West Vigo. Now 21-8 on the season, Sullivan heads back to West Vigo on Saturday, October 17, to face North Knox (5-21) in the second semifinal at 12:30 P.M. The first semifinal, Linton-Stockton (16-14) vs. South Knox (15-12), is at 11:00 A.M and the two winners will meet for the Sectional title. Tickets and a live stream are available on the IHSAA Sectional page. Good luck, ladies! The Sectional Championship is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. Saturday evening at West Vigo High School.

Cross country runs the Terre Haute North Vigo Sectional at LaVern Gibson on Saturday, October 17, with the girls' race at 10:30 A.M. and the boys' race at 11:15 A.M. The first 5 teams and the top 15 individuals from non-advancing teams advance to Regionals. Sectional tickets are $8, available digitally only through Eventlink, and children 5 and under are free.