PUMA NEWS

Congratulations to our 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students who were honored with the On-Board All-Star Award for the week of September 2! This award recognizes students for helping others feel welcome and supported during transitions. We are so proud of the kindness, inclusion, and positive energy they bring to our school community every day!

EHP Application 2026-27

The Expanding Horizons Program (EHP) is now open to all students!

EHP is an optional, project-based elective program. Students will learn foundational skills, build on skills they are learning in other classes, and then apply those skills to real-world tasks and projects. Because EHP is an elective, students must apply. If selected, EHP will take the place of another class in your schedule. Some EHP courses will also include off-campus field trips and other hands-on learning experiences.

EHP Opportunities for 2026–27

This year, EHP will include:

• SPIKE and VEX Robotics
  Ready to build the ultimate robot? Join a robotics team and work with your friends to design, build, program, and test a real robot! You’ll level up your engineering and problem-solving skills, with the chance to compete and represent SMS in a robotics tournament.

• Heads up: If you make the competitive team, you'll need to be ready for after-school practices and weekend competitions.
• Not ready for that commitment? No problem! We also offer an optional after-school robotics club for anyone who just wants to build and have fun without competing.

• 3D Design
  Step into the exciting world of 3D printing! In this awesome, hands-on class, you will learn how to design completely original objects by combining and twisting basic shapes on the computer. Then, you'll get to bring your ideas to life on a real 3D printer! Best of all, you will use your tech talents to solve real community problems and invent things that make a difference.

• Photography & Yearbook
  Grab a camera and capture the school year! In this hands-on class, you will level up your photography skills and take awesome pictures at special school events. Your photos will even be featured for everyone to see in the Puma News and the yearbook! Plus, we will go on an exciting field trip to practice your skills out in the real world.

• Good News Morning Webcast Announcements
  Ever wanted to be the face or voice behind the morning announcements? In this class, you’ll dive into the world of video production, broadcasting, and communication. Learn how to run the cameras, host the show, edit videos, and pull off an awesome broadcast. You'll work behind the scenes and in front of the microphone to help create the Good News morning show that the whole school watches!

How to Apply:

There are six application choices. Please read through all six options before choosing ONE.

Click through each screen—don’t worry, you can always go back.

You only need to complete ONE application section, even if you are interested in more than one EHP area.

Before You Submit

Please be sure to:

• Upload any requested photos or documents directly to the application. Please do not email them separately.
• Take your time with your answers. Be thoughtful, specific, and clear.
• Check your document after submitting. I may ask follow-up or clarifying questions, so be sure to check for messages after you apply.
• Submit your application by the deadline. Late applications will NOT be accepted.
• Remember that space is limited, so not everyone who applies may be selected.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about EHP or the application, please email me at ndedecker@conval.edu.

Tip: I recommend using the Google platform for ease in drafting. Download your final draft and upload to the application. This makes it easier to organize your thoughts and copy or upload your responses to the application.

I’m looking forward to a great year together!

If your student loves working with others, staying organized, or getting involved, encourage them to run for our new SMS Student Leadership team! This program combines our former Student Council and Student Culture Committee into a single group focused on school spirit, student advocacy, and practical leadership skills.

Key Details & Dates:

• Available Roles::Students can run for President (7th and 8th graders only), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Activities Coordinator, or Grade Level Representative.
• Application Steps: Students need to complete an application, secure one teacher reference, and get parent or guardian permission.
• Application Due Date: Turn in completed forms to Mrs. Lyons by Monday, September 14.
• Mandatory Meeting: All applicants must attend a brief meeting in Room 3 on Tuesday, September 15, during the second lunch block.
• Speeches: Candidates write a one-minute speech to submit to Mrs. Lyons (mlyons@conval.edu) by Monday, September 21. An optional speech workshop will take place on Wednesday, September 16.
• Voting Day: Speeches play over morning announcements on Wednesday, September 23, before students vote.
• Time Commitment: Officers meet after school once every two weeks (alternating Wednesdays and Thursdays) and must attend at least 80% of meetings and events.

Getting Involved Beyond Officer Roles:

If a student isn't elected to an officer spot, they can still participate! Our Activities Coordinator will regularly look for student volunteers to help set up and run school events throughout the year.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Lyons at mlyons@conval.edu.

Full Details Attached Below:

For complete descriptions of each officer role, group goals, and the printable student application, please refer to the attached document below.

Our 5th graders went on an exciting forest scavenger hunt with John Benjamin to discover biotic and abiotic factors in action. Students learned first hand how these living and non-living elements depend on one another to maintain a healthy ecosystem! Check out a few highlights from our outdoor adventure below.

5th and 6th grade students started the year off with an engineering challenge of protecting an egg from breaking after a 18' drop. This year I mixed it up by hard boiling one of the groups eggs to see if it created a significant difference in the results.

A 7th grade IAT student cutting board for his Shaker Peg Rack on the bandsaw

South Meadow School is looking for talented, caring professionals to join our high-performing team, and we need your help to find them.

• Boys Basketball Coach

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!!

Parents/Guardians who are interested in paying the optional Chromebook fee of $25 need to do so prior to Friday, September 11, 2026 , or within two weeks of their student’s enrollment in the ConVal School District.

(Important Note: The Chromebook Fee is not retroactive. It will not cover damage that occurred before the Chromebook Fee has been paid.)

Payments can be made online at the online payment center.

If you are unable to make an online payment and need to make a payment using an alternate method, or if a family is experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the Business Administrator of the ConVal School District, either by phone (603) 924-3336 ext. 2029 or by email.

Pick up and Drop off can be a busy time at SMS. Please note that we have worked very hard to ensure that the process is smooth. The morning routine was remedied last year by opening the doors for parent drop off at 7:00 am. We will continue this practice again this year.

The afternoon parent pick-up can still be slow at times. After a thorough investigation, the main cause of the back up in the parking lot is due to cars turning left. We are continuing to look for solutions to the issue.

• We will open the doors for students that are dropped off out back only at 7:00 am.
• This procedure is only for Parent/Guardian drop-off.
• Staff will be available outback at 7:10am.
• Please enter through the SAU entrance and turn right into the upper parking lot.

Please see the visual below for more information.

• Enter through the SAU entrance and turn right into the upper parking lot.
• Please arrive between 2:05 and 2:15, otherwise traffic can get backed up into Route 202.
• Students are dismissed at 2:15.
• Note that cars turning left can cause a significant back up.

The late bus is available to students that participate in afterschool activities. It is important to know that the late bus drops off students in central locations, please see the list below.

Please click here for more information

Please click on this link for more information.

• Looking for SMS Gear? Click Here!