The Panther
Patrick Henry Middle School
Dear Patrick Henry Families,
I hope this message finds you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for a fantastic school year ahead. I am honored and excited to begin the new year as the Principal of Patrick Henry Middle School. As a Patrick Henry alum and parent of two Patrick Henry alumni, and serving as your Assistant Principal for the last 8 years, I feel privileged to continue this journey to partner with you to create an environment where every child can succeed.
A Continued Commitment
Having already learned alongside our amazing staff, students, and families, I’ve experienced the strength of our community firsthand. The Patrick Henry commitment remains the same: to ensure every child experiences success and feels valued.
Our Shared Values: Respectful, Responsible, and Safe
This year, we are continuing to emphasize our three core values:
● Be Respectful – We speak and act with kindness, valuing one another's differences and contributions.
● Be Responsible – We own our actions, meet expectations, and take pride in our learning.
● Be Safe – We care for ourselves and others by making safe choices both inside and outside the classroom.
These values will guide everything we do—from classroom routines to schoolwide events—and help us create a positive learning environment for all.
Important Back-to School Information
We want to draw particular attention to our Panther Preview Day on Monday, August 18th. We invite all students and families to join us on this day to get their new class schedule, meet their teachers, locate their locker, take school pictures, get bus information, and more. The doors open at noon, and teachers will be available in their classrooms from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please review the Panther Preview Day Information located in this newsletter regarding specific times and details.
Let’s Make It a Great Year
I’m grateful to begin this new chapter with you and can’t wait to see all the amazing things our students will accomplish.
Here’s to a year of learning, growing, and leading—with respect, responsibility, and safety at the heart of it all.
Warmly,
Jeffrey Noll
It’s time to update information!
Parents/Guardians of students currently enrolled in the Sioux Falls School District should complete the Annual Information Update (Online Registration) for each one of their students through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
https://siouxfallssd.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/siouxfalls.jsp
After logging into the Parent Portal, a link for Annual Information Update can be found under the left menu. If you have forgotten your password, please call your school or Central Services at 367-8432 to reset your password.
If you have changed addresses over the summer, proof of residency must be supplied. Documents that are acceptable for proof of residency are: lease agreement, mortgage documents, utility bill, property tax payment/receipt, homeowners insurance policy, or state/government agency mail.
The updates must be done through parent/guardian accounts only. Household information for ALL students must be updated prior to the start of the school year.
Parents who are new to the SFSD can access the Online Registration through the SFSD website. (www.sf.k12.sd.us) - Select the icon “New Family Information” from the left side of the page - Under School Registration and Enrollment, select the red Online Registration System link - Enter the requested information, select the Registration Year as 25-26, and enter the letters and/or numbers seen in the captcha box. - Select “Begin Registration”. - It is always helpful to write the application number down.
Any student in grades 7-12 who intends to participate in activities at the high school level MUST have their information completed online before the first day of practice.
If you do not have access to a computer, one is currently available at IPC, 201 E. 38th Street, or at middle and high school offices.
Suggested Supplies
- 3+ inch zippered binder/trapper-keeper
- 1 Subject Spiral Notebook, wide-ruled
- 3-pronged 2 pocket folder
- 3 pocket folders with 3 hole punches to put in binder
- Highlighter
- #2 Pencils
- Pens
- Loose leaf paper
- 3 hole zippered pouch
- Colored pencils
- Ear buds or headphones
- water bottle (without a spray/squeezable top)
Suggested Supplies
- 3+ inch zippered binder/trapper-keeper
- 1 Subject Spiral Notebook, wide-ruled
- 3-pronged 2 pocket folder
- Durable 2 pocket folder with three hole punch
- Highlighter
- #2 Pencils
- Pens
- Loose leaf paper (wide ruled)
- 3 hole zippered pouch
- Colored pencils
- Ear buds or headphones
- water bottle (without a spray/squeezable top)
Suggested Supplies
- 3+ inch zippered binder/ trapper-keeper
- Pens, #2 pencils, and erasers
- highlighter
- Loose leaf paper
- 3-hole zippered pencil pouch
- Colored pencils
- Two spiral notebooks
- Composition notebook
- 2 folders, one with prongs
- Basic calculator
- Ear buds or headphones
- Water bottle (without a spray/squeezable top)
Forms Needed to Participate in Patrick Henry Athletics
Complete the Activity Participation Packet. This needs to be completed prior to each school year.
Please login to your Parent Infinite Campus account and complete the “Annual Student Information Update.” After signing into Infinite Campus, click on “More” in the left hand margin to get to the Annual Student Information Update.
When completing the Annual Information Update, you must complete ALL children linked to your Parent ID.
Be aware that a green check mark by your student’s name does NOT mean that the information has been submitted. You must click “Save and Continue” all the way to the end of the program and then click “Submit”.
Complete the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form.
Your student will need a Preparticipation Physical Evaluation dated after April 1st of Students 5th Grade year and prior to participation.
This paper copy needs to be turned into the school office and it is valid through the end of students 8th grade school year.
Note: Your student will not be able to practice without these two required forms being completed
If you have any type of barrier or cannot afford a student physical, please contact me at Jameson.Clarke@k12.sd.us
Athletes must have insurance to participate.
Chorus News
Click on link below message for more choir news.
Band News
Orchestra News
The Patrick Henry Parent Teacher Organization provides an opportunity for the school and community to work together to improve the school experience for all involved.
The PHMS PTO uses its donations, fundraising money, and volunteer time to directly benefit students and staff. Some of the events and services provided by the PTO include:
Host an annual school-wide “Panther Party” free for all students
Provide meals for teachers and staff during parent-teacher conferences twice a year
Provide and organize donations to support the Panther Caring Closet at PHMS
Support Student Recognition Awards and Events (such as student of the month, team celebrations, and the end of the year awards ceremony)
Provide opportunities to promote and sell PHMS Spirit Wear
Celebrate Staff Appreciation Week
Promote the student-adult mentoring program
Host an end of year 8th grade party
All are welcome to attend the monthly PTO meetings held in the PHMS conference room from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on the following Wednesdays throughout the 2025-26 school year:
August 13
September 17
February 18
October 15
March 18
November 19
April 15
January 21
May 13 (subject to change)
For more information regarding how to get involved in the PHMS PTO, please email the PTO Chair, Amber Edelen, at patrickhenrypantherspto@gmail.com . We have open positions for Fundraising, Spirit Wear, and Co-Chair.
"No Fundraiser, Fundraiser."
Please click on the link below to make your donation, or scan the QR code. We appreciate your support to make PHMS a great place for students and staff!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8UC5RR7YQADZ2
Counselors Corner
We have three professional school counselors at Patrick Henry who are all here to help guide your student through middle school! Please click on the "Counselor Corner" button below to view the counselor's newsletter for this month that houses many helpful resources, social, emotional learning information and much more. This information is provided to help both students and parents navigate the middle school years!
Mrs. Chelsea Timm - 6th Grade
Mrs. Hannah Serck - 7th Grade
Mrs. Briana Nelsen - 8th Grade
*Click on your counselor's name and you'll be directed to their email address.*
Check out our website for resources and much more!
Website: https://sites.google.com/k12.sd.us/phms-counseling/home
Phone: (605) 367-8443
Student Chromebook Insurance
News From the Nurse
Student Attendance
If your child is going to be absent, please call the school (367-7639) prior to 8:40am. An absence must be reported either by note or phone in the day of the absence, or before if you know ahead of time. Absences can also be reported via voicemail outside of regular office hours. Students leaving during the day need to pick up a pass in the office by 9:00am and also check out with a parent/guardian at the office when leaving. If they come back during the school day, a pass from the front office needs to be issued in order for them to get back into the classroom.
After attendance is taken each morning, an automated call will go out to any family who has not notified the school regarding a student’s absence. Student safety is the main concern and this procedure provides another check on a student’s absence.
The Office of the Superintendent is the chief executive office of the School District, providing overall leadership for the school system. The Superintendent, with the assistance of two assistant superintendents and various Senior Directors and Directors maintains a vital staff and strong curriculum for the K-12 program and early childhood; provides special programs for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities and support services such as transportation, libraries, and counselors. The Superintendent manages 24 elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, an alternative school, a career technical education academy, and other related buildings; prepares the annual budget and oversees the fiscal management of the District; is responsible for making policy recommendations and implementing adopted Board policies; and serves as chief liaison with the community-at-large.
Dr. James Nold has served in the field of education for the past 34 years, assuming his current role as Superintendent of South Dakota’s largest school district in July 2025. Prior to his current appointment, he served as the District's Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for nine years.
Dr. Nold served as the Principal of Washington High School from 2006 to 2016. He has also been an Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Coach. He received his Doctoral Degree at the University of South Dakota after earning his Master’s Degree at South Dakota State University, his Specialist Degree at the University of Sioux Falls, and his Bachelor’s Degree at Augustana University, where he also competed in collegiate wrestling.
Demonstrating his deep beliefs that all children deserve educational opportunities, Dr. Nold considers it a great honor to have twice led an education team to Ethiopia to establish an English Literacy program at schools that serve the poorest of poor in that country.
He and his wife Tammy, a school counselor, have two children, Hailey, a clinical counselor for a mental health agency in Minnesota, and Riley, a Physics Doctoral student at UC Berkeley.
Contact us
Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/patrick-henry/students-parents
Location: 2200 South 5th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-367-7639
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanthersSF
Twitter: @PanthersSF