SWSC News September 11th, 2026

Next week is a four-day week for students. There is no school on Friday, September 18th, as all SWSC buildings hold a Professional Development Day. Sullivan Elementary will also hold Parent/Teacher Conferences that day. Before then, Sullivan Middle School midterms go home on Tuesday, September 15th.

It is also a big week for the Arrows. The girls' golf team plays its sectional on Friday the 18th in Bicknell, the football team is home against South Putnam that night, and SHS hosts the Chad Smith Scholarship Invitational in cross country on Wednesday the 16th. Closer to home this weekend, Carlisle's Fall Carnival is Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Thank you for being part of the Southwest family.

No School and Parent/Teacher Conferences: Friday, September 18th

There is no school for SES students on Friday, September 18th for a Teacher Professional Development Day. Parent/Teacher Conferences are also scheduled for that day.

Fall Festival: Thursday, September 24th

The Sullivan Elementary Fall Festival is Thursday, September 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. We are still looking for community helpers! Would your church small group, sorority, fraternity, community organization, sports team, or group of parents like to host a carnival game booth? Gather your group, run a game, and help create lasting memories for our kids. Please reach out to the SES office if you are interested. Together, we can make this year's Fall Festival the best one yet.

Biddy Basketball

Biddy Basketball runs every Thursday from September 24th through October 22nd. Forms were due September 10th, and extra forms are available in the office.

Homework Helps

Homework Helps takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:00 PM for students who need extra help with assigned homework. Contact your child's teacher to get them signed up. Students should be picked up at Door #1 (main entrance). If your student plans to stay, you must mark it in Pick-Up Patrol.

Dartettes

Dartettes practice every Wednesday after school until 4:00 PM in the SES gym.

School Smiles: Friday, October 2nd

The dentist will be at SES on Friday, October 2nd, providing cleanings, fluoride, x-rays, sealants, restorative care, and free dental supplies. All students need to register, as it is the start of a new school year. Register online at https://schoolsmiles.com/student-signup/.

Fall Picture Retakes: Wednesday, October 21st

Fall picture retakes will take place on Wednesday, October 21st.

Stay Connected

Please check the SES Facebook page every Friday for our weekly Lost and Found post, and check the comments to claim your student's lost items. The SES PTO has also launched a new Facebook page, Sullivan Elementary School PTO. Please like and share it with friends and family to stay up to date on all the fun things planned for our students, teachers, and staff this year.

Outside Food Reminder

If you bring in outside food for your student, it must be in a lunchbox or lunch sack. Please do not send it in restaurant packaging (McDonald's, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Subway, etc.). Complete breakfast and lunch menus with nutritional information are available in the Nutrislice app.

Coming Up This Fall

• October 12th to 16th: No School, Fall Break

• October 26th to 30th: Fall Book Fair

• October 30th: Trunk or Treat

Beta Club Fundraiser Kicks Off

The SMS Beta Club's Fannie May fundraiser runs September 11th through September 25th. Beta members will also meet Friday, September 11th during Arrow Academy.

Arrow Homework Hub

Arrow Homework Hub meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the Library. Students can get extra help with homework and assignments from our high school student helpers, and free snacks are provided. Parents should plan to pick up students at 4:00 PM at the front of the building.

Clubs and Organizations

• FCA meets every Wednesday at 7:45 AM in the Multipurpose Room.

• Dartettes practice every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the SES gym.

Fall Baseball Open Practice

The next fall baseball open practice for students in grades 6 through 8 is Thursday, September 24th from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at the SHS Baseball Field.

Attendance Reminder

Parents may call in or excuse up to 5 absences per semester. After the 5th absence, additional absences must have documentation in order to be excused.

Phones

Southwest School Corporation maintains a bell-to-bell cell phone policy. The SMS school day runs from 8:05 AM to 2:55 PM.

Lunch Money

Please bring lunch money to the office between 7:45 and 8:15 AM. Money turned in after that time will be posted the following day.

Mark Your Calendars

• September 15th: Midterms Sent Home

• September 17th: Fall Sports Pictures

• September 18th: No School, SWSC Professional Development Day

• September 22nd: 8th Grade River Raft Field Trip

Stay Connected

Follow SMS on Facebook for pictures, important updates, upcoming events, and all the great things happening at Sullivan Middle School. One Arrow. One Direction. One Team.

The Sullivan junior high football team improved to 4-2 on the season with a 36-0 win over North Knox on Tuesday, September 8th. The defense earned its second shutout of the year thanks to big plays from defensive linemen Dillinger Easley and Hoyt Eslinger. Jack Phegley added an interception, and Kollin Bostic forced and recovered a fumble.

Up front, the offensive line of Jax Bedwell, Canton Allen, Willie Martin, Remi Wolfe, and Zander Smelis was dominant, clearing the way for Ashton Hale to rush for over 150 yards and a touchdown. The line also gave Mason Metheny time to throw four touchdown passes to Kysen Arnett, Blake Kelley, Kollin Bostic, and Jack Phegley. The team is back at home on Thursday, September 17th against Owen Valley at 6:00 PM.

Fall Carnival: Friday, September 11th

The Carlisle Fall Carnival is Friday, September 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Bring the whole family out for a great night at CEMS! Thank you to everyone who has pitched in with candy donations by grade level: Smarties from kindergarten, Tootsie Rolls from 1st grade, Laffy Taffy from 2nd grade, and 2-liters of pop from 3rd grade.

Drama Club, Rock Band, and a Guitar Raffle

If your child in grades 5 through 8 is interested in Drama Club or Rock Band, please have them see Ms. Wheelock. The band is also raffling off an electric guitar along with one week of free lessons. Tickets are $5 each or 4 for $20. See any band member or Ms. Wheelock to buy tickets.

8th Grade Parents: Join SportsYou

Parents, please make sure you have joined the SportsYou app for important reminders. If you need help, contact Melissa Ridgway at mridgway@swest.k12.in.us.

Indians Volleyball Home Games

Come cheer on the Indians! Our 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams travel to Clay City on Thursday, September 17th. Remaining home dates are September 22nd against West Vigo, September 24th against Linton, and October 6th against Rivet, all at 6:00 PM.

Grandparents Breakfast: Friday, September 25th

Grandparents are invited to breakfast on Friday, September 25th from 7:00 to 8:00 AM in the CEMS Cafe. We would love to see you!

No School: Friday, September 18th

There is no school on Friday, September 18th for a Professional Development Day.

School Smiles: Thursday, October 1st

School Smiles will be at Carlisle on Thursday, October 1st. Your child will come home with a QR code to sign up online if you would like for them to see the dentist on site.

Contact Info and Birthday Grams

Get your Birthday Grams! There are two options: a $5 Gram (balloon, card, and choice of a full-size candy bar, selection varies based on availability) or a $20 Party (Hostess cakes and juice boxes for the class, plus a birthday gram, balloon, and choice of a full-size candy for the birthday student). For Birthday Gram requests or other questions, please contact Debra McCray at 812-398-3851 ext. 2402 or dmccrary@swest.k12.in.us.

Homecoming Prep Is Underway

"Wish Upon a Win" is the theme for SHS Homecoming 2026, and the class float crews are already hard at work. This week, 10th graders met in Mrs. Badger's room and 9th graders met in Mrs. Lewis's room to build their floats. Watch for more Homecoming details in the weeks ahead.

Kindness Club

If you filled out an application for the Kindness Club, be on the lookout for an email from Mrs. Hollis with information about the club's first meeting.

Field Trip: Clayshire Castle's Medieval Faire

The Social Studies Department is sponsoring a field trip to Clayshire Castle's Medieval Faire on Saturday, September 26th. The cost is $20, which covers transportation and admission. See Mr. Simmons in Room 221 to sign up or for more information.

Free After-School Tutoring

Free after-school tutoring is available every week on Tuesdays (Room 221 with Mr. Simmons and Room 101 with Mr. Obryan), Wednesdays (Room 101 with Mr. Obryan), and Thursdays (CRC room with Mrs. Couch).

The Sullivan boys' tennis team defeated Owen Valley 5 to 0 on the road Tuesday, September 8th. The win moves the Arrows to 10 and 2 overall and 4 and 0 in conference play.

In singles, Hunter Pinkston won at No. 1 over Braxton Miller, 6-0, 6-1. Jaxon Zollman won at No. 2 over Braxton Michael, 6-0, 6-1, and Blake DeSanto won at No. 3 over Alden Van Arsdale, 6-2, 6-0. At No. 1 doubles, Zane Abbott and Tanner Boyll defeated Nolan Van Arsdale and Huson Charles, 6-0, 6-1. The No. 2 doubles match went the distance, with Sean Bobbitt and Drew Bobbitt outlasting Kolstan Brown and Wyatt Harmon 6-3, 5-7, 11-9 in a third-set super tiebreaker.

The junior varsity tied Owen Valley 3 to 3. Ryder Jenkins won a JV singles match, and the doubles teams of Mattox Walters and Jackson Orr and Brody Cary and Cooper Stanifer both won their JV doubles matches.

Coach Wes Kirk said the Arrows are in the hunt for their fourth straight conference championship, with two conference matches left to play. He congratulated Drew and Sean Bobbitt on earning their varsity letters and praised the way they finished. "What I liked the most about the Bobbitts in their match with Owen Valley is they continued to be aggressive at the net even when the pressure was truly on in their third set super tiebreaker," Kirk said. "Winning is very often in the details and the adjustments. That is what makes tennis so interesting and fun."

The Arrows are home Friday, September 11th against Bloomfield at 4:30 PM.

The Golden Arrows put together a dominant Friday night at home on August 28th, handling South Vermillion 55-7 to move to 2-0 on the season.

Clark French led the way with 175 total yards and two touchdowns, his third straight game with at least one rushing score. Maddox Grise threw for 166 yards and four touchdowns, and Lane Simmons added 42 total yards and two more scores. Just as impressive, Sullivan finished the night without a single penalty yard, its cleanest game of the young season. The defense has been the story so far, giving up just 14 points total across the first two weeks.

Sullivan opens conference play tonight, Friday, September 4th, on the road at Northview at 7:00 PM, then travels to Linton-Stockton next Friday, September 11th, for another 7:00 PM kickoff. Load up the car and bring the purple and gold with you.

The Sullivan girls' golf team traveled to Forest Park GC in Brazil on Wednesday, September 9th for a dual match with Northview. Northview won the match 187 to 219, and Northview's Kailee James was low medalist with a 43.

Lanie Donnar led the Arrows with a 51, followed by Kennedy Boles at 54 and Paisley Drake and Olivia Eslinger at 57 each. Aubrey Andreae shot 59, Kendal Redman 68, and Hailey Barker 71.

Coach Clarence Johnson said he was proud of the girls' effort and saw good things from all of them. The team tried some new and different shots on a few holes that worked out very well, which he hopes will give the girls confidence to work those shots into their games.

After Thursday's match against West Vigo at the Sullivan Elks, the Arrows have one more regular season match: Monday, September 14th at South Knox with Eastern Greene at Cypress Hills GC in Vincennes. Sectionals are Friday, September 18th at High Pointe CC in Bicknell, with tee times currently set to begin at 11:00 AM. Good luck, Arrows!

There's no place like home for the Sullivan volleyball team. After a road loss at Terre Haute South Vigo on Tuesday, September 1st, the Golden Arrows bounced back with a 3-1 home win over the Bloomfield Cardinals on Thursday, September 3rd. It was Sullivan's fifth straight win over Bloomfield.

The Arrows won by set scores of 25-16, 17-25, 25-15, and 25-21, and looked especially sharp in the third set. Camden Golish led Sullivan's offense with 12 kills. Rachel Eslinger helped set up the attack with 34 assists and was also strong at the service line, leading the team with six aces.

The win moved Sullivan to 8-3 on the season. Come out and cheer them on next week, when they host Clay City on Monday, September 14th and Vincennes Rivet on Thursday, September 17th. JV plays at 6:00 PM and varsity at 7:00 PM both nights.

The Sullivan girls' soccer team didn't let history get in the way on Wednesday, September 9th. After winning just once in its previous nine meetings with Northview, Sullivan rolled to a sharp 3-0 road win over the Knights.

The Arrows' defense has now held opponents scoreless for three straight games, including a 3-0 home win over Barr Reeve on September 5th, when Brielle Hamilton (#10) scored twice, with an assist from Braelyn Kendall, and Mariah Baxley added a goal. The offense has been strong, scoring 28 goals while winning five of its last six. The Lady Arrows are 5-0-2 and host Covington on Saturday, September 12th at 10:00 AM.