8th Grade Transition to Valley High School:

• March 11 – 8th grade students will tour Valley High School.

• March 26 at 6:00 PM – 8th Grade Family Orientation at Valley High School in Gilcrest.
• March 28 – 8th Grade registration for Valley High School classes at South Valley Middle School.

6th & 7th Grade Transition:

March 11– 6th and 7th-grade students will visit the LaSalle campus to tour the school in preparation for Valley Middle School next year.

Spring Break:

March 17-21 – No school, enjoy your break!

Testing Dates:

• March 27 & 28 – NWEA Testing.

• April 9 & 10 – CMAS Testing begins with 8th-grade Science.
• April 15-17 – CMAS Testing for all grades (Math & ELA).

8th Grade ROPES Presentations:

• 8th-grade students will begin working on their ROPES presentations after Spring Break

• ROPES Presentations will take place on May 19.

LENT Lunches

Throughout the season of Lent, students will be able to select a meatless sack lunch that includes: Yogurt, String Cheese, Carrots, Craisins, an Oatmeal Whole Grain Bar, and Milk.

Panorama Survey - March 12th

South Valley Middle School Students will be taking the Panorama Survey that measures our successes with Youth Connections work around 7-Mindsets, Xello and Graduate Competencies on March 12th. If you would like to opt your student out of the survey, please complete this form.

8th Grade Transition to Valley High School:* March 6 – Valley High School counselors will visit to share information about courses and pathways with 8th-grade students.

• March 11 – 8th grade students will tour Valley High School.
• March 26 at 6:00 PM – 8th Grade Family Orientation at Valley High School in Gilcrest.
• March 28 – 8th Grade registration for Valley High School classes at South Valley Middle School.

6th & 7th Grade Transition:

• March 11– 6th and 7th-grade students will visit the LaSalle campus to tour the school in preparation for Valley Middle School next year.

Spring Break:

• March 17-21 – No school, enjoy your break!

Testing Dates:

• March 27 & 28 – NWEA Testing.

• April 9 & 10 – CMAS Testing begins with 8th-grade Science.
• April 15-17 – CMAS Testing for all grades (Math & ELA).

PTO Apparel Fundraiser:

• The PTO apparel fundraiser store is open until March 3. Funds raised will support South Valley Middle School field trips in May. Thank you for your support! Access the team store here: https://valley-middleschool.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Thank You from South Valley Staff:

• A huge thank you to everyone who attended Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your support during a tough time for our school is greatly appreciated.

Supporting the Transition to Valley Middle School:

• We want to support students as they transition to a consolidated middle school next year.

• If you would like to be a parent representative for the Valley Middle School transition, please reach out to Principal Scott Hodgson. Meetings will begin this spring.
• If you are interested in joining the Master Facilities Planning Team to discuss district building usage, also reach out to Principal Hodgson.

8th Grade ROPES Presentations:

• 8th-grade students will begin working on their ROPES presentations after Spring Break.

• ROPES Presentations will take place on May 19.

Attendance Matters!

• By 6th grade, chronic absenteeism is a leading indicator that a student may drop out of high school. Please help your child succeed by ensuring they attend school regularly.

Viking Pride Celebration:

• Our next Viking Pride event will be on March 7.

Thank you for being part of the South Valley Middle School community! Stay connected for more updates.

February is here, and we have a month full of exciting events, important reminders, and opportunities to support our school community! Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on all the fun and learning ahead.

CogAT Testing - February 12

All 6th-grade students will take the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) on February 12. This assessment is used as a screening tool to help identify Gifted and Talented students. Please ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep and has a healthy breakfast to be ready for testing!

Spread the Love Week Hygiene Drive - February 11-14

Support our community and earn points for your House by participating in our Spread the Love Week Hygiene Drive! We are collecting new, unused hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, face wash, deodorant, shampoo, and more. Let’s spread kindness and generosity!

I LOVE TO READ WEEK - February 25-28

We’re celebrating the joy of reading with I LOVE TO READ WEEK! Stay tuned for details on themed dress-up days and activities designed to promote a love of literacy among our students.

Parent-Teacher Conferences - February 25 & 27

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on February 25 and February 27. Sign-up links will be sent out soon, so keep an eye on your email to schedule a time to meet with your child’s teachers.

Attendance Matters!

Did you know that missing just 18 days of school per year—or only two to three days per month—can significantly increase a student's risk of falling behind in their coursework and even dropping out of high school? Every school day counts, and we all play a role in ensuring our students succeed. Let’s work together to keep our attendance strong!

Thank you for being an active part of the South Valley Middle School community. We appreciate your support and look forward to a fantastic February!

Best regards,

South Valley Middle School Administration

Hello Weld-RE1 families!

With several viruses circulating in the community and schools right now, this is a reminder to PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME if they have experienced any of the following symptoms in the last 24 hours:

• Temperature of 100.4 or greater

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (or any recurring loose or watery stools with or without stomach discomfort)
• Severe cough or difficulty breathing (that is not asthma related)
• Feeling unusually fatigued and unable to participate in normal activities (this is a common symptom of illness)

Please remember, your student should not return until they are at least 24 hours symptom free without any fever-reducing (or other symptom relief) medications. Please encourage frequent hand washing and help us prevent the spread!!

Thank you,

Danielle Endreson RN, BSNDistrict Nurse - Weld RE-1

Elective Changes and New Schedule Announcement

Welcome back, Vikings! As we kick off the second semester, we want to inform you about some changes to our electives and master schedule:

• Elective Classes: Students may notice changes in their elective courses this semester, with the exception of band and choir classes, which will remain the same.

• New Master Schedule: Due to a staff member leaving South Valley, our master schedule has shifted to a 6-period day plus Viking Time, replacing the previous 7-period day.

Here is our updated bell schedule:

• 7:40 AM: Cafeteria opens for breakfast
• 7:55 AM: First bell
• 8:00 AM: Tardy bell
• 1st Period: 8:00 - 9:05 AM
• 2nd Period: 9:08 - 10:08 AM
• 3rd Period: 10:11 - 11:11 AM
• Viking Time: 11:14 - 11:49 AM
• Lunch: 11:52 - 12:32 PM
• 4th Period: 12:35 - 1:35 PM
• 5th Period: 1:38 - 2:38 PM
• 6th Period: 2:41 - 3:40 PM

Please note: With the adjusted timing of Viking Time, we encourage families to schedule appointments on Mondays whenever possible to minimize disruptions.

Upcoming Events

Bingo Night Join us for a night of fun and connection at our Bingo Night!

Date: Friday, February 7, 2025

Time: 5:30 PM

This is a fantastic opportunity for families to meet one another and enjoy a fun evening together. We hope to see you there!

Honor Roll Awards and Ice Cream Social

We are proud of our students’ hard work and growth!

Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Time: 3:00 PM

Invitations will be sent out once report cards are completed. Report cards, along with NWEA Student Profiles, will be mailed to families. These profiles will highlight your student’s progress and help set goals for spring NWEA testing in March after spring break.

Viking Pride and Pep Rally

We kicked off the semester with our first Viking Pride student community meeting, where we set goals for the semester, shared school event information, and discussed current trends. Students were reminded to:* Start strong with grades.

• Be on time.
• Be prepared.
• Be a good person.

We will celebrate our 7th Grade Volleyball League Championship with a pep rally during Viking Time:

Date: Friday, January 10, 2025

Time: 11:15 AM

Come cheer on our team and watch the championship banner being unveiled in the SVMS gym!

Athletics Update

Girls basketball and wrestling seasons are kicking off! If you are interested in participating, please send your questions to our Athletic Director, Mr. Trujillo. Let’s gear up for a great season of Viking athletics!

PTO Fundraiser: American Furniture Warehouse

Did you know that South Valley Middle School is partnering with American Furniture Warehouse (AFW) for a year-round fundraiser?

How to participate:

1. At checkout (in-store, online, or by phone), mention our school or use our ID: SVMS36.
2. For online orders, input our ID or school in the "Special Comments" box at the payment screen.AFW will donate 2% of all purchases to SVMS, with 2-4% back on Beautyrest/Serta/Simmons items.

Already made a purchase? If you forgot to mention our school, email your sales order number to schoolsupport@afwonline.com to help credit SVMS retroactively. Thank you for your support!

Let's make this semester a great one, Vikings! Stay focused, stay involved, and let's achieve great things together.

Go Vikings!

Dear South Valley Families,

As we approach the holiday season, our school is full of exciting events and celebrations. Here is everything you need to know for the month of December:

Band and Choir Concert

Join us for an evening of music as our talented students showcase their skills.

Date: Wednesday, December 11

Time: 7:00 PM

Fall Play Performance

Our student actors are ready to shine! Don't miss their performance.

Date: Thursday, December 12

Time: 6:30 PM

Cookie Decorating

Students can enjoy cookie decorating during Viking Time.

Dates: Thursday, December 12, and Friday, December 13

Charcuterie Board Whorkshop

Youth Connections will host an after-school activity teaching students how to make charcuterie boards. This is a great hands-on opportunity for our students to learn something new.

Date: Wednesday, December 18

PTO Sponsored Cookies and Hot Chocolate

The PTO is spreading holiday cheer with cookies and hot chocolate for all students.

Date: Friday, December 20

VIP Ticket Party

We are celebrating students who have shown exemplary behavior during the first semester. Congratulations to all our VIP students!

Date: Friday, December 20

VIP Spirit Week Dress-Up Days

Let's show our school spirit during Spirit Week. The dress-up days are as follows:

Tuesday. December 19: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Wednesday, December 20: Crazy Hair Day

Thursday, December 21: Twin Day

Friday, December 22: Pajama Day

Reminder: Pajama pants are not allowed on regular school days, but they are permitted on Pajama Dress-Up Day, December 20.

Toy Drive competition

Help us spread holiday cheer by donating new toys to our Toy Drive Competition. Viking houses will compete to see who can donate the most toys. All donations will go to the Weld Elves Program.

Dates: December 10-13

Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive. We collected a total of 249 items. Congratulations to the House of Warriors for earning first place!

• First Place: House of Warriors - 173 items

• Second Place: House of Fearless - 60 items

• Third Place: House of Supreme Power - 16 items

Viking House Competition Standings

Here are the current standings in our year-long Viking House competition:

• First Place: House of Warriors - 17 points

• Second Place: House of Fearless - 14 points

• Third Place: House of Supreme Power - 13 points

Second Semester Schedules

Students schedules for the second semester will be ready during the week of December 17-20. Students who would like to request changes to their electives can meet with Mr. Balley during this time.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and school. We look forward to seeing you at these events as we wrap up the semester. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,

South Valley Middle School Administration

The South Valley Middle School Veteran's Day Assembly, organized by Mr. Trujillo and the dedicated SVMS student committee, was a heartfelt tribute to the veterans of Platteville and those connected to our school community. Held on November 8, the assembly honored the service and sacrifices of these brave individuals with sincere appreciation. A special slideshow shared the service histories of several veterans who are relatives of SVMS students and staff, adding a personal touch that made the event even more meaningful. Through these thoughtful presentations and respectful ceremonies, the SVMS community expressed its deep gratitude and admiration for our veterans.

Honoring Our Veterans – Assembly Invitation

We are excited to invite all families to our Veteran's Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 8th, at 9 AM in the South Valley Middle School West Gym. This special event is our way of honoring the sacrifices and dedication of those who have served in the Armed Forces. Please join us to celebrate and show gratitude alongside our students and staff. We hope to see many of you there!

Thanksgiving Lunch for Staff and Students – November 20

On Wednesday, November 20th, at 11:40 AM, South Valley Middle School will host a special Thanksgiving Lunch for students and their teachers. This event is a wonderful opportunity for staff to join their students during lunchtime, enjoy a meal together, and connect with our school community. We look forward to celebrating this season of gratitude with your students.

Canned Food Drive Competition – November 12-15

Get ready for some friendly competition! From November 12th to 15th, South Valley Middle School will host a canned food drive among the Viking houses. All collected food items will be donated to local charities to support families in need. Encourage your student to participate and help their Viking house make a difference in our community!

Upcoming Toy Drive – December 10-13

Looking ahead, we’ll be hosting a Toy Drive Competition the week of December 10-13. This event will also be among the Viking houses, and all toys will be donated to bring holiday cheer to local children. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the date.

Winter NWEA Testing – December 4 & 5

Winter NWEA testing is scheduled for December 4th and 5th. This is an important time for students to show their growth since the fall NWEA tests. We encourage parents to talk to their students about their progress and celebrate their hard work. Let's keep up the momentum for a successful academic year!

Thank you for being such a vital part of our South Valley Middle School community. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events and to a fantastic month ahead!

Dear South Valley Middle School Families,

We are excited to share the latest updates, reminders, and celebrations happening this month at SVMS!

Parent-Teacher Conferences – October 15 & 17 (4:00-7:30 PM)

A quick reminder to sign up for parent-teacher conferences, taking place on October 15 and 17 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM. We would love to see all families attend these important meetings. Translators will be available upon request. This is a valuable time to discuss your child's progress and work together for their success. Please sign up here.

End of Quarter 1/Report Cards

The first quarter ends on Friday, October 4, and report cards will be sent out on October 9. If you have questions regarding your child's grades, please contact the respective teacher as the first step to resolving any concerns.

Big Achievement! A Drop in Ds & Fs

We’re thrilled to celebrate a major accomplishment this school year! In the 2023-24 school year, we ended the first quarter with 423 Ds or Fs. This year, in the 2024-25 school year, we’ve seen a remarkable improvement with only 190 Ds or Fs. Great job, students and staff!

Congratulations to Our Band & Choir

A huge shout-out to our band and choir students for an outstanding performance on October 3! We’re proud of the hard work and dedication you've shown.

Pumpkin Carving Contest – October 17

Get ready for some spooky fun! Our annual Pumpkin Carving Contest will take place on October 17. Students can bring in their entries, and voting for the best carvings will be held, with winners announced on October 18. First place will receive 4 passes to Fritzler’s Farm Park, second place will receive tickets to The Rush, and third place will receive a candy/snack basket.

Viking House Selection Assembly – October 4

On October 4, we will hold our Viking House Selection Assembly. Ask your kids which Viking House they belong to and what their house shield will look like! The Viking Houses will engage in positive competitions focused on behaviors like best attendance rate, highest GPA, fewest tardies, and community service projects such as canned food drives, toy drives, book drives, and hygiene product collections. Winning houses will earn rewards like pizza parties, ice cream socials, and more!

Valley High School Football Games Reminder

Please remember that elementary and middle school students are not allowed to attend Valley High School football games without a parent or guardian. Students must sit with their parent or guardian for the entire game. The remaining home games are on October 11 against Berthoud and October 26 against Eaton.

Halloween Dance

Save the date for our Halloween Dance on November 1 from 6:00-8:00 PM!

Halloween Costumes at School – October 31

Students may dress up for Halloween on October 31 at school, but please ensure that costumes meet the following guidelines:

● No face paint or masks

● No props (swords, wands, weapons, etc.)

● Costumes must allow students to participate in class activities without disrupting the learning environment.

PTO Meeting – November 6 (4:30 PM)

Our next PTO meeting will be held on November 6 at 4:30 PM. During the last meeting, fundraising for school events was discussed, and students will receive more information about upcoming fundraisers in November.

Office Phone Issues

If you’ve experienced frustrations with unanswered phone calls to the school, please make sure you are calling our correct number: 970-350-4201. We recently discovered an outdated number listed in Google as 970-785-2205, which is not connected to our school. Additionally, the fax number on the district website (970-785-2271) has caused some confusion. We appreciate your patience as we work through this issue.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. We’re looking forward to a great October with lots of exciting events and accomplishments to celebrate!

Sincerely,

Scott Hodgson

Principal

South Valley Middle School