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

Dear South Valley Middle School Families, We hope this message finds you well as we head into the fall season. Below are some important updates and reminders for the coming weeks: 

The Importance of Attendance

We cannot stress enough how crucial regular attendance is to your child’s academic success. Students who attend school regularly are more engaged, participate more in class, and build better relationships with their peers and teachers. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring your child is present and ready to learn every day.

Colorado October Count: Key Dates for Attendance

Mark your calendars for September 27, October 1, and October 2. These dates are part of Colorado’s October Count, which is directly tied to school funding. Accurate student attendance on these days ensures our school receives appropriate funding to continue offering quality programs and services to your child. Please help us by ensuring your child is present on these important days!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

We are excited to meet with you during Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 15 and 17 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to discuss your child's progress and goals for the year. **Interpreters will be available** to assist families as needed. We look forward to your participation! 

ZAP (Zeroes Aren't Permitted)

Is your student missing assignments? ZAP is a fantastic program designed to help students get back on track! It runs every Wednesday and Thursday after school from 3:45-4:30 PM. This is an excellent time for students to complete any missing or late assignments and improve their grades before the quarter ends.

WIN (What I Need) Friday - September 27

WIN Day on Friday, September 27 is a special opportunity for students to catch up on their work and get their grades in order before the end of the quarter on October 8. Students will have dedicated time to focus on what they need to succeed.

Honor Roll Recognition

We are proud to announce that Honor Roll Breakfast invitations will soon be sent out for students who have earned a spot on the Superintendent's and Principal's Honor Roll. Please be on the lookout for this exciting news!

Viking House Selection for Quarter 2

As we head into the second quarter, we’ll kick off our Viking House Competitions. These houses, which consist of one 6th, one 7th, and one 8th grade Viking Time group, will compete in various events to encourage positive behavior and school spirit. The goal is to promote teamwork, respect, and a positive school culture.

PBIS Focus for Quarter 2

In Quarter 2, we will continue to focus on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS). This will help clarify our behavior expectations and encourage students to follow them. Some common areas we are working on improving include:

• Tardies: We are seeing too many students arriving late to class throughout the day, despite our new attendance scanning system.

• Cell Phones: All cell phones should remain in lockers during the school day.
• Litter: We need students to be mindful of picking up trash, especially outside and in the cafeteria.

• Dress Code: Pajama pants and shirts with drug or alcohol references are not allowed and will be addressed.Thank you for reinforcing these expectations at home!

Homecoming Football Game Tonight!

A reminder for students attending the Homecoming football game tonight at 7:00 PM against Manitou Springs: Students must sit in the stands during the game. Let’s show our Viking pride and support our team responsibly!

Upcoming PTO Meeting

Join us for the PTO Meeting on October 2. We will be discussing and seeking feedback on the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), as well as planning for the Family Fall Bash. Your input is valuable, and we’d love to see you there!

We appreciate your support and involvement in making South Valley Middle School a great place to learn and grow. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, 

 Scott Hodgson

Principal

South Valley Middle School

M.E.S.A USA is the National Association of Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement programs.  Students will explore a different math, engineering, or science activity at each M.E.S.A. meeting.  Activities range from bridge-building challenges to science experiments.Students must have a signed permission slip to participate in M.E.S.A.  Please see the office or Miss Maines for your permission slip! M.E.S.A. meetings are on the third Thursday of the month from 3:40 - 4:30 in room 112.  2024- 2025 MESA dates:

Thursday, September 19

Thursday, October 24

Thursday, November 21

Thursday, December 19

Thursday, January 16

Thursday, February 13

Thursday, March 13Thursday, April 17, Thursday, May 15

Dear South Valley Families,

We hope this newsletter finds you well! We wanted to share some important updates and news with you about our school’s progress and upcoming events.

School Performance Framework Update

We are proud to announce that our School Performance Framework results are in, and South Valley Middle School has been rated at the Improvement level under the Colorado Rating System. While this is not yet where we ultimately want to be, it reflects the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our amazing teaching staff, students, and the entire Platteville community. Given the challenges we've faced throughout the year, this is a great accomplishment. We are optimistic that by continuing to focus on closing achievement and growth gaps, we can achieve a Performance rating next year.

PTO Meeting - October 2

We would love to see you at our next Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting on October 2. We will be discussing the school's Unified Improvement Plan and how we plan to address key areas for growth. Your input and support are vital to our success, so please join us!

Student Handbooks Update

The 2024-2025 student handbooks have been updated on our website in both English and Spanish. Please take some time to review them with your student, paying special attention to the following updated policies: Cell Phone Policy

• Tardy Policy
• Dress Code Policy - It’s important to have these conversations with your child to ensure they are clear on expectations for the school year.

Homecoming – September 20

We are excited for Homecoming on September 20! Our 8th-grade students will be transported to attend the Homecoming Parade to celebrate with the community. Additionally, we encourage all families to join us for the Homecoming Tailgate BBQ—see the attached flyer for more details.

To build school spirit, we will also be having Homecoming Dress-Up Days during the week. Here’s the schedule:

• Tuesday – Favorite Movie Character

• Wednesday – Color Day:
• • 6th grade: Blue or White
  • 7th grade: Purple or Yellow
  • 8th grade: Pink or Black
• Thursday – Cowboy vs. Cowgirl
• Friday – Viking Day (Show your school spirit!)****We hope everyone will participate and show their school pride!

Attendance and Tardiness

We are currently piloting a new attendance system, and while there are adjustments being made, it is important to note that the new system alone is not the cause of student tardiness. Some students may need assistance in developing strategies to manage their time more effectively, such as using an AM binder and PM binder to reduce locker stops between classes.

High School Football Games

For families attending high school football games, please note that students will now be required to sit in the stands with their families. Hanging out behind the stands will no longer be permitted due to recent incidents involving inappropriate behavior. We appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain a positive environment at school events.

Behavior Expectations and PBIS

In my first few weeks as principal at South Valley, I’ve seen the potential of both our staff and students. However, we will be working hard to fine-tune our behavior expectations through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), discipline, and routine building to address some of the minor off-task behaviors we’ve been noticing. More updates on our progress in this area will be coming soon.

Youth Connections and Activities

Exciting events are on the horizon! Be on the lookout for more information on our Youth Connections activities, including Viking Houses, our Back to School Bash, and other fun activities.

Vision and Hearing Screenings – September 11

A reminder that vision and hearing screenings will take place on September 11 for 7th-grade students, new students, and students with IEPs. Letters will be sent home with your child today. If you wish to opt out of the screenings, please sign and return the form to the school as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support,

Scott Hodgson

Principal

South Valley Middle School