Shepherd Middle School

Announcements, Tuesday, October 1... Good luck to our Volleyball Teams as they travel to Harrison tonight to take on the Hornets. Bus leaves the school today at 3:45. Yesterday, September 30, is recognized as Orange Shirt Day, which promotes awareness about the residential boarding school system and its impact on Native American communities in the United States and Canada, which is still felt today. Known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the day honors the children forced into these boarding schools. In addition, the day also remembers those who never returned home. We are observing Orange Shirt Day today. Wearing an orange shirt shows you support for those in the Native American community and those who survived this traumatic experience, as well as the thousands who did not survive. Today during SOAR students are to either work on their ELA IXL or work on designing their Spirit Week Door Posters. The theme of this year's posters are “Countries of the World” and yesterday every SOAR class selected the country they will include in their poster.

Announcements, Monday, September 30... Cross Country results The Cross teams next meet is Wednesday at Harrison Results from Saturday’s Football games versus the Hemlock Huskies The 6th Grade Football Team lost 0-6 The 7th Grade Football Team won a close game; 14-12 The 8th Grade Football Team shut out the Huskies 12-0 This next Saturday the teams travel to Ovid-Elsie to take on the Mauraders. Today is Picture Day and we will be calling students out of class down to the MS Gym for their pictures. Pictures are being taken on the stage and students are asked to go up the ramp onto the stage, entering down by the girls locker room. Orange Shirt Day Today is recognized as Orange Shirt Day, a day to honor the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and sent away to residential schools all across North America. These Native American children were not only forcibly separated from their family, but they were forced to change the clothes they wore, the language they spoke, and the culture they knew, along with many enduring horrible physical and mental abuse. These boarding schools for Indigenous children took place from the mid-1600 until the 1970s. Around 200,000 children were sent to these schools and one of these schools was in Mt. Pleasant, from 1891 to 1943 and the buildings of that school still stand today. The orange shirts are a way to honor and remember all of these children who suffered through this cruel and traumatic experience, which had lifelong effects, some of which have been carried down to their children and grandchildren. With Picture Day being today, we are going to observe Orange Shirt Day tomorrow (10/1) and ask everyone to wear an orange shirt or something with orange in it. This last week, the Native American office sponsored a Poster Contest, which we held during SOAR. The Theme of the posters was “Every Life Matters” and the posters were hung on your SOAR classroom doors. Friday afternoon the posters were judged and here are the results; 3rd place....Mr. TerBurg’s 8th grade SOAR 2nd place....Mrs. Pramuka’s 7th grade SOAR 1st place...Ms. Smith’s 7th grade SOAR

Announcements, Friday, September 27... Results from the Volleyball matches last night versus The Farwell Eagles The 7th Grade B Team Split; 23-25 & 25-18 The 7th Grade A Team won; 25-11 & 25-13 The 8th Grade B Team lost; 12-25 & 20-25 The 8th Grade A Team won 25-10 & 25-11 The teams next match is next Tuesday at Harrison Good Luck to our Cross Country runners at the BlueJay I Good Luck to our BlueJay Football Teams as they travel to Hemlock tomorrow to take on the Huskies. 8th Grade plays at 10:45am 7th Grade plays at 12:30pm 6th Grade plays at 2:15pm A couple of reminders from the Cafeteria: 1. When in the lunch line, everyone MUST use the tongs and utensils. You are NOT allowed to take food off the serving trays and pans with your bare hands. 2. Don't eat in the lunch line. Wait until you are seated in the cafeteria. Students, there will be no more use of spray perfumes and body sprays in the hallways, due to some people having adverse reactions to these sprays. If you must use these strays, go into the restrooms to use them. Mrs. Byrne’s Theatre classes are to meet in the hallway across from the restrooms by the band room before walking over to the auditorium. You are to stand against the wall to not be in the way of other students passing in the hallway. School Picture Day is this Monday, September 30. Paper copies of order forms have been passed out and more are available in the office, if needed. Orders can also be done online at mylifetouch.com. (School Picture ID: EVTTZMG7C) Monday (September 30) is Orange Shirt Day, which recognizes the Indigenous or Native American children of the past, who suffered greatly when they were removed from their families and forced to live in residential boarding schools by the United States government. We will be talking more about Orange Shirt Day and what it means on Monday, but in recognition of this day, each SOAR class is creating a door poster to hang on their SOAR classroom door. This is a competition, with the winning class receiving a prize. Door posters will be finished in SOAR class today, with the theme of the posters being “Every Child Matters.” Posters are to be hung up on doors by the end of SOAR today and judging will take place later today. The winning SOAR class will be announced and receive their prize Monday during announcements. With Picture Day being on Monday, which is also Orange Shirt Day, we will be observing Orange Shirt Day on Tuesday (10/1), asking everyone to wear an orange shirt on Tuesday. Today, Mr. TerBurgh’s 8th grade US History classes will be going out to the Little Red Schoolhouse during his class. Students will meet in Mr. T’s room first and then walk out to the Schoolhouse together, once class begins. Today all SOAR classes are to finish and hang up their Orange Shirt Day door posters.

Announcements, Thursday, September 26... Results from the Cross Country Invitational last night Out of 8 teams, the boys took 2nd place and the girls took 3rd place. The teams run again on Saturday here at home in the BlueJay Invitational. Boys run at 3pm and girls run at 3:50. Good luck to our Volleyball teams as they are home tonight versus the Eagles of Farwell. Matches will be played in the High School Gym and start at 5pm. Students, A couple of messages from the Cafeteria: 1. Everyone MUST use the tongs and utensils when in the lunch line. You are NOT allowed to take food off the serving trays and pans with your bare hands. 2. Don't eat in the lunch line. Wait until you are seated in the cafeteria. Students, there will be no more use of spray perfumes and body sprays in the hallways, due to some people having adverse reactions to these sprays. If you must use these strays, go into the restrooms to use them. Starting today, Mrs. Byrne’s Theatre classes will meet in the hallway across from the restrooms by the band room before walking over to the auditorium. You are to stand against the hall to not be in the way of other students passing in the hallway. School Picture Day is this next Monday, September 30. Paper copies of order forms have been passed out and more are available in the office, if needed. Orders can also be done online at mylifetouch.com. (School Picture ID: EVTTZMG7C) This next Monday (September 30) is Orange Shirt Day, which recognizes the Indigenous or Native American children of the past, who suffered greatly when they were removed from their families and forced to live in residential boarding schools by the United States government. We will be talking more about Orange Shirt Day and what it means on Monday, but in recognition of this day, our Native American Offices are asking each SOAR class to create a door poster to hang on their SOAR classroom door. This is a competition, with the winning class receiving a prize. Door posters will be worked on in SOAR class on Today and tomorrow, with the theme of the posters being “Every Child Matters.” The doors will be judged 6th hour on Friday and the winner will be announced Monday morning. Today during SOAR all students must check their grades and PS and email their parents, then get started designing and creating your door poster for Orange Shirt Day, with the theme “Every Child Matters.”

Announcements, Wednesday, September 25... Results from the Volleyball matches versus Gladwin last night; The 7th Grade B Team won; 25-18 & 25-15 The 7th Grade A Team won in 3 sets; 21-25, 25-19 & 15-8 The 8th Grade B Team lost: 16-25 & 20-25 The 8th Grade A Team won; 25-16 & 25-14 The girls next match is on Thursday at home versus the Farwell Eagles. Good luck to our Cross Country runners as they travel to Pewamo-Westphalia for an Invitational tonight. They are dismissed from class at 2:05 this afternoon, after taking attendance in their 6th hour class, and the bus leaves at 3:15pm After the whole school voting on the best world map yesterday, he winner of Mr. Smith’s 6th Grade World Map contest is Map #5, which is Mr. Smith’s 1st Hour Social Studies Class. Thank you to all who voted yesterday. Students, please do not touch the bulletin boards that are in and around the school. This includes the bulletin boards in the hallways and restrooms. Students caught writing on or removing anything from these bulletin boards will have consequences. School Picture Day is this next Monday, September 30. Paper copies of order forms have been passed out in SOAR class and more are available in the office, if needed. Orders can also be done online at mylifetouch.com. (School Picture ID: EVTTZMG7C) This next Monday (September 30) is Orange Shirt Day, which recognizes the Indigenous or Native American children of the past, who suffered greatly when they were removed from their families and forced to live in residential boarding schools by the United States government. We will be talking more about Orange Shirt Day and what it means on Monday, but in recognition of this day, our Native American Offices are asking each SOAR class to create a door poster to hang on their SOAR classroom door. It will be a competition, with the winning class receiving a prize. Door posters will be worked on in SOAR class on Thursday and Friday of this week, with the Theme of the posters being “Every Child Matters.” The doors will be judged 6th hour on Friday and the winner will be announced Monday morning. Today during SOAR all students are to work on their Math IXL.

Announcements, Tuesday, September 24... Good luck to our Volleyball teams as they travel to Gladwin tonight to take on the Flying G’s. Bus leaves at 3:30pm. School Picture Day is this next Monday, September 30. Paper copies of order forms have been passed out in SOAR class and more are available in the office, if needed. Orders can also be done online at mylifetouch.com. (School Picture ID: EVTTZMG7C) This morning all students and staff have received an email from Mr. Smith, that include a survey link to vote for the overall best world map that were created by Mr. Smith’s 6th Grade Social Studies classes. The maps are in the hallway above the MS Office door. Voting can take place until 3pm today. Everyone is only allowed to vote once. Today during SOAR all students are to work on their ELA IXL.

Announcements, Monday, September 23... Results from the Youth Football Games versus Corunna on Saturday The 6th grade team lost, 14-40 The 7th grade team won big, 30-6 The 8th grade team shut out the Cavaliers, 25-0 This next Saturday the BlueJay's travel to Hemlock to take on the Huskies. School Picture Day is next Monday, September 30. Paper copies of order forms have been passed out in SOAR class and more are available in the office, if needed. Orders can also be done online at mylifetouch.com. (School Picture ID: EVTTZMG7C) Today during SOAR, all classes will be working on SecondSteps Lesson #2

Shepherd Middle School PICTURE DAY is Monday, September 30. Order School Pictures TODAY at mylifetouch.com Use the Picture Day ID: EVTTZMG7C

Announcements, Thursday, September 19... Cross Results from last nights JPC Jamboree at Meridian The girls team took 2nd place out of the 12 teams in the Conf. The boys team took 3rd place out of the 12 Our Volleyball teams are at home tonight to take on the Mustangs of Sanford-Meridian. Matches start at 5:00pm and will be played in the HS Gym. Good Luck ladies! Lost & Found Students, please check the lost and found tables across from the counseling offices. There are several lunch boxes, water bottles and sweatshirts that are lonely and looking for their owners. Today during SOAR is Grade Check Day. Check your grades in PowerSchool and then email your parents those grades. After grade checks are complete, students are to read.

Announcements, Wednesday, September 18... Volleyball Results The 7th Grade B Team lost 20-25 & 11-25 The 7th Grade A Team won 25-18 & 25-9 The 8th Grade B Team lost 25-22 & 15-25 The 8th Grade A Team split 25-22 & 23-25 Cross Country travels to Sanford-Meridian tonight for a JackPine Conf. Jamboree. Students will be dismissed from class at 2:50 Bus leaves at 3:00. Students check the lost and found table across the hall from the Counseling Offices, around the corner next to Ms. Pramuka’s room 313. There are a lot of sweatshirts, lunch boxes and water bottles on the tables. Today during SOAR all students are to work on their Math IXL. Students need to finish the Diagnostic before working on your Recommended Skills.

Announcements, Tuesday, September 17, Constitution Day... the day that the United States Constitution was ratified. The U.S. Constitution is known as one of the most important documents ever created. It is what helps the U.S. maintain our freedoms still today. Exactly 237 years ago the Constitution was signed and adopted as the supreme law of the land. The 39 men that signed this document signed it with courage and hope that it would serve America well, and assure that our freedom would last. Throughout U.S. history there have only been 27 amendments, or changes, to the Constitution. Today many other countries struggle with corrupt leaders and incorrect use of power. The Constitution is what protects America from any leader or group misusing their power. A constitution is a rulebook or guidelines that are agreed upon by the group that everyone will follow. We actually have classroom constitutions. The Social Contracts that you created in each of your classrooms a couple of weeks ago are actually classroom constitutions. We owe our debt and gratitude to James Madison, the father of our great Constitution. Today I urge you to take a moment and remember what these great men have done for our country, and how the Constitution affects and helps us maintain our freedom. Good luck to the Volleyball teams as they travel to Ogemaw Heights tonight. Players will be dismissed at 2:35 and the bus leaves at 2:45. Affirmations Starting today, in both the MS office and on Mr. Farley’s hallway desk down by the Band Room, there are Affirmation starter sheets and a jar to keep them. These are for you to write positive affirmations to other students and adults here at school. You do not need to write who they are from, but write a short message recognizing someone for something that they have done. Today during SOAR all students are to work on their ELA IXL. Students need to finish the Diagnostic before working on your Recommended Skills.

Announcements, Monday, September 16... Results of the football games on Saturday; The 6th grade team lost to Millington 0-6 The 7th grade team beat Millington 28-12 The 8th Grade team lost to Millington 12-30 An AirPod earnbud was found in the hallway this morning. It can be claimed here in the MS Office The winners of our teacher drawing for a new office chair are; Mrs. Courtright and Mr. Byrne Today during SOAR all classes will be doing lesson 2 of Second Steps.

Announcements, - Friday, September 13... Congratulations to the cross country teams for their finishes at the Lansing Catholic Invite last night, where they competed against mostly division 1 teams The girls team took 2nd place and the boys team was in 4th place. The Cross Country teams run again next Wednesday at Sanford-Meridian. Students that ride the school buses after school; moving forward the buses will be leaving the bus loop at 3:05pm. That gives students 5 minutes to leave your classroom and get on the bus, which is plenty of time. Remember, it is your responsibility once you leave your 6th hour class, to get out and onto your bus. Today during SOAR students have the option to complete assignments for other classes, read, or work on IXL.

Announcements for Thursday, September 12... Results from the girls’s volleyball teams against Bullock Creek last night. The 7th grade B team lost 22-25 and 17-25 The 7th grade A team lost in three sets 26-24, 21-25 and 11-15 The 8th grade B team lost tonight against Bullock Creek 11-25 and 10-25 The 8th grade A team won with scores of 25-19, 25-27 and 15-11 Students, if you are not sure if you ordered a yearbook and would like to check, please stop by the office. We have a list of all those who ordered a yearbook online last year. Connection Days will be held today during lunch on the playground. Come join Mrs. Gall for a game called Electricity! All Students during SOAR today, you will be checking your grades in PowerSchool then sending an email to your parents telling them what your grades are in each of your classes. If you have a D+ or lower grade in any of your classes, you must also include an explanation of the reason for that grade. After completing that task, all students need to be silent reading. Each Thursday during SOAR, students will be emailing their parents their grades, and then silent reading. You must remember to bring something to read to SOAR class on Thursday.

Announcements, Wednesday, September 11... Today is Patriot Day Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11 to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Many Americans refer to Patriot Day as 9/11 or September 11. On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked. The hijackers then deliberately flew three of the planes into two important buildings, the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The fourth crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The loss of life and damage that these hijackings caused form the biggest act of terrorism ever on United States soil. Nearly 3000 people died in the attacks and the economic impact was immense. To honor all those who died on September 11, 2001 and for all those who have since that day in the protection of our freedoms and in protecting our country against terrorism, following the Pledge of Allegiance, we will have a 30 second moment of silence for those who want to individually reflect and remember all those who have died. 7th grade Volleyball B team won in three sets 25-22, 21-25 and 15-12 7th grade Volleyball A team lost in three sets 15-35, 27-25 and 15-17 8th grade Volleyball B team lost 19-25 & 14-25 8th grade Volleyball A team lost in three sets 25-4, 4-25 & 13-15 The BlueJay Volleyball teams play again tonight at home against the Lancers of Bullock Creek. If you ordered a yearbook last school year and did not get one yesterday, check with your SOAR teacher and then come to the MS office during SOAR or after school today. Connection Days will be held tomorrow. Come join in on the playground during lunch for a game called Electricity! If you have any questions, see Mrs. Gall in the counseling office. Today during SOAR all students are to log into IXL and work on their Math Diagnostic and then move onto their Recommended Skills if the Diagnostic is completed.

Good luck to the 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball teams as they take on the Pioneers of Clare tonight here at home. Matches begin at 5:00pm and will be played in the HS gym. Someone will be around to SOAR classes this morning to pass out Middle School Yearbooks. Connection Days will be held on Thursday this week. Come join Mrs. Gall for a game called Electricity! If you have any questions, see Mrs. Gall in the counseling office. Today during SOAR, all students are to log into their IXL and complete the ELA Diagnostic. Once the diagnostic is completed, you are to work on your Recommended Skills.

Results from Saturday’s Youth Football games verses Montross The 6th Grade Football Team lost to Montross 0-38 The 7th Grade Football Team tied Montross 8-8 The 8th Grade Football Team had a bye and did not play This next Saturday the BlueJay football teams are at home versus the Cardinals of Millington. Students who ordered a Middle School yearbook last school year; they have arrived and we will be passing them out during SOAR on Tuesday. Connection Days will be held on Thursday this week. Come join Mrs. Gall for a game called Electricity! If you have any questions, see Mrs. Gall in the counseling office. Today during SOAR classes will review the SmartPass system; including hall pass limits that could be put into place, and also review your Social Contracts and checking to see if there are any items that need to be added.

Volleyball Results from last night's matches verses Pinconning; 7th grade B Team lost 11-25 & 7-25 7th grade A Team split 25-23 & 9-25 8th grade B Team lost 14-25 & 8-25 8th Grade A Team lost 17-25 & 13-25 Keep working hard girls. Their next match is Tuesday (9/10) at home versus Clare. Home cheer on our Lady Jays! The Dental Bus will be here September 11, 12, 13 & 16. Anyone interested in participating, pick up a form in the MS office. The form must be completed and returned to the office by Friday (9/6). Shepherd Middle School skeet team signups are in the MS office. Registration starts now and will end September 8th. You will need to sign up in the office and then you will be contacted to do an online registration that has to be completed. The Skeet Team will shoot at the Isabella County Sportsman’s club on Sunday afternoons. If you or your parents have any questions you can contact Mike or Danielle Cole ( 989-621-7660) or by email Danielle.cole@morbark.com Let’s remember our Hallway Expectations In the Hallways, being respectful means; Walk and stay to the right Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself Use appropriate language and voice level (inside voices) In the Hallways, being Engaged means; Arrive on time Follow adult directions. Use a hall pass during class. In the Hallways, being Accountable means; Keep all electronic devices off and out of sight Act appropriately Treat everyone with respect and kindness In the Hallways, being a Leader means; Help keep the hallways clean. Keep a positive attitude.

The Dental Bus will be here September 11, 12, 13 & 16. Anyone interested in participating, pick up a form in the MS office. The form must be completed and returned to the office by Friday (9/6). Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader interested in Robotics; MS robotics will meet for 1 hour after school today (9/5). All you need is an interest and we can show you the rest. If you have any questions just email Coach Davis (jdavis@shepherdschools.net) or stop by the Media Center, Behave Out room to chat with Mr. Davis. Shepherd Middle School skeet team signups are in the MS office. Registration starts now and will end September 8th. You will need to sign up in the office and then you will be contacted to do an online registration that has to be completed. The Skeet Team will shoot at the Isabella County Sportsman’s club on Sunday afternoons. If you or your parents have any questions you can contact Mike or Danielle Cole ( 989-621-7660) or by email Danielle.cole@morbark.com Connection Day is TODAY! Find Mrs. Gall outside during recess to play Lightning and connect with new friends! If you have any questions, see Mrs. Gall.

The Dental Bus will be here September 11, 12, 13 & 16. Anyone interested in participating, pick up a form in the MS office. The form must be completed and returned to the office by Friday (9/6). Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader interested in Robotics; MS robotics will meet for 1 hour after school this Thursday September 5th. All you need is an interest and we can show you the rest. If you have any questions just email Coach Davis . (jdavis@shepherdschools.net) or stop by the Media Center, Behave Out room to chat with Mr. Davis. This morning each class will be continuing to develop their Classroom Social Contracts which you started during SOAR yesterday. This is a process and may take a few days to finish. Students will also begin developing their Social Contracts in their Science and Social Studies classes today. We will begin contracts in Math and Language Arts tomorrow and in Elective classes on Friday.