Future Freshmen!

Even if you have no idea where or whether you want to go to college four years from now, the last thing you want is to find out as a senior that you messed up your chances...

...that there were things you could've done along the way that would've made you a "shoe-in" at the college of your dreams!

To-Do Basics: 

• Start a log to keep track of your activities, volunteer work, jobs along with contact information. You will need to list them at the end of your four years and it's difficult to recall EVERYTHING at the end of your four years, keep a file to help!
• Talk with your guardians about how much money may be available for your college education. Not a lot? Not a problem, IF you plan ahead. 
• Get to know your teachers so they get to know you. At some point you may need recommendations for summer programs, scholarship and college applications. 
• Meet with your counselor to go over your 4-year course schedule.
• Register at college web service sites (i.e. www.collegeboard.org)

Mapping out your PHS 4 year plan (recommended courses for your college applications):

• English: 4 years
• Science: 3 years
• Math: 3-4 years
• Computers: 1 year
• Social Studies: 3 years
• Foreign Language: 3 years
• (At least 2 consecutive years)
• Fine/Performing Arts: 2 years

College or not, the next four years are an opportunity for you to try new things, to learn from mistakes, to dream and to open doors! Enjoy your PHS experience! 

For your summer boredom : )

SMS News!

With so many things on your calendar don't forget to add  support your Sunridge students for all of their hard work this year! Please consider attending and cheering on our students at their choir, band and orchestra concerts this week and next month!

Tonight: 7th & 8th grade choir concert @ 7p.m.
Thursday (March 10th): 7th and 8th grade band concert @ 7p.m.
Friday (March 11th): 6th grade concert @ 9a.m.!

April 5th: Outdoor School Parent night @ 6p.m.
April 7th: Orchestra Concert @ 7p.m.

Take note- we're keeping busy at SMS!

Today we will be hosting the start of our Magazine Sale! Connect with your kiddo on how to sell magazines to support their school (and win some cool prizes)!

Friday: students will have the opportunity to participate in fun Bronc Price Activities!

Monday (Feb. 29th): all 8th graders will travel to Pendleton High School to talk about forecasting for next year! (Can you believe they're almost high schoolers!? : ) )

March 2nd: Advantage Dental will be here from 12:15-3p.m. to work with students in need. See Mrs. Sou for referrals.

March 7th: 7th and 8th grade Choir/Orchestra concert at 7p.m.

March 10th: 7th and 8th grade Band concert at 7p.m.

March 11th: 6th grade Concert at 9a.m.

March 18th: Magazine Activity Day Dance at 1:45-2:55p.m.

April 5th: Outdoor School Parent night at 6p.m.

On a related note: Mr. Leonard and I had a successful Costa Rica meeting on Tuesday! We have a few spots left for our amazing trip abroad- connect with Mrs. Sou for further details if you're interested in joining our trip in June 2017 or check out this link:

Costa Rica Trip Link

Experience Costa Rica with Mrs. Sou!

Exciting news for current 7th & 8th graders (+ their families!):

Mrs. Sou & Mr. Leonard have signed up to take students (& any adults interested) on a Touch of the Tropics experience to Costa Rica with EF Tours in June 2017!

Your experience includes: an all inclusive tour, full-time tour director, expert local guides, and 10 days of cultural exposure and excitement! 

Known for their excellent care and life-changing experiences, EF tours guarantees the lowest price and promises a trip you'll never forget!

See Mrs. Sou & Mr. Leonard for more details on Tuesday, Jan 23rd @ 6:30p.m. in Room 218.

Taste of the Tropics Informational Link

Season of Giving at SMS

There are many great things about Sunridge students, especially during this season of giving- 2 great things are going on! See below to be kept in the loop of your kiddos!

1 1.  Care Packages for the Pendleton National Guard: Sunridge Middle School will be working on putting together holiday care packages for our hometown troops deployed overseas.  In order to do this we need a couple of things from our students: 

a.       Items to put in the care packages (students received a list of items in advisory)

b.      Some money for postage.  We are hoping to ship more than 1 box and the shipping costs will be around $15 each.

c.       Handwritten notes of gratitude.  This is perhaps the most important and doesn’t cost anything.

Any donations will be turned in to our counseling office for organizing and safekeeping. We need ALL LETTERS AND DONATIONS by TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8^th.

2  2.  Canned Food Drive: For the first two weeks of December, the middle school is competing to see who can bring in the most canned goods. The advisory class that brings in the most will win a pizza party! Student must bring in at least one can to be eligible for a prize. Currently, Mrs. Pace's class is ahead with a total of 216 cans!!

Donations are welcome and appreciated however, are not required. Thanks for all you do for your students and families around Pendleton!

PICTURE RETAKES

If you missed out on pictures before, don't miss out on November 5th! Picture retake day!

Dance Tonight

The Pendleton Parent Club has graciously planned an amazing Halloween Dance for 6th-8th graders TONIGHT! Come in costume and dance your socks off!

Feel free to use some of your amazing spirited ideas from last week, if needed!

 

Spirit Week!

It's time to show your spirit at Sunridge Middle School! Dress Up next week for the opportunity to win Most Spirited Class!

Monday- Celebrity Day 

Tuesday - Twin /Dynamic Duo 

Wednesday - Disney Day

Thursday - Throwback Thursday

Friday - Color your Grade: 8th = Green, 7th  = White, 6th = Black

In other news: We will be developing a new Cheer Club for Sunridge 7th and 8th graders. Attend the informational meeting on Tuesday during Advisory at 2:30p.m. in the cafeteria for more details!

Goal Setting

Google "goals" and you'll find a million motivational quotes. However, to reach a goal one must know what goal they are reaching for-

If you don't know where you are going, how will you ever get there?

Middle school is a great time to learn about perseverance. Help yourself (or your student) set a goal by being S.M.A.R.T. about it pushing through each obstacle.

Specific: state exactly what you want to accomplish (who, what, where & why)

Measurable: how will you demonstrate and evaluate the extent to which the goal has been met?

Attainable: stretch yourself to try harder, but also set realistic goals for the time-frame you're in.

Relevant: how does the goal tie into your key responsibilities (typically school or activities for middle schoolers)? 

Time- Bound: set 1 or more target dates, the "by when" to guide your goal to a successful and timely completion (include deadlines, dates and frequency). 

Set your goal, make a plan, get to work, stick to it and REACH IT!

Common mistakes in setting goals- either too big, not specific enough, too many or not written down.

The more your student gets used to setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, the more likely they are to succeed in reaching them!

Tips and hints on being a middle school parent!

In this world of technology that we live in - there are MANY great resources available to answer all of those "just what do I do" parenting questions.

Such as Greater Good's website where you'll find helpful tips and hints about how to get your student to talk about school.

Or HEDUA's blog for advice on how to help your middle schooler love to read!

And tips from parents around the world sharing how they survived the middle school years!

Of course, the best advice (in my opinion) anyone could give to you is to communicate!! Keep checking in with your kiddo. Show them you care. Ask the tough questions. Provide space when needed.

And when in doubt- reach out! 

And the winners are....

6th Grade - Mrs. Oja

7th Grade - Mr. Talbot

8th Grade - Mr. Payne

Congrats to all participants for their determined effort and positive sportsmanship!

8th gr. Tug of War

Fun times in 8th grade- lots of energy and lots of smiles! All grades will be competing in the championship round today- with Mr. Gundlach, Mr. Case, Mr Payne and Mrs. Robinson going head to head for the number one spot in 8th grade! 

7th Gr. Tug of War

Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Talbot & Mr. Larson are headed to the finals for 7th grade! What a beautiful day for a bonding tug of war! 

6th Grade Tug of War

It was a great day for a tug-of-war! Advisory classes for Mr. Scanlon, Mr. Summerfield & Mrs. Oja will be competing in the finals this Friday!! 

Quick Picture Announcement!

Don't forget this week is TUG OF WAR for each grade level during Advisory! Time to get excited and cheer on your classmates!

Sports students: get ready for the paparazzi:
Volleyball Pictures take place tomorrow: Wednesday, Sept. 23
Cross Country Pictures take place on Monday, Sept. 28
Football Pictures take place on Tuesday, Sept. 29

AND School Picture Day is on Thursday, October 1! 

#neverforget

Today our thoughts are once again with all those who lost loved ones on 9/11- please take time today to pause and remember our nation. 

Tips for Homework

Schedules are set and homework has begun- Make the most out of your afternoon and keep your stress level to a minimum by following some of the tips below!

1. Establish a time for homework each day and pick a place!

• One can mentally prepare themselves if they have a specific time to complete work each night. Depending on the student, it could be right after school or possibly after a short break. Homework should be completed in a quiet place that most likely includes a work desk, chair, container for supplies and a reading lamp. Find your perfect fit and stick to it!

2. Get organized and use your planner.

• Sunridge provides a planner for a reason! It's an amazing tool for organization- Each column has a spot for assignments due/completed for specific courses. It's important to check your planner daily to keep on top of your assignment load and prepare for upcoming tests successfully. If you're struggling with organization, see your school counselor or teachers for help.

3. Eliminate distractions.

• During homework time there should be no TV, no texting, no computer (unless required for assignment) and no ipod. Electronics interrupt and stretch out the homework process.

4. Include snacks.

• Nutrition is important! Specifically for 6th graders, lunch has been quite a long time ago, healthy snacks can be beneficial for you concentration levels. It's important to stay hydrated as well to maintain focus.

5. For Parents: Be available and join your student, if possible!

• Encourage, praise and support your student, but don't complete any work. It helps to keep in close proximity in case of questions.

Overall- seek help when needed! Your SMS staff is here to assist- there are programs we can refer to for tutoring, there is assistance throughout the class period and there are people who care about your success! Don't be afraid to ask for help- after all, everyone started off as an amateur in the beginning!

Maybe you knew all of this, but managing your time can be difficult- watch the youtube clip below for some helpful tips on how to manage your time better!

 

 

 

Welcome to your 2015-16 School Year!

It's been a great 1st week at Sunridge Middle School! Congratulations!

Before we get into the year any further, I would like to make my introduction: my name is Jessica Sou, your new school counselor! I am excited to join the amazing team at Sunridge Middle School. Some of my best educational memories occurred here in this very building!

A few things about me- I am a proud Pendletonian graduate of 2003. Since graduating I have obtained my masters in counseling, lived in Thailand for 3 years and worked as a school counselor for a total of 8 years! I am recently married to an amazing man Mr. Joel Sou (pronounced "SUE") and we have a great rescue pup named Oliver. I love the Pendleton School District and am very excited to give back to the community that once gave me so much!

In other exciting news: Mr. Brizendine may have retired but he is NOT gone! I am extremely pleased to announce that he will be joining me part-time this year to increase our department to 1 1/2 School Counselors!

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with what a school counselor does: we are resources for students, staff and families. A school counselor is there to provide academic, social and emotional assistance to all students which may include study groups, classroom presentations, parent/individual meetings and more! If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by the office (we're found on the 2nd floor) or shoot us a quick email/phone call (see Contact Information for specifics).

Check back on this website for posting updates each Friday. I will be providing helpful tips for students and families as well any important  updates for events throughout the school year.

School Calendar

To get to where you're going, you have to PLAN!

So, what's your first step?

..........

Mark down important events and/or details on your calendar!

Check out Pendleton's school calendar below to compare with your schedule and don't forget to mark down important days such as "Conferences" and "No School Days!"

Click here for a pdf of Pendleton's School District Calendar