December 2015 - South Milwaukee School District

South Milwaukee Middle School
1001 15th Avenue
South Milwaukee, WI
53172
PHONE: 414.766.5800
FAX: 414.766.5803
kswanson@sdsm.k12.wi.us
hplevak@sdsm.k12.wi.us
6th Grade Folk Fair
The sixth grade's Annual Folk Fair will be held on December
22, 2015 from 8:00-9:30. The students began working on
the project in class the week of November 16th. Parents,
family, and friends are invited to view the hard work of the
sixth graders as they share their country projects in the Middle School's multipurpose room.
Page 4
Upcoming Dates—December
 Thursday, 12/3
7:00 p.m. (PAC)
7th grade Band, Orchestra, Choir
concert

Saturday, 12/5
9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Indoor Christmas Market at SM
High school

Tuesday, 12/8
7:00 p.m. (PAC)
8th grade Band, Orchestra, Choir
concert

Wednesday, 12/9
11:30 a.m.
Early release

Friday, 12/11
Dance CANCELLED
3:00—4:45 p.m.

Thursday, 12/17
7:00 p.m. (PAC)
6th grade Band, Orchestra, Choir
concert

Friday, 12/18 NEW DATE!!!
Dance (MPR)
3:00—4:45 p.m.

Tuesday, 12/22
6th grade Folk Fair

Wednesday, 12/23—1/1/16
NO SCHOOL—Winter Break

Monday, 1/4/16
Classes resume
Attention 8th Grade Parents/Students
Although we are only a few months into the school year,
the district has already begun preparations for next
school year. During the next two months, the middle
and high school guidance staff will spend time with the
8th grade class preparing them for life at the high school.
The South Milwaukee High School Career Planning
Guide will be reviewed along with important information about career goals. This information should be
used to assist students in choosing a course of study that
meets their career interests and post-high school aspirations. Students and parents should start having discussions about post-high school goals and develop a plan of
study that aligns with these goals. In addition to your
student receiving this information, the Career Planning
Guide is available online. Go to www.sdsm.k12.wi.us,
click on Schools, High School, Course Offerings and
Selection Process, Career Planning Guide.
An Incoming Freshman Orientation Program is scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in
the High School PAC. Following the program, parents
and students will have an opportunity to talk with high
school administrators, counselors, department representatives and coaches/advisors. High school guidance
counselors will meet with your students in early February in small groups to input their course selections
online utilizing PowerSchool.
We are excited about having your students join the High
School “family” and look forward to working with you.
If you have any questions, please contact the middle
school or high school guidance office.
Page 2
STUDENT RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
The District shall provide for the reasonable accommodation of a student’s sincerely held religious beliefs
with regard to examinations and other academic requirements, upon written request, and with approval of
the building principal. Accommodations may include, but not necessarily be limited to, exclusion from participation in an activity, alternative assignments, released time from school to participate in religious activities and opportunities to make up work missed due to religious observances. Any accommodations granted
under this policy shall be provided to students without prejudicial effect.
If any student believes this policy was not followed correctly the student should first attempt to resolve the
situation through the building Principal or Associate Principal. Formal written complaints may be directed to
Jennifer Sielaff, Director of Personnel, Administrative & Legal Services, 901 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee. The phone number is 414-766-5011. (Please see Policy 411 and Rule 411 on the district website for
specific steps and timelines).
Meet Mr. Schramka
Hello South Milwaukee Middle School! My name is Dan Schramka, and I am the new BACE
(Business and Career Education teacher) at the middle school this year. This year will be my
11th year as a teacher. My first year of teaching was at Longfellow Middle School in Wauwatosa,
and the last 10 years were spent teaching at St. Francis High School.
I grew up in Menomonee Falls, which is a northern suburb of Milwaukee. After graduating from
Menomonee Falls High School, I decided to attend St. Norbert College, a private college in the
Green Bay area. I studied to become an accountant at St. Norbert. At St. Norbert, I was fortunate enough to have played on the tennis team, where I was number one singles for three out of
the four years.
After graduating from college, I was able to find work as a mutual fund accountant at USBank in
downtown Milwaukee. I worked from 6:30-2:30 pm, which allowed me to coach numerous high
school sports. I coached boys basketball at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, and
Boys and Girls Tennis at Menomonee Falls High School. I fell in love with coaching high school
sports and immediately had thoughts of teaching business rather than working in the business
world.
My wife Julie and I currently live in Oak Creek with our three kids, Ben, Charlie, and Claire. If
you're looking for me, chances are you can find me at the baseball and soccer fields, where I will
be watching my kids competing. We love to travel as a family! My family has a tradition of travelling to a different city to see a new MLB ballpark every year. We have been to Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland and New York so far. Do you have any ideas for our next
baseball trip?
SOUTH MILWAUKEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
December 2015
Volume 28, Issue 3
Rocket Outlook
Inside this issue:
Holiday Concert Infor1
mation
Student Religious
Accommodations
2
Meet Mr. Schramka
2
SM Municipal Band
3
Upcoming Dates
4
8th Grade Parent/
Student Information
4
Menu
5
6th Grade Folk Fair
6
— REVISED 12/7/15 (see notes in red)—
Concert season is quickly approaching and students in the
Middle School music groups are excited to share their progress
with you. The concerts will be a lively mix of holiday tunes and
music from other cultures. Please come and see our concerts!
All concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and are held in the South Milwaukee High School PAC. There is no admission charge.
Thursday, December 3 7th Grade Band, Orchestra and Choir
Students in 6th Grade Beginning Band and Beginning Orchestra will
have their first concert on Thursday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the
PAC.
Tuesday, December 8
8th Grade Band, Orchestra and Choir
Thursday, December 17 6th Grade Band, Orchestra and Choir
Concert Dress Code:
Boys – Nice black pants, nice white shirt
Girls—Nice black pants or skirt and a white top. Skirt length
needs to be in accordance with school dress code. If in doubt,
please wear pants.
Please check that your concert uniform is complete and ready
for the concert. Students who do not meet the concert dress
code may be unable to perform.