South School A-Z



ASSIGNMENT BOOK

Is it an assignment book?  Is it a handbook?  Yes, it's both and everyone needs to have one!  This is the ideal tool for students to help keep themselves organized.  It also contains the entire Palos South discipline code.  Parents and students can refer to this when they have questions about school policy and discipline.

BAND

Palos South has a large and active instrumental music program.  Students have the opportunity to participate in numerous ensembles and activities including:  Red and White Band (6th grade), Symphonic Band, Cardinal Band (7th and 8th grades), Jazz Ensemble, IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest, SWIC Festival, Fine Arts Festival, and Summer Band Camp.  Ensembles meet regularly and give many performances throughout the year.

CARDINAL GRAM

Any student can receive an award called a Cardinal Gram for excellence in schoolwork or activities.  Teachers issue the awards to the students who perform beyond expectations or do something extraordinary.  The award is announced over the intercom and the principal signs a document. Then, the award is given to the student.  Students really look forward to receiving Cardinal Grams!

CHEERLEADING

Go, team go!  Seventh and eighth grade girls may join our two cheerleading squads.  We'll be cheering the Cardinals basketball team on to a victory at home and away games, so listen for try-our information in the late fall.

CHESS CLUB

IT'S YOUR MOVE!  Are you in training to beat Big Blue?  You too can be a part of the Chess Club.  All students are welcome.  Students' abilities range from beginner to intermediate.  The games are played every other Wednesday (or as the schedule dictates) from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the media center.

CHOIR

The halls are alive with the sound of music...The Pied Piper is alive and well and leading the choirs of Palos South.  This very special choral program helps nurture a great love of music that can be carried through life.  The program continues to grow and is open to all students.  Typically, Cardinal Choir, for 6th, 7th and 8th graders, practices during zero hour up to two mornings a week.  Encore is a performance based choir class offered two days a week for 7th and 8th graders during the school day.  Our third group, ShowStoppers, is an auditioned ensemble that meets after school to learn music with choreography.  Activities for our choirs include performances, IGMSA contest, festivals with other choirs, solo voice opportunities and occasional field trips.  There are many opportunities for music making and fun.

CLEAN SLATE THEORY

What is a "clean slate theory"?  Is it a clean chalkboard?  No-- much better!  When you enter Palos South, you have a fresh start.  No one has any preconceived ideas.  Every student has a chance to redefine himself or herself.

CONNECTIONS

If you need to identify someone as a homeroom teacher, look no further. This is the place to get to know the rules, receive notices to bring home, get your report card and even have pizza parties.
 

DANCES

It's Friday afternoon at 3:00 and hundreds of students are around without their shoes.  Is there a shoe thief in the building?  Have they lost their shoes?  Why are they heading to the gym?  It's "Friday afternoon fever" and the Student Council is having a dance! The lights are low, the music is loud, and the students are having a great time dancing and hanging out with their friends.  Since the dances are fundraisers for the Student Council, an admission is charged.  Pop treats are available for purchase too.  Once inside the dance, students may not leave until the dance ends, or until a parent comes to get them in the gym.  Pick up time is 5:00 SHARP.  Students who do not arrange for prompt pick up may not be allowed to attend the next dance.

DRAMA CLUB

Whether your talents run to Shakespearean declamation or Stooges slapstick, there is a place for you in Drama Club at Palos South.  Drama club currently produces one full-length play.  Auditions are open to the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders; however, acting is not the only activity offered by this club.  Drama Club also offers an opportunity for students as light and sound technicians.  Good with a hammer and saw?  Perhaps you would like to help build and move scenery.  Each production also requires a Prop Master to keep track of props and costumes, A Stage Manager, and an Assistant Director.   Finally, others have to set up and serve refreshments at intermission, take tickets,  and distribute programs.
All in all, being part of a Drama Club production is hard work but intensely satisfying.  As the song says, "The roar of the Greasepaint, the smell of the crown..." Hmm, maybe that's a little backwards.  "The smell of the crowd and the roar of the greasepaint"? Oh, never mind you know what we mean.  Try Drama Club.  You'll like it!      

IN-TOUCH

In order to address concerns about drugs and safety, we have a district "in Touch" committee housed at Palos South.  Members included students, teachers, counselors, the school nurse, parents and community members.  This committee works hard together to expore new avenues for drug prevention and awareness.
 

MUSIC PARENTS ASSOCIATION

The Music Parents Association is an active group the provides crucial support to the Band program.  Parents, your membership is appreciated by the students and the staff.
 

MATH OLYMPIAD

You thought the Olympics is only every 4 years!  Some of our top math students who meet specific criteria are eligible for Math Olympiad.  The top four fifth and sixth graders and top four seventh and eighth graders will represent District 118 at the annual Math Olympiad contest.

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a service and academic organization.
Final approval for membership rests with the teachers who work with the students.  In addition to service and scholarship, each candidate will be evaluated during April in citizenship, leadership, and character.  Students are responsible for keeping an informal log documenting these qualities.  Service hour's (25) must be completed by April 10.  In May, those candidates who have met all the criteria will be inducted into the Palos South Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.

PALOS SOUTH NEWSPAPER

EXTRA, EXTRA, come on out and join the Palos South Newspaper staff.  We need editors, sports writers, photographers, graphic designers, typists and anyone with an interest in journalism to compile our newspaper, The Red and White Report.  We will meet once a week September through May and publish a quarterly paper.

PEER MEDIATION

WHERE CAN I GO WHEN I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER STUDENT? Sooner or later we all have this dilemma.  A solution is now available..peer mediation!  Peer Mediation is "students helping students", a chance to sit and talk uninterrupted so each side of a disagreement is heard.  Trained student mediators help you reach an agreement.  So the next time you're not sure what to do, like if someone has been bugging you, or someone is bad-mouthing you, or rumors start like "he said, she said," think peer mediation.

SNOWFLAKE
There are certain privileges reserved for 7th and 8th grades only and this is one of the best!  Are you interested in a day when you get to talk to other kids about things that really matter -- serious topics that affect your whole life, get to play really unique games, eat great pizza and ice cream, hear inspiring speakers, and see interesting side shows such as the Jesse White Tumbling Team?  If you are a 7th or 8th grader, save the first Saturday in February for a very special day!

SPORTS

Palos South teams are chosen through tryouts held prior to every season and are open to all students.  Typically, a team of 6th and 7th graders is made up of primarily 7th graders.  Sports physicals must be on file at Palos South before any student may play on a team.  Forms are available in the school office.  Clear your calendar!  Practices are often every week day and also on Saturdays.

BOYS' SOFTBALL/GIRLS' SOFTBALL

Can you play softball?  There is a sixth/seventh/eighth grade team.  It starts at the end of August and runs all the way to October.  So grab your bat and give it a try!

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

 From October to December, it's nothing but net as the girls' basketball  season is underway.  There are two teams, one for the sixth and  seventh grade and one for the eighth grade.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL

Serve up the fun!  Girls' volleyball runs from December to March.  There are two teams, a sixth/seventh grade team and an eighth grade team.  It is so much fun!  Come on out!  It won't be the same without  you!

CROSS COUNTRY

Do you enjoy running, making new friends, and seeing different sights?  Well, we have an activity designed with you in mind, held right after school!  It's called Cross Country and it's for boys and girls in grades 6, 7, and 8.  The sport begins the first week of school and ends the last week in September.  If you are a member of a soccer or football team, or wish to participate in our school intramural basketball program, you are stilleligible to run on our school cross country team.  Runners work on conditioning and endurance training the first weeks on a daily basis from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. to prepare themselves to compete in 2-mile races.  Our runners participate in 6 to 7 races with various SWIC schools at different race locations.  The season culminates with a final race for all the conference schools in Orland Park.  If you enjoy running, hop on the Palos Cross Country Express-coming this fall at Palos South Middle School.

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

It may not be on the beach, but it's still fun!  The boy's interscholastic volleyball program is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys.  Tryouts are held in early October for selection of a 6-7 grade team and an 8th grade team.  Approximately 14 boys are chosen for each team.

The single round volleyball season runs through early December with games played every Tuesday and Thursday against SWIC schools.  Practices are held every week and on Saturdays.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

Calling all boys with hoop dreams!  Here at Palos South one of the most popular sports is basketball.  Traditionally, the school has had a very strong and supportive following.  Boys' basketball season runs from the third week of December through the second week of March.  There are two teams, one for the 6th and 7th grade, and one for the 8th grade.

6TH GRADE AFTER SCHOOL GYM

Looking for a great way to spend an afternoon in friendly, athletic competition with just 6th graders?  Join our boys' and girls' after school program.  We meet on Mondays from 2:55 until 3:55 p.m. in the gym.  Activities include softball, basketball, kickball, floor hockey, bombardment, volleyball and a host of athletic games.  Join us for an hour of fun.

AFTER

STUDENT COUNCIL

Ever thought you would want to run the world?  Do you want people to listen to your ideas?  We can't help you run the world, but we can help you run one little corner of the world called Palos South Middle School!  At Palos South, the Student Council organizes dances, assists in assemblies, sponsors spirit days, the school store, talent shows, teacher appreciation week, and much, much more!  The Executive Board meets directly with the administration to plan student activities and fund raisers.  Representatives are elected from all advisories and many opportunities are available to participate.  All students are welcome to join.  Join Student Council and make a difference at Palos South.

THEME LUNCHES

Here's your chance to travel the world and still be on time for your afternoon classes!  Four times during the year, the PFA hosts theme lunches for the students of Palos South.  Each lunch has a specific theme, which is reflected by the delicious menu and dazzling entertainment.  Some past theme lunches have included a Mexican Fiesta complete with a Mariachi band, and a Luau with Polynesian dancers.  Order forms for Theme Lunches are sent out with school registration materials and must be returned during District 118 registration.

WHITE PINES

Digging fossils out of a sandstone quarry, trekking through a canyon, and discovering rare white trillium -- what do all these things have in common?  It's White Pines outdoor education experience (camp during the school year) and all sixth graders, even some of their parents, are cordially invited.  It takes place at the end of April.  Make sure you remember to pack for everything and anything weather wise -- but don't pack ANY goodies.  Students get lots to eat and the classes are great.

YEARBOOK

Memories and mug shots!  Are you interested in art, photography, or graphic layout?  You are wanted by the Palos South Yearbook Committee.  The yearbook committee meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays  from October through March.  Pick up a schedule and make the school annual the best it can be!
 
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS

            Q.    Do I have to take a shower?
            A.    Even though the showers at Palos South are still working most kids take showers at home.  

            Q.    Does anyone bring a lunch box?
            A.    Most kids here at Palos South bring a paper bag

            Q.    Is it true that I can have pizza everyday?
            A.    Yes!

            Q.    Is there enough time to change after gym?
            A.    Once you have your first gym class, you will discover that here
                    is plenty of time change.

           Q.    What if I get lost?
           A.      It's okay.  Just ask any faculty member or student and that
                     person will be happy to help you find your way.  Before you
                     know it, you'll know exactly where you're going.

           Q.    What if I lost my locker combination?
           A.    Keep a copy in your trapper and a copy at home, too.  Your
                    Connections teacher can also help you.

            Q.   What is zero hour?
            A.          Zero hour starts at 7:45 a.m. and lasts until 8:27 a.m.  Seventh
                    and eighth grade students may have band classes
                    scheduled during zero hour. Sixth grade students may have a
                    zero hour band class.  Zero hour classes are part of the regular
                    day.  There is a separate bus schedule for Zero hour.

               Q.   Are we allowed to ride on our friend's bus?
               A.   No, this is not allowed.

29.    QUESTIONS NO ONE ASKED....

         *Yes, we have an attention signal.  We all understand that when
               the #1 signal is given, all student will stop what they are doing and
               listen to the adult.

       *Yes, traffic controls are in effect.  Students must walk on the right
                side of hall.

        *Yes, we do love parents here!  Come any time.

         *Yes, there are rules here -- because they work.  We do get to
                have lots of fun here too.

30.    ANY MORE QUESTIONS????

            There are always more questions to ask and we love to hear from
             you!!! Please call (708) 448-5971.

 

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