South Daily Announcements

May 9, 2008

Important Safety Information - South Update May 8, 2008

 Today is May 8.  Our school day was normal, without incident, and no further suspicious, or unusual activities occurred.  We had an increased police presence and continue to institute expanded safety measures.  Student back packs were checked when students entered school this morning.  I would like to compliment our pupils and staff for their cooperation with the backpack check and the restricted lock down.  These measures will continue tomorrow and Monday.  Beginning today, I will provide parents with a brief safety update each day on our website.  My plan is to have this information online by 2:30 p.m.  This will permit parents the opportunity to contact our school should any questions arise prior to the close of our office at 4 p.m.   Phone information blasts such as this are not sent before 6 p.m. in the hope that most parents would be home by that time.  In the future, we will be using the web announcement to update you daily unless circumstances require a phone blast.  School will remain on its regular schedule.  Tonight is our 7th and 8th grade band concert and tomorrow is a full day with the student council dance after school.  We will continue our investigation of the events that have occurred, and encourage anyone with information regarding this matter to call my office.  

Chris Bingen

Principal South Middle School

 

 

GRADUATION 2008 INFORMATION

Tentative dates for graduation and other activities:

Honor's Assembly - May 16th @ 9:00 a.m.

Graduation Dance - May 20th (information to follow)

Great America - May 27th (information to follow)

Graduation - May 29th - Moraine Valley Community College

 

ATTENTION NJHS MEMBERS:

A new service opportunity is available:  If you are interested working at the South Family Tech Night on Tuesday May 13th, please see Mrs. Schramm for more details and to sign up!!!!!

NJHS new members remember your service hours are due on or before

May 23, 2008!!!!!

 

Parent Bulletin Regarding Late Start School Procedures

Palos 118 is adding a one-hour late start option to provide an additional solution for poor weather situations.  The late start would delay all school and bus operations by one hour.  Students would report to their bus stops one hour later and schools would begin one hour later.  The late-start schedule would operate as follows:

  1. No before-school programs at any schools or South zero hour will be held;
  2. All schools and Kindergarten would begin one hour later:

East and West would begin at 10 a.m.

South would begin at 9:30 a.m.

Kindergarten at East and West would begin at 10:15 a.m.

  1. All schools would end at their normal time;
  2. After-school activities would occur unless otherwise indicated;
  3. All bus route pickups would be one hour later in the A.M. with same P.M. drop-off times;
  4. A.M. Kindergarten would end at its normal time;
  5. P.M. Kindergarten would occur at normal start and stop times;
  6. If a late start is declared, the status would not change to a full closing except in extreme conditions.  (The intent is to make a commitment to late start and stay with it so everyone can plan accordingly).

The decision to institute a late start instead of closing school will be dependent on the forecast and conditions at decision making time. The late-start option is designed to give road snow removal operations additional time which would hopefully improve travel. Our most recent emergency day would have been a closed day.  The forecast called for snow through the afternoon with an advisory to 6 p.m.   Parents should always exercise personal judgment and place safety first when sending their child to school regardless of whether a normal or late start schedule occurs.  Parents would be advised of a late start in the same manner as a closing of school.  The late start option would permit the minimum attendance time for students and the school day would not have to be “made up” as a closed day.

Please call your school office if you have any questions.