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Wimpy's collection at SMMS!

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Kimberlee Lang Memorial Fields Kimberlee Lang, a tireless volunteer and advocate for education, passed away on June 19, 2010.  During the time her sons, Jordan and Tyler, attended SMMS, Kim volunteered significant amounts of time for many activities.  Probably the most notable of these was for the construction of the track and soccer field complex.  It stands today, largely due to her efforts and those of the other “Queens” (Betsy Hegel, Angie Jordan, Tracy Prieve and Mary Williamson.) In appreciation of Kim Lang’s commitment and dedication to the causes of education, a campaign was initiated in June, 2010 to name the track and soccer field complex in memory of Kim.  The Board of Education agreed to dedicate the fields in her name.

Sumo wrestling at SMMS!

October 22, 2010

On Friday, October 1st the Rockton School District PTO held their annual Fun Run at all three schools. The PTO would like to thank all of the community business partners that helped make the day a great success. Wal-Mart supplied water bottles and popsicles for all three schools and J.D. Mason of Delta Disc Jockeys kept everyone entertained all day with music and games. Other community sponsors include Kohl's, NorthPointe Wellness Center, Badger Pro Construction, SAL Plumbing and Today's Dental.

If each school meets their goal the students will get to see their Principals and several teachers sumo wrestle!

Congratulations to SMMS for raising $10,571!  A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers, parents, and families!

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Welcome to our new Assistant Principal at Stephen Mack Middle School! The Rockton School District would like to welcome Stephen Mack Middle School’s new assistant principal, Shaun Newmes. Mr. Newmes comes to SMMS after six years in the classroom at Alden-Hebron Elementary School in northern McHenry County and then two years at Kennedy Middle School in Rockford as Assistant Principal.  Having achieved his Bachelor of Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University in 2001, he earned his Masters in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University in 2008. Newmes says he thoroughly enjoyed his time at Alden-Hebron, a small community school at which he “formed many friendships with families…that I still maintain to this day.” He brings that enthusiasm for the tight-knit community schooling to Stephen Mack.  “I am very excited by the opportunity to work at Stephen Mack and the Rockton School District, because it possesses all the attributes of a great school district,” he explains. “Not only is there a great sense of pride in the community, but also high expectations for all students, continued growth technologically and academically, and supportive parents.”  The new assistant principal is committed to providing every student in the district with exposure to a top-notch education.  “I strongly believe that education creates opportunities and opens doors for all people, regardless of personal history,” he says. Newmes is a native of Hoffman Estates, IL, but relocated in the northern Illinois area seven years ago.  His wife, Amanda, is a science teacher at Belvidere North High School, and together they are raising two children - his son, Cameron, is three years old, and daughter, Callista, is one year old. Outside of school, he enjoys playing golf – although “not very well,” he warns -- and spending time with his family.  An avowed “huge” Chicago Bears fan, he admits “that might explain why I am a little grumpy in the fall and winter!” Newmes played ice hockey as a youth and remains a fan of the game.  “You may see me at an occasional IceHogs game with my family,” he admits. As for his new assignment at Stephen Mack, Newmes says he is “looking forward to working with great administrators, teachers, parents, and students. My door is always open so feel free to stop in, call me (624-2611), or e-mail me (newmes@rockton140.org) anytime.”

SMMS Track Team

May 21… Congratulations SMMS track team!  14 track team members qualified for the State Track Meet in East Peoria on May 21-22!  A send off assembly was held on May 21^st for the whole school to wish them luck! 

Grace Dunker, Maura Logan, Alec Dodd, Jesse Harp, Nathan Harris, Kienen Nordlie, Ben Rosplock, Austin Harter, Michael Butera, Madison Dunker, Patrice Jones, Morgan Neece, Michaela Eggers, Stephanie Holland

Quiz Bowl

Congratulations to both SMMS Quiz Bowl teams for their performances at "The Albus Dumbledore Memorial Tournament" held at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, IL on April 17, 2010.  Out of 20 teams competing, the SMMS Maroon team took 2nd place and the SMMS Gold team took 6th place!

7th grade Waucaubec

February 12, 2010

The Waucaubec is a reward for 7th graders who met goals for completing homework on time.  Approximately 90 students participated.  There was an Open Gym, pizza and drinks, and team games.

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SMMS students get into the Christmas spirit in a big way by raising over $3,000 for Wimpy's Fund!

December 2009

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mIx iT uP!

November 10, 2009

On Mix it Up at Lunch Day students are stepping out of their comfort zones by sitting somewhere new, with someone new.  Last year, more than 4 million students at over 10,000 schools participated in the seventh annual Mix it Up Day!

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Food Drive and Handball Tournament

November 10, 2009

NJHS organized a school wide canned food drive for the Old Stone Church food pantry.  Homerooms competed for the chance to send a team to the handball tournament.  Over 1800 cans were collected with Mrs. Kelley's homeroom and Mr. Wick's homeroom collecting the most!

Cheering section!

Mrs. Swinson cheers for her homeroom team!

Tournament champions for the second year in a row!

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Class Act Assembly

October 29, 2009

SMMS held their 11th annual Class Act Assembly.  The focus this year is RESPECT: respecting yourself, others, differences, teachers, and your school.  For the opening act, teachers dressed up as Aretha Franklin and her back up singers and sang and danced to the song "Respect".  SMMS 8th grade peer support students also performed skits and many students in the audience received Class Act t-shirts for being recognized as a Class Act!

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Fun Run!

October 9, 2009

Thank you to our Rockton PTO and all of our volunteers and parents for making our annual Fun Run fundraiser a success (despite the weather)!  Over $33,000 was earned for the three schools thanks to all of you!

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Rockton Mobil donation:

Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance Grant

   

Three local schools each received a $750 Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance Grant. Manager Shelly Williams from Kelly-Williamson's Rockton Mobil presented the grant to Kindyl Etnyre, Principal of Stephen Mack Middle School. She plans to use the funds for technology resources and to financially assist families in need in regards to educational supplies or field trips. Principal Scott Rollinson, from Whitman Post Elementary School, also received the grant. He plans to use it for guided reading books. Williams presented the grant to Shirland Principal, Don Maxwell, who praised Exxon Mobil's commitment to local schools. He plans to use the grant to enhance their math and science curricula.
 

 

Motivational speaker "wows" SMMS! "It is said that, before one can "talk the talk," one must first "walk the walk." Reggie Dabbs has certainly earned the right to "talk the talk." Having come into this world solely as a result of his unwed teenage mother's decision not to have an abortion, Dabbs is living proof that the choices individuals make on a daily basis can have a profound effect on their own lives, and on the lives of the people around them. And he has dedicated his life's work to making sure teenagers around the country understand the consequences and choose the right path. When Dabbs addressed the students at Stephen Mack Middle School last week, he used humor and his own life stories to emphasize his theme: "Never give up." He spoke about the choices each student can make when faced with drugs, alcohol, suicide, and other issues. He shared often that "you can’t change your past, but you can change your future." Graham Alt, an SMMS seventh grader, says he was amazed at how Dabbs could have the whole audience laughing one minute and tearing up the next. "He really got the crowd involved," adds Drew Hasse, a fellow seventh grader. Beth DeVries, an SMMS school counselor, admits she was overwhelmed the first time she heard Dabbs speak, and she immediately struck up a correspondence with the motivational speaker. DeVries says that much of Dabbs’ presentation touches on the same principles that are emphasized in the school’s annual Character/Class Act, which she has developed over the years. "I was so thrilled when he told me he was able to be here," DeVries exclaims. "Every one of us has a story and is different, and that is what we emphasize in our programs here at SMMS. His whole presentation is all about overcoming obstacles, making good choices, and respect." Dabbs uses an interactive way to show that young people are "all in this together" by emphasizing the need for mutual support among peers. He had students in the audience telling each other, "I got your back," and even had the whole student body cheering and screaming the words. "He really made us feel comfortable," says sixth grader Grace Dunker, who adds that she especially liked his "rollercoaster" message. "Life is like a rollercoaster," Dabbs told the students. "When it’s running well it can be really fun. But, sometimes it can break. The question is, when it’s fixed will you still be on it?" Dabbs ended his presentation by playing an Alicia Keys song, "If I Ain’t Got You," on his saxophone. Dabbs has been a public school speaker since 1987. He has committed his life to making a positive difference in the lives of young people, and considers it an honor to visit each school in hopes of building better students. Dabbs told school administrators he was so impressed with SMMS that he wants to come back again, hopefully next year. w

McTeacher Night!

September 17, 2009

Thank you to all the students and families who came out to McDonald's and supported the SMMS teachers and the Rockton PTO!  As a result of their efforts, the teachers topped last year's earnings by raising over $600!

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Locks of Love

June 2, 2009

Mrs. Stewart's 1st grade class takes a trip to SMMS to watch her donate her hair!

Mrs. Hart shows the 1st graders Mrs. Stewart's hair after it is cut!

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Mrs. Stewart's 1st grade class takes a trip to SMMS to watch her donate her hair!

 

392 pounds of pop tops collected!

Ronald McDonald came to SMMS to visit the students and collect all the pop tops.  Mrs. Taylor's 6th grade class collected the most at 109 pounds!  The top collectors in 7th grade was Mrs. Hagan's class with 34 pounds, and Mr. Collins class in 8th grade who collected 15 pounds.  Students in Mrs. Kazluski's 6th grade class calculated approximately 1,180 pop tops to equal a pound, which means that 462,000 pop tops were collected throughout the school!

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Mc Teacher Night!

February 2, 2009

SMMS teachers served meals, sold cookies and worked the drive thru at the Roscoe McDonald's.  McDonald's donated a portion of all sales generated between 5-8 pm to the PTO.

 

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Students at SMMS spread the joy of the season through Wimpy's Fund!

December, 2008

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mIx iT uP!

November 12, 2008

On Mix It Up at Lunch Day students are stepping out of their comfort zones by sitting somewhere new, with someone new.  Last year, more than 4 million students at over 10,000 schools participated in the sixth annual Mix it Up Lunch Day!

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Holocaust survivor visits SMMS!

November 7, 2008

Click here for story

   

   

   

   

 

SMMS Character Assembly

Be A Hero!

October 24, 2008

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NJHS Canned Food Drive and Handball Tournament

October 21, 2008

Click on arrows to the right and left to scroll through 23 fun pictures!  Click on picture to enlarge.

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Wimpy's Fund Collection

Carrie Lynn Children's Center Collection

December 2007

Click on arrows to the right and left to scroll through 14 fun pictures!  Click on picture to enlarge.

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Student Council Halloween Dance

October 26, 2007