Good Afternoon Sutherland Families:

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know what a great week we had here at Sutherland Middle School.  It was wonderful seeing returning and new students.  Some exciting points were getting lockers, computers, classroom lessons, CHOMP activities, and seeing/meeting new friends and teachers.   

Today we had our first fire drill and all went very well.  We will continue to have these over the course of the next few weeks.  We will also be conducting some others drills as the months go on - lock down, tornado, and earthquake.  

A few reminders:

1.  If you are dropping or picking up your child, please remember to yield to the buses and do not block any entrance/exits.  In the afternoon we dismiss bus riders first at 4:00pm and then once we release the buses, we dismiss walkers and car riders (usually around 4:10-4:15).  

2.  Morning study hall does not begin until Tuesday, September 5th.  So until then students are not allowed to enter the building until the 8:57am bell.  After Sept. 5th study hall begins at 8:15am. It does not run on delayed openings.  

3.  There is some work going on at our tennis courts through the end of October.  An orange fence line has been set up to keep the work machines and are confined.  Please talk to your child about making sure to stay out of those areas.  There is a path where students can walk if that is the way they come to and from school.  

4.  Once students leave school M-F they are not to re-enter the building after 4:15pm (unless they have a club, tutoring, or another prearranged event).  This also includes entering the building on weekends.  

5.  Just a reminder, please sign up for Sutherland Matters in order to get weekly news and notes from Sutherland (this is usually sent out on Fridays).  You can find the link to do this on Sutherland's webpage. 
Have a fantastic weekend!  We are looking forward to seeing all our students back on Monday.


Brandi Robertson, Sutherland Principal

End of the first week

Happy Friday, Sharks!

The year is off and running, which means Sutherland Matters is back! What an awesome start here at Sutherland! These first three days are always a source of anxiety for our younger students as they adjust to new faces, new spaces, new lockers, and a whole new routine. That said, it was a very smooth opening in all areas. Many of our students have gotten past the fear of learning their locker combinations. The school counselors had their New Student Lunches today, so hopefully even our newest Sharks are starting to feel a bit more at home here. There have been a lot of activities centered around building community this week, which has helped make this week feel very smooth.

Students have been working hard on computer lessons, preparing to take machines home for next week. Next week, we will also set a meeting with one member from each homeroom to start setting our school rules for the year. Some teachers begin their MAP tests next week, so I suspect next week will feel like the first real week of school. That said, I also bet your kiddos are tired after just these first 3 days as they adjust to their normal schedule.

We look forward to working with you all this year. We have a lot of great things planned for your students as we move into the year. Have an outstanding weekend and see you all soon!

Next Week @ SMS:

Monday, August 28^th: Teal Day
8:00 AM: Jazz Band information meeting in E-8

Tuesday, August 29^th: Black Day

Wednesday, August 30^th: Teal Day

Thursday, August 31^st: Black Day
3:45 PM: July and August Birthday celebration

Friday, September 1^st: Teal Day

A few words before the year gets underway –

First and foremost, I want to take a moment to say how excited I am to be in this role as the Assistant Principal here at Sutherland. I have been here at Sutherland for a decade now, and I speak from the heart when I say I have never worked in a building that feels like a home more than this school does. Your children become our children for such a brief period of time – just three blink-and-you-will-miss-them years – but during their time here, they grow and change and morph into the young adults that will soon make their mark on this world. It is always amazing to watch that transformation take place.

Tomorrow, our newest group of students will enter this building ready to take on the challenges this year holds for them. As someone who has spent their adult life still in a school, I have come to know their faces. Many will walk in with smiles, ready to see their friends and find their new classrooms, lockers, and desks. Others will walk in overwhelmed as this will be the largest school they have attended. Some will walk in not yet fully aware that summer is over and that the task of learning is about to get underway again. There are those that will walk in already disliking school because learning has never been an easy task. We take them all, no matter where they are when they walk in that door, and they become ours for another year. It is an honor. I recognize that I am biased, but I do believe through these doorways pass the greatest students in the world.

When I was younger, I spent my summers going to camp that was as much a “home” to me as my real home was. I always remember that feeling the night before camp started. I never got any sleep as I was so eager for the next day to start. I get those same butterflies now. The night before school starts, I prepare for a sleepless night of excitement, nerves, and just a touch of anxiety. Each year brings new challenges – some good, some bad. Each experience helps me to grow as a person and as an educator. For me, this is an exciting journey. What makes walking this path much easier is all of you. The hard work each and every one of you do behind the scenes to help your children succeed in school is always evident. Take this as a preemptive “thank you”. The reason I say through these doorways pass the greatest students in the world is because of the hard work many of you have done in paving their path. So, to the parents, guardians, family members, coaches, teachers, and everyone else that has - in some small way - helped shape your child’s life: Thank you. It truly does take a village to help every child succeed, and we are thrilled to be part of that community.  

I know I am eager for this year to begin. Never hesitate to reach out and ask a question should you have one. Take care and see you all soon!

Mr. Guy