Happy Saturday SMS Families!
We hope you are having a great weekend. Testing went well this week, thanks to everyone who helped. Absences were limited, and there we did pretty well staying on track. We will be back to a normal schedule this week, two full weeks until Fair Break!
Golf Outing- You have done an outstanding job getting hole sponsorships in this week. We now have well over 100 sponsors and have raised over $13,000 before the event even happens. Some of you went above and beyond and we are greatly appreciative. We are still collecting prizes, although we are doing much better. The last day for prizes should probably be Wednesday as we prepare for the day of the event. We currently have 25 teams signed up, which is good, but we could probably take a few more if you know anyone else who would want to play. I am confident this is going to be another great fundraiser, and we are looking forward to next weekend.
SMS Bus Announcements- Please keep the following dates in mind if your child rides the SMS bus. There will be no afternoon bus service this Wednesday, September 10, because I have a meeting that I just can't miss. There will also be no afternoon bus service on Friday, September 19. Please make sure to mark your calendars and make transportation arrangements. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.
Ripley Women's Club Calendar- On Tuesday this week, our Kindergarten will have their picture taken at RULH elementary for the Ripley Women's Club Community Calendar. This is a tradition that goes back many years. We will leave via the SMS bus, after morning prayer Tuesday, and return to class immediately following the picture. In the interest of convenience for you, as well as saving paper, I will be posting permission slips on Option C under "eforms" this year. Please go in and sign the permission slip before Tuesday.
Picture Day- This Wednesday is picture day. All students will be photographed whether parents purchase pictures or not. For fall pictures, we as that students be in uniform as we use these pictures for the yearbook and other purposes at school. When we have spring pictures, students will be allowed to be out of uniform.
Volunteers Needed! Mrs. Caitlin could use some help with Grandparents Day breakfast on Thursday from 7:30-9:30 and Friday from 8:30-10:30. If you would like to help, either let her know, or let us know in the office. Thanks in advance!
Grandparent's Day- We are looking forward to Grandparent's Day this Thursday and Friday. If for some reason you were not able to RSVP for a grandparent and you would still like to reserve a spot for a grandparent, please email me today as we are wrapping up plans for Grandparent's Day.
Water- In the spirit of full transparency, we had a visit from the health department this week after they received a phone call about the water at SMS. For those of you who don't know, Ripley has had issues with water being brown from time to time for decades. Brown County Rural Water took over Ripley water last year, and are in the process of replacing old pipes, but my understanding is it going to be a long process. I asked them to test the water this summer, and I was told that it is safe. We also purchased bottle fillers a few years ago that have filters that are regularly monitored and changed. I am confident we are doing all we can as a school, and the person from the health department agreed. If you would like to discuss this further, feel free to call me at the school.
I love when I get messages from former students and parents of former students, telling me how they are doing. Recently, a parent shared with me that her daughter, who had struggled with a certain subject throughout middle school, had just aced a test in that subject in high school.
What made this even more special wasn’t just the grade itself—it was the journey that led there. Sometimes when we are in the grind, and struggling with overcoming a challenge, it's hard to see the value in the struggle. I can tell you, and I am sure she would tell you there were days when it felt like giving up would have been much easier. However she chose to trust the process: asking for help, and putting in the work when nobody was looking. Over time, her persistence transformed challenges into confidence and success.
Stories like this are real, and remind us that learning is not about instant results, but about steady effort and resilience. Struggles aren’t setbacks—they’re steps forward. And when students, teachers and parents stay committed, those steps add up to real breakthroughs.
It’s a wonderful reminder for all of us to encourage our children: trust the process, keep working, and celebrate the victories, both big and small. We shouldn't avoid the struggle, rather help each other through it. Have a great weekend!