FAQs
Did you know??
Q: What are school hours?
A: School begins at 8:30 and ends at 3:20. Students will not be supervised in the mornings until 7:30am and no students are allowed to be signed out after 2:45 pm. If a child is tardy, a parent/guardian must accompany the student to sign-in at the front office. Tardies Count!
Q: When are teachers available?
A: Each teacher has a planning period during which they may have conferences and contact parents. Also, throughout the year, there are scheduled Parent-Teacher Conference nights. If you would like to speak with your child’s teacher, please call the school office or e-mail the teacher directly. All e-mail addresses can be found on South Middle School’s website:
sms.lancastercsd.com
Q: What if my child needs to take medicine at school?
A: When students register for school in August, parents/guardians are asked to fill out a “Permission to Dispense Medication” form. Medication must be sent to the school nurse in it’s original prescription bottle with printed instructions. No student should have ANY medication in their personal possession at school.
Q: What is the policy on cell phones?
A: Cell phones are not allowed. If students need to call outside the school, the front office and Guidance will have an available telephone.
Q: Which bus will my child ride?
A: You are encouraged to check the links offered on the school webpage to get most generic answers. Alsao, you may call the LCSD Bus Office at 285-1000 and they will tell you which bus your child will ride.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: Parents are strongly encouraged to take an active role in their child’s education! At SMS, a great way to be involved is through the Parent Teacher Organization and the School Improvement Council. More information will be available at the start of the school year.
For parents who are available, we encourage signing up to become a substitute teacher or school volunteer.
School volunteers can fill out the application at this LINK.
Those wanting to become substitute teachers, please contact ESS at this LINK.
Q: How can I enroll a new student?
Online! Creating a Parent Portal and registration instructions are available on the school webpage. Registration can be completed on most smart phones but can, also, be completed on a computer or Chromebook.
Your are invited to register at South Middle School. The Guidance Office team will gladly help you get your child/ren enrolled. Be sure that you have all of the required documents to enroll your child before you come to the school! We will need two proofs of residency for your current address, a record of immunizations, your child’s birth certificate, and a withdrawal form from the previous school.
Q: How much contact will my 6th grade child have with 7th and 8th grade students?
A: 6th graders have very little contact with older students. They will not have any classes together and they have separate lunch times. The only time they may be together is before and after school.
Q: How will I know about events, conferences, and other happenings at SMS?
A: If your child is like most middle schoolers, you will never know when a parent-teacher conference is scheduled. Luckily, we have ConnectEd calls, Remind, TalkingPoints, Facebook, a school webpage and calendar!
Almost weekly, you will receive a recorded phone call from South Middle School. You will be notified of conference days, all athletic events, dress-down days, and any other programs that benefit students and parents. To ensure your family receives these calls, please update your phone number with the school whenever you have a change in any contact information.