Sixth grade math classrooms are full of energy and excitement! Teachers are using creative strategies, like vertical whiteboards, to get students up on their feet, actively solving problems, and working together. This hands-on approach not only boosts engagement but also builds confidence and deeper understanding of key math concepts.
South Middle Mustangs
Sneak Peak into SMS...
High Student Engagement in Math Classrooms
A Note from Dr. Hottelman
SMS Families,
We are excited to host our 4th Annual Fall Festival this Friday, October 3rd! This event is a highlight of the year, and we are so grateful for the many families who have donated items and volunteered their time, along with our staff and students who are pitching in to make it a success. Having families, staff, and students come together truly shows the strength of our SMS community!
Students may purchase a wristband for $5 during lunches this week, or they can pay at the door on Friday evening. Wristbands provide access to most of the activities at the festival. Families can also look forward to raffle baskets, caricature drawings, and Kona Ice for purchase. The O’Fallon Fire Department will be here serving free food, and staff are welcome to bring their own children to enjoy the evening. It will be a great night filled with fun, food, and community spirit!
Looking ahead, Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, October 29th from 5:00–8:00 PM and Wednesday, October 30th from 10:00 AM–8:00 PM. Information on how to sign up for conference times will be sent out within the next two weeks. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity to talk with your child’s teachers about progress, celebrate successes, and partner together on next steps for continued growth.
Thank you for your continued support of SMS, and we look forward to seeing many of you this Friday at the Fall Festival and later next month at conferences!
Thank you for your support,
Jackie Hottelman
Remember to:
Click here to check out clubs and intramurals. Link to Activities HERE
Check out our Welcome Video
Order a Yearbook HERE
Sign up to volunteer or donate for the 4th Annual Fall Festival information they need to check out
Spread the word ...
Upcoming Dates
Oct. 1 - Early Release Day
Oct. 2 - Custodian Appreciation Day
Oct. 3 - 4th Annual Fall Festival, 5-7 PM
Oct. 15 - Parent-Teacher Sign-up link going out
October 20-24 - National Bus Driver Appreciation Week
October 29 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 5-8 PM
October 30 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 10 - 8 PM
October 30 - Fundraiser pick-up
October 30 - Blood Drive
October 31 - November 4 - No School
South Middle School 4th Annual Fall Festival
📅 Date: Friday, October 3rd
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: South Middle School
💲 Cost:
$5 per person (includes a wristband)
$20 per family
🎉 Activities include:
Games
Prizes
Raffle baskets
Hot cocoa bar
Hot dogs
Photo opportunities
And more!
NJHS Blood Drive
NJHS is hosting their annual blood drive on October 30th from 2:30-6:30 pm. Please note this is during parent teacher conferences. Meet with your student's teachers AND save lives! All members of the community are welcome to donate. Sign up for an appointment here. Walk ins are also welcome.
BoBo’s Fundraiser Pick Up Details
A huge Mustang THANK YOU to all our students and families for making this year’s Fall Fundraiser such a success! Your efforts—whether sharing links, collecting orders, or spreading the word—helped raise funds that go directly back to supporting our students here at South Middle. We couldn’t have done it without your teamwork and generosity. Together, we’re building a stronger, more caring, capable, and connected Mustang community!
✨Classroom Spotlight ✨
Dr. Machens Social Studies Class
Students in Dr. Machens 7th Grade Social Studies are involved in a Classroom Archaeology Simulation where they are analyzing artifacts as if they were archaeologists.
Habit of the Month
Habit of the Month: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood!
Habit 5, Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, teaches students the importance of listening before speaking. It means slowing down to truly hear what someone else is saying—without interrupting, judging, or planning your response. When kids practice this habit, they build stronger relationships, avoid misunderstandings, and show respect for others’ feelings and perspectives. It’s a simple but powerful way to create a caring and connected community.
The September Leaders of the Month
A Peek into a Caring, Capable, Connected SMS
Lab safety! Mrs. Murray did a great job teaching our sixth grade science students lab safety procedures before getting started with their labs 🧪
✨ Staff Spotlight ✨
2025-2026 SMS Staff
Find the cafeteria menu on our website or in the free FZ app, along with our calendars for information on Events. You can sync them to your calendar!
South Middle - Office Hours 6:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Phone - 636-281-0776
Website: https://sms.fz.k12.mo.us/o/sms
Email Dr. Jackie Hottelman, Principal
Email Kacee Claybon, Assistant Principal
Quick links to help you keep up with FZSD
go.FZSD.us/QuickCalendar (or the Quick Calendar button on any of our websites) connects you with the school year at a glance.
go.FZSD.us/SyncMyCalendar allows visitors to sync our website, Elementary Letter Days and Middle School Letter Days calendars to their own.
go.FZSD.us/AMIDays is updated annually with information on inclement weather schedules and procedures.
go.FZSD.us/CSIP provides updates on and access to our Continuous School Improvement Plan.