Patrick Henry Middle School -

🏀💙 What a season it was for our 7th and 8th grade girls’ basketball teams! 💙🏀 All teams showed tremendous improvement in skills, confidence, teamwork, and—most importantly—attitude throughout the season. 🙌 They supported one another through challenges, competed with heart and effort, and represented our school with sportsmanship every time they stepped on the court. 👏🐾These qualities matter far beyond basketball and will stay with them in the classroom, daily life, and any future sport they pursue. A huge thank you to Coach Cunningham, Coach Witt, Coach Easter, Coach Palomaki, and our athletes for a fun and memorable 2025–26 Girls Basketball Season! 🎉🏀💙

🎉 Shoutout to the 37 students on Team 6-3 who finished the entire 1st semester with 0 or only 1 missing assignment — now that’s dedication! 👏📚 Their hard work and responsibility paid off with a well-earned celebration during Directed Studies, where they got to enjoy games and time together. We are proud of their commitment and the example they set for others. Keep it up, Team 6-3! 💙💛🐾

At Patrick Henry, we offer a wide variety of clubs and programs designed to help students explore new interests, build skills, and connect with peers. From creative arts to gaming, STEM, and more, there’s something for every student to enjoy! 🎨🎮🧱 These opportunities help foster teamwork, creativity, and confidence—preparing our students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
📍 Learn more about student clubs offered at Patrick Henry on the Prepared Panther website: https://sites.google.com/k12.sd.us/patrickhenry/student-activities/clubsprograms?authuser=0

By choosing to be responsible, respectful, and safe, our Students of the Month help shape a strong school community at Patrick Henry. We’re thankful for the positive influence they have on those around them. 💙💛🐾

🐾 PHMS Athlete of the Week 🐾
We’re excited to kick off our Athlete of the Week Spotlight—an idea created by our very own Panther Pack to celebrate the amazing athletes at PHMS! 💙🏅
This week, we are proud to recognize Maddy Foster, an 8th-grade athlete who truly embodies what it means to be a Panther. Maddy is being recognized for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to step outside her comfort zone to grow as an athlete. Her effort and mindset do not go unnoticed, and she sets a great example for her teammates both in practice and during games. Congratulations, Maddy! Way to lead with determination and heart! 🐾👏

Ready to move, groove, and perform? Dance begins Tuesday, January 20th, and we’re excited to welcome new dancers of all experience levels! Dancers will learn hip hop, pom, and jazz while building confidence, teamwork, and performance skills. Performances include basketball games and an end-of-year district showcase.
✨ Don’t miss out—join the fun!
📲 Sign up through Bound: gobound.com/sd/schools/patrickhenryms

💖🍭 Spread the Love with a Sweet Treat! 🍭💖
Student Council is selling Valentine’s Day suckers for just $1!
🗓️ Order now through January 16, 2026
👩‍🏫 Purchase with your PRO teacher
🎁 Suckers will be delivered February 6, 2026 during PRO.
Perfect for friends and classmates! 💌

2nd Semester kicks off today with new goals and new opportunities! Boys basketball practice starts this week as well and wrestling takes the mat on Saturday. Missing something? Be sure to check the Lost & Found near the auditorium! Let’s make it a great week, Panthers! 💙🐾

👏 Congratulations to all who auditioned and to the 11 PHMS students selected for the All-State Jazz Band! Out of just 38 students statewide, PHMS represents more than a quarter of the ensemble!. Your hard work and dedication truly shine! 🎷🎶

Before Winter break, our school was full of holiday cheer—from ugly sweaters, blanket making and team fun, to staff greeting students at the buses in festive costumes. Enjoy this look back at all the festive fun!

The PHMS PTO plays an important role in creating meaningful experiences for our students and staff. From recognition and mentorship to celebrations and support programs, PTO funding directly impacts our school community. If you’re able, please consider donating through PayPal or Zeffy to support these efforts. Thank you for supporting our Panthers and our school community! 🐾💙🐾

👉Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8UC5RR7YQADZ2
👉Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2025-2026-un-fundraiser

Capture the memories of the 25–26 school year! The PHMS Yearbook is available now for $22, but starting Monday, January 12, the price increases to $25. Order early and save at yearbookforever.com.

The votes are in! Students and staff cast their ballots, and we’re excited to announce the winners of our Winter Library Bookmark Contest. 🎉
The winning designs will be printed and available for students to use—be sure to grab one the next time you check out a book from the library!
Thank you to everyone who participated, voted, and shared their creativity. Way to make reading even more fun! 📖❄️

Goals met. Success earned. 🎯👏 Huge congratulations to these Team 7-1 students for meeting their winter MAP goals in math and reading. Hard work pays off—way to go!

🐾 The January edition of The Panther is here! 🐾 As we wrap up the first semester and look ahead to a strong start to the second semester, our January newsletter is packed with important updates for Patrick Henry families, including:
📌 A message from Principal Noll reflecting on semester one and our schoolwide values of being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe
🏆 Congratulations to our December Students of the Month across grades 6–8
📘 Information on ordering the 2025–26 yearbook
🏀 Athletics updates, including Bound registration, required forms, and the new athletics tardy policy
🎶 Band, orchestra, and chorus news
🤝 PTO updates, meeting information, and ways to support through donations
🧠 Counseling resources and important high school registration meetings and tours for 8th grade families
📚 Details on our Parent Book Study (The Anxious Generation) beginning January 28
💻 Chromebook insurance, nurse updates, attendance reminders, nutrition info, and more
Stay informed and connected—check out the full newsletter here:
👉 https://app.smore.com/n/4xevy-the-panther

Welcome back from winter break! ❄️ This week wraps up 1st semester as students return to classrooms ready to finish strong academically. We’ll also cheer on our girls basketball teams as they play their final games of the season. Best of luck to our athletes and students!

We’re excited to bring back our Patrick Henry Parent Book Club for a spring session featuring The Anxious Generation—a timely and meaningful read for parents. This book study will be led by our school counselor, Mrs. Nelsen, and 6th grade teacher, Ms. Erickson. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other parents while learning practical ways to support our kids. Let’s come together to learn, reflect, and support our students—we hope to see you there! 💙📖
🗓 First meeting: January 28, 2026, in the PHMS Library
👥 Who: Patrick Henry Parents/Guardians
👉 Learn more & reserve your spot: https://shorturl.at/tREUX

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Andrew Terveen for an outstanding academic achievement! On the Spring 2025 South Dakota Math Assessment, Andrew earned a perfect score—a rare accomplishment achieved by only 16 students statewide. Andrew is currently an 8th grader at Patrick Henry Middle School and a member of the Honors Program, where his hard work and strong math skills truly stand out. Congratulations, Andrew! 👏

Patrick Henry was full of holiday magic last Friday! Santa, an elf, and a reindeer stopped by and caused some festive mischief throughout the school. They’ll return tomorrow morning -Tuesday, December 23 between 8:15–8:30 AM in the main entryway for pictures!👉 Click the link to see their adventures: https://youtube.com/shorts/naRtLMowYK8?si=vDVLlA9gEw3wiDw4