Our 8th grade drawing students took on a project that pushed their skills using the grid method to enlarge a photo onto drawing paper. After carefully creating a grid, students transferred what they saw in each square of the photo to the matching square on their paper—focusing first on contour lines of the face and facial features. Once the structure was in place, they added shading to create depth and realism. This process requires patience, focus, and attention to detail! The results show just how powerful strong observation skills and perseverance can be. 👏🎨
We are so grateful to the generous donors who supported our Patrick Henry Cares Annual Fundraiser. Because of you, we were able to serve more students this 2025 holiday season than ever before. 🎁Your kindness and support make a meaningful difference for our students and families, and we couldn’t do this without you. Please join us in thanking the local businesses and organizations featured here for helping spread holiday cheer at PHMS! 💫
🏆 Team 8-2 takes on monthly House Cup Challenges, where students work together to compete for points for their PRO! These challenges focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and school spirit. Their most recent challenge, River Crossing, put those skills to the test. Students had to safely get their teammates across the “river” using a scooter and broomball stick—no touching the floor allowed! It took communication, strategy, and plenty of encouragement to make it across. This month, "Stevenpuff" won the challenge! 🎉 Way to go, Team 8-2, for showing collaboration, creativity, and determination in action! 🏆
📸✨ New at Patrick Henry — Library Photography Contest! ✨📸
We’re excited to launch a brand-new opportunity for student photographers to showcase their creativity and we can't wait to see what you capture! Submit one original photo for a chance to have your work printed and displayed in the library!
🖼️ Contest Guidelines:
• Any subject is welcome — just no faces of people
• Must be your own photo
• One entry per student
📧 Submit your photo with your K12 email account to wendy.nelson@k12.sd.us
🗓️ Deadline: March 4, 2026
We’re excited to launch a brand-new opportunity for student photographers to showcase their creativity and we can't wait to see what you capture! Submit one original photo for a chance to have your work printed and displayed in the library!
🖼️ Contest Guidelines:
• Any subject is welcome — just no faces of people
• Must be your own photo
• One entry per student
📧 Submit your photo with your K12 email account to wendy.nelson@k12.sd.us
🗓️ Deadline: March 4, 2026
🍦🎶 Hard work tastes sweet! 🎶🍦These students in grades 6–8 took on the challenge of auditioning for All-State Band. The preparation process pushed them to grow, refine their skills, and rise to a higher level of performance. While official results won’t be released until January, we couldn’t let their hard work go unrecognized. Students were treated to an ice cream celebration as a thank-you for their commitment and determination. We’re proud of the time, focus, and passion they brought to this experience!
🚨 Good news alert! Sometimes a trip to the principal’s office starts with nervous faces… and ends with big smiles! 😄 Patrick Henry staff write positive office referrals when students show respect, responsibility, and safety—our Patrick Henry values in action! Congrats to these students who have recently received a positive office referral.💙💛
Through the Giving Group fundraiser last Friday, Team 6-3 students sold morning treats and raised an impressive $1,593.31. Afterward, the group took charge by tallying the donations and shopping online to fulfill Christmas wishlists for The Foster Network. Their hard work is already making the holidays brighter for others. 💙💛 We are so proud of this effort—thank you, Patrick Henry community!
🛼✨ Patrick Henry Glow Night at Skate City is almost here and we’re ready to roll! ✨🛼 Grab your friends, lace up those skates and head to Skate City for music, lights, laughs and LOTS of laps around the rink. 💙💛
❄️ It’s a busy week at Patrick Henry Middle School! As we get closer to winter break, we have a lot happening—our Choir Concert, dress-up days and basketball and wrestling competitions. 🎶🏀🤼♂️ A quick reminder that the school dress code expectations still apply during dress-up days. 💙💛
🎶✨ Here’s a sneak peek of some of our 6th grade choir students practicing for their upcoming concert! And yes… those are kazoos you’re hearing as they play along to the theme song from the movie Elf! 😄
📅 Winter Choir Concert – Tuesday, December 16 at Lincoln High School
🎤 6th Grade Concert: 5:30 PM
🎶 7th & 8th Grade Combined Concert: 7:00 PM
Admission is FREE, and we’d love to see you there to support on our amazing student musicians! 💙💛
https://youtube.com/shorts/FbPoIWdGWAI?feature=share
📅 Winter Choir Concert – Tuesday, December 16 at Lincoln High School
🎤 6th Grade Concert: 5:30 PM
🎶 7th & 8th Grade Combined Concert: 7:00 PM
Admission is FREE, and we’d love to see you there to support on our amazing student musicians! 💙💛
https://youtube.com/shorts/FbPoIWdGWAI?feature=share
Congrats to our December Students of the Month! 🌟 These students lead the way by modeling Respect, Responsibility and Safety in everything they do. 💙💛
🎻 Congratulations to these students that were selected for the Middle School All-State Orchestra! They’ll head to Rapid City in February for a full day of rehearsals followed by the All-State Concert. We’re so proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see them shine! 💙💛
Enjoy the Winter Band Concert and support our PTO Culver’s Fundraiser tonight—music, treats and school spirit all in one! 💙💛
🌟 Our 8th Grade WEB Leaders are at it again! Last week, they visited 6th grade classrooms for some meaningful connection time—this month’s activity? Charades! 🎭 WEB stands for Where Everyone Belongs and our leaders continue to make sure every 6th grader feels welcomed, supported and part of the Panther family. 💛💙 Huge shoutout to Jaxon and Aidric, our WEB Leaders of the Month! These two go above and beyond, showing leadership, kindness and commitment in everything they do. Way to go, WEB Leaders! Your guidance and positivity make a big difference every month. 🌟
This Friday, December 12, Team 6-3's Giving Group is raising funds to help kids in need through the Foster Network! Remind your child to bring an extra $1.00 for a special treat. Let’s spread some holiday cheer! ✨🎄🎁
Our students will be taking MAP tests this Wednesday and Thursday. 📚 MAP tests are one of the tools we use to measure growth and understand how to best support each learner’s journey. ✅ Remember, this is just one way for students to show what they’ve learned—what truly matters is effort, growth and a positive mindset! 💪 Thank you, families, for partnering with us to help every student reach their full potential. 💙💛
🎵 PHMS 6th graders are hitting the high notes! Congrats to these talented students selected by audition for the 2026 SDSU Elementary Festival Honor Choir—your music is music to our ears! They will perform at the SDSU Choral Day in February. 🎵
📅 It’s a busy week at Patrick Henry! Basketball games, wrestling matches, fundraisers, our Winter Band Concert and MAP Testing are all on deck! 📝✨ A week full of sports, music, giving and learning—let’s go, PH! 💙💛
🎄Our “Patrick Henry Cares” fundraiser helps support students in need during the holiday season. Each year, we create raffle baskets filled with gift cards and fun experiences. These baskets are raffled to staff to raise funds for items that benefit PHMS students. This year, we’re excited to open a raffle basket to the entire Patrick Henry community! The winner will be notified on December 17. If you would like to purchase raffle tickets, click here: https://forms.gle/ZnVD5RXUuB8qApuY9
🍔 It's Bun-Believable News! 🍦There is yet another PTO Fundraiser coming your way! Join us next Thursday, December 11, from 4–9 PM at Culver’s (2800 S Minnesota Ave). 10% of every order goes to PHMS PTO. This includes dine in, drive thru and carry out orders.💛
