Important Dates:

Thursday, October 15th - HSA Meeting

Friday, October 23rd - Picture Retakes

Saturday, October 24th - Bowling Night

Friday, October 30th - Haunted Haven Walk for 7th Grade

Save the Date for the 5th Annual Bowling Night on Saturday, October 24th at Sproul Lanes. Scan the QR code for ticket purchasing information. This is open to all grades and raises funds for the 8th grade service project. Students can also buy tickets for a chance to win a raffle basket at the event. Proceeds go to the service project. Parents from all grades can support by contributing to the baskets at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040549A4AE2BA46-65921140-bowling. Thank you!

The 2026 Fall Sports schedule can be found here - https://47726.digitalsports.com/

Upcoming Events:

Mon October 5th 2026

Tue October 6th 2026

Wed October 7th 2026

Thu October 8th 2026

Fri October 9th 2026

Thank you to everyone that supported the music program and went to Rita's this past Monday! As a result of the amazing turnout, we raised $242! This money will be used to help offset field trip costs. Keep an eye out for our next restaurant night! Here's what you need to know this week:

This Week's Rehearsal Schedule

October Rehearsal Calendar

Monday: 7^th Band

Tuesday: 6^th Band

Wednesday: 8^th Band

Thursday: 7^th Band

Friday: 6^th Band

This Week's Lesson Schedule

October Lesson Layout

Monday: NO LESSONS

Tuesday: 6^th Band

Wednesday: 8^th Band

Thursday: 7^th Band

Friday: Beginner Lessons

News from WSMA (Wallingford Swarthmore Music Association)

If your child loves music and you want to help support our WSSD music program and its dedicated teachers, join the WSMA for its fall meeting. We will gather at 7 p.m. in the Strath Haven Middle School auditorium on Monday, October 5. All are welcome!

Click here to read the WSMA e-newsletter.

To get all the news from WSMA, sign up to receive the e-news directly! Click here to sign up.

Jazz Band Teaching Clinics This Week

If your student is auditioning for jazz band next week, they should come to the teaching clinics this Tuesday, 10/6 and Thursday, 10/8 from 2:30-3pm in the band room. Mr. McLaughlin and I will walk them through the audition material. They do not NEED to come to both, but it is HIGHLY encouraged!

Audition for YMO!!!

YMO (Young Musicians' Orchestra) is holding rolling online video auditions to join the Orchestra! It's a great chance for band students to play alongside string players in a full symphony orchestra. The Orchestra is conducted by SHHS music teacher Mr. Pignataro, rehearses at the high school on Thursday nights, and runs from September to Early December and January to Late April. To audition, Mr. Pignataro will simply ask for a 2-minute video of you playing anything you're currently practicing and a scale if you're comfortable with one.

Tuition is reasonable and financial assistance is available. To learn more, visit dcyo.org or email Mr. Pignataro npignataro@wssd.org or npignataro@dcyo.org. I HIGHLY suggest giving this a try- Mr. P is a fantastic conductor, and this is that extra push your music student has been looking for!

Please join us on Thursday, October 15th at 7 pm in the middle school library for our next Home and School Meeting.  ALL are welcome to attend!  Dr. Matsanka will be there to give school updates and answer any questions and we will also hear updates from our grade reps and committee chairs. Expect meetings on the third Thursday of each month.

In order to volunteer for events and activities at SHMS (concessions, musical, dances, book fair, etc...), ALL volunteers need their clearances on file with the school district. Please submit these now, as opportunities come up quickly and it's good to have them in place now. If you are unsure of your status, please contact Heather Fili at hfili@wssd.org

You can find what clearances you need to submit here.

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Yearbooks are on sale now. Purchase the SHMS 2027 Yearbook at Jostens here.

Thank you to our website sponsors! This helps to subsidize our costs for the website and allows for FREE access to the school directory. Please support our sponsors (many local WSSD families).

Please check out the HSA web page!  In addition to getting up-to-date information on activities, all families have FREE access to the online student directory (you must set up an account). The HSA offers the directory at no cost to our families thanks to our website sponsors. 

SHMS HSA website and directory*: https://shmshsa.membershiptoolkit.com

Online Store: https://shmshsa.membershiptoolkit.com/store

*For additional safety, you will need to create an account to access the directory.

@strathavenmshsa