April 30, 2026

Dear Bullpup Families,

We are now half-way through the ISAT tests.   8th grade wrapped up the Science test yesterday, which means we have just the two Math tests to go!

Let me just say now, well before the results come in, that I am proud of these kids.  The effort has been outstanding so far.  They are putting in the time and effort to the best of their abilities and that’s all we ever ask for.  Sure, we would love to have the top scores in the state, but that’s far less valuable to us than a true picture of the effects of our teaching.  Thank you for doing what you can to help your student approach the last two tests with a positive attitude and a determination to do their Best on the Test!

End of Year Activities

When we wrap up ISAT’s on May 14th, there will be just 15 school days left in the year, and there are some cool things going on in those 15 days.

• May 13th:  Pizza with the Principal, 5:30 to 6:30 in our Library.  All parents of next year’s students are invited to come have some pizza and discuss our plans for next year so far, including how we will handle teaching and learning in a construction zone.  Parents of incoming 7th grade students are invited too. 

• May 29th:  6th Grade Orientation/Class Trips Day.  All 6th graders from the district will be visiting to get used to the school and at the same time 8th graders will go to Silverwood and 7th graders will go to a movie at Bonner Mall Cinemas.  Your student has a permission form – please fill it out and help them turn it in.  If your student needs a scholarship for either activity, please reach out to me directly – we want 100% of our students to go!

  • IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR 7th GRADERS: We just discovered that the running time for the planned movie is just too long for our schedule. We have switched to a PG movie called, “The Sheep Detectives.” The permission slips we already handed out are still fine.

• June 5th:  The Last Day of School – Talent Show/Awards Assembly.  We don’t hold an 8th grade “Promotion” ceremony here at SMS.  Instead, on the last day of school we have a Talent Show mixed in with a Student Awards Ceremony for the whole school.   Each House gives out awards to outstanding students and we have awards for school-wide achievements also.  This will take place at 8:30 a.m. on June 5th.  The rest of the day is spent signing Yearbooks and packing up for the summer.  School lets out at 1:20 per usual for a Friday.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Next week, May 4 - 8, is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Thank you SO MUCH to parents Alex Corey and Katie Wood who have taken the lead on providing food, decorations, and all-around appreciation during the week.  Please remember that if you signed up to contribute we would like those things here by 2:00 tomorrow (Friday the 1st) so we can fill any gaps if needed.  The only exception would be if you are bringing hot stuff for the potato bar, which should be brought on that day.  

Thank you for your support!

Mr. Penrose