KMMS August Newsletter

Hello KMMS Families,

On behalf of the teachers and staff at Kasson-Mantorville Middle School, we want to welcome you and your child to the 2024-2025 school year. We are eager and excited to welcome our students back but want to share a few priority items and dates with you prior to the start of the school year. Please read this message carefully and please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.

New KoMets Website

Over the summer, our school website got a new, refreshed look. Please use this link to access the new website and navigate to Kasson-Mantorville Middle School. If you search Google for KMMS, you will brought to the old website. The attached link will provide access to all 24-25 school year information. Feel free to bookmark the middle school homepage for future reference.

Supply List

Use this link to access the 24-25 School Supply list for students in grades 5-8. Students and families have the option of choosing which ever organization system (binders or folders) works best for their child.

KMMS Open House

***Please note that the KoMet Report information sent on Thursday, August 1, is not correct - the KoMet Report will be updated to reflect the change below on Tuesday, August 6***

Our Middle School Open House will be held on Wednesday, August 28, from 3:30-6:30 pm. Students may arrive at any time with their parents/guardians. During this time, students can meet with their teachers, get their schedule, organize their lockers, and get acquainted with the building and their classes.

Schedule/Locker Information

For our incoming 5th grade students and those new to KM, please use the document here to access your student's schedule, locker number, and locker combination on Infinite Campus. If you have any issues trying to access this information, please call the middle school office at 507-634-4030.

Key Dates

I have attached the fall key dates for your scheduling convenience. I have also attached the 24-25 KMMS Key Dates schedule here. The dates include conferences, clinics, testing information, Track and Field dates, and band and choir concert dates.

Key Fall Dates:

• KMMS Open House: Wednesday, August 28, from 3:30-6:30 pm
• First Day of School: Tuesday, September 3, at 8:00 am
• KMMS Picture Day: Tuesday, September 10, at 8:00 am
• Student Flu Shot Clinic: Wednesday, October 9
• Community Service Day: Tuesday, October 15
• Parent/Teacher Conferences: Thursday, October 10, from 3:30-6:30 pm
• Grade 6 Eagle Bluff: Monday, November 4 - Wednesday, November 6
• KMMS Picture Retakes: Thursday, November 7

School Hours

The regular school day at KMMS will be 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

• Students will be permitted into the building at 7:30 am.
• The first bell will ring at 7:55 am, students are expected to be in class by 8:00 am.
• After school, students must leave the school building by 3:10 pm unless in a sport, activity, or Continuous Progress (Homework Help).

Thank you for your continued partnership with Kasson-Mantorville Middle School. I hope you all enjoy the remaining days of summer. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at j.larsen@komets.k12.mn.us or 507-634-4030. Thank you for your continued support of KMMS!

Together in KoMet Pride,

Josh Larsen, Principal

Each year, students in 7th grade are expected to receive certain immunizations. Please use the attachment here for immunization information. Immunization records should be shared with our school nurse, Michelle Lurken. Immunizations for 7th grade students must include proof of Hepatitis B, second MMR, TD booster, and record of having chicken pox or proof of second varicella vaccination.

By law, Minnesota parents or guardians who do not want their child immunized must submit a signed notarized statement to their child's school. To do this, you must complete Page 2 of the attached document and share it with the school.

Immunization Records or a Signed Notarized Statement must be handed to the middle school office by Tuesday, October 1. Failing to abide by state law and regulations will result in your student not being able to attend school. If you have any questions, please reach out to Michelle Lurken at 507-634-1608.

We are excited about continuing our 7/8 technology pilot program next year. There were a handful of benefits that reshaped student learning and character development. However, as we enter another year of piloting, I want to communicate some changes that will better assist our students and school.

Students will no longer be able to bring their own devices for school use. The school has devices available for students, which are updated to meet KM technology and curriculum requirements.

Students and families will incur an annual technology fee of $60.00. The fee includes the cost of insurance to cover one repair due to accidental damage as well as warranty repair. If accidental damage occurs more than once, the student and family would be responsible for damages. Please know we have scholarships available for those facing hardships.

More detailed information about the 7/8 Technology Pilot Program will be shared as we get closer to the start of school.

New this school year, all students who ride a bus home will be picked up at the middle school in the south parking lot. We will no longer have students cross 5th Avenue NE to get on buses at KMES. It poses a significant safety issue for students and drivers. However, in order to accommodate our buses, we are adjusting our pick-up and drop-off procedures. The south parking lot will no longer be a student drop-off/pick-up area. Instead, the east lot will be the designated area for parent pick-up/drop-off.

I will send out more detailed information as we get closer to the school year, but wanted to share this news with families ahead of the new school year. Once the lines in the parking lots get painted and the signage is posted, I will communicate expectations for pick-up/drop-off.