Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we welcome February, we are reminded of the importance of staying connected and engaged as a school community. This month, we are focusing on fostering student success by promoting regular attendance, academic growth, and opportunities for extracurricular involvement. Please continue to encourage your students to set goals, stay organized, and take pride in their accomplishments.

Additionally, February is a time to celebrate kindness and community. We encourage everyone to participate in activities that promote respect, inclusion, and support for one another—both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making our school a place where all students can thrive. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

With GIANT PRIDE,

Cindy Schmidt

Middle and High School Principal

Important Dates and information for seniors:

If your student is amongst those receiving scholarships and awards, please be sure to let the counseling department know so we can celebrate their hard work.

By the end of February, letters will be mailed home to parents of seniors who are in danger of not obtaining necessary credits required for graduation, giving specific information regarding their graduation status. In the meantime, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Kirschner at 507-665-5807.

Click this link for LSH Scholarship Opportunities

February 24: Financial Aid/FAFSA Information Meeting 5:30 pm Media Center

May 7: Scholarship night Wednesday (students receiving scholarships and their families)

May 9: HS Awards Program 8:15 am Auditorium

May 16: Rehearsal 8:10 am- 12:00 pm, Senior Walk and picnic

Wednesday May 21: Graduation 7:00 pm High School Gym.

We invite you to join us for Spring Conferences on Tuesday, February 13th, from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with your student’s teachers, discuss their progress, and partner with us in supporting their academic journey.

• 6-12 grade general education teachers will be available in the Commons.
• Special education teachers will be available in their classrooms.

Current 9-11th grade students and parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the 2025-26 Registration in the HS Auditorium on Thursday, Feb 13th between 3:30 and 6:00 pm. Please bring a charged Chromebook.

Parents/guardians and current 8th grade students are highly encouraged to attend 9th Grade Registration Night on Thursday, Feb 13 at 6:00 in the HS auditorium. Students please bring a charged chromebook to register.

A directory of trusted local, regional, and national immigration partners and resources to ensure families and students receive the critical supports they need right now.

Metro

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM): Legal aid for families
• Volunteer Lawyers Network: Connects families to volunteer legal support
• Justicia Law (Danielle Robinson Briand): Community-based legal support.

Southern Minnesota

• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS): Regional support for families.

ILRC Know-Your-Rights Cards:

• Printable cards in multiple languages to help students and families understand their rights.

Immigrant Defense Project Know-Your-Rights Resources:

• Offers detailed resources for responding to ICE encounters.

ACLU Know-Your-Rights Guide for Immigrants:

• Practical resources for immigrant families, available in multiple languages.

Currently, Team LSH Unified has about 40 staff, students, and community members taking the plunge THIS Saturday (2/1). We have raised $7,662 dollars total. 50% of proceeds go towards Special Olympics Minnesota and the other 50% comes directly back to our LSH Unified program! Unified is a new program this year that helps foster the inclusion of students with and without disabilities. This money will go back to creating opportunities for students involved in this program. We are hoping to increase our donations by Saturday (plunge day)!

If you are interested in donating to an AMAZING cause, or joining our team, here is our team link!

https://reg.plungemn.org/team/lshunified

Minnesota Statute 127.20

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. To ensure compliance with state law and promote accountability, the following guidelines regarding attendance and truancy are in effect:

Unexcused Absences

All absences not otherwise excused will be considered unexcused. Common examples of unexcused absences include, but are not limited to:

• Oversleeping
• Car trouble or missed ride
• Babysitting responsibilities
• Missing the bus
• Skipping class
• Shopping or personal errands
• Any other absence deemed unexcused by administration

Truancy Guidelines

• Continuing Truant: A student is considered a continuing truant if they are absent without lawful excuse for three or more class periods on three separate school days during the school year.
• Habitual Truant: A student becomes a habitual truant after being absent without lawful excuse for one or more class periods on seven school days.

Following the third unexcused absence, the school is required to notify parents/guardians of the absences and explain the truancy laws. Following the fifth unexcused absence, the school is required to notify parents/guardians again and arrange a meeting to develop a plan to increase the student’s attendance. For habitual truancy, a report must also be submitted to the County Attorney’s Office, as required by law.

Leaving School Without Permission

Students who leave school without prior permission from the office will receive an unexcused absence. Additionally, they may be suspended out of school for the remainder of the day.

Important: Parents/guardians may not excuse a student’s absence for leaving the building if the office was not notified prior to their departure. Students feeling ill during the school day must check out through the nurse’s office.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure that all students meet the requirements of Minnesota’s Compulsory Education Law. If you have questions or need clarification, please contact the school office.

Congratulations to our 2025 Snow Week Royalty!

Alison Miller, Natalie Haemig, Lauren Krause, Madeline Skelley, Alexis Sullivan, Brody Berndt, Joseph Hutton, Kaden Graff, Porter Simonette, and Carter Wilke

Coronation takes place on Monday, February 3rd at 2:30pm in the High School auditorium.

Saturday, February 8th

8:00-10:00 PM

Grades 9-12

Cost $5.00

Pop & Water available for Purchase

Dress Code: Formal (No Jeans)

We thank our school counselor, Jessica Kirschner, for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

Le Sueur-Henderson Schools is asking students in grades 5-12 to participate in the 2025 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS). Federal law requires us to notify parents of this school activity. The MSS is conducted in schools across our state every three years.

Questions on the survey are about many topics relating to young people’s lives. The survey asks about how well school is going, future plans, out-of-school activities, physical and mental health, relationships, substance use and more. High school students are asked about sexual behavior. This useful information about their thoughts and behaviors helps communities and schools develop effective programs and provide better services.

The survey is anonymous. To prevent individuals or families from being identified, students do not provide their names, student identification numbers or personal information.

The survey is voluntary. You may choose to have your child not take the survey by completing and returning the form below. Students may also decline to take any part of the survey or the whole survey. They are informed of that option by staff.

If you have questions about the survey, please contact: Katie Maier, MSHS Assistant Principal/Director of Learning and Curriculum, kmaier@isd2397.org

You have the right to review a copy of the survey. For details on how to do this, please contact: Katie Maier, MSHS Assistant Principal/Director of Learning and Curriculum, kmaier@isd2397.org

The Minnesota Student Survey will be administered to students on February 5th, 2025.

If you do not want your child to take the Minnesota Student Survey, please return the form below to: Katie Maier by January 24, 2025.

Click on the picture for each link.

February 3-7: Snow Week

• Coronation Monday, Feb. 3, 2:30 pm - HS Auditorium

February 7: Early Release

• Middle School Career Day

• Fall Registration
• 9th grade Orientation (for 8th graders)

February 14: Teacher In-service: No School

February 17: NO SCHOOL

February 20: Band Concert 7:00 pm- HS Auditorium

February 26: Financial Aid (FAFSA) 5:00 pm HS Auditorium