What's Happening at SHMS

For more important dates, check our school calendar.

For more information about our Sports & Activities, visit our SHMS Athletics page.

SHMS Parents/Guardians,

Scott Highlands Middle School Student-Led Conferences are scheduled for:

• November 6th: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• November 7th: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Please use the link below to schedule a conference with your student’s homeroom teacher.

https://ptcfast.com/schools/Scott_Highlands_Middle_School_3

SHMS has joined Instagram!

Follow shms_saints on Instagram for Scott Highlands updates, photos and more!

The Study List for the SHMS Spelling Bee is posted in the 24-25 Spelling Bee Schoology GROUP.

English teachers will host classroom spelling bees or contests at the beginning of January! Now is the time to begin studying off the word list!

Join the 23-24 Spelling Bee Schoology Group. Use this code to join:

8SVM-8S24-PXTBM

SHMA spellers will compete in a series of Spelling Bees in January until we declare our School Champion! It could be you! Begin studying off the word lists today!

Families are encouraged to complete an Educational Benefits Application. Your children may qualify! Applications are now open.

While meals are free for all students, all families are highly encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits. Your approved application provides critical funding to our school district. This compensatory aid helps increase funding for teachers, paraprofessionals and social workers to include math and reading support. An approval for educational benefits also allows families to receive discounted Activities/Community Education fees. Learn more about the Educational Benefits Program.

Questions or concerns: ask our Nutrition Services department at Nutrition@district196.org or 651-683-6958.

• Staying Healthy: Ensure your student gets plenty of sleep, eats nutritious meals, washes their hands well, and drinks plenty of water each day. We are entering viral season and covering your cough and washing hands helps so much!
• Sick Students: If your student isn’t feeling well, it is ok to stay home and rest so they can return to us ready to engage in their learning.

CHILDREN SHOULD STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

• Fever of 100.4 or higher - can return when fever free for 20 hours without fever reducing medication.
• Strep throat - can return after 12 hours of antibiotics and fever free for 20 hours without fever reducing medication.
• Vomiting or diarrhea (without a known reason) - can return 20 hours after last episode.
• Rash (without a known reason) with behavior change or fever of 100.4 or greater.
• Excessive coughing that persists and makes it difficult to participate in school.
• Not healthy enough to participate in routine school activities.
• Illness Guidelines
• Illness Guidelines Spanish
• Illness Guidelines Somali

• COVID Tests: Free covid tests are available again, good to share with families! https://covidtests.gov/
• Over the Counter Medications: Have you filled out your back-to-school paperwork in Infinite Campus parent portal? The final page is the medication consent for Over-the-Counter Medications and must be completed for OTC medication usage at school. Please note this may be going away across the district in 2025-2026 and per district policy students in grades 7 or above are eligible to self-carry acetaminophen/ibuprofen with parent consent.
• Measles: Due to the current Measles outbreak, we are reaching out to all of our families that have a student missing one or more MMR vaccine. We understand that you may have objected or have not yet completed your MMR series for your child. The MMR vaccine is 93% effective with one vaccine and 97% effective with two vaccines against measles. If we have a positive case at Scott Highlands, those without a complete MMR series may have to miss up to 21 days of school. This will be directed by Minnesota Department of Health.

• Immunizations: Please log into Infinite Campus parent portal to assess your child(ren)’s immunization status. Our goal is to remove barriers to immunizations and connect families to resources to improve compliance, reducing the spread of disease. https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/basics/howpay.html

Minnesota Statute 121A.15 requires that all students in public schools be fully immunized or have a notarized statement exempting them from immunizations. District 196 will begin working in School Year 2024-25 to reestablish a consistent immunization noncompliance plan districtwide. The plan will include communicating expectations around required school immunizations and what happens if compliance isn’t met

If your child(ren) are showing as non-compliant and have questions, please talk to your primary care doctor or call/email Nurse Beth Gissibl: 952-423-7583; beth.gissibl@district196.org.

Stay healthy!

Nurse Beth Gissibl

With the uptick of illnesses at SHMS we are getting low on our supply of tissues & disinfecting wipes.

Please consider donating some to our school if you are able. You can drop off any donated supplies at our front office.

Thank you!

24-25 ROSEMOUNT IRISH

Rosemount High School would like to offer our middle school athletes (7th/8th graders) an opportunity to continue their physical development through a winter Champions Club program.

Scan the QR code above and have a parent/guardian sign up!

FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED!

This is your chance to write a 300-word essay answering the question, “What does Patriotism mean to me?”

Applicants have until December 15th to mail their essay and application to the local Elks Lodge.

The contest will award monetary prizes at the local, regional, state and national levels. Last year three students from SHMS won prize money! This year, you might be a winner, too!

Ask your Social Studies or English Teacher how to download an application form, so you can start thinking and writing about What Patriotism Means to YOU!

Intro to Ninja – Conquer Ninja Gym (ages 5-13)

Sat | Nov 2-Dec 21 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. | 5 sessions | $199 | Conquer Ninja Gyms

Less than 5 spots left!

Safety and Self-Defense (ages 10-15)

Wed | Nov 13 | 6:00-8:00 p.m. | $55 | DHMS

Puzzle Competition teams of four (ages 9-adult)

Sat | Nov 16 | 10:00 a.m.-noon | $49 | BHMS

Do It Together Puzzle Competition (adults and children ages 6+)

Sat | Nov 16 | 1:00-3:00 p.m. | $49 | BHMS

Run with the Lightning (girls, grades K-6)

Sat | Nov 16 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | $30/$20 additional child | EVHS

Champion Youth Karate: Beginners (ages 5-12)

Mon | Nov 18-Jan 20 | 6:10-6:50 p.m. | 8 sessions | $59 | WL

Skyhawks Volleyball (ages 6-9)

Sat | Nov 23-Dec 21 | 9:40-10:25 a.m. | 4 sessions | $79 | RE

Skyhawks Advanced Volleyball (ages 9-12)

Sat | Nov 23-Dec 21 | 10:35-11:35 a.m. | 4 sessions | $89 | RE

Free covid tests are available through https://covidtests.gov/

Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home tests.

Saturday Morning Math

Math isn’t all numbers and equations. Sometimes it’s origami, games, crafts, and so much more! At Saturday Morning Math, students can visualize complex mathematical concepts and having fun while doing it. Saturday Morning Math is an enrichment program for students in grades 5-7 that takes place once per month on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Make math a blast year with our exciting variety of subjects.

For 5th and 6th Graders:
Voting Theory November 2nd, 2024

Explore how math affects voting and fairness

Spherical Journeys December 7th, 2024

Find out how Geometry fits in with maps and globes

Mathematical Games January 25th, 2025 Discover the math behind dots and boxes, jenga, and

more

Taxicab Geometry February 22nd, 2025
Think like a taxi cab to learn different ways to measure

the distance between two points Tessellating Patterns March 22nd, 2025 Use symmetry to creater order with patterns

For 6th and 7th Graders

Origami November 2nd, 2024

Investigate the mathematics of origami: symmetry, 3D shapes, folds, and patterns

Fractals December 7th, 2024
Learn, create, and calculate the dimesions of fractals Directions in Space January 25th, 2025

Model real world situations using vectors

Topology and Knot Theory February 22nd, 2025 Play with shapes and create new ways to see how

they fit together

Eulerian Graphs March 22nd, 2025
Use puzzles, maps, and graphs to learn Eulerian trails and circuits

Classes will take place in Folwell Hall each day from 9:30 am to 12 pm. Cost is $180 for the series of five events.

Scan the QR code to learn more and register or go to z.umn.edu/SaturdayMorningMath2425

Consider employment with District 196 as a substitute paraprofessional.

· Individuals can sign up for orientation through the Employment page of the district website.

· Pay starts at $16.50/hour, increases to $18.00/hour after working 30 days.

Requirements for Clerical Subbing

• High School Diploma
• Willing to work across the District at all schools of at least two levels (elementary, middle school, or high school)
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check (paid for by the applicant)
• Must complete a Personal Care Assistant Certificate of Training (Click here to take the PCA/CFSS test)
• Must complete a pre-employment physical (paid for by the district | Physical Form)
• Must attend a New Hire Orientation

6th Grade: Brian Buechner

(952)-423-7602

brian.buechner@district196.org

7th Grade: Sarah Blasing

(952)-423-7603

sarah.blasing@district196.org

8th Grade: Ashley Welke

(952)-423-7608

ashley.welke@district196.org

From left to right: Brian Buechner, Sarah Blasing, Ashley Welke

Attention 8th Grade Families here are some upcoming dates for High School Registration – Mark your calendars.

25-26 High School Registration

Middle School Dates

Parent Registration Nights

Apple Valley- Wednesday, January 22 - 6-7 PM, Theatre

Eagan - Tuesday, January 21 - 6-7 PM Auditorium

Eastview- Tuesday, January 21 - 6:30-8:30 PM PAC (tentative date)

Rosemount - Thursday, January 16 - 6:30pm-8:30 PM PAC

High School Visits to the Middle Schools

All High Schools will be visiting the middle schools on Thursday, January 23.

Spring Visits - Middle Schools travel to High School

Valley MS – Travel to Apple Valley on May 13 - 10 AM

Healthy eating is so important for children. At Scott Highlands Middle School, we work hard to ensure students receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day to support their developing brains and bodies. Research shows that children who eat regular, nutritious meals are more likely to attend school and be engaged in learning.

We are excited to partner with Every Meal to offer a free weekend meal program to all our students.

Every Meal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children’s lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when they can’t receive food in school. Here are some important things to know about Every Meal:

• Free for all families
• No qualifications required
• Students enrolled in the program will receive a 4-5 pound bag of nutritious, nonperishable food each week
• Every Meal does not collect information from families; privacy is protected
• Families may choose to participate in the program anytime throughout the school year
• Families may choose from a variety of different weekend food bag options

If you are interested in receiving food from Every Meal, please fill out this google form: Every Meal Electronic Enrollment

The first bags of food will be delivered in early October. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sarah Blasing, the 7th grade counselor, at sarah.blasing@district196.org.

Versión en español de este mensaje

Fariintan oo Soomaali ah

If you have a student who is dealing with the loss of an immediate family member (sibling, parent, grandparent, caregiver) or individual who significantly influenced your student and feel they would benefit from participating in Park Nicollet's Growing Through Grief group, we would like to offer your student this grief group opportunity.

Scott Highlands Middle School will be hosting this group again; this year it will be facilitated by Jenny Simmonds, a licensed grief therapist through Park Nicollet. Group sessions will be held during the school day and will run throughout the school year. Our hope is that this group would begin sometime in October. If you are interested in having your student participate, please email your student's school counselor with the name of your student and they will contact you to provide further information.

Community Resource Guide Dakota County - this guide includes information on health care, dental, women’s health, food, housing, special needs/disability, and other supports for families

FastTracker MN - a behavioral health search tool that allows you to filter services based on your search criteria, which can include free and sliding fee services available.

Virtual Calming Room - designed to assist in identifying different strategies for managing emotions, this webpage includes links to calming tools and other resources for youth and families

Worried about your student’s OR your own mental health?

Dakota County Crisis Response: Call 952-891-7171

National Crisis Text Line: Text SCHOOL to 741741

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

To report an absence, send an email to shms.attendance@district196.org (preferred) or call the 24 hour attendance voicemail number at 952-423-7587. Please provide the following information:

• Student’s Name (please spell the student’s first and last name)
• Grade
• Name of person reporting absence
• Reason for absence

**The direct line to Beth Gissibl, school nurse, is 952-423-7583

You can also report an absence by filling out this form: Report an Absence

We are a GREAT School because we are:

Respectful

to all people in the building

Responsible

with ourselves and our belongings

Ready to Learn

by being prepared and present in the learning environment

Website: https://shms.district196.org/
Location: Scott Highlands Middle School, Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 9524237581
Instagram: shms_saints