September has been a wonderful time to connect with our students, strengthen relationships, and foster a welcoming environment. It’s been incredible to see students engaged in and out of the classroom, building rapport and making meaningful memories.

Homecoming week was a highlight, filled with fun activities and a fantastic display of school spirit! We were excited to host many of the events on our new football field, track, and tennis courts, which have been a great addition to our school. These facilities are providing students with fresh opportunities to stay active, compete, and represent our community with pride.

Additionally, we’ve made several important safety improvements to ensure a secure and supportive learning environment. New security cameras have been installed across campus, and we’ve updated our crisis procedures to better respond to emergencies. We also continue to focus on positive interventions that address both mental health and academic success. Resources such as our POWER lounge are available to help students deescalate, reflect, and find the support they need to thrive.

As we move forward, I encourage you to stay connected with your child's teachers. Open communication and collaboration between families and staff are essential to supporting both academic and personal growth. Let’s keep working together for a successful year!

With GIANT PRIDE,

Cindy Schmidt

Middle and High School Principal

GIANT Support is Wednesday, Oct 9th from 3:30-5:30 pm. Although all students are welcome, this is a time for those students who need extra support to receive more individualized instruction. Parents of students who are being requested will receive an email in the next few days.

During GIANT Support students move freely to and from the classrooms as needed. Students may leave when they have met with each requesting teacher. This is good opportunity for students to take responsibility and initiative for their learning.

Click on the picture for each link.

Impact Teen Drivers is a younger driver and passenger program that develops, promotes, and facilitates evidence-based education to stop the number one killer of teens—car crashes.

The goal to the program is to seek change to the culture of safe driving, thereby saving lives not only in this generation, but in all future generations of drivers and passengers. All Impact Teen Drivers educational modules adopt an “engage, educate, empower, and evaluate” approach. Free from graphic imagery or fear-based tactics, these modules resonate with teenagers through relatable anecdotes and humor while imparting practical and evidence-based strategies to enhance road safety for both drivers and passengers.

This is a friendly reminder to ensure that your child’s immunizations are up to date as required by state law. Immunizations are essential to protect the health and well-being of all students in our school community.

Please note that students who are not in compliance with the required immunizations by October 11 will be excluded from attending school until their immunization records are updated or appropriate exemptions are filed. If you have already submitted the necessary documentation, thank you!

For those who need assistance or have questions regarding immunization requirements, please contact our school nurse as soon as possible.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued support in keeping our school safe and healthy.

October is College Knowledge Month in Minnesota and to celebrate, the colleges and universities of Minnesota State are waiving their application fees for the entire month.

That's what we call Minnesota State Month!

October is a great time for your senior students to explore one or more of the 26 colleges and seven universities of Minnesota State and apply for FREE. More information is available at: https://MinnState.edu/MinnStateMonth.

Need help understanding the financial aid options for college? Attend free virtual sessions for high school students and families offered by a collaborative of financial aid experts starting October 1. All sessions will have interpretation in Spanish, Somali and Hmong. Students who attend any of the sessions will be entered into a $1,000 scholarship drawing. For session dates, topics and to register, visit https://bit.ly/RSFAFSA. Contact tpribnow@ecmc.org with any questions.

October 8: Picture Retakes

October 9: GIANT SUPPORT (3:30-5:30 pm)

October 11: Early Release

October 17-18: NO SCHOOL MEA Break

October 23: Blood Drive hosted by TARGET

October 31: End of 1st Quarter

November 1: NO SCHOOL (Teacher workday)