Reset 2023!

Dear Students and Families,

We are thrilled to report that the school year has gotten off to a strong start! Watching the students come together, greet friends, and meet new teachers and friends is always great to see! The first couple of weeks is filled with many procedural tasks and community-building activities!

The week before Homecoming, we held class meetings with each grade level. These meetings are intended to share with students the culture of our school, reiterate school expectations reviewed within KORT classes during the first two weeks, and motivate them to do their best as a student and people throughout each day. Here is a link to the presentation shared with students. "RESET 23 and Own It!" were the themes reiterated to students. I believe it is important to name and acknowledge realities with our students. The past two school years have been difficult for everyone, especially students. We want them to know and understand that there is a shift this year back to typical expectations for learning that were minimized during distant and hybrid learning models. Encouraging them with the theme of OWN IT! regarding their learning, homework, activity level and behavior is especially important given the record high-class sizes we are currently experiencing. Students did an excellent job of listening and participating appropriately throughout our conversations with them.

Throughout October, we will be focusing on the importance of utilizing great care in our words and actions towards others. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a time to focus and raise awareness of bullying, which is a developmental challenge within middle schools. This month we will share various resources with you to provide you as parents with discussion topics to share with your child(ren). Please partner with us in reducing and hopefully eliminating negative peer experiences that students have at school, on the bus, or in our neighborhoods. Stopbullying.gov is a great resource to become familiar with and even watch one or more of these videos with your child to start the discussion!

4 Ways to Deal with a Bully

Cyberbullying

Bystander to Upstander

What to do when no adult is around

What to do when you see bullying happen

Please be sure to consider participating in our Parent Advisory Committee! We truly appreciate your active engagement, perspective, and partnership with your child's education! Please click here to let us know you're interested in joining us! It is hard to believe that conferences are right around the corner too!! This year's conferences will look very different than conferences in the past. Please be sure to tune into the information below regarding conferences and find the best fit for your child's needs.

Respectfully,

Jennie Kelly

STMA Middle School East Principal

In an effort to continuously improve the connection and engagement between school and home, we've adjusted our Parent Teacher Conference offerings accordingly. Thanks to the input of our Parent Advisory Committee and Parent Teacher Conference Action Team there will be three options available for families to choose from. Please see the options below and utilize this form to communicate your needs and plans with us! Thank you!

On November 8, 2022, STMA will ask taxpayers to consider an operating levy. This is a predictable and sustainable source of local revenue that focuses on students and the classroom.

While STMA schools are a big point of pride in our community, our district faces pressing financial challenges due to forces largely out of our control. Low state funding and stabilizing enrollment, exacerbated by the pandemic, have created an unforeseeable combination of multiple short-term and long-term impacts to our budget. Over the last few months, we listened to stakeholders and adjusted. Our needs remain, and we are asking for considerably less than requested in November, 2021.

Please visit the levy webpage or attend an informational session to get factual information.

• Friday, October 7 1:00 p.m. MW Auditorium Coffee & Conversation

• Wednesday, October 12 7:00 a.m. MW Auditorium

• Thursday, October 13 7:00 p.m. HS PAC

• Monday, October 17 9:00 a.m. MW Auditorium Coffee & Conversation

Please remember to vote! You can vote on November 8 or you can vote early as MN allows voters to cast ballots early for any reason. Early voting started Friday, September 23. Early voting forms can be found in all school offices and on the levy webpage.

A critical part of Reset 2023 is the importance of language. The language that students and staff use every day is a way that we communicate respect and build community. Failure to use respectful and appropriate language will result in a negative impact on our school culture and can result in significant consequences at school, including suspension.

Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in inappropriate language including profanity and harassment. Please have conversations with your children regarding the use of respectful language and staying away from inappropriate topics for school. Partnering in this area will result in a safer and more respectful school environment for all stakeholders.

5th and 6th Grade Activity Night is taking place this Friday, October 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Middle School East. The event will feature a dance, open gym, bingo, concessions, games, and more. The cost is $10 to enter. Students are welcome to bring additional money to purchase concessions. Pick up and drop off will take place in front of the main entrance to MSE. Students will leave the event promptly at 8:00 PM, so please pick up your students between 7:50 and 8:00 PM.

Does your child need additional support in school? Targeted Services begins on October 25th. Complete this Registration Form link to register your child. Click here for an information letter with all the important details.

Youth Matters

Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Breakfast Club

Fridays 7:00-8:00 a.m.

The MSE Targeted Services Program is designed to build independence and confidence through the development of positive habits and skills. This program will provide a learning environment for students needing extra support to improve their academic performance, organization, and study skills. Targeted services teachers will teach study skills, problem-solving skills, and mentor your child to encourage academic success through mini-lessons, feedback, and homework help.

The Positivity Project Volunteer Sign Up

On November 8th, 2022; The Positivity Project Team will be painting our STMA Middle School East bathroom doors with positive messages. We are looking for volunteers to participate in this team project. Duties would include tracing and/or coloring with sharpie oil-based markers on the bathroom doors. If you are interested in participating; please fill out this form by October 14th, 2022.

MSE Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up

Want to help with the MSE Book Fair? The Book Fair runs October 10th-14th. Email Monalee Williams at monaleew@mystma.org for details and a list of available times to volunteer.

• Football
• Volleyball
• Girls Swim and Dive
• Girls Tennis
• Boys and Girls Soccer
• Boys and Girls Cross Country
• Knightengals
• Knights Select Choir
• Student Council
• Yearbook

• Girls Basketball October 31st-December 22nd
• Boys Basketball January 3rd-February 23rd
• Wrestling November 21st-January 26th

Free and Reduced Price Meals are available to families who qualify. If you would like to apply, please complete a free and reduced application. Applications can be completed via Stratapps our online application system, or you can download and print a Free and Reduced Application Form Here. The forms can also be picked up and returned (completed) to any school office. You will be notified by mail of your child's status. Until notification, you must provide your child with lunch or lunch money.

A new application must be submitted each year. You are encouraged to complete and return your new application as soon as possible.

Please complete only one application per family. The information you give will be used to determine your child's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. This information may also be used for other state or federally-funded school benefits.

Factors considered in the application process are the household size and total household income.

• HOUSEHOLD SIZE is considered all persons, related or unrelated: Including parents, children, grandparents who live in your home and share living expenses.
• The TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member received last month before taxes - this includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.

Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits. An application is not needed yet there does need to be documentation of status by a state or local entity familiar with the child's status. Foster children may be included in the household application as part of the household size.

Additional information about Free and Reduced can be found HERE

Our counseling team is excited to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year! We are dedicated to empowering every student to achieve academic success and social/emotional growth. We are passionate about helping students overcome issues that are negatively impacting their achievement or well-being. Our department does not provide therapy or long-term counseling; however, we continue to support all students through their middle school years! We typically work with students in a small group or individual setting, and can provide resources to families as well. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any support your child or family needs!

Please know that your school counselors are here to support you!

Last names A-L please contact Ms. Kornovich amyko@mystma.org

Last names M-Z please contact Mrs. Mesna jessicame@mystma.org

School Social Worker please contact Mrs. Buskey jessicab@mystma.org

Need a break? Not sure how to quiet your mind? Check out STMA's Virtual Calming Room. Between journaling, coloring, mindfulness and mind games, you can find an activity to calm your mind and body. Use these tools to manage your emotions and find new ways to cope with the stress and anxiety of everyday life.

As you prepare for your child's transition to Middle School East, please know that we are here to help your child be successful. Please don't hesitate to call 763-497-2655.

Jennifer Kelly, Principal

David Holler, Assistant Principal

Molly Schleicher, Dean of Students/Activities Director

Gabrielle Scoblic, Administrative Assistant

Amy Kornovich, School Counselor for last names A-L

Jessica Mesna, School Counselor for last names M-Z

Jessica Buskey, School Social Worker

Email: jenniferk@mystma.org
Website: https://www.stma.k12.mn.us/Domain/8
Location: 4862 Naber Avenue Northeast, Saint Michael, MN, USA
Phone: 763-497-2655
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmamse
Twitter: @stma_ms_east