Hello Kasson-Mantorville Middle School Families,
I hope this message finds you healthy and well. I also hope you and your family enjoyed Thanksgiving break with family and friends. As we get into December, I want to take a few moments to highlight a few important items.
Band and Choir Concerts
One of the best things about December is that concert season is upon us. Please consider joining us and watching our students perform in band and choir. Students devote a lot of time to learn instrumental and choral music and our concerts provide them the opportunity to showcase their hard work.
- Grade 5-6 and Rock'n'Jazz Concert - Thursday, December 5 @ 6:30 PM
- Grade 5-6 Choir Concert - Tuesday, December 10 @ 6:00 PM
- Grade 7-8 Choir Concert - Tuesday, December 10 @ 7:00 PM
- Grade 7-8 and Rock'n'Jazz Concert - Monday, December 16 @ 7:00 PM
All concerts will be held at the MN WIFI Performing Arts Center at KMHS.
Recess Clothing
Please make sure your child comes to school with adequate winter clothing. 5th and 6th grade students have recess daily. The only time we have inside recess is when the temperature or wind chill falls below 0. We encourage all students to get fresh air daily, so this message is meant to include 7th and 8th grade students too. If your child needs winter gear, please do not hesitate to contact the middle school office at 507-634-4030.
The Anxious Generation
I highly encourage families to read the newest book by Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation. As a middle school principal and a father of middle school and elementary kids, it has brought a new perspective into cell phone usage in adolescents and the loss of the play-based childhood. Please click here if you would like to learn more. Also, on February 23 at 6:30 PM in the KMHS Forum, KM Schools continues its informative sessions on The Anxious Generation. Please consider joining us.
Student Attendance
It is very important that your child attend school regularly. Research shows that missing 10% of the school year, or roughly 17 days, negatively affects student academic performance and achievement. Consequently, when students improve attendance rates, their academic performance and chances for graduation increase. Since COVID, KMMS has seen an increased number of absences from students.
As we continue to partner with families, we want to provide families and students guidance to attain regular school attendance. Students are marked excused and unexcused. Excused absences include medical and dental appointments, illness, funerals, and family vacations. Unexcused absences include oversleeping, refusal, or being late to school due to a late activity or practice. In accordance with K-M policy and state statute, once a student receives six unexcused absences, a referral is made to Dodge County and the Attendance Review Board.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. It is important that families and the school work together to provide a safe and welcoming environment where students want to be. It is especially important at the middle school level where students begin forming routines and habits.
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Thank you for your continued partnership with Kasson-Mantorville Middle School. We are excited about and looking forward to the month of December and the ample opportunities our students have to showcase their learning, growth, and achievement. Go KoMets!
Together in KoMet Pride,
Josh Larsen
Principal
