Isanti Middle School

Hi everyone,

I wanted to send out a quick note to thank you for making last week's Open House a great success. We had a tremendous turnout and our staff is excited to get the year off on a positive note. Below you'll see some new and repeated information for the start of the year. As always, if you have any questions about what is going on here at IMS don't hesitate to contact us.

Mr. Pauly

Parking Lot Construction: As you know, we've had a bit of activity throughout the summer getting our new parking lot constructed. They are not quite done, but they are close and we hope everything will be completed in advance of our workshop/Open House week of August 26-29. I also plan to send out some updated information to you once the lots are done so that we can share what the new layout will mean for student drop-off, pick-up, and just normal traffic throughout the school day and school year.

On behalf of Isanti Middle School, WEB leaders welcome all incoming 6th graders back to school on Tuesday, September 3. We would like to remind students and families that September 3 is an orientation day in which only 6th graders and for 7th & 8th grade students new to IMS. New to IMS 7th & 8th graders, if you would like to attend on this day please plan to arrive at school by 12:00 PM.

Returning 7th and 8th graders will have their first day of school on Wednesday, September 4.

Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) is a program which links pairs of incoming 8th grade student leaders with small groups of incoming 6th graders. The program allows our incoming 6th graders to have other students as advocates and mentors, easing their transition to middle school and allowing them to have ongoing interactions throughout the school year. The program gives our 8th graders a chance to "pay it forward" by helping the next generation of IMS middle schoolers while also gaining valuable mentor and leader experience .

• 8:30 AM -- School Day Starts. (8:30 Bell is the "Tardy Bell")
• 3:35 PM -- School Day Ends

Bell Schedule: Please take a look at the bell schedule below. Please note the time for lunch for each grade. We start serving lunch about 30 minutes later than we did last year.

• Breakfast: 8:05 - 8:25 AM
• 8th grade lunch: 11:29
  
• 7th grade lunch: 12:23
• 6th grade lunch: 1:17

Cafeteria -- Gym -- Front of the Building

Traditionally we have had A LOT of students arrive before the first bell of the day, this year that bell will be at 8:12. Until this year, students arriving before the first bell had the option of being in the cafeteria, or hanging out in front of the building. This year we are going to add a third option, but with that option will come a slight change to expectations of students hanging out in front of the building.

This year, if students want to be in the building prior to 8:12 they have two options. They can spend that before school time in a) the cafeteria, or b) the gym. Students may stay outside until the bell, however this year VOLLEYBALL will NOT BE PLAYED in front of the building. If students want to play volleyball they can choose to go down to the gym. We ABSOLUTELY LOVE having our students be active and we LOVE that they enjoy playing volleyball before school. However, students playing volleyball in front of the school entrance became quite the challenge last year and we expect the opening of the gym will allow them to continue playing, but in a space more suitable for the activity.

Morning Challenge: Last year our day got off to a rough start due to two main causes:

• Bus students didn't arrive until about 8:22, which only gave them 8 minutes to come in, get breakfast if they wanted it, and to get to class before the bell.
• Students who were here earlier stayed in the cafeteria, or went back into the cafeteria, to eat breakfast...or just hang with their friends who were eating breakfast.

As a result, we had a very large number of students missing the first 5-10 minutes of Advisory.

To address these issues, this year's changes include:

• We will start serving breakfast earlier, at 8:05 am, than we did last year.
• IMS will be the morning bus hub, which means bus riders will start entering the building at 8:12.
• Cell phones will not be allowed in the cafeteria after the 8:12 bell.

With these changes, the expectation is ALL STUDENTS will be expected to be in Advisory at the 8:30 bell. There will be NO PASSES written for students from the cafeteria.

Just to make clear: Students in the cafeteria after 8:12 are NOT ALLOWED to be on their cell phones.

Students will not be allowed to possess, or use electronic communication devices such as cell phones, Apple Watches, Air Pods, earbuds, headphones, etc. during the school day 8:30-3:35, with the exception of lunch/recess. After lunch/recess the cell phone, electronic device MUST be returned to the student locker. In addition, video recording of any kind is prohibited on school grounds.

Cell phones and electronic devices must stay in lockers except for lunch/recess.

Supply lists are available 24/7 from any device—even on your smart phone while you’re out at the store.

• Link to All School Supply lists
• Simply click on your school and go to the desired grade level.

While in your grade level supply list, you may also click one of the retailers at the top of the page, pre-fill your online shopping cart with your child's supplies, and have it shipped directly to your door. We hope this tool helps to make the back-to-school process easier and smoother for you!

All students will receive their Chromebooks during the first week of school. Chromebooks will NOT be distributed on the IMS Open House Night. All parents or guardians of students who are receiving a Chromebook are asked to complete the "C-I Schools Chromebook User Agreement Online Form” online, or turn in a paper copy of this form prior to your student receiving their Chromebook on September 6-7. Below you can see the two options parents have for completing the Chromebook User Agreement and payment.

Option #1 - Electronic Submission and Payment

1. Log on to Cambridge-Isanti Schools Web Store
2. Complete Chromebook User Agreement Online Form
3. Select your student's grade, school, and insurance option.
4. Provide your student's name.
5. Click Add to Cart.

Option #2 - Paper Copy Submission and Payment

• Paper copy of form can be found here >> Chromebook User Agreement 2024-25 Paper Copy
• If turning in a paper copy and a fee applies, we ask
• Parents or guardians to turn in a check made out to Cambridge-Isanti Schools during Open House, or send it along with your student on the first day of school.
• We ask that the form be completed and submitted prior to your student receiving their Chromebook.
  

Distribution: Students will get their chromebooks the first few days of school.

Immunizations are required by Minnesota law and must be completed before students can start school in the fall. Kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade students have several requirements. 7th grade students need to show proof of a Tetanus Diphtheria booster shot and meningococcal vaccine after the age of 11. These are required for all students grades 7-12. New in 2021, schools are required to report a second meningococcal vaccine for 12th grade students. This immunization can be given as soon as students are 16 years old.

A copy of the student's current immunization record must be on file at school PRIOR to the first day of school. Parents may file a medical exemption signed by a healthcare provider or a conscientious objection signed by a parent/guardian AND notarized. Please submit your child’s forms to the health office at their school.

• Use this chart as a guide to determine which vaccines are required for school (online, home school, public, or private).

• For a current copy of your child’s vaccination record call the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) at 651-201-3980 or your primary care provider.

• If you need an exemption information, the Immunization Form (Immunization and Exemption Form) is available on the MDH website.
  

IMPORTANT - By law, students will be excluded 30 days after the start of school, which means if students do not have current immunizations or a conscientious objection on file, they will not be able to attend school after October 16, 2024.

Isanti County Public Health has low cost immunizations available for infants, children, and adults who are eligible for Medical Assistance/MinnesotaCare, uninsured, under insured, or otherwise unable to access services. To schedule an immunization appointment at Isanti County Public Health or for more information, call 763-689-1711 or email ICPH@co.isanti.mn.us.

We Need You! Each volunteer contributes to the success of our learners and our staff. We have many volunteer opportunities throughout the school year {please customize to some examples appropriate for your school - i.e. take home projects, classroom opportunities, field trip chaperones, school events, activity nights, etc} and more. Please watch for an email from our Volunteer Coordinator later this month with more information about volunteering at our schools. We greatly appreciate our volunteers and we are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Community Education is hiring for full and part time Program Assistant positions to work with students ages three years old through fifth grade in our preschool and Adventure Center programs. These positions provide on the job training and can be flexible to work around other positions and commitments. For more information visit our website or contact us at 763-689-6180.

Download the Skyward App to keep school information at your fingertips. Follow the steps below to get access to your child's grades, missing assignments, email teachers and more!

September 2: Labor Day (Buildings Closed)

September 3: First Day of School

• 6th Grade Students
• 8th Grade WEB Leaders
• 7th & 8th graders new to IMS

. . . . . (afternoon visit - more details to come soon)

September 4: First Day of School

• All Students 6th, 7th and 8th attend

Our school offers healthy meals each day. Starting school year 2023-24, we are joining Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools encourage all families to apply for discounted or free meals. It’s easy. How to Apply

There are three ways to apply.

1. Educational Benefits Forms have been mailed to every student household in the school district. Complete the form and return it via mail or email.
2. Forms are also available at each school office, as well as the C-I Schools district office, 625A Main Street North, Cambridge, MN 55008.
3. Online, visit https://www.c-ischools.org/ and click on Skyward Family Access, log-in, and complete the Educational Benefits Form.

Our office staff is available to assist you, Monday - Thursday, 7:30 - 4:30 p.m. Call 763.689.6210 with questions or email: dknickerbocker@c-ischools.org.

Deb Knickerbocker
dknickerbocker@c-ischools.org
763.689.6210

• Breakfast: 8:05 - 8:25 AM
• 8th grade lunch: 11:29 AM
• 7th grade lunch: 12:23 PM
• 6th grade lunch: 1:17 PM

You'll be able to find previous editions of Parent/Family News here.

• 8/16/24 Parent News (Back-to-School Welcome)
• 6/5/24 Parent News (Final Parent News from 2023-24. This News has links to all the Parent News editions from last year.)

Email: rpauly@c-ischools.org
Website:https://ims.c-ischools.org
Location: 201 Centennial Drive Northwest, Isanti, MN, USA
Phone: (763) 691-8600