Isanti Middle School

Back to School Parent/Family Newsletter 2024-25

September 26, 2024

Thank You!!

Hi everyone,

We are looking at a busy next couple of weeks. As you know, next week is Bluejacket Homecoming 2024. In addition to everything happening with homecoming next week, we also have our Fall conferences the following week, October 8th and 10th.

Remember, NO SCHOOL tomorrow, Sep. 27. Also, please consider joining us for our 1st Isanti Family Tailgating next Friday. More information and RSVP links are below.

Thank you!

Mr. Pauly

Upcoming dates:

Sep. 27: No School - Teacher Professional Development

Sep. 30-Oct. 4: Bluejacket Homecoming Week

Oct. 1: RSVP for Isanti Homecoming Tailgating

Oct. 4: CIHS Homecoming Game

Oct. 8: Fall Conferences

Oct. 10: Fall Conferences

Oct. 11: IMS Color Run

Oct. 17-18: No School - MEA Break

Oct. 24: Picture Retakes

Bluejacket Homecoming 2024

Isanti Family Tailgating -- Please Join Us

If you are looking for something to do on Friday, October 4th, please consider joining families and staff from IPS, IIS/STEAM, and IMS for Family Tailgating at Isanti Middle School. This event is meant to be a fun community time for everyone, those planning to attend the Bluejacket game at 7:00, or for families who don't plan to attend the game, but want to do something to celebrate our Bluejacket Community. We'll provide the food! It's not a lot, but "hey," it's free!

We’ll Provide:

Food & Drink (Hot dogs, chips, bottled water, cookies)
Tables & Chairs for eating

Families Provide (If you have and you’d like to bring):

Lawn chairs
Lawn games, such as corn hole, footballs, basketballs, frisbees, disc golf, etc.
Bluejacket Spirit: Dress up in your favorite Bluejacket Gear / Colors
Help cleaning up, if you are able to help.

Please RSVP by Noon, Tuesday, Oct. 1st (click here)

Tailgating RSVP (click here)

Who, What, When Where, Why...

Dress Up Days!

What To Bring

Fall Conferences - October 8th and 10th

Our scheduled conference dates are quickly approaching. Conferences should be scheduled in advance. Please see the information below on how to schedule conferences.

Tuesday, October 8
Thursday, October 10

Family Conference Details

Dates: Tuesday, October 8 & Thursday, October 10
Time: 4:00-7:00 pm
Conference Setup: In Person at IMS
Conference Length: 10 Minutes
How to Schedule Conferences: Skyward Family Access Conference Signup Directions.
When to Schedule: Conference Scheduler goes active at Noon, Monday, September 30,

We know that time on these evenings is limited and slots will fill quickly. We ask that you only schedule time for those teachers/courses that you have questions or concerns. Please remember, communication between parents/families and school staff is never limited to conference nights. We are ALWAYS willing to better connect with you! We can do this through email, phone, or Google Meet, whichever is most timely, convenient, and appropriate to what we want to discuss. Please reach out to teachers at IMS at any time!

Conference Scheduler will be made accessible at Noon, Monday, September 30,

October is Bullying Prevention Month

IMS Color Run

Friday, October 11th

In collaboration with Cambridge Middle School, IMS will host our 5th annual We Care Color Run. Students that are interested in participating will have the opportunity to purchase a We Care Color Run t-shirt during the week prior to the event. The $10 purchase will cover the cost of the t-shirt and materials needed for the color run. Any students not participating in the event will be on the sidelines cheering on the runners.

Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month is crucial at the middle school level as it helps create a safe, inclusive environment during a key period of student development. Emphasizing prevention builds awareness, fosters empathy, and empowers students to take action against bullying, ensuring a positive school culture for all.

Unity Day

Wednesday, October 16

Wear the Unity Day T-shirt, or anything ORANGE, to show that our individiaul actions, when brought together on October 16 and beyond, help build stronger commUNITY in our world.

Student Connections Survey (Fall)

Each year, we set school goals around the following items:

Math and Reading Achievement & Progress (Growth)
Math or Reading Achievement (Equity)
School Climate
Consistent Attendance

Strategic Priorities

We will foster positive Personal Relationships.
We will improve the mental health & well-being of all students and staff.

Typically, at the middle level (IMS & CMS) our School Climate goal is linked to student behavior data. We typically work to increase the number and percentage of students who are displaying consistently positive behavior throughout the year. Similar to last year, we are looking to add another measure for this goal. We have developed a very short three question check-in for students to help us identify how well students feel connected and valued at school. Our intention is to get a broad view of students' current perceptions to allow us to intentionally program supports in our day, such as Advisory, which are intended to help meet these needs.

The survey will collect no student specific data. We'll ask them to identify which grade they are in, and then all of the responses will be grouped by grade-level and building level.

Student Connection Survey - IMS (Example)

If you would rather your student not participate in this check-in, please use the link below to opt-out. prior to the end of the day on Monday, September 30th.

Survey Opt Out

Images from the Week

Cross Country athletes awaiting bus to meet.

Trivia Contest "Runners"

WEB Leaders having lunch with 6th graders.

Gaga Ball Pit - 1st of 2

Assembly -- Thanks 8th Grade Pd 7 Spark students

Funding -- Thanks Student Council for helping with the cost.

Repeat Information

Counselors' Corner

Hello, It's been great to meet our new students and connect with former students. Please contact us with any concerns or questions. Just as a reminder, Ms. Emmons works with students whose last name begins with A-L and Mrs. Foley works with students M-Z. Our goal is to help your child have a successful year.

Ms. Emmons (A-L)...temmons@c-ischools.org or 691-8659
Mrs. Foley (M-Z)...efoley@c-ischools.org or 691-8613

Drop-off & Pick-up Traffic Flow

After School & Event Parking

Be a Good Neighbor

We ask, please do not park at the church or along Oakwood. It is not safe for students to be crossing the road to get into your vehicle.

Spark

Spark is an innovative class designed to ignite students' curiosity and drive by blending structured work completion with passion projects and flexible learning opportunities. The course emphasizes personalized learning experiences and encourages students to explore subjects of interest. Due to the nature of this course, no two Spark classes are the same. Please reach out to your child’s teacher to learn more about what they are doing in class.

FastBridge

Students completed FastBridge Reading and Math testing this week. These short assessments are used as a screening tool in combination with other classroom indicators to help create a picture of each child's performance in math and reading. We take these assessments three times each year, in the fall(Sep.), Winter(Jan.), and Spring(May).

Reading Plus

Reading Plus is a reading intervention class either on days 1 or 2 which works with students to accelerate development of their reading skills. In this class, the two main areas of focus are fluency and comprehension. Fluency is how quickly words can be decoded so that they can be read quickly. When students spend a lot of time and energy decoding words, they have a hard time understanding what they've read. Comprehension is the ability for a student to understand, and make sense of, what they read.

GOAL

GOAL Time is a class that is either on day 1 or day 2 and is opposite gym. This class teaches students the basics of how to be a student (send emails, technology, planning) and provides space for teachers to check in with students individually. This class varies week to week, so please reach out to your child’s teacher to learn more about what they are doing in class.

Math Plus

Math Plus is an intervention class either on days 1 or 2 which helps students who need extra support to master important math concepts. In this class, students work on specific skills in which each of them need assistance. The specific topics that a student may experience are multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, rate, ratio, percent, functions, equations, and linear relationships.

This year all students have Phy-Ed every other day, either Day 1, or Day 2. On the opposite day, most students will have either GOAL, Reading Plus, or Math Plus.

IMS Course Offerings 2024-25

ENCORE is Here!

ENCORE program provides free tutoring, internet access, and opportunities for students to improve their academic and study skills.

ENCORE is open to all IMS students.
Students will work on assignments and work to improve academic skills.
Transportation is the responsibility of the family
Afternoon (Monday thru Thursday)
ENCORE Brochure

Attendance Procedures

If your child will be absent for the day, please notify the school by calling the attendance line at 763-691-8661 or emailing IMS-attendance@c-ischools.org. For early pick-ups, make sure to call as soon as possible so we have enough time to get the information to your child.

Parents should call to explain every absence on the day of the absence or send a note when the student returns to school giving the reason for the absence.

Attendance Intervention Meeting (AIM)

AIM meetings serve as the initial intervention for students facing attendance challenges. AIM represents a collaborative effort between C-I Schools, Isanti County Probation, and Isanti County Attorney's offices. When students accumulate three unexcused absences, we refer the student to the Isanti County Probation Department and they are invited to attend an AIM meeting held at the courthouse.

AIM Notification Letter

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Immunizations

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

We Are Hiring!

Skyward Family Mobile App

IMS Monthly Activities Calendar

IMS Student Handbook

2024-25

CI Schools Calendar 2024-25

Upcoming Dates