Salk Middle School

Welcome Back!

Dear Salk Families,

I hope this communication finds you well and enjoying your summer!

We are thrilled to greet you with warmth and enthusiasm as we embark on another exciting school year together. Salk Middle School is filled with passionate and dedicated staff members who are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment where students can engage, thrive, and grow. Our staff remains committed to supporting our school community and ensuring all students reach new heights academically and personally.

I am thrilled and honored to introduce myself as the new Principal at Salk Middle School. I am eager to make new connections and build meaningful relationships that support the success and well-being of every Salk student. As both a principal and parent of two middle school children, I understand the importance of communication and collaboration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need to connect with us and watch for regular communications from us.

We hope that summer break has provided all students and families with the opportunity for relaxation and exploration. As we journey together into the upcoming school year, we wanted to provide you with some important information that may assist you in any planning.

Thank you for choosing Salk Middle School for your student(s) and for being wonderful partners with us.

Bryan Scherr

Principal

Salk Middle School

(763) 241-3458

Our mission is to educate, inspire & empower our diverse learners, to shape their futures, to accomplish their dreams and to contribute positively to our local and global communities.

We are very excited that your child will be attending Salk Middle School, and we look forward to seeing them at our 6th Grade Orientation Day on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024. Our WEB Program will help get your 6th grader off to a great start!

WHAT IS WEB?

WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 6th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Doesn’t that sound great? It is!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

1. Your child will receive an invitation sent via school email to orientation. If they have not received the invitation by Tuesday, August 20th 2024, please email Ms. Hatfield at Tess Hatfield Smith tess.hatfieldsmith@isd728.org, or Ms. Pankow at mara.pankow@isd728.org to request one;

2. A day or two before orientation, your child will also receive a phone call and email from their WEB Leader personally inviting them to Orientation Day and giving the details of where to be and what time. The Leaders can also answer any questions they may have.

3. Your student is encouraged not to bring backpacks, purses or other like items as the day is quite active;

4. Because the day is active, please make sure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement;

5. Cell phone use is not allowed during this event.

6. This is a student only function so we encourage you to let your child attend on their own.

We look forward to a great orientation day!

The WEB Coordinators

Tess Hatfield Smith and Mara Pankow Reinke

Thursday, August 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for all students. All students will be able to access their class schedules on the morning of Thursday, August 29th through Campus Portal. We welcome you and your family to come into school to meet you child's teachers, have their school photo taken, and get materials moved into their school locker for the school year. We encourage all students and families to go through their schedule to see which teachers they will receive instruction from this school year. If you have specific questions for your teachers, we encourage you to reach out to them to ask specific questions regarding your experience in their course or speak to them in person at Open House that evening.

Thursday, August 29 – Open House

Students will get their picture taken for their student ID and the school yearbook. Photo packages will be available for families that would like to purchase them.

Friday, September 20th - Picture Makeup day

Students who did not get their picture taken at Open House will have the opportunity to get their school picture taken.

Monday, October 14th - Picture Retake Day

Those who would like to retake their school picture can do so. Students who were not able to attend Open House will also have their picture taken for student ID’s.

NOTE: The dates above are the only opportunities to have a school picture taken this school year.

Be sure to check out our SMS Website. It is full of information you may be looking for.

Also, please monitor your email as throughout the school year for continued communication from our team at Salk Middle School.

Important phone numbers:

Attendance: 763-241-3455

Health Office: 763-241-3455 Ext. 2504

Counseling Office: 763-241-3455 ext. 2510

School Supply List -2024-25:

Click here is the complete list including supplies grade and content area specific supplies.

Who to Contact for Transportation Needs:

Beginning with the 24-25 school year student school bus routing including assignment of bus stop locations, times and routes will be the responsibility of the ISD 728 Transportation department. To help staff with questions about who to contact, please use this link 2024-2025 Transportation: Who Do I Contact?

Northwest Suburban Transportation: Students enrolled at Salk though our Magnet program will get transportation through Northwest Suburban Transportation. Please visit the Northwest Suburban Transportation website for your transportation needs.

New to ISD 728 students: Will be able to get a school issued Chromebook during Open House on Thursday, August 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 in the Media Center.

Returning to ISD 728 students: Should have their chromebook from last school year and do not need to get one at Open House.

All families: Should follow this guidance when onboarding our school system platforms and resources.

24-25 School Calendar

Aug. 22nd - WEB day for 6th grade students only; 1:00 -4:30 pm

Aug. 29th - Open House

Sept. 3rd - First Day of School - All students

Oct. 10th - Conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - School in Session

Oct 15th - Conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - School in Session

Oct. 16th - Conferences (Daytime) - No School

Oct. 17th and 18th - Teacher Convention - No School

Nov. 1st - End of 1st School - School in Session

Nov. 4th - Teacher workshop - No School

Nov. 28 and 29th - Fall Break - No School

Complete 2024-25 School Calendar

Drop off/Pick up: Doors open at 7:45a, students are welcome into the building at that time.

We ask that individuals dropping off their student at the beginning of the day or picking up their student at the end of the day pull as far forward as possible before students exit or enter your vehicle. As displayed in the photo below, we would like you to pull all the way up to the yellow marked line on the picture. Once your vehicle is stationed anywhere along the sidewalk, it is expected and encouraged that your student will get out at that point and walk into the school. Thank you for your cooperation!

Cell Phone Usage

We understand that many students carry personal devices (cell phones) with them during the school day. We want parents and students to be aware of the practices and expectations around cell phone use at the middle school level. We expect this practice to allow our students to focus on learning and be free from distractions that personal electronic devices can create.

Cell phones are allowed prior to 8:10 am and after 2:55 pm and must be off and away in school assigned lockers during school hours, which includes students lunch periods and when passing in the hallway. Please note, this expectation of use will also include the use of air pods or ear buds connected to personal electronic devices or cell phones.

If a parent needs to contact their student, a message can be left with the office between the time of 7:30am - 4:00pm or the parent can communicate with their student via their school email account, which the student can access on the student's school issued chromebook.

Please note that students are not allowed to record students or staff during the school day.

We encourage all Salk Middle School Community members to review ISD 728 Middle School Handbook.

Hours and Contact Information

Office Hours: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Salk Middle School

11970 Highland Road

Elk River, MN 55330

Phone: 763-241-3455

Fax: 763-241-3456