5th Grade Science has recently finished up Unit Two. Students have been working in groups to create complex food webs!

6th graders recently returned from their exciting outdoor adventure at Long Lake Conservation Center. Students spent 3 days learning and participating in a variety of activities such as canoeing, a bog trek, archery, survival skills, and team challenges just to name a few! A huge shout out to our parent chaperones and teachers for making this opportunity available to our students!!

This year we hosted the Courage Retreat for 458 students. The entire 7th and 8th graders spent a day learning about the values of courage, kindness, and having respect for themselves and peers. Adolescent development at this age can bring feelings of insecurity and fear. We utilized the company Youth Frontiers and their 35 years of experience, in addition to positive High School leaders, to bring high energy activities and positive discussions about how they can bring more kindness and respect to our school community. Overall, the day was about being themselves and taking positive risks to make a healthy difference for themselves, peers, and the school.

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.

Adult supervision is available at the crosswalk on Naber Avenue and 47th Street in the morning from 8:00-8:10 and in the afternoons from 3:00-3:10. Please encourage your children who are walking or biking to utilize this crossing. Your continued alertness driving near school grounds is greatly appreciated to ensure student safety.

7th and 8th Grade Activity Night is taking place on Friday, November 11th 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 began 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.

#ICANHELP is the Digital Citizenship curriculum that students have been participating in on Thursdays during KORT. On Monday November 14th, MSE students will participate in an all school assembly during 7th hour from #ICANHELP founder Kim Karr. #ICANHELP is a nonprofit corporation that educates students on the proper use of social media and empowers children, teens, and adults to deal with conflict, negativity, and harassment online.

“We don’t usually think of it, but just like the way negativity can spread, people can be swayed or encouraged when the majority are doing ‘good’ online. Students just need to be shown how to respond to the negativity. We need to empower our future generation to take action against all the issues that are arising with technology,” says Co-Founder Kim Karr. “Through #ICANHELP, students are learning that kindness is saving lives and it doesn’t have to be anything big — a simple smile or a nice Post-it note on a locker might be all it takes.”

Students are the core of the solution to online toxicity, and their help is more crucial than ever in today’s digital world. Kim Karr explains, “#ICANHELP has worked with over four hundred and fifty thousand students to be the digital change they want to see.” The nonprofit’s student-led approach to solving complicated social issues presents students as part of the solution, not the problem. It aims to raise awareness, offer real-world best practices, and celebrate the many examples of students using digital for good."

As always, you can find the KORT curriculum on the Student Resouces page of the MSE website.

• Girls Basketball (grades 7/8) October 31st-December 22nd
• Boys Basketball (grades 7/8) January 3rd-February 23rd
• Wrestling (grades 7/8) November 21st-January 26th
• Destination Imagination (grades 5-8) December 5th
• MATHCOUNTS (grades 6-8) November 2nd

Winter Activities Brochure-Registration Now Open

This fall the weather has been beautiful for recess. As the weather is getting colder, we want to remind families to make sure that children are dressed appropriately before heading to school each day. Our Minnesota weather can change at a moment’s notice, and students need to be prepared for the changes.

At the middle school level, students will be sent outside for a 10 minutes recess during their lunch period each day. 5th grade students have a 10 minute recess later in the day. We will go outside for recess unless;

1. The outside temperature and/or wind chill is 5 degrees or below.

2. It is raining heavily.

3. It is snowing heavily.

Please help your child remember to wear a coat, hat, and gloves so they can be comfortable and enjoy their time outside at recess during the cold weather.

If you have to drop your child off before 8:00 AM, please make sure they have warm clothing. Students who walk to school or wait at school bus stops should be dressed appropriately for cold temperatures and snowy conditions. Our hope is that every student at Middle School East will be prepared for the cold winter ahead, and we thank you for doing your part at home to make sure that happens.

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