Dear Students and Families,

Thank you for your hard work in getting ready for the school year! Students came into the school year strong, positive, and ready to learn! This has resulted in a wonderful start to the school year! In the first few weeks, students and teachers within their KORT classes created classroom expectations, reviewed the Student Handbook, and revisited bus safety. Homecoming this year came early, bringing grade-level meetings held with administration, positive school spirit, and an exciting Pep Fest thanks to our Student Council, Choir and band Programs, and High School Leaders who visited our school!

Be sure to check out Mrs. Gessner's interview with two ME student leaders in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month! Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 - October 15. We enjoy empowering student voices within our school and are grateful to Jenny and Gabby for sharing their stories and about their families with us! We learn so much from each other!

Our 1st Mid-Trimester is right around the corner! Friday, October 13th marks the Mid-Trimester. Please take this opportunity to sit down with your child and inquire about their school year and review their grades together in StudentVue or ParentVue. We are excited to connect with families at our upcoming conference options. On Thursday, October 12th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. we will be hosting traditional Parent Teacher Conferences. Teachers will be in their classrooms available to meet individually with you and your child to discuss their progress this school year. This conference style is limited to 5 minutes to ensure a timely response to families attending. On Monday, October 16th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., we will host ME Family Knight! This is a great way to connect as a family casually, informally talk with staff who will be in their area, and get to know other families within our learning community. We will have a family bingo/scavenger hunt and What's the Scoop Ice Cream to purchase and enjoy while celebrating this school year's successes on both nights! Please pick the best format for your child and family's needs! We look forward to seeing you! Click here to set up time with a member or team of teachers on staff!

Finally, this week, students will work within their KORT classes to set goals for the 2023-24 school year. Goal setting is essential for middle schoolers in learning independence and responsibility, reflecting on strengths and areas of growth, and creating a vision of the learner they want to be. When we have goals, we increase the time and effort we spend developing effective strategies to achieve our goals. We are asking students to review these goals with you before submitting them. Please take the time to share stories with them about your goals. What personal and professional goals do you have for yourself, your family, and your workplace? How do these goals motivate you to be your best self?

Thank you for your continued active engagement in your child's education and support to their school!

Respectfully,

Jennie Kelly

STMA Middle School East Principal

ME Families for participating in the Back-to-School Events! We loved meeting our current students, saying hello to former students, and connecting with families! Check out the great pics and gifs below!

It has been an exciting start to the school year in KORT. In September, students built connections and learned about the four core MSE values of safety, honesty, respect and citizenship. Students also studied school wide expectations found the STMA Middle School Student Handbook. In the month of October, students will celebrate unity and citizenship with a different theme each week.

October - Unity & Citizenship

Week #1 - Mental Health Awareness Week

Week #2 - Unity and Citizenship (Anti-Bullying)

Week #3 - Unity Day (Wear Orange October 13th)

Week #4 - Character Strong - Listening with Empathy & #ICANHELP - Being kind online

Character Strong is the new Social Emotional Learning curriculum that is being implemented in Kindergarten through 8th grade in STMA schools. Click here for a letter from the Character Strong organization introducing program. This year students will be participating in Character Dares to challenge themselves to build connections with other students and practice social and emotional skills. Click here for a comprehensive list of the challenges may be completing this year.

The remaining monthly themes may be found below, or you may view the 2023-24 MSE KORT Curriculum by following the link located in the banner of this section.

November - Organizational Skills

December - Values

January - Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution

February - Communication

March - Friendships

April - Continued Friendships

May - Assertiveness & Reflection

• Middle School Fall Sports are up and running for 7th and 8th graders!
• Choir and Band ensembles are taking registrations now for 6th -8th graders!
• Winter Sports Registration is now Open!
• View the Winter Activities Brochure
  
• Girls Basketball starts October 30th. Student Info meeting on October 24th at 3:10 in the MSE Cafeteria.
• Destination Imagination applications are due October 25th. Middle School DI Application Form
• Check out the MSE Activities page for more information including game schedules.
• Home / Middle School East Activities
  

Want to join the Parent Advisory Committee at Middle School East? The purpose of the committee is to receive meaningful feedback from our parent and guardian stakeholder group on a variety of essential topics. We meet three times per year on the following dates and times.

Monday, October 23rd, 2023: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Monday, February 12th, 2024: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Monday, April 22nd, 2024: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Please follow the link in the title banner above to complete the PAC registration form and join in!

Thank you to all of our volunteers and chaperones! We greatly appreciate all of our Student Council Members and Advisors Gessner and Ditlevson for their hard work in organizing a successful night!

Indigenous People Day

• October 9th: Students will have the opportunity within their social studies classes to celebrate, recognize, and honor the beautiful traditions of the Indigenous People. Their way of life and culture carries wisdom and valuable insights into how we can live more sustainably.

Middle School East Picture Retakes

• October 10th: Students will be called down to the cafeteria for retakes by grade level during KORT.

Conferences & Book Fair (Volunteers Needed!)

• October 12th 4:00-8:00 PM
• October 16th 4:00-6:00 PM
• WHAT's the Scoop Ice Cream truck will be here selling ice cream treats to students and their families the 2 nights of conferences (weather permitting)!
• We are looking for volunteers to work our Middle School East Book Fair! You must have a background check on file with the District Office in order to be eligible to volunteer with us. Please see the below link to sign up!
  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AABAE22A5FAC07-44834724-mseast

NO SCHOOL

• October 19th & 20th

We're so proud of our teachers who continually work to engage students by making education FUN! Check out these photos from some of the amazing teachers that you'll have the opportunity to learn from at Middle School East.

School breakfast and lunch are free for all students this year, but there are more benefits for those who qualify. Students whose families qualify for free and reduced-fee lunches also get reduced fees for school activities. If you would like to apply please complete an Educational Benefit application. Applications can be completed via Stratapps our online application system, or you can download and print an Educational Benefit 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.

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 Educational Benefits. 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

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 or there is lightning.

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 weather ahead, and we thank you for doing your part at home to make sure that happens.

Our counseling team is excited to welcome you to the 2023-2024 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

Jennifer Scheel, Principals 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

During the 2023-24 School Year

MSE Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Classes In Session from: 8:25 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Students may begin to arrive at school when the school doors open at 8:00 a.m.

Email: jenniferk@mystma.org
Website: https://www.stma.k12.mn.us/
Location: 4862 Naber Avenue Northeast, Saint Michael, MN, USA
Phone: 763-497-2655
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmamse
Twitter: @stma_ms_east