Schroeder Snapshots
October 25, 2024
Greetings Students and Families of Schroeder Middle School,
Thank you for taking the time to read our Schroeder Snapshots newsletter, where you’ll find the latest information about your student’s experience at Schroeder Middle School.
Parents and guardians, I would like to direct your attention to the link below this article, which will take you to our annual HRS parent survey. As we continue our work as a High Reliability School, we need your valuable feedback!
High Reliability Schools (HRS) provide the Grand Forks Public Schools with a framework to ensure continuous improvement. HRS is designed to monitor critical factors that determine a school’s effectiveness and guide school leadership to take proactive steps to ensure success.
As a parent or guardian, your role in this process is incredibly important! Along with results from both student and staff surveys, your feedback will be analyzed and used to support decisions that we’ll make moving forward.
One conclusion we have drawn from our survey data over the past few years is that a significant percentage of our parents are not aware of the various professional development activities at Schroeder. In an effort to improve our communication in this area, we continue to include detailed summaries of these activities in each issue of our Snapshots newsletters. Thank you to our instructional coach Jen Becker for providing these enlightening updates for our broader Schroeder community!
And it’s entirely possible you took this survey during parent-teacher conferences using the link on the one-pager share by your student’s RT teacher. If so, there is no need to reply again – you’re officially off the hook! Thank you for taking the time to participate!
Enjoy the weekend with your friends and family!
All the best,
David Nowatzki
Principal
During the school's early release afternoon, teachers participated in a collaborative session focused on professional development. The session began with a reflection on Chapter 4 of the book "Culturize." Teachers engaged in thoughtful discussions, exploring the key concepts and implications of the chapter for their own instructional practices. Following this, the group transitioned to a targeted exploration of the "new art of science of teaching." This deep dive provided teachers with a comprehensive understanding of evaluative goals, equipping them with valuable insights to enhance their assessment practices and student learning outcomes. The collaborative nature of the session fostered a supportive environment for teachers to share ideas, learn from one another, and ultimately strengthen their pedagogical skills.
Wonderment Wednesday 10/09
Instructional Rounds are a collaborative process where teachers observe each other's classrooms to learn from one another's practices. During Wonderment Wednesday, teachers visited different classrooms to focus on a specific aspect of instruction, such as questioning techniques, student engagement, or differentiation. They then gathered during their team time to discuss their observations and share insights. This process fosters professional development, helps teachers identify areas for growth, and promotes a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Dear Parents of Current 6th graders,
We are very excited to announce that we will be leading a group of students and parents on an educational tour to Washington, D.C. & N.Y.C. on July 14-18 2026.
Join us on: Tuesday, October 29th - 7:30pm for a short online informational meeting where each traveler will be eligible for an Early Bird Scholarship of $500!
The UND Mortar Board is once again hosting a turkey basket drive around Thanksgiving.
The baskets include all the things needed for a turkey dinner. The UND Mortar Board will try very hard to make sure every family in need receives one. The Turkey Basket Drive is made possible by the UND Mortar Board, a group of 30 UND students working extremely hard to fundraise the necessary funds to purchase the items you will receive in the basket.
The pick up will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10:00-2:00pm. The pick up takes place at the UND Transportation building on campus. You MUST be able to pick up your basket on the day of the event.
This is for families who are really in need. There are limited spots and we want to make sure that families are receiving this ONLY if needed. If you have a sibling at another school please only fill the form out ONE time.
Please fill out the google form below or contact your school social worker if you feel this service is absolutely necessary.
Understanding Social Media Use – A Closer Look at SnapChat
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we continue to navigate the digital age, it’s important for us all to stay informed about the tools and platforms that our students are engaging with daily. One platform in particular that has
raised concerns in our school community is SnapChat. Recently, we have encountered issues with students using this app to spread false information, which has led to misunderstandings, unnecessary conflicts, and in some cases, emotional distress among their peers.
For many middle school students, SnapChat is a popular way to connect with friends. It offers
features such as disappearing messages, filters, and private group chats, which make it appealing. However, it also poses risks when not used responsibly. Here are some key points about SnapChat that we believe are important for parents to understand:
What is SnapChat?
SnapChat is a messaging app that allows users to send photos, videos, and text messages that
disappear after being viewed. The platform also features "stories" where users can post updates
visible for 24 hours. While SnapChat may seem like a fun way for students to communicate, the
temporary nature of the messages can sometimes encourage behavior that students wouldn’t
engage in on more permanent platforms, such as spreading rumors or inappropriate content.
Recent Concerns at School
Over the past few weeks, we have noticed an increase in issues arising from SnapChat use,
including:
- False Information: Students have been using SnapChat to circulate rumors and misinformation, which can spread quickly through private chats or public chats.
- Anonymity and Disappearing Messages: The disappearing nature of SnapChat messages can make it difficult to trace conversations, allowing harmful content to spread without accountability.
- Group Chat Pressures: Group chats on SnapChat can lead to peer pressure, with students sometimes feeling compelled to participate in negative behavior to "fit in"
How Can Parents Help?
We encourage you to have open and honest conversations with your child about their social
media use. Here are a few steps you can take to help guide them toward responsible behavior
online:
1. Know the Apps Your Child Uses: Take the time to understand how SnapChat and
other social media platforms work. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful
discussions with your child.
2. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish rules for when and where social media can be used.
Consider setting limits on screen time, especially during homework and family time.
3. Monitor Activity: While SnapChat messages disappear, other aspects of your child’s
phone use can still be monitored. Regularly check their contacts and what apps they are
using. You can also discuss app settings that restrict who can send them messages or
see their posts.
4. Talk About Online Responsibility: Discuss the consequences of spreading false
information and the impact it can have on others. Remind them that while messages
may disappear, the emotional effects of hurtful words do not.
5. Encourage Open Communication: Let your child know they can come to you if they
encounter anything online that makes them uncomfortable or if they witness negative
behavior from others.
We are committed to working together to create a safe and supportive learning environment for
all students. By staying informed and proactive, we can help our children make positive choices
both online and in real life.
If you have any concerns or would like more information about SnapChat or other social media
platforms, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the school.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Cpl. Kyle Misialek
Schroeder Middle School SRO
If your student is leaving early for an appointment,
sport or other reason,
please remind them that they need to turn their phone into the front office at the beginning of the day.
Teachers are not always in their rooms when students go to leave and this just helps to get your students out and on time.
Homework Club is open to any 6th, 7th or 8th grader needing extra time and/or help with homework.
When: 3:30 - 4 pm; Monday - Thursday (not on early release days)
Where: Rm. 801
There is NO Homework Club on Fridays or Early out Wednesdays (there is the other after school help on the early out Wednesdays).
Attendance Line 701-746-2334
Please enter this number into your phone so you can inform us when your student is absent or needs to leave our building during the day for an appointment. *We require a phone call or written note for all absences.*
Please be courteous to our office staff and teachers and call well in advance to the time that you are needing to pick up your student. By not doing this could result in delay of dismissing your student and interrupting a teacher in the middle of teaching a class.
8:40 - 3:30
8:00 - 4:00
DOORS OPEN: The east door (#2) opens at 7:30a.m. for morning band, orchestra, and athletic practices. Our other student entries (#1 and #17) open at 8:00 a.m., and once school begins, our front doorbell (#1) should be rung for visitor access. All doors are locked for security.
Schroeder RT or "Raider Time"
You will notice your child has "Raider Time" every morning built into his/her daily schedule. This time is dedicated toward teaching students important life skills such as how to handle peer pressure, be an "upstander" to bullying, stay organized in school, and become aware of about our "Every1Matters" program.
Teacher advisors use this time to serve as an academic counselor to their students and provide direct support to families. Don't be shy about contacting your student's RT with questions about your child's academic or school related needs.
Band and Orchestra Program
7:50 - 8:35 A.M. "Zero Hour"
6th Gr. Band - Period 3
7th Gr. Band - Zero Hour - Tue and Thur
8th Gr. Band - Zero Hour - MWF
**Do NOT bring instruments for the first day of school. The band and orchestra teacher will let the students know when to bring their instruments.
Daily Class Schedule
Zero Hour: 7:50-8:35 a.m.
Raider Time: 8:40-9:05 a.m.
Period 1 9:07-9:56 a.m.
Period 2 9:58-10:47 a.m.
Period 3 10:49-11:38 a.m.
4A/Grade 7 Lunch 11:39-12:04 p.m., Class 12:06-12:57 p.m
4B/Grade 6 Class 11:40-12:05 p.m., Lunch 12:06-12:31 p.m., Class 12:32-12:57 p.m.
4C/Grade 8 Class 11:40-12:30 p.m., Lunch 12:32-12:57 p.m.
Period 5 12:59-1:47 p.m.
Period 6 1:49-2:37 p.m.
Period 7 2:39-3:27 p.m.
RT Check in 3:28-3:30 p.m.
