News from Centennial Middle School
Friday, September 20, 2024
Centennial Middle School
Website: www.isd12.org/cms
Location: 399 Elm Street, Lino Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 763-792-5400
Week at a Glance
Monday, September 23rd: B Day
Tuesday, September 24th: A Day
Wednesday, September 25th: B Day
Thursday, September 26th: A Day
Friday, September 27th: B Day
Upcoming Dates to Remember
Tuesday, October 15th:
- Picture Retake Day
Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th:
- NO SCHOOL -- MEA Break
Thursday, October 31st:
- Mid-Semester
Ahead of the Curve -- Notes from the Principal
Bus/Transportation Update: Please be aware that our buses are being used at full capacity this year; and the Transportation Department and the bus company notified us we will not be able to accept requests from families to switch buses for after-school plans, evening events, etc. We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience.
Yearbook News!
Order your 2024-25 CMS Yearbook before the price goes up! USE PROMO CODE YRBK8 TO SAVE $8.00 - BUY NOW & SAVE! There are three ways to order! Go to jostens.com/backtoschool, scan the QR code, or call 1-877-767-5217.
Do you want to show how proud you are of your student?
Take out an ad in the yearbook! You could do a baby picture, a recent picture, or a nice letter celebrating your student! Use the QR code, the phone number, or the website to get started. All ads must be in before November 27th to be printed in the yearbook!
Help! We need your summer pictures for the yearbook! Please send in pictures of your middle school child enjoying summer fun and sports by October 31st. Click here to submit.
School Pictures
To order school pictures through Lifetouch, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's school ID number. Note: Student ID numbers can be found in Campus Portal. It's the 9-digit number listed as the "student number" as well as under the Food Service barcode.
Picture Retakes
Picture Retakes will be taken on Tuesday, October 15th during the school day. If you ordered a picture package already, but your child would like to have their picture retaken, students should return their picture package on October 15th.
CHS Cougars Home Football Game "Cougar Den"
Home Varsity Games: Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 10
We want to make sure that everyone understands that our hope is that Middle School students will attend the CHS varsity home football games with their families and will enjoy the time together. However, we do have an option if that's not possible. It's called the "Cougar Den."
For those of you who are new to Centennial Middle School and for those returning, we will have the CMS Cougar Den open for each CHS varsity home football game again this fall. This area is designated for CMS students only and includes supervision, concessions, restrooms, and bleacher seating. The Cougar Den is located behind the west end zone of Cougar Stadium. This is an area where middle school students can come together to socialize, enjoy treats, and watch the football game. There is a separate entrance to the Cougar Den on the west end of the field.
Students can always sit with their families if they choose to in the main seating area, but the Cougar Den is exclusively for CMS students. No guests are permitted. Please check your child in with the adults at the Cougar Den entrance. At the end of the game students will be released from the Cougar Den. It is the family's responsibility to know where to meet your child. The following information will help your child successfully attend the CHS home football games:
How do we purchase tickets?
- Tickets will not be sold at the entrance. They must be purchased through the digital ticketing page of the CHS Athletics and Activities website which is linked here: https://highschool.isd12.org/athletics-activities-at-chs/online-tickets-cougar-corner-apparel
What are the parent/guardian responsibilities?
- Parents/guardians and students need to decide on a plan together. The middle school staff are only responsible for your child when they enter the Cougar Den. If they choose to leave the Cougar Den, they are your responsibility. We will not be signing students in or out. Students who leave the Cougar Den cannot come back into the Cougar Den. There is no re-entry. Also, students are not able to leave the Cougar Den to enter the stadium seating without their parent with them.
What are the behavioral expectations?
- Behavioral expectations for middle school students are identical to the expectations outlined in the student handbook for the student day and the Minnesota State High School League rules. The MSHL Behavioral Expectations are attached below.
Prohibited Items
- Backpacks
- Outside food and beverages
- Footballs or sports equipment of any kind
- Skateboards/Roller (Inline) skates
Reporting Student Absences
Student absence requests are submitted through Campus Parent Portal. An “Attendance Request” link is also found on the Parent Hub of the school website for easy access to the Portal and resources to assist.
The direct link can be found here: Campus Attendance Reporting
Helpful links: Parent Portal Login Assistance
For attendance reporting questions, please email Sara Verke at sverke@isd12.org.
District News
Please review and complete the annual data review for your student/s in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal by Friday, September 20, 2024. Helpful links:
How do I log into Parent Portal?
How do I start the annual data review in Parent Portal?
In ongoing efforts to gather feedback from stakeholders, the School Board is hosting quarterly Listening Sessions for the public. The sessions provide the opportunity for community members, staff, parents, and students to meet informally with board representatives and the superintendent to discuss topics in the schools.
Listening Sessions increase communication and engagement work that reflects the district’s commitment to excellence. Additional sessions to seek input/perspective on topics established by the Board would be scheduled as a special or additional Board Listening Session.
Listening sessions for the 2024-2025 school year:
September 23, December 2, February 10, and April 21. Sessions are held in the District Office Board Room from 5:30 pm-6:15 pm.
On-site Immunization Clinic for Pre-K through Grade 12 + Journey Students: October 22, 2024
Location: District Office, 4707 North Road, Circle Pines (Door S15)
- 11:00am-1:00pm: Pre-registered High School, CALC, and Journey students only with parent consent + students, 18 years and older. (Parent/Guardian not required to attend as consent is given during registration.)
- 3:00pm-7:00pm: All students, Pre-K and up. (Pre-registration preferred, walk-ins welcome). Parent/guardian must be present unless student is 16 years or older with pre-registration completed. Students 18 years and older do not need parent/guardian to be present.
Note: This clinic is for required immunizations only. COVID-19 and flu shots are not available. Minnesota law requires children enrolled in childcare, early childhood education, or school to be immunized against certain diseases, unless the child is medically or non-medically exempt.
If proper documentation is not provided, students will be unable to attend school after November 1st, 2024. Please note, K-12 immunization status is available on Campus Parent Portal.
How do I Pre-Register?
Click here to pre-register.
Free Meals/Reduced Fees and Other Benefits
Although no application is required to receive one free breakfast and lunch each day at school, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important. Your student may qualify for free and reduced benefits like reduced fees at school and other meal programs. Find out if you quality by completing an application. Applications and instructions can be found online or apply online on your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Community Education
Here’s what’s happening soon:
Sept. 25- Middle School Girls Who Code (gr. 6-8)
Sept. 26- CoderZ League (gr. 7-8)
Oct. 28- Middle School Wrestling (gr. 6-8)
Middle School Debate (gr. 6-8)
Dec. 9- Middle School Speech Team (gr. 6-8)
More:
Oct. 1- Dungeons & Dragons 101 with Character Creation (gr. 6)
Oct. 12- Easy Oil Painting Using the Bob Ross Method (ages 12+)
Oct. 18- Intensive Sewing Class (ages 8-13) Pizza kickoff event
Go online to view all activities and to register: www.isd12.org/community-education.
Welcome to the Digital Backpack!
Welcome to the Digital Backpack, the district’s central posting place for community flyers. If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact the organizations directly. Click HERE to browse the Digital Backpack.
Centennial Resource Locker
The Centennial School District has compiled a wide variety of resources for our students, families, and greater community. These resources include mental health, learning and enrichment, services specific to our aging population, crisis, where to find economic assistance and much, much more. You can find these resources on our district website here.
24/7 Free Academic Support for Students in Grade 6-12
Centennial School District has partnered with Paper to provide free, 24/7 access to 1-on-1 tutoring and writing support for students in grade 6-12. Through federal relief funds, we are able to provide additional academic support for students. Students can access this online tutor via the chat function. The app is available on student Chromebooks. For more information about Paper, click here.