First Days of Middle School

MISSION: Our mission is to ensure high levels of academic and social/emotional learning for all Mt. Horeb Middle School students and staff.

VISION: The preparation and practices of our middle school reflect our commitment to successfully develop students’ skills for high school.

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Hello Middle School Families,

The new school year began with an air of excitement and possibility as students walked through the doors of our middle school. Enthusiastic teachers helped greet, support, and show students how truly excited we are to have them at our middle school. The halls bustled with energy as friends reunited and new faces were introduced. Classrooms were open and welcoming. The time we have all put in over the summer was designed to ignite curiosity and foster a sense of community, making it clear that this year would be one of growth, discovery, and endless adventure.

As always, if you ever have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Sincerely,

Paul Christiansen, Principal

christiansenpaul@mounthorebschools.org

608.437.7331

Catie Goninen, Assistant Principal

goninencatie@mounthorebschools.org

608.437.7332

Tiplines are used to identify threats to schools, and for concerns impacting school age youth such as bullying, drug use, suicidal thoughts and more. The SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT (SUSO) tipline is run by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of School Safety.

Who knows more about what’s going on, in or out of school, than students themselves? Individually and collectively, students play an essential role in keeping our schools safe. Caregivers can support school safety efforts by helping children understand the clear difference between tattling or “snitching” and disclosing concerning information to a trusted adult to keep themselves and their classmates safe.

The SUSO threat reporting system aims to empower students to share their concerns safely and confidently without fear of retaliation. We encourage you to talk to your child about the importance of letting a trusted adult know when someone is struggling or demonstrating behaviors of concern. Early reporting of concerns prevents violence and allows us to

provide interventions and supports to the child that is struggling.

The SUSO threat reporting system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is free to all. Students, parents, school staff and community members can submit information about a school safety concern by downloading the SUSO app (Android and iOS), visiting speakup.widoj.gov, by calling 1-800-MYSUSO-1, or by texting “SUSO” to 738477. SUSO

Resource Center staff respond to reports and deploy a local response by communicating directly with school administrators; school counselors, psychologists, and social workers; and at times, law enforcement Partners.

To learn more about the SUSO Resource Center and how to report safety concerns, visit

speakup.widoj.gov or find them on social media @speakupwi.

Our School Day:

• Students may arrive between 7:45-8:00 AM
• Viking Hour begins at 8:00 AM daily indicating students should be in their classroom and ready for instruction.
• Dismissal is at 3:25 PM. This dismissal time is consistent with the High School and Intermediate Center.

If your child needs rescue medication or medication as needed, while at school please bring those with you. Required documentation per our Board Policy (#453.4) must be completed as well. You can complete this in advance and give it to our school nurse, Ms. Goodwin during our drop-in.

Medication forms are located on the MHASD website under the district heading followed by departments - health services - forms.

https://www.mounthorebschools.org/district/forms.cfm

Back to School Information Link (supply lists, new student guide, bell schedule)

School Nutrition: Need to find the lunch menu, add money to your account, or apply for free or reduced price meals? The School Nutrition webpage is the place to go. You can also go through LINQ Connect on your device to see updated breakfast and lunch menus.

Looking for transportation information? Here is the page to head to. Find out general information and bus riding expectations. Route information is coming soon.

6th Grade Parent Information: Thursday, September 12 from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.

Parents of sixth grade students, please join us for a sixth grade parent Information night, scheduled on Thursday, September 12 beginning at 6:00 pm. This is not an event sixth grade students should attend. This event gives parents an opportunity to meet the sixth grade teaching staff, learn about classes, and ask questions.

• Club and Tree House programs will be held from 6:00 PM – 6:25 PM

• Club and Tree House are in separate locations

• 6:25 PM – 6:35 PM – group transition time

• Applied Arts Presentation 6:35 - 7:15 PM

• Club and Tree House combined

Picture Day: Picture day is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 2024

Schedules: Schedules are available through the parent portal within Infinite Campus. If you have questions please contact Ms. Krisann Weier. weierkrisann@mhasd.k12.wi.us

Mount Horeb Middle School students and parents/guardians are asked to make their course selections carefully. Course changes can only be made at the request of the student and parent/guardian within the first two weeks of the first quarter or the last two weeks of the second quarter. Any course requests made in the last two weeks of the second quarter will be made effective at the start of the second semester. A primary factor in the consideration of adding or dropping a class will be the space available in the course and within the student’s schedule.

• Requests for course changes that are made outside of these time frames require the recommendation of the Student Services Team (School Counselor, Psychologist, Social Worker, Nurse) as well as approval by a building administrator.

• Students are required to meet with the counselor and classroom teacher if requesting a schedule change. They must also complete the schedule form which must be signed by the student, parent, and administrator.

Exceptions

• Exceptions and appeals to scheduling policies are made to and approved by the building administration.

Annual Notices: Please utilize the following link for District and Building Level Annual Notices: Annual Notices

Voluntary Insurance: If you are interested in voluntary student insurance coverage for the school year, please go to the insurance company's website. Parents have the ability to sign up online directly at the website www.1stAgency.com and then follow the directions at the "Find Your School" menu. After selecting our district, parents will have the opportunity to see the brochure and enroll online with a credit card.

Hello Viking Fans! On behalf of the Activities Department, I want to thank our students and parents for their continued support of Mt Horeb Activities. The tremendous fan support that we receive from parents, students, and the community is recognized as some of the best around. Our students, coaches, and advisors appreciate the support that you show. In order to ensure that our events are orderly, safe, and enjoyable for all spectators, large and small, the Activities Department would like to remind our fans of the following expectations:

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

• All middle school students must be seated with parents or designated Middle School student section; for football games, the middle school section is located behind the High School section.

• Students are not allowed to go into the visiting team section and are not allowed on the south hill. Please stay in your section and enjoy the game.

• The south hill of the football stadium is reserved for younger ages and their families. Any students or kids sitting on that hill must be with an adult. Please respect this area so that families with small children can also enjoy the game.

• No costumes or masks are allowed at sporting events. Students must follow the school dress-code.

• No footballs, soccer balls, kick balls, etc...allowed at sporting events.

• Pets/animals are not allowed past the ticket office.

• Exhibit good sportsmanship: be respectful during the National Anthem, schools songs, player introductions, and be positive at all times when cheering.

• Remember to represent Mt Horeb in a positive manner.

• If Middle School students are showing inappropriate behavior, a parent will be called to take the student home.

Thank you and GO VIKINGS!

Kolleen Nesheim

Activities Director

Please access the Mount Horeb Middle School home page for a detailed calendar with all school activities listed along with any changes that may have been made: https://www.mounthorebschools.org/schools/middle/

Quarters

Quarter One Ends: November 6

Quarter Two Ends: January 24

Quarter Three Ends April 4

Quarter Four Ends: June 11

Early Release 12:40 PM Dismissal

September 9

October 14

November 11

December 9

January 24

February 10

March 10

April 14

May 12

June 11 Last day of school 11:15 AM dismissal

Parent Teacher Conferences

October 8 and 19 4:00-7:45 PM

March 13 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

As always, if you ever have a question, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

-Paul

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Paul Christiansen, Principal

christiansenpaul@mounthorebschools.org

608.437.7331

Catie Goninen, Assistant Principal

goninencatie@mounthorebschools.org

608.437.7332

Email: christiansenpaul@mounthorebschools.org

Website: https://www.mounthorebschools.org/schools/middle/
Location: 900 East Garfield Street, Mount Horeb, WI, USA
Phone: 608.437.7306
Twitter: @christiansenpMH