Mustangs Newsletter - Aug. 15
August 15-31
Upcoming Dates
- August 21 - 6th Grade Orientation for Last Names A-K from 9-12
- August 22 - 6th Grade Orientation for Last Names L-Z from 9-12
- August 23 - 7th & 8th Grade Orientation (NEW FAMILIES TO MGMS ONLY) from 9-10:30am
- August 30 - Learning Conferences/Open House from 4-7pm
- September 5 - School Starts <---------------------------------------------------------
- September 18 - PACT Meeting - Media Center 7pm
- September 21 - School Pictures
Information from Principal Smith
Welcome to Maple Grove Middle School for the 2023-24 school year. I look forward to working with all of you this year, renewed and refreshed. I hope you have had the opportunity to spend some time enjoying the summer with friends and family. Our staff is excited about the opportunity to work with you to help your child grow in so many ways. We can't wait to see you during our upcoming welcome back to school events. Please refer to the Family Mustang Memo Newsletter for important upcoming dates regarding 6th grade and new family orientations, open house/learning conferences, and the start of the school year. Please see the attached link for more important information.
Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year
We are excited to welcome students back on Tuesday, September 5. The Mustang Memo is a bimonthly newsletter that is sent to families of Maple Grove Middle School. It is one of the ways we communicate with families important information of upcoming events and activities. Another way is to look at our website: https://mgms.district279.org/. We also communicate with families through email. If you change your email or phone number, please update the new information through ParentVUE or call the school office.
Learning Conferences for New and Returning Students and Parents
On Wednesday, August 30 from 4-7pm is our Learning Conferences. This open house format allows you and your student to meet the teachers, learn what will be covered in the class, and practice walking through the schedule. This is an optional conference for all parents and students of Maple Grove Middle School.
Please do not bring school supplies. Lockers will be assigned the first day of school. We look forward to seeing you.
Important Information You Need to Know
Parent Portals
District 279 has different parent portals to keep you updated on your students progress, pay for activities, fees, or to add money to a lunch account. They are ParentVUE, SmartSchoolK12, and Schoology. ParentVUE allows you to see your student's report card, view your student's schedule, check attendance, view state test scores and more. SmartSchoolK12 allows you to add money to their lunch account, and pay for sports and activities. Schoology lets you see assignments, communicate with teachers, and get our school announcements.
For those that do not have a ParentVUE account, click the link below. The Schoology log-on information is obtained from one of your child's core teachers.
Bus Information
Transportation will be publishing bus stops and times to ParentVUE after August 28.
Lockers
Lockers will be assigned the first day of school. Please bring a lock and your supplies on the first day.
School Supplies
School is just around the corner and it is time to start thinking about school supplies. Below is a link for the supplies for each grade. Additional supplies may be needed once school begins.
News from the Nurse
MEDICATION
If your student takes medication while they are at school, the health office will be open for you to drop it off on:
- Thursday, August 24 from 8am-4pm
- Friday, August 25 from 8am-4pm
- Monday, August 28 from 8am-4pm
Tuesday, August 29 from 8am-4pm
- Wednesday, August 30 from 11am-7pm
- Thursday, August 31 from 8am-4pm
- Friday, September 1 from 8am-4pm
7th GRADE IMMUNIZATIONS
All 7th grade students, by law, have required immunizations that are needed prior to school beginning. Please contact your clinic to schedule these immunizations as soon as possible. The clinic can fax them to Maple Grove Middle School - attn nurse - at 763-315-7601.
PACT Group Needs You
PACT (Parents And Community Together) is a group of parents and guardians of Maple Grove Middle School. This group supports school activities and events, similar to PTO in the elementary schools. They are looking for new members. The first meeting for this year is on Monday, September 18 at 7pm in the media center at MGMS.
Building a Better Future, Phase II
RE: Board approves Nov. 7 referendum election; school building safety, learning and space needs addressed in ballot question
After months of discussion and review of school building needs, the board approved placing a school funding request on the Nov. 7, 2023 ballot.
This is considered to be Building a Better Future, Phase II, which in addition to addressing critical school building needs, expands on efforts already made in Phase I and continues strategic plan work. If approved by voters, the tax increase would be less $7/month for the average-value home in our district ($300,000). The plan includes:
Secure learning environments with enhanced safety.
Spaces for math, science and career programs, specialized learning services and growing student populations.
Access to similar learning experiences at all district schools, including program opportunities, class size levels and the functionality of spaces.
It’s been more than 20 years since the community has been asked to reinvest in school buildings. This final phase of Building a Better Future meets the overall needs of our schools for the foreseeable future. More, including proposed projects, at district279.org/BetterFuture.
Who to Contact
School Phone: 763-315-7600...............................Website: https://mgms.district279.org/
Attendance: 763-315-7603………………………………..Transportation: 763-391-7244
6th Grade
Jennifer Hinker, Assistant Principal.....Email: HinkerJ@district279.org
Kaia Paquin, Counselor 6th Grade.......Email: PaquinK@district279.org
7th Grade
Jason Olson, Assistant Principal……..Email: Olsonj@district279.org
Katie Gerdts, Counselor 7th Grade......Email: GerdtsK@district279.org
8th Grade
Patrick Smith, Principal………………….Email: SmithPatrick@district279.org
Megan Woods, Counselor 8th Grade...Email: :WoodsM@district279.org
Student Management Specialists Assist With All Grades
Candice Ledman - (Grade 6) - Email: LedmanC@district279.org
Levy Jones (Grade 7) - Email: JonesL@district279.org
Nathanial Davies (Grade 8) – Email: DaviesN@district279.org
District Tip Line.........763-265-3636