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Quist ROYALS Weekly News
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February 6, 2024
Dear Quist Middle School parents and guardians,
Attention Parents! Stay informed about your scholar’s academic progress by using Infinite Campus.
Easily check grades, attendance, fees, and more. Download the app now for instant updates!
As partners in your child's education journey, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your ongoing support and collaboration with the school and teachers.
Your involvement plays a vital role in shaping your child's academic and personal growth. By working hand in hand with us, we can create a nurturing environment where every student thrives.
Here are a few ways you can continue to support your child's educational experience:
Stay informed: Keep abreast of school events, policies, and your child's progress. Regularly check emails, newsletters, and school announcements for important updates.
Communicate openly: Don't hesitate to reach out to teachers or administrators with any questions or concerns you may have. Your input is valuable in ensuring your child receives the best possible education.
Encourage participation: Encourage your child to engage actively in school activities, clubs, and extracurriculars. These experiences help foster social skills, leadership qualities, and a sense of belonging.
Support learning at home: Establish a conducive environment for learning at home by setting aside time for homework, reading, and enrichment activities. Your involvement in your child's studies sends a powerful message about the importance of education.
Volunteer your time: Consider volunteering at school events, joining the parent-teacher association, or offering your expertise in areas where you can contribute positively to the school community.
Together, we can create a supportive and enriching educational environment that empowers every child to reach their full potential. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to your child's education.
With appreciation,
Justin McMillan
Principal
Quist Middle School
Parent Teacher Conferences - February 20th and 22nd!
February 20th - 5:30-7:30 PM - In Person Open House *no appointment necessary
February 22nd - 5:30-7:30 PM - In Person Open House*no appointment necessary
Our Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are February 20th and 22nd. We are so proud of all the hard work that students and staff have done so far. Attending Parent-Teacher Conferences is an important part of letting your student know education is important to you. This year, we will be having parent teacher conferences IN PERSON. Teachers will be at a table in the following areas for you to meet with:
Exploratories Teachers/Classes - Cafeteria
Core Teachers/Classes - In their Pod
Below are a few things you can do to help create an even more beneficial conference.
Talk with your child before conferences about any concerns or questions. Ask what he/she would like you to talk about. Talk about what they have been working on in the class and what progress he/she has made in their learning.
Think about questions you would like to ask and jot them down. Some suggestions might be grade-level curriculum, homework expectations, work habits, social skills, attendance, and home support.
Keep in touch with the teacher (s). E-mail is a quick and easy way to communicate between home and school.
Yearbook Deadline extended to February 9!
Our yearbook order deadline was on Friday, January 26th. We need to finalize our quantity to order with Jostens next week.
We are offering you ONE LAST CHANCE to guarantee a book. You must order by FRIDAY, February 9 at 9 p.m.
WE WILL NOT BE ORDERING MANY EXTRA BOOKS. Those few books will be sold FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED in the sequence of date/time purchased. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF A YEARBOOK IF YOU MISS THE FRIDAY CUTOFF.
The link to order is: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A02184561
NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED A YEARBOOK?
Search your email for phrase--> Jostens Order Confirmation # <--Copy and Paste phrase as your email search.
If you are unable to locate your confirmation email, please call 1-877-767-5217 and Press 1 to speak with a Jostens customer service representative. Once connected, please ask to verify your 2024 yearbook purchase. Jostens Customer service is available Monday-Friday 9am - 6pm EST.
Thank you for supporting our yearbook program,
The Yearbook Staff
Sports News from Mr. Steinbach
This week for athletics.
"B" team does not have a game this week. There are only 3 "B" teams in the District.
"A" team will play at Quist both Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm
Practices will be from 4:45-6:15 any day there is not a contest.
Wrestling this week will have practice Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 4:45-6:15.
Dual on Wednesday 2/7 is away at Prairie View at 5pm.
Please make sure to have all fees paid ASAP. If you have any issues paying your fees, please just contact the office and we will certainly work with you.
If you need anything or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
GO ROYALS!!!!
Goal - 100% of our Scholars will be on or above grade level in Literacy!
PowerUp - Homework
Royal Parents/Guardians,
We're reaching out to highlight the critical importance of our scholars' literacy skills at Quist Middle School. Our goal is to ensure that 100% of our scholars reach grade level or above in literacy, but currently, we're at around 30%.
To tackle this challenge, we urge all parents to encourage their scholars to complete at least 30 minutes of Lexia PowerUp every night. This tool has proven effective in enhancing literacy skills and is a valuable resource in our efforts to bring every scholar up to grade level.
Here's how you can make a difference:
Daily Logging In: Ensure your scholar logs in to Lexia PowerUp each night for regular practice and progress tracking.
Show Progress: Take a few minutes to sit down with your child and have them show you their progress on Lexia PowerUp. This not only reinforces their commitment but also allows you to celebrate their achievements together.
Home Support: Your support at home is crucial in helping each scholar reach their literacy goals. By dedicating time to Lexia PowerUp, we collectively contribute to the success of our students.
Together, we can make a significant impact on the academic journey of our scholars.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to the success of our students at Quist Middle School.
Dreambox Homework - Scholars should complete Math Homework Daily!
Take Care of Your Chromebook
IMPORTANT - Broken and Damaged Chromebooks!!
Intentional Damage: If there is an instance of intentional damage by a student (ie, removing keys on the chromebook, chromebook has writing, drawing, stickers, the case has been removed and/or there is screen damage, etc), Student IC account will be assessed a repair fee. ***Intentional student breakage or damage will result in a full charge up to $260.
Lost Chromebook: If a Chromebook is lost, the student will need to report the lost Chromebook to their Pathways Teacher. The Pathways Teacher will inform the Library Paraprofessional and the technology department will disable the Chromebook and attempt to track it in our tracking software. If a chromebook is not found within 30 days then the student's account will be fined in IC $260.00.
Stolen: If a Chromebook is stolen, the student's family will need to file a police report and provide a copy of the report to the school within 14 days. The student will need to report the stolen Chromebook to their Pathways Teacher. The Pathways Teacher will inform the Library Paraprofessional and the technology department will disable the Chromebook and attempt to track it in our tracking software. If there is not a police report filed, then the Chromebook will be marked as lost and a $260.00 fee will be assessed.
Broken: Accidental damage to a chromebook will be repaired under the chromebook warranty. The student will need to report the damage to their Pathways Teacher. The Pathways Teacher will report the damage to the Library Paraprofessional. The Technology Paraprofessional will schedule the Chromebook repaired. On issuance of the 2nd chromebook, the student's account will be charged $260.00.
Chromebook Charger: If a chromebook charger is lost, the student will need to pay $30 for a replacement charger.
Reminder - WIRED Ear buds/Head phones
Scholars should bring WIRED earbuds/headphones everyday to school.
Reminder - NO Pick Up After 4:15 p.m
If you need to pick up your student early from school for an appointment, please make note that you need to arrive prior to 4:15 p.m.
After 4:15 p.m., staff and students are in transitions and closing time. Students will not be called down after 4:15. Please plan your pick up prior to 4:15 p.m.
We also encourage parents to not pick up their scholar early. Every minute counts for their growth and learning journey. Thank you for your support.
6 months to 6th grade
Cell Phone Policy
No Cell Phones - 8:35 a.m. - 4:37 p.m.
In the interest of our student's health, safety, and education, we will require every student to leave his or her phone turned off and in their locker or leave them at home. Students must keep their turned off phones in their locker or at home between 8:35 a.m. and 4:37 p.m.
This also includes lunch/recess.
We feel this decision will support our goal to build and maintain a positive school culture and community for our students. Like many schools in the U.S., we are struggling with school bullying and student distraction with cell phones.
Science and research supports students who do not have the freedom of accessing their phones during school hours, are more engaged socially and academically. https://www.awayfortheday.org/research/
There is also growing concern about the long-term impact of cell phone/technology use on brain development and healthy social emotional development.
We realize this decision may make some families nervous, however parents can communicate to their child any time of day through the front office. Students will be able to access their phones at 4:37 pm
Violations to device expectations are as follows:
Mr. McMillan will give a reminder/warning at the start of every day during announcements.
After that, the device will be confiscated by the staff member and turned in to the office. Parents will have to pick up the device in the office.