Comet Connection
KELLOGG FAMILY NEWS | BACK-TO-SCHOOL EDITION
IMPOTANT DATES
- 24 Open House (grades 7-8), 3-7pm - enter at door 2
- 25 Open House (grade 6, newcomers), 3-7pm - enter at door 2
- 30 Meet Me in the Middle (new-to-Kellogg students ONLY), 8:20am-3:00pm
- 30 Device Distribution (grade 6)
- 31 First Day for ALL Kellogg students!
- 31 Device distribution (grade 7-8 during Target)
- 31 Singing Auditions (more info at end of newsletter)
SEPTEMBER
- 1 Picture Make-Ups
- 1 Device distribution (grade 7-8 during Target + anyone else!)
- 1 Speaking Auditions (more info at end of newsletter)
- 2 Callback Auditions (more info at end of newsletter)
- 3 NO SCHOOL!
- 6 NO SCHOOL!
BUILDING HOURS
- Before 8:05 Students wait outside regardless of weather
- 8:05 Students enter the building
- 8:05 Breakfast begins
- 8:20 Classes begin
- 3:00 Dismissal
Our office will be open 8:00-4:00.
THE ONLY SCOOP
We will return to the regular "scoop" in our next edition.
We will continue regular weekly communication with new editions coming out each weekend.
KELLOGG MASKS AND WATER BOTTLES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT OPEN HOUSE, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
$2 EACH. EXACT CHANGE APPRECIATED.
OPEN HOUSE
Here are the important things to know for Open House.
- Enter at door 2. The line will be OUTSIDE so families are not standing with others for a length of time indoors.
- Once inside, pick up schedule, get picture taken, drop off supplies in locker & walk through the schedule.
- Check out displays in the lobby for music rentals, student nutrition services, our nurse, and more!
- Sign up for the flu shot clinic or get your COVID vaccination (optional!)
- The goal for Open House is to be in & out of the building in 15 minutes!
- Teachers will NOT be in classrooms for in-person visits. Instead, they will host a LIVE orientation Google Meet at 7:30pm. Links will be sent in a separate email around 3pm on the day of your LIVE Google Meet.
Tuesday, August 24
- 3:00-7:00pm - Open House for grades 7-8
- 7:30-8:00pm - LIVE Google Meet with your Advisory teacher (grades 7-8 only)
Wednesday, August 25
- 3:00-7:00pm - Open House for grade 6
- 5:00-7:00pm - Open House for Newcomers
- 7:30-8:00pm - LIVE Google Meet with your Advisory teacher (grade 6 & Newcomers only)
If your child is in an intensive or setting 3 program, your child's case manager will reach out to you to schedule an individual meeting. These case managers & advisors include Sankey, Jorgensen, Jones, Meyers, and Wood.
MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE
Meet Me in the Middle is a program designed to help ensure a calm and supportive orientation experience for all students new to RPS middle schools. Students new to middle school will meet teachers, learn the lunch and locker routines and navigate the building and transportation with fewer peers in attendance. This is our way of creating a safe, welcoming and successful middle school foundation.
Monday, August 30 - Meet Me in the Middle
- All 6th grade students
- 7th & 8th graders that have not yet attended their RPS middle school in person
Tuesday, August 31 - First Day of Middle School (all RPS middle schoolers)
YOU ASKED! WE ANSWERED!
Here are responses to questions you sent over the last week!
- Will students have lockers? Yes, students will be assigned lockers near their Advisory classroom. You should be able to see the locker and combination on your child's portal.
- Will lockers be shared? In many cases, yes. Given on-going COVID concerns, we would recommend students drop off their coats, lunch boxes and instruments in the morning and but carry the rest of their belongings with them. This will reduce close interactions at lockers.
- Are students allowed to carry backpacks? Yes, they are welcome to carry their Chromebooks and school materials in their backpacks. Most textbooks have classroom copies or are offered digitally, so this should cut down on the weight of the backpack.
- Will students change for PE? No, students will no charge for PE. We strongly recommend students wear active clothing for PE days. Tennis shoes will be required. In the event we use the pool for a swimming unit, locker rooms will be used at that time.
- Will planners be provided? No, students are welcome to purchase their own paper planner or use a digital planner on their Chromebook.
- Will students again receive devices? Yes, devices will be handed our Aug 30-Sept 1.
- What should I do if my child would like to use a different name or gender? Please contact your child's school counselor. Email addresses are linked at the end of this newsletter.
- What do I need to do to get the free breakfast and lunch for my child? All students will receive free breakfast and lunch automatically. If you qualify under the income guidelines listed further down in this newsletter, we would appreciate you completing the application. Your application generates funding for RPS that we will lose without the continued application. Here’s the application link: https://paypams.com/OnlineApp.aspx
- What's the difference between Open House & Meet Me in the Middle? Open House (Aug 24-25 3-7pm) is an opportunity for families to join students for schedule pick-up, pictures, school supply drop off (in your locker), and to walk your schedule. Open House is for ALL students. Teachers will not be present but Advisors will host LIVE Google Meets from 7:30-8:00 on the night of your Open House! Links will be emailed to you on the afternoon of your Open House. Meet Me in the Middle (Aug 30 8:20-3:00) is a special full-day orientation for new-to-Kellogg students ONLY (no parents). It will run the length of a regular school day but will include orientation to the building, cafeteria, schedule, teachers, etc.
- Will teachers still post weekly lesson plans? Teacher will post weekly plans on their Google Classroom but not in a separate drive this year. If you would like to see the weekly plans, please have your child share their Google Classroom username and password with you.
- If my child has attended Kellogg in-person previously, when do they start school? The first day for anyone returning to Kellogg is Tuesday, August 31.
- If my child is vaccinated, will they be exempt from quarantine if exposed? As with everything COVID-related, this could change over time. As of today, yes, an exposed but vaccinated person would not need to quarantine, although testing would still be recommended. We will continue to follow the RPS, Olmsted County, MN Dept of Health and CDC guidance. If exposed, we will be sure to communicate options and let you know how to share your child's vaccination status. Our building COVID-coordinators are Nurse Ashley Kapaun and Principal Angi McAndrews. Please feel free to contact them with any COVID questions. askapaun@rochesterschools.org anmcandrews@rochesterschools.org
Thinking of a question now that you forgot to ask? Call the Kellogg office ANYTIME! We are here to help! 507-328-5800
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH
Here is a repeat from our last newsletter:
ALL students are eligible to receive FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH for school year 2021-2022.
- Free and reduced meal applications will need to be completed by families to support your school’s funding, scholarship eligibility and fee waivers.
- This year breakfast and lunch are free for ALL students. Those who elect to bring a meal from home and who would like to have milk with their meal are able to purchase milk at school for $.45/carton. Free meal benefits do not apply to individual milk.
- SNS plans to bring ala carte (snack) options back beginning Tuesday, September 7th. Students will need to have money in their accounts to purchase ala carte options.
21-22 CHROMEBOOK AGREEMENT
Here is the Chromebook Agreement students will sign prior to receiving their devices Aug 30 (grade 6) and Aug 31-Sept 1 (grade 7-8).
Your assigned Chromebook is intended for educational use both at school and at home.
- You are expected to be responsible, respectful, and safe while using and caring for your device.
- You are expected to bring your Chromebook to school and classes every day with a fully charged battery.
- If you damage or lose a Chromebook, you and/or your family may be held responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement.
- If you fail to return the Chromebook and charger at the end of the school year or upon withdrawal, your family may be held liable for the full replacement cost of the device.
- Replacement cost for a device is approximately $280. Replacement cost for a charger is approximately $40.
By signing this contract, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Kellogg Middle School expectations of having a school district Chromebook for my learning. Signing this form does not supersede any information distributed by Rochester Public Schools (ISD #535) in the Student Behavior Handbook.
Devices will be used for learning in and out of school. In the event your child is isolated or quarantined, they will be used to access instruction, submit work, and connect with teachers.
Tech support is available in the Media Center. If a student has trouble with a device, they can swap the device out for repair in the Media Center, also. Realistically, we expect regular wear & tear on devices. If a device or charger are damaged due to neglect or not returned at all, families may be charged. If you were to be charged, we would reach out to you first to discuss the concern.
KELLOGG THEATER
(repeat)
Auditions for Kellogg’s fall play, “Into the Woods Jr.” will take place August 31, September 1st, and September 2nd right after school each day. Tuesday, August 31 will be Singing Auditions, Wednesday, September 1 will be Speaking Auditions, and Thursday, September 2 will be Callback Auditions.
The play will be performed the week of November 15th. Daytime performances will be for student audiences only. Public performances will take place Thursday and Friday evening starting at 7:00pm.
There is a $20 activity fee for all students cast in the play.
Any questions can be emailed to Poppy Lear at kalear@rochesterschools.org.
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PAST COMET CONNECTIONS
- Early Summer Edition https://www.smore.com/4f5hs
- Late Summer Edition https://www.smore.com/rt0q5
CONNECT WITH US!
Administration
Angi McAndrews, Principal
507-328-5817 anmcandrews@rochesterschools.org
Mike Widman, Assistant Principal
507-328-5815 miwidman@rochesterschools.org
Teri Linander, Assistant Principal
507-328-5816 telinander@rochesterschools.org
Health
Lori Dietrich, Health Office Nurse, LPN
507-328-5813 lodietrich@rochesterschools.org
Ashley Kapaun, Licensed School Nurse, LSN RN
507-328-5800 askapaun@rochesterschools.org
Office Staff
Robyn Davis, Office Manager
507-328-5801 rodavis@rochesterschools.org
Lydia Ewing-Green, Registrar & Attendance
507-328-5810 lyewinggreen@rochesterschools.org
Amy Clark, Receptionist (afternoon)
507-328-5800 amclark@rochesterschools.org
Support Services
Dan VanWinkle, 6th Grade School Counselor
507-328-5800 davanwinkle@rochesterschools.org
Trish Fierst, 7th Grade School Counselor
507-328-5800 trfierst@rochesterschools.org
Amy Carstensen, 8th Grade School Counselor
507-328-5800 amcarstensen@rochesterschools.org
Akilah Sharif, School Social Worker
507-328-5800 aksharif@rochesterschools.org
Leah Mattern, School Social Worker
507-328-5800 lemattern@rochesterschools.org
For assistance in (your language), please call 328-XXXX
Para asistencia en español, por favor marque al 328-4241.
Za pomoc na bosanskom jeziku pozovite 328-4243
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Kellogg Middle School
Email: anmcandrews@rochester.k12.mn.us
Website: www.kellogg.rochester.k12.mn.us
Location: 503 17th St NE, Rochester, MN, USA
Phone: 507-328-5800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kellogg.Middle.School/
Twitter: @KelloggMiddle