Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year! We can't wait to welcome you all into the building for the start of a new year. We have been busy getting ready for students to return! Our custodians have our classrooms and hallways sparkling. Our teachers, staff, and administration have been attending professional development opportunities and collaborating with one another to ensure we’re prepared to provide the best learning experience for your child. We're also working hard to make sure we have strong health and safety protocols in place to create a safe, welcoming environment for all staff and students.

We look forward to partnering with you to make this a great year for everyone in the Nicollet Community! Whether you’re new to Nicollet or are returning, we hope the information included here will help to ensure a smooth start to the school year and answers many of your questions. We can’t wait to see you all at our Open House on Wednesday, September 1st.

Sincerely,

Dr. Angie Pohl, Principal

Mr. Eddie Blaylark, Associate Principal

• First day in person for 6th Graders and WEB Leaders ONLY
• Virtual Advisory Meeting for students in grades 7-8 at 8:00 AM. Students will log in to their advisory meeting through Schoology.

Thursday, September 9th

• 7th and 8th graders first day in person (all students attend)

PARENTVUE

In order for us to effectively communicate with you throughout the school year, please make sure you update your address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact/s on PARENTVUE. This information is very important as it is the only way to contact you in the event of an emergency.

We will send weekly bulletins for families through email. We will also regularly call home with voicemail message updates.

TEXT MESSAGING

Additionally, Parents/Guardians now have the option of receiving text notification from District 191 and its schools. Text messages are timely and relevant, including weather related school closure information, emergency announcements and others.

In order to participate, parents/guardians must opt-in by texting “subscribe” to the

number 68453.

Learn more about ParentVue at https://www.isd191.org/enroll/student-information

• We will have Nicollet t-shirts for Gym available for a donation at our open house.
• Students will be given an NMS planner on their first day of school.

School Nurse: Ms. Mjelleli

Email: emjelleli@isd191.org

Phone: 952-707-2603

Hours: 7:20AM - 3:20PM

Services:

• Monitor immunization status of students
• Manage health plans for students with health conditions
• Provide first aid and emergency care to students and staff
• Administer medication as ordered by a physician
• Maintain health service records
• Implement screening programs
• Surveillance of Communicable disease

Reminder: Immunizations- all incoming 6th graders needs to get the T-dap booster and Meningitis vaccine before starting 7th grade.

Application for Educational Benefits

Every year, all families with children enrolled in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 should complete an Application for Educational Benefits. Many families are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals, as well as waived or reduced fees for transportation, athletics, activities and more!

By completing an application, you are helping to ensure every school in District 191 gets the much-needed state and federal funding it deserves.

• Complete the application at: https://www.isd191.org/enroll/application-for-educational-benefits

School Meals

Breakfast and Lunch will be provided to all students for free this school year.

• School menus can be found at: https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/NicolletMiddleSchool

Our District Policy 503 on Student attendance reads: Regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communications between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability important to the future of the student.

In alignment with this policy, the following are some guidelines regarding attendance:

• If your child cannot attend school for any reason, please call our attendance line within 24 hours at 952-707-2604 to excuse them.

• If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms in the graphic to the right or has received a positive COVID test, please call our attendance line at 952-707-2604.

• When leaving a message please include:

• Your name

• Your child’s name(including the spelling of first & last name)

• Grade

• Callback phone number

• Brief Description. If your child is sick, please leave any symptoms they have.

• If a student is absent and no telephone call has been received from the parent/guardian, the school will contact the parent/guardian. It is important to provide the school with current home, cellphone, and work telephone numbers via ParentVUE.
• All absences not excused within 24 hours, by telephone or a signed note, will be considered unexcused.
• Occasionally, students arrive late to school. Parents should call in to the attendance line to excuse the tardy.
• Students who accumulate seven full days of unexcused absences are considered truant and referred to the county.

Please discuss the use of electronics at school with your child.

• All students are issued a Chromebook from ISD191 to be used for instructional and educational purposes. No other electronic devices should be used in place of chromebooks during the school day.
• All Chromebooks are to be used in alignment with the district electronics policy.

• Headphone use is only allowed when requested by a teacher.

• Electronic devices are never allowed to be used in bathrooms or locker rooms.
• Nicollet is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Cellphones

• Cellphones or similar devices are not to be used at Nicollet Middle School during the day. Devices should be put away at the first bell (7:50am) and should not be taken out until the last bell of the day (2:50pm).

The following steps will be taken if students do not meet the cellphone expectation.

1. Students will receive a reminder the first time they use their phone during the day.
2. The second time, their teacher will hold on to their phone until the end of class.
3. The third time, their phone will be held in the office until the end of the day and parents/guardians will be contacted.
4. The fourth time, the phone will be held for parent pick up in the office and Deans will work with families to develop a plan around the cellphone.

Policy 524: Internet Acceptable use and Safety Policy

• We understand the importance of students being able to access resources on the internet, both for current educational work and to help ensure students have the skills they need for future study and work.
• We provide students access to our computer system, including the internet, expressly for educational purposes, including classroom activities, research and college/career readiness activities.
• Students are expected to use our system in a safe manner and for these appropriate purposes.

Nicollet follows our District 191 Policy 504 on Student dress and appearance. The purpose of the policy is to enhance the learning environment of students by establishing expectations of dress and grooming that are related to educational goals and community standards.

The policy of the school district is to encourage students to be dressed appropriately for school activities and in keeping with community standards. This is a joint responsibility of the student and the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s).

Appropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to,

• Clothing appropriate for the weather.
• Clothing that does not create a health or safety hazard.
• Clothing appropriate for the activity (i.e., physical education or the classroom).

Inappropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to,

• Tops that expose the midriff, cleavage, and other clothing such as shorts/pants that expose undergarments.
• Clothing bearing a message that is lewd, vulgar, or obscene.
• Apparel promoting products or activities that are illegal for use by minors.
• Objectionable emblems, badges, symbols, signs, words, objects or pictures on clothing or jewelry (including sports apparel) communicating a message that is racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory to a protected minority group, evidences gang membership or affiliation, or approves, advances, or provokes any form of religious, racial, or sexual harassment and/or violence against other individuals as defined in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District Policy 413.
• Any apparel or footwear that would damage school property.

Hats and hoods are allowed, but may be asked to be removed if they interfere with a class activity such as a science lab, cooking, or physical education activity.

Additionally, as we work to maintain a safe environment and avoid tripping hazards, students may wear/carry outerwear coats or vests, backpacks, or sling bags to and from school but these items must remain in lockers during the school day. Small purses are allowed to be carried. Students need only bring their binder and chromebook to class.

When, in the judgment of the administration, a student’s appearance or mode of dress interferes with or disrupts the educational process or school activities, or poses a threat to the health or safety of others, the student will be asked privately to make modifications. Parents/guardians will be notified and may be requested to bring alternate clothing.