Pella Middle School
News from September, 2020
Important Dates
- 10/7 - 90 Minute Early Dismissal for PD
- 10/7 - Students, Staff, and Parents complete the LiM MRA survey - see below for more info
- 10/12 - Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
- 10/13 - 2 Hr. Early Dismissal - Elementary Conferences
- 10/15 - 2 Hr. Early Dismissal - Elementary Conferences
- 10/16 - No Classes
- 10/21 - 90 Minute Early Dismissal for PD
- 10/23 - Quarter 1 Ends
- 10/26 - Quarter 2 Begins
- 10/28 - 90 Minute Early Dismissal for PD
- 10/30 - Quarter 1 Club Day - Respect Focused
Thank You, Pella Middle School!
We would like to thank our students for taking the masking expectations seriously. Students have been respectful and compliant. We do ask students to keep an extra mask (or two) in their lockers at all times to ensure they have them when they need them. Thank you!
Masking Update
Per Mr. Ebeling's message earlier this week about new guidance, we would like to reiterate the importance of wearing masks at school. This guidance recommends that close contacts of COVID-positive cases will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days if a face covering was worn consistently and correctly by the positive case and close contacts. The positive case must isolate. If exposure occurs while a student is not wearing a mask (ie. lunch) they will need to quarantine at home.
Close contacts will continue to be notified via telephone when there is a need to monitor your student. Parents may choose to have their students quarantine at home if they wish.
With this new guidance, the type of face covering is also very important. Neck gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves will not count as appropriate face coverings to avoid the 14 day quarantine. Therefore, we are asking students and staff to avoid the use of gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves. Please see the attached document for appropriate types of masks. Please make this change with your children as soon as possible but no later than Monday, Oct. 5.
Thank you for your help with limiting and reducing the spread of CoVid. We love having our students back at school, and we hope to keep them here!
Social Media Awareness - Please Help!
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Leader in Me - Measurable Results Assessment (MRA) - Your input is needed!
Survey Link: https://www.leaderinme.com/s/pella-middle-school/parent
Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
To sign up for a conference time please click on the link.
Sign-Up for meeting time(s) with teacher(s)
Once you have signed up for a time slot, you will receive an email with a link to join the meeting as well as the option to add it to your personal calendar. Please add the event to your personal calendar or save the email to access the meeting for your virtual conference.
Quarter 1 Club Day ~ RESPECT is our Focus for October
Students will reflect on the GREAT Rubric at the quarter end, and our focus this month will be RESPECT. Any students with a Developing (2) or less will get the opportunity to relearn what it takes and how to be respectful to their peers and their teachers.
GREAT Rubric Example LINKA big part of being successful is being prepared.
Please Return Library Books
Message from the Parent Drop Off Loop at Jefferson Intermediate
Thanks for your help keeping this area safe, Mr. Miller
Attitude Determines Preparation, Preparation Determines Outcome.
Pella Middle School Sports - Masking Expectations
Thank you to everyone for following our safety protocols to this point and for keeping our students safe and our activities moving forward. Starting September 24, masks are required by all spectators upon entering Pella events. You will be required to wear a mask through the gate/doors at all events. Once you are seated, if you are socially distanced (6 feet away from other families), masks may be relaxed. While not everyone will agree with this decision, we know that we can all agree we will do everything possible to allow our students to finish what they started this fall. It is important for our students and families to attend all activities they wish to.
Go Dutch!
PMS Activities Department
Mr. Tjeerdsma
scott.tjeerdsma@pellaschools.org
Can I Play if I am Failing A Course? To find out, Please read the Pella Middle School Academic Eligibility Policy!
The faculty and administration of Pella Middle School have developed the following expectations for students who are failing classes and participating in extra-curricular activities. If you are failing any courses, you will be ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities for two weeks and be expected to come to the Wednesday after school study table during that time. Full academic eligibility policy link.
The Counselor Connection
We recognize with our current circumstances students are more likely to be experiencing anxiety at some level or another. We are working diligently to give your students a chance to start their school day on a positive note. We continue to collect information on Monday and Fridays regarding how your child is feeling so we can best address these issues as they may arise. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Jourdan Van Wyk, School Counselor
Pella Middle School
Email: msoffice@pellaschools.org
Website: https://www.pellaschools.org/schools/middle-school/
Location: 613 East 13th Street, Pella, IA, USA
Phone: 6416284784
Twitter: @pellamidschool