Pella Middle School

News from May, 2020

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Important Dates

  • May 29: Final Day of School & Last Day of Online Learning Opportunities
  • June 3: Final Grades Posted on Infinite Campus
  • August 13 from 2:00-3:30: New Student Orientation, Tour, and Q & A
  • August 19: 1:30 - 3:00 8th Grade Laptop and Locker Item Drop Off
  • August 19: 3:30 - 6:00 7th Grade Orientation - more details to come!
  • August 19: 6:00 - 7:00 1:1 Laptop Training (1 parent must attend)
  • August 20: First Day of 2020-21 School Year

Celebrating 2019 - 2020 School Year

We always have so much to celebrate as we conclude a school year, but I always find myself a bit sad that it has to end. What a way to end this year! The class of 2024 is a special class with great leadership qualities and potential. We will miss their character next year. However, we know that our goal is to prepare the students for what is next. The middle school staff and I will look forward to watching them excel throughout high school.


We believe the class of 2025 will naturally slide into the void, and we are confident in their abilities to do so successfully. It has been fun to watch them grow and shine this school year! Each class brings a unique dynamic to the middle school, and we are excited to meet our incoming class of 2026. I hope you have a blessed, fun, and safe summer.

The more you put into something, the harder it is to give it up.

Students Keep Laptops Over Summer

Students will retain their computers over the summer due to our extenuating circumstances, and we will be informing you when they will return them in the fall in latter July or early August. We will continue to monitor them using our monitoring software, and we will limit or reduce access if there are any concerning issues. You will also be notified. Below are a few tips.


  • Unless there’s a need, unplug from technology for a while!
  • Continue to charge them periodically overnight because you want to maintain their battery life.
  • 6:00-9:00 will remain the normal access time similarly to what it has been since March 13.
  • Keep them safe, and parents are able to limit/eliminate usage and access at your discretion.
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Please Return Library Books

Please return any school textbooks and library books from home. You can drop them by the school in a plastic bag, hang them on the front door handle or put them in the box inside the front doors, and we will get them Monday through Thursday. You can also make an appointment by emailing me. Thank you!
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Please Register for Exploratory Courses, Fine Arts, and Sports!

We have a bout 40 students still needing to register. Please follow the directions below or email Mrs. Van Wyk or me if you need assistance.

Coure Registration Link

Thank you!

Yearbooks Disbursed in the Fall

We will be giving yearbooks to students when they return in the fall. Outgoing 8th grade students will get them at the high school.
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Learning is not a spectator sport!

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Middle School Sports - 2020-21 Participation Expectations

In order to practice or play in any of our athletics, we need a copy of the student athlete's annual physical. The forms needed to be completed by your health care professional are in the following link: Athletic Forms. Most insurance plans do not allow more that one physical a year, so if you had one completed during the past school year, it will be valid for 13 months. Once your physical is completed, please keep it in a safe place, and we will instruct you when to turn it in later in the summer. If you have any questions regarding MS athletics, please do not hesitate to send me an email.
Mr. Tjeerdsma
scott.tjeerdsma@pellaschools.org

CoVid - Pella High School Summer Sports Begin June 1

We are excited Pella High School will be able to have summer baseball and softball. Please review the letter for student athlete and spectator expectations. Thank you for working with our teams to make this a success!

Letter Outlining Expectations.
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Class of 2025 Gives Back!

7th Grade Donates $3,010 to charity

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Middle School Art - Sculpture Presentation

Typically Mrs. VanWyk displays student artwork around the building, and we love it! However, we were unable to do so this spring, so please take a moment to enjoy some of the amazing sculptures they've created.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nu6ooE_CuB1SDBL_gsJO9drQMZJUncwIoRt0sk6DvDA/edit?ts=5ec7fdec#slide=id.p
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Pella Middle School Student Council Leadership and Accomplishments

Pella Middle School has a tremendous student council led by Mrs. Kristin Schulz. They are involved in a variety of leadership experiences and decision making opportunities in our building, and we cannot thank Mrs. Schultz and these students enough. Every year this leadership opportunity grows, and Mrs. Schulz is guiding this growth annually. Below are a few of the their accomplishments.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Eyfyib_uZIWi8Fbhb_yUMeaXuOq5vbuhkNX8SM_oEa0/preview


Mrs. Annie Foskett shared her gratitude for their donation in this video. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nga7dbmD2my50nOkXVgmYV6lrhloBB2Q/view?ts=5ebac374


They also hosted a teacher appreciation breakfast in early May, and those pictures are below. Wow! What a great year of accomplishments, and what a tremendous experience for these students. Thank you, Mrs. Schulz for your guidance and leadership!

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Participate Participate Participate !

As we embark on another school year, we challenge all parents to encourage their son/daughter to participate. Tell them not to be afraid to try something new! Research supports participation, and we know participating in extra and co-curricular activities allows students to be part of a team working for the collective good. It also requires students to maintain respectable grades in order to remain eligible, and it affords students the opportunity to take risks - as a result, they are more likely to take academic risks in the classroom. Furthermore, participation gives them the opportunity to better understand the interdependent elements of a successful team or group. The opportunities are abundant in middle school, and we want every student to experience the lessons that come from joining something positive.
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Please Pass the Love

Please Pass the Love created a list of Iowa counselors currently taking new telehealth clients for therapy. It is current as of 4/17/20. Pinerest is also accepting new clients and offering telehealth.


Iowa Telehealth Providers

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The Counselor Connection

Please know I am available to help support you in this unique time and all times. If various situations arise, and you or your student would like to consult with a school counselor, please do not hesitate to reach out. I miss seeing our students!


I can best be reached via email jourdan.vanwyk@pellaschools.org