SCHROEDER SNAPSHOTS
September 9-September 23
Greetings Students and Families of Schroeder Middle School,
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read through our latest issue of Schroeder Snapshots.
We hope you find the contents in this newsletter to be informative and helpful in better understanding your child’s education at Schroeder Middle School!
Next week will mark the first games of the middle school fall sports season, including football, soccer and softball. Our students and coaches have been working hard to prepare for these competitions, and they are ready to play against our neighboring middle schools.
It would be difficult to quantify how incredibly important extracurricular activities are for students at both the middle school and high school levels. When asked what they like about school, students will often tell you that activities are their second most favorite thing. As you can probably guess, being with friends is the number one answer for nearly all students – hands down, no contest! Which brings us back to school athletics (and other school-based extracurricular activities, such as speech, drama, robotics, etc.).
In education-based extracurricular activities, students with like-minded interests and common goals end up forging long-lasting friendships with their peers. In addition, these activities are led by trusted adults, who not only impart their knowledge and experience in a given sport, but also seize the teachable moments that spring forth during moments of triumph and of loss. Or, as is often the case in middle school, moments of sheer bewilderment during a sport being played for the first time!
Isn’t that a wonderful opportunity? There will likely never be a better time in a young person’s life to try a new activity than his or her middle school years.
While there will always be students that play in preparation for the high school level, the focus of our middle school activities remains centered around exploration, growth, and sportsmanship. Students are encouraged to “give it a try” and assured that “no prior experience is necessary.” As adult spectators of middle school events, it’s important for us to remember this focus as we cheer on our young people.
Many of the students are excited to see you on the sidelines, and whether we admit it or not, our words matter.
I look forward to seeing you at our events this fall and later this school year. The staff and I welcome you to our fields and courts to cheer on your Schroeder Raider!
Thank you for encouraging them to take part in our extracurricular activities and trusting us to support and guide them along the way.
Enjoy your weekend, and the sunny, moderate temperatures that it brings!
All the best,
David Nowatzki
Principal
20 Sept--Picture Make-up Day
21 Sept--Early Release at 1:00pm
Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18--Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
Oct 19--No School Professional Development Day
Oct 20-21--No School
SCHOOL PICTURE MAKE-UP DAY
If you were not able to attend Registration and have your child's picture taken, picture make-up day is Tuesday, Sept. 20th. Retakes will start at the beginning of the school day.
Picture Packets are available in the school office.
This week our Schroeder staff and students prepared for an announced lockdown drill this afternoon.
SRO Jay Farmer trained staff using the options based lockdown procedures. Raider Time teachers reviewed the procedures and talking points with students to be prepared for the drill.
As a school we are required to complete several drills throughout the school year. We must do two lockdown drills, 4 fire drills and 2 severe weather drills.
Device Protection Plan Purchase Window Closing Soon
The last day to purchase Chromebook Insurance Coverage (Device Protection Plan) is
October 15.
The Device Protection Plan is optional device insurance and available to families that wish to protect themselves from damage expenses for their student’s school-issued iPad or Chromebook. The Device Protection Plan covers 100% of all accidental damage, fire, flood, natural disasters, power surge, and vandalism to your child’s school-issued iPad or Chromebook with a $0 deductible. The Device Protection Plan will provide coverage on school grounds, at home, on the bus, and anywhere your child may travel.
Device Protection Plan costs $20 per student/device ($10 per device for students qualifying for free/reduced meal status). Device Protection Plan can be paid for through MySchoolBucks (when logged in to MySchoolBucks, select “School Store” – and then “Browse All Items”) or by mailing a check to your school office.
**NEW Cell Phone/Electronic Devices Policy**
In an effort to decrease distraction and increase student learning and personal connectivity, all Grand Forks Public secondary schools will restrict student cell phone use beginning the 2022-2023 school year. This includes add-on devices such as ear buds, smartwatches (notifications must be turned off), and other related devices.
Middle School students who choose to bring their cell phones to school will:
- Leave their cell phones with their advisory teacher at the beginning of each school day.
- Advisory teachers will secure student phones in locked storage containers until the end of the school day when students will be dismissed in time to retrieve their devices.
- No cell phones will be allowed in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, or locker rooms.
- Each school office will communicate a procedure for students who leave school early for appointments, competitions, family related events, etc.
Each 6-12 student will be issued a Chromebook which will provide educational access to the district’s online resources deeming cell phone access unnecessary. Each school’s office staff will happily get a message to your student during the day if necessary. Students will also be allowed to use the office phone to make important calls during the day.
Middle School Consequences
- First Offense: the phone is taken to the office and released to the student at the end of the day; parent / guardian notification. Expectations reinforced with the student.
- Second Offense: the phone is taken to the office; parent / guardian picks it up in the office. Student serves detention.
- Third Offense: the phone is taken to the office, parent/guardian picks it up. Student serves detention and their phone must be turned in to the office daily at the beginning of the day for the remainder of the semester.
Middle and high school students who do not comply or refuse to turn over their phone may be subject to additional consequences which may include but are not limited to detention, in-school suspension, and/or suspension.
If you have any questions about the contents of this communication or student cell phone expectations, please contact Associate Superintendent Catherine Gillach (701-746-2200, ext. 7115) or your building administration. We appreciate your support in helping us improve our collective school academic and social environment.
Schroeder Athletics
Registration is now open for the following:
Flag Football
Co-Ed Soccer
Sign up for one or both.
Outdoor.
All Schroeder intramural sports are co-ed.
Each session has approximately 12 sessions.
Registration is open on MySchoolBucks.
No physical is needed, just a signed concussion form, available in the office.
Intramurals Flag Football Schedule
Intramurals Soccer Schedule
*Athletics Activity Scheduler*
Get the rSchool (activity scheduler) app. Information below. Choose Schroeder as your team. All game schedules will be posted & updated there.
Schroeder PTO
6th Grade Choir
Join the 6th Grade Choir!
6th Grade Choir will be starting on
September 13 after school until 4:30pm
Room 104
For more information contact
Ms. Connell tconnell280@mygfschools.org
Attendance Line 701-746-2334
Please enter this number into your phone so you can inform us when your student is absent or needs to leave our building during the day for an appointment. We request a phone call or written note for all absences.
Please be courteous to our office staff and teachers and call well in advance to the time that you are needing to pick up your student. By not doing this could result in delay of dismissing your student and interrupting a teacher in the middle of teaching a class.
8:40 - 3:30
8:00 - 4:00
DOORS OPEN: The east door (#2) opens early for morning band, orchestra, and athletic practices. Our other student entries (#1 and 17) open at 8:00 a.m., and once school begins, our front doorbell (#1) should be rung for visitor access. All doors are locked for security.
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Complete Your Application today at https://www.myschoolapps.com/
2022-2023 Yearbooks Are On Sale Now!
New Schroeder Middle School Mission and Vision
Mission:
Inspiring a community of learners to strive for excellence through meaningful experiences.
Vision:
We will build critical thinkers who embrace challenges to grow as individuals and a community.
Motto:
Every 1 Matters
Will continue to serve as motto until end of 2022-2023 school year
Starting in 2022-2023, 7th grade class will choose new motto for following school year
Schroeder Values…
Growth mindsets
High expectations
Safe and supportive environments
Collaborative relationships
Respectful, problem-solving citizens
Parents Lead
Talk
Talking openly and honestly with your kids is one of the most effective ways to support their behavioral health. Whether it’s everyday topics like friends and school, or more serious topics like substance use, anxiety, or depression, it’s never too early to start the conversation.
As your kids grow, your conversations may change, but they will always be centered on keeping them happy, healthy, and safe. Keep your conversations relaxed, friendly, non-judgmental, and genuine. And most importantly, be a good listener.
Source: www.parentslead.org
SCHOOL POLICIES
PLEASE REVIEW THESE POLICIES WITH YOUR STUDENTS
Backpacks, Food, Dress Code, and Medications.
New Backpack Policy
In an effort to promote organization skills and increase safety in the building, students will be required to keep their backpacks in their lockers during the school day. Students will be allowed to access their locker throughout the school day to pick up and put away materials for their classes. Teachers on each team will support students’ efforts to come to each class prepared.
After arriving in the morning, students should report to the commons area, library, or small gym and not access their locker until 8:30 AM. After 8:30 AM, they will need to leave their backpacks in their lockers until the end of the school day.
Food Policy
- NO outside foods/drinks (Starbucks, pop, breakfast foods from restaurants etc…) will be allowed into the building. A water bottle is fine.
- IF your child comes to school with a beverage, snack or food item they will need to eat it prior to coming inside of the building.
- Breakfast is available in the cafeteria from 7:40 – 8:30 a.m. No food can be taken out of the cafeteria during breakfast.
- Once your child arrives at the school they will not be allowed to leave. You are entrusting us with their safety so they are not to get dropped off at school and then walk to the local Simonson's gas station (or elsewhere).
- If you bring your child back from an appointment and you have purchased lunch for them, they will need to have eaten the food prior to coming back into the building. They can not bring their outside purchased food or drink into the cafeteria to eat lunch. Please plan accordingly so that they have time to eat the food you buy them prior to returning to school.
Dress Code Policy
Dress and grooming are important to the student body at any school. Students must wear shoes at all times. Hats, caps, hoods, and non-religious head coverings are not to be worn in school. Students wearing inappropriate attire will be instructed to change it, and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted.
Inappropriate attire may include, but is not limited to:
- Clothing with rips or holes,
- Clothing with a derogatory saying or double meaning suggestive of sexual, illegal, or derogatory, violent connotations,
- Any clothing or accessory, including make-up and hairstyle, that draws excessive attention to an individual student,
- Clothing that advertises, alcohol, tobacco products, or other substance deemed hazardous to one's health is inappropriate,
- Spiked garments, spiked collars, and spiked bracelets, as well as chains, are not to be worn in school.
- Shirts/tops should be long enough and non-transparent so no skin nor undergarments are showing. Students should be covered at the neckline and midriff.
- Bottoms should be as long as mid-thigh with no undergarments showing
Medications Policy
Please remember that ALL medication that is to be taken at school MUST have a signed doctor's medication form before it can be administered at school. Please fill the form and bring it , along with your student's medication to the school office. The medication MUST be in the ORIGINAL container and meds must be transported by parent/gaurdians, NOT the student. The form and policy are linked off our website, and are linked to the picture above(pill bottle). We must also have over the counter meds such as ibuprofen or asprin provided from home, along with a signed medication form. Students should never keep any kind of medication in their locker.
Schroeder on Social Media
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@schroeder_gf
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