Family Mustang Memo
Parent/Guardian Newsletter September 16-30 for MGMS
In This Issue....
- Calendar of Upcoming Events
- Picture Day
- Lunch ID Needed
- Absences & Appointments - What To Do
- Fall Play
- Volunteer Coordinator Notes
- P.A.C.T.
- Dropping Off & Picking Up
- School Meals & Free/Reduced Lunch Applications
- Parent Portals
- Referendum Information
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UPCOMING DATES
- A LOOK AHEAD
- September 19 - PACT 7-8:30
- September 23 - School Picture Day
- October 6 - In Person Parent Conferences 3:30-7:30
- October 11 - Virtual Parent Conferences - 3:30-7:00
- October 20-21 - No School - Conference Release Day
- October 24-28 - Spirit Week
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PICTURE DAY IS COMING
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LUNCH ID
Thank you.
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WHAT TO DO...
ABSENCES
If your child is going to be late or absent from school, please call the school with the reason for the absence. The telephone call eliminates the need to send a note with your student when he/she returns to school. Excused absences consist of illness, medical appointments, and family emergency situations such as a funeral. Oversleeping, missing the bus, or skipping school are not excused and are considered truancy.
MGMS 24 Hour Attendance Line: 763-315-7603.
ATTENDANCE -
If you received a call saying your child was absent one or more periods, please check your ParentVue account for the period your student was absent. Have your child talk to the teacher for the class that they were marked absent. The teacher will then communicate with our attendance person.
APPOINTMENTS/EARLY RELEASE - HERE IS WHAT YOU DO
1. Send a note with your student in the morning
2. When the student gets to school they go to Student Services to get a white pass
3. At the stated time on the pass, your student leaves class and comes to the office with the white pass and signs out in the main office
4. The person picking up can wait in the car (very helpful on cold winter days)
If you didn't send a note, you will need to come in with your driver's license and we will call your student down when you arrive.
This procedure is in place to ensure student safety.
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FALL PLAY IS COMING
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Notes from Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Dorn
The 2022-23 school year is off to an amazing start! The support of our dedicated volunteers is a huge asset to our school. Whether you can commit to a weekly volunteer opportunity, or occasionally, we appreciate your presence at school. I look forward to working with you throughout the year.
Volunteer Guidelines
In order to help ensure the safety of students, staff, and volunteers, our school district has established a new check-in procedure to be followed at all sites. All school day volunteers (including field trips), will be required to:
- Complete an online volunteer application.
- Receive weekly Friday emails to sign up for volunteer opportunities
- Sign in and sign out of the building each time you volunteer.
- Wear a printed nametag during your volunteer service hours.
Volunteer Application can be found on the Maple Grove Middle School’s website by clicking Families, then Volunteers. Or by using the following links:
ENGLISH APPLICATION:
https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Nzg0OmVuLVVT
SPANISH APPLICATION:
https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Nzg0OmVzLVVT
Please feel free to reach out to me at dorna@district279.org with any questions you may have regarding volunteering at Maple Grove Middle School.
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P.A.C.T.
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DROPPING OFF OR PICKING UP
Thank you.
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SCHOOL MEALS & FREE/REDUCED APPLICATIONS
Free school meals have ended. This means meals will once again be fee-based on family eligibility for the 2022-23 school year.
To be considered for free or reduced priced meals and other educational benefits, parents/caregivers must complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application. The benefits of filling out the application and being approved (or qualifying may include, but are not limited to:
- Free or reduced meal costs for your student if your household income qualifies
- Applications completed and approved prior to October 1 will help provide funding for the school which can be used to provide additional resources that benefit students
- To qualify for P-EBT benefits if extended into the upcoming school year
- Discounts on field trips and band instrument rentals.
There are three ways to fill out the Free/Reduced Meal Application:
- Online through SmartSchoolK12 at district279.org/FMA.
- Click the link below.
- By paper. Families will receive an application in the mail.
If you have questions please contact Julie Moberg at MobergJ@district279.org
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PARENT PORTALS
We have three accounts for parents that are used to help with communication between home and school. Please see the link below to ensure you have the information about these accounts.
If you have any question, please contact the school office at 763-315-7600.
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Building a Better Future
Thank you for taking the time to be informed on the Building a Better Future referendum. A closer look at ballot question two.
The current voter-approved technology levy pays for classroom learning technology, infrastructure systems and needed support staff. The proposed increase of $2.3 million a year would additionally prioritize:
School safety and security technology, which includes cybersecurity assessments and systems as well as building security, including cameras, door lock systems, visitor management, and emergency response structures.
Tools and systems for all scholars, which ensures that all learners have the same digital technology and software – across grade levels and discipline areas – to be successful in their learning.
Digital learning spaces at schools, which are flexible areas where teachers and scholars are able to adapt the environment to their technology needs to better teach and learn, and more easily collaborate in small or large groups.
The current voter-approved technology levy is about 3% of this district’s budget or $8 million a year. The increase being presented to voters will mitigate budget cuts anticipated to begin the 2023-24 school year as some of these priorities have been funded with one-time dollars that are expiring.
Watch this short YouTube video for an overview of question two.
Early voting starts Friday, Sept. 23. You can request an early voting ballot via the Minnesota Secretary of State website. Also on the site, check your voter registration and find your polling place location for Nov. 8.
More at district279.org/BetterFuture.
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WHO TO CONTACT
School Phone: 763-315-7600...............................Website: https://mgms.district279.org/
Attendance: 763-315-7603………………………………..Transportation: 763-391-7244
6th Grade
Jason Olson, Assistant Principal……..Email: Olsonj@district279.org
Katie Gerdts, Counselor 6th Grade......Email: GerdtsK@district279.org
7th Grade
Patrick Smith, Principal………………….Email: SmithPatrick@district279.org
Megan Woods, Counselor 7th Grade...Email: :WoodsM@district279.org
8th Grade
Jennifer Hinker, Assistant Principal.....Email: HinkerJ@district279.org
Kaia Paquin, Counselor 8th Grade.......Email: PaquinK@district279.org
Student Management Specialists Assist With All Grades
Nathanial Davies (Grade 7 & 8 A-L) – Email: DaviesN@district279.org
Levy Jones (Grade 6 & 8 M-Z) - Email: JonesL@district279.org
District Tip Line.........763-391-8660