News from Centennial Middle School

Website: www.isd12.org/cms

Location: 399 Elm Street, Lino Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 763-792-5400

The first day of school was a wonderful day of celebration and connection!

Friday, September 4th:

• NO SCHOOL

• NO SCHOOL/Labor Day

• B Day

• A Day
• Picture Make-Ups

Thursday, September 10th:

• B Day

• A Day

Don’t forget to bookmark the CMS webpage: https://middleschool.isd12.org/

This Cougar Connection and FLEX video was created last spring to give additional insight into the vision and process behind the new Cougar Connection and FLEX. If you haven't already, be sure to check it out!

If you will be driving your child to or from school instead of using district transportation, please take a moment to review the parking lot map below before arrival or dismissal.

During these busy times, please plan for an additional 10–15 minutes to navigate the Middle School parking lot. Allowing extra time will help reduce congestion and ensure a smoother, safer experience for all families.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation, patience, and attention to the arrival and dismissal procedures. We appreciate your partnership in helping keep our students and families safe.

Student absence requests are submitted through Campus Parent Portal. An “Attendance Request” link is also found on the Parent Hub of the school website for easy access to the Portal and resources to assist.

The direct link can be found here: Campus Attendance Reporting

Helpful links: Parent Portal Login Assistance

Please be sure to always fill out an attendance request for absences, late arrivals, and early releases.

Late Arrival: If an attendance request is submitted for your child's late arrival, parents do not need to come in to school to sign in students. Students can sign themselves in using their school ID at the sign-in kiosk in the main office

Early Release: If an attendance request is submitted for an early release, parents must come in to the school atrium, press the red button on the sign-in kiosk, and give the office secretary the student's name. Students will then sign themselves out using their school ID before leaving. Please plan accordingly and allow for approximately 5-10 minutes for your student to be released from class, pick up materials from their locker, and make their way to the school office.

For attendance reporting questions, please email Sara Verke at sverke@isd12.org.

Congratulations to the following Centennial students who earned ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair K–12 Art Competition! These talented students were all members of Mrs. Herrick’s 8th Grade Art Extension course during the 2025–26 school year.

Their award-winning artwork was created using oil pastels, an organic theme, and the grid transfer drawing method.

Way to go, Centennial artists! We are so proud of your creativity and hard work!

Sylvia Bouchard, 1st Place Ribbon, pictured on the right.

• Cell Phones -- Please feel under no obligation to purchase a cell phone for your child. If you choose to send your student to school with a cell phone, please be aware that it will need to stay in their locker throughout the academic day. Students are not allowed to bring cell phones into classrooms, the cafeteria, or to any other locations in the building during the academic day. They may check their phones in their lockers during passing periods or after school. We are dedicated to ensuring these devices do not interrupt the instructional time. All students will have a school-issued Chromebook and will not need to use a cell phone in the classroom.

• Water Bottles/Beverages -- Students may bring water bottles to school but they will need to stay in their lockers. Reusable water bottles should be labeled. We are confident that students can stay well hydrated during the course of the day by drinking water from the drinking fountains or from their water bottles during the passing periods.

• Toys/Fidgets: Students should leave toys, squishy items, fidgets, hacky sacks, and other novelty items at home unless they are specifically part of a documented support plan.

  This decision comes in response to a significant increase in the number of toys and novelty items being brought to school. While many of these items are fun and appropriate outside of school, they have increasingly become distractions in the learning environment. These items are also frequently lost, taken by other students, broken, thrown, or become the source of disagreements. Keeping these items at home helps us maintain a focused learning environment and avoid unnecessary problems during the school day.

Exemptions: We would make exemptions to the cell phone and/or water bottle procedural expectations if a family has a note from their doctor. An example would be if a student uses their cell phone to monitor their glucose levels due to diabetes, or some students may require additional water related to medical issues. We would make an exception to our policies if there was a doctor's note for medical reasons such as these.

Middle School Cross Country (gr. 6-8)

Were you thinking about maybe giving Cross Country a try? This is your sign to join! There’s still time to register and be a part of this fun and exciting team. No experience is necessary; this activity is for everyone.

Middle School Chess Club (gr. 6-8, before school)

All players are welcome, beginners or intermediate. Learn and advance your game play. Chess begins Sept. 14.

Activities happening soon:

Sept. 8- Middle School Fall Dance Clinic (gr. 6-8)

Middle School Improv (gr. 6-8)

Sept. 9- Beginner Group Tennis Lessons (ages 6-14)

Sept. 14- Middle School Cougar Strength (gr. 7-8)

Sept. 15- First LEGO League Robotics (gr. 6-8)

Sept. 21- Cookies & Canvas (gr. 6-8)

Sept. 23- Girls Who Code (gr. 6-8)

Oct. 6- Middle School Anime & Manga Art (gr. 6-8)

Oct. 10- Middle School DIY Den (gr. 6-8)

Be sure to watch the CMS newsletter for more middle school offerings to come!

Welcome to the Digital Backpack, the district’s central posting place for community flyers. If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact the organizations directly. Click HERE to browse the Digital Backpack.

The Middle School Cougar Den provides our middle school students with a safe and fun place to spend time with friends and cheer on the team from one of the end zones.

Home Varsity Games:

• Thursday, September 3rd
• Friday, September 18th
• Friday, October 2nd (homecoming)
• Wednesday, October 14th

As we grow this experience together, we want to share a few reminders. Students are expected to follow the same behavioral expectations as during the school day (see below).

For families, we recommend arriving at the Cougar Den gate a few minutes before the end of the game if you’d like to avoid the congestion of the main stands. Students will be released from the Den at that time to ensure a safe and smooth pick-up.

We appreciate your support in helping make the Cougar Den a positive and safe space for all middle school students!

Mr. Stevens

Cougar Den Information

We want to make sure everyone understands that our hope is that Middle School students will attend the CHS varsity home football games with their families and will enjoy the time together. However, we do have another option. It's called the "Cougar Den."

For those of you who are new to Centennial Middle School and for those returning, we will have the CMS Cougar Den open for each CHS varsity home football game again this fall. This area is designated for CMS students only and includes supervision, concessions, restrooms, and bleacher seating. The Cougar Den will open at 6:30 pm at every home varsity football game. Students should wait in the grass area outside the Cougar Den entrance until it opens at 6:30 pm. Parents will need to purchase tickets online and either wait at the entrance with their child or transfer tickets to their student's phone. The Cougar Den is located behind the west end zone of Cougar Stadium. This is an area where middle school students can come together to socialize, enjoy treats, and watch the football game. There is a separate entrance to the Cougar Den on the west end of the field.

Students can always sit with their families if they choose to in the main seating area, but the Cougar Den is exclusively for CMS students. No guests are permitted. Please check your child in with the adults at the Cougar Den entrance. At the end of the game students will be released from the Cougar Den. It is the family's responsibility to know where to meet your child. The following information will help your child successfully attend the CHS home football games:

How do we purchase tickets?

Click here for ticketing information from Centennial High School.

What are the parent/guardian responsibilities?

Parents/guardians and students need to decide on a plan together. The middle school staff are only responsible for your child when they enter the Cougar Den. If they choose to leave the Cougar Den, they are your responsibility. We will not be signing students in or out. Students who leave the Cougar Den cannot come back into the Cougar Den. There is no re-entry. Also, students are not able to leave the Cougar Den to enter the stadium seating without their parent with them.

What are the behavioral expectations?

Behavioral expectations for middle school students are identical to the expectations outlined in the student handbook for the student day and the Minnesota State High School League rules. The MSHL Behavioral Expectations can be found here.

Prohibited Items

• Backpacks
• Outside food and beverages
• Footballs or sports equipment of any kind
• Skateboards/Roller (Inline) skates

Order your CMS 2026-27 Yearbook by September 25th for the lowest price available! Pay just $39. Scan the QR code, visit jostens.com/bts/1062852, or call 877-767-5217 and choose from a variety of easy payment options at checkout. If you order by September 25th you will save $8 and get FREE ICONS! Make your yearbook one of a kind by personalizing the cover with your name and icons that represent your unique interests. Code: YBKICONS

We need your photos to make the yearbook extra special! Submit photos for the yearbook using the links below:

Summer Photos Due October 15th

Fall Activities Due November 24th

Winter photos link due March 1st

8th grade baby photos due March 1st

Centennial Wear and Halloween costumes Due November 24th

Centennial Middle School families may need student care before and/or after the school day. A supervision option is offered for before and after school if needed. This is a safe place for students to be supervised by staff members in the school cafeteria. Students can catch up on schoolwork, interact with other students, or just relax. Families are responsible for their own transportation. Students must be registered each quarter to participate.

General Information:

• Before and After-School Supervision runs concurrently with the ISD12 School Calendar. In the event of early school closing, we ask you to pick up your student as soon as possible. In the event of a school cancellation or an E-Learning day, supervision is not provided.

• Before and After-School Supervision is not governed by the same rules and regulations as childcare institutions and, as such, does not provide tax statements.

To Register:

• Students must register each quarter in order to participate. Registration will open two weeks prior to the start of each quarter.

• Log in to your Campus Parent Portal account and go to "fees." There is an "optional fee" located there for quarterly supervision (AM Supervision, PM Supervision and AM/PM Supervision). Select the option you will need. Once you have paid the fee, your student is registered.

Costs:

• Before-School Supervision: $235 per quarter (Daily cost $5.22)

• After-School Supervision: $265 per quarter (Daily cost $5.88)

• Before & After-School Supervision: $445 per quarter (Daily cost $9.88)

The Centennial School District has compiled a wide variety of resources for our students, families, and greater community. These resources include mental health, learning and enrichment, services specific to our aging population, crisis, where to find economic assistance and much, much more. You can find these resources on our district website here.

Show your Cougar pride! Shop for official Centennial fan gear now!