Mary M. Knight Family Newsletter

Dear Mary M. Knight Families,

We are officially just over two weeks away from welcoming our students back to Mary M. Knight, and the excitement around campus is beginning to build.

Last week, I shared one of the most important messages we want every student to hear as we begin this year:

You belong here.

This week, I want to build on that message with another:

We are getting ready together.

A strong start to the school year does not happen because everything is perfect on the first morning. It happens because students, families, and staff begin preparing together—building routines, asking questions, making connections, and taking small steps that help students arrive feeling confident and ready.

Over the next two weeks, that preparation will become increasingly visible. Our secondary students will have the opportunity to review and pick up schedules. Families are gathering school supplies. Student-athletes are completing registration. Our staff will soon return for professional learning and preparation, and on August 21 we will have an opportunity to reconnect as a school community at our Back-to-School BBQ.

Each of those pieces matters, but the bigger goal is simple: we want every student to walk through our doors knowing there is a team of people ready to support them.

Families are an essential part of that team.

Over these next couple of weeks, I encourage you to talk with your child about the year ahead. Ask what they are excited about, what they may be nervous about, and what will help them feel prepared. Those conversations help our students feel heard, supported, and ready to grow.

There is a lot happening between now and August 25, and we will continue communicating important information each week so families know what to expect and how to prepare.

We are looking forward to seeing our Owls very soon.

Every Child. Every Day. Together.

With OWL Pride,

Josh Stoney
Principal

Preparation Builds Confidence

Last week, our Starting Strong Together message centered on one of the most important feelings we want every student to have when they return to Mary M. Knight:

You belong here.

This week, we are taking the next step and focusing on preparation.

For students, some of the uncertainty that comes with returning to school can be difficult. Who will my teacher be? What will my classes be like? Where will I go? Will my friends be there? What will be different this year?

We may not be able to answer every question before August 25, but we can help students feel more confident by creating some predictability before the first day.

Over the next two weeks, consider gradually moving back toward school-year routines. That might mean adjusting bedtime a little earlier, establishing morning routines, organizing school supplies, reviewing secondary schedules, or simply talking through what the first morning of school will look like.

None of it has to happen all at once.

Small steps now can make the transition back to school much easier.

💬 This Week's Family Conversation

Ask your child:

“What is one thing that would help you feel more ready for the first day of school?”

Then ask:

“What is one routine we could start practicing this week?”

A successful start to school is not something students have to figure out alone.

We are Starting Strong Together.

August 11 -12

• Secondary Registration Drop-In Days

August 17–24

• District Professional Learning & In-Service

August 21

• Back-to-School BBQ

August 24

• First day of High School Sports Practice

August 25

• First Day of School for grades 1st -12th

Below are this year's general supply lists by grade level. Families are encouraged to begin gathering supplies over the next few weeks.

GradeSupplies

A complete, detailed school supply list by grade level is available on our district website and school office.

August 11–12 | Grades 7–12

As we get closer to the beginning of the school year, we want to make sure our secondary students are prepared, confident, and ready for a strong start.

Do you have a student entering grades 7–12? Would your student like to pick up their class schedule, or do you have scheduling questions for our counselor, Alex Fisher?

Join us for our Secondary Registration & Schedule Pickup in the MMK Commons!

Tuesday, August 11

8:00 AM–12:00 PM

OR

Wednesday, August 12

12:00–4:00 PM

Location: MMK Commons

Students and families will have an opportunity to pick up and review schedules, ask questions, receive support with new-student registration, and discuss possible scheduling changes.

Secondary students and families may also review current schedules ahead of time through Skyward

Family Access.

If you would like to inquire about a schedule change, please remember that requests will be reviewed based on course availability, graduation requirements, and what best supports each student's academic plan.

Important for Running Start Students

All Running Start students need to attend one of these two sessions to meet with our counselor and finalize their schedules for the upcoming school year.

Please make plans to attend either Tuesday or Wednesday so we can ensure everything is in place before school begins.

A Quick Reminder

Students and families will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. We appreciate everyone's patience, courtesy, and understanding while waiting as we work individually with students and families.

Our goal is to answer questions now so our secondary Owls can arrive on August 25 feeling prepared and ready to begin the year.

We look forward to seeing everyone and getting our secondary students ready for a great school year

Welcome to MMK, Mr. Ryan LaDage!

One of the best parts of beginning a new school year is welcoming new people into our Mary M. Knight family.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Ryan LaDage to MMK!

Mr. LaDage joins our team in our newly refined role as K–6 Specialist Support & K–12 Character Education Specialist, where he will play an important role in supporting students across our district.

In his new position, Mr. LaDage will support our K–6 students through engaging specialist instruction with an intentional emphasis on character education. He will also help strengthen our schoolwide character-education efforts and partner with staff in supporting students across our K–12 system.

At Mary M. Knight, we believe supporting students means developing the whole child. Academic learning is incredibly important, but so are the character, habits, relationships, resilience, and decision-making skills that help young people become successful members of their communities.

Mr. LaDage will be an important partner in that work.

Over the coming weeks, our students and families will have opportunities to get to know Mr. LaDage as he becomes part of our school community.

We are excited about what he will bring to our students and grateful to welcome him to the Owl family.

Welcome to Mary M. Knight, Mr. LaDage! 🦉

Save the Date — August 21!

We're Getting the Owl Family Back Together!

Mark your calendars for our Back-to-School BBQ on Friday, August 21!

The beginning of a new school year is about more than schedules, supplies, and classrooms. It is also about reconnecting with the people who make Mary M. Knight a community.

Our Back-to-School BBQ will give students and families an opportunity to reconnect with friends, staff, and other MMK families before the first day of school.

For some students, walking onto campus before the first day can also make that first morning a little easier. Seeing familiar faces, reconnecting with friends, and spending time together helps students begin making the transition from summer back into school.

We hope our Owl families will join us as we celebrate the beginning of another school year together.

📅 Friday, August 21

Save the date and watch for additional information as the event gets closer!

There's Still Time to Join the Owl Family!

Do you know a family who will be new to the Mary M. Knight community this year?

Enrollment remains open for the 2026–2027 school year, and we would love your help spreading the word.

We are currently enrolling:

Preschool
Children who are 4 years old by August 31, 2026

Kindergarten
Children who are 5 years old by August 31, 2026

New Students
Students who are new to the Mary M. Knight School District at any grade level.

As August 25 approaches, enrolling early gives our staff additional time to prepare classroom placements, schedules, student records, transportation information, and the other supports students may need for a successful start.

If you know a family moving into our community—or a family interested in joining Mary M. Knight—please encourage them to contact our district office.

We are proud of our small-school community and look forward to welcoming our newest Owls this fall.

There's always room in the Owl family!

Four Small Things Families Can Do Now

The first day of school will be here before we know it!

Preparing for school does not require completely changing summer routines overnight. In fact, gradual changes over the next couple of weeks can often make the transition much easier for students.

Here are four simple things families can begin doing now:

1. Begin Rebuilding Sleep Routines

Start gradually moving bedtimes and wake-up times closer to the school-day schedule. Even small adjustments can make those first mornings much easier.

2. Make Sure You Can Access Skyward

Families with secondary students should already be reviewing schedules through Skyward Family Access. As the year begins, Skyward will continue to be an important tool for staying connected to student information.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please reach out to the school

3. Begin Organizing for the First Week

Find the backpack. Start gathering supplies. Identify where school items will be kept at home.

Giving students some responsibility for getting organized can also help build excitement and ownership.

4. Talk About the Return to School

Ask your child what they are excited about.

Ask what they are wondering about.

Ask whether anything about returning to school makes them nervous.

Sometimes the most important preparation we can give students isn't something that fits inside a backpack—it's simply giving them an opportunity to talk and know someone is listening.

Small preparations now can create a calmer, more confident start on August 25.

Save the Date!

Mark your calendars, Owl families—Fall Student Picture Day is already scheduled!

Fall Student Photos

Friday, September 4, 2026

Photo Retake Day

Monday, November 16, 2026

Families who would like to get a head start may order student photo packages online through Lifetouch before picture day.

Order Online:
Order Student Photos Through Lifetouch

We will provide another reminder as September 4 gets closer, but families are welcome to order their packages early.

Save the date and get those smiles ready, Owls! 📸🦉

Fall Athletics

Get Registered. Get Cleared. Get Ready!

The beginning of the fall sports season is quickly approaching, and we are excited to welcome our Owl student-athletes back!

Our high school fall sports include:

🏈 Football
🏐 Volleyball

The first day of high school fall sports practice is Monday, August 24.

Students planning to participate in athletics must complete their sports registration through FinalForms before participation.

✅ Families Should Complete Registration Now

Please take time before practices begin to make sure all required:

• Student information
• Parent/guardian forms
• Student and parent signatures
• Medical information
• Athletic registration requirements

are completed.

Waiting until the first day of practice can delay an athlete's ability to participate, so we strongly encourage families to review FinalForms now and take care of anything that remains incomplete.

Register for MMK Athletics

Access MMK FinalForms Athletic Registration

Fall Athletic Schedules

Families can also begin reviewing our fall athletic schedules through the district website:

View MMK Athletic Schedules

Athletics are an important part of the student experience at Mary M. Knight—building teamwork, perseverance, commitment, school pride, and connection.

We are excited to see our athletes back in action and can't wait to fill the stands with Owl Pride this fall.

Get registered, get ready, and GO OWLS!

Students planning to participate in Mary M. Knight athletics must complete their sports registration through FinalForms.

Access MMK FinalForms for Athletic Registration

Families are encouraged to complete registration as soon as possible so athletes are cleared and ready for the start of practices. Please make sure all required forms, signatures, and medical information are completed before participation.