I hope you all enjoyed your Winter Break and are refreshed and ready to go in 2025! Please pay attention to academic progress as we wrap up first semester! Winter sports are in full swing and before you know it, tournament time will be here. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here in the MS/HS office.

John Stapleton

MS/HS Principal

1/2- School Resumes

1/15- Early Release

1/20- No School

1/23- End of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester

1/24- No School (Teacher Inservice)

1/30- 7-12 Registration Conferences (3:30pm-7:30pm)

'24-'25 ZM District Calendar

Please review the attached letter about our upcoming Registration Conference Night. We invite students and families in grades 7-12 to join us for this informative event. During the evening, you’ll learn about the classes offered at ZM, opportunities to earn college credits, and resources to help students start planning for life after high school. This includes exploring post-secondary education options at colleges or vocational schools and understanding how to navigate financial planning for these opportunities. We hope to see you there!

Junior & Senior Families,

The Department of Education just released this year's FAFSA in December which will again delay the financial aid process for colleges. Families of college bound students are in a unique situation to use this delay to their benefit by using the additional time to assess strategies that may require more time to implement. This includes the chance for senior families to set-the-stage and prepare for a stronger appeal to their top-choice college/university. Families of Juniors will benefit with the additional time to review and implement income strategies that will lower college costs even more. Learn what to do to maximize your financial aid offers!

7th-10th Grade Families,

Did you know the college financial aid you are offered when your child goes off to college is based on tax information from your child's SOPHOMORE YEAR?!

Zumbrota Mazeppa HS is teaming up with the financial aid experts at My College Planning Team to offer a live workshop to families to help you understand the increasingly complex world of need-based and merit-based financial aid so that you can have your financial strategies in line before your "base year" (2 years before your child's graduation year) used to calculate financial aid eligibility. Advanced registration is appreciated.

Go to College, Not Into Debt: Solutions for an Affordable Education

Zumbrota Mazeppa High School Auditorium

Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 5:00pm

Click here to register today!

Any ZM Sophomore interested in attending a Career Fair focused on the skilled trades is encouraged to attend. See Ms. Lockner or Mr. Stapleton for more information.

Join over 100 employers and post-secondary institutions in this truly regional career, college, and job fair.

This event has a history of bringing more than 1,300 students from 13 school districts across SE MN together to learn more about local businesses and their future careers.

Goals of this event:
– Inform students about different career opportunities and pique their interest for the future.
– Show different training options (post-secondary programs and employer-led) that allow students to get the skills they need.
– Connect students to current and/or summer employment opportunities.
– Highlight local employers willing to partner with area schools, both now and in the future, on career-connected learning opportunities like classroom presentations, internships, site tours, and/or job-shadows.

Please read the attached press release document for our upcoming guest speaker on February 4th, 2025. Students in grades 10-12 will have the opportunity to hear the guest speaker. Families can choose to have their students opt out of the presentation if they desire. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Stapleton at johns@zmsch.k12.mn.us

Use the link below to access ZM sports passes

https://fan.hudl.com/usa/mn/zumbrota/organization/9683/zumbrota-mazeppa-high-school/tickets

Looking for a way to get involved at Zumbrota-Mazeppa Schools? The ZM Education Foundation is looking for members of the community to join our committee! Please visit our website for more information: https://sites.google.com/zmsch.k12.mn.us/zmeducationfoundation/home

Cost of each parking spot assigned is $30. Students will be required to submit the license plate number of any vehicle that is parked in the ZM lot. Students are to park their vehicles immediately and leave their vehicles and the parking area. It is recommended that students leave their vehicles locked. Students are not permitted to go to their vehicles during the school day unless permission has been received from the high school office. If for any reason a student needs to go to the parking lot during the school day, prior permission from the high school office is required. Students are not permitted to use or sit in their vehicle or their friend’s vehicle as a place to relax any time during the school day. If a vehicle is parked on school property during the school day without a parking permit the vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Hello ZM families! PAX has many exchange students hoping for a chance to attend a US high school for the 25-26 school year!

Host families just need to provide a bed (can be shared room), 3 meals a day and a supportive environment. Our students come with their own health insurance and spending money.

Please check out our available students at https://hub.exos2.pax.org/studentFinder.php

If you are interested or have more questions, please email me at wendym.pax@gmail.com, call or text to 507-398-7362.

Did you know that Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School has opportunities to earn up to 45 college credits while never leaving town? The opportunities are listed below. We have great teachers, smaller class sizes, and no need to travel to Rochester (fuel, vehicle maintenance, time on the road, etc.)

Course Number of College Credits/CLEP Credits

College Biology SMSU 4

College Academic Writing SMSU 4

College Communication Studies SMSU 3

Intro to Education SMSU 3

College Statistics SE Tech 4

Carpentry SE Tech 2

Construction SE Tech 2

AP Chemistry AP Credit OR CLEP 3

Sociology CLEP 3

Precalculus CLEP 3

Calculus CLEP 3

Algebra CLEP 3

Economics CLEP 3

American Government CLEP 3

American History II CLEP 3

Concert Choir CIS CLC 1 credit per semester

Thank you to Our Saviors Lutheran Church for volunteering to serve as the 7-12 relocation site for the ZM school district. In the event we were to need to evacuate the building and reunite our students with their families or guardians designated individuals, will be able to pick up their students at this location if needed. Our Saviors is located at 1549 East Avenue in Zumbrota by Kwik Trip.

Lost & Found

Our Lost & Found can be located next to our cafeteria. Please have your student stop and look for any missing items. This space will be cleared out periodically and unclaimed items will be sent to charity.

Pick-up & Drop-off

Please pay attention to the signage that is posted regarding parking flow, fire lanes and pick-up/drop off. We are asking that pick-up/drop off be done on the Mill Street side of the building to not interfere with our buses before and after school. THANK YOU!

Building Hours

The 7-12 building hours of operation are from 7:30 am until 3:30 pm. Students should not be arriving at the building before this time as the doors will be locked.

Educational Benefits Form

Due to the recently approved Minnesota Free School Meals Program, all students attending Zumbrota – Mazeppa Public Schools will receive one breakfast and one lunch at no charge for this upcoming school year. However, while there is no application to receive free meals, I want to encourage you to complete the application as it also covers fees for devices, and extra-curricular activities. It is very important for our school district that you complete this form, regardless of if you think you may or may not qualify for reduced fees. Please take a moment to complete the form and return it to school at your convenience.

MDE Educational Benefits Application '24-'25

Bus Service

For busing questions please contact Palmer Bus Service at:

507 732 7670 or Jake Bergdahl at jakeb@palmerbusservice.com

*If students do not regularly ride an assigned bus and will be traveling with home with a friend a signed parent note will be required.

Health Office

Please remember to update your student's immunization records and needed medications with our health office. You can reach our health office at: sallyr@zmsch.k12.mn.us

SCHOOL STORE

Show your school spirit with ZM Cougar Gear!

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/minnesota/zumbrota/zumbrota-mazeppa-high-school

Tech/Digital Resources

We use many digital resources here at ZM. Below is a link that includes these items.

Tech Resources

Infinite Campus is the online student information program to maintain connections regarding student progress, schedules, and important updates. Please make sure your information is correct in Infinite Campus. We send out information through the messenger feature and we rely on your information being correct to share these messages. Additionally, you can make online payments through this platform as well. If you need assistance with Infinite Campus, please connect with Nancy Bremer.

Zumbrota Mazeppa Public Schools is committed to raising awareness about mental health and equitable access to quality mental health services.

Zumbrota Mazeppa Public Schools partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance.

If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365
• Visit www.caresolace.com/zmschools and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Instagram: zmmshs2805

Email: johns@zmsch.12.mn.us
Website: https://www.zmschools.us/
Location: 705 Mill Street, Zumbrota, MN, USA
Phone: (507) 732 7395
Facebook: facebook.com/zmschools
Twitter: @zmcougars