NMS Weekly Update August 30, 2026

NMS Bell Schedule.pdf

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FAQS & LUNCH MENUS

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Important Dates

September 2 is our all-school Family Engagement Night. This will give families a chance to meet teachers, receive some grade-level specific information, and ask any questions that you or your student may have. This is also the second opportunity for students to get their picture taken. Family Engagement Night runs from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, with a dinner break for both teachers and photographers from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Students who do not have their iPad can pick it up in our media center, as well as pay for their iPad insurance.

September 8 is the first day of school and with this comes excitement, nervousness, and a chance for us to set important routines with our students. With a building of 900 students, we cannot allow family members to walk students into the building or to classrooms. Our students quickly figure out the flow of the morning and I promise, we will make sure everyone is supported. What we do ask is that you help us remind students that cell phones are not allowed from bell to bell (7:45am - 2:51pm). Cell phones need to be in a zipped backpack or in a locked locker during this time. Students cannot carry their cell phones on their person (Unless for a medical reason). Thank you in advance for your support with this.

Finally, October 14 is an important date. This is the last day for all students to have all of their immunizations turned in or a notarized exemption form on record. Starting on October 15, students who do not have either of these items on file will not be allowed to attend school until this gets taken care of. Let us know if you have questions.

26-27 Immunization Letter

🚌 Reminder: 2026-27 bus registration forms due

Bus Registration forms for the 2026-27 school year went home with students the week of May 18. The online option will not be available until after September 11. If your student did not receive a form, you may call Benjamin Bus at (507) 645-5720 to request transportation for the 2026-27 school year. Please submit your transportation requests by August 10 for service to begin September 8. Requests received after August 10 will not be processed until after September 15.

Transportation Fee

State statute requires districts to transport students who live two miles or more from their school. Northfield Public Schools charges a fee for transportation between the previous transportable boundary and up to two miles from school. This recommendation was approved as part of the priority-based budget reductions on April 28, 2025.

Here are the details:

The fee is $250 per year per student, with a family cap of $500.
Fee area:

Elementary students: 0.75 miles to 1.99 miles from school
Secondary students: 1.0 miles to 1.99 miles from school
Families that qualify for Educational Benefits (Free/Reduced Lunch Form) will have their bus fee waived
NEW - A Pay-to-Ride Option is now available for families residing in areas not currently eligible for transportation due to their close proximity to school and who would like their student to ride the bus. This option is contingent on space and routing availability. Please fill out a transportation form, and Benjamin Bus will notify you if you are eligible.

Families who filled out a blank form should contact the district office at (507) 663-0600 to determine whether they will be required to pay a fee.
If you have questions about the fee, contact Amy Stowe, Accounting Generalist at (507) 645-3440.
Families who are required to pay a fee will be able to pay online starting August 15, 2026.

Northfield Public Schools and Benjamin Bus are committed to providing safe transportation to and from school while ensuring a sustainable financial model into the future.

MS Activities

Family-Access-FAQ.pdf

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Messages from the Nurse

*En Espanol*

Dear Families,

As we look forward to the 2026-2027 school year, we want to remind you that all students must meet the state and district immunization requirements for school attendance, as outlined in School Board Policy 530.

Required immunizations for students entering 7th grade:
Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis)
Varicella vaccine - two shots or documentation of having the chicken pox
Meningococcal (meningitis)

If you do not want your child to have these immunizations, we will need a physician-signed medical exemption or a notarized conscientious exemption form in the health file.

The deadline for compliance is October 14, 2026. Students who do not have up-to-date immunization records or a valid exemption form on file by this date will be excluded from school until the requirements are met. You may check what immunizations your child has or may need by selecting this link.

To ensure your child may continue attending school without disruption this fall, please complete one of the following as soon as possible:

Obtain Required Immunizations: Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or contact Rice County Public Health at 507-332-6111 to inquire about upcoming free clinics. Once immunizations are completed, submit the documentation to the Health Office at your child’s school.
Submit a Completed Exemption Form: Print the exemption form linked here.

For medical exemptions: Your healthcare provider must complete and sign the form.
For non-medical exemptions: Complete the appropriate section and have the form notarized.
The required immunizations are listed directly on the form.

Documentation may be delivered in person, emailed to your child’s school building, or faxed to the school your child attends.

We encourage families to address this requirement promptly to avoid any disruption to your student’s learning. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your child’s school.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter and for helping us keep our school community healthy.

Medication

Some students need to take medicine during the school day. Please complete the School Medication/Physician Order & Parent Authorization Form, which must accompany any medicine. Prescription medication must be in a prescription bottle from the pharmacy with the student’s name on it. Adults should bring the medication to the nurse’s office.

The school does not supply over-the-counter medication (such as non-aspirin pain relievers, cough syrup, etc.). These medicines must also be accompanied by a permission form signed by a parent/guardian for use during the school day. Aspirin will not be given unless we have a physician’s permission because of possible complications of Reye’s Syndrome. Cough syrup is recommended rather than cough drops.

If your student is on routine daily medication at home but does not need to take a dose at school, please let the school know the medication and the dosage so we are aware of the possible side effects to watch for while your student is in school.

Parents, make sure the student’s coach has been notified of inhaler use and other health issues that could be affected by physical activity.

Medication to be administered at school is to be kept in the Nurse’s Office. Exceptions are students who may carry an asthma inhaler, if they have completed the inhaler contract. Other special requests may be discussed with the building nurse.

Nebulizers are available in each building. Special arrangements may be made with your building nurse.

26-27 Sports physical form.pdf

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Vaccine Clinics

DCPH Vaccine Clinics June to September 2026 acc.pdf

DCPH Vaccine Clinics June to September 2026 Spanish acc.pdf