Salk Middle School

Dear Salk Families,

Welcome Back to another amazing year at Salk Middle School!

I hope this message finds you enjoying a wonderful summer filled with rest, laughter, and time with those you love.

It is with great excitement that I welcome you to the 2026-2027 school year. As we step into this new year, our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment remains stronger than ever. Our talented staff is dedicated to fostering academic excellence while also nurturing the personal growth, curiosity, and confidence of every student.

As both a principal and a parent of two school-aged children, I deeply value open communication and collaboration. These partnerships are essential in ensuring that each student’s journey at Salk is a rewarding and successful one. Please know my door is always open; whether to share a question, concern, idea, or celebration. You can also expect regular communication from Salk and ISD 728 to keep you informed and connected.

As we prepare for another amazing year together, the items below include key information to help your family plan for the weeks ahead.

Thank you for partnering with Salk Middle School. We are excited to continue our journey together and to make 2026–2027 our best year yet!

With gratitude and anticipation,

Bryan Scherr

Principal

Salk Middle School

(763) 241-3458

Our mission is to educate, inspire & empower our diverse learners, to shape their futures, to accomplish their dreams and to contribute positively to our local and global communities.

We are very excited that your child will be attending Salk Middle School, and we look forward to seeing them at our 6th Grade Orientation Day on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 from 1 - 4:30pm. Our WEB Program will help get your 6th grader off to a great start!

WHAT IS WEB?

WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 6th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Doesn’t that sound great? It is!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

1. Your child will receive an invitation sent via guardian email to orientation. If they have not received the invitation by Tuesday, August 18th 2026, please email Ms. Hatfield at tess.hatfieldsmith@isd728.org, or Ms. Reinke at mara.reinke@isd728.org to request one.

2. A day or two before orientation, your child will also receive a phone call from their WEB Leader personally inviting them to Orientation Day and giving the details of where to be and what time. The WEB Leaders can also answer any questions they may have. If your child should not get a phone call, all of the shared information is in this email.

3. Your student is encouraged not to bring backpacks, purses or other like items as the day is quite active.

4. Because the day is active, please make sure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.

5. Cell phone use is not allowed during this event.

6. This is a student only function so we encourage you to let your child attend on their own.

We look forward to a great orientation day!

Wednesday, August 26th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for all students.

All students will be able to access their class schedules on the morning of Wednesday, August 26th through Campus Portal. We welcome you and your family to come into school to meet you child's teachers, have their school photo taken, and get materials moved into their school locker for the school year. We encourage all students and families to go through their schedule to see which teachers they will receive instruction from this school year. If you have specific questions for your teachers, we encourage you to reach out to them to ask specific questions regarding your experience in their course or speak to them in-person at Open House that evening.

Wednesday, August 26th – During Open House

Students will get their picture taken for their student ID and the school yearbook. Photo packages will be available online within two weeks for families that would like to purchase them.

Be sure to check out our SMS Website. It is full of information you may be looking for.

Also, please monitor your email as throughout the school year for continued communication from our team at Salk Middle School.

Important phone numbers:

Attendance: 763-241-3455

Health Office: 763-241-3455 Ext. 2504

Counseling Office: 763-241-3455 ext. 2510

Click here is the complete list including supplies grade and content area specific supplies.

Bus Detail Information is Now in Parent Portal for ISD 728 Students:

All eligible ISD 728 students in grades K-10, who live within the District boundary and attend their school of residence, are automatically assigned to District transportation based on their PRIMARY HOUSEHOLD as listed in Campus Parent Portal for the 2026-2027 school year.

Bus routes, bus stop locations, and pick-up and drop-off addresses are now available in Campus Parent Portal. Once logged in, look under 'More' and then 'Transportation' for details.

Check Campus Parent Portal again after August 21, 2026, to see if any route, time or stop changes have been made to begin the new school year.

If your student needs transportation other than to your primary address, you must submit a Student Transportation Request Survey through the online process in Campus Parent Portal following these steps:

1. Log in to Campus Parent Portal
2. Select 'Message Center' (left-hand menu)
3. Select 'Surveys' (main menu)
4. Complete 2026-2027 Transportation Survey (complete one form per student)

If a Student Transportation request is submitted at this time, transportation may not be ready to begin the first days of school. Please plan to transport your student until a route can be assigned and details are shown in Campus Parent Portal. More information can be found at www.isd728.org/transportation.

Northwest Suburban Transportation: Students enrolled at Salk though our Magnet program will get transportation through Northwest Suburban Transportation. Please visit the Northwest Suburban Transportation website for your transportation needs. . Northwest Suburban rider information will not be shown in Campus Parent Portal.

Ride Safe: Bus Rules and Expectations

Riding the bus is a privilege and not a right. Please review bus expectations with your students. Students will receive this information during the first weeks of school as part of School Bus Evacuation drills, required under Sec. 123B.90 MN Statutes. Bus Safety and Expectations on ISD 728 Website

New to ISD 728 students: Will be able to get a school issued Chromebook during Open House on Wednesday, August 26th from 4:00 to 7:00 in the Media Center.

Returning to ISD 728 students: Should have their chromebook from last school year and do not need to get one at Open House.

All families: Should follow this guidance when onboarding our school system platforms and resources.

26-27 School Calendar

Aug. 20th - WEB Orientation for 6th grade students only; 1:00 -4:30 pm

Aug. 26th - Open House 4:00 - 7:00 pm

Sept. 1st - First Day of School - All students

Oct. 8th - Conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - School in Session

Oct 13th - Conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - School in Session

Oct. 14th - Conferences (Daytime) - No School

Oct. 15th and 16th - Teacher Convention - No School

Nov. 2nd - End of 1st Quarter - School in Session

Nov. 3rd - Teacher workshop - No School

Nov. 26 and 27th - Fall Break - No School

Complete 2026-27 School Calendar

Drop off/Pick up: Doors open at 8:00am, students are welcome to enter the building at that time.

We ask that individuals dropping off their student at the beginning of the day or picking up their student at the end of the day pull as far forward as possible before students exit or enter your vehicle. As displayed in the photo below, we would like you to pull all the way up to the yellow marked line on the picture. Once your vehicle is stationed anywhere along the sidewalk, it is expected and encouraged that your student will get out at that point and walk into the school. Thank you for your cooperation!

We understand that many students carry personal devices (cell phones) with them during the school day. We want parents and students to be aware of the practices and expectations around cell phone use at the middle school level. We expect this practice to allow our students to focus on learning and be free from distractions that personal electronic devices can create.

Cell phones are allowed prior to 8:15 am and after 2:55 pm and must be off and away in school assigned lockers during school hours, which includes students lunch periods and when passing in the hallway. Please note, this expectation of use will also include the use of air pods or ear buds connected to personal electronic devices or cell phones.

If a parent needs to contact their student, a message can be left with the office between the time of 7:30am - 4:00pm or the parent can communicate with their student via their school email account, which the student can access on the student's school issued chromebook.

Please note that students are not allowed to record students or staff during the school day.

We encourage all Salk Middle School Community members to review ISD 728 Middle School Handbook.

Schoology provides families with a helpful way to stay connected to their child’s classroom experience. The district has recently updated its Schoology website and support materials to make it easier for parents and guardians to access and navigate the platform. Families can use the following resources to get started:

A Schoology Getting Started Guide for Families – Step-by-step instructions for accessing and using Schoology

Schoology Video Tutorials – Short videos covering:

0:00 Introduction

0:21 Accessing Schoology

2:03 Navigating Schoology

4:36 Getting Support

These resources are designed to provide clear, convenient support for families who would like to monitor coursework, assignments, and other classroom information available through Schoology.

• For Schoology Login or Technical Support call 763-241-3548 or email partentportal@isd728.org
• For questions about course expectations or assignments please contact your child’s teacher.

ISD 728 uses Navigate 360’s Visitor Management System at all of ISD 728 schools. This system will help build on the district’s campus safety efforts by better allowing us to track visitors in our schools and provide a consistent way to aid in keeping away people who may present a danger to our students and staff. Here is what you can expect when you visit a district building.

Upon being let into the school, all visitors will be asked to scan a government-issued ID at a kiosk in the front office. The system will capture the visitor's name, date of birth, and photo. Visitors will select the reason and specific location of their visit and see the front office staff for a wearable badge prior to entering the building.

Thank you for your understanding and support of enhancing school safety protocols in our district.

Click here to learn about the ISD 728 e-Learning Day Guidelines. eLearning Days are intended to provide access to learning on days when there are school cancellations due to inclement weather.

Hi Parents/Guardians of 6th Grade Salk Students,

As we get ready for the start of middle school, keep an eye out for an informational slideshow coming your way in the next couple of weeks!

The slideshow will cover some of the “must-knows” about middle school, along with frequently asked questions about schedules, routines, academics, communication, and other things that can help make the transition to middle school a little easier for both students and families.

Look for it around the time of Middle School Open House, so you’ll have a helpful resource to refer back to as the school year gets underway.

More information coming soon!

Hours and Contact Information

Office Hours: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Salk Middle School

11970 Highland Road

Elk River, MN 55330

Phone: 763-241-3455

Fax: 763-241-3456