Schroeder Snapshots

Greetings Families and Friends of Schroeder Middle School,

Thank you for taking the time to read our Schroeder Snapshots newsletter, where you’ll find the latest information about your student’s experience at Schroeder Middle School!

On Monday, Oct. 13, Schroeder Middle School will be celebrating its ND Blue Ribbon Award during the school day. In our morning Raider Time period, students and staff will be gifted a Blue Ribbon t-shirt to commemorate the award, and will be encouraged to wear the shirt until the end of the school day. While wearing our Blue Ribbon shirts, we plan to gather all of the staff and students for an “all-school” picture. Thank you to our sponsors (indicated below) who generously donated to allow us to purchase these t-shirts for our celebration!

The celebration activities continue with our students attending every one of their scheduled classes. It is our commitment to excellence that even when we celebrate, academics are our top priority.

Our day will end with an assembly in the gymnasium. ND State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler will be in attendance, as well as Superintendent Brenner, Associate Superintendent Gillach, and a number of school board members. I feel we are very fortunate to have Superintendent Baesler presenting to our students, for she was just confirmed this past Tuesday as the new Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education with the US Department of Education!

Our amazing Student Council has agreed to emcee the assembly. As students of our Schroeder Media class, they have also created a clip video for the assembly, complete with interviews of our students and staff. Under the supervision of their talented advisor Jeremy Cebula, the Student Council members will direct a competitive game that will be played by students from each team. It will be a fun way to end the assembly and the school day!

Unfortunately, due to the size of our student body and staff, and the limited size of our gymnasium, we are unable to open this assembly to our parents and the community. We fully recognize that our success is due to their unwavering support and commitment. Thank you for NOT attending the assembly on Monday, and watching the video of the event that we will be posting to our YouTube channel instead. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding!

All the best,

David Nowatzki

Principal

Oct 9--Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:00pm-7:00pm

Oct 10--Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00am-4:00pm

Oct 10--No School (Parent-Teacher Conferences)

Oct 15--Early Release @ 1:00p.m.

Oct 17--No School (Admin. Convention)

Wonderment Wednesdays

10/08: Teach Like A Champion 3.0: Dynamic Lesson Preparation

On Wednesday, October 8th, staff gathered during team time to advance their study of Teach Like a Champion 3.0, which the staff began last year and will conclude this year. The session focused entirely on the critical skill of Lesson Preparation. Our discussions moved beyond simple lesson planning (the structure of activities) toward a more dynamic approach to preparation, which centers on making thoughtful, real-time instructional decisions before class even starts.

Teachers discussed how this deeper preparation enables them to anticipate student needs, adapt quickly during instruction, and ultimately maximize the impact of every lesson taught in their classrooms. Staff shared specific, purposeful strategies for making preparation a more dynamic and effective process within their subject areas.

10/01: Investing in Our Staff: Focus on Brain Science and Student Regulation

On the afternoon of October 1st, the certified staff at Schroeder Middle School participated in a crucial professional development session focused on supporting the whole child during our early release window. The primary training was led by Carrie Weippert, GFPS Special Education Process Facilitator. Her session explored the powerful connection between brain science, the impact of trauma, and student dysregulation. Mrs. Weippert provided our educators with best practice strategies for responding to dysregulated behavior with empathy and effectiveness. This training equips our teachers to create a safer, more predictable, and supportive learning environment for all students.

Following this training, our core content teachers met with their grade-level and content partners for short Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings to align curriculum and collaborate on best practices. We are committed to providing our staff with the knowledge and tools necessary to support the whole child, ensuring a successful school year for all our Raiders!

⚽⚽Congratulations⚽⚽

to the Schroeder Boys' Soccer team

on winning the Championship Game last night in 2 OT!

Way to Go

🚩Schroeder Raiders!🚩

Registration Still Open!

Intramurals Soccer runs Sept 30-Nov 13

The registration fee is $12.50 and each participant will need to turn in a signed Concussion form.

(If you already have a Concussion form on file in the office, that will cover all sports the rest of the year)

The Registration forms and Concussion forms can be found in the Schroeder office and can be paid through MySchoolBucks. (When using My School Bucks to pay, please go to the website instead of using the app as the app is not supported)

Soccer meets after school

Tues & Thurs

3:45-4:45

The last day to purchase Chromebook Insurance Coverage (Device Protection Plan) is

October 31.

The Device Protection Plan is optional device insurance and available to families that wish to protect themselves from damage expenses for their student’s school-issued iPad or Chromebook. The Device Protection Plan covers 100% of all accidental damage, fire, flood, natural disasters, power surge, and vandalism to your child’s school-issued iPad or Chromebook with a $0 deductible. The Device Protection Plan will provide coverage on school grounds, at home, on the bus, and anywhere your child may travel.

Device Protection Plan costs $20 per student/device ($10 per device for students qualifying for free/reduced meal status). Device Protection Plan can be paid for through MySchoolBucks (when logged in to MySchoolBucks, select “School Store” – and then “Browse All Items”) or by sending check or cash in to the school office.

MathCounts will start next Tuesday, October 14.

Any students, grades 6,7,8 are welcome to join.

We do some unique problems and have "math fun."

MathCounts will meet once a month and prepare for two MathCounts competitions.

Meet in Mrs. West Room 812

3:30pm to 4:00pm

Advisors: Mrs. West and Mrs. Folkert

All current Schroeder students are invited to the

Fall School Dance.

Cell phones will be collected upon entry to the dance.

The Concession Stand will be open for students to purchase snacks and drinks.

While this event is close to Halloween, no costumes will be allowed.

We need parent volunteers to help during the dance - please reach out to the Schroeder office if you can help!

Congratulations to the 8th Grade Blue Angels Team September Students of the Month!

Charley M. and Paisley P.

Back Row: Joey M., Jack S., Theo D., Kherington H., Alyssa T.

Grand Forks Public Schools Free & Reduced Lunch Program

You can find the online application on the Grand Forks Public Schools website. Here you will also find the full description of the program. www.gfschools.org

• Departments

• Child Nutrition

To apply go to: myschoolapps.com

• You will type in the zipcode then search

• You will select GFPS district

• You will begin the application process. This will take 15-30 minutes, be prepared for this when you start.

The amount of money a family can make has INCREASED.

If you don’t know if you would qualify or might be close, PLEASE apply.

All applicants are kept confidential.

Please reach out to Heidi Nordin, School Social Worker, if you have any questions.

hnordin240@mygfschools.org

I am happy to help! This is a great program!

**If you applied last year and have not done so this year, Please turn in your application! You must apply every year.***

Here is the After School Time Policy we follow at Schroeder

After school time can be given to a student for a number of reasons, including,

• Disciplinary consequence

• teachers, paras, substitute teachers, and administrators can assign detention, a form of afterschool time

• Excessive Tardies

• Each quarter a student is allowed three tardies - on the 4th tardy, the student will be required to make up time after school. The time to make up is 30 minutes for each tardy over 3 in a given quarter. The total number of tardies include whether the student is tardy to school and during any class in the day.

• Unexcused Absences and Truancy

• Students are assigned 2 hours for every day marked unexcused or truant.

• Unexcused Absence: No call or notification from a parent/guardian

• Truant: A parent calls to report their child is refusing to come to school.

If students have After School Time, they can make it up after school (M-Th) from 3:30-4:00. When we have early release on Wednesdays, students can attend from 1:15-3:30 to make up After School Time.

Students can ask in RT if they have After School time, how much time they need to make up, why they have time, and where to report to. After School Time letters are sent out monthly to parents via email.

Schroeder Attendance Line Phone Number: 701-746-2334

Please call if your child will not be at school!

Families of Sources of Strength Club Members:

If you are interested in purchasing a Schroeder Sources of Strength t-shirt or hoodie for your child, please visit the store link below. We plan to wear these shirts throughout the year at our various activities.

Please contact Michelle Ruse or Blake Neubauer with any questions.

Schroeder Sources of Strength Club will be hosting a food drive

to assist Northlands Rescue Misslon in restocking its food pantry.

Our food drive will be held October 27-31

The winning team will receive a pizza party.

Please see the flyer below regarding the items that are needed.

Homework club has started again this year 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs

3:30pm-4:00pm

Room 801

All grade levels (6 - 8) are welcome to attend

There is no homework club on Fridays

Check the Calendar

for the

Volleyball Tournament Games

next week

🏐🏐🏐🏐

Important Reminder About Parking Lot Procedures During Pickup Hours

As we settle into the school year, we’d like to we'd like to share our updated exterior door numbers, as well as our updated pick up and drop off procedures:

Door 1

• located near 8th grade wing on east side of building
• will be your closest entry to the new office location
• opens at 8:00 AM for drop off & will be used at 3:30 PM for pick up.

Door 5

• located near music rooms and gyms on east side of building
• entry for students attending 'zero hour' classes and athletic practices
• opens at 7:30 AM for drop off & will be used at 3:30 PM for pick up

Door 15

• located at north end of 6th grade wing on the northwest area of the building
• entry and exit for 6th grade students (& their siblings)
• opens at 8:00 AM for drop off & will be used at 3:30 PM for pick up

Door 6

• located on south side of building on 32nd Ave
• exit for students being picked up or riding a bus at 3:30 PM
• will NOT be used for drop off in the morning. Please use doors 1, 5, or 15. Thank you!

*Unfortunately, our parking lot is not big enough for all parents to park and wait for their child during pick up. Please follow all parking signs that are posted. Refer to the map below for drop off and pick up procedures.

*Also please do NOT park on the South side of road on 32nd Ave to pick up. It can get dangerous very quickly when children have to cross both lanes of traffic. If they need to cross 32nd Ave, they need to use the crosswalk.

• Unless they have a zero hour class, students who are dropped off after 7:30 AM and before 8:00 AM will need to report to the commons area.
• Breakfast will be available at 7:40 AM.
• At 8:00 AM, students can gather in the commons area, the library, or the small gym.
• Schroeder has a "hard stop" at 8:00 AM, where students need to stay in their AM locations until dismissal to their Raider Time classrooms. This procedure allows students to arrive to school early while we maintain the safety and security of the building.
• Thank you for your attention to this information!

For the 2025-2026 SY, busing will once again be provided by Valley Bus. There will be no charge for busing again this year. Schroeder does not have a morning bus, just an after school route.

If you have any questions regarding busing or would like your student to ride the bus, please call Valley Bus 701-772-0601

Backpack, Food and Personal Appearance

In an effort to promote organization skills and increase safety in the building, students will be required to keep their backpacks in their lockers during the school day. Students will be allowed to access their locker throughout the school day to pick up and put away materials for their classes. Teachers on each team will support students’ efforts to come to each class prepared. After arriving in the morning, students should report to the commons area, library, or small gym and not access their locker until 8:30 AM.

After 8:30 AM, they will need to leave their backpacks in their lockers until the end of the school day.

A water bottle is fine, with water in the water bottle. Starbucks, pop, energy drinks or other outside drinks are not allowed in Stanleys, Yetis, etc.

Water only.

The district recognizes that students have a right to express themselves through dress and personal appearance; however students shall not wear apparel deemed disruptive or potentially disruptive to the safe and orderly operations of our schools, nor discriminatory or disrespectful in nature. Students must wear tops, bottoms, and shoes.

· Tops and bottoms must meet while standing and tops be connected over the shoulders

· Clothing must cover undergarments and private areas, and must not be see-through

· Hoods and hats are not allowed as student faces must remain visible to staff

· Clothing and shoes must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist

· Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear

The Student Dress Code Policy FFH may be found on the Grand Forks Public website at https://www.gfschools.org/school-boards/policies.