Crimson Newsletter Aug. 26 2023
August 2, 2023
Crimson Orientation Wrap-Up!
Another successful Orientation is in the books! Thanks to our Link Leaders and their staff advisors for all their hard work and enthusiasm to make the morning with our incoming freshmen a success. The school was hot and muggy, but filled with positive energy, and it was great to see students reconnect!
We are looking at the largest Crimson student body in the 28-year history of our school (2420+ students!), and more are on their way. Licensed staff report on Monday for workshop week, and then the big day arrives on Tuesday, September 5.
As a reminder, click here for the full list of extra and co-curricular activities (as of the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year). Is there something missing? Students can form new groups! Contact our Activities Office for more information. And, click here for the Crimson Activities website which includes information for all activities throughout the school year.
If you haven't already, I strongly encourage you to connect to our school social media outlets:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MapleGroveSrHS
- X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/MapleGroveSrHS
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/maplegrovesrhs
- School Website: http://schools.district279.org/mgsh/
I also invite you to connect with me; I do my best to regularly post the highlights of our Crimson Family as well as important information for students and families:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrincipalBecker
- X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/MGSHPrincipal
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/principalbecker/
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions at beckerb@district279.org. We are officially set for another great school year!
Yours very respectfully,
Bart Becker, Principal
Kemmetmueller Photography, Inc. has been hired by ISD 279 to serve as the school photography provider; see the attachment for information on the ordering process. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions about your student’s picture day, need help with ordering photos, or have any other concerns:
(952) 473-2142
On Friday, September 8, approximately 30 Ukrainian students will be visiting Maple Grove and shadowing Crimson students for the day! This is part of their month-long stay in Minnesota through the YouLEAD 2023 program, which provides experiences to build their leadership capacity while they learn from other students, share their culture, and grow as individuals and rising leaders.
This is the second time YouLEAD has brought Ukrainian students to Crimson territory, the previous being in 2014. A number of the students within this cohort have been displaced due to the February 2022 Russian invasion and ongoing war, and others have immediate family serving in the Ukrainian armed forces.
Following the award-winning showing of Newsies! in 2022, Crimson Musical Theatre is gearing up for what surely will be a can't-miss production as Chicago - The Teen Edition takes the stage on November 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18!
The fall musical is one of the largest events of our school, and we can't wait to see what memories will be made by the yet-to-be-named cast, crew, pit, and tech crew!
Filling out back-to-school forms is an important step in preparing students for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. These forms are needed if you have any updated contact information, or need to make any changes to your students profile.
Log in to ParentVUE today to complete these forms. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
SmartSchoolK12 is now EduTrakConnect. Same program, new name! Families can find the EduTrakConnect link under the 'Family Access' tab on the Maple Grove Senior High website.
EduTrak will be the avenue for school payments needed throughout the year, such as:
- Student Parking Passes
- Athletics Events/Activities
- Field Trips/Registration
- School Event Tickets
- Commencement
Building a Better Future – Phase II, is the second phase in improving our schools as determined through a multi-year research process that involved staff, families and community members. Their work revealed critical safety/security needs, teaching and learning needs, and building space needs with regard to programming and current and predicted population growth. A big thank you goes out to everyone who volunteered countless hours to closely analyzing the needs of all our schools.
Phase II, which in addition to addressing critical school building needs, expands on efforts already made in Phase I and continues strategic plan work. The priorities in this portion of the plan are:
Secure learning environments with enhanced safety.
Spaces for math, science and career programs, specialized learning services and growing student populations.
Access to similar learning experiences at all district schools, including program opportunities, class size levels and the functionality of spaces.
It’s been more than 20 years since the community has been asked to reinvest in school building needs. Voters made their voices heard during Phase I of the Building a Better Future plan – education is a priority to our community. Now, voters can make their voices heard again on November 7, 2023, by considering these school building needs. If the ballot question is approved, the tax increase would be less than $7/month for the average-value home in our district ($300,000).
This final phase of Building a Better Future meets the overall needs of our schools for the foreseeable future – equipping students with what they need to succeed both today and many years to come.
Visit district279.org/BetterFuture for additional details, a look at both phases of Building a Better Future and answers to frequently asked questions.
Jacob Kilzer named Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards Courage in Competition winner
After leading Crimson football to the Prep Bowl state championship with two torn shoulders, 2023 Crimson alum, Jacob Kilzer, was named the All-Metro Sports Awards Courage in Competition winner!
New Licensed Staff Orientation
Dr. Becker welcomed our newest educators to the building this week. We are thrilled they have chosen to be part of the Crimson Family and we cannot wait to see them in action!
