TCU Le Center K8 August News

The start of a new school year is almost here, and the excitement is building at TCU Le Center! Our classrooms are coming back to life, our staff is preparing, and we cannot wait to welcome our Titans and their families back. Whether your child is joining us for the first time or returning for another great year, we are thrilled about all that 2026–27 will bring.

This year will be filled with new opportunities for our students to think, grow, create, and connect. We are excited to launch our new math curriculum, continue strengthening literacy instruction, and provide engaging learning experiences that help every Titan achieve more than they think they can. We are also excited to welcome several outstanding new staff members who are eager to join the amazing team already serving our students.

The strongest school years are built through partnership, and I am always ready and willing to talk, listen, and hear from our students and families about their experiences. Please contact our office to arrange a time to meet in person, visit the building, or simply talk through whatever is on your mind. This is our school—the Le Center community’s school. My role is to help guide our work, support our students, families, and staff, and make sure we are doing the very best we can for every Titan. Thank you for trusting us with your children. Let’s make 2026–27 a year filled with growth, fun, Titan Pride, and plenty of reasons to celebrate!

See you soon!!

Mr. Jeff Eppen, Principal

Please log in to your parent portal to see your student's teacher assignment(s) and schedule for this fall! If you have forgotten your username or password, please click the link at the bottom of the login page. If you still need assistance, please contact the school office.

Link to JMC to Log In - Make sure to use the appropriate school year in the dropdown box!

WALK-A-THON

The TCU Le Center PTO, along with the Le Center School, is planning the second annual Titan Pride Walk-a-Thon fundraiser for October 2, 2026. Packages can be picked up at open house with your child's teacher.

BLANKETS

TCU Titan Blankets will be for sale again this school year. Blankets are $25.00. Contact a PTO member or watch for pop-up shops at TCU events!

Hello! We are still in need of several paraprofessionals throughout the district, including a few here at TCU Le Center!

**Great opportunity to work with some awesome kids and staff!

**Work the same hours as your students!

**Fun work environment that impacts our Titans!!

jeppen@tcu2905.us!

Hello Titan Families,

Thank you for your patience while we updated the portal and fixed everything. Please note that bus information will be available in the family portal after August 26th.

Please read our full welcome message: 26-27 Annual Student Registration Message

Haga clic aquí para obtener una traducción al Español de este mensaje

We are excited to welcome our Titans back for the school year! TCU schedules and teacher assignments are now available for grades K-12. Please complete the annual registration process for each of your TCU Titans. The registration process is only supported in the desktop version of the JMC family portal (or click 'desktop' on the bottom of the screen when using the mobile version).

The annual student registration process is five simple steps:

1. Review your family and student data for inputs or updates (via JMC family portal).

2. Sign all e-forms assigned to your family. Students in grades 7-12 should log into the JMC student portal to sign student e-forms.

3. Submit a free & reduced price meal application. Free & reduced price meal applications impact critical funding for all students. We ask that all families complete an application. Free and reduced price meal applications must be submitted annually.

4. View bus information (if applicable) or submit a Bus Registration Form. Please continue to monitor your bus assignments as times may shift due to late registrations and routing adjustments.

5. Pay dues, fees, and purchase planners in the Tuition/Fees menu. Click on "Pay my Bill" to pay assigned fees (planners, grades 9-12 class dues). Click on "Purchase Items" to search the store for grades 9-12 class registration fees.

Thank you for your support and GO TITANS!

9/2: 7/8th Grade Open House (4:30-6:30 pm)

9/8: First day of school for 7th & 8th Graders

9/8: K-6 Bolting Back to School Conferences (11:30 am - 7:30 pm)

9/8: School Pictures

9/9: K-6 Bolting Back to School Conferences (10:30 am - 6:30 pm)

9/9: School Pictures

9/10: First day of school for K-6 students

9/28-10/2: Homecoming Week

10/5: No School

10/15 & 16: MEA - No School

Who: 7th & 8th Grade Students & Parents/Guardians

When: Wednesday, September 2nd, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Where: TCU Le Center

Why: Find the classrooms, meet the teachers, locate lockers, drop off school supplies, etc

Who: Incoming TCU K-6th grade Students & Families

What: A personalized, 20-minute conference to meet your child’s teacher and complete necessary paperwork.

Where: TCU Le Center Elementary

When: September 8th, 11:30-7:30 or September 9th, 10:30-6:30

Why: This will allow your child to feel more comfortable when meeting his/her teacher for the first time. It provides an opportunity for staff to begin building a relationship with your family as well as get to know your child as a reader.

Please find your child's teacher in the list below and sign up for a time:

Kindergarten - Mrs. Klehr

All TCU Le Center 7th Grade students will have their pictures taken on Tuesday, September 8th (First Day of School) during the school day. All TCU Le Center 8th Grade students will have their pictures taken on Wednesday, September 9th (Second Day of School).

Kindergarten - 6th Grade students will have their pictures taken at their Bolting Back to School Conference. Stop in the media center before or after your child's conference.

Pictures can be pre-ordered online HERE. Use code PX505460.

Below you will find a QR code if you are interested in ordering a Homecoming Shirt. Paper copies of the forms will be available in the main office. Both options have a deadline for ordering, so please read them over carefully. Any questions can be directed to Mr. Don Marcussen (dmarcussen@tcu2905.us).

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to remind families of our continued commitment to the safety and security of all students and staff at TCU. We will continue using the Raptor Visitor Management System to screen visitors and contractors before they are granted access to the building.

Here’s how the process works:

• Visitors must present a valid government-issued ID upon arrival.
• The ID will be scanned through the Raptor system and checked against national databases.
• Once cleared, visitors will receive a printed badge that must be worn while inside the school.

The process takes only a few moments and provides an important layer of protection by helping ensure that everyone entering our building is authorized to be here. This is one of the many ways we continue to strengthen our security protocols and keep our students and staff as safe as possible.

We appreciate your continued support and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Tri-City United Schools offers the Titan Technology Access Plan (TTAP) for $25 per Chromebook per year for students in Grades 5-12.

Why pay the $25?
TTAP can save your family a significant amount of money if your student’s Chromebook is damaged, lost, or needs replacement.

Pay $25 and your repair/replacement costs are much lower. Choose not to participate, and your family is responsible for the full cost as indicated below…

Please consider the potential cost difference.

By paying the $25 TTAP fee by September 30, 2026, families receive the reduced repair and replacement rates shown above.

Families who choose not to participate in TTAP will be responsible for the full cost of any repairs or replacement during the school year.

The T.T.A.P (Titan Technology Access Plan) details may be found at this link.

Payment can be made online through the JMC Parent Portal.

Reveal Math

This year, TCU is implementing Reveal Math in grades K–Algebra 2. This new curriculum provides students with consistent, grade-level learning experiences that emphasize mathematical thinking, problem-solving, and meaningful discussion. Reveal Math is aligned to the new MN State Math Standards Throughout the year, teachers will continue professional learning focused on using the curriculum effectively and implementation of new standards while creating engaging opportunities for all students to grow as mathematicians.

Strengthening Literacy Instruction

TCU will continue to strengthen literacy instruction by expanding our focus beyond curriculum implementation to what effective literacy instruction looks like. We will continue training staff in the Science of Reading while building a shared understanding of high-quality literacy instruction across grade levels. Our goal is to ensure every student has access to strong, evidence-based literacy instruction as part of their daily classroom experience.

Grade-Level & Engaging Instruction

Every student deserves access to grade-level learning that challenges them, engages them, and helps them grow. This year, TCU is strengthening our focus on providing all students with meaningful grade-level learning experiences while creating classrooms that build curiosity, persistence, and student ownership. Our goal is not just for students to complete the work, but to think deeply, make connections, and see themselves as capable learners.

• Free School Meals

  Students may choose one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day.

  
  

  • Extra milk – $0.55
  • Free field trip bagged lunches are available with pre-order and include:
  • Choice of deli sub or PB&J Uncrustable with cheese stick, goldfish crackers, fruit, vegetable, and milk

  
  

  Application for Educational Benefits (AEB)

  Even though school meals are free, all families are encouraged to complete an AEB each year. The application helps schools receive funding for important student programs and may provide families access to additional benefits, including WIC, SUN Bucks summer grocery benefits, Metro Transit discounts, reduced-cost internet, and discounts for camps, athletics, and childcare.

  
  

  Complete the AEB through the JMC Family Portal. Paper forms will be available at Open House and Back to School events.

  
  K–4 A La Carte Snacks
  

  Healthy snacks meeting USDA Smart Snack Standards are available for purchase at breakfast and lunch.

  • Snack – $0.70
  • Milk – $0.55
  • Kindergarten snack milk is free through state funding.
  • A la carte purchases are charged to the student lunch account; a positive balance is required.
  • No sign-up is needed—students may choose a snack each day.

Palmer Bus has a new phone number! To reach them, please call 507.481.6638.

Bus transportation will be provided to resident students living in the school-designated transportation area. Parents are permitted to designate a licensed day care facility or the home of a relative as the home of the pupil for transportation aid purposes. Any questions regarding transportation should be made to Palmer Bus Company, 507-481-6638.

Bus assignments will be communicated using the JMC family portal. You will not be receiving a postcard or a call. To view busing information, navigate to “Bus” on the left side menu in the JMC family portal. Please continue to monitor your bus assignments through the first weeks of the school year as times may shift due to late registrations and routing adjustments.

If your student(s) need transportation, but you do not see bus information in JMC, please complete a Bus Registration Form. (Exceptions are special transportation and PreK transportation assignments, which will be communicated at a later date and directly by Palmer.)

Students being dropped off or walking to school may enter the building (Door 2S) at 7:30 am ONLY if they plan to eat breakfast at school. Students entering before 7:55 will be guided through the breakfast line. All other students should not arrive earlier than 7:55 am. Students may arrive 10 minutes prior to the start of their school day (8:05 AM). This will help reduce congestion and improve supervision. If childcare before school is needed, KidZone is available by calling Layne Wilbright at 507-364-3042 or by contacting his email at lwilbright@tcu2905.us.

Students who ride the bus will be allowed in when their bus arrives and are encouraged to eat breakfast at school. They report to a designated space to wait to be dismissed to classrooms/lockers @ 7:55 AM.

Parents who walk their children to school should accompany them to the front door (2S). Parents are not allowed to enter the building unless they check into the office (door 1S) for approval and have a valid reason to be in the building.

WHERE TO PICK UP/DROP OFF STUDENTS:

○ Drop Off - Before school begins - Door 2S (By Commons Area)

○ Drop Off - DURING SCHOOL HOURS- Door 1S (By Main Office)

○ Pick Up - DURING SCHOOL HOURS- Door 1S (By Main Office)

○ Pick Up - After School Hours- Door 2S - Grade K-2 & Door 1S - Grades 3-8

Updates to Traffic Flow for Drop off and Pick up times:

○ It is important to follow this traffic flow framework to increase student and parent safety, increase emergency vehicle accessibility, and increase the efficiency and timeliness of the pick-up and drop-off process. Thank you in advance for helping with this!

NEW: Please see the maps below.Traffic arriving from the West on Tyrone St will not be allowed to turn left into the drop off line.

*We ask that you do not park your vehicle and get out of your vehicle. Children should exit and enter each vehicle along the curb side of the car. DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN WALKING AROUND THE CAR TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE.

* * * *NOTE: If you have child seats that are fastened in your back seat, please be sure they are on the opposite side of where your school-aged child will be dropped off or picked up.

Please make sure to notify the school office if your child is absent or planning on being absent. You can call the office at 507.357.6802 or email at ahardel@tcu2905.us.

Website: https://www.tcu2905.us/page/4182
Location: 150 West Tyrone Street, Le Center, MN, USA
Phone: 507-357-6802
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TCULeCenterK8/
Twitter: @jeffeppen