Crimson Newsletter - Sept. 16, 2025
Sept. 16, 2025
A longer message, but important to share
With the blink of an eye, we’re into our third week of school, though it feels to more like our third month of school – I’m choosing to believe that’s a good thing!
The purpose of this longer message than usual is to communicate about the following: 1) how we support students navigate the recent incredibly tragic events near and far, 2) our emergency preparedness procedures, 3) highlights from the visit of YouLead Ukrainian students, 4) Crimson Hour, and 5) Homecoming week.
While it’s been a great start at school, our students are also aware of the rash of terribly violent events within our country, among them: the horrific school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School; the murder of Ukrainian immigrant, Iryna Zarutska; and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. These follow the assassinations of Representative Hortman and her husband, and attempted murder of Representative Hoffman and his family. We also have students, staff, and families with personal connections to the Russia/Ukraine war, the Israel/Hamas war, and ongoing conflicts in east Africa. Whether these events are topics of conversation in your home or viewed on your television, students very likely are seeing a great deal on these topics, including graphic footage, on social media.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- Should students have a need, our counselors, social workers, case managers, and administrators are always ready to support. Students can reach out to any staff member, and we’ll get them to the appropriate person.
- Positive relationships are the heart of a good school, and our staff – in every position – are dedicated to fostering great relationships with students so they feel welcome, loved, and that they belong at Maple Grove. I hope you have heard great things from your kids as they’ve gotten to know our staff members since September 2.
- As educators, our job is to teach students how to think, not what to think. Across subject areas, we challenge students to inquire, analyze, evaluate, and to synthesize. I am so grateful and proud of our staff for their work to empower students to become strong, confident learners. Most prominently in social studies and English classes, students are also taught how to listen to each other, to reason, and to discuss difficult topics with respect. Civil discourse is a skill, and I am proud of the work our staff have done to equip our students with such skills year after year.
- Each student is personal to us, and we will continue to strive to meet their needs at school while partnering with our amazing families.
Second, we facilitated our first emergency preparedness drills last week. We’ve had to retire our traditional “safety day,” in which we combined most safety drills into one day, with many students and staff dressing up in all kinds of safety gear in good spirit. Now, all our required drills will be spread throughout the year. More information can be found on page 31 of our Student/Family Handbook; here’s a summary of what we practice:
- Hold: Instruction continues as normal; students and staff remain in classrooms
- Secure: Students and staff are brought inside the school; all exterior doors are locked
- Lockdown: Students and staff secure themselves inside classrooms with doors locked and blinds drawn
- Evacuate: Also known as a fire drill
- Shelter: Severe weather procedures secure students and staff in designated rooms within the building
Additional school safety resources include:
- The best School Resource Officer any school can have – Detective Kal Nordby; he’s phenomenal, and the latest SRO in our 29-year partnership with Maple Grove Police
- Our secure front entrance; visitors can only enter the school after being cleared by our receptionist
- Recently updated and enhanced security cameras which cover inside and outside the building
- Hand radios which connect our team everywhere in the building, and also with capability of immediate connection to district safety and security personnel
Third, Maple Grove hosted the latest cohort of Ukrainian students through the ISD 279 partnership with YouLead. The first cohort visited in 2014 (I was an assistant principal at Park Center at the time).
- Each group of 15-25 students brings such joy and happiness to our school and our Crimson ambassadors from Link Crew who host them throughout the day.
- As in the past two years, our Ukrainian student guests attended our home football game, to their absolute delight. Experiencing our cheering student section and the game atmosphere, one student told me, “It has always been my dream to visit America, and now I’m living my dream – my American dream!”
- The goodbyes are always hard, but once again our students now have gained international friendships and contacts which could last a lifetime.
Fourth, Crimson Hour began today! We provide two 45-minute blocks each week (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) of focused instructional support. Students attend classrooms of their choice to engage in assessment completion, studying, group collaboration, reassessment, and to receive support from their teacher. This is a great opportunity for students to engage in consistent, productive work to free up time for themselves after school! Ask your student(s) how it went for them!
Finally, Homecoming week begins September 29. Link Crew plans the festivities and determines the spirit themes for each day. The culmination, of course, is our Friday morning pepfest and Saturday night dance! This year, due to construction, we are preparing an outdoor dance on our football field. It'll be great! Kids typically come dressed in semi-formal attire.
- We’re taking guidance from several schools who successfully hosted outdoor dances, and our students are very excited.
- Our backup plan in the event of inclement weather is the main gym with overflow in the cafeteria. The courtyard is unavailable due to construction for this one year only! The good news is we now have air conditioning in the main gym!
- To protect the surfaces both outdoors and indoors, we're asking students to avoid high heels (most wear tennis shoes already).
My thanks to every Crimson family for your partnership and support. I'm so proud of our students, staff, and school community. Let's continue having a great school year!
Yours very sincerely,
Bart Becker, Principal
It's that time of the year to apply for educational benefits!
It takes just a few minutes and unlocks valuable support for families who qualify, including:
- Summer grocery support (Sun Bucks)
- Discounted home internet and utilities
- Lower college exam and AP fees
- After-school and summer programs
- Tutoring and academic help
- Low-cost community transit
- Free or discounted admission to museums, theaters and local events
How to apply:
Kemmetmueller Photography, Inc. will again be our photographer for the 2025-2026 school year. We have one more photo date coming up on Monday, October 6.
See the attachment for information on the ordering process. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions about your student’s school picture experience, need help with ordering photos, or have any other concerns: info@k-photography.com. You may also reach them by phone at (952) 473-2142.
The Crimson Yearbook staff is excited to announce that our yearbook website is live!
You can visit www.MapleGroveYearbook.com to order a yearbook, submit a senior portrait, baby ad, or community photo. Order before November 25 for our Early Bird Discount!
Seniors should view the senior flyer on the website for more detailed information on how to submit your senior photos and baby ads.
Issues or questions about the website or yearbook? Please email Ashley at ashley@maplegroveyearbook.com.
- Registration for the PSAT is open! This exam is for current juniors who would like to compete for National Merit Scholarship dollars. Students who score in the top 1% nationally are eligible to compete for $2,500 scholarships and may also be eligible for merit-based scholarships from individual colleges. Maple Grove Senior High will proctor the PSAT/NMSQT on Tuesday, October 7 beginning at 7:30 a.m. Registration ends September 19 at 2:00 p.m. or until all seats are filled. Register now via EduTrak. Click on the green dollar icon and then select 2025-26 MGSH PSAT Registration. The cost is $18.
- AP Exam registration is now open. Students register with Total Registration; exams are $65 each between September 2 and October 31, 2025.
- We're is excited to host Amy Harker from Iowa State University on Thursday, October 9, from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the Media Center during conferences. She will provide an introduction to college admissions and applications, and will be available to answer any questions families may have. Families of students in all grade levels are welcome to attend!
- We are always seeking representatives from a variety of local professions to participate on career panels and senior mock interviews throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering with the CRC, please fill out this form.
- We offer a variety of opportunities to explore careers and educational opportunities with local professionals in-person. In the fall, and less frequently throughout the school year, the CRC hosts a wide variety of college representatives from public and private, 2-year and 4-year, liberal arts and technical colleges and universities. The following colleges are visiting in September:
- North Dakota State University
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Iowa
- Lake Superior College
- Northern Michigan University
- College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Butler University
- North Hennepin Community College
- Wartburg College
- Michigan Tech
- University of St. Thomas
- Iowa State University
- Drake University
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- University of Missouri
- University of Notre Dame
*Students can sign up in Student Support Time to meet with these college representatives
Visit the CRC website for more information!
- September 29-October 3: Homecoming week
- October 4: Homecoming dance
- October 6: Picture re-take day
- October 9 and 13: Mid-trimester conferences
- October 16-17: No school (MEA weekend)
- November 4: No school (teacher workshop)
- November 26: No school (mark reporting)
- November 27-28: No school (Thanksgiving break)
- December 1: First day of the second trimester