TCU Le Center K8 December News

As we move into December, I want to thank you for your continued partnership in making this a wonderful year for every Titan. We appreciate your support, flexibility, and commitment to our school community. Please take a few moments to read through this month’s updates, celebrations, and reminders.

🚗 Morning Drop-Off — Thank You! A Quick Reminder

Our morning drop-off routine has improved greatly—thank you!
There is one small reminder that would help keep things running smoothly:

• If an adult needs to get out of the car to assist a child, please pull into a parking spot rather than stopping in the drop-off lane.
  This will prevent delays and keep the line moving efficiently.

• For those who drop off anywhere along the sidewalk—thank you!
  It is not necessary to drive right up to the front door. Students can safely walk the short distance, and this greatly helps the overall flow.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping mornings safe and efficient for everyone!

📊 Attendance Update

Our student attendance this fall has been excellent!

• November was our lowest month, but that’s understandable with various illnesses going around.

• Even so, November attendance was significantly better than last year, and all three months so far have outpaced the same months from 2024.

• Let’s keep this positive trend going into December!

A quick reminder:

• If your child has a fever or stomach-related illness, please keep them home.

• For mild symptoms—sniffles, tiredness, or other manageable issues—we can support them at school. If they begin to feel worse, we will always call you.

Thank you for helping us prioritize both health and learning.

👥 We’re Hiring Paraprofessionals

We are still seeking new paraprofessionals to join our incredible team, with openings across the district.If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference and supporting students daily, please reach out or check the district employment page for more information.

📆 Stay Connected

Please continue to read through our newsletters for important updates on upcoming events, celebrations, and opportunities to get involved. We are grateful for your engagement and support as we work together to ensure an amazing year for every Titan.

Sincerely,

Mr. Jeff Eppen, Principal

Missing something? Please check the lost and found located in the commons to claim your items.

Choir Information

What: 5th-8th Grade Winter Choir Concert

When: December 11th

• Students report to the High SChool Performing Arts Center at 5:45 PM
• Concert will begin at 6:00 PM

Where: TCU High School Performing Arts Center

Band Information

What: 5th-8th Grade Winter Band Concert

When: December 16th

• Students report to the High School Performing Arts Center at 6:45 PM
• Concert will begin at 7:00 PM

Where: TCU High School Performing Arts Center

Please make sure your children bring the appropriate outdoor clothing to school each day. We go outside for recess everyday unless it is raining or below 0 degrees. Don't forget hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants.

If you could use assistance in providing your children with winter clothing, please contact Kristan Pfarr at kpfarr@tcu2905.us.

Jeff has been honored with the Southwest Division Leadership Award by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) for his outstanding dedication to students, staff, and fellow principals.

Known for his collaborative spirit and belief that “no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship,” Jeff has built a welcoming, student-centered culture at TCU Le Center while expanding Career & Technical Education opportunities for students.

Beyond his school, Jeff mentors other principals and contributes to professional growth across the Southwest Division—truly shaping the future of educational leadership in Minnesota.

Thank you, Jeff, for your leadership, compassion, and commitment to excellence!

Learn more about MESPA Division Leaders here: https://www.mespa.net/Division-Leaders

BLANKETS

TCU Titan Blankets are for sale again this school year. Contact a PTO member or watch for pop-up sales around the community. Blankets feature Titian colors and the TCU logo, making them perfect for those fall sports games.

DUELING PIANOS

The Le Center PTO is proud to announce that we will once again be holding a Dueling Pianos fundraiser. Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 21, 2026. Tickets are on sale now!

To support digital learning opportunities for your Titan student(s), the TCU Board of Education has approved a $25 per device Digital Instruction Supply Fee for the 2025–26 school year.

This fee helps offset the cost of Chromebook devices, repairs, and maintenance. Students are issued a new Chromebook in Grade 5 and Grade 9, which they keep for four years. The Titan Technology Access Plan (TTAP) ensures that devices remain in good working condition and reduces family costs when accidental damage occurs.

You can review full TTAP details at this link:
The T.T.A.P (Titan Technology Access Plan) details may be found at this link.

Important Dates

• The $25 fee is due by January 1, 2026.

• After this date, families will be responsible for the full cost of repairs or replacements, as outlined in this schedule:
  

  
  

How to Pay
Payments can be made online through the JMC Parent Portal.

Thank you for your continued support of high-quality instruction and student learning.

Tri-City United Schools

Para apoyar las oportunidades de aprendizaje digital para su(s) estudiante(s) Titan, la Junta de Educación de TCU ha aprobado una tarifa de $25 por dispositivo llamada Cuota de Suministros para Instrucción Digital para el año escolar 2025–26.

Esta tarifa ayuda a cubrir el costo de los dispositivos Chromebook, reparaciones y mantenimiento. Los estudiantes reciben un Chromebook nuevo en 5º y 9º grado, el cual mantienen durante cuatro años.

El Plan de Acceso a Tecnología Titan (TTAP) garantiza que los dispositivos se mantengan en buenas condiciones de funcionamiento y reduce los costos familiares en caso de daños accidentales.

Puede revisar todos los detalles del TTAP en este enlace:
Los detalles del T.T.A.P (Plan de Acceso a Tecnología Titan) se encuentran en este enlace.

Fechas Importantes

La tarifa de $25 vence el 1 de enero de 2026.
Después de esta fecha, las familias serán responsables del costo total de reparaciones

o reemplazos, según lo indicado en este cronograma:

Cómo pagar

Los pagos se pueden realizar en línea a través del Portal para Padres JMC.

Gracias por su continuo apoyo a la instrucción de alta calidad y al aprendizaje de los estudiantes.

Escuelas Tri-City United

We are in need of a Title One Paraprofessional at Le Center!

If you are interested or know anyone that is, an application can be completed here: Para Application Link

POSITION: Paraprofessional, K-6 Title One 1.0 FTE

LOCATION: TCU Le Center

STARTING DATE: November 3rd, 2025 SALARY RANGE: $17-$21 per hour based on qualifications and years of experience; $1/hour additional for fluency in Spanish or Teacher’s license.

BENEFITS: Insurance, retirement and paid time off

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPECTATIONS:

-This role involves assisting students and staff with accessing library resources, checking out materials,

and maintaining the media center.

- Paraprofessionals work with students receiving Special Education services under the direction of the licensed special education teacher and perform duties to support the programming in general, and to meet student's individual academic, functional, social, and emotional needs.

Every child deserves the opportunity to be a successful learner. That's why TCU is looking for great people to serve a tutors and help students build their skills and confidence. We hope you will consider serving or helping us spread the word!

Tutoring isn't just a meaningful way to give back to the community; it also helps create brighter futures! Tutors serve during school hours and spend their days providing students with extra practice and skill building. With the support of an on-site coach, you'll be trained to deliver activities proven to help students improve in reading or math.

Whether you're a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent, or retiree, you can make a great tutor!

*Reach out to jeppen@tcu2905.us for more info on being a Math Corp Tutor!

Dec. 11: 5th-8th Grade Choir Concert

Dec. 16: 5th-8th Grade Band Concert

Dec. 24-Jan. 5: Winter Break

Jan. 5: No School - Professional Development Day

Jan. 6: End of Winter Break - School Resumes for students and staff

Second graders had a blast making their own balloons for a Macy's Day Parade here at school.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies and colds are upon us. Just a reminder for all... the health office does NOT provide cough drops or any other medications. Medications, whether over the counter or prescription, should not be brought to school unless you have a medication administration at school form completed and the medication is brought to the health office to be stored and administered by the health office per TCU school board policy. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Amanda Sladek, TCU District nurse at 507-364-8194 or asladek@tcu2905.us

One of our amazing employees was recognized this month!

Jenah consistently goes above and beyond for her students. She provides extra support, additional materials, and whatever they need to understand their work. Her strong work ethic, reliability, and unwavering commitment help students do their best, as reflected in the remarkable progress they’ve made. Her dedication and unselfish efforts make a meaningful difference every day.

Thanks, Jenah, for all you do!

Congratulations to our November Students of the Month. They were celebrated at our PBIS assembly in December.

October Academic Students of the Month

October Titan Pride & Leadership Students of the Month

Congratulations to our 7th and 8th Grade Honor Roll students! They celebrated with ice cream treats.

It is that time of the year when anything is possible with the Minnesota weather. Please see the information below regarding winter weather and blended learning.

To notify families of school closures, TCU utilizes the JMC Family Portal messaging system. To review or update your contact information registered with TCU in the JMC Family Portal, navigate to "Contact Information" (left-side menu). Be sure you have listed all phone numbers that you wish to be contacted in the event of school closures and checked the box labeled "Emergency/Weather Related".

During Blended Learning Days, your child's classroom teacher will communicate with you and share the choice board for that grade level. The choice board will have active learning opportunities for your child that will help retain skills or extend their learning.

Parents/Guardians are always welcome to join us as a lunch guest, but we have a few requests from our Food Service Department. Please call before 10:00AM to be added to the daily lunch count. When you arrive please stop in the office with payment and to pick up a visitor badge and meal pass. If you are bringing food from outside of the building you will need to check in and pick up a visitor pass.

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!

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.

TCU Le Center has created an Amazon Wish List. If you are looking for a way to support the school or a specific classroom, we invite you to take a look: Amazon Wish List Link

Check out our webpage, and scroll to the bottom of the page. You'll find all of our latest news and upcoming school - wide events.

November 27 & 28: Thanksgiving Break

December 24-January 4: Winter Break

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