Isanti Middle School

IMS Families,

As we prepare for school to begin, we have many updates to share. We are excited to announce that next week we will be publishing our first ever IMS Virtual Open House. Families will have the opportunity to view a slide introducing all IMS staff members along with a virtual video tour. We're hopeful the video tour will help our incoming students become acclimated to Isanti Middle School. The video will also highlight some of the changes students can expect for this school year. I look forward to the

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Insight from Dr. Rudolph

This Fall Will Not Be Normal

I know families and kids are wondering when things can get back to normal. Things seem upside down in our world. And as we return to school - it will be good to see friends and teachers. But we also want you to know that this school year will not be normal. Even walking in and seeing a classroom, it will look different. There is so much that is changing.

But we are learners — it's what we do — and we are problem-solvers. Let’s teach our kids to break big problems into smaller steps, to focus on one or two important things, and to allow ourselves the time to learn. Let’s focus on being kind to one another. With so many changes - it will really be like a first day of school, a first year of teaching, a first time doing so many things differently—for kids and staff alike. So we are going to take it slow and learn as we go. Because we are all in this together. Thank you for your continued support. Go Big Blue!

Nate Rudolph

Superintendent

As Dr. Rudolph communicated, school schedules had to be fully revamped over the course of the last few weeks. Normally, class lists and schedules are built and refined over the summer. However, when the state required schools to offer both a 100% online option for families our schedules had to be revamped to accommodate. Scheduling is a complex task -- but we are almost through it. We will communicate out to families when schedules and class lists are ready to be viewed in Skyward Family Access. You will be able to see them next week.

Please note that we will not be changing student schedules once they active on Family Access. Student schedules are balanced to accommodate our middle level pods which are balanced by alphabet. Once schedules become active if you have any questions you are free to contact our main office at 763-691-8600

Update Skyward FAMILY Access

• The start of a new school year is a great time to check the information we have on file for your child. Did you know you can access your student's grades, schedule, or teacher contact information from home? Follow the link below to login to your Family Access account. Contact the IMS Main Office at 763-691-8600 with questions about your login credentials. Also, please make sure that your contact information is up to date. Email is the main form of communication used by Isanti Middle School.

• Link to Skyward Family Access

All students will receive their Chromebooks during the first week of school. All parents or guardians of students who are receiving a Chromebook need to complete the Google form “C-I Schools Chromebook User Agreement” or turn in a paper copy of the Chromebook User Agreement prior to your student receiving their Chromebook. The following outlines two options for all parents to complete the Chromebook User Agreement and payment.

Option #1 - Electronic Submission and Payment

1. Log on to Cambridge-Isanti Schools Web Store
2. Complete C-I Schools Chromebook User Agreement Online Form
3. Select your student's grade, school, and insurance option.
4. Provide your student's name.
5. Click Add to Cart.

Option #2 - Paper Copy Submission and Payment

If turning in a paper copy and a fee applies, students will need to turn in a check check made out to Cambridge-Isanti Schools to their first hour teacher. The form must be completed and submitted prior to your student receiving their Chromebook.

A paper copy can be printed here or obtained at the main office at IMS.

Student busing information will be available in Family Access the week of August 31.

As a reminder, families can add lunch money to their account and apply for free or reduced meals through our website.

There has been some additional changes in our after school routine. Instead of one lift of 15 buses coming through the school we will instead of two lifts. The first 8 buses will arrive about 3:10 or so, with the second wave coming in as soon as the first wave departs. This WILL be a fluid situation until we get the rhythm down.

This WILL also delay the departure of our Walkers and students who get picked up. This won't be the first time I asked for your grace and patience. The plan right now has for ALL Walkers and Pick-up students to leave AFTER the last bus departs. With the added bus traffic AND the added family vehicle traffic we hoped this staggered end of the day will allow us to get kids home as safely and efficiently as possible. Please know, we will not be able to have students get picked up until AFTER the last bus departs.

Please take a look at last week's newsletter for more details about the end of the day.

If you have medication for your student that needs to be dropped off at school please contact our School Nurse, Malanie Winger, at mwinger@c-ischools, or by phone at 763-691-8602 to schedule a time to stop by.

Student lockers WILL NOT be assigned to start the year. Instead, students will be permitted to bring a small bag or backpack with them to the classroom where it can be stored under their desk, on the back of their chair, or in a location determined by the teacher. As the year progresses we will look to updated health guidelines to make decisions about the appropriateness of assigning a lockers.

Students participating in extra-curricular activities requiring equipment being brought to and from school will work with their coaches and advisors regarding storing equipment during the school day.

We will continue to offer three grade level lunch shifts this year. However, do to spacing requirements, the need to manage the flow of students into the cafeteria, and additional time to clean and sanitize tables and chairs between the lunches, we are spreading out our lunch times this year.

• 8th Grade - 1st Lunch (11:04-11:39) right after 3rd period

• 7th Grade - 2nd Lunch (11:57-12:32) right after 4th period

• 6th Grade - 3rd Lunch (12:50-1:25) right after 5th period

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*Times may change as we are still working on the schedule.

Tables will be spread out even more than they have been in the past. Additionally, seating at each table will be limited to allow for social distancing. Typically 12 students tables will be limited to 6 students, and 8 student tables will be reduced to 4 students.

• Hybrid Model: We anticipate ALL students attending each day will be able to fit into the cafeteria.

• In-Person Model: We will utilize the auditorium as our secondary cafeteria when we have all students in the building. I am looking to have students who bring cold lunch to school going directly to the auditorium for their lunch. This will allow us to limit the traffic in the cafeteria along with limiting the seating.

Students - Please bring a water bottle to school.

All drinking fountains will be turned off at this time. However, the water bottle filling stations will remain in use and will be added to the high touch list of cleaning items. We encourage students to bring water bottles to school to fill throughout the day.

Please continue to explore the Cambridge-Isanti School's Return to Learn Website. This is where you can find general information on Health and Safety, Learning Models, Frequently Asked Questions, and much more. Click HERE to directed to the C-I Return to Learn Website.

As a school district, we continue to coordinate logistics to launch a safe and successful Return to Learn. Since last week, we have updated information on our website related to Early Childhood, childcare, free and reduced meal program, C-I Schools Online, transportation, new school start and end times, etc.

For your convenience, you can navigate directly to these pages by clicking on the links provided here:

• Early Childhood
• Childcare Page
• Tier 1 Childcare Registration deadline - August 21
• Food Service and Free and Reduced Applications
• C-I Schools Online Program
  • Online curriculum videos to be posted on August 20
  • Online Registration deadline - August 21
  • Online Orientation - week of August 24
  • Online Chromebook Distribution - week of August 31
• Transportation
• New School Start and End Times

Email: rpauly@c-ischools.org
Website: https://www.c-ischools.org/domain/33
Location: 201 Centennial Drive Northwest, Isanti, MN, USA
Phone: (763) 691-8600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Isanti-Middle-School-Minnesota-Center-1616822051697940/
Twitter: @IMSANDMNC