Hello MPS, and Happy Fall! We’re busy preparing for the start of the 2023-2024 school year and are very excited to see everyone back in our halls very soon. This summer we’ve completed a number of projects in our buildings to be ready for students this fall, including some new flooring at both the middle school and high school, upgrades in the middle school gymnasium, new sod on the practice field at the high school, some parking lot repairs, and more. These projects are part or our regular maintenance plan to keep our facilities in top condition.

This spring brought a number of legislative changes that will impact our classrooms in various ways, and we’ve spent a lot of time this summer working through those changes and new policies that were a result of all the changes. Of course, our teachers have also spent time this summer preparing for the new year with curriculum reviews, professional development, and classroom and team planning. All of these things will come together for a great start to the new school year!

A project I’m very excited about is our new CTI site, where we’ll offer classes such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Advanced Automotive, and Welding for High School and MATEC students as early as second quarter. This work has been in the works for more than a year, and will be a great addition to our programming as we seek to meet all of our students where they are at and prepare them for success. Our key areas of focus this year will be around literacy for all, strengthening systems of support and intervention at all sites, and meeting student academic, behavior, and social/emotional needs. One way we’re working to do this is in an improved overall communications plan. We’ve revamped our website and social media pages and have introduced a new Marshall Public Schools app, where you will be able to access things such as event and activity schedules, school updates, and even the lunch menu in a quick and easy way. If you haven’t already downloaded the new app, search for Marshall Public Schools, MN in your app store today!

I’m looking forward to a great school year and to seeing everyone back soon. Enjoy the last days of summer!

In education,

Jeremy Williams,

Superintendent of Schools

Marshall Public Schools is excited to announce that starting school year 2023-24, we are joining Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. The Free School Meals Program is a state funded program in which all students will receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost. The funding for the Minnesota Free School Meals Program is permanent.

Students must be enrolled in a school that is eligible for the National School Lunch Program and 18 or younger to qualify.

All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. If the student chooses to have a second breakfast or lunch, those meals will be charged at the minimum price of $2.65 for breakfast and $4.95 for lunch. These prices are set by USDA and MDE. A la carte items are not free and will be charged at the price(s) marked. Second meals and à la carte items will only be sold if the appropriate funds are in the students’ food service account.

Staff and adult meals are not free and will be charged at the minimum price of $2.65 for breakfast and $4.95 for lunch.

While meal pattern requirements are set at the federal level, school menus are set at the local school or school district level. Federal requirements include minimum servings for vegetables, fruits, milk, grains, and meat or meat alternate components. In addition, schools must adhere to requirements for calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium content.

Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs.

Please feel free to contact Jill Schroeder at jill.schroeder@marshall.k12.mn.us or call at (507)-537- 6924 with any questions.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the district will use discretion in determining if an inclement weather day will be an e-Learning Day or a non-instructional day and made up at a later date. As the state statute allows up to 5 e-Learning days, any days beyond that would be made up on one of the identified “make-up” days or added to the end of the school year.

In the event of a school cancellation due to inclement weather, families will receive an automated phone call, text message, and e-mail from Marshall Public Schools. Messages will also be posted on the District website, social media, and on our new app in addition to on local media outlets. E-Learning days will be announced at the same time as the school cancellation announcement.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Marshall Public Schools plans to take a new approach for communication. We intend to keep families, students, and staff well-informed with the most up to date information while also showcasing the wonderful things happening in our schools.

• We have completely renovated our website at www.marshall.k12.mn.us.
• MPS Tigers App to have easy access to daily updates.
• Search Marshall Public Schools, MN in your provider’s app store to download.
• Live Feed will provide regular updates from Marshall Public Schools
• We will be using one social media page for the entire district instead of the individual schools.

• Facebook: Marshall Public Schools
• Twitter: @mpstigers
• Instagram: marshallpublicschools

New this year - Newsletters will be sent out to all families from the District Office containing information from all schools in one place.

Feel free to reach out to contact@marshall.k12.mn.us if there is anything you are looking for but cannot find in our new communications plan.

Reminder - all students in grades 5-12 are assessed an annual technology protection plan fee of $25. If you have not paid this fee for the 23-24 school year, we encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience, and no later than September 8th. You can pay this fee online via your parent portal or by submitting cash or check to your child's school office.

Secondly, students, it's time to prepare your device to come back to school (students in grades 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12). Charge your device fully and login so that your device will update with the latest system updates (follow any prompts presented). There was a Facebook post recently with step-by-step instructions on this as well.

Lastly:

Incoming 5th grade students: you will receive your new school-issued device from your Advisor the first week of school.

Incoming 9th grade students: please plan to attend device distribution on August 30th from 4pm-7pm at the high school media center. Remember - you need to bring your middle school device and charger in order to receive your new high school device.

This year we have made a lot of changes to the activities department to help our school and community. Our hope is that with these changes you will have a better experience at events and be more engaged and informed about what is happening at MPS.

1. Our new online ticketing app is GoFan Digital Ticketing for all home events Marshall High School Events. Cash is accepted at the door but skip the line and order online!
2. We have switched our live-streaming platform from YouTube to Team1Sports by Hudl. This will provide easier access to other schools’ streaming and no more spam ads!
3. We have rebuilt our Marshall Activities website. Visit marshalltigersathletics.com where you'll find calendars, rosters, results, and more all in one place.
4. Under Armour/Borch's School - this summer MPS, Under Armour, and Borch's Sporting Goods entered into a 5-year agreement. You can order all your tiger apparel online through our school store.
   
5. Student/Fan Expectations:

• Be Positive
• Be Respectful
• Be About Your Team
• Be Loud
• Watch the game with your friends and family.
• Attend the game with a responsible adult.
• No game play is allowed at Marshall Tiger Events. No balls are allowed inside facilities.

Soon you will be receiving information from Southwest Coaches providing your student's transportation pick up/drop off times and locations. Routes will also be posted on their website when they are ready.

If you are new to the district or have had an address change, please remember to call Southwest Coaches at (507) 532-4043.

School bus drivers are needed! We have a need for substitute and event drivers too, where you could work a more flexible schedule. If you have an interest or more questions, please call Southwest Coaches or stop by the bus garage to fill out an application.