Principal's Corner: Sept. 1, 2026
What's Going On at South High School?
Principal FitzGerald's Message
After many weeks of planning and preparation, we are ready to welcome our students and families to the South High Back to School event. Please join us, Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 - 5:00-7:00pm. Students will have access to their student schedule, the opportunity to meet their teachers and other influential educators at the building. Student groups as well as opportunities for caregiver involvement will be shared via informational tables within the South High commons. Bring a notepad and all your questions! We can't wait to show you all the great things South has to offer.
As you arrive to South, make your way to the NEW front entrance (19th Ave side). We will have tacos available for students and their families. See you Tuesday night!
School Electronics Policy
Phones can ONLY be used during passing time. They are not allowed in classrooms. They are not allowed during class time.
If you are in the hallway during a period, this is still class time. Therefore, use of the phone in the hallway while out of class with a pass is strictly prohibited.
Using an Apple Watch is an extension of your electronic device. Checking messages will result in phone/device being taken.
The first time your phone is turned in, you will get it back at the end of the day at the Main Office. The second time and every time after, a parent will have to pick up the phone.
Videotaping a fight or an incident at school is against school policy and will lead to further disciplinary consequences.
Planner Passes
Attendance & participation is one of the highest contributors to students' academic success. Therefore, we will continue with our pass policy for the 2026-27 school year.
All students will get 5 passes for each classroom per quarter. These passes are found in the student planner that they receive on the first day of school.
There are additional passes for the office, nurse’s office, etc. You cannot leave class without a pass.
We will run hall sweeps periodically. This allows us to clear the hallways and make sure all students are in class.
Students who are late to class should not be given a pass to leave class that period.
Morning Arrival
Students will enter the *NEW* Main Door Entrance on the 19th Avenue side of the school this year. Doors will open at 8:10am and students will be welcomed by staff into the building as they show their student ID to South High staff.
If a student is unable to show their South High ID, they will be asked to check in with the security monitor, the Main Office, to confirm their identity prior to entering the building. At 8:30am, Main Doors will be closed, and ALL students will be required to swipe their ID upon entering the building.
As we enter into week 2 of school, caregivers can expect phone calls home for students that have a pattern of tardiness. We will work with both students and families to set goals so that our students are in their seat and learning on time for their 1st hour class, and every class thereafter.
For students that require accommodations, we will work to provide the appropriate information to our classroom teachers and administrative team so that they can move about the building without worry.
Parking Policy
The South High Parking lot is for South High staff only. We offer visitor parking in the small parking lot west of the main parking lot for families and community members. Street parking is available for students should they choose to drive to school. For any vehicle that does not have a parking permit hanging from the rearview mirror is subject to being towed. Please advise your high school driver to use street parking and to also pay attention to parking restrictions during the winter months. Thank you in advance for your support.
Transportation Information
My Ride is an app for caregivers to track their student’s bus, receive ETA notifications and request busing.
Families can turn on notifications from My Ride to receive updates on the bus's estimated time of arrival (ETA) to the stop. This can be done under Settings in My Ride.
If you prefer not to use the app, caregivers can set up an account on the My Ride website. Note that bus arrival notifications are only available from the app.
Open Campus
Students are to eat lunch in the cafeteria or practice field. Students are to remain in the cafeteria/practice field during lunch, unless they have a pass and meeting with a teacher/ staff member.
Only 11 and 12th grade students are able to leave campus for lunch. There is an application to submit. This goes over expectations and makes sure that your guardian knows you are leaving campus. Failure to meet expectations will result in not being able to leave campus.
Open Campus will not be available until October 1, 2026.
Construction Phase I & Phase II
Construction of the new South High School Safe and Welcoming Entrance is nearly
complete and we are excited for this improvement to be a part of the upcoming school
year and beyond. This project is part of a larger District-wide initiative to improve safety
and security at MPS buildings through strategic visibility and wayfinding. The main office
and reception will now be easier to find and will provide a higher level of safety and security
in the new location immediately adjacent to the main entrance.
This project was originally conceived to include additional scope that has not been
constructed yet, including renovations to the old office suite, health office, and restrooms.
This is common practice for a project such as this where the previous office location has
been vacated and there is opportunity to create something new and improved in the old
spaces. The true cost of any competitively bid project is not known until the day bids are
received. Bids for this project came in higher than estimated, which caused the scope
items at the old office area to be deferred to a future phase of construction when additional
funding is available.
The current plan is to complete the restroom improvements and other
adjacent renovations during a second construction phase in Summer 2027 that will be
completed for school start in September. The design team will re-engage Site Council and
Stakeholders to begin to review and finalize the plans in the Fall of 2026, prior to proceeding
with re-bidding requirements. Please note that Board action will be required to formally
approve funding for the second phase as part of the District’s Capital Plan.
Talking Points Communication
South High Staff will be sending students and families, "talking points" messages this week. Please note, you could receive multiple messages, one from each teacher that is scheduled to work with your student this quarter. It is our hope that you make note of the communication in the event you need to reach out in the future with your students academic schedule and/or progress. Thank you for partnering with us in your student's education.
Girls Volleyball - First Home Game
Come cheer on the South High Tigers
Girls Volleyball VS South St. Paul
Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 PM
Minneapolis South High School GYM
What's to Come?
Testing windows (FAST, MCAs, AP) Timeline
- Grade change Timeline
Full Staff Introduction
First week celebrations
Upcoming Athletic & Arts Events