Crimson Newsletter - Jan. 1, 2026

As the mighty Crimson of Maple Grove approach the return to school while enjoying every day of winter break, we look ahead with confidence and excitement to 2026 and beyond. Big things are on the horizon in academics, activities, and the progression of our three-year construction project to expand and renovate Maple Grove Senior High for the future.

First up will be student registration for the 2026-27 school year (yes, already!). Our first week back will include class meetings focused entirely on registration for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. From there, students will have time in Foundations to thoroughly review their required courses and elective options. Big decisions will be made, and we look forward to partnering with our families to support students making the best choices for the next school year. See below for more information!

By the end of the month, we'll already be at the midway point of the second trimester and looking ahead to mid-trimester conferences on Wednesday, January 28 (3:00–8:00 p.m.). We will again offer 10-minute conferences in-person and virtually to collaborate with families to support strong practices,and interrupt any habits which may be inhibiting student achievement.

On the construction front, progress continues in our activities wing (phase one) and with the new academic and cafeteria expansion (phase two).

• We're hoping to see the expanded weightroom and two new classrooms completed in late January or early February, if work remains on schedule.
• Work continues on the boys' locker room renovations, likely into the spring. Once that is finished, they will move to the girls' locker room.
• We're told each week that the cafeteria and classroom addition is on schedule to be finished in August, ready for the 2026-27 school year. Students riding the buses get a great view of the progress every morning and afternoon.
• With the steel structure fully installed, students can see that our cafeteria will double in size, rewarding everyone for tolerating this year's exceedingly cramped conditions at lunch time. I've been very pleased with students carrying on as best they can this year, despite more students and less space than ever before.

Meanwhile, we expect a very exciting winter in Crimson activities across programs. I'm so very proud of our students, coaches, boosters, and families for their collective work to create strong programs in fine arts, student groups, and athletics from which our students can contribute to make lifelong memories and gain skills which they can apply to their lives for years to come. We have so many reasons to be grateful!

With that, I'll sign off for now. As always, thank you for your support and partnership. Feel free to contact me with any questions at beckerb@district279.org.

Yours very respectfully,

Bart Becker, Principal

Student registration kicks off the week of January 5 for freshmen, sophomores, and juinors!

• Students will attend class meetings in the auditorium to review important graduation requirements, learn more about the registration process, and receive print and electronic materials to support their selection of classes.
• Families are strongly encouraged to review all registration materials with their student(s) as it is extremely difficult, and often not possible, to make schedule changes once the process is complete.
• All final course requests must be submitted in StudentVUE by Wednesday, January 21.

Crimson students and families are invited to join our counselors to learn about post-secondary enrollment options (PSEO)!

PSEO allows students to attend college classes and earn FREE college credits during high school through enrollment in and successful completion of college-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution, while others are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own requirements for enrollment into PSEO courses.

Join us during our mid-trimester conferences on Wednesday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m. in the Crimson auditorium; students planning to register for PSEO are required to attend (returning PSEO students do not need to attend).

More information can be found on the counseling website.

Can't make it to all the Crimson games in-person? The Lake Conference Network has you covered. Streaming is now available for all levels of sports (with the exception of gymnastics due to construction). Subscribe by January 5 for a 50% discount on your first month! Catch all your favorite Crimson teams in action on your device from any location.

Click here to subscribe!

Here's the latest from the CRC!

• It's a great time to explore scholarships page often for opportunities opening throughout the spring.
• We're seeking HR professionals and hiring managers to help conduct over 600 professional interviews for seniors for our annual mock interviews on March 16, 2026. If interested in volunteering, please fill out this form.
• MN Goes to College offers students and families webinars about college and financial aid. Visit their website to register for upcoming virtual series or watch recorded sessions.
• Genesys Works is an opportunity for students to participate in a paid internship during senior year and earn up to $16,000. As high schoolers, Genesys Works students are offered business technology skills training, meaningful paid internships, college and career counseling, and alumni support. Genesys Works fuels students’ ambition to make their dreams become lifelong realities. Students are placed with a partner company for the duration of their senior year of high school. Genesys Works partners with 49 local corporations. Partner companies include Target, Caribou Coffee, and Huntington Bank. Students receive skills training, college and career coaching and continued support in college as an alumnus of the program. Current juniors are eligible to apply.

The Crimson Yearbook website is live!

You can visit www.MapleGroveYearbook.com to order a yearbook, submit a senior portrait, baby ad, or community photo. Seniors should view the senior flyer on the website for more detailed information on how to submit your senior photos and baby ads.

Have questions about the website or yearbook? Please email Ashley at ashley@maplegroveyearbook.com.

• January 5: Return from winter break
• January 6: Freshman registration class meeting
• January 7: Sophomore registration class meeting
• January 8: Junior registration class meeting
• January 16: Asynchronous learning / staff collaboration
• January 19: No school (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• January 21: Returning student registration course requests due
• January 22: Registration conference (4:00–8:00 p.m.)
• January 28: Mid-trimester conferences
• February 2: No school (professional development workshop)
• February 3-6: Snow Days
• February 16: No school (President's Day)
• March 6: No school (mark reporting)
• March 19: Last day of school before spring break begins
• March 30: Return from spring break

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