Nathan Twining News

Dear Twining Families,

Welcome to another exciting school year at Nathan Twining! Whether you are new to our school or returning, we are thrilled to have you as part of our community. This year is already filled with great things, including the addition of new staff who bring their talents and energy to our team.

For those I haven’t yet had the chance to meet, my name is Chad Kurtyka, and I am honored to serve as the principal of Nathan Twining. My career in education has taken me from teaching 4th and 5th grade, to working as an instructional coach, associate principal, and now leading this incredible school community. At the heart of my leadership philosophy is servant leadership. My role is to serve our students, families, staff, and the Grand Forks Air Force Base community. During my time here, I’ve been fortunate to build strong relationships with many of you and humbled by the overwhelming support you’ve given our school.

Outside of school, I’m also a proud family man. My wife, Jeni, and I have three wonderful kids—Eli (19), who we just dropped off at the University of Minnesota Duluth (time truly does fly!); Pippi (13); and Luna (10). Our family enjoyed a busy summer filled with camping, hiking, biking, golfing, and even cheering on races at River Cities Speedway.

At Nathan Twining, our goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment where every child can thrive, especially as military-connected students. Please take time to review our monthly newsletter to stay informed about important procedures and upcoming events.

Thank you for your continued partnership, and here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Sincerely,

Chad Kurtyka
Principal

Nathan Twining

Twining Mission Statement: The mission of Twining Elementary/Middle School is to provide a safe and caring environment that allows students to achieve academic excellence and become responsible citizens.

Welcome to Nathan F. Twining School, home of the Thunderbirds! Nathan Twining School is both an Elementary and Middle School consisting of grades K-8.

We are located on the Grand Forks AFB which is fourteen miles west of Grand Forks. As a staff, we are proud to serve the children of the parents who defend our daily freedom. In the eyes of each child, everyday, we are reminded of the scarifies that our families make to ensure the free country in which we live. On behalf of our staff, a heartfelt welcome to our school!

School Hours

Breakfast : 7:40am- 8:15 am

1st Bell: 8:15 am

Tardy Bell: 8:20 am

Dismissal: 3:03 pm

Early Dismissal: 1:00 pm

• Monday, August 25th - First Volleyball Practice in the Big Gym 3:00 pm
• Monday, August 25th - Elementary and Middle School Open House from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 27th - First day of school starting @ 8:20 am and dismissed at 3:03 pm
• Monday, September 1st - No School (Labor Day)
• Tuesday, September 2nd - Fourth Grade Orchestra Presentation
• Monday, September 15th - Picture Day
• Wednesday, September 17th - Early out at 1:00 pm
• Thursday, September 18th - Twining Flu Shot Clinic starting @ 1:00 pm

Attendance Line:
701-746-2313

If your child(ren) are going to be late or absent from school, please inform the school office by calling the attendance line number above before 8:25 am.

You will not speak directly to anyone, it is a message line only. Please leave student's name,

teacher and reason for absence. All students absent or arriving late because of an

appointment of any kind will need to have a written excuse from the doctor's office in order for the absence or tardy to be excused. Medically excused absences do not count against a

student's absences if a note is provided by the medical provider.

Communication between home and school ensures students safety. If the school does not

hear from you, we will give you a call to make sure your child is safe. If you are taking your

child out of school early for any reason, please call the office in advance or come to Door #1

ring doorbell. We will call them to the office from their classroom and bring them to Door #1

to the parent.

Attendance is very important. If your child is not in school, he/she is missing out on very

important learning. We monitor student attendance closely and follow the Grand Forks Public

Schools "Stay in School" policy.

Website: Please refer to our website and the GFPS website for school information. https://twining.gfschools.org/

https://www.gfschools.org/

School Supply List: https://app.teacherlists.com/schools/48672-nathan-twining-elementary-middle-school

Early Dismissal Wednesdays:
Once again we will have 1:00 dismissal on select Wednesdays. Please refer to the district calendar for these Wednesdays.

Seesaw:
Calls do not ring into the classroom during school hours to minimize interruptions. Messages for students can be left on the teacher’s voicemail. However, Seesaw will be the best form of communication with classroom teachers. Seesaw sign up communication will be provided by your student's teacher.

Device Protection Plan: The Device Protection Plan is optional device insurance and available to Middle School families that wish to protect themselves from damage expenses for their student’s district-issued iPad or Chromebook. The Device Protection Plan covers 100% of all accidental damage, fire, flood, natural disasters, power surge, and vandalism to your child’s district-issued iPad or Chromebook with a $0 deductible. The Device Protection Plan will provide coverage on school grounds, at home, on the bus, and anywhere your child may travel.

Breakfast Club - only students eating breakfast will enter Door #1 for breakfast. Breakfast begins at 7:40 am. Please do not drop your student off any earlier as we do not have supervision until breakfast begins.

Students not eating breakfast at school will enter the building at the door assignments below. Please arrive no earlier than 8:15 am. No Students will be allowed in the building before 8:15 AM except for Breakfast and Zero Hour Band students.

Breakfast, Kindergarten, Band - Door 1

Grade 1 & 2 - Door 12

Grade 3 - Door 2

Grade 4 & 5 - Door 3

Middle School - Door 11

(See Imaging Above)

Students arriving after 8:20 am will need to enter Door #1 (Main Office Door) and will visit the Front Office to pick up a Tardy Slip. Students arriving to school more than 10 minutes late should be signed in by a parent at the Office.

MySchoolBucks makes it easy to stay connected to students and parents for any of your school payments.

Create an account at myschoolbucks.com to pay for a variety of school related items such as school meals, after school program fees, Middle School Chromebook insurance, and much more!

To see if you qualify for Free and Reduced lunch, visit myschoolapps.com to complete an application. This must be submitted annually!

Parent Support:

parentsupport@myschoolbucks.com

855.832.5226

Please make sure your student has been registered in the PowerSchool Parent Portal for the

2025-2026 school year. If you have any questions, please call the office at 701-787-5100.

How do I get started?

Visit https://grand-forks.ps.state.nd.us/public/home.html and log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal. From the Parent Portal:

1 Select the student you wish to register along the top

2. Select the Registration 2025-2026 icon on the left side of the screen.

3. Authenticate using your child's date of birth.

4. Agree to the terms and conditions

5. Click Begin Forms

I can't remember my login for the PowerSchool Parent Portal

If you aren’t able to retrieve your login credentials using the “Having trouble signing in?” link on the Sign In page, please call the school at 701-787-5100 for assistance logging into the Parent Portal.

What if I have more than one student in the district? Do I need to do this for each child?

Yes, you will need to provide information that is specific to each child. We recommend that

you complete and submit one form and then start another. This will allow you to “snap” (or

share) selected family information, which saves you time.

HB #1160

Starting this year, North Dakota law requires all students' personal electronic communication devices to be off and put away during the entire school day—from the first bell to the last bell.

Under House Bill 1160, this applies to cell phones, Bluetooth devices, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, Gizmos, and similar items. Devices must be silenced, securely stowed away, and inaccessible from the start of the school day until dismissal—creating a “bell-to-bell” phone-free environment for all students.

This new law is designed to reduce distractions, increase student engagement, and promote a safe, orderly school environment.

What this Means for Twining Students? Students will turn in devices to their homeroom/advisory teacher at the start of the day. Teachers will store devices securely and return them at dismissal.

Planned Consequences when the New Policy is not Followed:

1st offense: Parent phone call.

2nd offense: Parent phone call and device will be kept in the office for parent to pick up.

3rd offense: Parent phone call and student will check device in and out of the office each day through the remainder of the trimester.

Additional Notes: Exceptions may be made for students with documented medical needs.

Students leaving early for appointments may have alternative storage arrangements at their school. In an emergency, families should contact the school office to reach their student (701)787-5100.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work together to create focused, safe, and respectful learning environments for all students.

HB#1222

This bill, along with ND Century Code, state the following pertaining to the Pledge of Allegiance:

Schools must provide students the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily. Students cannot be forced to participate. This includes not being required to recite, stand or salute."

At Twining students will be given the opportunity to recite to Pledge of Allegiance immediately following the second bell each morning within their classroom.

Attendance Line: 701-746-2313

Fax Line: 701-787-5143

Main Office Hours: 7:45am - 3:45pm

Location: 1422 Louisiana St

Grand Forks AFB, ND 58204