DLA Newsletter 11

Today might be Wednesday, but it definitely has that Friday feeling. North Branch Area Public Schools and the Distance Learning Academy are pausing classes this Thursday and Friday for the annual state teacher conference, giving our students a short break from regular live instruction.

However, our virtual doors remain wide open. Students can still log in at any time to access their coursework and complete assignments for their classes.

With midsemester quickly approaching, this pause is the ideal moment for parents and students to do a quick academic temperature check. Take a few minutes to log in together, review current grades, and see where pacing stands across each class.

If you notice you are trailing behind in a subject or two, invest some focused time over the next two days to knock out missing work. Spending a couple of hours on schoolwork over a long weekend might not sound like the most fun thing to do, but heading into next week completely caught up is definitely the smart one.

Principal Treichel

We are dedicated to opening doors for every student. Whether you are exploring career pathways, preparing for post-secondary education, or looking for ways to get involved, we want to make sure you have access to the exact same opportunities as your peers.

To keep you informed and empowered throughout your high school journey, a dedicated Google Classroom has been created for each graduating class (9th through 12th grade).

Why Check Your Class Google Classroom?

While not every single post will apply to your specific daily schedule, many of them feature key events, deadlines, and guest visits designed directly for your grade level.

For instance, Northern Michigan University was on campus to meet directly with students. Representatives shared details about their academic programs and helped interested students decide if NMU is a campus worth visiting in the future. Opportunities like this happen all the time, and your class Google Classroom is your front-row seat to finding out about them first.

Simple Steps to Stay in the Loop:

1. Join Your Graduating Class Google Classroom if you haven't already. If you do not know how, just ask me! Most know how to access Google Classrooms. You should have an invite to accept.

2. Check the Feed Regularly, make it a habit to scan updates a few times a week.

3. Turn On Notifications so you never miss a surprise visit, college rep meeting, or scholarship deadline.

Your future is built on the choices and connections you make today. Take a moment to log into your class Google Classroom, see what’s happening, and take full advantage of everything available to you!

Whether you missed picture day or just need to retake, don't miss our last opportunity. Below is the information you need:

Date: October 26

Time: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Location: Education Center, 38705 Grand Ave., North Branch MN 55056

Parking: Park in the north lot and enter door 1 and let the front receptionist know that you are a student with the North Branch Area Distance Learning Academy and you are here to get your picture taken.

As students wrap up a unit, you will notice that the final post-test is locked. To ensure every student is supported, all post-tests must be proctored by Mr. Pirrie. You can unlock and take your test in one of two ways:

• Option 1 (In-Person): Visit Mr. Pirrie’s classroom at North Branch Area High School on Mondays or Tuesdays.

• Option 2 (Online): Schedule a live Google Meet session with Mr. Pirrie by following the booking steps below.

Plan Ahead for Success; Because setting up testing time requires coordination, please do not wait until the last minute!

1. Monitor Daily Progress: Keep an eye on your coursework so you know when a test is coming up.

2. Book Early: Schedule your Google Meet or plan your in-person visit 1 to 2 days in advance.

3. Complete & Unlock: Log into your scheduled Google Meet (or drop by in person) to take the test.

As soon as you finish the test with Mr. Pirrie, he will unlock your assignments for the next unit so you can keep moving forward. Thank you for your proactive effort!

To help families stay connected to their student's learning journey, progress reports will be sent out starting this evening. These reports are a wonderful tool to foster curiosity about your student's academic growth and check in on their habits.

As you review the report together, keep an eye on two key indicators of progress:

• On-Target Grade: This percentage reflects the assignments and assessments your student has completed and had graded by their teacher. It also measures pacing. If a student falls behind or misses a due date, our gradebook temporarily places a zero as a placeholder to reflect current standing until the work is submitted.

• Time on Task: This metric tracks active engagement time while your student is directly working within the learning content. It automatically excludes idle time (such as when a student steps away from their device).

The 2026-27 Student/Parent Handbook is available for download below. The handbook contains important information and clarity of processes and procedures that families need to know; Parents/guardians and students will be better set up for success by being familiar with its contents. For access to the handbook throughout the school year, information can be found on the Parent/Student Resources webpage. If you would like a paper copy of the Student/Parent Handbook please contact Pakou Lee at 651-674-1011 or plee@isd138.org.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to partner with students, families, and staff to ensure that cell phone and personal electronic device use supports a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment across all North Branch Area Public School campuses.

1. Responsible Use and Care
Students are welcome to bring personal electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, etc.) to school. We encourage students to care for their devices and keep them secure, as the district cannot be responsible for loss, damage, or theft.

2. Supporting Learning During the School Day

• To help everyone stay engaged and distraction-free, devices should be turned off or set to airplane mode during instructional time.

• At North Branch Area High School, devices are placed in the secure classroom caddie upon entering the Media Center and or distance learning classroom, ensuring the focus remains on collaboration and academic success.

• Earbuds, headphones, and smartwatches follow the same expectations as cell phones to maintain consistency and fairness.

3. Respecting Privacy and Safety

• We value everyone’s right to privacy. Recording, photographing, or live-streaming others is only allowed with their express permission.

• These guidelines ensure our school remains a safe and welcoming place for all.

4. Supporting Individual Needs

• Students with documented medical needs that require device access may use them as outlined in their plan, while still honoring the overall expectations.

• Academic exceptions are made when devices enhance learning and are used under staff guidance.

By working together and using our devices thoughtfully, we create an environment where everyone can focus, feel respected, and succeed.

While on campus, it is important that you are aware of our district safety standard response protocols. Below is each protocol and then what is expected of the students and staff.

North Branch Area Public Schools App! Stay up-to-date with access to district and Distance Learning Academy events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Download for Android https://bit.ly/3phcIA7

Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3p6NNPA