Pella MS Newsletter

Pella MS Families,

Welcome to spring break! I hope this newsletter finds your MS student enjoying a little bit of time to relax and recharge before we sprint into the 4th quarter.

I have appreciated the flexibility and resilience that this group of students has shown throughout the entire year. If you recall, we started the year without an art room, FCS room, and band and choir having to share spaces. Even with that construction, the students and staff rolled with the changes and were fantastic.

The final bit of construction they will adapt to is our new parking lot, starting over spring break. Once completed, it will add about 90 new spots to our parking lot. A much needed addition for anyone who has been to one of our MS athletic events. I have no doubt our students will do great with the changes in pickup and drop-off listed below.

I hope everyone has a great break. We cannot wait for a great 4th quarter.

Sincerely,

Mr. Tjeerdsma

Pella MS Principal.

The Middle School Student Council took some time out of their busy schedules to do some volunteer work at the Pella Food Shelf. While there they unloaded pallets, sorted food, restocked shelves and got pastry and bread ready to be distributed.

Kyler has been selected for the Junior Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. Kyler will perform the bass in June with the Junior Honors Orchestra. Participation in the Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated young performers from across the world.

Kyler auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was recently accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application and audition recording.

After spring break, there will be changes to our parent pick-up and drop-off procedures due to the construction of a new parking lot at the MS. The current drop-off locations will be unavailable until further notice.

Before and After School

Students will need to be dropped off and picked up from the following locations

• Jefferson Drop-Off Loop. The entrance for this loop is off East 8th Street. It is recommended not to arrive before 3:25 or 1:55 to avoid congestion.
• Swimming Pool lot. There are lots of spots here.
• Third Church Lower lot. Students must walk the Jefferson bus loop and cross with the crossing guard on East 13th St.

School Hours

If picking up or dropping off during school hours, parents must pick up or drop off at the Jefferson front office. Students will then walk through the bridge and report to the MS Office to get a pass. Please keep communicating with the MS office about the time students will need to be picked up for appointments. We will write passes for students to get out of class early and allow for travel time down to Jefferson.

8th Grade Parents,

We are fast approaching the end of the school year and with that change comes the potential for school permits for our 8th graders. To qualify for a school permit, students complete the following:

• Be at least 14 1/2 years old.

• Complete an Iowa-approved driver education course.

• Hold an instruction permit and a clean driving record for at least six consecutive months immediately before applying for your minor school license.

• Live 1 mile or more from the school you are enrolled in, unless a special need exists or you live or work on a farm in Iowa. If you have more than one residence, where you live is the location you reside the majority of the time.

• If you are a public school student, your parents must download and fill out the Affidavit for School License (form 430021) and sign it with a live signature. Then, they must have your school superintendent, principal, or school board chair sign it with a live signature. This form is available at any driver's license issuance site or online.

• Once these steps are completed, you can schedule an appointment with the DOT to complete the process.

If you have this form completed, your student can bring it in to me any between now and the end of the school year to sign. This does not allow them to drive to school for the final days of 8th grade. We do not have enough parking available for students to drive to school. It will allow you to begin driving to school

If you have any questions regarding school permits, please reach out to me and I will answer to the best of my ability. Thank you.

Cold and flu season is still going strong. If you are willing to donate more tissues, please drop them off in the office. Thanks so much!

To complete registration, visit www.pellaschools.org/register and follow the steps under RETURNING STUDENT. Or, simply find the ONLINE REGISTRATION button under MORE on Campus Parent Portal. On July 1, 2025, the required 25-26 Textbook Fee will be available along with the optional fees such as athletic passes, yearbooks, and lunch fees. Questions about the school registration can be directed to Shayla Gift by emailing shayla.gift@pellaschools.org or by calling 641-628-9539.

March 14: End 3rd quarter

March 17-21: NO SCHOOL - spring break

March 24: Begin 4th quarter

March 26, April 2, 9, 23: 90 minute early dismissal for PD

April 14-17: ISASP testing week

April 18: NO SCHOOL - Good Friday

May 1-2: 11:20 dismissal for Tulip Time

May 7, 14: 90 min early dismissal for PD

May 26: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

May 29: 12:30 dismissal, End 4th quarter/2nd semester

Email: scott.tjeerdsma@pellaschools.org

Website: pellaschools.org
Location: 613 East 13th Street, Pella, IA, USA
Phone: (641)628-4784