FAMILY TIGER VIBE

MAY

1-2 - MCA Science Testing (5th & 8th grade only)

3 - MCA Science Make Up Testing (5th & 8th grade only)

6 - MCA Science Make Up Testing

7 - Science and Nature Conference

7-8 - NWEA Reading Testing

9-10 - NWEA Reading Make Up Testing

13 - Last Day for Checking Out Books (Media Center)

14 - Choir Concert 7 & 8 - 7:30 pm

14-15 - NWEA Math Testing

16 - Band Concert - 5/7 at 6 pm; 6/8 at 7:30pm

16-17 - NWEA Math Make Up Testing

17 - All Library Books are Due

21 - 7th Grade Ecology Bus

21 - 6th Grade Field Trip

21 - 8th Grade Field Trip

23 - 5th Grade Field Trip

23 - 7th Grade Ecology Bus

23 - All District Orchestra Concert 4 -12 - 7:00 p.m. HS Theater

24 - 7th Grade Ecology Bus

27 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day Holiday

29 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - NOON RELEASE

• Here are some end-of-year announcements for the library/media center! The final day for book checkouts is Monday, May 13th. All books must be returned by Friday, May 17th. Starting May 1st, students with a book fine or an overdue book will be unable to check out further books unless they settle their fine or return the overdue items. The library will close for student checkouts on May 22nd. We're getting new carpeting this summer, so we need to clear the shelves before the school year concludes. Assistance for student device issues will still be available.
  

• The best way to be well-informed with the most up to date information is to visit the website Marshall MN Public Schools | Home, download the MPS Tigers App, or follow us on Facebook: Marshall Public Schools, Instagram: @marshallpublicschools, and Twitter: @mpstigers.

Mrs. Gregoire: Charlotte.Gregoire@marshall.k12.mn.us

Mrs. Gonzalez: Claudia.Gonzalez@marshall.k12.mn.us

Mrs. Brown: Andrea.Brown@marshall.k12.mn.us

Hello from the Health Office! We have been seeing more information about an uptick in measles cases around the country. It is important to remember that we vaccinate ourselves and our children to protect us from diseases but also to protect those amongst us who are unable to be vaccinated related to age or allergy or other factors. We put them at higher risk, too, without the added protection of herd immunity. Here is the newest headline I have gotten on measles. I have also attached a few links that provide some really great information for parents on measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Measles Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) highlighting the rise of measles cases in the U.S. since 2020. Between January 1, 2020 and March 28, 2024, 29% of the 338 cases have occurred since the start of 2024. All U.S. cases are imported into the U.S. from international travel or related to a traveler. The most effective way to protect against measles is to vaccinate.

Top 4 Things Parents Need to Know about Measles | CDC

Diseases Prevented by Vaccines - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)

Thank you for taking the time to read about this important topic. And for vaccinating your families!

Danielle Brandt, RN BAN PHN LSN

p.507.537.6938 x4073 f.507-537-6942

Danielle.brandt@marshall.k12.mn.us

Erin Moline, CMA (AAMA)

p.507.537.6938 x4073 f.507-537-6942

erin.moline@marshall.k12.mn.us

Mental health covers our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and act. It plays a crucial role in how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices, especially in middle school. Here are some resources to help middle schoolers cope.

NAMI Helpline

The NAMI Help Line is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with mental health conditions. The NAMI Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) Helpline that offers a direct connection with another young person who shares similar experiences and is prepared to offer information, resources, and support to help you move through difficult times to a better place.

• NAMI Help Line is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264, text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis just call, or text 988 (24/7).

Local and Surrounding Areas Resources

Please click here Mental Health Service Providers for a list of local resources.

• 1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition each year, and only half of them receive treatment.
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
• The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.
• 122 million people live in Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
• In 2020, 1 in 5 young people reported that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health.
• In 2020, there was a 31% increase in mental health-related emergency department visits among adolescents.
• As of 2021, 1 in 10 young people under age 18 experienced a mental health condition following a COVID-19 diagnosis.
• 7 in 10 Americans (72%) agree that people with mental health conditions face discrimination in their everyday life.
• Only half of Americans (53%) say they are familiar with the U.S. mental health care system.

Resource

Homepage. NAMI. (2024, April 20). https://www.nami.org/

Ms. Sheppard, 5/6 Counselor

Melissa.Sheppard@marshall.k12.mn.us

Mrs. VanMoer, 7/8 Social Worker

Margo.VanMoer@marshall.k12.mn.us

It’s coming…it’s coming…it’s coming… 😊

As excitement for summer vacation builds, it is important to think about how students can maintain their literacy growth during their long academic break. Attending a Summer School program certainly offers a wonderful opportunity to continue developing reading and writing skills, but there are other viable options available as well.

Participating in a summer reading program at a local library is an example of a really great way for students to continue literacy growth during their school break and have loads of fun doing it! The Marshall Lyon County Library, for instance, plans to offer a Teen Summer Reading program which is designed to promote reading while welcoming students to participate in a variety of creative activities along the way. Students who take part will be able to earn points as they read books and partake in other creative experiences throughout the summer. Points earned can then be turned into monthly prizes as well as an opportunity to win one of three totally awesome grand prizes at the end of the summer!

For more information about the Marshall Lyon County Library’s Teen Summer Reading program, you can visit their webpage at: Summer Reading - Marshall-Lyon County Library (marshalllyonlibrary.org) or stop in and see them personally. They will be delighted to see you!

Ms. Klimek

5/6 Reading Interventionist

joni.klimek@marshall.k12.mn.us

Testing Season and Preparing for Next Year

The year's end marks the period for MCA and NWEA assessments. Teachers and students have dedicated the year to establishing a solid foundation of knowledge in anticipation of these tests. Now, it's time for students to showcase their learning. To ensure they perform optimally, please encourage your students to get sufficient sleep, have a nutritious breakfast at home or school, and, crucially, approach the tests with seriousness. The outcomes of these tests provide insights into a student's growth in a subject, informing decisions regarding class support and future placement.

For eighth-grade students, the transition to high school is imminent. This signifies two major events: a summer break from school and a significant shift to the academic demands of high school. To assist students with the transition to high school, I arranged for Marshall High School students to speak with the eighth graders. These high schoolers discussed grading systems, the significance of submitting assignments, the necessity of passing classes, and the graduation criteria that will be new to the eighth graders upon their entry into high school this fall. While they could have received this information from me, they appeared to be more responsive to their peers who are already in high school. Moreover, the high school has a transition team dedicated to ensuring they have a smooth start as they commence their classes.

Finally, when students are not in school, they encounter the "forgetting curve," a concept previously detailed by Family Vibe. It boils down to the idea that if we don't use it, we lose it. This applies to everyone, not just students; failing to engage with learned concepts for several months naturally leads to forgetting some of the acquired knowledge. To counteract this, students could do a few things over the summer:

• Find an educational social media source like a YouTube channel and watch some of the content:
• Khan Academy
• Math Antics
• Find a game which practices their skills:
• Math Games
• Prodigy Math
• Or board games which use math to create strategies:
• Yahtzee
• Shut the Box

Just something to get their minds engaged and practicing math over the summer.

Mr. Schmitt

7/8 Math Interventionist

joseph.schmitt@marshall.k12.mn.us

Teachers have finished their lessons and have progressed to our Second-Step post-assessment. The questions are derived from the material taught and discussed in each grade. The scores assist us in identifying areas that require additional focus, as well as those where we excel.

Mr. Hoppe

SEL Teacher

ethan.hoppe@marshall.k12.mn.us

We are fortunate to have a beautiful library in our middle school with a great collection of books. Thank you to those you participated in our bulletin board "Readers are Leaders".

Ms. Bloch

tracy.bloch@marshall.k12.mn.us

Mrs. Swan

joette.swan@marshall.k12.mn.us

Marshall Public Schools recognizes that having access to the Internet is critical for families and individuals. Internet access has become a vital resource for families and individuals to do a wide range of activities.

Collection of Student Devices:

Marshall Public Schools feels that students and families would benefit from maintaining these connections/access over the summer months. Therefore, the district will not collect district-issued devices at the end of the current school year except for graduating seniors and students leaving the district. Additional information will be provided to seniors and their families with device collection instructions. All current 5-11 grade students will keep their school- issued device, charger, and any district issued case providing the flexibility to use this device over the summer months. Students moving out of the district should arrange with the building they attended during the 2023-24 school year for drop-off of device, charger, and any other materials. Students who will be going into 9th grade in the fall of 2024 will receive additional correspondence on the return of their middle school device and receiving their new high school device. This will take place during the last week in August. Watch for more details.

Policies, Device Care, Support & Repair:

With the school-issued devices remaining in the student homes over the summer, we would like to emphasize that all district policies and handbooks remain in effect – e.g. Acceptable Use Policy, Digital Learning Handbook. All devices will continue to be monitored and Internet content filtered along with the expectation that parents/guardians will also monitor device use. It is also expected that students/families will take excellent care of school devices and abide by the guidelines in our Digital Learning Handbook, which can be found on the school’s website under the Technology & Digital Learning department page. Technology support and repair assistance will be available on a limited basis throughout the summer by emailing helpdesk@isd413.net or calling 507-337-9092.

Device Protection Plan:

Since the implementation of our 1:1 device program, 5th-12th grade students have been granted permission to take their district-issued device home to complete homework and activities. With this privilege, the district offers an annual Protection Plan option for families that covers any accidental damage, whether at home or in school, for the duration of the school year. With the current year protection plan fee expiring on your child’s device at the end of the 2023-24 school year (May 29, 2024), we are offering our Protection Plan program to you now to cover accidental damage during the summer months with that coverage extending through the 2024-25 school year, in accordance with our Digital Learning Handbook, if paid by May 29, 2024. This Protection Plan program is only for students in next year grades 5-12, not for K-4 students. The $25 annual fee will be assessed to your student portal fee account and can be paid online or by sending a check/payment to the district office, ATTN: Karen Londgren.

**Failure to pay this fee will result in the family being responsible for all repairs and replacements. With the rising costs of repairs and replacements, fines amounts will be increasing for the 2024-25 school year. Therefore, we encourage all families to take advantage of this accidental damage coverage.**

In summary:

• 5-11 student devices will not be collected at the conclusion of the school year. Students will keep them at home until further notice. Ownership is, however, maintained by Marshall Public Schools.

• If student is leaving the district, make arrangements with the building they attended for drop-off of device and charger.

• If a device is not returned upon leaving the district or when requested by district officials, a fine will be assessed of $415 per device and $35 per charger. Also, devices equipped with a stylus pen are required to return the stylus as well – replacements will be billed at $76 each.

• The district Acceptable Use Policy remains in effect during the summer months

• The district Digital Learning Handbook remains in effect during the summer months

• The annual Protection Plan fee is available for accidental damage coverage starting May 30, 2024, and if paid by this date, this coverage will extend through the 2024-25 school year – for next year grades 5-12 only. This fee will be assessed to your parent portal and can be paid online or by sending a check to the district office, ATTN: Karen Londgren

• Technology support and repair assistance is available throughout the summer on a limited basis by emailing helpdesk@isd413.net or calling 507-537-6965.

As educational processes develop for Fall 2024, the district will provide updates as it relates to our technology program. If you have any Internet connectivity or accessibility concerns, please contact our district office at 507-537-6924. For technical questions, please contact helpdesk@isd413.net.

Respectfully,

Todd Pickthorn, District Technology Coordinator

Todd.pickthorn@marshall.k12.mn.us

Karen Londgren, Digital Learning Coach

Karen.londgren@marshall.k12.mn.us

In a gesture of gratitude, the Student Council presented Mrs. Wolter Mattson with a super-soft blanket and a sparkly tote bag to honor her three years of devoted service as our middle school principal. As she retires after this school year, she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

MMS students and staff were excited to hear from Superintendent Jeremy Williams and the rest of the Marshall Rotary Club as they presented our 6th grade rotary essay winners with their awards. Students worked hard to answer the four questions presented by rotary "Is it the Truth?, Is it Fair?, Is it Beneficial to All?, Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendships?" and apply them to their lives. There were so many great essays to choose from and our three winners 1st – Hailey Tallam, 2nd – Maria Jose, and 3rd – Kelsey Cowden were honored to be selected.

As we enter the final quarter of the school year, parents are beginning to plan for the summer months. One essential element to incorporate into children's summer schedules is dedicated reading time. Enrolling in or establishing a reading program can greatly influence students' success. To find more information about programs, visit your local library or check out this link.

Research indicates the profound impact of reading on students, including its long-term benefits. This infographic shows the difference in reading times for students who struggle with reading and those who meet grade-level expectations.

Did you know, “starting in kindergarten, if a student reads 20 minutes a day at home, they will hear 1.8 million words per year. They will have read for 851 hours by 6th grade and on standardized tests, they will likely score better than 90% of their peers.” That is a great reason to create a reading environment in your home. (From KidsKonnect)

How can parents help?

The Impact of Reading Outside of School

1. Preventing Learning Loss: Reading outside of school during the summer can help prevent learning loss and maintain or improve reading skills. Encouraging children to read regularly exposes them to new vocabulary, ideas, and concepts, keeping their minds active and engaged.

2. Building Literacy Skills: Regular reading outside of school can enhance students' literacy skills, including comprehension, fluency, and critical thinking. Exposure to a variety of texts can broaden children’s perspectives and deepen their understanding of different subjects.

3. Fostering a Love for Learning: By promoting reading as an enjoyable activity outside of school, parents can help instill a love for learning in children that transcends beyond the classroom. Encouraging independent reading habits can nurture a lifelong passion for literature and knowledge.

Strategies to Encourage Reading Outside of School

1. Summer Reading Programs: Implementing summer reading programs or challenges can incentivize children to continue reading during the break. Offering rewards or recognition for completing reading goals can motivate students to stay engaged. Let children know of the opportunities and programs offered through the local library. Check the online incentives in the first paragraph.

2. Access to Books: Providing access to a variety of books, whether through school libraries, community resources, or digital platforms, ensures that children have ample opportunities to explore different genres and topics. Get a free library card. Look for Free Little Libraries in communities and explain how they work. Ask teachers if children can use their online EPIC account.

3. Family Involvement: Encouraging family involvement in summer reading activities can create a supportive environment for children. Recommending books for family reading or hosting book clubs can foster a culture of literacy at home. Encourage your students and children to form book exchanges and meet to read together in the summer.

By emphasizing the importance of reading outside of school and implementing strategies to combat the summer slide, parents and educators can help students maintain their academic skills and continue to grow as learners even during the break. Promoting literacy benefits our students, our school, and our community.

Did you know that the school offers free resources for your kids? The Middle School hosts a room called the "Kindness Closet" where your student can go to get items they need during school hours. All items are donated by other families and staff. The room is open during all conferences if your family wants to utilize this space.

Avera and Marshall Schools are happy to partner to support student athletes’ training and health. We want all students to stay safe and healthy so they can compete at the top of their game.

In the past we have also offered sports physicals onsite at Marshall High School. Medical professionals at Avera and Marshall Public Schools believe students would receive a more complete physical in a medical facility than is possible in the school setting. Going forward, sports physicals will not be offered at the school. Instead, individuals should schedule an appointment with their medical provider for a well-child visit including a sports physical. Please click on the link below for more information.

All middle school students have the ability to access the district's online Infinite Campus portal to view Grades, Assignments, Schedules and more. We would like all our students to have the resources they need to be successful in school and this includes regularly using their student portal account. Instructions for setting up, accessing and using the student portal are attached. Your child's advisor assisted them with these steps, but we also ask for your involvement in ensuring your child has access.

Since schedules and report cards are not mailed to families, this is the avenue to access that information.

If you have not set up your parent portal account, please see the information listed below to do that. Your parent portal provides you with this information as well, plus the opportunity to pay any online fees (technology, food service, etc).

Ms. Londgren, Digital Learning Coach

karen.londgren@marshall.k12.mn.us