Wow! Today marks the half-way point of the 2021-22 school year. Thank you to everyone, students, parents, teachers, and support staff who have worked so hard to make this year a positive one.

The semester switch only affects a few of our classes, 7th and 8th grade PLTW and Art. However, today also marks the half-way point of Trimester 2. Students, please take a look at how you are currently doing in school. If you are doing well, WHY are you doing well? Keep it up! If you aren't doing well, ask yourself WHY? What can you do to improve? What can we help with?

Scheduled Conferences (Virtual)

• Family Initiated
• Dates: Thursday, February 3
• Time: 4:00-7:30pm
• Conference Setup: Virtual (Google Meets)
• Conference Length: 10 Minutes
• How to Schedule Conferences: Skyward Family Access Conference Signup Directions.

Trouble Scheduling a Conference! Parent Signup Video Directions

Selected Conferences: Teachers contact families to conference with specific students.

• Teacher Initiated
• Dates: Flexible times between February 7 and February 17
  
• Time: Flexible
• Conference Setup: Virtual (Google Meets)

We want to acknowledge the staff shortages we have had in recent weeks, especially with transportation. This week our state and nation have posted record pandemic case rates. We had all hoped the pandemic would be behind us, but omicron is on its own course. We wish we could say there is an easy answer; there is not.

We expect to continue to face staff shortages, despite every effort to recruit and hire more staff. We appreciate your cooperation, patience and grace. We encourage every family to have a back-up plan for unpredictable schedules and/or situations. Here are some scenarios we might anticipate:

• Bus driver absence: you will receive a phone call and service will be delayed 3 hours for elementary and 2 hours for secondary. If you can carpool or transport your child, we encourage you to do so.

• Close contact or quarantine: When students need to quarantine, plan for 7-10 days at home. Plan for extended absences and childcare.

• Student illnesses: If your child is sick or has any COVID-related symptoms, keep them at home.

• Inclement weather: two-hour late starts or early dismissals are possible. Review our procedures on our website.

Our Safe Learning Plan for students has not changed. We continue to be committed to keeping students in-person, in school as long as it is safe to do so. Working together, we will get through this difficult period.

2021-22 IMS Student Handbook

Electronic Devices

In the event that we are not able to hold school in person due to a winter storm or cold weather, we move to an eLearning Day in Cambridge-Isanti. A flexible eLearning Day means that school can be in session without students and staff being physically present at the school. Below is more information on our eLearning Day.

All teachers will be available from 10am-3pm by school email or within their open Google Meets. Please see the modified schedule for students to join their class Google Meets for additional questions and supports.

• IMS eLearning Plan
• School Closings & Alerts (District site)

The link to an updated Covid-19 Testing Program

While there is currently no charge for student meals this school year, there is still plenty of benefit to filling out a Free and Reduced Meals application! Approval may also qualify you for discounts with Athletics and Activities, Community Education, Advanced Placement testing and various fees throughout the district and Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). Please see the following income guidelines to see if your family might qualify.
You can submit an application electronically through Skyward Family Access or complete the paper version of the application, which can be faxed at 763-689-6200 attention: Debbie or emailed to dknickerbocker@c-ischools.org.

• If you have submitted an application and have been approved for meal benefits there is nothing further that you need to do.
• If you have any questions regarding the application please feel free to contact Debbie at 763-689-6237.

With the upcoming holiday break affecting processing, we are encouraging anyone who feels they may qualify to apply as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT PANDEMIC EBT UPDATE
Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals may be eligible for Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). To be considered, households must submit an application for free or reduced-price meals for the 2021-22 school year or be approved for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Families who received P-EBT benefits last year are not automatically eligible; eligibility is based on the current school year. To ensure you qualify for the most benefits, please submit your application as soon as possible.

Nathan Huff, SNS
Food Service Director

• Morning Session: 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM (45 Min)

• Afternoon Session: 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM (45 Min)

• ENCORE Brochure/Registration

January 27: 6th grade Band Concert - Days 1 & 2 classes only (7:00 pm)

January 28: CIHS Band Festival (8th grade) (morning)

February 3: Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:00-7:30PM (Virtual)

February 4: CIHS Choir Festival (8th grade) (morning)

February 18: No School (Presidents' Day Weekend)

February 21: No School (Presidents' Day)

February 22: IMS Spring Pictures

February 24: RINGS Presentation @ CIHS (9th gr. Registration)

Every Meal is an organization that provides weekend food to children right where they are – at school. Their broad network provides 4-5 pounds of substantive, nutritious food directly to the children. At the end of each school week we will have food bags available to students as they leave IMS. Please complete the enrollment form or contact Terri Emmons, Isanti Middle School School Counselor, at temmons@c-ischools.org or 763-691-8659 to enroll your child.

• IMS Every Meal 2021-22 (Sign-up)
• Every Meal (Brochure)

Email: rpauly@c-ischools.org
Website: https://www.c-ischools.org/domain/33
Location: 201 Centennial Drive Northwest, Isanti, MN, USA
Phone: (763) 691-8600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Isanti-Middle-School-Minnesota-Center-1616822051697940/
Twitter: @IMSANDMNC