April 2026

Dear MSE Families,

As we enter the final month of the school year, we are focusing on clear, consistent messaging to help all students finish strong. This week in KORT, students heard from Dean/AD Lindquist, Assistant Principal Holler, and me about our expectations for a successful end to the year.

Please take a few minutes to watch the video below with your child and talk about the message. We share a common goal—ensuring every student finishes the year positively and successfully—and your partnership makes a difference.

Thank you for your continued support.

Happy May Day!

Jennie Kelly

Beginning Monday, May 4th, learners will be launching a new May Learner's Story! We are excited to have received feedback from learners and staff, and to implement the changes for review before the 2026-27 School Year! Please ask your child to share this with you! Here is a link to a tutorial video to help you locate it with your child. Thank you!

Big Woods School Forrest

Throughout the school year, students may be taken across the street to the Big Woods School Forest for learning activities that support our curriculum. These experiences provide valuable hands-on opportunities in a natural setting. If you have any concerns or do not wish for your child to participate, please contact the school office so we can make appropriate arrangements.

Save the Date!

Upcoming Dates at MSE 📅

5/4/2026: American Indian Parent Advisory Committee - 5:00 - 6:00 PM 🪶
5/8/2026: Exploratory Day! - All day 🔍✨
5/12/2026: Grades 5 & 6 Band Concert - 7:30 PM @ HS PAC 🎺🎶
5/19/2026 - Choir Concert @ HS PAC 🎤🎶

Grades 5 & 6 - 6:00 PM
Grades 7 & 8 - 7:30 PM

5/25/2026 - No School 🚫🏫
5/28/2026 - Band Concert @ Middle School West 🎺🎵

Grade 7 - 6:00 PM
Grade 8 - 8:00 PM

6/1/2026 - 8th Grade Tour the High School and Celebrate Middle School Experience (Alternate Schedule)
6/1/2026 - MSE Talent Show (Alternate Schedule)
6/4/2026 - Last Day of School! 🎉📚

2026-27 Middle School East Calendar of Events

MN Twins National Anthem

Please take a moment to enjoy the video below featuring our combined MSE and MSW 8th grade bands performing at the MN Twins game yesterday. Despite the chilly temperatures, the weather held up, and our students did an outstanding job representing our community.

Exciting Spring Opportunities for Our Students!

Middle School East offers the following sports for 7th and 8th grade for the Spring Season:

Golf
Track and Field
Softball
Baseball
Boys Tennis

Middle School Spring Sports will start Monday, April 6th.

Click here to view our Spring Brochure for more opportunities for 7th and 8th grade students.

We’re always looking to connect students with the right activities. If you or your student have any questions about sports, clubs, or other opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help!

Molly Lindquist - Activity Director & Dean of Students

JV One Act Play performed for 5th and 6th grade

Minute to Win It Games for Inside Recess

7th Grade East vs West Basketball Game

*As we are nearing the end of the school year, please note that students' medications ( daily, as needed, inhalers and Epi-Pens) will be sent home with your student the week of school. If you would like to pick up the medication instead, please contact andreamis@mystma.org to set up a time to do so.

*Summer is a GREAT Time to schedule your student's Well-Child Visit, Sports Physicals and Immunization appointments.

The Minnesota K-12 Immunization Law requires 2 vaccines before the start of 7th Grade (Tdap Booster and Meningococcal)

https://www.health.mn.gov/people/immunize/basics/readyk12.pdf

Please contact your child's primary care provider with any questions.

On Wednesday, April 29th, two MSE Math Master’s 5th grade teams went to competition. There were 22 teams there, Team #2 with Evan F., Sawyer S., Liam E., Piper P. and Maggie S. took 3rd place. Team #1 with Abeiku A., Brian H., Mason Z., Nadine J. and Emma D. took 2nd place overall. Individual honors included - out of 115 students in the fact drill round in 7th place was Mason, 6th place Sawyer, 4th place Evan, 3rd place Nadine and Abeiku took 1st. In the individual competition, Brian H. placed 7th, Nadine placed 6th, Abeiku placed 5th, Piper placed 3rd and Mason took 1st overall. Congratulations to both teams that participated!

Information Regarding E-Bikes and Motorized Foot Scooters

If your family owns an e-bike or an electric foot scooter, we encourage you to take a few minutes to review Minnesota state laws with your child to help keep everyone safe.

A few important reminders:

The legal age to ride an e-bike in Minnesota is 15 and older.
The legal age to ride a motorized foot scooter is 12 and older.
Riders of motorized foot scooters must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.

Thank you for helping us keep safety a top priority for our students and families!

E-Bikes: 169.222 Subd (6a)
Motorized Foot Scooters: 169.225

Counseling Corner

Our family CharacterDare challenges provide a variety of opportunities to engage in actviities designed to increase connection and conversation at home. They also provide students with more opportunities to practice habits and skills discussed in class.

In addition to the title and the challenge itself, you'll notice a couple of symbols in the top corner. The weight represents how challenging we think the Dare is to complete. The single plate weights are lower level Dares. The more weight added, the more the Dare is designed to stretch you.

Some of the Dares are designed to be quick wins that can be accomplished in less than a minute. Others may required a bit of time. A full clock represents a more ongoing Dare that might extend throughout or beyond a week.