Eagle Insights

Thank you to those who attended conferences last week. We love meeting with and problem-solving with parents as a team. If you were unable to meet with a teacher you wanted to last week, we still encourage you to reach out and have an email, phone, or in-person conversation. The best way to collaborate for strong student success is through direct communication with those who are delivering your child's education.

In a Tech Talk Tuesday newsletter I received this past week, they highlighted ChatGPT for teens. The main takeaway is that ChatGPT for Teens claims to have safety features, but that when tested, those features failed. I share this, not so that kids don't ever use AI, but so we can be better informed as parents not to rely solely on parent alert-type features that many teen accounts offer.

Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute tested OpenAI’s new ChatGPT for Teens and rated it an “Unacceptable Risk” for all kids under 18. Parent alerts failed to fire even when teens discussed suicide, self-harm, or disordered eating, crisis support fell short, and it still does kids’ homework. The findings show why we need regulations requiring independent safety testing before these products reach teens.

Read the blog here to understand the issue.

Did you miss the presentation by our resident therapists, Beth and Bellah, titled "They're in Middle School, Now What?"

The presentation will be recorded and shared out in the coming weeks. Those who were able to attend appreciated the information that was shared. The reality is that parenting teenagers is not easy. We want to help provide some information and tips to make it better.

Berry Blendz will be sold at lunch for $5 CASH each Wednesday. Proceeds go to the student group volunteering for the week as well as to our school RISE prizes and events.

Some groups that will be selling include Student Council, FFA, Hope Squad, International Travel, and more!

Flavor Forecast:

10/21 - Razzelade

10/28 - Fruit Fusion

Junior & Senior students have the opportunity to apply to the MSHSL AAA and ExCEL awards for 26-27. Information was posted in Google Classroom today. Students should read the qualifications carefully, as the application is long and fairly time consuming. We want to honor students, but also want to be sure students who apply are eligible. To find out more about either award, visit https://www.mshsl.org/who-are-you/students/student-recognition.

Is your student interested in a hands-on career where they can earn money while they learn? They should sign up to attend the Construct Tomorrow Trades Fair at RCTC on Tuesday, October 28. For just $5, students can explore union apprenticeship programs in careers such as plumbing, electrical, welding, carpentry, and bricklaying. These programs provide hands-on training while students earn a wage. Interested students should see Mr. McRae for a permission slip.

Is your student interested in science and pursuing a career in healthcare? If so, they should attend the Mayo Clinic Career Festival on October 19th! This career fair will be at the Mayo Civic Center and goes from 9:00 to 11:00. There is a cost of $7 to cover transportation costs, spots are limited. Students must be passing classes and have good attendance to attend. Interested students should stop by Mr. McRae's office for a permission slip.

On Tuesday, November 10th we will be bringing a group of students to tour the University of Wisconsin - Stout in Menomonie, WI. This is an opportunity to see a nearby college and get a firsthand view of what a university can look like while getting to speak with students, faculty, and tour campus. There is a cost of $10 for busing. Students who wish to go should see Mr. McRae in the career center for a permission slip. Spots are limited so sign up right away!

Gr 8 Eagle Bluff Trip: 10/28-30

Blood Drive: 11/3

End of Quarter 1: 11/6

No School: 11/9

Fall Musical: 11/20-22

2026-2027 District Calendar

Activities Calendar

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized for being Awesome Eagles for the month of September!

6th Grade - Ava Rask

7th Grade - Jase Ferguson

8th Grade - Charlotte Mathison

9th Grade - Kelton Foster

10th Grade - Hope Kurtz

11th Grade - Niko Tomic

12th Grade - Emery Diffendorfer

I'm hearing more and more about students getting sucked into AI as a friend and it ending with negative consequences. In fact, this past week The Wall Street Journal published an article titled "Middle Schoolers are Seeking Out AI Friends."

In the article, they highlighted how current research says "the more often the students use AI [chatbots], the more anxious and lonely they become."

A cited quote from the research states:

“We found that two to four kids in every classroom are now reporting they prefer interaction with a chatbot over a human peer,” says Mitch Prinstein, codirector of UNC’s Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development and one of the study’s authors. “This is a pretty existential concern for this generation.” At this age, young adolescents’ brains are being wired to build relationships, so the risks compound.

Here is a direct quote from a parent in the article:

“She engaged with it every possible second she could,” Mileva says. “I didn’t realize she felt so lonely and that she was seeking validation from it. She said the chatbot understood her and agreed with her, and I said that’s what they’re designed to do.”

Why am I drawing this to your attention? Because a seemingly innocent online tool is now threatening the typical development of adolescents and leading to dire consequences, such as mental health problems, suicide, and drug overdoses. I encourage you to do your own research and then have an open conversation with your student about this. Find out if they have tried it. You might be surprised, and may want to take steps to intervene.

Jargon, Julie. "How AI Chatbots Are Deepening Loneliness Among Middle-School Students." The Wall Street Journal, 27 Sept. 2026, www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/ai-chatbot-use-middle-school-a1a77589. [1]

This year the Middle School Yearbook is being created with the help of a Community Ed class!

You can order the MS yearbook here. The price at this time is $26.

Purchase your High School Yearbook here! The price at this time is $68.

Our After School Program is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:06–4:15 PM in Mrs. Heublein’s Room (B129).

The program is open to all students in grades 6–12 and provides a structured, quiet place for students to:

• Complete homework and assignments
• Make up tests or missed work
• Get caught up and stay on track academically
  
  

We encourage students who could benefit from some extra time and support to attend! The After School Program is intended to be a focused work environment, rather than a space for games or socializing.

Please note: The After School Program will not be held on days when there is no school or when conferences are scheduled.

If you need the newsletter in another language, choose the translate option.

See how here: https://youtu.be/nesZrgZQhFc?t=61

Disponible en español a través de la opción de traducción. Mira el video para aprender cómo.

HSMS Principal: Sarah Carlson

Email: sarahcarlson@deschools.org

HSMS Dean: Brooke Hasleiet

Email: brookehasleiet@deschools.org

Website: www.desch.org
Location: 615 South Ave. SW, Eyota, MN 55934
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoverEyotaHSMS