Kasson-Mantorville Middle School

Dear KMMS Families,

We are excited to welcome our students back tomorrow. It will be a great day full of energy and excitement. Thank you for a great Grade 5 Orientation and Middle School Open House. It was great to see so many students and families. For our 5th grade families, it was the first time we held a Grade 5 Orientation. If you have any feedback, feel free to share with me. We are always looking to improve. Please read the important information below.

Student Schedules

If students were unable to pick up their schedule during Open House, we will have staff available in the commons for schedule pick-up. Students may also access their schedule on Infinite Campus. We are looking forward to a great first day of school.

Routines and Expectations

As we start a the new school year, routines and expectations are explicitly taught and heavily reinforced by our teachers and staff. I have the opportunity to meet with all students this week and discuss the importance of our words and actions. At KMMS, we follow four basic expectations: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Re Responsible, and Be Engaged. We feel that if students exhibit these four expectations routinely, they will be success in middle school and beyond. Thank you in advance for reinforcing these expectations with your student(s).

Daily Desired Experiences at KMMS

As we continue our work throughout the school year, we want to engage students and their families in the daily desired experience at KMMS. Last year, our middle school students reported what they would like their middle school daily experience to be. Working alongside students and staff, we identified the priorities for our students. As a staff, we will make every effort to ensure we provide the best possible experience for our students at KMMS.

Safety & Belonging

• I feel welcome and safe at school and on the bus.
• I have good friends at school, and my peers treat me with respect.
• My teachers build a positive relationship with me, greet me every day, and accept me for who I am.

Classroom Environment & Instruction

• My teachers handle behaviors that get in the way of my learning.
• My teachers explain things clearly, make sure I understand what I'm learning, and are easy to talk to when I need help or support.
• My teachers use different ways to teach and make learning fun.

Student Choice & Engagement

• I can make choices for my classes, where I spend my time, and the food I eat during my school day.
• I have opportunities to participate in fun clubs, sports, and after-school related activities.

Social Connections & School Experiences

• I have the time that I need to connect with my friends during the day.
• I enjoy our school's spaces and all that they offer.

Bark! Monitoring at KMMS

At KMMS, we use on online filtering tool called "Bark!" This feature monitors our students' @Komets Google Email and Drive for swearing, cyberbullying, dangerous content, and suicidal ideation. Please know we take every effort to ensure our students feel safe and welcome at KMMS. It is important for us to ensure students are using online tools appropriately. Thank you in advance for reinforcing appropriate online behaviors at home.

Transportation

Continuing this school year, all students who ride a bus home will be picked up at the middle school in the south parking lot. Please know this plan prioritizes student safety over convenience.

KMMS Parking Lot

For those new to the middle school, please access the brief YouTube video explaining the pick-up and drop-off processes. At the 4:24 mark in the video, there is now a barricade, and families must turn right into the parking area. Parents and families are no longer able to cut through. Thank you for your understanding.

School Hours

The regular school day at KMMS is 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

• Students will be permitted into the building at 7:15 am.
• The first bell rings at 7:55 am, students are expected to be in class by 8:00 am.
• After school, students must leave the building by 3:10 pm unless in a sport, activity, or the Learning Lab (Homework Help).

Cell Phone Expectations

Students are permitted to use their cell phones before and after school. Once first bell rings at 7:55 am, students will put their cell phones in their locker for the day. Students will be able to access their phones again at 3:00 pm. Any student seen with a phone between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm will have their phone taken to the office. If you need to connect with your child, please communicate with the office at 507-634-4030 and we will relay your message.

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Thank you for your continued partnership with Kasson-Mantorville Middle School. I hope you all enjoy the last day of summer. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions at 507-634-4030 or j.larsen@komets.k12.mn.us. I look forward to partnering with you and your child(ren) this school year. Go KoMets!

Together in KoMet Pride,

Josh Larsen, Principal

Tuesday, September 1st - KMMS First Day of School, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Monday, September 7th - No School, Labor Day

Thursday, September 10th - KMMS Picture Day (Do Not Wear Green)

Monday, September 21st - 25th - K-M Homecoming Week

Tuesday, September 22nd - Early Release at 1:00 pm

This is a friendly reminder for incoming 7th graders, that they must have immunizations turned in before the first day of the 2026-2027 school year. The Meningococcal and Tdap immunization are required. Should you prefer to exempt your child from immunizations, please contact Nurse Ashley for the exemption form.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions please contact Nurse Ashley @ a.greer@komets.k12.mn.us.

Students will receive their 25-26 yearbook this fall. Miss Emily will have yearbooks waiting in students upcoming year locker. Previous 8th grade students will be able to pick yearbooks up at the high school.

If you forgot to purchase your middle schooler a yearbook, not to worry. The middle school office has some yearbooks available for purchase. They are $25 and payments can be cash or check (made out to KMMS).

What is Food for Friends?

Food for Friends is a program that provides nutritious, child-friendly, and easy-to-prepare foods to Kasson-Mantorville students who would benefit from additional assistance on weekends and on school breaks. There is no cost to the student or family to participate in Food for Friends.

We are excited to welcome Libby, our new School-Based Mental Health Therapist from Family Service Rochester! Libby will be collaborating with our District School Counselors and Social Workers to provide therapeutic services to K-12 students.

If you think your child may benefit from mental health services, please contact the middle school office for more information. Once a child is referred to School-Based Mental Health, an initial consultation will be scheduled and a diagnostic assessment completed. All School-Based Mental Health Services will be billed to family insurance plans.

Address: 1400 5th Ave NE, Kasson, MN USA

Phone # 507-634-4030

School Website

Facebook

Office Staff

Josh Larsen, Principal: j.larsen@komets.k12.mn.us

Sarah Simon, TLC: s.simon@komets.k12.mn.us

Brianna Kirchner, Counselor: b.kirchner@komets.k12.mn.us

Jesse Torres, Social Worker: j.torres@komets.k12.mn.us

Sally Smith, Secretary: sally.smith@komets.k12.mn.us

Emily Mehling, Secretary: e.mehling@komets.k12.mn.us

Ashley Greer, MS Nurse: a.greer@komets.k12.mn.us