Isanti Middle School

Yesterday you received a communication from Dr. Rudolph regarding the extension of the district’s Distance Learning model through at least Tuesday, January 19. The purpose of this letter is to share with you that at the middle level, in an attempt to improve the learning experience for all of our middle school students, both our Distance Learning students and our CI Online students, we are making some significant adjustments to our Trimester 2 schedule.

We understand the thought of changing schedules can cause some concern and anxiety in our students. Please know these changes are really intended to better meet the needs of all of our middle school students. The three most important reasons for making these changes now as we move into the 2nd trimester:

• CIO Staffing and Instructional Delivery: This change will allow us to consolidate the staffing of our Online program. This will have significant benefits to the CIO students as well as our In Person/Distance Learning students.

• Hybrid Model: When we return to a Hybrid Model for our In Person/Distance Learning students, this change will enable us to provide instruction to students on the days they are not in person in the building. This was one of the biggest challenges we faced in our Hybrid Model.

• Pod Sizes: This change will allow us to better balance our cohort/pod sizes between group A and group B students.

We will be communicating more of the details to students next week. They will also be able to see any changes in their schedule as the Trimester 2 schedule becomes visible in Skyward during the week. Teachers will also be reaching out to students as we finish this first trimester. Finally, we are planning for Monday, December 7, to be a Transition Day for teachers to work with students, help them get comfortable with their new daily schedules, settle into new google Classrooms, and better understand the weekly schedule and expectations for Trimester 2.

Your child’s mental health is important to us. Lighthouse Child & Family Services provides school-linked mental health services in your school. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Lighthouse now offers both in-person and telehealth options. Your child shouldn’t have to miss therapy due to changes in schedules. This added flexibility has been really helpful for families already utilizing the service. Lighthouse works collaboratively with our school and other agencies in the community to assist children and families year-round. Ask your school contacts how you can connect with this service or call Lighthouse directly at 320-983-2335 to learn more about this service.

• Website: www.lighthousecfs.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lighthousechildandfamilyservicesmn
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lighthousecfs/?hl=en

Got questions about an assignment? Not sure how you want to structure your work? Just need to speak to an adult about your assignments? If you answered "YES" to any of these questions then the Virtual Resource Rooms are for you. With us going to full Distance Learning we have adjusted our staffing and will now have a separate Resource Room for each grade.

When teachers call, you may not recognize the caller ID. Teachers sometimes place phone calls via the Google Hangouts Meet platform. When a teacher calls you from their Hangouts Meet, the caller ID will say “Google Hngts ME.”

• What does this mean for a parent? It means that the number the teachers are calling families from will not be their school number but may be a number that comes from some other area code.
• How do I call my child’s teacher? Two ways, here is a quick link attached to our school webpage, IMS Teacher Directory. You can find their school number listed on the Staff Directory Website and leave a message if they do not answer. The teacher will then be able to call you back using Google Hangouts Meet. When a teacher calls you from their Hangouts Meet, it will say “Google Hngts ME” in the caller ID.

Please, please, please, remember the importance of continuing to report illness, and positive COVID-19 results to the school health office. As a district we are continuing to track the number of cases within our school district. This data is essential for us to determine the direct effect community spread has on our school population. Please call the attendance line (763.691.8661), or the school health office (763.691.8603).

Sending well wishes!

Ms. Winger, Licensed School Nurse

763-691-8604

mwinger@c-ischools.org

Cambridge-Isanti Schools promotes the five character traits of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Self-Discipline, and Honesty. We expect students to demonstrate these character traits as they interact with their peers, staff, and teachers online during distance learning. Our Bluejacket Pride flyer provides additional guidance on what students can do to be successful online while our schools are in the distance learning model.

Student Chromebooks are the property of Cambridge-Isanti Schools and all school rules and expectations regarding Policy 524 - Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy still apply.

Attendance form is in your Google Classroom:

• CIO:.......Social Studies
• 6th gr.:...Period 7
• 7th gr.:...Period 4
• 8th gr.:...Period 4

Grab and Go Meals: Grab and Go Meals (NO COST) will continue to be available for pickup.

• 8:00-1:30 - Cambridge Isanti High School (Door 31)

• 9:00-12:30 - Cambridge Middle School (Back door by loading dock)

• 9:00-12:30 - Isanti Primary School (Door 20)

• 9:00-12:30 - Isanti Intermediate School (Door 2)

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