Crimson Newsletter - Oct. 2, 2024
October 2, 2024
It's Fall in Crimson Territory
October is the one of the best times of the year! The leaves are turning, and may that always favor the mighty Crimson of Maple Grove. It also symbolizes the passage of time, as we are now full on into the school year. Things are going well in Crimson Territory!
Believe it or not, our mid-trimester conferences are coming up on October 8 and October 14, both days from 3:00–7:00 p.m.
- **Families will receive an email on Friday, October 4, at 2:00 p.m. from crimsonhour@district279.org which includes a link to schedule 10-minute conferences.
- Families can attend by their choice of Google Meet or in-person.
- Our staff looks forward to partnering in support of our Crimson students' academic success!
As we are finishing our fifth week of school, students are becoming more comfortable and finding their grooves. The freshmen class has already blended right in, as if they've been here for months! Positive classroom environments are being formed, summative assessments are occurring, and students are utilizing Crimson Hour (two 45-minute blocks each week) with good success.
We've received universally positive feedback from staff and families – and many students – about the expectations of no personal devices during instructional time. Students report greater focus and engagement, teachers report much stronger learning environments, and families love the accountability. It's not perfect, and our staff continue to work had to monitor and confiscate devices when we see them, but all in all, it's been a success here at Maple Grove.
As always, thank you for your support and partnership. It's been a great start to the year! Feel free to contact me with any questions at beckerb@district279.org.
Yours very respectfully,
Bart Becker, Principal
Homecoming 2024 is in the books! There was amazing participation by students each day in the dress themes, and we had a phenomenal pepfest with the sophomore Class of 2027 claiming the Crimson Cup. I'm so proud of our seniors for their leadership and tone which they set as an example for underclassmen to follow.
Crimson Activities had a great week in competition, including our Girls' Volleyball team defeating the 3x defending state champion Wayzata Trojans! To cap off the week, a record 1930 students attended our homecoming dance in the cafeteria and courtyard. We might have been short on sleep by week's end, but we were full of Crimson Pride.
The Crimson Yearbook website is live! You can visit www.MapleGroveYearbook.com to order a yearbook, submit a senior portrait, baby ad, or community photo.
You can visit www.MapleGroveYearbook.com to order a yearbook, submit a senior portrait, baby ad, or community photo. Order before November 27 for our Early Bird Discount! Seniors should view the senior flyer on the website for more detailed information on how to submit your senior photos and baby ads.
Issues or questions about the website or yearbook? Please email Ashley at ashley@maplegroveyearbook.com.
- October 8 and 14: Mid-trimester conferences
- October 11: Picture retake day
- October 17-18: No school (MEA weekend)
- November 5: No school (Professional development workshop)
- November 27: No school (Mark Reporting)
- November 28-29 No school (Thanksgiving Break)
- December 2: First day of the second trimester
- December 21: Winter break begins
Kemmetmueller Photography, Inc. will again be our photographer for the 2024-25 school year. We have one more photo date coming up on Friday, October 11.
See the attachment for information on the ordering process. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions about your student’s school picture experience, need help with ordering photos, or have any other concerns: info@k-photography.com. You may also reach them by phone at (952) 473-2142.
In other news:
- AP exam registration is now open! Students that want to take an AP exam must sign up and register via Total Registration. Exams are $65 each between September 3 and November 1, 2024
- FAFSA will be released to a limited amount of families beginning in October, and will open for everyone sometime in December. The CRC will be teaching senior students about FAFSA during Foundations in December, and there will be a virtual support session for families held in January
- We're always seeking representatives from a variety of local professions to participate on career panels and senior mock interviews throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering with the CRC, please fill out this form.
- October is College Knowledge Month! Here is a list of colleges offering free applications during the month of October. MN Free Application Opportunities
- Students should stop in the CRC on Wednesdays in October. Students can enter our drawing to win collegiate shirts, pennants and more!
- Crimson Careers is hosting a Business Panel for students on Wednesday, October 23 from 9:40 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. Interested students can fill out this Google form.
- We offer a variety of opportunities to explore careers and educational opportunities with local professionals in-person in the CRC. We host college representatives from public and private, 2-year and 4-year, liberal arts and technical colleges and universities. The following colleges are visiting in October:
- Minnesota North College
- University of Kansas
- Elon University
- University of Northwestern, St. Paul
- Hamline University
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- University of Missouri
- Drake University
- Michigan Tech University
- Bethany Lutheran College
- Hennepin Technical College
- Northern Michigan University
- Alexandria Technical and Community College
- North Hennepin Community College
- Lawrence University
- St. Cloud State University
- Arizona State University
- Lake Superior College
- University of Minnesota, Rochester
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- Macalester College
- University North Dakota
- University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Visit the CRC website for more information!
