Sanford Family Newsletter

Good People,

Welcome to Maria Sanford Middle School! I am honored to serve Sanford Middle School as your Principal. My name is Naida Grussing-Neitzel and it is pronounced like this: nay-da grew-sing night-zel. Students may call me Principal Naida. Please know that I really love high-fives!

Our staff looks forward to greeting you at our Back to School Open House on Wednesday August 27 from 4:00-7:00pm.

You may not have know that Maria Sanford will have a new Assistant Principal this school year. I am thrilled to announce that Gwyn Burnett is our new Assistant Principal. Please know that she is looking forward to meeting you!

Gwyn comes to us most recently having served as Assistant Principal in Hopkins Public Schools. She is returning to MPS having previously been a 7th grade ELA teacher at Justice Page Middle School as well as Behavior Dean at Anishinabe Academy and South High School.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Gwyn Burnett to the Maria Sanford school community.

In Partnership,

Principal Naida Grussing-Neitzel

• Families may visit the school on Tuesday August 19 from 2-6pm for self-tours. Our teachers will not be present and your student schedule will not be complete but you can come and walk the building to increase comfort and prepare to transition to school. Our School Social Workers will be present!

• We look forward to seeing you all soon at our Back to School Open House. Students and their family may stop in anytime between 4:00 and 7:00pm on Wednesday August 27. You will be able to get your schedule and practice walking class to class, and meet your teachers! Our PTA will be providing frozen treats for everyone!

• Please know that we communicate on social media mostly through Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanford.middle.school?igsh=ajBndGV5dXh5emFo&utm_source=qr Follow us to learn more about what is happening at Sanford!

• District School Calendars can be found here: https://www.mpschools.org/about-mps/calendars

• When our teachers are back at work, they will communicate with you via an app called Talking Points. There is no need to download the app in order to text with teachers but some caregivers prefer the app over the text messages.

• Grades and Attendance data is found in Infinite Campus. It is important that caregivers check this portal at least every two weeks to see academic feedback and grades to support your student.

• The School Supply list can be found on our website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ9qKiSdtLl8SSdvp_mVLBuMsBNs1eCRQH-PQXeagkr_vlHQTab4LFITjVQv67Teg/pub

• All students will be given a school planner during the first week of school. Check this planner to see your students goals, grades and assignments.

• All Minneapolis Middle and High Schools require no personal devices from the beginning of the day until the end of the day. You may reach your student by calling the main office as needed.

• Students are not allowed to wear bluetooth headphones/earbuds. We recommend a wired earbud for use in class when allowed by the teacher. Each teacher has some headphones available for student use as needed.

• We expect students to be dressed appropriately for learning. We do have donations of clothing and self-care supplies available.

• Students in Minnesota will continue to get free school breakfast and lunch. School lunch menus can be found at mpschools.org/menus . Families can put additional money on their student School Cafe account for second meals and a la carte items (like milk) at this link: https://www.schoolcafe.com/MINNEAPOLISPUBLICSCHOOLS

• Our Athletic Director is Josh Cannon. For Fall Sports we offer all gender Soccer. Our team has only 20ish spots and we play other Minneapolis Middle Schools after school. Stay tuned for registration information! Students in 7th grade and up can play in the Minnesota State High School League at Roosevelt High School. More information can be found here: https://roosevelt.mpschools.org/activities-athletics/athletics

• Our After-School Coordinator is Lissa Gordon. Our programs fill up quickly so stay tuned for registration for after-school programs in the coming weeks.

• Our School Nurse is Lisa Kocon. Please reach out to her with any medical questions.

• Our School Counselor is Jeremy Mattson. Please reach out to him for any schedule questions.

• Our School Social Workers are Becky Wesseman and Parker Holmboe. If you need assistance with any clothing or school supplies, please reach out!

• We partner with the Washburn Center for Children and the American Indian Health Board to provide in school therapy to students. Typically there is a wait list. Please reach out to our Social Workers for more information.

• Here is a parenting book recommendation: The Anxious Generation https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book

We are looking forward to another successful year supporting the students and staff at Sanford! Here are some important dates to save:

August 19th 6:00p-7:30p will be our first PTA meeting of the school year in the Media Center at Sanford. All are welcome! Please consider joining us to find out what's happening at Sanford, hear from the principal, learn about upcoming events, and find out about volunteer opportunities both big and small. Sanford will also be open this day from 10:00a-6:00p for self guided tours.

August 25th 6:00p-7:30p will be our school grounds clean up event. Help us get the school grounds looking good for Open House! We will provide light snacks and hope you will consider staying after to socialize with a $5 burger from Blue Door. Students and adults are welcome! This is a great way for Roosvelt students to earn service hours!

August 27th 4:00p-7:00pm is Open House. Stop by the PTA table to find out more info about how you can get involved! We will be giving away free Sanford yard signs and selling Sanford Swag . Also enjoy some free ice cream treats outside after you see the school.

To contact us or to sign up for our email notifications, please send an email to: sanfordmspta@gmail.com.

• The building doors will open daily at 8:30am for students.
• It is very important that students arrive on time for every class!
• We will have grade level lunches and recess this year.
• Advisory is a critical time for students to focus, set goals, and have choice. It is a graded and required class. Stay tuned for updates regarding Advisory in the coming weeks as it will look a little different this year.
• Students will have the opportunity to move their bodies during recess, normally outside. Make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather.

Please review the student rights and responsibilities handbook with your student! From the introduction: "This handbook is Minneapolis Public Schools’ guide to student behavior. Minneapolis Public Schools’ School Board creates and adopts policies to guide the actions of everyone in the district. The goal of Minneapolis Public Schools is to provide students with a safe environment conducive to learning." Click the photo to read the handbook.

August 19, 2025: Family & Student Self-Tours 2:00-6:00pm

August 19, 2025: Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting 6:00pm in the Media Center

August 27, 2025: Fall Open House 4:00-7:00pm (Meet your Teacher, Get your Schedule)

September 2, 2025: First Day of School (doors open at 8:30am and class starts at 8:40am; school ends at 3:20pm)

September 16, 2025: Parent Teacher Association (PTA) 6:00pm in the Media Center

September 16, 2025: Curriculum Night & State of the School 7:00pm

Ms. Naida Grussing-Neitzel, Principal

naida.grussing-neitzel@mpls.k12.mn.us

Cell Phone: 612-730-1803

Sanford Middle School
3524 42nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Student School Hours: 8:40 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.

Main Office Phone: 612-668-4900

School Calendar

Athletics

Parent Portal (Infinite Campus) - Call the main office for the activation code if you need it!

School Instagram

School Facebook

School Attendance Google Form

Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook