August 2026

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year at STMA Middle School East! On behalf of our whole team, we are so excited to welcome back our returning students and open our doors to the new families joining our MSE community this fall.

While a new school year brings fresh energy and a few new faces, it also brings the comfort of the traditions and community spirit that make Middle School East such a wonderful place to learn. As we step into this year together, our focus remains squarely on what matters most: creating strong, meaningful connections with our students and partnering closely with you. We truly are better together!

I am deeply honored to serve as your new principal at Middle School East. Stepping into this role is an exciting new chapter for me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the MSE and STMA community. I look forward to building on the strong relationships and traditions that make MSE special while creating new opportunities for our students and staff. We are also thrilled to welcome our new administrative team members and educators joining us this year, all of whom bring tremendous heart and dedication to our students.

At Middle School East, we believe that relationships are the foundation for everything we do. Authentic connections are what allow our kids to feel safe, step out of their comfort zones, grow academically, and thrive socially. Guided by our East core values, we are dedicated to ensuring every student walks through our doors feeling known, supported, and valued for who they are.

Starting a new school year brings a wonderful mix of anticipation and excitement. While there will be new routines to learn, the heartbeat of Middle School East—our caring staff, high standards, and welcoming community—remains steady. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our office if you have questions or if your student needs extra reassurance as we approach September. We are here to serve your family and walk alongside you every step of the way.

Soak up these last few weeks of summer, and we look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Warmly,

Sherri Schendzielos

Principal, Middle School East

As we prepare for another school year, please take a few minutes to log into ParentVUE and verify that your family's contact information is accurate. Review and update your phone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts, and any other important information so we can communicate with you promptly when needed. If you are needing an address change, please click here.

If your family's circumstances have changed—such as updates to custody arrangements or guardianship—please contact Jennifer Scheel, Principal's Administrative Assistant, at jennifersch@mystma.org. Providing updated legal documentation helps ensure your student's records remain accurate and allows us to follow the appropriate procedures to keep each and every student safe.

Please note: Emergency contacts and authorized pick-up persons are not the same.

An emergency contact is someone we can reach if we are unable to contact a parent or guardian. If you would like someone other than a legal guardian to be permitted to pick up your student from school, they must be designated as an authorized pick-up person and appropriate documentation is required to be filled out each school year.

School in session: 8:25 AM - 3:00 PM

Doors open: 8:00 AM

MSE Office Hours: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

As we begin a new school year, we encourage every family to take a few minutes to review the Middle School East Student Handbook with your student. The handbook contains important information about school expectations, attendance, technology use, student conduct, safety procedures, and other policies that help our school run smoothly.

Reviewing these expectations together helps ensure all students understand how they can contribute to a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment. By working together, we can help students make informed choices, stay in compliance with school policies, and do their best each and every day.

Thank you for partnering with us to make Middle School East a place where every student can learn, grow, and thrive!

Please review the MSE Transportation Safety Information with your children, regarding how to travel to and from school safely. This information will also be covered in KORT.

A crossing guard will help students to cross the road safely at the crosswalk of Naber Avenue and 47th street at these times:

• 8:00 - 8:10 am
• 3:00 - 3:10 pm

Please contact Vision Transportation directly at 763-497-0102 with any busing questions or log into ParentVUE to see your students bus route!

• Monday, August 17, 2026 – 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ME Grades 6–8 New Parent Meeting | 🕔 5:00 p.m. | MSE Media Center
• Monday, August 17, 2026 – 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ME 5th Grade Parent Meeting | 🕔 6:00 p.m. | MSE Cafeteria
• Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – 🎒 ME Grades 6–8 New Student Orientation | 🕘 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, August 19, 2026 – SCHEDULES GO LIVE IN PARENTVUE & STUDENTVUE!
• Monday, August 24, 2026 – 5th Grade WEB Orientation | 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – 📸 ME Grades 5–6 Open House & Pictures | 🕓 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – 📸 ME Grades 7–8 Open House & Pictures | 🕕 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – First day of school! 5th - 8th Grade 🍎📚🎒
• Monday, September 7, 2026 – No School!

We are pleased to invite you to consider becoming a member of STMA’s Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC). This group provides input on special education issues to the STMA school district. Parent involvement in the SEAC is especially vital to our efforts! By sharing their unique perspective of what it is like to use these services, parents can help the district to be more effective. As a result, outcomes for children with disabilities continuously improve.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Whitney Weber, whitneyw@mystma.org

Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Membership Application

We can't wait to see you on 8/17/2026 at the 5th Grade New Parent Meeting as well as 8/25/2026 for Open House! Stop by the MSE PTO booth for Knights apparel, Homecoming shirts, Knights Waggle hats, Knights squishy cubes and a photo op! Learn about all the new and fun things the PTO will be bringing to MSE with your support!

Speaking of fun, the newly formed MSE PTO will be doing a Fun Run this fall to raise funds to support the students and staff at MSE! This fundraiser will allow us to recoup PTO start up costs, fund Fun Run prizes, Youth Frontiers Kindness and Courage retreats for the students, staff appreciation, conference meals, and more! Fun Run Fundraising Dates: 10/2-10/12 actual Fun Run on 10/9 (weather permitting).

The PTO is still looking for a Vice President & a Restaurant Nights Coordinator.

Please email president@stmamsepto.org if you are interested.

📅 PTO Meeting Dates

6:00 PM • MSE Media Center

• September 8
• October 13
• November 5
• December 15
• January 12
• February 2
• March 16
• April 13
• May 4

📬 Stay Connected

• Join our mailing list: https://forms.gle/tteB6ja59TCc5iYHA
• Facebook: STMA Middle School East PTO
• Instagram: @STMAMSEPTO
• MSE Website: PTO

The Policy Review Committee (PRC) meets 3 to 5 times each school year to review district policies in evening meetings. The committee issues recommendations to the school board regarding policy adoptions or changes. The committee values and welcomes the participation of our parents and community members that may have an interest in this work. No prior experience is required.

For more information, please contact the Executive Director of Administrative Services at 763-497-6504 or douglasbi@mystma.org.

Students entering 7th and 8th grade are eligible to participate in STMA Middle School fall athletics!

📋 Sports Qualifying Physical Examination

A current Sports Qualifying Physical Examination is required for participation. Please make sure your student's physical is on file and valid before the season begins.

If you have questions after reviewing the Middle School East Fall Activities Brochure please contact our new Dean of Students/Activities Director Nate Hanson at nateh@mystma.org.

We encourage all eligible students to get involved, stay active, and represent the Knights this fall. Go Knights! 💙💛

Below are the requirements for students entering 7th grade.

Please click here for medical and non-medical excemptions form.

If your family owns an e-bike or an electric foot scooter, we encourage you to take a few minutes to review Minnesota state laws with your child to help keep everyone safe.

A few important reminders:

• The legal age to ride an e-bike in Minnesota is 15 and older.

• The legal age to ride a motorized foot scooter is 12 and older.

• Riders of motorized foot scooters must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.

Thank you for helping us keep safety a top priority for our students and families!

E-Bikes: 169.222 Subd (6a)
Motorized Foot Scooters: 169.225

We encourage all families to consider completing an Educational Benefits Application. The application process is quick, easy, and completely confidential. Qualifying families may receive valuable benefits, including reduced fees for certain activities and programs, while also helping provide additional funding and resources that support all students at Middle School East. Eligibility is based on household size and income.

To learn more about Educational Benefits and to complete an application, please visit the STMA Food & Nutrition webpage here!

Student schedules will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Wednesday, August 19th. Please take time to review your child’s schedule together. If you have any questions or notice something that needs attention, please reach out to your child's counselor below:

Know that we at Middle School East are here to support our students and families. Please don't hesitate to contact us at 763-497-2655.

• Sherri Schendzielos, Principal
• Molly Lindquist, Assistant Principal
• Nate Hanson, Dean of Students & Activities Director
• Jennifer Scheel, Principal's Administrative Assistant
• Amy Kornovich, School Counselor for last names A-L
• Jessica Mesna, School Counselor for last names M-Z
• Jessica Buskey, School Social Worker

Connect with us:

Email: sherrisc@mystma.org

Website: https://me.stma.k12.mn.us/

Location: 4862 Naber Avenue NE, Saint Michael, MN 55376