The CIHS Connection

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! There is always something special about the start of a new year. Our hallways begin to fill, students reconnect with friends and staff, and our Bluejacket community comes back together with a renewed sense of energy and possibility. At Cambridge-Isanti Schools, our mission to educate, empower, and inspire every student, every day continues to guide our work. I am excited about what is ahead and grateful for the opportunity to partner with our students, families, staff, and community throughout the year.

As we begin this year, we continue to build on the great work already happening across Cambridge-Isanti High School. Our focus remains on helping every student experience success, build meaningful relationships, and make progress toward graduation and life beyond high school. We want every student to know they belong here, that people believe in them, and that they have opportunities to discover their strengths, challenge themselves, and prepare for what comes next. There is a lot to be excited about, and I cannot wait to see the growth and accomplishments that take place this year.

Please take a few minutes to read through this newsletter. You will find important information about our Open House, the first week of school, and several other updates that will help your family prepare for the year ahead. If you have questions or need support, please reach out to us at cihscommunication@cischools.org. We are excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to an incredible year of learning, growth, connection, and Bluejacket pride!

Dr. Steve Gibbs

Principal

We are excited to welcome students and families back to Cambridge-Isanti High School for our 2026-2027 Back to School Open House! This is always a great evening to reconnect, explore the building, meet our staff, walk through class schedules, and pick up Chromebooks before the first day of school.

Families can also stop by the information center in the Cafeteria to learn more about parking permits, food service, clubs, and the many activities and opportunities available at CIHS.

Food trucks will be on site with a variety of items available for purchase, making it easy to grab dinner or a treat while spending time with friends and getting ready for the year ahead. We know many families come straight from practices, activities, or other events, so we hope this adds a little convenience to the evening.

There will also be prizes, photo opportunities, and plenty of chances to connect. We are excited to welcome everyone back and cannot wait to kick off another great year at CIHS!

Student schedules will be released on September 2nd. While we understand the eagerness to receive schedules sooner, the timing is necessary to accommodate enrollment changes and class adjustments. This ensures that we can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information for students and families. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

If you have specific questions regarding schedules, please contact your counselor.

• Amber Strom-Last Names A-G

• astrom@c-ischools.org

• Kara Martin-Last Names H-O

• kmartin@c-ischools.org

• Rachel Senarighi-Last Names P-Z

• rsenarighi@c-ischools.org

The parking fee this year will be $125.00. Parking permits will also be available to purchase during our Open House on Wednesday, September 2nd from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Parking passes will be distributed during the first 2 weeks of school.

***If you are a PSEO/OJT student, please fill out the paper contract in the Student Office- these passes are not available to purchase online.

Students will continue to be allowed to carry backpacks throughout the school day.

Chromebook Distribution

Chromebooks will be distributed during Back-to-School Open House. Students who are unable to pick up their Chromebook at Open House will have an opportunity to receive their device during the first week of school.

PSEO Chromebook Distribution

Students enrolled in PSEO who need a school-issued Chromebook will receive an email before their college start date with information about when their Chromebook will be ready for pickup.

If you have questions about PSEO Chromebook pickup, please contact Jeremy Miller at jmiller@c-ischools.org.

FAST-TRACK YOUR CHROMEBOOK PICKUP

Save time at Open House by completing the Chromebook User Agreement online before you arrive!

Before You Arrive:

• Complete the Chromebook User Agreement online.
• Choose whether you would like the optional Chromebook Protection Plan.
• If purchasing the Protection Plan, complete your payment online.

When You Arrive:

• Agreement completed + Protection Plan declined: Go directly to Chromebook pickup.
• Agreement completed + Protection Plan paid online: Go directly to Chromebook pickup.
• Purchasing the Protection Plan and paying in person: Please visit the payment line before proceeding to Chromebook pickup.

Chromebook User Agreement & Protection Plan

We strongly encourage families to consider the optional Protection Plan to help protect school-issued Chromebooks from accidental damage.

Digital Copy

[Click Here to Complete the Chromebook User Agreement & Payment]

Internet Access

Reliable internet access is essential for learning. Many providers offer affordable internet plans for families. Please check our list of Home Internet Options available in the area.

Need Help?

We are committed to providing a reliable, secure, and supportive technology environment for our students, and your partnership is an important part of that effort.

If you have questions, concerns, or need technical support, please don't hesitate to contact our Technology Department. Our Technology Help Desk form is one of the fastest and easiest ways to request assistance, both now and throughout the school year.

We are here to support you and your student and help ensure a positive technology experience throughout the school year.

As we begin the new school year, we want to share an update about our school calendars. The previous printable calendar will no longer be posted on the website. Instead, school and district events will be kept up to date in the Events section of our websites and in the C-I Schools mobile app.

Each school has its own website with building-specific events. To find your school, visit c-ischools.org, select Schools, and choose your child’s school.

Families who would prefer a printed calendar may request one for pickup at their school building or the District Office.

We encourage families to use the Events section throughout the year for the most current dates and information.

Our school website and C-I Schools mobile app are going to be your go-to places for staying in the loop all year long! We'll be posting regularly with building updates, reminders, celebrations, and all the important information families need to know.

Make sure to check the Live Feed, News, and Events sections often, you won't want to miss what's happening in our school! With the mobile app, all of that great info is right at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere.

Download for Android: https://aptg.co/qXZnXm

Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/HNLD1-

There's a lot to keep track of before the first day of school, so we've put it all in one place for you! Our Back-to-School webpage is your go-to spot for the most up-to-date information, including school supply lists, open house dates and times, and the Bluejacket Blueprint, the district's weekly back-to-school update for families.

Be sure to check back often as new information is added. We want to make getting ready for school as easy as possible for our families!

Bus route information will be available in the new Skyward Family Access beginning the evening of August 31, accessible through both the app and desktop version. As we prepare for the start of school, our Transportation Team is planning for longer-than-usual route times where needed due to local road construction.

Once school begins, families can expect regular updates about significant route delays through text messages, our district website and the C-I Schools mobile app. Watch for a more complete transportation update from the district in the next two weeks with additional information to help your family prepare for the first day of school.

• Students who have communicated with their Counselor/AP and are signed up for the CIO program, please watch your email for updates on expectations of CIO, as well as contact information.

• Schedules will be available in Qmlativ on September 2.

• Chromebooks can be picked up at CIHS at Open House or any time after Open House.

• Checking your student email will be a critical task for your success in CIO.

• Please contact Mrs. Young (eyoung@c-ischools.org) if you have any questions as we get our program started for 2026-27!

Our school offers healthy meals each day. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your application may help the school qualify for education funds. To apply, complete the linked Application for Educational Benefits and return it to:

CI Food Service Department

625A Main St North

Cambridge, MN 55008

Fax: 763-689-6200 Attn: Debbie

Who should complete this application? Children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and foster, homeless, migrant and runaway children qualify without reporting household income. Alternatively, children can qualify if their household income is within the maximum income shown for their household size on the

instructions.

Please submit a new application for Free / Reduced meal application before the start of each school year.

If you have any questions please feel free to email: fs_communications@c-ischools.org or dknickerbocker@c-ischools.org or call the District Food Service office at 763-689-6210 or 763-689-6237.

Email: cihs-communications@c-ischools.org
Website: https://www.c-ischools.org/cihs
Location: 430 NW 8th Ave Cambridge, MN 55008
Phone: (763) 689-6066
Twitter: @ciprincipal