Mr. Warzecha's Weekly Newsletter

August 25th: CLMS Open House (3-7 PM)

September 1st: 1st Day of School

September 7th: Labor Day (No School)

October 6th: In Person Conferences (3-7 PM)

October 8th: Virtual Conferences (3-7 PM)

October 15th- October 16th: No School (MEA)

October 26th -October 30th: Wolf Ridge Week

In September & October, you will be receiving 2 newsletters. This newsletter will include all of the specific information that only applies to 6th grade. My other newsletter, is information for all grade levels. After Wolf Ridge, this newsletter will not continue to be sent weekly.

Thank you to all of the parents and guardians who attended our CLMS/Wolf Ridge meeting. It was beyond great to have the opportunity to connect with so many of you. For those of you who were unable to attend, please view the attached presentation for important information for this upcoming fall.

CLMS/Wolf Ridge Presentation

Schedule Changes

Music Choice: We have had a few music choice changes so far this August. Our Choir numbers are at their capacity. All students will start the school year with the music choice on their schedule.

PLEASE NOTE PRICE CHANGES. $80 PER BOX

Why do we have this fundraiser? The cost of this trip is $255 per student, and $255 per parent/chaperone. Fundraising helps offset the final price that families need to pay out of pocket.

When can we pick up more Chocolate Bars? Open House with your child's Science Teacher

Cost: $80 per box ($2 per chocolate bar)

How to I pay? 1. Check made out to CLMS 2. EXACT CHANGE (If using cash)

Do you have to fundraise? NO

Can I pick up multiple boxes? Yes, as long as you have the money to purchase (EXACT CHANGE)

What do we do after we sell all chocolate bars? Use money to grab another box, or keep $80.

1. Fill out the 6th Grade CLMS Permission Form DUE September 30th

2. Wolf Ridge Chaperone Form DUE September 30th

3. Medication Authorization for Overnight Field DUE September 30th

4.complete packing checklist

5. BACKGROUND CHECK---Will be included here when finalized DUE September 30th

Chisago Lakes School District is Bring Your Own Device for grades 6-12. What this means is that for the next six years, your child will be using their own device to enhance their learning at Chisago Lakes Schools. BYOD is a well established program and has been in place at Chisago Lakes since the Fall of 2014.

What device is recommended?

Chromebook

1. 11” screen or larger.

2. At least 4GB of memory (RAM).

3. At least 16GB of hard drive storage.

4. 8 hours or more of battery life.

5. Power adapter.

Protective Case:

We also recommend that you purchase a case for your child’s Chromebook. Protective cases range in price from $11 - $50. Click here for an example of a protective case.

Financial Hardships: Any student who attends Chisago Lakes Middle and/or High School will not go without a device for the 2026/27 school year. If you feel you will need assistance, please (click here to fill out our Device Agreement Form).

If you have any questions please reach out to Katie Spooner (kspooner@isd2144.org) who oversees and supports technology at Chisago Lakes Middle School.

Together we can accomplish great things,

Todd Warzecha

CLMS Principal

twarzecha@isd2144.org

651-213-2401

6th Grade School Supply List

General Supplies

• BYOD - Technology Device: Chromebook with charger recommended

• Computer protector/carrying case

• #2 pencils - many needed, plan on buying throughout the year

• Red pens

• Pencil Pouch/box

• Headphones with a cord that plugs into the computer (NO Bluetooth)

• Physical Education Attire (t-shirt, shorts or joggers, and tennis shoes)

• A Chisago Lakes Middle School Logbook ($7.00) is required of all students

• *due to the size of lockers, trapper keepers are not recommended

• You will need to use your locker for your lunches and coats and class materials.

English

• 1 Three-Ring Binder (1.5 inches)

• 5 Binder Dividers (placed inside binder)

• 3 Ring Binder Pencil Pouch (placed inside binder- only for English)

• 1 yellow highlighter

• 1 pink highlighter

• 1 green highlighter

History

• 1- Yellow notebook

• 1- Yellow folder

• 1- Paper grocery bag (Dakota activity in October)

• 1- Colored Pencils

• 1- Black Sharpie

Science

• 1-Vinyl or plastic green folder

• 1-composition notebook

• 4 large glue sticks (to be stored in science classroom)

• Misc items will be needed for labs throughout the year - info letters to come when they arise

6th Grade Seminar

• Folder

• Notebook

• (These will also be used for Financial Literacy and Health)

Math

• 1-Blue notebook and

• 1-vinyl or plastic Blue folder

• Scientific Calculator (TI-30XS recommended)

Choir:

• 1 folder - BLACK

Band

• If renting from Music Connection you will be all set up

• If your instrument is be acquired a different way, please make sure you have a Standard of Excellence book 1 for your students instrument, valve/slide oil (brass), cork grease and a box of 2.5 Juno reeds (woodwinds)

6 -Art

• Markers

• colored pencils

• 6 pencils

• glue stick

• small white glue bottle

• Scissors

• Eraser

Donations needed

• Yarn

• Tinfoil

• Chenille Stems

• Shoe box

Welcome to CLMS 6th graders!!!!

Our summer reading campout is officially coming to a close, and it’s time to celebrate all of your hard work!

Please remember to pack your completed Summer Reading Trackers and bring them to the Media Center to return them to Mrs. Denney or Mrs. Saueressig during the 6th Grade Sneak Peek or at Open House. We can't wait to see how many minutes you logged and how many adventures you went on this summer!

See you soon!

If you need more information about the program or need a new reading tracker, click here.

If you have any questions, email Samantha Denney, our library Media Specialist at sdenney@isd2144.org

Introducing Wolf Ridge…

October 26-28, October 28-30, 2026

Our sixth-grade students have an exceptional learning experience awaiting them this fall. They will travel to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center near Finland, Minnesota. You will continue to receive more specific information in the coming months, but we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to Wolf Ridge - our 29th annual trip, and our FIRST trip in October vs January.

Students will attend:

October 26-28 (Cross (Lieske) & Nelson), or 28-30 (Beduhn)

That’s right, this is a three-day field trip! Classes offered include: Animal Signs, Beavers, White-tailed Deer, Voyageur Life, Ojibwe Life, Lake Superior Hike, Lake Study, Adventure Ropes, Weather, Rock Climbing, GPS and several others. Students take six different classes during our stay. We will have three very full days in one of the most beautiful settings Minnesota has to offer.

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center is 65 miles north of Duluth, with a fantastic view of Lake Superior and the north shore uplands. It is located on 2000 acres of forest wilderness that include miles of cross-country skiing and hiking trails. Wolf and Raven Lakes, the Baptism River and Sawmill Creek are all areas of study for students. The rocky cliffs along Wolf Lake are home to Peregrine falcons while wolves, bear, deer, moose and beaver are also known to inhabit the grounds.

Why are we taking our students to Wolf Ridge? For those students and parents that have gone the last 28 years, there are numerous enthusiastic responses to this question. Here are some of the comments from parents that came with us last year

“This trip is a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ experience for each student.”

“I was totally impressed with the trip. There were some real challenges at camp that kids just wouldn’t run into at home. It showed them how to work as a team and with each other. These skills are essential in the real world.”

“Fantastic experience… I can't wait for my other two kids to go.”

Wolf Ridge’s Mission Statement clearly answers this question as well.

•Foster awareness, curiosity and sensitivity to the natural world.

•Promote social understanding, respect and cooperation.

•Model values, behaviors and technologies which promote a sustainable lifestyle.

•Develop a citizenry that has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivation and

commitment to act together for a quality environment.

•Rekindle the concepts of conservation and stewardship.

-The cost of the trip is $255 per student & chaperone. It will include the coach bus transportation to and from Wolf Ridge, classes and room and board.

-Chaperones pay the same price as students (if you chose to drive yourself, you will still have to pay the whole price)

-We have room for LOTS of parent chaperones. Parents interested in becoming a chaperone, please fill out our Wolf Ridge Chaperone Form.

OPTIONAL fundraiser (Chocolate Bars): These will be available for purchase during Sneak Peek. Please look at the information provided above for detailed information.

Background Check: Chaperones also must have a completed criminal background check on file with the school district. This information will be shared with all families when it is operational. The background checks can be completed at home.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to connect with me anytime.

Minnesota Free Meals Program Continues for the 2026-27 School Year

Chisago Lakes School District continues to participate in the Minnesota Free Meals Program which provides reimbursement to schools so that students can have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the school day. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is necessary to qualify for exemption from class fees and to be considered for free/reduced athletics and technology. Families must complete the educational benefits application AND the waiver form to be considered for free/reduced fees.

What is NOT included in the MN Free School Meals Program?

Students must have a positive balance in their account or cash to purchase non-reimbursable items

Single-item purchases and non-reimbursable meals are not free. Some examples include:

• Extra carton of milk (One carton of milk is included in the free reimbursable meal. If a student brings a lunch from home or would like an additional milk, it must be purchased)

• Second breakfast or second lunch

• Extra portions (mega bites)

• Snack Items/a-la carte

.

Special Diet Accommodations

Please note that diet accommodations remain in effect from one school year to the next unless we are notified otherwise. If your student no longer requires a previously approved diet accommodation, please contact Laura Cierzan @lcierzan@isd2144.org or 651-213-2506 so we can update our records and discontinue the accommodation.

Click here to access complete Food & Nutrition Services information, including menus, access to PayPams, special diet/allergen information and the Application for Educational Benefits form/waiver form.

If you are interested in being a part of this organization please email Chisagolakesmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com.

PTO Link: https://linktr.ee/clmspto

Your Guide to the Wildcat Community Center (WCC)

As we get ready for another exciting school year, we want to welcome all of our middle school students to the Wildcat Community Center (WCC)! Whether you're looking to shoot hoops, work out, swim, hang out with friends, or participate in one of our many programs, we're excited to see you this school year.

• Before You Come to the WCC

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, please review the following requirements before your first visit.

• Student Age Requirement

Students must be at least 12 years old to use the Wildcat Community Center without a parent or guardian present.

• Parent Permission Required

If your child will be visiting the WCC without a parent or guardian click one of the blue links below, we must have one of the following on file before they are allowed to enter independently:

• A completed Daily Use Form signed by a parent or guardian, or
• An active WCC Membership with the parent/guardian authorization completed during registration.

Having one of these completed ahead of time will make check-in quick and easy!

If you have any questions, please contact the Wildcat Community Center. Our staff is always happy to help.

Have a safe and amazing school year—we'll see you at the WCC!