News from Centennial Middle School

Website: www.isd12.org/cms

Location: 399 Elm Street, Lino Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 763-792-5400

Monday, October 26th:

• B Day

• A Day

• B Day

Thursday, October 29th:

• A Day

• B Day

Don’t forget to bookmark the CMS webpage: https://middleschool.isd12.org/

In-person conferences will be held at the Middle School on Thursday, November 5th from 4:00-7:30 pm. Please consider donating so we can host a meal for our teachers after school that day. (Donations can be dropped off in the school office any time between 7:30 am-2 pm on Thursday, November 5th. Non-perishable donations may be brought to the school office beginning on October 28th during office hours, 7:30 am-3 pm.)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! 😋

Thursday, November 5th:

• Middle School Conferences (in-person), 4:00-7:30 pm

Tuesday, November 10th:

• Middle School Conferences (virtual), 4:00-7:30 pm

NOTE: Conference registration information was sent to families this week from Sara Verke and is linked here. Don't forget to sign up!

• Thursday, October 29th, 7 pm
• Friday, October 30th, 7 pm
• Saturday, October 31st, 3 pm
• Sunday, November 1st, 1 pm

More Information to come...

As we enter cold and flu season, we want to take a moment to remind everyone of our middle school procedures for student illnesses, attendance tracking, and health office procedures. Your partnership is essential in helping us keep our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn.

If your child contacts you during the school day because they aren’t feeling well and they want to go home, please encourage them to let their teacher know and request to visit the health office. Students should always check in with the health office before arrangements are made for them to go home due to illness. This allows our nursing staff to assess their symptoms, follow appropriate health and safety procedures, and contact families when a student needs to be picked up.

We understand that students may not feel well at different points throughout the school day, and we want to ensure every student receives the care and support they need. Following these procedures helps us respond appropriately to student health concerns, maintain accurate records of illnesses and absences, and ensure consistency in our safety practices.

As we see an increase in seasonal illnesses, we appreciate your help in reinforcing these expectations with your children. Working together, we can protect the health and well-being of our students while supporting a safe and positive learning environment for everyone.

Thank you for your continued partnership, understanding, and support!

Bob Stevens

We have received questions regarding Halloween, a holiday celebrated by some of our families. While the school does not promote Halloween, students who choose to participate may wear appropriate costumes to school on Friday, October 30.

To help ensure a safe and positive school environment, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Costumes must be appropriate for school.
• Decorative face masks are not permitted.
• Gory or violent costumes are not permitted.
• Weapons of any kind, including toy weapons or replicas, are not permitted.
• Costumes and student behavior should not be disruptive to the learning environment. If a costume or a student’s actions become disruptive, or if the costume conveys a message that is inappropriate for school, we may contact the student’s family.

Thank you for partnering with us to make this a safe and successful school day for all students. We also wish all families who choose to participate in Halloween celebrations a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Principal Stevens

Student absence requests are submitted through Campus Parent Portal. An “Attendance Request” link is also found on the Parent Hub of the school website for easy access to the Portal and resources to assist.

The direct link can be found here: Campus Attendance Reporting

Helpful links: Parent Portal Login Assistance

Please be sure to always fill out an attendance request for absences, late arrivals, and early releases.

Late Arrival: If an attendance request is submitted for your child's late arrival, parents do not need to come in to school to sign in students. Students can sign themselves in using their school ID at the sign-in kiosk in the main office

Early Release: If an attendance request is submitted for an early release, parents must come in to the school atrium, press the red button on the sign-in kiosk, and give the office secretary the student's name. Students will then sign themselves out using their school ID before leaving. Please plan accordingly and allow for approximately 5-10 minutes for your student to be released from class, pick up materials from their locker, and make their way to the school office.

For attendance reporting questions, please email Sara Verke at sverke@isd12.org.

Give the Gift of Enriching Experiences! Black Friday Gift Certificate Sale!

Buy discounted gift certificates, $50 gift certificates for $40 or $100 gift certificates for $80, November 27-30. Use these gift certificates to register you, a family member or a friend for a Community Ed offering. Exclusions apply, see isd12.arux.app for complete details.

Halloween Hustle (all ages/family)

It’s almost time, get registered for the 9th annual Halloween Hustle 5K walk/run, Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9 am at Centerville Elementary. Proceeds support Community Education’s Financial Assistance Program.

Centennial Ski/Snowboard Club (gr. 6-12)

Join us for trips to the ski hill with transportation to and from Centennial Middle School beginning December 12 at Wild Mountain.

• Dec. 12 Wild Mountain

• Jan. 16 Trollhaugen

• Jan. 30 Wild Mountain

• Feb 6 Trollhaugen

• Feb 20 Wild Mountain

Are you a beginner? Attend the Glide & Ride Academy: Learn to Ski/Snowboard activity at Wild Mountain and receive an all-inclusive experience to give you confidence to head down the slopes. Glide & Ride Academy is held December 5 at Wild Mountain.

Happening soon:

Nov. 2- Middle School Debate club (gr. 6-8)

Nov. 3- Middle School DIY Den (gr. 6-8)

Nov. 10- Advanced Conquer Ninja Rec Team (ages 6-13)

Nov. 16- Middle School After School Basketball (gr. 6-8)

Cookies and Canvas (gr. 6-8)

Nov. 30- Middle School Cougar Strength (gr. 7-8)

Dec. 1- Middle School DIY Den (gr. 6-8)

Dec. 7- Cookies and Canvas (gr. 6-8)

Go online to view all fall activities and to register, community.isd12.org.

Welcome to the Digital Backpack, the district’s central posting place for community flyers. If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact the organizations directly. Click HERE to browse the Digital Backpack.

Open to all 7th and 8th Grade Boys (we have a particular need for boys interested in diving).

Middle School Season: November 30 - February 13th

Practice at Centennial Pool: 3:20-4:50 M – F

Parent Meeting – Thursday November 5th (7:00 PM) - High School West Building Learning Commons

Questions - Contact Head Coach Mr. Crawford (Pcrawford@isd12.org)

Team Website: https://www.teamunify.com/team/recchsb/page/home

Order your CMS 2026-27 Yearbook now for the low price of $41 (with promo code). (Regular price is $47.)

To order, scan the QR code, visit jostens.com/bts/1062852, or call 877-767-5217 and choose from a variety of easy payment options at checkout.

Special Offer! Use Code YBKICONS for $5 off/Icon (up to $20).

We need your photos to make the yearbook extra special! Submit photos for the yearbook using the links below:

Summer Photos Due October 15th

Fall Activities Due November 24th

Winter photos link due March 1st

8th grade baby photos due March 1st

Centennial Wear and Halloween costumes Due November 24th

Students learn in different ways. Classroom instruction, small-group learning and specialized services help meet those needs. Centennial’s two referendum questions address both the people who provide that support and the spaces where learning happens. Each question will be decided separately. Approval of one would not provide the funding proposed in the other.

Question 1 FAQ: Would the operating levy reduce class sizes?

Question 1 is intended to help maintain current staffing and class sizes. It would help maintain teachers, programs and student services as operating costs continue to rise.

Supporting Every Learner: The staff, programs, and services Question 1 would help maintain.

Question 2 includes improvements to functional learning and student-support spaces. These spaces would support activities such as small-group instruction, collaboration, and individualized learning. Proposed projects vary by school; see the district website for your school’s improvements (scroll to find your school’s project list).

Student Experience: How learning environments support students and teachers.

Voters decide each question separately. Explore the FAQs, review proposed improvements for your school, and make a plan to vote at isd12.org/centennial-forward.

Know of a Centennial graduate or member of the community who has made a significant impact on their profession, Centennial Schools and/or the community? Nominees for induction into the Centennial Hall of Fame represent the school district's values of making connections with our communities, providing opportunities for students to achieve, and preparing our students for a successful future. Nomination information is on the Centennial website. Nominations are due January 6, 2027.

The Centennial School District has compiled a wide variety of resources for our students, families, and greater community. These resources include mental health, learning and enrichment, services specific to our aging population, crisis, where to find economic assistance and much, much more. You can find these resources on our district website here.

Show your Cougar pride! Shop for official Centennial fan gear now!