A Note from Principal Riebel
Good day to all MS/HS Cougar families,
October has come to an end and November is here! Quarter 1 is closing at the end of this week and we start a new quarter on Monday, November 6th. Ever since school has resumed, my thoughts circle with what is best for each and every learner in our building. All of us are learners.
My message this month is going to focus on items I want you to know as we make decisions throughout the day-to-day messages, as well as long-term planning for programming. It takes a team to drive this bus and we all need to be mindful of how we are bringing ourselves to the table each day. It is crucial to realize that staff at Cedar Mountain care about you and your learners. Much of the time, our drive to help learners exceeds own level of self-care. We are not only invested in the education and academic focus, but as individuals as well. There are many factors that go into decisions we make and it is not just a sole individual creating these decisions, it is a team of educators creating systems that are sustainable and have the best interest of each and every learner in mind.
Many times over the past weeks of Quarter 1, I have found myself in conversations with students, team members, coaches, as well as community members about how educational systems are not just an academic focus, but rather, the training field for navigating life's challenges. It is about identifying issues, problem solving, learning and growing through those obstacles that come across our path on a regular basis. We all know those challenges come and true teaching and learning occurs when we problem solve and work through them together while learning what worked and what did not work.
As we look at school settings, we look to what our focus truly is - teaching and learning over sole obedience and compliance. When we focus on teaching and learning, we are skill building. This is the goal for each and every learner. We all possess the ability to problem solve through obstacles or challenges that will help to gain experiences that shape our ability to carry those skills into life-long lessons along the way. Obstacles that arise may be forgetting a locker combination, dealing with troublesome peers, reflection of self when gossip occurs, getting to class on time, staying in class when temptations arise to get out of class, seeking help when your confidence is down or self-doubt occurs, or even maintaining focus when the cell phones are a continual distraction.
As we look to help teach and learn skills, we have to lean heavily on how we are facing adverse situations and challenges. One question to discuss is, how are we setting ourselves up to problem solve through those obstacles. We only fail when we completely give up on something.
A quote by Winston Churchill that encourages me to reflect continually is
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
Failure is not defeating unless you allow it to be defeating. Responding to situations versus reacting to situations encourages so much more growth, academically, intellectually, physically, physiologically, etc. It is learning the skill to identify the problem and problem solve through situations that helps encourage growth, face adversity, skill build within yourself, and rise to become the best version of you. When each and every learner takes the time to consciously build these skills, they are investing in their intellectual growth. It is critically important to recognize that each time you completely forfeit an opportunity you are developing habits that hinder the natural ability to problem solve through a situation.
For those that know me, I am not a quitter. For those who are getting to know me, I'm not going to give up on your learner. I will listen, I will be patient, and help your learners grow skills. I will facilitate learning within our team to stretch their thinking to help build those problem solving skills. We have been working very hard on how to transition our thinking in the building to problem solving and truly listening to the root of what the issues are. How to correctly identify problems and effectively problem solve through situations. Rise up to the challenge each and every day. You are worth it. You belong here. You are capable of so much more than you realize. Encourage those learners to have meaningful conversations around how they show up each and every day.
Show up ready each and every day. We are all working on becoming the best version of ourselves that we can bring to the table. I see you and I see your potential. Let's face the challenges in Quarter #2 collaboratively!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Riebel
Cedar Mountain MS/HS Principal
(507) 249-5990
End of Quarter #1
The official end of first quarter is Friday, November 3rd.
Grades will be finalized and posted by Friday, November 10th. No physical, printed report cards will be sent home automatically. All grades are accessed through Infinite Campus.
Please be sure you have access to Infinite Campus. If you do not please contact the MS/HS office. If you wish to have a paper copy of the report card sent home, please communicate that to the MS/HS office.
Combination Locks Have Arrived
Cell Phone Procedure Reminder
The outlined Cell Phone Expectations for ALL MS/HS Students (gr. 6-12): Cell phones are Cell phones are expected and will be in the phone caddies located in each classroom from bell-to-bell of each period. Cell phones are permitted to be utilized in the commons during breakfast and lunch, as well as in the hallways during passing time.
This distraction causes a direct challenge for many to absorb the content, the instructions, and lesson information for comprehensive understanding of the teaching and learning that is happening within the building. When the cell phones are put in the caddies from bell-to-bell within the instructional periods, it also drives to promote social, face-to-face interactions which are necessary in the development of effective and appropriate communication skills. Please continue to remind your learners at home about the procedures at school to help with this expectation.
School Day Reminders
The building will open each day at 7:45 am for breakfast.
- School day starts at 8:10 am each day unless otherwise noted or communicated. 1st hour begins at 8:10am each day.
- School day ends at 3:20 pm each day unless otherwise noted or communicated. 8th hour dismissal bell rings at 3:20 pm each day.
- If your child will be gone for an appointment or something throughout the day, please call the MS/HS office and let them know ahead of time if possible.
- ALL Middle School students (grades 6-8) will begin each day in the commons (Cafeteria) area. They are expected to be at school by 8:10a when their day begins. Teaching staff will be down in the commons by 8:10a and starting to get their class together. The middle school students will not be allowed to go to their lockers prior to their dismissal bell.
- ALL High School students (grades 9-12) will begin each day in their respective hallways by their lockers. They are expected to be in their first period class by 8:10a when their first period class beings.
Upcoming Key Dates and Times to Note
- Thursday, Nov 2nd - Flu Clinic
- End of the 1st Quarter - Friday, Nov. 3rd
- Beginning of 2nd Quarter - Monday, Nov 6th
- Veterans Day Program - Friday, Nov 11th
- School Board Meeting - Monday, Nov 13th
- Parent/Teacher Conferences - Tuesday, Nov 14 and Thursday, Nov 16
- Early Release - Dismissal at 12:10pm - November 22nd
- Thanksgiving Break - No School - Thursday Nov 23rd - Friday, Nov 24th
Parent/Guardian Notes
- Infinite Campus - Please make sure you are able to get into your Infinite Campus account and are receiving notifications to help keep communication facilitation open between home and the Middle/High School.
- Schoology- Please make sure you are checking in with your child on their classes on schoology. This is the method most teachers utilize to communicate with the learners in the building.
Breakfast/Lunch
We are asking that EVERYONE fill out the free/reduced form. Filling out this form helps your family and it helps our school. Once you open the link and save the form you can then fill out the information and send to Lori Hacker at the elementary school. lhacker@cedarmt.org
- Breakfast (first entrée meal) is free for all students
- Lunch (first entrée meal) is free for all students
Students who want seconds of the main entrees will be required to pay with cash.
Bussing
As we are entering the beginning of 2nd Quarter just a reminder if transportation changes need to happen, please let the transportation department know as soon as possible so adjustments can be effectively communicated.
Please review the bus rules with your child(ren).
Riding the bus is a privilege and not a right. It is the responsibility of the child to behave in an appropriate manner and parents/guardians reinforcing those expected behaviors on transportation that allow riders to continue to access transportation.
Transportation Department can be reached at 507-249-3136.
Counselor's Corner
September 27th was the Career Expo at SMSU in Marshall for the 10th graders. There were 100s of hands-on exhibits for students to check out different careers. October was College Knowledge Month. During the month of October, many colleges waived their application fees so many of our seniors applied to colleges during that month. Ramp-Up to Readiness has been going well for our senior high students on Fridays. Ramp-Up to Readiness is a senior high-wide comprehensive advisory-based program that addresses five essential areas of readiness: academic, admissions, career, financial, and social & emotional readiness. The ASVAB test will be taken at the end of November as well for juniors. The ASVAB is a test that is designed to help students: learn about themselves and the world of work, explore occupations in line with their interests and skills, and develop an effective strategy to realize their career and education goals. The scores of the test can also be used for military entrance if that is a chosen path.
Mr. Palokangas
MS/HS School Counselor
Miss Stupke
MS/HS School Counselor
Tech Integration
We continue to utilize a 1:1 system for technology integration within our building. Chromebooks are the utilized tool! Students will be continually taught skills on how to utilize these devices to help assist with their educational toolkit and skills they are learning.
Each student will be issues a Chromebook and charger. It is the responsibility of each student to take care of, manage, and utilize their device responsibly. The expectation is to come to school with your device ready for your school day.
We look forward to helping you embrace this system and how to utilize this with the greatest impact for your educational tools. Please continue to review the expectations and responsibility related to having a device to utilize.
CPAC
The Cougar Pride Action Committee (CPAC) has graciously offered to pay for all Activity fees for the 2023-2024 school year! This includes athletics, fine arts, and academic enrichment activities the district offers.
This collaboration with our CPAC group creates opportunities for our learners that would not otherwise be possible. Collaboration with CPAC has opened doors and provided opportunities to Cedar Mountain learners, families, communities, and staff. The goal is to provide a better, more enriched learning experience for all involved.
Check us out on Facebook for more exciting things we are working on and to fill out a donation request form.
Thank you to CPAC for your dedication and continued support!
Cedar Mountain MS/HS
Email: mriebel@cedarmt.org
Website: https://www.cms.mntm.org/
Location: 207 Gallager St, Morgan, MN, USA
Phone: (507) 249-5990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cedar-Mountain-Schools
