Plymouth Middle School Newsletter

Greetings!

This week we shared some sad news regarding 8th grade Science teacher Mr. Rurik Johnson. We know this news can be difficult to process. While we don't have any additional information to share with you we wanted to provide an opportunity for you to send your condolences, stories or fond memories to the family via this google form.

We look forward with anticipation to seeing you all at our Back to School Events. Here are a couple updates to share:

• Back to School Open House is on 8/31 and we will have Sandy's Italian Ice Food Truck here if you are interested in purchasing treats or dinner for your family.
• We have created a Open House Google Form Checklist to organize your tasks for Open House. Feel free to click the link to preview the tasks.

In Partnership,

Principal Naida

naida_g-n@rdale.org

We are excited that our students will have access to 1 complete breakfast and lunch this school year! You will find information on school meals on our Nutrition Services portion of the website like free meals FAQs (which includes a link for families to request meal account refunds), meal pricing for adults, second meals/entrees, and milk, and information on accessing meal accounts via Linq Connect. Nothing will change in how we provide meals and students will still use their 6 digit student ID or their ID card to access meals. Students must have a positive meal account balance in order to access anything beyond free breakfast and lunch, such as an additional milk or entree.

Meal prices are as follows (adult and second breakfast and lunch are set by USDA):

Student breakfast

Free

Student lunch

Free

Second student lunch

$4.95

Second student breakfast

$2.50

Student lunch entrée

$2.00

Additional milk

$0.50

Indigenous Education for All Needs Assessment

Indigenous Education for All (IEFA) is new legislation that will educate all students in Minnesota about the eleven Tribal Nations with whom we have geography in common. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is gathering feedback from students, (including former students), parents, educators, community leaders (including elders), and residents of Minnesota.

Information gathered from this survey will inform the legislature and MDE about your needs to implement Indigenous Education for All. We would also like to hear how we can support the work to implement Indigenous Education for All to better serve each student in Minnesota schools.

IEFA Needs Assessment Survey

This survey will close on September 22, 2023.

Achievement and Integration Sessions

MDE will offer four sessions for staff working with the Achievement and Integration program this upcoming school year. The sessions will provide important information about the program and how it should be implemented in districts. We encourage you to attend one of the sessions to better understand the work of the Achievement and Integration department.

The dates and invites:

August 15, 2023

9:30-11:00AM

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1618514160?pwd=SkNjRGtRMzZHalp0N1J3WElONkZnUT09

August 16, 2023

1:00-2:30PM

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1604881898?pwd=V1UzUU14VnJTTVlwd0RLNnh3Y081Zz09

August 22, 2023

1:30-3:00PM

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1618959212?pwd=Q0RHa3ZPdGsxUVFvU2JtZ3NMcERCZz09

August 24, 2023

8:30-10:00AM

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1616362547?pwd=MDMyQ2RzalowYWhzeW9ycmZVWFh2QT09

To protect families from expenses that may occur due to theft or accidental damage while the device is in the care of your student, we encourage you to purchase a Device Protection Plan (DPP) for each student each year. The cost for the DPP is $25 per school year per student. The cost is $5.00 per year per student for families who qualify for educational benefits. Go to the Campus School Store (Payment Portal) for the payment link.

Learn more including the cost break down and pay for the DPP in the Campus Store: https://www.rdale.org/discover/technology

Please speak with your student about our new expectations regarding personal technology and backpacks being away for the day. Thanks!

School bus schedule information is mailed to families in the Robbinsdale Area Schools before the first day of school. Eligible students in grades K-12 receive a postcard with the student's bus number, pick-up location and pick-up/drop-off times.

Stay up to date with our new school instagram! Follow us here: /https://www.instagram.com/plymouthmiddleschoolpanthers/

Thursday August 24, 2023

An optional day for all 6th graders and new students from 4:00-7:00pm

• Take your school photo
• Find your locker
• Review and walk your draft schedule
• Tours from our Where Everyone Belongs (W.E.B.) Student Leaders
• Pick up your Chromebook in the Media Center

Thursday August 31, 2023

Back to School Open House from 4:00-7:00pm.

• Meet your teachers
• Find your locker
• Walk your schedule
• Tours from our Where Everyone Belongs (W.E.B.) Student Leaders
• Pick up your Chromebook
• At 4:30 and 6:30pm, Principal Naida will host a family meeting in the cafeteria
• Food Truck: Sandy's Italian Ice will be in the parking lot providing the opportunity to purchase dinner during Open House!
• We have created a Open House Google Form Checklist to organize your tasks for Open House. Feel free to click the link to preview the tasks.

Tuesday September 5, 2023

• First day for 6th graders and 8th grade WEB leaders
  
• Busses will run normally
  
• School day is from 9:20-4:05pm

Wednesday September 6, 2023

• All students attend school
• School day is from 9:20-4:05pm

Other Important Dates:

September 18, 2023

• Picture Retake Day

The 23-24 educational benefits online application is live and can be found at https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=L4P4P9

In the fall we offer soccer, girls tennis and girls volleyball at Plymouth. It is important to note that you have to do a sports physical in order to participate in school athletics. Please check out our athletics and activities website for more information.

Robbinsdale Area middle schools students will be allowed to participate in activities at the high schools only if the sport is not available at the middle school or if they will be playing at the junior varsity or varsity level of competition. Prior approval is required.

Attending sporting events in Robbinsdale Schools is a family event. Please remember that if your student would like to go to sporting events at any of our schools, parents/guardians must attend with their student.

For more information, click here: Plymouth Middle School Athletics and Activities Page

Picture Days: August 24 and 31 from 4:00-7:00pm

Picture Retake Day: September 18 during the school day

Plymouth Middle School Website

Plymouth Middle School Calendar

Plymouth Middle School Supplies

Plymouth Middle School Athletics and Activities Page

Administration

Ms. Naida Grussing-Neitzel, Principal: naida_g-n@rdale.org

Mr. Mike Bury, Assistant Principal for 6th Grade Students with last names A-L, all 8th Grade: mike.bury@rdale.org

Mr. Todd Goggleye, Assistant Principal for 6th Grade students with last name M-Z, all 7th Grade: todd_goggleye@rdale.org

Mr. Doug Hubred, Activities and Athletics Director: doug_hubred@rdale.org

Counselors

Ms. Sophie Bigelow, Grade 8: sophie_bigelow@rdale.org

Mr. Blake Zomermaand, Grade 7: blake_zomermaand@rdale.org

Ms. Sarah Doohen, Grade 6: sarah_doohen@rdale.org