Parent Newsletter

Dear North Junior High Families,
 

One of our top priorities at North, is to provide a safe, caring climate and culture. Today I am asking for your assistance in meeting this goal. Please, take a few moments to talk with your child about Board Policy 501 which can be found HERE. Board Policy 501 prohibits weapons on school grounds, including replica or look alike weapons.

These items have the potential to cause harm to others and disrupt the learning environment. We take any incident that involves school and student safety very seriously. Weapons and look-alike weapons, including gel blasters, BB guns, and airsoft/pellet guns, may not be brought to school under any circumstance. Consequences for bringing weapons, whether real, replicas or toys, range from out-of-school suspension to expulsion from St. Cloud Area Schools.

Together we can keep our school environment positive and focused on learning. Thank you for your continued support for safe and healthy schools.
 

Principal Brian Nutter

 Boys Basketball starts after Winter Break on January 4^th!! If your student is interested in signing up, please sign up via online here: https://isd742a.cf.affinetysolutions.com/ or by scanning the below QR code.

We also have paper registrations in the office. 

**ALL students: Please remember that your student WILL need a valid Sports Physical on file with the school before they can participate.

THIS IS A NEW CHANGE FOR 6TH GRADERS!!

Hello North Parents! As a Police Officer and the school resource officer for North, I follow statewide trends of behavior and/or challenges with students and schools. One item trending currently is “Splat Ball” or “Orbeez Guns”. These guns shoot small gel or water-based ammunition.

There are several brands and stores that sell the multicolored toy but, there are also several retailers that sell a variety that replicate real firearms. Both versions are considered replications of firearms in the eyes of the law.

This is reminder that if they receive one as a gift or one is purchased for them, that it is important to discuss appropriate use of the toy and appropriate places to be using it. School is not an appropriate place to have these!

According to Minnesota State Statute 609.66.1D(c) these “toys” are considered a dangerous weapon on school grounds. The district #742 School Board Policy 501 explains the consequences for bringing one onto school grounds or onto a bus. If you have further questions or concerns please reach out to me at Sara.gangle@ci.stcloud.mn.us

Updated Crisis Response Procedures for the 2022-2023 School Year

As always, the top priority of our school community—and a primary focus of the district’s strategic plan—is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. To foster that environment, we research and practice the best school safety protocols and work with local law enforcement as critical partners to seek every opportunity to ensure our students and staff are safe. To keep you informed, we would like to share the language we use and potential responses we employ in crisis situations. Please know that if a SHELTER IN PLACE or ACTIVE THREAT is initiated at our school, you will be informed and asked to await further updates and/or instructions. View Crisis Response Procedures Infographic. 

Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.  The link is listed below for more information. 

https://www.crisistextline.org/

Resources

Crisis Response Team

The mobile Crisis Response Team (CRT) provides an array of community-based mental health crisis services to children and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. The Crisis Response Team can travel to homes or community locations in the four-county area to help individuals in crisis cope with immediate stressors. The team can complete suicide assessments, safety planning, coping skills education and make appropriate referrals. They also offer follow up with stabilization services.

https://cmmhc.org/services/crisis-response-team/ 

Crisis Services:    Phone: 320.253.5555

Toll-Free Mental Health Crisis Response Line   (24 hours a day/365 days a year)

Phone: 800.635.8008

Crisis Text Line- MN Dept. of Human Services

Text MN to 741741

Free support at your fingertips, 24/7

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

District 742 & Community Resource Video

https://www.isd742.org/domain/2971

Student Social Media Use 

Parents please take some time again to review the resources shared below and have a candid discussion with your student regarding his or her use of social media.  It will take a consistent and continuing partnership between home and school to ensure that our students are practicing accountability, respect, and empathy when engaging in online communication and information sharing.

1. What Teens Wish Their Parents Knew About Social Media

2. Teaching Kids to be Smart about Social Media

3. Dangers (and Benefits) of Social Media