Comet Connection Kellogg’s Family

Newsletter!

Mark Your Calendar!

Kellogg Middle School

Student Events

Winter Break

December 23-January 2

End of 2nd Quarter,

January 26

No School, January 27

Early Release, 11 a.m.

February 1

Winter Dance/Activity Nigh

February 3

Parent Teacher Conferences,

February 23

5th Grade Orientation and Par-

ent Night, 7p.m. March 7

Youth Frontiers Courage Retreat

for 7th Graders, March 9-10

End of 3rd Quarter, March 30

No School, March 31

Spring Break, Mar 31-April 7

Early Release,11 a.m. April 12

Spring Dance/Activity Night

April 28

8th Grade Panoramic Picture,

May 2

Memorial Day, No School,

May 29

Last Day of School, June 8

Schedule Pick Up, 2017:

August 17

Reminder!

Schedule Pick-Up and Picture Day

for 2017-2018 is slated for August

17, 2017. Note: this is a revised

date from last month and will re-

main our permanent date for 2017.

Save the

Date! Thursday,

February 23,

Kellogg

Conferences

for all students

will be held from 3-7 p.m.

We have something special

“cooking” for conferences

this time.

Stay tuned!

Happy New Year!

It’s been a busy month and here we are at Winter Break! As we head into the new

year, and as we plan ahead for our return to classes in January, our thoughts turn

to scheduling for the 2017-2018 school year! This edition of the Comet Connection

contains important information regarding Century Counselor visits, 8th Grade

Shadowing at Century, and Century Panther Night.

Kellogg counselors will begin working with our 7th and 6th graders as well as we

look ahead to next year. Stay tuned for more information in the January Comet

Connection. Don’t forget: our 2nd quarter and first semester end January 26. We

have no school on the 27th and our next early release is February 1.

Finally, please join me in welcoming a couple of new Kellogg teachers who will be

joining us after Winter Break. Mr. Nick Hager will begin as our new Chorus teacher

in January. Also, Ms. Megan Kleven is joining our Newcomers program. Ms. Kleven

recently completed her student teaching in Kellogg’s EL program, and will divide her

time between Century and

Kellogg Newcomers Classrooms.

We’re delighted to have both

Mr. Hager and Ms. Kleven joining

the Kellogg team in the new

year!

Wishing you a wonderful 2017!

Eric Johnson

Principal

Kellogg Middle School

Comet Connection Page 2 Kellogg Middle School...All Students Learning at High Levels!

Registration Process for Kellogg 8th Graders Going into

9th Grade Next Year!

In January the registration process for high school classes will begin. We want our 8th graders to understand the importance of

this process in order for them to make the best possible choices for their futures. Since most of our 8th grade students will go

to Century next year we will include all 8th graders in the Century registration activities. However, dates for similar registration

activities for students going to JM or Mayo next year are also listed. Here are some important registration events that are

coming up.

Century Counselor Visit – Wednesday, January 11th and Thursday, January 12th

Century counselors will meet with Kellogg 8th graders during their Target classes to distribute registration materials

and explain the registration process for 9th grade classes. Students who do not have a Target class will be assigned to

one for this activity.

Century Shadowing Day – Thursday, January 19th

Kellogg 8th graders will spend a half day at Century — Red Team from 9:30 to 12:00 and Green Team from 11:30 to 2:00.

The goal of this “shadowing experience” is to give our students the opportunity to be at Century during the school day,

learn their way around, have lunch in the Century cafeteria, and sit in on a real high school class. Century is carefully

selecting and training student guides who will be shadowed in small groups in order to ensure that our students have the

best possible experience.

Panther Night at Century – Monday, January 23rd

All Kellogg 8th graders and their parents are invited — and strongly encouraged — to attend this evening event!

A presentation about the registration process, graduation requirements, course offerings as well as special programs

and extra-curricular activities will be held in the Century Auditorium at 6:00pm. This will be followed by an opportunity

to meet with representatives of Century’s academic departments, counselors, administrators, and heads of some of

their extra-curricular organizations. Completed registration worksheets may be turned in at this event.

8th Grade Registration Worksheets Due – Thursday, January 26th

All 8th graders should have completed their registration worksheet and turned it in to their Target teachers or couns

lor by the end of the day on Thursday, January 26th.

Note: Students from Kellogg who will be going to JM next year have some additional activities. A JM counselor will come to

Kellogg to meet with students going to JM next year during the week of Monday, January 9th. A JM shadowing experience is

scheduled for Wednesday, March 1st, and the JM Rocket Night is Thursday, January 19th from 6:30p.m to 8:30 p.m.

Note: Students from Kellogg who will be going to Mayo next year also have some additional activities. A Mayo counselor will

come to Kellogg to meet with students going to Mayo next year on Friday, January 6th. A Mayo shadowing experience is scheduled

for Thursday, March 9th, and the Mayo Spartan Night is on Monday, January 9th from 5:30p.m to 8:30p.m.

Please contact 8th grade counselor Sam Simmons at 328-5808 or sasimmons@rochester.k12.mn.us with any questions!

6th Grade Purple Team Updates!

Comet Connection Page 3 Kellogg Middle School...All Students Learning at High Levels!

News from 6th Grade GOLD Team

Important Message Regarding Skylert Updates!

With cold weather finally here, please log into your Skyward Family Access account to check that your Skylert calling prefer-

ences are set correctly. This will insure you don’t miss an important call from the school or the district. To log into Skyward

Family Access, click on this link: https://skyward.rochester.k12.mn.us/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsSky/fwemnu01.w

If you do not know your login name or password – select ‘Forgot your Login/Password?’ and an email will be sent to you with in-

structions of what to do. If you do not have an email address to use Family Access, please contact Cheryl Burt @ 507-328-

4417 to make sure we have the correct phone numbers for you. These settings, once set for one student, will be in effect for

all students in your family that attend schools in the district. Thank you!

We would like to remind parents to make sure that their kids are dressing for the cold weather. Some students are coming to

school without a jacket.

Please continue to check your child’s planner. This helps keep the students organized. You can also check our website for home-

work updates. If your child is without a planner please supply a new one or check with the office.

Upcoming Topics Science: Chapter 4, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures

Social Studies: Minnesota History; Fur Trade and 2016 Year in Review

Language Arts: Word Studies (Latin/Greek words), Narrative and Letter Writing,

Grammar (sentence structure and punctuation),

Poetry (presentations)

Reading: The Odyssey by Homer

Math: Multiply and Divide Fractions

Upcoming Events

December 22 Winter Fun Day at Kellogg

December 23 First Day of Winter Break

January 3 School Resumes

January 19 Science Fair Night (optional)

Hello All! 2016 is coming to an end and we all feel very lucky to have such wonderful students here at Kellogg.

Parents, please remind your students to replenish their pencils and supplies for the upcoming calendar year.

With January fast-approaching, please keep an eye on grades in Skyward. The end of the quarter is January 27th. Reminder that

teachers are willing to take any past assignments up until the end of the quarter.

Reminder that January 19th is the Kellogg Science Fair night. This is an open house for all students to come and see all the sci-

ence fair projects completed by sixth through eighth grade students. Those not displaying a project can still come to gain extra

credit from their science teachers.

Yearbook News

Give the Gift of Memories. Purchase a Kellogg Yearbook now and save before the next price increase in

February. Cost is $27.00. Go to Jostens.com and make your selection today!

Comet Connection Page 4 Kellogg Middle School...All Students Learning at High Levels!

Cool Stuff Happening in Art!

“The Kellogg Community is an environment where each partner in learning

cares and works together to grow as a total person.”

8th graders are creating a functional ceramic cup

using the slab construction method. They will use

underglazes to decorate their cups. After the cups

are fired once a clear overglaze will be applied and

the cups will be fired a second time.

Students need to bring a pencil with an eraser every

day to art class. The art department can always use

donations of the following; newspapers, Kleenex, and

plastic or zip lock bags.

Student Government

Two Column Report Card Pilot

During the 2016-2017 school year Rochester Public Schools will be prototyping a new report card that includes a personal manage-

ment column. Personal management expectations are an optional feature allowing teachers to separate academic grades from non-

academic expectations and include the following: Work Completion, Punctuality/Preparedness, Participation/Collaboration, and Be-

havior/Attitude. Questions regarding the two column report card pilot should be directed to Eric Johnson, Principal.

News From Library Land

Get your calendars ready, folks! The next Kellogg Activity Night is around the corner! On February 3rd your kiddo will have the

opportunity to participate in dancing, volleyball, swimming and basketball! We look forward to seeing you there!

Student Government also had the awesome opportunity to go bell ringing for Salvation Army at the Apache Mall! We had quite a

few donations and just enjoyed giving back to the community.

Please email me if you would like to know more about student government!

Lynsey Speltz

A huge thank you to all who attended the Barnes and Nobles Book Fair held Saturday, December 10, benefiting the Rochester

school libraries. The funds raised will go towards the purchase of new books for school libraries across Rochester.

Have you heard your child exclaim “BINGO!?” The Kellogg library is sponsoring a Maud Hart Lovelace reading incentive surround-

ing the selected 2016-2017 Maud Hart Lovelace titles. There’s still time to check-out some of these great titles and shout out

BINGO! to win a prize. Bingo sheets are available in the library.

Students may also opt to read all 20 nominated titles and receive a gift bag upon completion. Maud Hart Lovelace bookmarks are

available in the library as well.

Kellogg Middle School... All Students Learning at High Levels! Page 5

Counselors’ Corner… Self Esteem

What Is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem means having a good

opinion of yourself and feeling good

about yourself as a person. Low self-

esteem means having a lower opinion

of yourself and feeling inadequate,

inferior, or not deserving of good

things.

Having self-esteem matters. It can

affect almost everything we do. Self-

esteem helps us have good relation-

ships with others, gives us the confi-

dence to try new things, and helps us

succeed. Low self-esteem holds us

back and interferes with our relation-

ships, success, and happiness.

Sometimes, people don't even realize

that they're thinking so negatively

about themselves. But once you're

aware of it, and know that the way

you think is up to you, you can begin

to change the way you think. And

changing the way you think about

yourself changes the way you feel

about yourself. So if you want to feel

better about yourself, or help your

child feel better try some of these:

*Manage your inner critic. If you're

in the habit of thinking self-critically,

re-train yourself by rewording these

negative unkind thoughts into more

helpful feedback.

*Focus on what goes well for you.

Each day, write down three good

things about yourself, and/or three

things that went well that day be-

cause of your action or effort.

*Aim for effort rather than perfec-

tion. Some people get held back by

their own pressure to be perfect.

They lose out because they don't try,

but just give it a try.

*View mistakes as learning oppor-

tunities. Accept that you will make

mistakes. Everyone does. They're

part of learning. What can you do

differently next time?

*Edit thoughts that get you feeling

inferior. Notice what you're thinking

and rephrase your thoughts.

*Remind yourself that everyone

excels at different things. Focus on

what you do well and cheer on others

for their success.

*Try new things, and give yourself

credit. Experiment with different

activities to help you get in touch

with your talents. Then take pride in

your new skills.

*Recognize what you can change

and what you can't. If you realize

that you're unhappy with something

about yourself that you can change,

start today. If it's something you can't

change, work on accepting it.

*Set goals. Think about what you'd

like to accomplish. Then make a plan

for how to do it.

*Take pride in your opinions and

ideas. Don't be afraid to voice them.

Sara Rich School Social Worker

sarich@rochester.k12.mn.us

328-5861

If someone disagrees, it's not a reflec-

tion on your worth or your intelli-

gence.

*Accept compliments. When self-

esteem is low, it's easy to overlook the

good things people say about us. In-

stead, let yourself absorb a compli-

ment, appreciate it, and take it serious-

ly.

*Make a contribution. When you can

see that what you do makes a differ-

ence, it builds your positive opinion of

yourself, and makes you feel good.

That's self-esteem.

*Exercise! Being active and fit helps

you feel good about yourself. You'll

relieve stress, and be healthier, too!

*Relax and have fun. Spend time

with the people you care about, do the

things you love, and focus on what's

good. That helps you feel good about

yourself, just as you are.

http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/self-

esteem.html?ref=search

Kellogg Middle School... All Students Page 6

We have now entered cold and influenza season. Here are some tips for the season in regard to keeping your students healthy

and in school:

*Practice frequent hand washing. It is the single most important defense against spreading infection.

*Cover your cough and sneezes.

*Don’t share eating utensils, straws, beverages, water bottles and the like.

*Stay hydrated. Fluids are important to health.

*Dress for the weather.

*If your student needs cough drops, Tylenol, Ibuprofen or other over the counter

medication while at school, please stop in and complete a medication administration

authorization form. This is important even if the student is self-carrying the medication.

Also, all medications should be carried in their original containers. Medication

Administration Authorization Forms can be found on the RPS website under : Student

Support Services—Health Services—Forms. Also if the student is not self-carrying,

medications and authorizations signed by parents must be delivered to the health

office by the parent.

Please check with the nurse if you have questions or need assistance. Thanks!

328-5813 or 328-5814.

School Health News

These classes will switch to another 6th grade

target after Winter break. Future schedules

will be posted on the following website:

http://kellogg.rochester.k12.mn.us/academics/

special_areas/gifted___talented_education

Also of note:

The Martin Luther King Poetry Contest is com-

ing up. The theme is, “Our lives begin to end the

day we become silent about things that matter.”

Deadline is Friday, January 6th. There are priz-

es and winners will have the opportunity to read

their poems at a diVERSE poetry slam. Please

ask Mr. Mansfield in the media center for more

information or pick up a flier.

Feel free to send me an email at

Damansfield@rochester.k12.mn.us

if you have any questions!

Daniel Mansfield

Gifted Services Specialist

Mr. Mansfield is available for your questions regarding ad-vanced math placement and test-ing, GATE programming, and GATE-related co-curricular op-tions.

Please contact Mr. Mansfield at damansfield@rochester.k12.mn.us

GATE Update

Well, it’s Winter and the snow is here to

stay!

Part of my mission at Kellogg is to give

students an opportunity to showcase their

creativity and talent to the school. Last

week my composition students in 6th grade

had their music projects played for the

school over the speakers between class

periods. It was fun to hear them turn to

their peers and say, “I created that!”

Another group of 6th grade students is

currently working on the Kellogg Magazine,

which we hope to have out before Winter

break. Here is the current schedule for

target pull-out classes that I run:

· 2A Kellogg Magazine Class (Mr Edmon-

son’s Target Class)

· 3B Music Composition Class (Mr An-

derson’s Target Class)

THANK YOU to all the wonderful volunteers in 2016. We look forward to seeing you in

2017!

An EXTRA SPECIAL THANK YOU to all those who donated food for Treats for Teachers!

The teachers LOVED it! We definitely showed them they are appreciated!

Have a great winter break!

Our next meeting is THURSDAY, January 12, at 6:30 p.m.

in the Kellogg Media Center.

“Like” us on Facebook – Kellogg Middle School PTSA

PTSA News!

Comet Connection Page 7 Kellogg Middle School...All Students Learning at High Levels!

Math Corner

As we get ready to send the students off for winter break, just a quick reminder that ixl.com is a great

way for kids to build up their math skills at home. Even if they spend just 10 minutes a day practicing,

every little bit helps. If your student doesn't know his or her IXL login, have your child check with his or

her math teacher for a reminder. Thanks for all of your support at home!

Movin’ and Shakin’ With PE

Greetings from the Kellogg Physical Education department!

Mr. LaDue’s classes began the swim unit in November and will continue until winter break. After winter break, Mr.

Kartheiser’s classes will begin the swim unit and Mrs. Holets will begin with her classes on February 8th. Reminder that a one

piece suit and a towel from home is required for this unit.

Finally, especially with the winter months, it’s very helpful when students wear separate, indoor athletic shoes during P.E..

When students wear shoes that were worn outdoors, the salt and dirt from outside make the gymnasium floors very slip-

pery, increasing chances of injury. Students have all been issued a personal locker in the locker room so they are able to

store their indoor shoes at school.

Thanks in advance for providing these items for your child!

Eric Kartheiser, Scott LaDue and Kathy Holets

“

The Kellogg Community is

an environment where

each partner in learning

cares and works together

to grow as a total

person.”

Comet Connection Kellogg’s Family Newsletter!

Page 8 Kellogg Middle School...All Students Learning at High Levels!

Community Ed Action

Homework Help (Gr. 6-8)

Students with passes from their teachers will be allowed to

stay for

Homework Help and will be expected to have enough work to

last

the entire time they are there. It is the students’ responsibil-

ity to

communicate with his/her parent or guardian when he/she will

be

staying and to have a ride arranged before 2:00 pm on the day

the

student stays.

DROP IN, NO REGISTRATION NEEDED.

5111.13KE

Tu/Th - Nov 10-Dec 22 - 2:45-4:30 PM

No Charge

Boys Basketball

5008.20KE (6th Gr.)

M/W Jan 9-Feb 27 - 2:45-4:30 PM

Kellogg-Gym $62

No Class Feb 1

5009.20KE (7-8th Gr.)

Tu/Th Jan 10-Feb 16 - 2:45-4:30 PM

Kellogg-Gym $62

MATHCOUNTS Team (Gr. 6-8)

This class is opened to all 6-8 grade students at Kellogg, and

will

prepare them for the school competition test. Team members

will have

the chance to participate in the chapter competition.

5117.120KE

W Dec 7-Feb 8 - 2:45-4:30 PM

Kellogg-Rm 403

No Class Feb 1 $55

YMCA-Youth in Government-Model United

Nations (MUN) (Gr. 7-12)

YIG-Model United Nations (MUN) is a program for students in

grades 7-12 to learn about various aspects of world affairs.

Join

other youth leaders in our community to debate the issues that

are

important to you. For questions regarding YIG-MUN, please

contact

Vic Robinson at virobinson@rochester.k12.mn.us

Please note:

further information on dates and location coming soon.

5015.101

M Jan 9 6-8 PM

Northrop-Rm 112 $60

Kellogg

s pleased to welcome Mr. Nicholas Hager, the newest member of

our music faculty! A recent Concordia grad, Mr. Hager will be join-

ing us shortly after Winter Break. Mr. Nadeau resigned December

2. We’re very excited for Mr. Hager to join Kellogg. Here are a

few words of introduction from Mr. Hager himself:

Hello, Kellogg! My name is Nicholas Hager and I will be teaching Choir and Music Explorations. I recently moved to Rochester from the Twin Cities where I was born and raised, aside from attending Concordia College, way up in Moorhead, Minnesota. When I'm not at school, you might be able to find me with a book in hand or on the pitch officiating soccer. I look forward to joining the Kellogg Community!

New Chorus Teacher Welcome!

Comet Connection Page 9 Kellogg Middle School...All Students Learning at High Levels!

RAP is an academic program that meets Tuesdays through

Thursdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m., beginning October 25th

through April 27th. Students will get the opportunity to

develop teambuilding skills while we focus on math and read-

ing. Enrollment forms will be located in the main office at

Kellogg as well as online.

Once filled out please return to the office or to Mrs.

Speltz.

Want to know more? Email Mrs. Speltz at

lyspeltz@rochester.k12.mn.us

Kellogg Middle School

Mission:

to inspire, challenge,

and empower all learners

to achieve at high levels

and contribute to our

global

community.

First day of RAP

Holidays and

breaks are shaded in

gray

Last day of

RAP

RAP in session

No RAP

RAP meeting

Family night

Conferences

December 2016

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

January 2017

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

Find us Online!

Kellogg Middle School offers a variety of online resources for families.

Family Access via Skyward: Skyward users can access their child’s grades, absences, disciplinary actions, and more! PayPams.com: Paypams allows you to put money into your child’s lunch account via the internet. You can set up auto-matic deductions or you can choose to have an email notifica-tion sent to your email address when your child’s lunch ac-count falls below a certain level.

Be sure to check out Kellogg’s website: http://kellogg.rochester.k12.mn.us/ for information and news about school!

Facebook: Keep up with Kellogg on FB at facebook.com/Kellogg.Middle.School/

Twitter: Yep, we’re on Twitter too! Twitter.com/Kellogg/Middle

Our lost and found table is already piling

up with unclaimed items from the start

of the year! If your son or daughter is

already missing a new sweatshirt, gym

shoes, etc., odds are it’s in our Lost and

Found. Stop by the Kellogg during office

hours to check (7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mon-

day-Friday)! All unclaimed items will be

donated to charity at the end of the

school year.

Kellogg Middle

School

503 17th St NE

Rochester, MN 55906

Phone: 507-328-5800

facebook.com/

Kellogg.Middle.School/

twitter.com/KelloggMiddle

Holiday Cleaning? If you’re cleaning your garage, Kellogg

students can always use extra sports equipment for

recess. We are always in need of more kickballs,

footballs, basketballs, soccerballs, volleyballs, and

Frisbees. They can be left with Mr. Widman in the office.

Thank you!!!

Come and Find

Our Lost and Found!

Kellogg Administration Principal: Eric Johnson erjohnson1@rochester.k12.mn.us 328-5817

Assistant Principal: Kari Schroeder kaschroeder@rochester.k12.mn.us 328-5815

Associate Principal: Mike Widman miwidman@rochester.k12.mn.us 328-5816

Kellogg Counselors Sixth Grade: Darlene Dobell dadobell@rochester.k12.mn.us 328-5811

Seventh Grade: Darren Saner dasaner@rochester.k12.mn.us 328-5809

Eighth Grade: Sam Simmons sasimmons@rochester.k12.mn.us 328-5808

Reminder: If your student has been absent for three or more days we ask that you please check Skyward for assignments he or

she may have missed. If you have further questions about a particular class please feel free to contact your child’s teacher(s) via

phone or email!