Back-to-School Information

We are very excited that your child will be attending Henry Sibley High School this fall, and we look forward to meeting them VERY SOON!

Henry Sibley participates in the nationwide Link Crew Program, an organization whose purpose is to help freshmen feel more comfortable and achieve success as they transition to high school. In order to follow all the proper health guidelines, our Link Day - Freshmen Orientation will take place on Thursday, September 10 OR Friday, September 11  from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Families with the last name A-K will attend on Thursday and those with L-Z will attend on Friday.

During Link Day, your child will have the opportunity to walk through their schedule, learn what to expect as a high schooler, and start building important connections with student and staff leaders in our school.

It is our expectation that every incoming freshman who signed up for hybrid learning [Option 1] attends this event in-person; however, families who elected for distance learning only [Option 2] for first semester are also welcome to attend within their last name alpha. Families who signed up for distance learning only can also choose to attend a virtual LINK day with their respective small group from 10:30-11:30am on the day where their alpha meets: A-K Thursday, Sept. 10th 10:30-11:30. L-Z Friday, Sept. 11th 10:30-11:30.

Your child is assigned two upper class Link Crew Leaders who serve as mentors during the school year. The Link Leaders are responsible students who were hand-selected from a large pool of applicants and have met the qualifications of a good role model, and a positive leader on our campus. 

Here is some more information about what you and your child can expect for Link Day.
Your child will receive an email from their Link Crew Leader, within the next week, personally inviting them to Link Day, and giving the details of where to be and at what time.
District transportation is available for this event. If your child has registered for transportation, they can plan to be picked up from the assigned bus stop and time. For more information, contact transportation at 651-403-8323.
Your child is encouraged to NOT bring backpacks, purses, or other like items as the day is quite active.
Food will not be served during this event. 
Masks are REQUIRED at all times.
We will maintain and enforce health and safety protocols for all. 

This is a student-only function. Thank you for sending your child off for this important day. We look forward to meeting them soon. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

The Link Crew Coordinators
Julie Johnson | julie.johnson@isd197.org
Katie Naughton | katie.naughton@isd197.org
Brandon Maslowski | brandon.maslowski@isd197.org
Grant Moris | grant.moris@isd197.org

Student learning will take place between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:04 p.m. whether students are in distance learning or in-person instruction. Students should reserve these hours for school daily. ALL students will begin in distance learning mode on Monday, September 14.

• Period 5 meets everyday for roughly 50 minutes.

• Odd periods 1, 3, 7 meet generally on Monday and Thursday for 95 minutes each.

• Even periods 2, 4, 6 meet generally on Tuesday and Friday for 95 minutes each.

• Weeks that only have 4 days, Wednesday is generally skipped to maintain the block schedule. See the daily schedule for the specific rotation.

• Courses that meet on Day A or Day B will BOTH meet on block days. The Day A course will meet first. Wednesday will alternate between Day A and Day B. See the daily schedule for the specific rotation.

• On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, Teachers will host a synchronous daily welcome/check in via Google Meet.

The daily welcome/check in will follow the schedule outlined at each site and will include at least the first 10 minutes of each class. We expect that every student will participate in the regular school day, during class time in order to be most successful.

• We prefer that students have their cameras live when possible, or post a nice picture as your image.

• When not in daily welcome/check in, teachers must be available to students via Google Meet and Google Chat to answer questions, small group instruction, and for individual student check ins. 

• On Wednesdays students will work independently in all courses. Assignments will be posted for each course on Canvas. In the afternoons, teachers will be available during office hours to assist students via Google meet or chat.

When we are able to move into a distance learning model, the schedule above displays how students will transition from in-person learning to distance learning throughout a "normal" week. All students will begin in full distance learning on the first day of school on September 14. 

During distance learning, students are responsible for marking their attendance each day. Students must check in to Infinite Campus anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily. Attendance only needs to be marked one time each day, and teachers will give students reminders during each class period for students to make sure they have done so.  Student video on how to check in

During hybrid learning, attendance will be taken as follows:

• In-person students: by period, by teacher just like a normal school day. If your child will be absent during any time of the day or needs to leave for an appointment, please call 651.403.7107.

• Virtual (Distance Learning): once a day with a student completing “check in”

Beginning Monday, September 7, students and parents may access their 2020-2021 Henry Sibley High School student schedule by logging into the Infinite Campus portal. Due to the complexities of scheduling, changes will be limited. Requests to change teachers, lunch, electives, rearrange class periods, or switch from Day A to B will not be honored. 

Once you are able to view your schedule, please check for the following

• Check for complete schedules; 7 courses a semester
• Check that you have the required courses for your grade level in English, Social Studies, Science and Math
• Check that you are NOT repeating a course that you have taken and passed 

If your schedule is missing any of the above components, please contact your school counselor to request a change.  

Counselors (Last Name Begins With):

• A-Da → Ms. Gjerde: 651.403.7203
• De-G → Ms. Grochowski: 651.403.7181      
• H-Ma → Ms. Erchul: 651.403.7245
• Mc-R → Ms. Citta: 651.403.7202
• S-Z → Mr. Winkoski: 651.403.7204

Throughout the school year, the Counseling Department will provide career and college planning materials, which will help guide students during their four years at Sibley, while also preparing them for options after high school. Grade level checklists, four-year plans, options beyond high school and Minnesota Careers Guidebooks will be available. Find online resources by clicking here.

TECH SUPPORT
If your child runs into any difficulties with their technology (computers, etc.) while learning, please contact Kurt Koefod at kurt.koefod@isd197.org or call 651-403-7005.

Password Help for Google and Infinite Campus

If you cannot remember your Google or Infinite Campus password, please call the district tech office at 651-403-8400. Leave a detailed message with the spelling of your first and last name and a number where you can be reached.

Please contact a teacher for help accessing all other curriculum resources.

You may also contact the district tech office for device issues at 651-403-8400 or empowered@isd197.org at any time.

LAPTOP INFORMATION
If your child attended middle school in School District 197, they used an iPad. At the high school, however, students use a laptop to access course content, complete homework, collaborate and communicate with classmates, conduct research and more.

This does not mean that students at Henry Sibley use a computer for the entire period of each class throughout their day. Our teachers continue to use traditional instructional methods and ask students to complete assignments or projects using tools other than a computer.
 
All students at Henry Sibley have two options:

• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Students/families bring a device to school that they currently own or purchase that meets the minimum requirements to use in class each day.
• Use a school-owned device – Students will be provided with a computing device in the fall to use throughout their four years of high school. The device will be assigned specifically to the student who will need to bring it to school each day. School devices are a mix of new, currently owned and recertified Chromebooks and Macbooks.

SCHOOL-ISSUED DEVICE: Accessing Your Chromebook

1. Open the device and turn it on. The device may need to charge prior to turning on.
2. Once you have turned on the device, select Let’s Go (in blue). You will then be prompted to connect to the internet (wifi). Accept Google’s terms and conditions.
3. After you have connected your device to the internet open Chrome and log into Google.
4. Google Username: As a reminder, your Google username was created using your full legal first name and the last 4 digits of your 6 digit student ID (Example: Benjamin1234@isd197.org).

Google Password: Use your Google password from last school year. Google passwords are not reset over the summer.

If prompted, be sure to sync your Google account with this device using the domain isd197.org.

LOGGING INTO CANVAS (Learning Management System)
Canvas is used by teachers across School District 197 in grades 5-12 to create one online location for students to access course work, submit assignments. online textbooks, view the class calendar and collaborate with classmates.

• Students use their Google log in to access Canvas. 
• If you have trouble opening Canvas, please check that you have done with following before contacting a teacher for assistance:
• Always use the Chrome browser
• Only be logged into your school Gmail account. You will not be able to log in to Canvas if you are also logged in to a personal Gmail account.
• Check that your Google Sync in on. (From any Google doc, click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner, select Settings. Select Sync & Google Services to verify that your sync is turned on.)

LINKS FOR CANVAS AND INFINITE CAMPUS
Click on the Student Life tab (above). Here you will find many resources, including the link for Canvas and the Infinite Campus Student Portal.

The Infinite Campus Portal is how parents/guardians of District 197 students can access their student’s attendance information, grades, test scores and more. This is available through the internet anytime, anywhere. Students also have an Infinite Campus account. Each person; parent/guardian and student, has a unique login.

• Parents/guardians of students enrolled at Friendly Hills, Heritage, or Henry Sibley in 2019-2020: Your Campus Portal account is active from last year. If you forgot your username and/or password you may reset it on your own by clicking on “forgot your password?” or “forgot your username?” links from the login screen, https://isd197.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/wstpaul.jsp.
  • If you did not create a Campus Portal account last year, please email empowered@isd197.org for instructions.
  • All families should login to review and update their contact information and messenger preference settings. Messenger preferences will ensure you receive school and teacher communications sent through Infinite Campus.
• Students enrolled at Friendly Hills, Heritage, or Henry Sibley in 2019-2020: Your Campus Portal is active from last year. Your username and password has not changed. If you forgot your username and/or password you may reset it on your own by clicking on “forgot your password?” or “forgot your username?” links from the login screen. 
• Parents or Guardians of a New Student in 2020-2021: Please email empowered@isd197.org for instructions on how to create a Campus Portal account.
• New Students for 2020-2021: Please see below more information about setting up your Student Portal 

STUDENT ACCESS TO INFINITE CAMPUS
Students will use Infinite Campus to access your schedule, grades and attendance. Infinite Campus Username is your full legal first name and the last 4 digits of your 6 digit student ID (example: Benjamin1234) (This is also with first part of your email address.)

ACT: Seniors will be taking the ACT on Tuesday, October 6 during the school day. We will provide the test On Site for all seniors. The class schedule for Oct. 6 will be moved to Oct. 7 to accommodate the ACT.  Transportation will be provided for those who need it. 

PSAT: Sophomores and juniors may sign up to take the PSAT on  October 14, On Site at Sibley.  Transportation will be provided for those who need it. 

Pre-ACT: Freshmen will have the opportunity to take the Pre-ACT (9) ACT on Wednesday, October 21, onsite at Sibley. Transportation will be provided for those who need it. Sophomores will have the opportunity to take the Pre-ACT on Wednesday, October 28, onsite at Sibley.  Transportation will be provided for those who need it. Juniors will be taking the Practice ACT via Naviance offsite.

For transportation needs, please ensure you register for busing services.  Please click here for more information.

Click here to check out our newly designed website!

Free meals are now available to all children in School District 197 (ages 1-18). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will waive all fees for school meals through December 31, 2020 (or earlier if funding runs out). This is an extension of the summer meals program that provided meals to families throughout distance learning last spring and into the summer. For more information, click here.

How will my student get their free meals?

When learning in-person at school, breakfast and lunch will be available at no cost to students. Students may purchase a carton of milk for $0.50 to go with a breakfast or lunch brought from home, as milk by itself is not free. When learning at home (either as part of hybrid learning or full-time distance learning), a free breakfast and lunch bundle will be available for families to pick up between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at every School District 197 school. Free meals will only be provided for scheduled school days. Meals will not be provided on holidays or scheduled days off. Breakfast and lunch menus are available on the district website.  The menus apply to meals served in school and picked up curbside.

Please hang onto the barcoded PIN card you recently received in the U.S. Mail. Students will need these once schools resume normal breakfast and lunch service.

What are the benefits of school meals?

School meals offer students:

• Age-appropriate calorie limits and portion sizes
• Daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables (Note: all students must take at least one 1/2 cup serving of fruit/vegetables with their lunch meal and at least 1/2 cup juice or fruit with their breakfast meal)
• White or flavored fat-free milk or 1% white milk
• Whole grain breads, pastas, and grains
• Lean proteins from meat and non-meat sources
• Options with reduced sodium and limited saturated fats

Do I still need to fill out a Free & Reduced Application (FRP) form

Even though meals are free for the first few months of school, you still need to fill out your Free & Reduced Application form. This ensures you’ll have help paying for meals after December 31 (or earlier if funding runs out), and also helps you cover costs for other school-related activities. In addition, it grants our district access to state funding to support our schools. Complete the 2020-2021 Free & Reduced Meal Application online here or request one by calling 651-403-7320.

Please Note: Families MUST fill out a new application for benefits at the beginning of each school year or benefits will expire on October 22, 2020.