08/18/2025
Greetings Point Families,
We are now one week away from the official start of the 25-26 school year. We are continuing to plan and prepare for the arrival of our students. Over the past couple of weeks you have received a variety of information from various staff. The purpose of this email is to summarize some of that information as well as provide additional information. This may be a message you want to keep and refer back to especially over the next couple of weeks. Here we go:
Open House:
Our annual Open House is set for this Thursday, from 5PM-7PM. Students and parents can come in to find student lockers, get a printed copy of your class schedule and student ID, and pick up school supplies if pre-ordered last spring. A new addition to this event is an optional session for parents and students about the basic rules and procedures at Point Middle School. This was a popular ask in the survey many of you took a few weeks ago. As a result, we will host a 30 minute info session on School Rules and Procedures including the new state mandated cell phone policy. There are two times for you to choose from- 5:30PM or 6:15PM (in the gym). Choose one... or neither; the choice is yours! This evening is also a great opportunity to drop off any completed forms (see Medical Concerns bullet below) as well as any scheduled or as needed medications that will be administered during school hours.
7th Grade Step-Up Day:
The annual 7th Grade Step-Up Day is set for this Thursday, from 7:45AM-10:14AM. This event is for 7th grade students only (sorry, no parents!) and will start in the gym. Buses will run their normal routes that morning if you want your child to ride the bus. Buses will drop back off at their normal location, but 4 hours earlier than a normal day. NOTE: The concrete work is wrapping up but likely won't be completed by Thursday morning. Therefore all drop-offs will need to occur on the north side of building which is actually a normal area for drop off.
School Hours:
Students can be dropped of at Point beginning at 7:30AM on school days. Students will enter through the northeast side of the building at the gym entrance. If you choose to drop off or pick up, please enter the north parking lot, let the student out along the sidewalk down towards the gym entrance, and then circle back out to exit the same way you came in. Drivers are unable to use the circle drive due to buses.
Cell Phones:
As you are probably aware, the state of Iowa has passed a law prohibiting students from using their cell phones, ear buds, and other personal electronic devices in the classrooms. This is a significant shift for families as well as staff. However, it is our hope that this will lead to higher engagement during class due to less distractions. Students at Point will be allowed to use their personal electronic devices during passing periods, before & after school, and during their lunch period. There is a process that we will follow at Point for students who violate the law. The simple explanation is that we should not see these devices during classroom time- either place the devices in backpacks or lockers. This includes class time when students use the restroom!
Student IDs:
Each student will receive a student ID. New this year is the requirement for students to scan their ID when they get on the school bus every day. This will NOT be in effect until the end of the first day of classes. Students will also need to have with them their student ID when going through the breakfast or lunch lines. Students can find their new school ID in their assigned locker beginning Thursday night.
Bell Schedules:
There has been a slight adjustment to bell times for this year. Classes generally will be 45 minutes in length so we can make homeroom a bit longer to allow for classroom intervention and enrichment time. The school day still begins at 7:45AM and ends at 2:31PM.
Medical Concerns:
If your child has a history of seizures, serious allergies, asthma, or diet restrictions due to allergies, we need updated Action Plans/Forms for the 2025-2026 school year.
Communication:
Whereas we conduct a lot of our communication through email, we will be utilizing the Remind App for last minute notices, changes, or emergency situations. The best part about using the Remind App is it allows us to communicate back and forth in different languages when needed! To join our Remind communications, you can text the code to the number 81010. This will enable you to receive text messages. You can go to Remind.com to sign up as well. Once you sign up, you can choose your home language, how you want to receive the messages (text, email, etc) and more. This is a great and free resource! The code provided signs you up for school wide messages. Hopefully teachers will invite you to join their classes by each send you a code related to their specific courses.
I am looking forward to meeting many of you Thursday. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Take Care,
Paul Williamson, Principal
[email protected]
