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Weekly Newsletter

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - MONDAY, MAY 11th, DAY 1

SCHOOL PERMIT

If your student is interested in getting their minor permit, please click the link below to visit the NPHS website.  All of the information, requirements, forms and steps are listed under "Student Drivers". Please read the information carefully.

3 key items in the link below:

  • Sign up for the virtual School Permit Meeting 
  • DOT Affidavit for Minor School License (form)
  • North Polk Letter (form)

This information is sent every month to grades 9-10 families as a courtesy. The responsibility of completing the steps is up to the student driver, family and DOT.

These virtual meetings are typically held on the second Monday of the month via Google meet. The invitation link will be emailed the Friday before the meeting. For any questions, please reach out to the high school office.

Click here for information, forms and to register.

UPCOMING SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS

Our service learning trip to Polk City for our 8th grade students will be held on Friday, May 22nd. Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for outdoor, hands-on work. Students should wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Shoes must be closed toe—no sandals or Crocs are allowed. Students are also encouraged to bring a water bottle, work gloves, a hat, and sunscreen as needed. More information to come.

MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY BOOKS

As we close in on the end of the year, all middle school library books will be due Wednesday, May 20th If your child knows they have a book that is lost or damaged, please contact Heather Cantrell at heather.cantrell@northpolk.org to discuss your options regarding book replacement. 

FCCLA MAY TAKE-a-BREAK

Calling all pizza chefs!  Any 6-8 grade student is invited to attend the last FCCLA Take-a-Break of the school year.  Meet in the FCS room after school to plan, make, and eat mini-pizzas made from refrigerated biscuit dough.  Teams will present a sample of their creations to a panel of judges who will determine which team has the best pizza recipe.  The event will end at 4:45, when students can be picked up or catch the activity shuttle. Sign up in the cafeteria!

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

7th and 8th grade baseball and softball practice will begin on Monday, May 18th. Activity shuttles will be available, departing from the middle school at 5:15pm through the remainder of the school year. Additional details will be shared soon by your student's coach.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO OUR FAMILIES OF STUDENTS ENTERING 7TH GRADE FOR THE ‘26 -’27 SCHOOL YEAR

All students entering 7th grade are required to have an updated Tdap vaccine and a meningitis vaccine (OR have an exemption form on file at school.) Call your doctor’s office now to make your child’s appointment for these vaccines if they have not already had them.  Do not wait, as appointments will fill up fast in the fall and your child may not be able to see their provider in time.  If you do not have health insurance or have a doctor, please call the Polk County Health Dept. at (515) 286-3798. Your child can qualify for the Vaccines for Children Program and can receive the vaccines at little cost.  If you have additional questions or would like a copy of the exemption form, please contact the middle school nurse, Angie McGough, RN BSN at 515-984-3400 ext 2202 or angie.mcgough@northpolk.org.

 

Get ready to join the excitement of Celebrate North Polk 2026 ~ Snapshots of Success!

This annual event welcomes parents, community members, and friends of the North Polk School District! Your presence at this event is not just appreciated - it is vital, as 100% of the proceeds go directly back into enriching our kids’ educational experiences and extracurricular activities. CNP distributes the funds raised equally among the Fine Arts Booster Club, Athletic Booster Club, and the North Polk Foundation.

Mark your calendar for Saturday May 30th , 2026 ~ Join us at 5:30pm at the FFA Center on Ankeny DMACC campus.

Get ready for a night of camaraderie, delicious dinner, fun games, and exciting auctions. It is a great evening to celebrate the successes of our incredible district and amazing students!

Secure your spot and purchase your tickets today by visiting our website at www.celebratenorthpolk.org. For more information and sneak peeks of auction items, do not forget to check out our Facebook page (Celebrate North Polk). Join us in making this year’s event unforgettable!

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

Families should only request transportation for students who will be regular bus riders (three or more days per week). This helps us maintain accurate student counts for route efficiency and ensures rosters are up to date for safety purposes.

Please note the following examples of situations where the form should NOT be completed:

  • If a student may occasionally need the bus due to circumstances such as weather or temporary loss of transportation (e.g., car issues), this is considered “drop-in” and does not require a form submission.
  • If a younger student only plans to ride daily with a sibling but during a specific season (such as sports) needs a school bus route/ride this is also considered “drop-in.”

In these situations, families should reach out directly to Marcy Hanigan at marcy.hanigan@northpolk.org when the need arises, and she will assist with a bus assignment.

To guarantee your child has a seat on the bus on the first day of school, registration, including your transportation request, must be completed by June 1, 2026. Any request submitted after this date may not be processed until September 8.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
The end of the school year will be here before we know it, and we want to make sure your family is all set for next fall. Returning student registration for 2026-2027 opened on April 1, all families must complete the online registration. To get started, visit the link provided.

RECOGNIZE A STAFF MEMBER

If a teacher or staff member has made a positive difference for your student recently, we invite you to give them a quick shout-out. Your feedback means a lot to our team and helps us celebrate the people who make our school thrive. Please use this Google Form Link to share a brief note of appreciation. Thanks!

ABSENCES

Just a reminder that a student must be in school by 11:45am in order to participate in competition held after school. If a student misses class for a medical appointment or illness, they need to provide a note from the medical office in order to be eligible to practice or participate that day

STUDENTS ILL OR INJURED AT SCHOOL

A student who becomes ill or injured at school must notify a teacher or other staff member and then visit the school nurse as soon as possible. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT CONTACT FAMILIES ON THEIR OWN. In the case of serious illness or injury, the school nurse will attempt to notify the parents/guardians according to the information on Infinite Campus. If the student is too ill or injured to remain in school, the student will be released to a parent/guardian. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in a range of behavior consequences. 

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

 

Scheduling Information: 2026-2027 School Year

Scheduling for the 2026-2027 school year is underway. This week, students filled out their scheduling forms for their fine arts (band/choir) & exploratory selections.  If a student was absent on this day, we will make sure that we reach out to them directly in order to complete their scheduling form.

8th Grade Visit to the High School:

On May 20th, the high school is excited to welcome our incoming freshmen! Eighth-grade students will travel to the high school at 1:30 PM for an afternoon filled with a Q & A session about high school, time with the principals, a building tour, and an activity fair. (An additional email will be sent out to families around May 13th)

We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2030—Go Comets! 

5th Grade Visit to the Middle School:

On May 15th, the 5th grade students will travel to the middle school in preparation for the ‘26-’27 school year.  Students will receive a tour of the building and participate in a Q & A session about the middle school transition with current middle school students.

We are so excited to welcome the Class of 2033 to our building!

NPMS Calming Site & Resource Page

Check out the North Polk Middle School Calming Site & Resource Page; a one-stop space for mental and emotional support tools, grounding strategies, and helpful resources. You’ll also find information about local and national services available to students and families. This page is designed to offer support, promote well-being, and connect our Comet community with the help they need, whenever they need it.

Give Back This Summer: Library Volunteers Wanted!

Looking for a way to stay active and help the community this summer? The library is officially looking for student volunteers! This is a great way for middle schoolers to build leadership skills and beef up those future high school resumes.

  • When: Monday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (June & July)
  • Who: Must be at least 12 years old
  • How: Fill out the volunteer application or it's available on the library website.

Questions? Reach out to the library directly or stop by the counseling office for more info.

Employee & Family Resources (EFR) / Student Assistance Program (SAP)

EFR offers confidential support for students and families, including help with mental health concerns, stress, family challenges, and life transitions. The NP CSD has partnered with EFR to provide these services at no cost to NP families in which everyone has access to counseling, resources, and referrals—visit efr.org/sap to learn more.  

NPMS Counseling Referrals & Walnut Creek Psychiatry Services

Do you think your MS student would benefit from meeting with a NPMS counselor or an outside therapist?

Please know that the MS counselors are always here to support the needs of our students. Also know that we have an additional service available to our NPMS students, which is through Walnut Creek School Based Therapy. If you think that your student would benefit from receiving additional services and support, please contact Mr. Delagardelle and/or Mrs. Sloan via email. The information provided in this form will be kept confidential and one the the counselors will reach out to you and/or your student as soon as possible.

Request to meet with a NPMS Counselor - 

“Request and Appointment” Form

NP Food Pantry Information:

The North Polk Food Pantry is open and available to all students, families, and community members in our district. No appointment is needed, just stop in during walk-in hours to pick up the items you need. Please feel free to reach out to the NPMS counselors if you and/or someone you know might benefit from weekly, biweekly, or monthly donations.

WEEKLY CALENDAR 

(For the most current events, updates, and cancellations please visit the Activity Calendar)

MONDAY, MAY 11th - DAY 1 

  • 7/8 Boys & Girls Track - End of Season Celebration - 4:45pm shuttles
  • FCCLA Take a Break - Pizza Making
  • 6th - 12th Band Concert @ NPHS Auditorium
    • 6th Grade - 6:00pm
    • 7th/8th Grade - 6:45pm
    • High School - 8:00pm

TUESDAY, MAY 12th - DAY 2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th - DAY 1

THURSDAY, MAY 14th - DAY 2

FRIDAY, MAY 15th - DAY 1