January 9, 2026

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Friday Focus 

I hope this message finds you refreshed and rejuvenated after our winter break. It's wonderful to see our halls filled with energy once again as we begin the second semester. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your dedication in making the start of this semester such a success.

As we move forward, I'd like to share some important updates regarding our student pass plans. For students who were on pass plans last semester:

  • If the existing plan proved effective, teachers simply need to notify both parents and myself that the student will continue with the same plan. On the PASS Plan spreadsheet from 1st semester, I did mark in the last column if the PASS Plan is eligible to be carried over to the 2nd semester.
  • However, if the plan didn't achieve the desired results (whether due to class performance or incomplete requirements), we'll need to develop a new approach with fresh strategies.

For teachers seeking additional intervention strategies, I encourage you to explore AI resources for innovative ideas that might benefit your students. Sometimes a new perspective can make all the difference in reaching our students effectively.

On January 19, the school board will have their annual retreat. I would like to thank Mrs. Tentinger and Mr. Bork for presenting on the success center and the alterntive school and Mrs. Schindel, Mrs. Klingbeil, and Mr. Hessenius for presenting on the special education program.

Some formalities to go through as we start the semester. Please go over the lockdown/lockout/shelter/evac info with your students. Remind them of the ALICE procedures that we should use if ever the need shall arise. Also, take the time to go over classroom expectations, even if you have year long classes. This is a good reminder for the students on what you expect from them in the classroom.

Key Dates to Remember

  • Jan. 9  - PASS Plans due for Trimester 2 classes
  • Jan. 14 - Inservice
  • Jan. 15 - 8th Grade CTE Day
  • Jan. 19 - Board Retreat
  • Jan. 28 - Inservice
  • Feb. 4 - Midterm 3rd Quarter
  • Apr. 1 - PASS Plans due for Trimester 3 and Semester 2 classes

Have a great weekend!
Mark

Assistant Principal's Happenings

Things I'm Thankful For:
As I walk the halls and talk with our staff, it seems that S2 if off to a very solid start.  Thank you for all the planning and pre-teaching of behavior that you do with our students.  Smooth starts don't just "happen" -- they are the result of a lot of the "little things" that you do correctly.  Your efforts are noticed and appreciated.

Things I'm Thinking About:
I listen to a lot of podcasts. One that I come back around to every so often is "The Quote of the Day Show" when I need a little encouragement.

One such episode recently featured a quote by John Maxwell: "Add value to people every day".  It reminded me a lot of our staff and the great work you do with kids each and every day.  We are all truly in the "service" industry -- defining "service" as helping others and doing what is in their best interests.  Doc and I are striving to do this, as well.

Thank you for all you do!

If you are interested in listening:


Moss


Upcoming Activities


Friday, Jan. 9
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs. Storm Lake
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. Storm Lake
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. Storm Lake

Saturday, Jan. 10
TBD - NWI HS Honor Band
9:00 am Boy Wrestling @ Linn-Mar
9:30 am Girl Wrestling @ North Mahaska
12:00 pm Swimming @ Linn-Mar

Monday, Jan. 12
TBD - Morningside Vocal Arts Festival
3:30 pm Bowling @ Council Bluffs TJ - Bowlero Bowl
5:00 pm Girl Wrestling @ North High - MRAC Conference Tournament

Tuesday, Jan. 13
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs. Sioux City West
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. Sioux City West
5:30 pm Swimming @ Atlantic vs. Atlantic and Waukee
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. Sioux City West

Thursday, Jan. 15
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs. Council Bluffs TJ
5:30 pm Freshmen Boy Basketball vs. Council Bluffs TJ
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. Council Bluffs TJ
5:30 m Wrestling @ Council Bluffs TJ vs. TJ and SC West
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. Council Bluffs TJ

Friday, Jan. 16
4:00 pm Girl Wrestling - Le Mars Invite

Saturday, Jan. 17
8:00 am HS Show Choir Clinic and Showcase
8:00 am JV Boy Wreslting vs. Sioux Center
10:00 am Boy Wrestling - Le Mars Invite
10:00 am Swimming @ Fort Dodge

Monday, Jan. 19
1:00 pm JV/Varsity Boy/Girl Bowling vs. SC East

Tuesday, Jan. 20
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs. SBL
5:30 pm Freshman Boy Basketball vs. SBL
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. SBL
6:00 pm Varsity Girl Wrestling @ MOC
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs.SBL

Thursday, Jan. 22
6:30 pm Boy Swimming @ Spencer

Friday, Jan. 23
TBD - Iowa Lakes Jazz Band Contest
12:30 pm Boy/Girl Bowling @ Council Bluffs
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball @ SC East
5:00 pm Freshman Boy Basketball @ SC East
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ SC East
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball @ SC East

Saturday, Jan. 24
8:00 am District Large Group Speech @ TBD
8:00 am Varsity Boy Wrestling @ Heelan
9:30 am Boy Swimming @ Lewis Central
10:00 am Varsity Girl Wrestling @ SBL

Monday, Jan. 26
1:00 pm JV/Varsity Boy/Girl Bowling @ MRAC Tournament - Council Bluffs
4:00 pm State Jazz Band Festival - Middle School Auditorium
6:30 pm 8th grade parent registration night - Competition Gym

Tuesday, Jan. 27
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball @ Heelan
5:15 pm Freshman Boy Basketball @ Heelan
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ Heelan
6:00 pm Boy Wrestling @ West Sioux
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball @ Heelan

Wednesday, Jan. 28
8:00 am Iowa Lakes Vocal Jazz Festival

Thursday, Jan. 29
8:00 am NWI HS/MS Honor Orchestra Festival @ Northwestern
4:00 pm Boy Wrestling - MRAC Confernce Meet @ SC North

Friday, Jan. 30
TBD - High School Honor Band - USD
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball @ CB Abe Lincoln
5:15 pm Freshman Boy Basketball @ CB Abe Lincoln
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ CB Abe Lincoln
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball @ CB Abe Lincoln
7:00 pm Girl Wrestling Regionals - TBD

Saturday, Jan. 31
TBD - USD Honor Band
TBD -  State Jazz Choir Festival - Le Mars
9:30 am Boy Wrestling @ Kinsley-Pierson
10:00 am Boy/Girl Wrestling - Le Mars Invite

Monday, Feb. 2
TBD - High School State Show Choir
5:00 pm JV Boy Wrestling @ MOC

Tuesday, Feb 3
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball vs. SC North
5:30 pm Freshman Boy Basketball vs. SC North
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. SC North
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball vs. SC North

Wednesday, Feb. 4
TBD - HS Jazz Band Festival @ Morningside
TBD - HS Girl State Wrestling

Thursday, Feb. 5
3:30 pm Boy Bowling @ Sweet 16 Lanes
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basketball @ Western Christian
5:30 pm Freshman Boy Basketball @ Western Christian
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ Western Christian
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball @ Western Christian

Friday, Feb. 6
TBD - Cyclone Honor Band
4:00 pm JV Boy/Girl Basektball @ SC West
5:15 pm Freshman Boy Basketball @ SC West
5:30 pm Varsity Girl Basketball @ SC West
7:00 pm Varsity Boy Basketball @ SC West

Saturday, Feb. 7
TBD - Boy District Swimming
TBD - Cyclone Honor Band
8:00 am State Large Group Speech @ Cherokee

Monday, Feb. 9
TBD - State Jazz Choir - Spirit Lake 
4:00 pm Freshman Boy Basketball vs. Lewis Central
5:30 pm JV Boy Basketball vs. Lewis Central


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