Dear Egan Families,

Another busy week is in the books, and just like that, we are already in September! I hope everyone is settling into the rhythm of the school year and looking forward to a little extra time to rest and recharge this weekend.

Now that Back-to-School Night is behind us and you've had a chance to meet your student's teachers and hear more about curriculum, grading, and the Egan experience, this is a good time to get into the habit of regularly checking PowerSchool for your student's progress.

All families should have received login information by now. If you haven't, please reach out to the office and we'll be happy to help get you set up.

One quick note: attendance updates in real time, while grades take a little longer. Teachers need time to review student work and enter scores following assignments and assessments. Thank you for your patience as they balance grading with all they do each day to support our students.

Tutorial Is Underway!

This week, we officially launched Tutorial at Egan! Tutorial takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is built into the school day to give students additional time and support when they need it.

One of the things I really like about Tutorial is that it gives students some ownership over their learning. They can choose a subject area where they need extra help, whether that's reviewing a concept, preparing for a test, getting help with an essay or project, making up work, or having another opportunity to demonstrate what they know. 

Teachers can also pre-select students for a Tutorial when they see a need for additional practice, reteaching, or review. This helps us be proactive and provide targeted support during the school day. 

And one important reminder: planners need to come to school every day! Students use their planners as part of the Tutorial process, so please help us reinforce the habit of bringing them each day. 

Ultimately, Tutorial is about helping our students learn to recognize when they need support, seek it out, and make good use of the resources around them—important habits we're working to build during these junior high years.

Supporting Our Students in a Digital World

Navigating technology, social media, gaming, and screen time with a junior high student isn't always easy. We continue to learn more about the impact technology and social media can have on young people's mental health and overall well-being. As parents and educators, one of the most important things we can do is stay connected, keep the conversation going, and help our kids develop healthy habits and make good choices online.

One district resource I'll periodically highlight this year is SmartSocial. It offers practical tools for families, including quick guides to popular apps and platforms, conversation starters, live parent events, and student-led videos to help families navigate technology and social media together.

Not sure where to start? This is a great resource to check out:

I'll continue to share helpful SmartSocial resources throughout the year as topics come up that are especially relevant to our junior high students and families. 

As we head into the Labor Day weekend, I hope everyone has a chance to rest, recharge, spend time with family and friends, and maybe unplug a little too! Enjoy the long weekend.

Go Vikings!

Lisa Taormina

Silvia Fang • Marlo Kohn • Jessica Marshall • Abigail Mortimore • Nikki O'Brien • Denise Padilla • Kinnery Patel