Dear Quist Royal Families,

Welcome back! We hope you and your family have had a wonderful summer filled with fun, relaxation, and time together. The first day of school is just around the corner, and our staff is excited to welcome everyone back for another incredible year at Quist Middle School!

Before we jump into important back-to-school information, I want to recognize a few outstanding members of our Quist family:

A huge thank you to our amazing custodial team.
They have spent countless hours this summer cleaning, painting, repairing, and preparing every corner of our building. Their dedication and hard work ensure Quist is clean, safe, and ready to welcome every scholar on the first day of school. We are incredibly grateful for everything they do behind the scenes.

Quist Middle School welcomes Heather Wuthrich as our new Registrar.
Heather can be reached at hwuthrich@sd27j.net or 303-655-6970. Heather brings previous administrative and educational experience to the role and will oversee student registration, enrollment, records management, and related family services. Her familiarity with the Quist community will help ensure a smooth transition as we prepare for the upcoming school year.

Office staff has returned.
Our team is excited to welcome students and families back for another successful school year. As we prepare for the year ahead, our office staff is working diligently behind the scenes to ensure a smooth start for our Quist teachers, students and parents. We are here to support our students and families and appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete the many tasks that come with the beginning of a new school year. 

---

THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

1. Purchase School Supplies
Having supplies ready before the first day helps students start the year organized and confident.

School Supply List

2. Set Up Infinite Campus

Stay informed about your scholar's academic progress by using Infinite Campus.

Easily check:

• Grades
• Attendance
• Fees
• Announcements
• Student schedules (available beginning August 18)

Download the app or log in today:

https://brighton27j.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/brighton.jsp

Directions:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MCuktE8j3OfGcneKPhCJHJgz-i8IqnhU/view?usp=sharing

 

---

3. Practice School Routines

Helping your scholar prepare now will make the first week much smoother.

Some great ways to prepare include:

• Begin adjusting bedtime and morning routines.
• Talk about goals for the upcoming school year.
• Practice organization and packing a backpack.
• Review how to navigate a middle school schedule.

For our incoming 6th grade families, one of the best things you can do is have your scholar practice opening a combination lock before school starts. This simple skill helps students feel much more confident when using lockers during the first few days of middle school.

 

---

Important Back-to-School Information

RISE AND ROAR: 6TH GRADE ORIENTATION, AUGUST 19
August 19 is the time to RISE and ROAR for the very first time! Sixth grade scholars will begin the day with a student assembly in the main gym at 8:35 a.m.Beginning at 8:15 a.m., tables will be located outside the front entrance for students to pick up a name tag organized by last name. Students should enter through the main entrance (behind the flagpole) and report directly to the gymnasium. Our outstanding Leaders of the Pack (LOP) 8th graders will be there to welcome students and help them find where they need to go.

Parent Orientation
Parents interested in learning more about Quist and supporting their child’s transition to middle school are invited to attend a 30-minute Parent Orientation with Principal McMillan and our PTA. Parent Orientation will take place outside the front entrance after students enter the building.

Schedule Information
August 19 will be a full-day schedule for all sixth grade scholars:

School Day: 8:35 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

• Bus transportation will be provided for students who qualify.

• Lunch will be provided in the cafeteria at no cost, or students may bring a sack lunch.

• Breakfast service will begin on August 20.

What Should Students Bring?
Students only need to bring:

• A notebook

• Something to write with

Please wait until August 20 to bring the remainder of school supplies.

---

ROYAL WELCOME FOR NEW 7TH AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS
Tuesday, August 18
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Are you new to Quist Middle School and entering 7th or 8th grade this fall? We can't wait to welcome you to the Quist family!

Our counseling team will help students:

• Become familiar with the building
• Answer questions
• Introduce students to life at Quist
• Build confidence before the first day of school

This orientation is designed specifically for students who are new to Quist Middle School and entering 7th or 8th grade.

Please note:

• Students who attended Quist last year do not need to attend.
• Incoming 6th graders will have their own orientation on August 19.

---

STUDENT SCHEDULES
Student schedules in Infinite Campus will be available beginning August 18.

Our counseling team returns on August 13 and will spend several days balancing classes after a busy summer of new student enrollments. Rather than releasing schedules early and making numerous corrections afterward, we are taking the time to ensure schedules are as accurate as possible before they are published.

We know everyone is excited to see schedules, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding as our counselors work through this important process with care and intention.

If you are unable to access your schedule through Infinite Campus, printed schedules will be available on the morning of August 20 before school begins.

Thank you for your partnership and for allowing us the time to get it right.

---

ROYAL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Wednesday, August 26
5:00-7:00 p.m.

This is more than an open house. It's the beginning of another incredible school year filled with learning, friendships, and opportunities for every scholar to thrive.Come anytime between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and enjoy the evening at your own pace.

During the evening you can:

• Meet your scholar's teachers, counselor, and staff.
• Visit classrooms and organize your scholar's locker.
• Receive assistance accessing your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
• Pay school fees.
• Enjoy a BBQ hot dog while supporting our Leaders of the Pack fundraiser.
• Visit the PTA table and learn how to get involved.
• Connect with Principal McMillan and our administrative team.

At Quist, we know that when schools and families work together, incredible things happen. Your partnership makes all the difference, and we can't wait to kick off another amazing year with you.

---

QUIST MIDDLE SCHOOL IS RISING TO THE CROWN
Three years ago, Quist Middle School faced significant challenges. Our overall district dashboard score was 43.0, placing us in the Developing category.

Today, I am incredibly proud to share that Quist has climbed to 58.2, earning an Accomplishing rating and demonstrating remarkable growth across nearly every measure.

This achievement belongs to our students, staff, families, and community.

Over the past three years, we have intentionally transformed teaching and learning by focusing on student engagement, ownership, collaboration, and strong relationships.

Some of our accomplishments include:

• Overall Dashboard Score increased from 43.0 to 58.2
• More students earning on-track grades.
• Significant gains on common assessments.
• Higher levels of student engagement through Kagan Cooperative Learning.
• Stronger student ownership through Learning Intentions and Success Criteria.
• Outstanding growth in school culture, behavior, and social-emotional learning.

While we are proud of how far we've come, we know our journey is not finished. We remain committed to increasing achievement, improving attendance, strengthening family partnerships, and ensuring every scholar reaches their fullest potential.

Hearts and Minds: Every Scholar. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.

---

FREE & REDUCED BENEFITS
The online application is now available for families who would like to be considered for school fee waivers.

To complete the application, visit:
www.payschoolscentral.com

Please complete the application and the Disclosures section to allow eligibility information to be shared for the purpose of determining whether your family qualifies for waived school fees. If you receive a message stating that you are already Directly Certified, please select “Share Benefits With Other Departments” and complete the disclosure permissions.

This application must be completed each school year in order for fee waivers to be considered. 

Paper applications are also available through 27J Nutrition Services.

---

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are honored to serve your family and look forward to another outstanding year at Quist Middle School.

Together, we will continue to develop Hearts and Minds while ensuring every scholar has the opportunity to Rise to the Crown.

With Royal Pride,

Justin McMillan
Principal
Rodger Quist Middle School