Sandburg Newsletter
September 24, 2021
Hello Sandburg Families,

Thank you for your continued patience during our bus driver shortage. Families need to know that the driver shortage may impact any of our bus routes on any given day.   In addition to not being able to staff 12 bus routes with drivers, Robbinsdale Area Schools does not have the capability to fill routes with substitute drivers at this time. We planned for 67 routes and currently have 55 that are limping along.  If a driver calls out of work, Transportation will work to notify families on the impacted bus route(s) by 6:30 a.m. via text message, robocall, email and a notification on the Durham Bus Tracker app. Please update your contact information in Parent Portal to ensure you receive notifications. In addition, download the Durham Bus Tracker app. You will need to know your student's ID number after you download the app.

Thank you for your continued support while the driver shortage is being addressed.

John Groenke
Restorative Practices At Sandburg

Over the course of the past several years Sandburg has been on a journey to expand our use of restorative practices. As we continue this journey, we want to include our families in the journey. Look to this space in the future for more information and opportunities to learn about restorative practices. Today we share Robbinsdale Area Schools’ vision.

Restorative Practices
The district’s vision is to provide a system of practices that will increase student engagement and build academic and social achievement. Restorative practices allow a school community to build relationships, problem solve, repair harm, and learn. Practices include collaborative negotiation, circle process, peer mediation, conflict resolution, and formal restorative conferencing. In this approach, relationships are the most important way we learn about the world and ourselves. A restorative practice school and community believes:

  • Everyone in the school community is good, wise and powerful.
  • We are all connected to one another.
  • All of us want to be in good, healthy relationships with others.
  • We all have talents and gifts we bring to school.
  • It takes time, habits, and support to build and maintain positive relationships.
Personal Electronic Devices “Away for the Day"


Student cell phones should not be visible during the school day! 

Cell phones and earbuds can be brought to school but must remain off or silent and completely out of view for the entire school day. Students will not be permitted to display, turn on, or use a cell phone from the start of the first class until after the last period of the day.

Research
Science supports an “Away For The Day” policy. When students do not have the freedom of accessing their phones during school hours, they are engaged socially and academically.

Details
The first time a student has their cell phone or earbuds out during the school day, the teacher/staff present will ask the student to place their phone in a ziplock bag with a name tag and placed in a safe container to transport the device to the front office for the remainder of the day. The device (phone and/or earbuds) may be picked up by the student when they are ready to leave school. If there is a second offense, the device will be taken to the front office and will be kept for a day or be picked up by a parent or guardian. If there is a third offense, the device will be taken to the front office and a meeting will be set up and may result in the device being left in the front office daily. 

Lost/Stolen Phones
  • The school will not be held accountable and will not be investigating lost or stolen phones and/or earbuds.
  • All students are issued a locked locker to hold their personal belongings.
  • Students do not share your lockers or locker combinations
Parent Pick Up Families

Please make sure to pull all the way forward so that our buses can enter the parenting lot. Form two lines if possible in order to keep traffic moving.

More information can be found in the image below and here: Sandburg Student and Family Information Guide 2021 - 2022

Fall Picture Orders
School pictures can now be ordered! Please see the flyer here.

Parents/Guardians will received an email. If you do not receive that link within the next 48 hours from Sept. 24th, you can call or email Kemmetmueller Photography at 952-473-2142 or info@k-photography.com.

Sandburg's make-up picture day is October 6, 2021
Youth Night at AHS Football Game Tonight (September 24)!
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Bus Tracker App Now Available

We have launched a new free bus tracker app for families. The app is available in English and Spanish and allows you to:

  • View student bus routes in real-time, including for multiple students simultaneously.
  • See scheduled arrival times for each stop.
  • Receive messages that notify users of route delays and schedule changes.

Download the Durham Bus Tracker app through the Apple app store or Google Play.

  • In the Apple app store, search for Durham Bus Tracker and then download the app.
  • In Google Play, search Durham Bus Tracker and then download the app.

Families can also access the Durham Bus Tracker from a computer at m.durhambustracker.com.

After you have downloaded the app, create an account and login to track your student’s bus. You can find detailed instructions at rdale.org/discover/transportation. Please note, you will need your student's ID number when creating your account. This can be found in your parent portal.
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Parents: Set Up Your Parent Portal Account

With the school year ready to begin, now is a good time to check out the district’s Parent Portal. 

Families can use the portal to access important student information, including grades and attendance. 

Visit our technology webpage at rdale.org/discover/technology if you need help creating an account for your Parent Portal, or resetting your username and password.
Keeping our Sandburg Community Safe: Masking


Masks must be worn while at Sandburg Middle School at all times. Masks must be worn tightly over your mouth, nose and chin. You should wear a clean mask at least every 3 days.


There are only two times when it is ok to remove a mask.

1. When a person is alone in a room.

2. When a person is eating or drinking, at breakfast or lunch in their seat.


Support Process for Masking

1. When our staff, students and visitors need a mask, we have extra cloth and paper masks. Speak to a teacher or the office to get a mask.

2. Is your mask uncomfortable or not fitting well? Check with a teacher or the office for a different mask and/or ear protectors.

3. All staff and students are asked to use either a non-verbal cue, a visual tool or a verbal “Mask Please” as a cue to remind staff, students and visitors to wear or fix their masks.

4. When a student, staff member or visitor refuses to wear a mask after reminders and problem solving support, Sandburg support staff and/or the Sandburg administration will be contacted and will provide support.
SMS Contact Numbers
Attendance/Absence Line
(763) 504-8210

Counseling Office
(763) 504-8207

Main Office
(763) 504-8200

Nurse's Office
(763) 504-8223
Sandburg Middle School
(763) 504-8200
2400 Sandburg Lane
Golden Valley, MN 55427