Required Back-To-School Registration 
All families must complete the annual Back to School Registration updates each year. Parents/guardians listed as “Family 1, Parent 1” in Skyward Family Access must complete and submit the ‘Back to School Registration Checklist’ on a computer/laptop.

• Family 1 head of household users should click on the Back-To-School Registration Checklist button under ‘Online Forms’ (left menu tab) (NOT New Student Enrollment) on a computer/laptop.
• Our Back to School webpage has a 3-step PDF to assist you with the process. This annual update contains IMPORTANT permissions needed before the start of school.

Skyward Family Access - link

This password-portal allows families real-time access to student schedules, student absence requests, attendance information, meal items purchased, health information, report cards and conferences. You will also use it to schedule your personal conference for Sabre Launch.

• Families should update their contact information (phone numbers and email addresses)
• If you do not have access or have questions regarding your login/password, email Sue Fibranz or call 320-656-3701 x1131.

Teacher/classroom placement: August 23
The online “Back to School Registration Checklist” in Skyward Family Access (details above) will need to be completed prior to students’ class schedules being unlocked for viewing.

Please, make every effort to confirm your student's information for the school year prior to August 30.  Parents/guardians must confirm their student's information every year.  

Thank you for helping us to have the most accurate information on file for your family! 

Please note there are two start dates, depending on grade level:

• Grade 6 Only - Tuesday, September 3 -  SABRE SOAR*
• Grades 7 & 8 - Wednesday, September 4. All students, grades 6-8, attend school on September 4. 

Tuesday, September 3
SMS welcomes our 6th grade students for a day of team building, learning, and fun-filled activities geared toward alleviating the jitters that often come with being in a new building.

• Students in grades 7 and 8 will not attend school on Tuesday, September 3. Sabre Soar is for 6th grade students only.

FALL SPORTS Information

Wednesday, August 28 from 3:30-6:30pm
On Wednesday, August 28, SMS will hold an Open House for all students and families from  3:30-6:30pm. 

Students should report to their Student Advisory (SA) room for their schedule and locker information.

Students and families are welcome to walk around the building to see the different learning spaces and learn the routine of your schedule.

Students can also practice opening their lockers, meet their teachers, and drop off their supplies. 

Thursday, September 5
School pictures will be taken on Thursday, September 5. Please click here for details. 

Visit our Translations page to learn how to translate our website, emails, PDFs, and more.

One of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District's goals is to enhance curriculum through the use of technology. This is accomplished through our Full Access plan, which provides a device to every student in grades K-12.

Parents/guardians should read the Full Access handbook (available on www.isd748.org/FullAccess) for the steps needed to complete Full Access registration (view online materials, read and sign off electronically the handbooks/agreements, and submit payments).

Parents/guardians listed as “Family 1, Parent 1” in Skyward Family Access must complete and submit the ‘Back to School Registration Checklist’ and submit payment of the non-refundable deposit online prior to pick up. Please click here for an overview of the steps to take in Skyward. 

• The ‘Back to School Registration Checklist’ can be found by the head of household on a computer in the Skyward portal under ‘Online Forms’ (left menu tab). 
• Optimal completion is done on a laptop/desktop with full browser capabilities.

Each student will be provided a school-issued ipad on their first day of school. iPads will be distributed in Student Advisory (SA). 

When you complete the Back to School Registration Checklist in Skyward, please click on “Fee Management” to pay the non-refundable deposit ($35).

Families may report a student’s absence via:

• Phone - 320-656-3710 (24 hours a day)
• Skyward - for more information on how to use this new feature, please watch this short video.
• Email - please contact Lu McIlwain

You can find the SMS Back-to-School supply list link on our website. 

Students entering grade 6 are encouraged to purchase a planner which can be found on the “Back to School Registration” page in Skyward. 

Student planners are $5. 

Please take a moment to read the 2024-2025 SMS Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook. 

It is important for students to fully attend to their education while in the classroom.

To aid in the learning process, cell phones should not be brought to school. 

If students need to bring their cell phone to school, it is expected that the phone is off and in the student’s locker for the entire school day.  

If families need to reach their students, they are asked to call the office: 320-656-3710. 

Thank you for supporting our effort to help students better focus in the classroom. 

New for the 2024-2025 school year, students will have the opportunity to receive additional academic support prior to the start of the school day. 

Teachers and paraprofessionals will be available from 8:25-8:45a to work with students during breakfast. 

More information will be shared with students the first week of school. 

Another layer of support we have built in for students this year is study lunch. 

This is non-punitive, extra support provided to students who have fallen behind on their classroom assignments. 

Students may be assigned by their classroom teacher to eat lunch and complete assignments. 

When students are caught up with their assignments, they will be permitted to return to lunch in the cafeteria.

Each student will be issued a locker with a lock. It is expected that students will use their lockers and that backpacks will remain in the students’ lockers until dismissal time.

Backpacks and bags are prohibited in the classroom and must be kept in students’ lockers so as to not inhibit the ability for individuals to move about the room.

If a backpack is left unattended in a hallway, cafeteria or other common space it may be searched to ensure the safety of all students.

On April 15, 2024, Sartell-St. Stephen’s School Board approved an altered calendar for the 2024-2025 school year to accommodate this training requirement.

Over the next two years, our district’s best option will be to utilize a combination of scheduled professional development days and monthly early release days to ensure the required teachers are trained by the state’s deadline of June 30, 2026.

The following early release dates - all Wednesdays -  have been added to next school year’s calendar: September 25, 2024; October 30, 2024; November 27, 2024; December 18, 2024; January 29, 2025; February 26, 2025; and March 19, 2025.

The calendar is available at www.isd748.org/calendar on the lower left.

The school day begins at 8:50a and ends at 3:25p.

Each day starts with a 20 minute Student Advisory (SA) class. From there, students will receive instruction in core classes: language arts, math, science, and social studies, as well as a variety of specialist offerings. 

These are sample schedules: