Welcome Students, I am Here to Serve You

Hello, my name is Nick Klug and this is my space on the UAS website. It is my hope to keep you updated about student-related events, school happenings, student achievements, and most importantly, to act as a liaison between you and your future educational endeavors. Along with being Upsala Area Schools' Principal I also carry the titles of Title IX Officer / Section 504 Coordinator / ADA Coordinator / EEOC Coordinator for our extra curricular organizations.

Background Credentials

• (Graduate) Educational Specialist – Educational Leadership –– Concordia University; St. Paul – Currently enrolled.

• (Graduate) Master of Arts – Educational Leadership –– Concordia University; St. Paul

• (Undergraduate) Bachelor of Science – Social Studies/5-12 Education –– St. Cloud State University; St. Cloud

From the Principal's Desk

Greetings UAS Families,

The 2024-2025 school year is right around the corner! Here is some information to help prepare you for the new school year. 

Open house will be from 4pm to 8pm on August 28th. That evening we will also have 7th grade and 7-12 new student orientation at 6pm in the auditorium. You should have received a letter with information regarding orientation. If you have not and are a new student or are a current student going into 7th grade, please contact the main office. I hope to see everyone on the 28th!

The school day will be from 8:15 to 3:12. All students 7-12 will be dismissed at 3:12 and Prek-6 will stagger their dismissal as they have in the past.  

We will be offering before and after school care for school aged children in grades Prek-6. If you are interested in having your child enrolled in Cardinal Club, please contact Gina in the Main Office at 320-573-2174.

We do have some changes taking place for the 2024-2025 school year. The biggest change is that every third Wednesday of the month we will be having 2 hour late starts. Everything will be happening 2 hours later than normal. With all the new mandates being passed over the past year, we need to have more time to train our teachers in different areas, especially with the passing of the READ Act. I know this can present a challenge to families with young children. To try to help relieve this situation, we are offering drop ins to our Cardinal Club. Students can be dropped off starting at 6:45am. If this is something you would be interested in please contact Gina in the main office for details.

We have also made changes to our cell phone policy. Students in grades Prek-8th grade will not be allowed to use cell phones during the school day. Students in grades 9-12 will be allowed to use their cell phones between classes and at lunch time. A copy of the policy can be found in this newsletter. Any questions or concerns about the policy can be directed to me at 320-573-2174 or nklug@upsala.k12.mn.us 

If you have any transportation changes for the upcoming school year, please notify the office as soon as possible so our drivers can get their routes sorted out.  

Lastly, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome our new Ag teacher Ms. Audrey Schelper to our Upsala Team! Audrey is a graduate of Upsala Schools and has been with the Pillager School District for the past 5 years.  Welcome Audrey! 

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer!

Mr. Nick Klug
K-12 Principal
Upsala Area Schools

Electronic Devices (Cell Phones) Policy

1. K-8 Students are prohibited from using cell phones and other electronic communication devices during the school day. 9-12 Students are prohibited from using cell phones and other electronic communication devices during instructional times. All Students may use cell phones before and after school, 9-12 grade students may use cell phones during passing times, and during lunch. Students also are prohibited from using a cell phone or other electronic communication device to engage in conduct prohibited by school district policies including, but not limited to, cheating, bullying, harassment, and malicious and sadistic conduct.

2. If the school district has a reasonable suspicion that a student has violated a school policy, rule, or law by use of a cell phone or other electronic communication device, the school district may search the device.  The search of the device will be reasonably related in scope to the circumstances justifying the search. 

3. Students who use an electronic communication device during the school day and/or in violation of school district policies may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the school district’s discipline policy.  In addition, a student’s cell phone or electronic communication device may be confiscated by the school district and, if applicable, provided to law enforcement.  Cell phones or other electronic communication devices that are confiscated and retained by the school district will be returned in accordance with school building procedures.

If misuse occurs:

-1st offense-item confiscated by the classroom teacher and given back to the student at the end of the class period.
-2nd offense-item confiscated and given to the office. Items will be returned at the end of the school day.
-3rd offense-item confiscated and given to the office. Items will be returned to the parent/guardian at the end of the school day and two hours detention will be assigned.
-Any offense thereafter may result in the cell phone not being allowed in school.
-Failure to give phone to staff when requested will result in a day of ISS and the phone will be confiscated by Administration. Parents/Guardians will be required to pick up the device. Loss of device privileges may occur.

If an electronic device is confiscated or collected during class, UAS is not responsible if it is damaged, lost, or stolen.

Any devices with picture-taking capability are prohibited from being used in locker rooms and restrooms. Students must be given permission by the individual prior to taking videos/pictures of other students or staff. Students may not post a photo or video to social media without the consent of the students and staff involved. 

In the event that a student becomes ill during the school day, the school nurse will call the parent/guardian. Students are not to call parents to get themselves out of school. Students will be required to see the health office staff and the office staff will notify parents/guardians.