January News

Hello Rosa Parks families, attendance matters. Perhaps some of you are wondering, “Why is attendance so important?” It’s important for multiple reasons. First and foremost, we know there is a significant connection between students’ academic success and their rate of attendance. And the academic success of Rosa Parks students is VERY important to us, as we know it is to you. Secondly, the MN Dept. of Education is paying extra attention to the attendance rates of schools across the state, and the number they are watching closely is the percentage of students in schools who are absent 10% or more of the days school is in session. And we don't want our families to hit that number, (some already have).

For these reasons, I’m connecting with families to remind them how extremely important it is to have their children in attendance every day they are healthy enough to be here. If you are not sure if they should be here they can always come to school and be evaluated in our health office.

If you are struggling to get your child here on days he/she is healthy, please reach out to us. We would love to work with you to find solutions. Thank you for all you do in partnership with us, as we work to do the very best for all our Rosa Parks Pumas.

Do you or your business have a special vehicle? The Kindergarten Team will be hosting a Vehicle Fair in May of 2024. We are currently searching for vehicles to participate in this event. Big or small, we are looking for it all, from dump trucks to side by sides we would love to have your vehicle. If you have a vehicle you would be willing to let children climb in and around and explore please contact Rachel Gore at rgore1@isd77.org. Thanks!

Flu Information for Families - provides influenza information

Weather Related Information - includes details on where to find out about weather related closings and late starts. Please note the NEW MAPS Helpline: 507-387-6046.

Please take a moment to look over the January newsletter provided by Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota.

Students go outside for recess daily, weather permitting. Please ensure your child is dressed properly for the weather.

We are currently accepting donations of gently used winter clothing items such as coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and mittens/gloves. Items can be dropped off in the office.

The music performances are quickly approaching! Click below for more information.

Grades K, 2, 4

Grades 1, 3, 5

Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 5:30pm @ Franklin Auditorium

February AIPAC Meeting- Vote of Concurrence

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 5:30pm Mankato Room

AIPAC presents Vote of Concurrence to School Board

Monday, April 8, 2024, 5:30pm @ Franklin Auditorium

April AIPAC Meeting - Planning for Celebration

Monday, May 20, 2024, 5:30pm @ Sibley Park Shelter 3

End of Year Celebration for AIPAC families

Feb. 6 AIPAC Meeting

Feb. 14 Early Release

Feb. 19 PTO Meeting 7PM-Media Center

Feb. 20 AIPAC Vote of Concurrence

Feb. 20-23 Music Informances

Hello Puma Community,

We are getting close to being fully staffed. We are still looking for one or two wonderful people to support our students during lunch. This could be as a substitute or 2 or 3 days a week. If you are willing to be a classroom/lunchroom supervisor, please contact me ASAP. We can be flexible if you are!

Thank you for considering.

Dan Kamphoff

507-387-7672

dkamph1@isd77.org

MAPS families, we will have early releases on the following Wednesdays:

2-Hour Early Release Days

February 14, 2024

March 13, 2024

April 17, 2024

May 15, 2024

• This means your student will start their day at the normal time of 8am and be released at 12:30pm. Your student will still receive lunch prior to the 12:30pm dismissal when buses will leave the building.
• Optional supervision by school staff is coordinated by the building and provided between 12:30 and 2:30pm. A Google form will be used to sign up again this year.
• Students who stay for the optional supervision and are not enrolled in ACES must have transportation home by 2:30pm, the end of a normal school day.
• Lastly, ExCEL and After School Club programs will not run on early release Wednesdays.

We have our arrival and dismissal procedures in place to keep students safe, and operate in an efficient and effective manner.

Arrival:

• Doors will not open until 7:35 unless you are enrolled in our ACES program. Also, adult supervision does not start until 7:35.
  

• Students that arrive between 7:35 and 7:50 should either report to the playground or breakfast.

• Curbside drop off is in the lower lot, door (#3). Please follow the flow of traffic.

• DO NOT PASS cars and skip ahead in line.

• Pull ahead as far as possible at all times. It may be super convenient for your kid to exit the vehicle right in front of the door or playground but please be considerate of others. The better everyone follows the procedures the smoother the experience is for everyone.

• The upper lot, (door #1) is reserved for buses only. and special circumstances. Should you need to visit the office, use the upper lot to park and enter the building.

• Students who walk or ride their bike will approach on the path, on the playground side of the building. They will walk/bike around the building to the bike racks and use the lower door (#3).

THE END OF DAY PICK-UP PROCEDURES - THE NUMBERS ARE HERE TO STAY.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

• Students who walk home will exit door #7 (near orange playground equipment)

• utilize the walking path

• must promptly begin leaving campus once they exit the building.

• Students who bike home will exit door #7 (near orange playground equipment)

• utilize the walking/bike path

• must promptly begin leaving campus once they exit the building.

• Students who are car riders will exit door #3.

• We are committed to keeping Rosa Parks students, families, and staff safe. Thank you for your cooperation!

• Each family is given a number that will need to be displayed in the car window

• Families will get two numbers to have in multiple vehicles

• Display number on the passenger side

• When pulling up, always pull up as far as you can and we will load multiple cars at a time.

• Staff will communicate the numbers in the order they have arrived into the building.

• Avoiding the process and driving to the front will result in your number not being called. Follow the process!

• As cars load, they will be dismissed and the next batch of cars will pull in.

• Make sure your children know their number for dismissal.

Please make sure your child knows how they will be getting home each day. Inform your child’s teacher or the school office if there is a change in your family’s plan.

Rosa Parks is a Schoolwide Title 1 School. In the past, Title 1 funds were available to

provide additional support to students who qualified based on their test scores. As a Schoolwide Title 1 school we are now able to utilize those resources more flexibly to support any students that would benefit. This fits wonderfully with our small group instruction blocks when students receive acceleration or enrichment based on their specific needs. Feel free to contact the school if you have questions.

As a parent, you have the right to request information about the qualifications of your child’s teacher(s). For further information, contact Dan Kamphoff, principal at Rosa Parks Elementary.

Email: dkamph1@isd77.org
Website: rpe.isd77.org
Location: 1001 Heron Drive, Mankato, MN, USA
Phone: 507-387-7672