

Curriculum Connections
Lake Harriet Lower Campus, 2023-2024
Dear Lower Campus Families,
In this newsletter, we have provided our grade level and specialists' curriculum for you to review.
We are excited to implement Functional Phonics through a partnership with the University of MN. Every week, we work with a literacy coach to support our learning and instructional practices. The curriculum is flexible and allows us to assess the phonics skills needed for whole group and small group instruction. Students will receive targeted instruction to scaffold and extend their learning.
To prepare for conferences and instruction, our teachers are conducting "data dives." Each grade level reviews the fall screener assessments from FastBridge, along with classroom data to understand the strengths and areas of growth of all our students. We then have the opportunity to plan instruction to accelerate the learning growth for all students. Each team is working together to plan forward. The data dives allow teachers to spend quality time together to understand classroom and grade level trends to better meet the growth needs of all learners.
We are looking forward to meeting with you during conferences. Each teacher will share students' FastBridge (math & literacy) assessment results, along with their social emotional learning goals and strengths. FastBridge is just one of the many tools that teachers use to understand the academic areas of growth and strength. Unit assessments are also very meaningful, along with informal observations.
Our lines of communication are always open. Feel free to follow-up with questions throughout the year. We have an amazing community of staff and students. I love seeing the excitement of our students as they enter classrooms and engage in learning.
Thank you for your partnership!
Go Dragons!
Principal Ness
Preparing for Teacher-Parent Conferences from MPS
Website Links to Math & Literacy Curriculum
New Early Release Protocols
1. Enter the early release information into PickUp Patrol by noon.
2. To ensure the safety of students, students will only be released prior to 2:50. After 3:00, our students and teachers are preparing for end of the day closure activities and dismissal. Our daily dismissal is from 3:35-3:45. Again due to safety during dismissal, pre-planned dismissals must occur prior to 2:50.
2. Check in with the front office at Door 1 to meet your student.
National Latino Heritage Month Resources
Latino Heritage Month Latino Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th . There is an upcoming event to share with families: • MPS Latino Heritage Month celebration will take place on Saturday, October 7th , from 11am-2pm at Green Central. There will be food, performances, and a soccer clinic.
Pantoum for a Golden Cage art exhibit – In collaboration with Serpentina Arts, this exhibit will be on display from September 15th to October 13th at the Davis Center.
Office of Latine Achievement Learning Series The Office of Latine Achievement is offering a monthly learning series. The sessions will be virtual and in Spanish and a great tool for families new to the country. Learn more and view the offerings here.
"20 Latinx Books that Should be on Your Shelf" by Shayne Rodriguez Thompson
Heritage Night
Please join us for a school-wide evening of fun on Wednesday, 11/1, 5:30 - 8:00 PM. Our 2nd annual Heritage Night will feature live entertainment, a potluck, and s’mores at Upper Campus. Please sign up for the potluck using this link so we can be sure to have enough seats and tableware. We know weeknights can be busy and you are welcome to come for just part of the time as your schedule allows. We invite you to share in the potluck with a dish that is meaningful for your family, whether representing a culture that your family identifies with, or simply a family favorite. The Heritage Night schedule is as follows:
5:30-6:45 Family potluck in Upper Campus cafeteria
6:45-7:30 Live performance with Native Pride Productions
7:30-8:00 S’mores on the blacktop by the playground
Fall Field Trips
- Kinder to Gibbs Farm
- 1st Grade to the Arboretum
- 2nd Grade to the Capitol
Mindfulness through Yoga
At the Lower Campus, we have partnered with One Love Yoga to provide our students with yoga and mindfulness practices. Our students have access to yoga instruction 25 minutes every other week. Here is more information about their yoga in schools instruction.
https://onelove.yoga/yoga-in-schools
We at onelove.yoga stand behind the dozens of current research papers that point to the benefits that a mindfulness/yoga practice can offer our youth facing so much stress, pressure and change in schools today. Many studies have found that yoga-based interventions in schools (elementary, middle & high) improved physiological cognitive performance. Research also points to increased physical and mental resilience to stress, amplified memory performance, a rise in self-esteem, improved attendance, & improved emotional regulation to just name a few.
Upcoming Events
October 12. Lifetouch Picture Day
October 12. 4:00-8:00. Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 17. 4:00-8:00. Teacher Conferences
October 18. 8:00-4:00. No School. Parent/Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 19-20. No School Professional Teacher Conference Dates
October 31. Harvest Parties
November 1. 5:30-8:30. Family Potluck, Native Pride Dance Performance, and s'mores at Upper Campus
November 3. No School: Record Keeping Day
November 9. Picture Retake Day
Lake Harriet Community School
Email: angie.ness@mpls.k12.mn.us
Website: https://lakeharriet.mpls.k12.mn.us/
Location: 4030 Chowen Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Phone: 612-668-3210