News from the Nest

Classroom & Field Trip Contribution Directions

Breakfast and Lunch Menu

Lunch Account Balance Directions

Blue Heron Parent Hub

IXL Student Log-in Info

IXL

Technology Help

The cold weather caught a lot of kids of guard this past week. A friendly reminder to please have students bring their jackets and winter gear such as snow pants, boots, hats, and mittens. Students go outside everyday for recess using the guidelines listed below. We want to make sure students are warm and appropriately dressed for Minnesota weather. If you need any of these items, please contact BHE office at 763-792-6200 for assistance.

Recess is an active and important part of the day. If you ever have questions regarding the playground expectations, please don't hesitate to contact Kali Gschwind or Jason Hartmann. Thank you for reviewing the expectations with your student.

Jan. 22: No School for Students / Staff Grading, Parent Communication, Content Development

Jan. 26: 2nd Grade Concert - 2:30pm

Jan. 29: PTO Meeting 6:30pm - Media Center

Feb. 16: No School / Staff Development

Feb. 19: No School / Presidents Day

Feb. 22: Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-8pm

Feb. 26: PTO Meeting 6:30pm - Media Center

Feb. 29: Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-8pm

Student absence requests will be submitted through Campus Parent Portal for students in grades K-12 beginning January 22, 2024. An “Attendance Request” link will be found on the Parent Hub on your school website for easy access to the Portal and includes resources to assist. Attendance requests can also be submitted through the Campus Parent Portal mobile app.

Included below are a few links you may find helpful. Please contact the school office with any questions. Thank you.

Helpful links:

Parent Portal Login Assistance

A Guide on How to Submit Absence Requests

Blue Heron Elementary is fortunate to have the best paraprofessionals impacting students and our school culture each day. The paraprofessionals are truly an important support group who help children be successful academically, socially, emotionally and physically. They are the “behind the scenes” individuals helping Blue Heron students be successful and working to make the school run efficiently. Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed January 21- January 27 “Paraprofessional Recognition” week.

We will recognize paraprofessionals during Staff Appreciation week in May.

It’s time to CELEBRATE heart health with the Heart Heroes!

Our school is kicking off a service-learning program, Kids Heart Challenge on Friday February 2nd.

Get started NOW:

1. Download the AHA Schools APP and Register.

2. Click “Send a Message” and TEXT 10 Friends and Family asking for support.

3. Be a Heart Hero and Complete Finn’s Mission and learn TWO lifesaving skills as a family TONIGHT!

or REGISTER HERE and Click “Sign Up”

PLUS! Any student who completes Finn’s Mission BEFORE Kickoff Day will be recognized at the Kickoff Assembly and entered to win an Avocado Warmie!

Thank you so much for supporting our school and the American Heart Association!

Order your 2023-2024 yearbook today. The yearbook cost is $20.50 through January 26th. On January 27th, the price increases to $22. See below for order information.

• Join us at our next PTO meeting on 1/29 at 6:30 in the Media Center as we start planning for the annual Family Fun Night in May.
• Your help is essential in planning this exciting event, and we'll be forming groups to brainstorm and organize.
• Childcare will be available, and we'll have complimentary snacks while contributing your ideas.
• If you can't make it in person, feel free to reach out – your input is valuable. bhptopresident@gmail.com

by Olivia

Read on about a fantastic opportunity you shouldn't miss... You can donate your no longer used eyeglasses to help people of all ages who can't get any glasses to help their poor vision. You can be the person to help someone get the glasses they need to have a better life.

People who need glasses but don't have the resources to get the glasses they need have trouble learning at school or performing at their jobs. These people wish they could see better, and with your help, their wish will come true. Donating your no longer used eyeglasses can help one person, maybe more. What you will do with your donation shows you care about people who can't get eyeglasses. Donating that pair of old eyeglasses to someone in need gives people a new opportunity in their life.

Mr. Gutbrod's Grade 5 class and the Circle-Lex Lions' Club are working together with you to get those needed eyeglasses to people in developing countries. This is an opportunity you should think about participating in this year.

Please send your no longer used eyeglasses to Blue Heron Elementary c/o Mr. Gutbrod's Grade 5 Classroom. We'll do the rest. By taking the time to do this, you are making wishes come true. Thank you.

1. FREE Cougar Cubs Playschool
   Parents/Guardians of children ages 3-5, we invite you to enroll your child in Centennial High School’s FREE Cougar Cubs Playschool this spring! Your child will be engaged in a variety of learning activities such as art, music, science, math, literacy, sensory, and language development. These activities will be planned and implemented entirely by Centennial High School Child Psychology II students, under the supervision of their teacher. A light snack will also be provided each day. Maximum of 25 children, and the program is filled on a first come, first serve basis. Registration deadline is February 23.

March 19-May 23, 2024
10:05am-11:05am: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (sign up for one, two, or all three days/week!)

Note: There will be no Playschool on March 28, 29 and April 9.

To reserve a spot in the program and for more information, contact Megan Piechowski, Centennial High School teacher. More information can be found here.

A Change in Reporting Student Absences

Student absence requests will be submitted through Campus Parent Portal for students in grades Pre-K through 12 beginning January 22, 2024. An “Attendance Request” link will be found on the Parent Hub on your student’s school website for easy access to the Portal and includes resources to assist. Attendance requests can also be submitted through the Campus Parent Portal mobile app.

Included below are a few links you may find helpful. Please contact your student’s school office with any questions. Thank you.

Helpful links:

Parent Portal Login Assistance

A Guide on How to Submit Absence Requests

Paleo Digging Fun (gr. K-4) Join us after school with “Dr. Fun” to embark on a mini paleontology dinosaur dig for one session and a mini shark discovery dig for the second session! Learn about different types of dinosaurs and sharks and their roles in past and present ecosystems. Each student gets a fun flying take-home gadget after each class. Class is held after school at Blue Heron, Tuesday, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6.

Here’s what’s happening soon:

Jan. 25- Cougar Choir (gr. 3-5)

Golf Squad (gr. 1-5)

Jan. 29- Sports Mania (ages 4-6)

Feb. 1- Winter Soccer Skills (gr. K-2)

Feb. 3- Cougar Cub Basketball Camp (gr. 1-3)

Feb. 4- Cougar Soccer Academy (gr. K-5)

Feb. 10- Canvas Fun: Heart Tree (gr. K-5)

Feb. 15- Skyhawks Basketball Camp (ages 5-11)

Feb. 16- Spark Equestrian Camp (ages 6-12)

DASH Multi-Sport Non-School Day Camp (gr. K-5)

Feb. 17- Celebrating Black Artists Day Camp (ages 5-12)

Feb. 19- Ninja Day Camp (ages 6-13)

Feb. 24- RevSports Basketball (ages 2-9)

RevSports Ninja Warrior (ages 2-9)

Go online to view all activities and to register, communityed.isd12.org.

Welcome to the Digital Backpack, the district’s central posting place for community flyers. If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact the organizations directly. Browse the Digital Backpack.

Email: apalmsteen@isd12.org
Website: www.isd12.org/schools/elementary-schools/blue-heron-elementary
Location: 405 Elm Street, Lino Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 763.792.6200