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Falcon Newsletter
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December 2023
12/01/2023
A note from the principal
Principal's message Hello Fair Oaks Families!
We have made it to the end of the first trimester! I can’t believe how fast time is going on this school year.
We have seen tremendous growth in student’s academic skills as well as developing critical thinking skills when it comes to problem solving, communication, and articulating thinking and ideas. You have a lot to be proud of in your student! Partnership between home and school on how we can best support your student is essential, so please continue to have students read and engage with academics at home as well as communicate frequently with staff if there is anything you need assistance with. Your child’s social-emotional and academic success are our priority.
Let’s make it a great month as we start fresh with Trimester 2!
Sara Looby, Principal
here.
Highlights from the past month
Students and staff celebrated Hmong New Year by watching fabulous presentations
Students greeting and saying goodbye to parents and classes in Hmong style
The Hmong New Year team at Fair Oaks
Mrs. Murphy shared an engaging lesson about Jewish culture
Learning about Anne Frank
Students exploring items from Jewish Culture
Mrs. Murphy showing students clothing worn by Jewish people.
Mrs. Brown is a veteran and shared an inspiring lesson with 5th graders
Mrs. Brown shared her gear and other memorabilia.
Students got to pass around some of the items that were shared.
Taking extra time with an interested student after the presentation
Important Dates
December 1 - No school (report card marking day)
December 4 - First day of 2nd trimester
December 8 - 3rd grade field trip to Eastman Nature Center
December 12 - Bring a stuffed animal to school!
December 13 - Report cards can be viewed in ParentVUE
December 14 - Indian Education field trip
December 15 - 2nd grade gingerbread houses- 2:30 -3:30 (parents and guardians invited)
December 15 - Dress up like a book character day!
December 19 - Pajama Day!
December 19 - Winter Sing-Along - 2:30pm (families welcome!)
December 20th-January 1st - Winter Break (No school for students or staff)
Volunteer corner
Our volunteer coordinator is Sophie Castruita. She can help you with any and all questions regarding volunteer work at Fair Oaks. There are many events though out the year that we need volunteers to help make a success! If there is a chance that you will chaperone your student's field trips at all this year, we ask that you please fill out this application as well. You can reach Sophie at: CastruitaS@district279.org
PENNY WARS!
1-2-3-4....WE DECLARE A PENNY WAR!
FAIR OAKS IS HOLDING OUR ANNUAL PENNY WAR FUNDRAISER FROM NOVEMBER 27TH-DECEMBER 13TH!
PLEASE SEND YOUR STUDENTS WITH YOUR LOOSE CHANGE!
EACH PENNY =1 COIN
EACH NICKEL = 5 COINS
EACH DIME = 10 COINS
EACH QUARTER = 25 COINS
EACH DOLLAR = 100 COINS
100% OF THE PROFITS WILL BE USED FOR THE STUDENTS HERE AT FAIR OAKS!
*THE GRADE WITH THE MOST COINS WILL EARN A PARTY.
* THE TOP 2 GRADES WILL GET TO PIE A TEACHER IN THE FACE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITH THIS VERY FUN FUNDRAISER!
A note from the library!
Parents please mark your calendar! As we countdown to Winter Break, we will have some fun theme days to celebrate reading:
Tuesday, December 12: Bring a stuff animal day
Friday, December 15: Dress up like a book character!
Tuesday, December 19: Pajama day!
Free Little Library!
Did you know Fair Oaks has its own Free Little Library! Students and community members are welcome to grab a book to enjoy. We are grateful to the Impact Library Program for donating the Free Little Library to our school community! Take a book or leave a book!
CARES CORNER
Community resources
Toy Shop - Twin Cities Salvation Army
The Twin Cities Salvation Army has a location in Brooklyn Park. There are opportunities to volunteer, donate, or participate in the Salvation Army Toy Shop.
Home : Community Emergency Assistance Programs (ceap.org)
CEAP supports families in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. There are opportunities to volunteer, donate, or participate in the food shelf program.
At Fair Oaks, we believe in CARES!
Cooperation
Assertion
Responsibility
Empathy
Self Control
The Fair Oaks team works hard to create a united community that utilizes CARES to support all students in their learning! Students can earn badges for demonstrating CARES behavior. If your student comes home wearing a CARES badge sticker, please ask them about it!
November CARES CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to all of our November CARES Champions who have been nominated by staff members for demonstrating CARES behaviors. We are so proud of you all!
Korey Williams
Reina Moua
Adan Ventura
Xavier Vue
Wennie Selegajallah
Camilla Carrera-Corral
Violet Ramirez Jahen
Ella Link
Alberto Villanueva Tapia
Josh Sando
Nyvea Vang
Sheyla Hernandez Salinas
Kyrie Vang
Isabella Williams
Jack Thao
Hadassa Ponce de la Rosa
Jeirem Serrano Morales
Leonel Gonzalez Castro
Jah’Zarah Jackson
Danny Wisseh
Ibrahima Keita
MasonTep
Arika Yang
Phil Porte
Sofia Vera
Evelyn Yang
Emanuel Rotimi
Yalitzy Adame Huerta
Noah Brown
Joana Lara Bernal
Rayleah Dobbins
Usbaldo Sosa Calderon
Alani Xiong
Ah’laija Bledsoe
Alex Neave Diaz
Lexi Yang
Guerlencia Clermont
Mamai Duo
Vivian Keohanam
Important reminders for families
Here are a few important reminders from our Fair Oaks staff....
Winter Gear
Please make sure that your child has appropriate outdoor gear for winter weather while here at school. Children do go outside daily for recess and our goal is to make sure they are warm and can enjoy this time! If your family needs assistance obtaining winter gear, please reach out to your child's teacher or to the front office and we will be happy to help!
Phy Ed Shoes
Please make sure that your child has appropriate shoes for gym class each day. Students should be able to tie their own shoes, and/or have velcro or something that they are able to secure independently. Thank you for your assistance! We want to keep your child safe!
Report Cards
You will be able to view your child's trimester 1 report card on ParentVUE starting on December 13th. If you do not have ParentVUE set up, please follow the directions in the link further down in this newsletter.
Winter Sing-Along
Our Fair Oaks winter sing-along will be held on Tuesday, December 19th at 2:30. Parents and guardians are welcome to join us, and will also be welcome to take their child home after the assembly. We look forward to seeing anyone who can join us for this fun event!
Student meals and educational benefits
MINNESOTA FREE SCHOOL MEALS BILL
All students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Minnesota schools will now be provided free breakfast & lunch each school day.
Fill out your Educational Benefits Application today - the benefits go beyond meals!
Beginning September 2023, all Minnesota K-12 students attending school in person will have a free breakfast and lunch available to them each academic school day due to the state’s recently passed Free School Meals For Kids bill. However, it’s still important for families to fill out the Educational Benefits Application to take advantage of several other benefits available to families who meet income requirements, including free or discounted costs for the following:
- Field trips
- Clubs, activities and athletics
- ACT, SAT and AP fees
- Comcast internet for home
- Membership discounts at SNAP Fitness
- Xcel Energy account assistance for electricity bills
Additionally, the state of Minnesota uses a school district’s percentage of qualifying students to calculate each district’s funding level. School district funding impacts every student:
- Class sizes
- Number of support staff the district can hire to help scholars (counselors, social workers)
- Extra programming opportunities
Please fill out the Educational Benefits Application today to make sure your family can take advantage of these and other benefits! To bypass creating an account you can simply fill out an application at the following link ….https://bit.ly/3hWdk7Q.
Please reach out to the Nutrition Services team with any questions. Contact Julie Moberg at MobergJ@district279.org or 612-391-7129.
Follow us on Facebook to keep up with everything Fair Oaks!
Helpful links
ParentVUE access instructions
https://mn-oas-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx
- Takes you to the login screen - do not enter anything here.
- Scroll down to activate account - click and accept user agreement.
- Enter your name (has to match what we have in our system)
- Enter activation key - this is case sensitive and is all caps.
To get started using ParentVUE if you do not yet have an active account, follow our Getting Started guide HERE.
- Getting Started SOMALI
- Getting Started VIETNAMESE
- Getting Started SPANISH
- Getting Started OROMO
- Getting Started HMONG
FIRSTview bus tracking
The FirstView mobile app helps you to keep track of school buses going to and from school each day. Support is available Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm ET for existing FirstView users with app-related questions or concerns.
Email:support@firstviewapp.com Phone:1(888) 889-8920
**Click blue button below to get started with set up.
Important contacts
Principal - Sara Looby-Morris Loobymorriss@district279.org
Resource Manager - Chris Marinac Marinacc@district279.org
Administrative Assistant - Heather Hausladen Hausladenh@district279.org
Counselor - Caitlin Carlson CarlsonC3@district279.org
Social worker - Krysta Sather Satherk@district279.org
Psychologist - Megan Monette Monettem@district279.org
Nurse - Nikki Terry - TerryN@district279.org
Volunteer Coordinator - Sophie Castruita Castruitas@district279.org
Behavior Intervention Teacher - Brian Thul ThulB@district279.org
Fair Oaks Main Line - 763-533-2246
Fair Oaks fax number - 763-549-2350
Attendance - 763-533-2246 (press 1) and leave your child's name, grade, parent's name and phone number and the reason for your child's absence.
Transportation - 763-391-7244 or Busquestions@district279.org