News and events

May 3, 2024

It's May and while we've had a relatively mild winter, I am always ready for sunshine and warmth. This month, we are focusing on the character trait Creativity. We define creativity as using one's imagination to create something new or solve a problem. Are you a naturally creative person? Do you build, paint or draw? I have never defined myself as creative before. My drawing skills are limited to stick people - seriously! However, I can be a creative problem solver and am really good at thinking outside the box to find solutions. This month, we are encouraging our students to use their imaginations to solve problems. Thinking creatively can really help students stay solution focused and prevent them from getting stuck. I'm looking forward to hearing how our students use creativity throughout this month.

Mrs. Monson - Oxbow Creek Principal

The purpose of Track and Field Day is to learn about and have fun with cooperation and competition. The atmosphere is fun and festive and we invite any family, friends, or relatives to join your child for all or part of their day. Please have your child bring a plastic water bottle, dress in layers including their Oxbow Creek grade level t-shirt, use sunscreen/hat and wear appropriate footwear. If the weather forecast for May 17th looks bad, we'll reschedule to Thursday, May 16th. We'll let you know that on Tuesday, May 14th.

We know that parking will be an issue that day! Please bike, walk, or carpool if you are able. Our bus loop will be used for the events, so there will be no parking in that area. Please refrain from parking on the grassy areas surrounding our school, as well, as this damages our underground sprinkler system. There are many parking opportunities on the streets to the south of the school in that housing development. If you park in a surrounding neighborhood, please be sure not to block hydrants or mailboxes, as police have ticketed cars in previous years. And, as always, remember to lock your vehicle. Local businesses have asked that you not use their lots for parking that day.

Since this is an outdoor event, we ask that you go directly to the east side of the school to enjoy the day's events. We are looking forward to a welcoming track and field back to Oxbow. Hope to see you then.

Are you moving? Please let the Oxbow Creek office know as soon as possible. We work hard to guarantee your child's school records are sent to the next school. Knowing in advance helps us have everything ready when the request is made.

Please call 763-506-3800 or email to Kris.Schommer@ahschools.us. Please indicate in the email where you are moving to.

Anoka Hennepin's School Board approved the 2024-25 calendar. The school year will begin Tuesday, Sept 3 and end Friday, June 6. Here is the 24-25 School Calendar.

Anoka-Hennepin automatically routes a bus for your student if you live in Oxbow Creek's attendance area (and are not within walking distance). If your child will not be riding the school bus from and/or to your home address; please complete the Transportation Form. (Please note: your daycare address must be in the Oxbow Creek attendance area to receive district transportation.)

Please join us in congratulations to these staff for their years of service in education and wishes for a wonderful retirement!

• Basima Hasna - SPED Para
• Diane Hughes - SPED Teacher
• Lynette Melo - SPED Para
• Missy Stein - Gr 5 Teacher
• Sheila Joslin - School Office Supervisor

As the year begins to wind down, we want to say thank you again to all of our amazing volunteers! The time you dedicate to our Oxbow Creek students and staff is truly appreciated! Total hours this year: 4500+

If you haven’t done so already, please fill out these forms to join our team of volunteers at Oxbow:

Volunteer application and Background Check Form.

As a reminder, you have to fill out both of these forms each year. You can fill out your forms for the 2024-25 school year after July 1st.

• Family Fun Night: It was such a fun evening! THANK YOU to all the amazing volunteers that helped support this event, especially our amazing FFN committee: Dan Powers, Acacia Sieling, Mara Niedermayer, Jessica Ploehn, Anita Mazurek, Jeff Dahlman, Kelli Kellerhals & Tiffany Sanders. We couldn’t have done it without this team and all the volunteers the night of the event!

• Art of Spring: We still need a few more volunteers to help with this event put on by our awesome art teachers! Sign up here: Art of Spring

• Chair Member/Committee members: We are looking for chairs and planning committee members for several of our major events for next year! Please contact Haley with questions or to express interest: haley.belongia@ahschools.us

Haley Belongia

Alece Henderson

Volunteer Services Coordinators

Oxbow Creek Elementary

763-506-3830

haley.belongia@ahschools.us

alece.henderson@ahschools.us

Mon., May 6 - Fri., May 10 - Grandparent's Lunch

Tues., May 7 - 4th Grade & 5th Grade Field Trip to see The Little Mermaid at CPHS

Wed., May 8 - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Gibb's Farm

Wed., May 8 - Safety Patrol/SLT Field Trip to Mall of America

Thurs., May 9 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Padleford

Thurs., May 9 - Art of Spring/ 4th Grade Music Program

Fri., May 17 - Track & Field Day *Rain date is May 16th

Mon., May 27 - Memorial Day; NO SCHOOL

Wed., May 29 - Kindergarten Field Trip to Crayola Experience

Thurs., May 30 & Fri., May 31 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Jackson Observatory

Fri., May 31 - 5th Grade Orchard Park Field Trip

Fri., May 31 - Kindergarten Celebration

Tues., June 4 - 4th Grade Bike Trip to Elm Creek

Wed., June 5 - 1st Grade Field Trip to MN Zoo

• 24-25 School Supply List: Looking to get a jumpstart for next year?? Take a look at the 24-25 school supply list.
  

• Summer Activities: We've all heard the chorus of little voices saying, "We're bored!" two weeks after the start of summer break. Your Oxbow Creek PTO is here to help! This list of activities will help keep your kiddos entertained, engaged, and learning this summer. If you know of a fun event you'd like to share - feel free to email us at Oxbowcreekpto@gmail.com.

• Lost & Found: The lost & found is overflowing with lots of items! Please take some time on Track & Field Day to look for your student's missing belongings. All items will be organized on tables outside. Any items that remain after the last day of school will be donated.

• Change in Dismissal? Please notify the office if there is a change in your student(s) dismissal plans. This includes students that decide to walk or bike home instead of riding the bus or doing parent-pickup. Students that ride their bike are required to wear a helmet.

• New phone number or email? Please log onto your AH Connect Account, go to "My Student Info" and click on "Online Registration" then "Back To School Verification." Thank you for updating your contact information. It is imperative that we have the correct information for your student.

• The Health Office needs your help! Would you consider donating new or gently used shorts (any size) and/or a new package of girls (size 8-10) underwear? As the weather gets warmer, our stock of shorts tends to go quickly!

• We are committed to helping families in need of assistance with food, clothing, household items and some basic services. Please contact Oxbow Creek's Social Workers if your family is in need. All communication is confidential.

Ann Parisian (Grades K, 2, 5) 763-506-3825 or ann.parisian@ahschools.us
Gina Newlander (Grades 1, 3, 4) 763-506-8384 or gina.newlander@ahschools.us

We are excited to see all the fun activities at school in our 23/24 Oxbow Creek school yearbook!

YEARBOOK - Charge card pre-payment only available on School Pay. (Your debit card and gift cards through a charge card company will also work on this system)

Payment must be in by MAY 22nd for us to have an accurate count for how many to have printed. We are able to have this printed at a lower cost because we will know how many to order. We will NOT have extras to sell.

COST: $12.00

Please consider donating a yearbook for children who won't be able to purchase one. Simply go back to the first page of School Pay and select "Donation -Yearbook"! Thank you for your generosity.

Log into AH Connect, click on login (upper right) and enter your credentials. Go to "My Student Information", click on your student and click on "Fees", then on "Pay Fees", find OC Yearbook, follow directions

If you are unable to log in, contact 763-506-HELP and they can give you your credentials.

Getting ready for school: Easy as 1-2-3!

Families should prepare children for preschool and kindergarten now, if they are considering a start in the fall.

If your family has a younger sibling or if you know a neighbor interested in starting school this fall, use or share the following steps so we can keep you informed of important welcome events and information.

Verify that your child meets the requirements for school.

• Preschool: Your child will be three or four years old by Sept. 1, 2024.
• Kindergarten: Your child will be five years old by Sept.1, 2024
  
  

Enroll online so we can save you a seat!

• Preschool: Visit ahschools.us/preschool for enrollment details and to register to attend a preschool information session.
• Kindergarten: Visit ahschools.us/enroll and click “Getting Started!”
  
  

Make a plan to attend information sessions and welcome events.

Once you enroll online, you will receive details via email from your child’s preschool or elementary school about registration and welcome events.

• Kindergarten: Oxbow's Kindergarten Readiness Assessments are being held in person on Monday, June 10. Go to https://www.myconferencetime.com/oxbowcreek to claim your spot!

If you have not been contacted about your incoming Kindergarten student for the 2024-2025 school year, please reach out to the Oxbow Creek Office at 763-506-3800.

If you are looking for some springtime entertainment, look no further than a school in your community. The Champlin Park High School (CPHS) Theatre Department presents The Little Mermaid which begins May 3 at the CPHS Auditorium.

Tickets are available online at champlinparktheatre.org and are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

Showtimes for the Little Mermaid at CPHS:

• Friday, May 3 - 7 p.m.

• Saturday, May 4 - 7 p.m.

• Sunday, May 5 - 2 p.m.

• Friday, May 10 - 7 p.m.

• Saturday, May 11 - 7 p.m.

• Sunday, May 12 - 2 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently announced a Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program to begin in the summer of 2024.

The S-EBT program provides families with school-aged children eligible for the free or reduced-price category from an approved application $40 per month per child ($120 total) during the summer months to purchase healthy foods with funds on EBT cards.

Students must have an approved Application for Educational Benefits by May 15 to receive the benefit. Please ensure that your correct contact information is updated in ParentVue prior to that deadline as well.

If your family needs access to this program, or any other educational benefits, please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application. For more information visit the MDE website.

Please contact Anoka-Hennepin Child Nutrition at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us with questions about eligibility and qualifications.