Stevenson Families,

I hope you had a wonderful spring break. We have had so many fun and engaging activities during the month of March. College and Career Month was such a highlight as students learned about college and trade school options, created college banners, and our 4th graders attended a career fair with guest speakers!

We are looking forward to connecting with all of you during our April conferences. This will be a time to celebrate successes and make a plan for finishing the year off strong. Please see the details below and sign up for a time.

Kindly,

Veronica Mathison

Stevenson Elementary Principal

763-502-5301

veronica.mathison@fridley.k12.mn.us

April 1-Students Return from Spring Break

April 10-No School for Students

April 11-Conferences (4-7 p.m.)

April 16-Conferences (4-8 p.m.)

April 18-Conferences (4-7:40 p.m.)

Here what our Stevenson Scholars shared when asked about how they belong at our school.

Our Scholastic Book Fair will be held April 11-18. Students will have the opportunity to shop before school (8:55-9:10) and at the end of the day (3:15-3:45). Families can shop together during all three conference nights. You can sign up for your e-wallet at scholastic.com/fair

Stevenson is looking for a Reading Corps tutor for the 2024-25 school year. You can take action in our community by giving your time and talent to help students build their skills and confidence!

Tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students during school hours throughout the school year. Whether you are a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent or retiree, you can make a great tutor! No experience? No problem. With training and on-site coaching, our tutors are prepared to help kids succeed.

The part-time position is available beginning in August or October. Tutors receive a paycheck every two weeks plus up to an additional $5,100 for college tuition or loans (tutors 55+ may gift the education award to their child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child).

Ready to put your passion in action to help to help more children succeed? Learn more or apply at Join.ReadingandMath.org. Questions? Email join@ampact.us or call 866.859.2825.

We had our wonderful parents come in and share about their careers, their pathways, and answer questions.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

MCA statewide Reading and Math assessments are coming up in April for all 3rd and 4th grade students. We find that parents and students experience more confidence in the assessment process when they better understand its purpose and expected outcomes. Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are state tests in mathematics and reading that meet the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA.) They are given every year to measure student performance against the Minnesota Academic Standards that specify what students in a particular grade should know and be able to do. Assessment results can be used to determine whether all students are mastering key content knowledge and attaining the skills necessary for future success in education and the workforce. Schools use the information to improve classroom teaching and learning. Teachers and principals look for areas where students do well so they can reinforce the ways they teach these skills. They also look for areas of improvement so they can increase instructional time or change their instruction. Districts and schools use the results as only one part of the comprehensive information they collect on students and their performance. Dates for the assessments at Stevenson are listed below.

Grade 3 & 4 MCA Reading: April 16th and 17th

Grade 3 & 4 MCA Math: April 23rd and 24th

Ways Families Can Support our Students during testing weeks

• Have students get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious, protein-filled breakfast before taking the test (breakfast is offered at school)
• Encourage students to answer all test questions and take their time, the MCA is not a timed test. They can go at their own pace. It’s important to do well even if it means they are not getting done as fast as everyone else seems to be.

The Grounds department will be applying fertilizer throughout the district April 8 - April 30 on turfgrass surfaces throughout the district. The product we are going to be using is listed here

https://ecgrowproturf.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/22-0-6-40-PCSCU-544-2610.pdf

In late April or early May weed control applications will be made one at a time where children are not present by Professional Turf Services. These applications will be made before or after school or on weekends. A posting flag will also be placed on the property. Our Integrated pest management program can be found here

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1699553495/fridley/gekm8rbefnpcknwiyq8p/MGMTPLAN23IntegratedPestManagement.pdf

Stevenson Elementary is now a drop off site through TerraCycle for juice pouches. Students can recycle theirs in the lunchroom and you can drop off juice pouches at the front office anytime! Our school does receive funds from TerraCycle based on how many we recycle. Please consider bringing us any Caprisun/KoolAid/Honest juice pouches.

Student arrival begins 8:55 a.m.

Free breakfast is served 8:55 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.

School day starts at 9:10 a.m.

Dismissal is 3:45 p.m.

https://www.facebook.com/RLSElementary/

WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS

The safety of children on the school bus depends not only on the bus driver, but others on the road as well. Please pay attention to the following winter safety tips to students, parents and motorists:

• Don’t Rush to Catch the Bus. When roads and walkways are slippery, rushing to catch the bus or driving faster to make it to your destination can have disastrous results. Children need extra time to get to the bus stop in cold, windy or snowy conditions. Encouraging them to leave a few minutes early and take their time can reduce the number of falls on slick pavement.
• Bundle Up like Randy from “A Christmas Story.” Students need to keep warm at the bus stop, but they also must still be able to see and hear what’s going on around them. When bundling up your child in the morning, make sure he or she still has an adequate line of sight and can hear traffic and other noises. And make sure your student can put his arms down.
• Put Down the Phone. As highlighted by the “Pokémon Go” craze, not looking where you are walking can have disastrous results. When walking on snow or ice covered surfaces, watch where you are walking, take shorter, more deliberate steps or do the “penguin shuffle.”
• Get a Grip. Wear footwear appropriate for conditions. Avoid footwear with slick (no-tread) soles when walking on wet surfaces, snow or ice.
• Just a Little Patience. School bus drivers are very well trained on driving in inclement weather; however, snow and icy roads can slow down even the most experienced driver. Safety is each driver’s top priority and extra time may be needed to get from stop to stop.
• The Last Step. The seemingly simple task of getting on and off the bus can be taken for granted. Always use the handrails!
• Pay Attention to Weather Alerts and School Messages. As hectic as mornings can be, parents should be aware of weather alerts and school cancellations or delays. Bad weather also can lead to early dismissals or a change in bus routes. Make sure your school has your contact information to receive late-breaking alerts, and be sure to check your school website or local media when inclement weather is expected.

School attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunity for important communications between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability important to the future of the student.

Examples of EXCUSED Absences

Illness (ex. strep throat, fever)

Please note: After 10 or more days of excused illness absences, students will be required to present a provider note for ongoing absences

Medical, dental or orthodontic treatment or counseling appointment

Physical emergency condition such as a fire or floor

Family Emergencies

Religious Holidays

Death or Funeral of immediate family member or close friend

Examples of UNEXCUSED Absences

Overslept / Alarm Failure

Missed the bus / Car trouble

Staying home to babysit

Needed at home

Shopping / Errands

Please contact our school social worker with any questions!

Cait Ostman, MSW, LICSW

Phone: 763.502.5310

Email: caitlin.ostman@fridley.k12.mn.us

Text: 612.424.0478

Campus Parent Portal is a required account for families to add money to your child's lunch account, apply for financial assistance, and access transportation information. You will also be using Parent Portal to update your phone number and any other personal information such as approved emergency contacts.

Thank you to everyone who has eaten meals with us. We look forward to seeing our students in the lunch line daily. We continue to provide some different meal entrees including Asian Noodle Bowls, Beef Sambusa, Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl, and School Made Mac & Cheese. All students must take at least ½ cup fruit or vegetable with their meal. Did you also know that you can come an eat school lunch with your student? The cost is $5.00 and includes the lunch entree, milk, fruits and vegetables. This is a great value, and you can taste what we are serving our customers. Reminder that students cannot just have a free milk if they are bringing a cold lunch from home, all students must take a reimbursable meal so if your student wants just a milk, we will also have them take fruits and vegetables along with the milk.

In January we will be providing some new fruits and vegetables for students to try as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program (snack served in the classroom). On January 11 we will be serving papaya, January 18th star fruit and on January 31 Romanesco. Please ask your children about these items and what they tasted like.

If you have any questions or menu questions, please contact Renee Arbogast RD SNS at 763-502-5022. Thank you,

Nutritional Services

Stevenson Elementary is an International Baccalaureate World School dedicated to nurturing students to show curiosity, be lifelong learners, and give back to their communities. Our exceptional teachers and support staff provide a welcoming environment where the classroom becomes a learning community!

Email: Veronica.mathison@fridley.k12.mn.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/isd14.org/stevensone-learning/home
Location: 6080 East River Road, Fridley, MN, USA
Phone: 7635025300