News and events
April 10, 2023
Upcoming Dates
Monday, April 10th - PTO Meeting at Dayton Elementary 6:00 pm - All welcome!
April 18th and 19th: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (Grades 3-5) Reading
April 25th and 26th: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (Grades 3-5) Math
May 2nd and 3rd: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (Grade 5) Science
Thursday, April 27th - Second Grade Family and Friends concert 7:00 pm
Friday, April 28th - PTO Spring Family Dance at Dayton Elementary 6:00–8:00 pm
2022-23 Elementary school digital days calendar
Please note the last day for elementary school has been changed to June 7, 2023.
A message from the principal
Greetings Families,
By this time every year, many of us are excited to welcome spring weather. This year, our school is even more excited for spring because it means we are getting closer to installing our new playground. Phase one of our playground updates will be installed when our Minnesota weather allows. We are hopeful this is sooner than later. Fundraising for phase two of our playground is currently underway.
Our school building will be getting some additional updates this summer including renovations to our health office, office and our library. Schools across our district, including Oxbow Creek Elementary School, where some of our students will attend next year, are receiving facility updates as a part of the Fit for the Future plan.
During the month of April our students are learning about courage. Character Strong defines courage as “choosing what is helpful, right and kind even when it’s hard or scary.” Learn more about how to support conversations about courage in your home with these resources.
Student Placement forms for 23-24
Every spring, we begin to develop our class lists for next year's classes. Our goal, as always, is to create balanced classes that work well for all students, teachers, and families. If you feel that you have information we should know about your child to help support our placement process, please complete a student placement form no later than May 1st. This form is available upon request from our school office. Returned forms will be reviewed by school staff and considered in the placement process.
A note for families transitioning to Oxbow Creek Elementary School: Similar to the Dayton process, if you are interested in sharing information with the school, please contact kristin.schommer@ahschools.us before May 1st to request a form.
April Specialists Highlights
Art
One hundred twenty-five pieces of artwork made by Dayton students in kindergarten through 5th grade will be on display for 9 days during normal mall hours, March 28–April 5, at Northtown Mall in Blaine. Anoka-Hennepin is hosting its annual Elementary Art Show which includes art from students at all of the district’s elementary schools.
Ms. Merrill and Mrs. Christenson reviewed student work and chose artwork that were excellent representations of the projects we’ve done and displayed outstanding craftsmanship. Although there were many more pieces of art which could have been selected, we were limited to include a number of pieces equal to 15% of our school enrollment. Congratulations to the artists featured! Support the arts by checking out the work of many talented artists.
Core
We are wrapping up our Scratch unit early in April. Students spent 10-12 weeks learning about coding. Students chose and animated characters to share what they know about honesty. Students will share their projects with their classmates on the last day.
We will begin a new unit in Core mid month. Students will complete a research project using the skills and resources we’ve learned over the year.
Explorations
Kindergarteners and first graders are both studying history. They are wondering how we know about what happened in the past, how have things changed and why? Second graders are learning about different parts of geography. Right now we are looking at maps and talking about landmarks they have been to. Third graders are looking in the sky for our Sun, Moon and Stars unit which coincides with the 5 planets in the night sky. Fourth graders are continuing to talk about how farmers get their crops to where they need to go. Fifth graders are digging into the American Revolution–what started it, battles fought, and key points to know. Any questions, contact Ms. Peterson or Mrs. Christenson.
Media
Voting has wrapped up for both the Maud Hart Lovelace book award and the Star of the North book award. We have revealed our winners at Dayton, and will find out the Minnesota state winners after April 22nd. Students in grades 3-5 have also been participating in a March Madness tournament of books, and will find out the winner of that competition in early April. Since April is National Poetry Month, students will be learning about many different types of poetry. We will also continue our digital citizenship lessons in all grade levels and share wonderful read alouds together.
Music
It’s concert time in music!
Thursday, April 27th Second Grade Concert: 1:45 Student Performance and 7:00 p.m. Family and Friends Performance. With special guest musician, Mr. James Hersch.
PhyEd
Remember your shoes!
Hockey skills and then preparing for the Dayton Olympics on May19th!
Jackson Middle School 5th Grade Welcome night
Wednesday, May 3rd flyer is linked here
Parent Education and Family Engagement
Pre-K to Grade 3 Parenting Educator
Anoka-Hennepin School District PH: 651-317-9650
welde.dubarkollie@ahschools.us
Pre-K to Grade 3 Webpage for additional parenting resources
https://www.ahschools.us/prektograde3
Dayton Elementary PTO
Hello Spring, we are ready for warmer weather!!
We are super excited for our Spring Family Dance!
The dance will be on Friday, April 28th, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.We will have a DJ from Midwest Sound. Pizza, nachos, and soda will be for sale. The PTO will provide free Oreos and juice. Please note that students must be accompanied by an adult. We hope that your family can make it to this fun event!
The Boosterthon Fun Run is quickly approaching! It will coincide with the Dayton Olympics on May 19th! Boosterthon fundraising dates will be May 11–19. Be sure to keep an eye out for more information coming your way!
Speaking of fundraisers….
Phase 1 of the new playground will be installed soon! (as long as the weather is on our side) Brick sales will continue and sales will go directly towards funding phase 2! To purchase, visit donate.brickmarkers.com/dayton
Brick Options:
Size 4x8: $125
Size 8x8: $250
A HUGE shout out to everyone who showed up or ordered out during our Chipotle Restaurant Night!!
Have great ideas and want to get more involved in your child’s school? Not sure you have the time but still would like to lend a helping hand? Then join us at our next PTO meeting on April 10th at 6pm! We would LOVE to have you as we discuss and get ready for more fun events!
As Always….
Thank you for supporting the students and staff at Dayton Elementary!
GO EAGLES!
Volunteer News
Dayton Elementary Volunteers are Fantastic!
We have over 275 volunteers supporting Dayton, who have logged over 1,500 hours this year! A special THANK YOU go out to Kathy T., Wendy W., Dena N., Natalie L., Cynthia L., Mark N., Amber T., Ashley E. and Jan M. for their dedication and support during the 2022-23 school year. Their daily work on projects, support of enrichment programs, and help in classrooms has been instrumental in allowing our Dayton Eagles to soar!
Thank you to our 2022-23 Dayton PTO Members who go above and beyond to support staff, create events, fundraise and more! Cheryl Neel, Page Peterson, Cait Reyes, Kelli Williams, Katie Smith and Samantha Johnson - We appreciate you!
If you’d like to join this wonderful group of volunteers we have two major events coming up - Spring Family Dance & Boosterthon/Dayton Olympics. Sign up here to help: Volunteer Sign up!
Dayton Elementary participates in the Box Tops for Education, so please scan your receipts. It helps raise money for our school! Click here to learn how.
Quick Information
Absences and Late Arrivals (Attendance line is open 24/7)
763-506-2206
Report absences and late arrivals by calling the attendance line OR by entering online. Attendance must be reported to the attendance office. Teachers can be notified only as a courtesy.
Log into My Student Information or the ParentVUE app. Refer to these step-by-step directions for more information.
Change in Dismissal (Please CALL the main office by 3:00 p.m.)
763.506.2200
Student Release from School
District guidelines require us to verify the ID of anyone picking up a student from school. Only parents or guardians are permitted to leave with students without verbal or written parent permission. It does not matter if they are an emergency contact.
NOTE: Please call the school office at 763-506-2200 if someone else is picking up your child. All students leaving school during school hours will be signed out at the school office.
*We do not call children down for early dismissal until the parent/guardian arrives to sign them out. Please plan accordingly for a little wait time.
Student Morning drop-off
Drop-off occurs from 9:15 am to 9:30 am. Students may enter the building at 9:15 am, when the first bell rings.
- Please do not drop your child(ren) off at the school before 9:15 a.m. There is no supervision if students arrive before 9:15 a.m.
763.506.2204
763.506.2213
763.506.2211
First Student Bus Co.
763.421.5785 First Student Champlin (regular routes to/from Dayton Elementary)
763.421.3199 First Student Anoka (students receiving special education transportation)
Please save these Bus Company numbers for use when the school office is closed. The bus company dispatch can locate and communicate with drivers on bus routes.
This e-newsletter is published by Dayton Elementary School, supported by the Anoka-Hennepin communication and public relations department. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.