

Elm Creek News
October 9, 2024
Ness' Notes
No School Days
We have a few non school days coming up. Please mark your calendars.
October 17 & 18 - No School
November 5 - No School for Students - Licensed Staff Workshop Day
Picture Day
Picture Day at Elm Creek is Thursday, October 24th during the school day. See the attached Picture Day flyer for ordering and timeline details.
November 12th is Picture Retake Day.
Please note: Kemmetmueller Photography will email you an ordering link 7-10 days after picture day.
Please contact Kemmetmueller directly with picture ordering questions.
APEX PTO Fundraiser
APEX FUN RUN results are in! School profit is approximately $51,000! Thank you Elm Creek families for supporting our school! See the attached flyer for detailed information.
Attendance Policy
Attendance Matters
ATTENDANCE
Consistent attendance is essential for children to learn and make progress. When students are late, picked up early, or absent, they miss instruction. Students are required to attend each day. Students will be marked present upon arrival to school.
Parents/guardians are responsible for seeing that their children receive instruction in compliance with MN Statute 120A.22. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure that their student is attending school, to inform the school in the event of a student absence, and to work cooperatively with the school and the student to solve any attendance problems that may arise.
It is the student’s responsibility to attend all assigned classes every day that school is in session and to be aware of and follow the correct procedures when absent from an assigned class or study hall. Finally, it is the student’s responsibility to request any missed assignments due to an absence.
ABSENCE REPORTING
Please call your school’s absence line before 10 a.m. on the day your child is absent.
Excused Absences
The following reasons may be sufficient to constitute an excused absence: student illness; serious illness in the student’s immediate family; dentist, doctor, mental health professional, orthodontist, legal matters, funerals, illnesses, out-of-school suspension or administration dismissal, late bus, religious reasons, or severe weather will be excused. Situations such as sibling adoption or birth, family, student, or personal concern, family illness, or prearranged vacation may be excused at the principal’s discretion.
Note: In keeping with Minnesota Statute 120A.35, reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate any student who wishes to be excused from a curricular activity for a religious observance.
Unexcused Absences
All absences which do not specifically qualify as an “excused absence” will be marked as unexcused and may result in notification/reports of truancy (see below). Examples of unexcused absences might include the following: due to sibling childcare, no stated reason, missed the bus, and non-school extracurricular activities (dance, music, gymnastic lessons, etc.) will not be excused.
Continuing Truant
MN Statute 260A.02 Subd. 3 states that when a child under 12 years of age has three days of unexcused absences, he or she is considered a continuing truant. Families will receive a three-day letter notification.
Habitual Truant
MN Statute 260C.007 Subd.19 states that when an elementary child is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for seven days, he or she is considered a habitual truant. Families will receive a seven-day letter notification.
Attendance Procedures
Staff members monitor student attendance and work with families to ensure regular school attendance. If a student starts to show a pattern of missing all or a portion of the school day, staff will contact their parents. If a student has excessive absences (excused or unexcused), an administrator may become involved.
District Policy and Procedure 503 should be consulted for further questions regarding reporting procedures.
Calendar
October 17 & 18 - No School
October 24 - Picture Day
October 28 - Coffee with the Principal 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
November 5 - No School for Students - Licensed Staff Workshop Day
November 12 - Picture Retake Day
November 12 - PTO General Meeting 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
November 15 - PTO Turkey BINGO 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
November 22 - Coffee with the Principal 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
November 27 -29 - No School for Mark Reporting & Thanksgiving Holiday
Coffee with the Principal
Monday, October 28th, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Annabelle House Coffee Shop in Osseo
An opportunity to connect, gather feedback, and be available to answer questions. Have questions? Contact: Mrs. Ness at nesse@district279.org
Check us out on Social Media
Staci Jones
Administrative Assistant
Elm Creek Elementary