Wolves Newsletter
Welcome to Park Brook Elementary
Dear Park Brook Parents and Guardians,
Students in grades three through five use planners each night to communicate between school and home. In addition, the planners have a place to set goals and write dreams each student has for the future. The dreams are not strictly for education and post-secondary education, but also about hobbies, travel, volunteer, and so on; we want the students to dream big.
I want college to be an option for my students, however, I want them to have options for their dreams, whether that be college, the military, Peace Corps, trade school, or entering the workforce in a career of their choice. In my opinion, college is a choice for some, but not a definition of success.
I grew up in San Diego and was graduated from Mission Bay High School. Never would I have imagined when in high school that my life journey would bring me to Minnesota, which I have called home for over thirty years, and so thankful that my journey brought me here. I think of each of my students, and I do not know where their journey will take them, but we want to prepare each and every one of them for their everchanging dreams, not just for the next grade, but life.
I want each student to make significant academic progress and be prepared for their dreams, which includes their career, education, hobbies, travel, volunteering and being a part of the community where their dreams take them in life.
In the rush of day-to-day living that we all get caught in, I encourage you to have conversations, perhaps around the table when you eat, about their dreams for careers, where they want to travel to, an activity they would like to try, and so on.
We set goals with academics and fitness, not to limit to these areas, but rather to open the world for them.
Mr. Scott W. Taylor
Pajama Day is a tradition at Park Brook Elementary on October 31.
Mr. Taylor, just as many staff and families, will welcome trick-or-treaters to his front door on Halloween. Many students will dress up for Halloween, and spend time thinking about their costume.
At Park Brook, during the school day, it is pajama day with everyone, if they choose, dressed up in their pajamas for the day.
Students are not permitted to wear Halloween masks, face paint, spray-in hair color, or costumes during the school day.
Girls on the Run will NOT meet on this day as many students want to get home, understandably, to participate in Halloween activities.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 is Election Day. Park Brook is not a polling place, however, many schools in our district welcome voters on this day. We have found that it is best to not hold school, but a staff workshop on this day so we do not need to monitor additional people in the building. Using this day as a staff workshop day does not change the number of school days for students, we just adjust where in the calendar we place the staff workshop day.
Veterans Day is Monday, November 11, 2024. This year we will hold an assembly to recognize and honor United States Veterans. We would like to have parents, grandparents or other relatives of students to recognize. If you are a U.S. Veteran or have a family member who is a veteran, we can recognize and honor you or them with their picture, interviewing during an assembly, or a short video to share with the students. Please call Scott Taylor at 763-561-6870 or email him at taylors@district279.org.
Thank you to McDonald's in Brooklyn Park for their generous $862 donation to Park Brook.
McDonald's - 7685 West Broadway - Brooklyn Park, MN
Park Brook will be using the funds from this fundraiser, thanks to the generosity of McDonald's in Brooklyn Park, to support our before school, after school and weekend programming.
All students who were absent on picture day will have their pictures taken. Re-takes will only be taken IF a parent/guardian has contacted the school and requested a re-take.
You should have received an email from the photographer - Kemmetmueller with a link to your child's picture gallery. Please make sure you have checked their pictures before Wednesday to see if you want your child to have retakes. If you want your child to have retakes, an adult at home needs to inform an adult at school. You can also select your child's yearbook picture at that time, and order any pictures that you want.
If you cannot locate your child's picture gallery please email Kemmetmueller directly at info@k-photography.com or call them at 952-473-2142
The Resilinator is an outdoor obstacle course sponsored by the YMCA of the North. Thanks to a generous donation, there is no cost for Park Brook students; normally the cost is $39 for an individual to participate.
Registration forms need to be turned in by Wednesday, October 16. We may be able to accept registration forms after that date, but no guarantees.
A $5 commitment fee is required for this event.
Registration form is available here, and also will be distributed at school.
The Double Dutch Team at Park Brook is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Registration forms will be sent home soon with practices beginning in mid-November. Students on the team must practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:20 - 4:15 p.m.
The Double Dutch Team travels to kick-off fund raisers for the American Heart Association throughout the Twin Cities. The students learn to Double Dutch and do amazing jump rope tricks to create an impressive assembly.
The Mile Run at Park Brook may be a fun event, however, we do not refer to it as a fun run as every student is timed. This is one of the fitness tests at Park Brook. We will recognize students for top scores, just as we do with academics. At the same time, growth is our purpose, so students will be recognized for reducing their time following the Spring Mile Run, just as we recognize growth in academics.
