News and events
February 19, 2023
Character Trait of the Month
Our NEW Character Strong trait for February is HONESTY. Check out what each grade level is working on!
A Message from the Principal
Hello Hoover Families,
A reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 20th and Tuesday, February 21st. We will see everyone back on Wednesday, February 22nd!
Thank you for your support in reminding students to keep phones/iPads/tablets at home. If phones are brought to school, they must stay in students' backpacks/lockers. Please continue to remind students to keep Pokemon cards, toys, fidgets, etc, at home.
Here's a peek at this week's events:
- ACCESS Testing for Multilingual Learners
- February 22 - American Indian Ed Groups
- February 21 & 23 - Conferences (4:30-8:30)
- If you still need to sign up, here is the link: www.Myconferencetime.com/Hoover
- Click on the name of your child’s teacher (if you need multiple conferences, click on the link “Register for Multiple Time Slots”)
- Select the desired date/time for your conference by clicking ‘Sign Up’
- Use the drop down to choose either YES (for in person) or NO (for virtual). If you choose a virtual conference, you will receive an email with a link to join that virtual conference.
- Click ‘’Sign Up’
Have a great week!
Best,
Mrs. Strusz
Conference Meal Donations
Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is providing a Taco Bar for our last conference evening on Thursday, February 23rd. They are still looking for some items to be donated for this staff meal. If you would like to donate, please click on the Sign-Up Genius link below. If you have further questions, please reach out to the PTO at HooverPTO@ahschools.us or Nicole Kunza, our Volunteer Services Coordinator, at Nicole.Kunza@ahschools.us.
Guest Author, Erin Soderberg Downing, Visiting Hoover Elementary
Local author Erin Soderberg Downing will be visiting Hoover Elementary on March 7th to share all about her fabulous books with our 4th and 5th grade students! However, ALL students can order signed or personalized copies of Erin's books from Red Balloon. You can order books by clicking on the link button below:
Use coupon code HOOVER23 between now and FEBRUARY 21st to receive 20% off Erin's books, and have your book(s) available for pick up at school.
Please include any personalization requests and the name of your child's teacher in the order comments at check-out.
Select "pick up at school" as your delivery method.
Place your order by the end of day FEBRUARY 21st to receive your books on the day of the visit (March 7th).
Parent Drop-Off/Pick-Up Reminders:
- Stay in your car and keep pulling forward. Students will walk to your car with the guidance of staff.
- Have students exit/enter your vehicles on the passenger/sidewalk side to avoid walking in the parking lot. I know this part is not easy due to many factors (other children in the car/carseats, etc), but this is very important for safety reasons.
- Please park first if you want to walk your student to/from the main door. Do not exit your car while in the drop-off/pick-up line. Do not have your student cross traffic to walk to you in the parking lot.
- When exiting the parking lot during arrival/dismissal times, please ONLY TURN RIGHT. This is to keep the traffic flow moving smoothly and to keep staff directing traffic safely.
- THANK YOU for your help with this process to keep our students and staff safe!
FREE Dental Sealant Opportunity at Hoover
This is available for STUDENTS IN 1ST, 2ND, and 3RD GRADE. The deadline to register is February 28th.
We are partnering with Community Dental Care to provide Dental Sealants (if needed) and Dental Screenings at Hoover at no cost to families. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, dental sealants are the most effective and painless way to prevent and stop cavities in children. Community Dental Care is sending their team of professionals to our school on April 19th, 20th, and 21st to apply dental sealants for students who wish to participate.
You may have noticed that your 1st, 2nd and/or 3rd grader brought home a consent form titled Community Dental Care's School Based Sealant Program on Monday, January 30th. Please complete this form as soon as possible. The deadline for this consent is February 28th, 2023. If you want your child to receive the dental sealants, please fill out the form completely and return it with your students. If you do not want your child to participate, please check no. Please turn in the consent form either way.
No payment is required for participating families, Minnesota Health Care Programs and other insurance plans will be billed as appropriate for preventative services. Any remaining costs after insurance will be covered by the program. We are very excited for this opportunity to protect our students from preventable dental disease and tooth decay. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Michelle Erickson, LSN
Kids Heart Challenge Adventure - 10 Days Left!
This year, our students will soar to new heights with our Heart Hero Dragons! They will take our students on an AMAZING adventure around the globe to learn about heart and brain health, meet kids with special hearts, and raise funds for the health of all hearts. Our students will feel good by doing good, knowing they made a difference for kids just like them!
Join us and the KHC Heart Heroes by clicking on the link below:
http://www2.heart.org/goto/hoovercoonrapids
Please refer to this ELECTRONIC ENVELOPE to learn more about our heart heroes, how to register, and Finn’s life-saving mission.
We have some BONUS incentives for our students this year:
- 75 Students to Register and Take the Challenge – Mr. White will be Silly Stringed!
- 100 Students to Register and Take the Challenge – Mr. Kelley will be Silly Stringed!
- 125 Students to Register and Take the Challenge – Mrs. Strusz will be Silly Stringed!
- When 50% of your student’s class registers:
- The classroom teacher will earn a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
- If 3 or more students:
- Complete Finn’s mission – the classroom teacher will earn another $25.
- Complete Finn's Mission: Receive “Finn’s Lifesaver Award,” and student will be highlighted on the banner, and recognized in the Hoover Howl. Their name will also go into a drawing to Silly String Mr. White, Mr. Kelley, or Mrs. Strusz.
Student Incentives:
- Every $50 Raised: Receive a Mystery Gift.
- Raise $150: Received the Collector Heart Hero “Frankie."
- Top Fundraising Class: Naming Rights to the Gym and displayed on banner.
Thank you for being part of the Kids Heart Challenge, supporting our school and the
American Heart Association. Together, we are lighting the torch of hope and making a difference.
Ms. Spark, Kirsten.Spark@ahschools.us
Mr. White, Andrew.White@ahschools.us
Parent Educator, VSC, and PTO Updates
Volunteer Service Coordinator, Nicole Kunza - February Hoover VSC Newsletter
PTO - Hoover PTO would love to increase participation! Please click here for more information on how you can participate! The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, March 7th from 6:30-7:30 at Hoover in the Explorations Classroom. All are welcome! Childcare is provided. If you would like to attend virtually - that is an option too!
Health Office Updates
COVID-19 test kits are available for students at no cost while supplies last. If you would like test kits sent home with your student(s), please fill out a form, and the kit(s) will be sent home. You can request one kit per child in your household. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Erickson at michelle.erickson@ahschools.us.
If you or your child are ill and would like to pick up a test, you can come to the main door and let staff know you are here to pick up COVID-19 test kits.
Winter Weather Updates
Please ensure students have dressed appropriately for the weather - jackets, snow pants, hats, gloves/mittens, and proper shoes/boots. Students will be going out for recess. The guideline for keeping children inside for recess will be zero degrees or 10 degrees below zero wind chill. Accommodations for children with special medical needs can be made with the Health Services office; written documentation from a doctor will be required.
The safety of all students is the priority when determining if schools should stay open in extreme winter weather. The decision to close school is serious, affecting many working families who would have to take a day off work or find daycare on short notice. Read more about where to get information on school closings due to weather and how cold it must be for the school to close.
Transportation Updates
As a reminder for our families with students riding buses, you can find information about the district's transportation services at https://www.ahschools.us/transportation and how to download the FirstView Transportation App to get real-time bus updates. Remember that the app might not be as accurate/updated when there are substitute bus drivers.
Upcoming Events
- March 10 - NO SCHOOL - STAFF PLANNING DAY
- March 13-17 - NO SCHOOL - SPRING BREAK
- March 20 - NO SCHOOL - STAFF PD DAY
- April 4, 5, 17-20 - MTAS Testing
- April 7 - NO SCHOOL - STAFF PD DAY
- April 18-19 - Reading MCA Testing
- April 19-21 - Dental Sealants Program Onsite
- April 20-21 - Reading MCA Testing Make-ups
- April 25-26 - Math MCA Testing
- April 27-28 - Math MCA Testing Make-ups
- May 2-3 - Science MCA Testing
- May 4-5 - Science MCA Testing Make-ups
- May 12 - Hoover School Carnival
- May 19 - Track and Field Day
- May 26 - Track and Field Day (Rain Make-Up Day)
Support Hoover with Box Tops 4 Education
Another option is to go to https://www.boxtops4education.com/ to learn more about downloading the app to scan receipts for box tops for Hoover Elementary.
This e-newsletter is published by Hoover Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.