
Falcon Newsletter

October 2024
Do you need a code for ParentVue or the bus tracking app?
YOU CAN ACCESS YOUR STUDENT'S ID NUMBER AS WELL AS THEIR FIRSTVIEW (BUS TRACKING) ACCESS CODE IN PARENTVUE.
SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER FOR HELP TO SET UP ANY OF OUR DISTRICT APPS.
MEET OUR 2024 FALCON LEADERS
Meet your Falcon Leaders!
Every year, 5th graders have the opportunity to take on a leadership role in the school by participating in Falcon Leaders. This is a small group of students dedicated to being leaders at Fair Oaks. Students take on leadership projects around the school that model CARES (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-Control) for the younger students. If your child or a child you know has joined Falcon Leaders, please acknowledge their service when you see them! We can't wait to see what they will accomplish this year!
Abigail Xiong, Alani Xiong, Avery Morton, David Abbey, Elsie Nyanplu, Emma Link, Esmerelda Saavedra de la Rose, Jairo Jaime, Ruby Saavedra de la Rosa, Sandara Xiong, Sirkirbie West, Thorstein McNickol, Aliza Washington, Ayouba Donzo, Cornelius Zedekiah, Elliot Westphal, Jayden Vang, Leonna Ngotcho, Marjorie Diaz, Mayte Torres Neave, Michelle Negrete, Olivia Vilaysone, Roxy Garcia Hardy, Yalitzy Adame Huerta
Are you having issues with a student's device or need help with district apps?
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Book Fair:
Stop in to our Scholastic Book Fair during conferences! The Book Fair will be open to parents during conference time. The Book Fair will run from run from Tuesday, October 8 until Tuesday October 15. You can also shop online at: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/fairoakselementaryschool1
FALL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
SAVE THE DATE FOR FALL CONFERENCES!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10TH
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH
ARE YOU ABLE TO MAKE A FOOD DONATION TO HELP FEED STAFF ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH?
***We are trying something new this year and asking families for donations to feed our wonderful staff on one of our conference nights. Please check out the Sign Up Genius link below if you are interested in donating food or money towards this meal. Thank you for your support!
A NOTE FROM THE MEDIA CENTER
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST!
Families are invited to participate in our 3rd annual Pumpkin Book Character decorating event. Students can bring in their decorated pumpkins on October Oct 21 and 22nd.
BOOKS AND BREAKFAST AND PUMPKINS
Join us Friday, October 25th for Books, Breakfast, and Pumpkins! Families are invited to view our decorated pumpkins, enjoy some breakfast treats, and read with their students. All are invited!
This event will be from 8:30-9:10 am.
NO CANDY OR UNHEALTHY SNACK OR DRINKS AT SCHOOL PLEASE!
Halloween is just around the corner, and we would like to send a reminder to please make sure students are not bringing any candy to school with them. We have multiple students with life-threatening food allergies, and we would like to ensure that all students stay safe and healthy. Thank you for your support!
Important Dates
Tuesday, October 1st - Fall pictures
Tuesday, October 1st - 5th grade field trip to Three Rivers Park
Thursday, October 2nd- Custodian appreciation day
Tuesday. October 8th - Fall conferences
Thursday, October 10th - Fall conferences
Tuesday, October 15th - Fall conferences
Wednesday, October 16th - 4th grade field trip to Hidden Falls
Thursday and Friday, October 17 & 18 - No school for students
Monday & Tuesday, October 21, 22 - Pumpkins for pumpkin decorating contest are due
Friday, October 25th - Books, Breakfast and Pumpkins Family event - 8:30-9:10in the media center
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS PREPARED WITH WARM OUTDOOR CLOTHING AT SCHOOL
Colder weather is coming and the temps are often unpredictable from day to day at this time of year. Please make sure that your student has a warm jacket, a hat and gloves or mittens for school. It is helpful if they have a spare set that they can leave at school. Once snow starts, students will also need snow pants and boots to wear outside for recess some days. Fair Oaks will have some items available for families in need later this month. We will let all families know when these items are available.
MCA/MTAS AND ACCESS TESTING REPORTS
MCA and MTAS
Parents and caregivers,
Individual Student Reports (ISR) for students that completed the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) or the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) tests in spring of 2024 are now available in ParentVUE, under the documents tab.
The report includes your student’s overall score and performance level in each test subject and the average scores for students at the school, district and state level. A video report is available by scanning the QR code on the ISR. Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments are taken by students in all public schools in grades 3-8 and 11 on mathematics, in grades 3-8 and 10 on reading and grades 5, 8 and once in high school on science. To learn more about your students’ results review the document, What Families Need to Know about Using MCA and MTAS Results.
Login to ParentVUE to access your student’s ISR. More information about ParentVUE can be found online at district279.org.
Parents are encouraged to communicate with their students' teachers regarding questions about their student’s academic progress.
ACCESS
Parents and caregivers,
Individual Student Reports (ISR) for students that completed the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs English language proficiency test in spring of 2024 is now available in ParentVUE, under the documents tab.
The ACCESS for ELLs tests are based on the WIDA English Language Development Standards and measure students’ progress in learning English. The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs assessments are taken by students in grades K-12 who are identified as English Language Learners in Minnesota public schools. To learn more about this assessment review the document, What is the ACCESS for ELLs Assessment.
To learn more about your students’ results review the following documents:
Login to ParentVUE to access your students’ spring 2024 score report. More information about ParentVUE can be found online at district279.org.
Parents are encouraged to communicate with their students' teachers regarding questions about their students' academic progress.
FALL AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
A FLYER SHOULD HAVE COME HOME WITH YOUR STUDENT LAST WEEK. IF YOU NEED ANOTHER SENT HOME, PLEASE ASK YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER OR STOP INTO THE MAIN OFFICE.
OPT-OUT INFORMATION FOR UNIVERSAL SCREENING
The purpose of this communication is to inform you that students in grades 2-12 will take the mySAEBRS assessment this fall and again this spring. The mySAEBRS assessment, which stands for Minnesota Student Academic Behavioral Rating Scales, is student self-evaluation. It provides valuable insights into areas such as social skills, emotional well-being, and behavioral strengths and challenges. This assessment helps us gain a more comprehensive understanding of your child's needs, allowing us to better support their growth and development. For more information about assessment items and questions asked click here. If you would like to opt your child out of this assessment, please complete the Parent/Guardian Refusal for Student Participation in Districtwide Assessments/Testing linked on https://www.district279.org/academics/assessments.
Volunteer corner
Our volunteer coordinator is Sophie Castruita. She can help you with any and all questions regarding volunteer work at Fair Oaks. There are many events though out the year that we need volunteers to help make a success! If there is a chance that you will chaperone your student's field trips at all this year, we ask that you please fill out this application as well. You can reach Sophie at: CastruitaS@district279.org
Free Little Library!
Did you know Fair Oaks has its own Free Little Library! Students and community members are welcome to grab a book to enjoy. We are grateful to the Impact Library Program for donating the Free Little Library to our school community! Take a book or leave a book!
A note from our school social worker and counselor
Consistent school attendance is important for student learning! Even missing 2 days of school per month impacts a student’s ability to learn at their fullest potential. Fair Oaks wants to support our students in getting to school as much as possible. If it’s been difficult to get your child to school, please contact the school social worker or your child’s teacher for more help. To learn more, check out this flyer from AttendanceWorks: Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early
If your student will be late for absent for any reason, please call our attendance line at 763-549-2353. You can leave your voicemail in either Spanish or English. Thank you!
A Note From Nurse Lila
VACCINATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Important Health Announcement: Protect Yourself and Your Community!
Due to recent outbreaks of measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and chicken pox, it's more important than ever to make sure you and your loved ones are vaccinated. These diseases can be dangerous, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against these serious illnesses. If you or your children are due for vaccines, now is the time to act!
Contact your healthcare provider or local health department today to schedule your vaccination and help prevent the spread of these outbreaks. Let’s work together to keep our community safe and healthy!
**Important reminder
If you need to give your child medication for fever, they may not return to school until they have been fever-free without any fever-reducing medications for 24 hours.
***If your student has been diagnosed with something contagious by a physician, please give the school a courtesy call so that we can send appropriate notice home with any other students in class.
GENERAL EXCLUSION GUIDELINES FOR ILL CHILDREN/STAFF
Certain symptoms in children may suggest the presence of a communicable disease. Excluding an ill
child may decrease the spread of the disease to others in childcare and school settings.
Recommended exclusion varies by the disease or infectious agent. Children with the symptoms listed
below should be excluded from the childcare or school setting until symptoms improve; or a health
care provider has determined that the child can return; or children can participate in routine activities
without more staff supervision than usual.
NOTE: It is recommended that childcare/preschool providers and schools have policies that are
clearly written for excluding sick children and staff. These policies should be placed in the student
handbook or on the childcare or school website. Parents/guardians and staff should be given or
directed to these resources at the beginning of each school year or when the child is enrolled or the
staff member is hired. This will help prevent problems later when the child or staff member is ill.
Exclude children with any of the following:
Illness
Unable to participate in routine activities or needs more care than can be
provided by the childcare/school staff.
Fever
An elevation of body temperature above normal and accompanied by
behavior changes, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, rash, sore throat,
and/or other signs or symptoms of illness; or is unable to participate in
routine activities. Measure temperature before giving medications to
reduce fever.
Axillary (armpit) temperature: 100° F or higher
Oral temperature: 101° F or higher
Rectal temperature: 102° F or higher
Ear temperatures are not recommended because of inconsistent and
inaccurate results. Each manufacturer may have different temperature
ranges, which makes setting standards difficult.
Signs/Symptoms of Possible severe illness:
Child is unusually tired, has uncontrolled coughing, unexplained irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or other
unusual signs for the child. Exclude until a health care provider has done
an evaluation to rule out severe illness.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is defined as an increased number of stools compared with a
child's normal pattern, along with decreased stool form and/or stools that
are watery, bloody, or contain mucus. Exclude until 24 hours after
diarrhea stops or follow specific disease exclusion if the pathogen is
known; or until a medical exam indicates that it is not due to a
communicable disease.
Vomiting
Child has vomited two or more times in the previous 24 hours. Exclude
for 24 hours after last episode of vomiting, unless it is determined to be
caused by a noncommunicable condition and the child is not in danger of
dehydration.
Mouth Sores with Drooling
Exclude until a medical exam indicates the child may return or until
sores have healed.
GENERAL EXCLUSION GUIDELINES FOR ILL CHILDREN/STAFF
Rash with Fever or behavior change Exclude until a medical exam indicates these symptoms are not those of a communicable disease that requires exclusion.
Eye Drainage
No exclusion, unless the child has a fever or is not healthy enough to
participate in routine activities. Antibiotics or a note from a health care
provider are not required.
Unusual Color of Skin, Eyes, Stool or Urine
Exclude until a medical exam indicates the child does not have hepatitis
A. Symptoms of hepatitis A include yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), gray
or white stools, or dark (tea or cola-colored) urine.
See following pages for specific disease exclusion guidelines for childcare settings and schools.
There are specific guidelines for “sick childcare” programs. See the Minnesota Department of
Human Services licensing rules for those requirements.
For more information, call Hennepin County HSPHD-Epidemiology at (612) 543-5230 or call your
local health department.
****** If you need to give your child a fever reducing medicine, you may not send them to school for at least 24 hours.
Important reminders for families
Here are a few important reminders from our Fair Oaks staff....
Attendance Reminders
If your student(s) are ever late or absent from school for any reason, please be sure to call our attendance line at 763-549-2353 (this is different than our main office number). You can leave a voicemail in either English or Spanish, 24 hours a day on this line. We ask that you please let us know about your child's absence or late arrival by 10am whenever possible to avoid receiving one of the automated calls from the district about your student's attendance.
Updated Contact Information
It is very important that we have updated contact information for all students. Lately, we have had outdated address and phone numbers for several students. It is important for the nurse, teachers and other staff to be able to reach parents and guardians during the school day. Please report any new work/home/cell phone numbers to the main office immediately.
It is also very important that we have updated addresses for each family. Addresses can be updated on ParentVue or at the district enrollment center.
Follow us on Facebook to keep up with everything Fair Oaks!
Hmong families are also welcome to follow our Hmong FB page!
KOU VANG
ML Community and Communication Specialist
Educational Equity Department
Osseo Area Schools
11200 93rd Ave N. Maple Grove, MN 55369
Work Cell: (612) 394-3358
Brooklyn Middle School (T/W/F)
Fair Oaks Elementary (TH)
Palmer Lake Elementary (M)
Helpful links
ParentVUE access instructions
https://mn-oas-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx
- Takes you to the login screen - do not enter anything here.
- Scroll down to activate account - click and accept user agreement.
- Enter your name (has to match what we have in our system)
- Enter activation key - this is case sensitive and is all caps.
To get started using ParentVUE if you do not yet have an active account, follow our Getting Started guide HERE.
- Getting Started SOMALI
- Getting Started VIETNAMESE
- Getting Started SPANISH
- Getting Started OROMO
- Getting Started HMONG
FIRSTview bus tracking
The FirstView mobile app helps you to keep track of school buses going to and from school each day. Support is available Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm ET for existing FirstView users with app-related questions or concerns.
Email:support@firstviewapp.com Phone:1(888) 889-8920
**Click blue button below to get started with set up.
Important contacts
Principal - David Freeburg - FreeburgD@district279.org
Resource Manager - Chris Marinac Marinacc@district279.org
Administrative Assistant - Heather Hausladen Hausladenh@district279.org
Counselor - Caitlin Carlson CarlsonC3@district279.org
Social worker - Krysta Sather Satherk@district279.org
Psychologist - Megan Lipps Monettem@district279.org
Nurse - Lila Neumann - NeumannL@district279.org
Volunteer Coordinator - Sophie Castruita Castruitas@district279.org
Behavior Intervention Teacher - Brian Thul ThulB@district279.org
Fair Oaks Main Line - 763-533-2246
Fair Oaks fax number - 763-549-2350
Attendance - 763-533-2246 (press 1) and leave your child's name, grade, parent's name and phone number and the reason for your child's absence.
Transportation - 763-391-7244 or Busquestions@district279.org