April News and Events
April 3, 2023
Principal's Corner
Hello Eisenhower Families,
As humans we all have emotions and sometimes they get the best of us. Despite my knowledge of child development, and a complete understanding that kids practice what they see and not what they hear, I apologized to my son this morning for raising my voice after he decided to wear his muddy shoes across my freshly scrubbed floor. At that moment, all I could think about was the fact that he had walked past me several times while I scrubbed the floor by hand. Should he have known better? Yes. Was it okay for me to be frustrated? Yes. However, if I could relive that moment, I would take a few breaths and then engage in a respectful conversation that would have created an opportunity for him to reflect on and take responsibility for his actions. Instead, by raising my voice he became frustrated in return and I am confident his own frustration did not allow him to empathize with me in the least.
If, instead, I had chosen to take a few deep breaths and have a respectful conversation with him it would have accomplished some positive things. First, he would have seen me handle a frustrating situation in a calm manner with respectful communication. After 20 years of working in education, and 17 years of parenthood, I absolutely KNOW that a calm approach models/teaches our children how to stay calm. Secondly, he would have been more apt to take responsibility for his actions and there would be a greater chance he will make a different choice next time.
All this to say, we are all human and each of us can overreact. I remind myself everyday when interacting with all children that they are learning from us and will repeat what we do. Together, if we work to model calm and appropriate actions, our children will as well.
We appreciate your partnership.
Lillian DeRung
Principal
Update to the District Calendar
The School Board approved a change to the calendar at its December 12 meeting, converting June 8 to a non-student contact day at the elementary level. There will be no change to the schedule at the secondary level. The last day of school for elementary school students will be Wednesday, June 7, while the last day of school for secondary students will remain Thursday, June 8.
This change will allow elementary staff additional time to prepare for transitions that will occur from the current school year to the next, including the closing of Franklin Elementary School and boundary changes across the district.
Multicultural Arts Night
You are invited to Eisenhower’s Multicultural Arts Night!
Thursday, April 6th
5:30-7:00 PM
What to look forward to:
● 5th grade music performance
● IKE Choir
● Northdale Middle School Performers
● Various Art Workshops: create and take home
● World Traveler Passport Activity
● Dress up in your traditional clothing
● FREE PIZZA AND LEMONADE!!!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Summer School invitations to be emailed April 5
Invitations to the Targeted Services summer school program will be emailed to families of students being invited on April 5, 2023. The most recent scores in reading and math were used to determine which students would get invited. Students who did not meet the grade level criteria in reading and/or math may be receiving invitations. You will be directed to go online to register your student by April 14th. Students entering 6th grade will receive information from their middle school
Targeted Services summer school will be held at Jefferson Elementary June 20th-July 20th. It runs Monday through Thursday from 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., however the first week runs Tuesday through Friday. There will be no school the week of July 4th. Transportation is provided free of charge for those students who have bussing during the school year.
Please know that some students qualify for an Extended School Year (ESY) program through the special education program. Those families whose children qualify for that program will receive separate communication.
Our health office is running extremely low on extra clothing to send students home in when mishaps occur. If you happen to be cleaning out your closets and are willing to donate your kid's extra clothes to our health office, it would be greatly appreciated. You can send items with your student to school or drop them off at door 1 and alert the main office.
Some of the items that we are most in need of are pants (especially leggings/sweatpants), short and long sleeved shirts and shoes. We are also in need of boys and girls underwear. ** Must be NEW and UNUSED **
Thank you for your help,
Eisenhower Health Office Staff
Kids Heart Challenge is on Fire!
Our students are fired up about passing the torch to teach others about heart and brain health. We are half-way through our Kids Heart Challenge Adventure and if you haven’t already, the time is now to join!
Frankie and the KHC Heart Heroes are taking OUR students all around the World to learn the importance of heart and brain health along with the rewards of helping others and making an impact for the mission of the American Heart Association.
Take Flight by Finn’s Mission – just register online and complete the challenges. Your whole family can learn Hands-Only CPR and the Signs of Stroke.
http://www2.heart.org/goto/eisenhower
Click HERE to learn more about our heart survivor Finn.
We have some BONUS incentive for our students this year.
100 Students to Register and Take the Challenge/18 Students to Complete Finn’s Mission
- Classroom Challenge Incentive: 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”.
- 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 all you do to support the mission of the American heart Association! Together we are lighting the torch of hope for healthier generations!
Mr. Diemer
Lost and Found
Please encourage your child to look through the lost and found. It is located by the lunchroom in the Link and teachers will be taking their classes by it multiple times this week. We will be donating the remaining items on April 7th.
Attention Preschool to Grade 3 Families...
FREE online parenting workshops for April!
The April workshop will discuss ways to encourage healthy habits, the role outdoor playtime has on child development, and how to create nighttime routines that lead to a happy bedtime.
- Tues., April 11 - 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Tues., April 11 - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Tues., April 18 - 6-7 p.m.
All workshops are held online. Information on how to join the workshop will be emailed by the parenting educator a few days before class starts.
Community Education
Gnosey the Garden Gnome starts Tuesday April 11 4-5 pm
Gnomes are thought to bring good luck and protect your gardens from harm. Join us to paint this cute and diminutive ceramic creature for your home or garden!
Register for Gnosey the Garden Gnome
Multi-Sports Sampler starts Tuesday April 25 4-5 pm
Are your kids getting their 60 minutes of active play a day? Can't decide which sport you like best? Get introduced to a variety of new sports and games with AKASPORT. In this after school program, kids get to learn skills and play sports such as lacrosse, floor hockey, basketball, tennis and so much more in this multi-sport camp that focuses on the importance of sportsmanship, cooperation and team play. Don't miss this enriching camp that includes instruction, games and a whole lot of fun. Presented by Active Kids Association of Sport, also known as, AKASPORT.
Register for Multi Sports Sampler
Clay Fish Tuesday April 25 4-5 pm
“Hooray for Fish!” Come and create your very own rainbow fish out of air-dry clay. Have fun adding some sequins to brighten up your fish.
To find more classes you can check out Registration Site for more classes.
For scholarships information please contact Community Education at 763-506-2312
Anna Heinrich
Community Education Programmer
Parenting News
Please look at April's parent press for more information about Language and Literacy Development. Welde Dubar-Kollie is our parent educator and a great resource. More info on her here. Let her help add some tools to your parenting toolbelt.
Character Strong
This month's trait is COURAGE. Courage isn’t about something magical that happens inside us to make us ‘not scared’. It’s about something magical that happens inside us to make us push through fear, self-doubt, anxiety, and do the things that feel hard or risky or frightening. Check in with your kids about what they have learned and how they are courageous.
Upcoming events
Multicultural Arts Night - April 6
No School - April 7
Kindergarten Welcome Night - April 18
PTO meeting - April 20
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