Welcome to the Lion Pride!

Dear Lewis and Clark Families

As we approach the final month of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had and share some important information about the remaining weeks.

First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout this academic year. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and witnessed the growth and achievements of our students.

As we enter the last stretch of the school year, our focus remains steadfast on providing meaningful learning experiences and ensuring a smooth transition into the summer break. Here are some key highlights and important dates to keep in mind:

• With the construction work being completed in the staff parking lot, L&C will be closed to the public at May 30th.
• Families enrolled in summer school will be getting more specific information closer to the end of the school year. (Summer School and Intro to Kindergarten will take place at Ben Franklin Elementary School.)
• L&C's Title 1 Yearly Update will be reviewed at the next PTO meeting (Tuesday, May 13th at 6:00 pm).
• Our teachers continue to engage students in enriching lessons and activities designed to reinforce key concepts and skills.
• We'll be completing a final round of assessments to measure progress and identify areas for growth of our lion cubs.
• As the weather warms up, we have a variety of outdoor and indoor activities planned to enrich your child's experience. Please stay alert for announcements regarding field trips, concerts, programs, and other special events.

Thank you once again for your dedication and commitment to our school community. Together, let's make the final month of the school year a memorable and fulfilling experience for our lion cubs! Make sure to take advantage of L&C's upcoming events

Happy Spring,

Mr. Loren Hoheisel
Principal, Lewis and Clark Elementary School

Students filled the halls with portraits of Mr. Hoheisel for Principal's day on 5/1 :) Staff and students celebrated how thankful we are by filling his office with "Lucky Ducks."

L&C Roll & Walk to School Day

May

• 2nd - School Lunch Hero Day (Dress like Heroes for Miss Shaylee)
• 5th - 9th TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
• 6th - 2nd Grade Program 6:30 PM
• 7th - National School Nurses Day
• 7th - L&C Bike to School Day
• 7th - L&C's College, Career, & AVID Day
• 9th - L&C Spirit Day - Wacky Hair Day
• 9th - RED Event 8:30 PM
• 12th - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Spring Band/Orchestra/Choir Concert 6:30 PM
• 13th - 5th Grade Track Meet
• 14th - Early Release 1:30 PM
• 14th - L&C's College, Career, & AVID Day
• 19th - Kindergarten Celebration
• 19th - Calvary Book Fair
• 21st - L&C's College, Career, & AVID Day
• 22nd - 5th Grade Graduation 8:45 AM
• 26th - NO SCHOOL Memorial Day
• 28th - L&C's College, Career, & AVID Day
• 29th - Report Cards Sent home
• 29th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

June

• 2nd - 20th - Summer School (@ Ben Franklin)
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EVERYONE SHOULD APPLY -- PLEASE!

• Lewis & Clark is a Title 1 school that receives government funding to support the academic advancement of our students. The amount of funding we receive is determined by the percentage of our students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals.
• In order to ensure that Lewis & Clark continues to receive Title 1 funding, I am asking all families, regardless of your income, to please take the time to fill out the application for free and reduced meals. The application will be sent home with your child and can also be found here: Link to Free & Reduced Priced Meals Information

Morning Options:

• Breakfast: 7:40-8:20 (door #1 or #4)
• Waiting Outside: supervision will be provided at 8:00 am for students waiting outside their assigned arrival doors.
  
  

Breakfast:

• Students eating breakfast may arrive no earlier than 7:40 AM and can enter through the main entrance, Door #1 (if walking or biking) or if you will be dropping your children off in a vehicle, please use our drive-through lane and drop them off at Door #4 in the parking lot.

• Door #2 will be utilized by staff only. When families use this door, it often causes congestion in the parking lot. So please pull all the way forward using the drive through lanes and use door #4 for breakfast.
  
  

• If your child will not be eating breakfast at school, plan to arrive as close to 8:20 as possible and wait by door #1. We will have designated spaces for students to line up when the bell rings.

Dismissal Doors:

• Door 1: Carsen, Muus, Storbakken, Gierszewski & Lovelace
• Door 5: Fick, Mattice, Ellingson, Eriksmoen, & Hagadorn

Parking Options:

• Our parking lot has two lanes of traffic. Lane 1, closest to the building on the right, is for drop off and pick up only. The left lane, Lane 2, is a lane for continuous drive-through traffic; vehicles in Lane 2 are not allowed to stop.

• In order to ensure traffic flows safely in all lanes, PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE. If you wish to exit your vehicle, you will need to park at Elks Pool. Safety is always our first priority.

• Families CANNOT pull up and stop by our main entrance on 13th Avenue South to drop off or pick up students. Stopping on 13th Avenue South blocks the crosswalk, causes congestion, and puts our students in danger. If you choose to park on 13th, you must park on the south side of the street, remain in your vehicle, and have your child utilize the crosswalk.

• If you would like to drive through our parking lot to pick up your child, please plan to use our pick-up lane along the north wing of the building. School staff will be on hand to assist our students to safely get into their cars at the end of each school day.

• Please call the office at 701.746.2285 or buzz at door #1 (flagpole).
  
• In the office, please sign your child out and check the box if they will be returning for the day.
  
• When arriving late, you will sign your child in and the office will provide your student with a late slip to give to their teacher, as well as may be marked tardy (dependent on the reason for being late).
  
• When informing a teacher about an absence, please also check in with the office to ensure your child is coded correctly in PowerSchool.
• Attendance Line: 701.746.2287 or Main Office 701.746.2285

As part of our efforts to maintain a healthy school environment, we’d like to share some reminders about head lice. While lice are not dangerous and don’t spread disease, they can be a nuisance. Here’s how you can help:

1. Perform Regular Checks: Please check your child’s hair weekly for lice or nits (eggs), especially behind the ears and near the nape of the neck.
   
   

2. Encourage Good Habits: Teach your child not to share personal items like hats, combs, brushes, headphones, or hair accessories. Also, remind them to avoid direct head-to-head contact during play or activities.
   
   

3. Know the Signs: Lice often causes itching, redness, or the sensation of something moving in the hair. However, not all children will show symptoms, so regular checks are important.
   
   

4. Take Prompt Action: If you find lice or nits, treat them right away. Over-the-counter treatments are available, or you can consult your healthcare provider or reach out to our school nurse for recommendations and resources.
   
   

5. Notify the School: If your child has lice, please inform us so we can take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of spreading, while maintaining your child’s privacy.
   
   

6. Understand Our School Policy: Our school follows public health guidelines regarding lice, which state that a student does not need to be excluded from school for having lice. The reasoning is that lice are not considered a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene. We communicate with families to make a plan that feels safe for the student, respects their privacy, and ensures they have access to the recommended lice treatment plan. Families of students in the same class as a confirmed case will not be notified unless there are two or more cases within the same classroom.

Together, we can ensure a healthy learning environment for all. Thank you for your support and cooperation!

Lewis and Clark's school social worker and counselor are here to support and be a resource for any and all families at any time during the school year.

• School Social Worker: Miss Claire Glines (cglines180@mygfschools.org)
• School Counselor: Miss Angie Byzewski (abyzewski050@mygfschools.org)