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Next week marks a special time at Blue Heron Elementary as we come together to honor and celebrate our incredible staff. This diverse team of dedicated professionals works tirelessly each day to nurture our students' growth and learning. From our passionate teachers who pour their hearts into lesson plans and instruction to foster each child's unique potential, to our diligent support staff who ensure our facilities are clean, safe, and running smoothly, to our reliable bus drivers who safely transport our children to and from school with care, to our compassionate nurses who tend to scrapes, illnesses, and injuries - our staff truly makes Blue Heron a nurturing environment for children to thrive. Their commitment enables Blue Heron to be a place where students are inspired to learn, explore their curiosities, and develop a lifelong love of education. Their care and teamwork enables parents to feel at ease knowing their children are in good hands each school day.

Next week, I hope you will join me and the PTO as we take time to express our immense gratitude and appreciation to these individuals who devote themselves to guiding and supporting our students. Through small gestures of thanks and acknowledgment, let's convey how much we value their dedication and hard work in making Blue Heron Elementary a special place for children to learn and grow, and an uplifting community for all.

If you would like to provide some food or beverages for the Blue Heron staff, check out the link below.

May 6-10: Staff Appreciation Week

May 13: BH PTO Meeting 6:30pm

May 16: Last day of library book checkout (E day)

May 17: BH Walk-A-Thon Family Night 5:30-8pm

May 22: 5th Grade Track and Field Day - CHS Track

May 24: BH Walk-A-Thon

May 27: No School / Memorial Day

May 28: Neon Day

May 29: Blue Heron/ Blue Day

May 29: 5th Grade Party 3:45-7:30pm

May 30: Beach/Tropical Day (picnic in the lunchroom)

May 31: Jersey/Sports Day

June 3: BH Kindergarten Graduation 10am - Centennial Middle School Auditorium

June 4: Last Day of School

We need volunteers to make the event a great success. Please consider signing up at the link below.

Family Fun Night Volunteer Link

I am thrilled to share with you that this month our school is focusing on the character trait of courage as part of our Character Strong program. Courage is such an important value for our students to develop. It can be defined as choosing what is helpful, right, and kind even when it feels hard or scary to do so. As you know, all children face moments in their lives that require courage, whether it's raising their hand in class, trying a new activity, standing up to peer pressure, or admitting when they've made a mistake. Developing courage prepares them to face life's challenges with integrity.

Courage looks different for each child. For some, it may mean speaking up when they see bullying on the playground. For others, it could be completing a difficult assignment independently. As parents, you can help explore what courage means in your home. Share examples of times you have acted courageously in big or small ways. Ask your child to describe a situation where they needed courage. Celebrate small acts of bravery they demonstrate. Support them when they try something new that requires courage, even if they fail. With your encouragement, they will grow stronger.

Skip the lines and order your 2024-2025 school supply kit ONLINE. School supply shopping...ADDED SAVINGS MINUS THE HASSLE! All school supply kit orders for BHE will be done online - deadline is June 1st. To order our school supply kit, click the link below or scan the QR code to the right. The school code is 31897.

Blue Heron is looking for Reading Corps tutors for the 2024-25 school year. You can take action in our community by giving your time and talent to help students build their skills and confidence!

Tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students during school hours throughout the school year. Whether you are a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent or retiree, you can make a great tutor! No experience? No problem. With training and on-site coaching, our tutors are prepared to help kids succeed.

Part-time and full-time positions are available beginning in August, October, and January. Tutors receive a paycheck every two weeks plus up to an additional $5,100 for college tuition or loans (tutors 55+ may gift the education award to their child, grandchild, stepchild, or foster child).

Ready to put your passion into action to help to help more children succeed? Learn more or apply at Join.ReadingandMath.org. Have questions, call Mr. Hartmann at 763-792-6201

Planning for the next school year begins very soon. If you are moving or not returning to Blue Heron Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year, please call the office at 763-792-6200. Thank you!

by Olivia

Read on about a fantastic opportunity you shouldn't miss... You can donate your no longer used eyeglasses to help people of all ages who can't get any glasses to help their poor vision. You can be the person to help someone get the glasses they need to have a better life.

People who need glasses but don't have the resources to get the glasses they need have trouble learning at school or performing at their jobs. These people wish they could see better, and with your help, their wish will come true. Donating your no longer used eyeglasses can help one person, maybe more. What you will do with your donation shows you care about people who can't get eyeglasses. Donating that pair of old eyeglasses to someone in need gives people a new opportunity in their life.

Mr. Gutbrod's Grade 5 class and the Circle-Lex Lions' Club are working together with you to get those needed eyeglasses to people in developing countries. This is an opportunity you should think about participating in this year.

Please send your no longer used eyeglasses to Blue Heron Elementary c/o Mr. Gutbrod's Grade 5 Classroom. We'll do the rest. By taking the time to do this, you are making wishes come true. Thank you.

Order your 2023-2024 yearbook today! The yearbook cost is $22.

Online orders will be delivered to students on May 28th. We will have limited copies for sale on May 29th. When yearbooks are gone, we cannot order more so order your copy online today!

Community Event: Guest Speaker Kate Swenson
Mark your calendar! Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper's Voice" and author of Forever Boy will speak at a community event on May 14, 2024, 6:30pm at Blue Heron Elementary, 405 Elm Street. Tickets can be purchased at the QR Code to the right; cost: $15. Proceeds will support the SPecIal Needs (SPIN) Centennial Parent group to help pay for next year's speakers and childcare, and The More Than Project, a non-profit serving special needs, parents, siblings, teachers, and more. Tickets are limited.

• Make a Difference and Substitute in our Schools! Centennial is also hiring for the 2024-25 School Year!

Don’t miss this chance to get involved and make a difference in the Centennial School District! Positions and information can be found on the Centennial website

• Summer EBT Benefit

In summer 2024, families who were approved for educational benefits for the 2023-2024 school year may receive $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out through a new program through the United States Department of Agriculture. Most families receiving benefits this school year will receive the Summer EBT funds automatically, but some parents will need to apply. See the Centennial website for more information.

• School Day Schedule Adjustments

All elementary schools, Centennial Middle School, Centennial High School, and the Centennial Area Learning Center will adjust their start time by five minutes, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. This change allows for more time between the secondary and elementary school schedules to ensure buses run on time.

• 2024-2025 School Day Schedule

Elementary schools: 9:22 am-3:52 pm

Centennial Middle School: 8:05 am-2:55 pm

Centennial High School and Centennial Area Learning Center: 7:55 am-2:43 pm

More activities happening soon:

May 14- Raptors of Minnesota (family/all ages)

Jun. 2- Track and Field Camp (ages 4-12)

Lil Scoopers Intro to Lacrosse (ages 4-6)

Jun. 5- DASH Multi-Sport Camp (ages 6-12)

Intro to Ninja (ages 6-13)

Jun. 6- It’s a Robot Party (ages 6-12)

Jun. 10- Centennial Theater Presents: Snow White (entering gr. 2-6)

Jun 13- Cougar Soccer Academy (entering gr. K-6)

Jun. 16- Tenicity Beginner Group Tennis Lessons (ages 5-17)

Jun. 17- Glam Lab: Stunning Science (entering gr. 1-4)

Skyhawks Volleyball Camps (ages 6-14)

DASH Floor Hockey Camp (ages 6-12)

Foam, Slime & Potions (ages 5-12)

Go online to view all activities and to register, communityed.isd12.org.

Welcome to the Digital Backpack, the district’s central posting place for community flyers. If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact the organizations directly. Browse the Digital Backpack.

Email: apalmsteen@isd12.org
Website: www.isd12.org/schools/elementary-schools/blue-heron-elementary
Location: 405 Elm Street, Lino Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 763.792.6200