Lester Park School Newsletter - #9
October 10, 2024
Hello from the Front Desk
We have had a lot of questions about how to volunteer at Lester Park School. We do require a background check...good news is they are free! You can find out more about these on our school website or by clicking here: https://lesterpark.isd709.org/parents/family-involvement
Due to MEA...next week's newsletter will go out on Wednesday instead of Thursday.
Have a wonderful evening!
Tracy Thompson & Brianna Solberg
Lester Park Admin Assts
Upcoming Dates:
Oct 14...NO SCHOOL (Teacher PD day)
Oct 16...1st-5th/Staff Pajama Day (Oct 15 for Kindergarten)
Oct 17-18...NO SCHOOL (MEA weekend)
Oct 25...Halloween Dance
Nov 4...Paw Award Assembly
Nov 6...Picture Retake Day
Nov 8...4th & 5th Grade Music Program
Nov 22...Grandparents Day
Nov 27...NO SCHOOL (Teacher PD day)
Nov 28-29...NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving)
Lester Park Calendar can be found HERE
2024-25 District Calendar with 4 day rotation can be found HERE
(PD=professional development/NO SCHOOL for students)
This evening is the Last Chance to Shop the Book Fair
The PTA Scholastic Book Fair will be open until 6pm this evening. This is the last chance to shop the fall Book Fair. After that volunteers will be busy packing up the book fair.
There will be another opportunity during the February parent/teacher conferences.
A HUGE Thank you!
Thank you to all of the volunteers who made the Book Fair and Picture Day both run so smoothly! You are making a big difference in our school and we want you to know how much you are appreciated!
The Teachers would like to thank all the parents who brought in food and beverages this week for conferences. Conference days are long ones and all of the treats have really put a smile on their faces.
A Special Thank You to our awesome PTA for organizing the Book Fair (THANK YOU Katie!) and for helping with recruiting volunteers for the other events.
THREE Days of NO SCHOOL Next Week
There will be NO SCHOOL for Students next Monday, Thursday and Friday!
Oct 14 - Monday is a Professional Development for ALL School District Staff. Buildings will be Closed. No School for Students.
Oct 17 & 18 - MEA Break. No School for Students and most district staff. Lester Office Closed both days.
School Pictures are Ready!
View and order at https://shop.jostenspix.com/login
- LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Event Code: FE21024
- Picture Retake Day is the morning of Nov 6. Retake pictures will be used in the yearbook instead of the original pictures UNLESS families notify the school office to use the original picture.
More Pajama Days next week!
Because we reached over $15,000 with the Fun Run Fundraiser...we get to have 2 Pajama Days!
Tuesday, Oct 15...KINDERGARTEN
Wednesday, Oct 16...1st-5th Grade and Staff
Handicap Ramp in Front of the School
Please do not block the Handicap Ramp in Front of our School. It needs to be available for our families with students with physical disabilities. We will try to remember to put cones out, but you can also tell where the ramp is as there is a crosswalk that ends there.
Also please remember no waiting or parking in Handicap Parking Spots. Not only do some of our families need them, but it is also the law.
Fill Out The Educational Benefits Form before Oct 15
Every parent/guardian is asked to fill out this form, regardless of income by Oct. 15 to help the district secure as much funding as possible from the state and federal government.
Why is this so important?
- Increased Funding for Our Schools: The information from these forms helps our district secure essential state and federal funding for the next school year. More funding means better programs, resources, and opportunities for all our students!
Potential Benefits for Your Family
You may qualify for benefits like:
- Discounts on field trips
- Reduced activity fees
- Lower internet costs
Every application counts! Let's work together to ensure our district receives the maximum funding possible.
Complete the Educational Benefits Application online through Infinite Campus or pick up a paper copy at your student's school office today!
Give Your Feedback About Lester Park School
Dear Lester Park Families,
We are asking all parents/guardians to fill out our school climate survey. Your input is extremely valuable to us and provides schools with a comprehensive understanding of how families perceive school climate.
This information will be used to inform school and district plans to make improvements. The survey is anonymous and voluntary and you do not have to provide your name and have the option to select “Prefer not to answer” on all items including demographic information.
At Lester Park, our PBIS Team (positive behavior interventions and supports) will review our student and family data to drive the decisions we make for each year with our systems. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. It's extremely helpful for us! We will also have a table at conferences for families to complete.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact our PBIS leader- Jordan Fleek. (218) 336-8875 x 3165
Jordan Fleek
Social Emotional Behavioral SpecialistLester Park Elementary
218-336-8875 x 3165
Bus Behavior Reminder: Keeping Our Students Safe
As we continue our commitment to providing safe and efficient transportation for our students, we'd like to remind everyone about the importance of proper bus behavior. Your support in discussing these guidelines with your child is crucial, regardless of their current conduct on the bus.
When parents/guardians and the schools work together as equal partners, they create a powerful support system for students. This shared responsibility ensures that children receive consistent messages about the importance of education and good behavior both at home and at school.
Key Points to Discuss with Your Student
- Safety First: Emphasize that the driver's primary focus must be on the road, not on managing student behavior.
- Stay seated at all times until the bus reaches your stop
- Listen to and follow the driver's instructions promptly
- Keep voices low, especially during bad weather
- Use appropriate language - no profanity or offensive speech
- Adhere to all school rules as outlined in the Duluth Public Schools handbook
Why This Matters
By ensuring all students follow these guidelines, we create a safer, more pleasant environment for everyone on the bus. This allows the driver to concentrate on navigating traffic and road conditions, ultimately keeping our children safe during their daily commute.
We appreciate your ongoing support in reinforcing these important behaviors. Together, we can maintain the high standards of safety and quality education that Duluth Public Schools is known for. Thank you for your partnership in this important matter.
Second Harvest Backpack Program
The Backpack Program provides a supplemental supply of weekend food to children in need.
Students receive a 3-6 pound bag of food twice a month to carry home from school in their own backpack or book bag. Deliveries start September 18.
Availability varies but often includes shelf-stable entrees like soup or pasta, fruits and vegetables, cereal, snacks and more.
For more information, contact:
Heather Rappana
Lester Park School Social Worker
218-336-8700 x2429
KIDS' CLOSET
Families will need to first obtain a referral from the school social worker. Lester Families should contact:
Heather Rappana
Lester Park School Social Worker
218-336-8700 x2429
OPTIONAL Student Directory
2024-25 PTA Lester Park Elementary Public Directory Online Form
This form is to voluntarily participate in a public family directory of Lester Park students and families, so students can contact their classmates and friends via telephone or email. We are not including physical addresses in the directory.
By completing and submitting this form, you acknowledge you have read and understand the following:
This directory is not being created by ISD 709, Lester Park Elementary or any of its representatives, and is a volunteer effort by the Lester Park PTA. By filling out and submitting this form, you acknowledge that you are aware that you are making your contact information public, and that the Lester Park PTA does not have control over how this information may be used by those who access the directory.
The Lester Park PTA will create a public Google Doc that will be made electronically available to members of the Lester Park Elementary School family community who filled out the form. The Lester Park PTA is not the source of the information, therefore has no control over its accuracy. We will remove information from the directory upon written request, but this process may take a few days due to the volunteer nature of our organization. By submitting your information here, you acknowledge that you have read these terms, and understand that the Lester Part PTA is not responsible for misuse of any information you choose to make public through this directory.
Please submit a separate online form for each student.
Online Form due BY OCT 25!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at ptalp709@gmail.com .
PTA Membership Contest!
The classroom that returns the most new/renewed memberships
by OCTOBER 25th, wins an extra recess!!
ILLNESS AND ABSENCE INFORMATION
What do I do if my child is going to be absent from school?
Email lesterattendance@isd709.org (the office & nurse will both see these emails)
or call attendance line 336-8875 then “3” to leave a recorded message
Please list any specific symptoms.
Teachers may have a preferred way for you to report an absence to them.
If the office does not know why a student is absent, an automated phone call and an email message will be sent out at sometime between 8:30-9:00. This is for safety reasons.
If you have health questions, you can call our school health office at 336-8875 x2654
Parent Portal - Infinite Campus - ParentSquare
What is Infinite Campus?
Program containing the database with all our student and guardian information, schedules, bussing, etc.
What is the Parent Portal?
Parent/Guardian access to Infinite Campus and how they view their child's information, as well as change their own contact information.
What is ParentSquare?
The communication system our school district uses to send emails and phone calls to families, and families can respond back in a secure way. It uses the contact information set up in Infinite Campus. ParentSquare syncs with Infinite Campus every night, so any updates will go into effect the following day. Registering for ParentSquare is optional for each family, but does provide and easy and confidential way of communicating with the school staff. Families will still receive all teacher and school messages even if they have not signed up for ParentSquare!
Click HERE for more information on ParentSquare
Click HERE for instructions on signing up for ParentSquare
Community Flyers & Registrations
Kate DiCamillo coming to Duluth Barnes&Noble!
There will be a special book signing by local Minnesota Author, Kate DiCamillo at 1pm on Nov 2. Kate DiCamillo is a beloved children's author with over a dozen titles including Because of Winn-Dixie, Tale of Despereaux, the Mercy Watson series, The Puppets of Spelhorst, and her newest, published October 2024, The Hotel Balzaar. She will be in the store signing copies and meeting fans. Any fan of children's literature should plan to stop by and meet this wonderful local author!
Portman Gear Swap & Welcome Event
Look at Lakeside - Oct/Nov 2024
ABOUT US
Email: lesterpark@isd709.org
Website: https://lesterpark.isd709.org
Location: 5300 Glenwood Street, Duluth, MN 55804
Phone: (218) 336-8875
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lester-Park-Elementary-1900216436910729