Brookside Elementary news & events
Notes from Admin
Hello Brookside Families,
Welcome back for the 2024-2025 School year. We are excited you and your child are with us for this school year. Students came back excited and ready to learn, they jumped right back in with building expectations and have helped new students to learn the Brookside way. It has been exciting to walk into classrooms and through the halls and see all the amazing learning that is occurring. Students are already pushing their thinking and learning so much. We have many fun and educational opportunities to look forward to this school year, and we invite you to join us on this journey. Helen Keller said it best when she said, “ Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Here’s to an amazing 2024-2025 school year!
Attendance -Regular attendance in school is essential to the success of our students. Students who are well should be at school every day that school is in session. Students who are ill should not be in school. Generally, students don’t miss more than six days of school a year from illness. If there are chronic health concerns, consult the school nurse.
If a student is not at school and the school has not received notice of an absence, the school will call a parent or guardian. If the school does not hear from the parent or guardian, the student’s absence will be recorded as unexcused. Absence due to weather concerns will be excused only if reported by a parent or guardian.
A student is considered tardy if he or she arrives up to 60 minutes late.
A student is considered absent for a half day if he or she arrives more than 60 minutes late up to half of the school day.
A student is considered absent for a full day if he or she arrives at school and is picked up within 90 minutes.
A student is considered absent for a full day if he or she misses four or more hours of the school day.
If an elementary student is absent three days within a single school year without an excuse the student is considered a “continuing truant,” according to state law (section 260A.02). The school is required by law to notify a parent when a child is a “continuing truant.” Once a student is considered a “continuing truant”, parents and guardians are given an opportunity to explain their child’s absences.
When an elementary student is absent seven or more days within a single school year without an excuse, that student is considered a “habitual truant,” according to state law (section 260C.007). Anoka-Hennepin schools refer “habitually truant” students to the county attorney.
Attendance letters will be sent home when absences or tardies become excessive so families can take corrective action and address the issue. If a student will not be attending school due to cold weather or other concerns, a parent or guardian must call the school to report the absence. Absence due to weather or other concerns will be excused if reported by a parent or guardian.
Technology Use - A reminder that student cell phones and mobile watches are not allowed during the school day to make calls, text, or use the internet. If a student needs to make a call home, arrangements can be made here at school to use the phone. If a student brings a phone or watch to school it is to be turned off and silent during the school day. If a student is caught using a phone or watch during the day they will be reminded of the policy and a communication will go home. If a student is caught a second time the phone or watch will be taken and returned at the end of the day and a communication will go home. If a student is caught a third time the phone or watch will be kept with administration until a parent can pick it up. At this time a meeting would be held with the student, administration, and parent(s). Please note, if technology is used inappropriately and shared with other students this could result in a suspension/dismissal from school.
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up - Please do not drop off your child before 9:10 am as there is no adult supervision outside until then.
To help keep everyone safe we ask all parents picking up their child by door number 1 to park in a designated parking spot, use the crosswalks, and stay a foot away from the curb while waiting for your child. Thank you for your support in working with us to keep everyone safe.
Community Curriculum Advisory Committee - The district is seeking a parent from Brookside to join this committee. If interested, please contact Dr. Cravens at 763-433-5200. Thank you
Facilitated by the Directors of Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction
Purpose
To review PreK‐16 curriculum, assessment, and instructional programming through a community lens
To provide information to and request feedback from Parent Teacher Organizations, Partnership Teams, and Parent Advisory Committees in each building regarding curriculum, assessment and instructional programming
To provide input and feedback to the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Committee (CIAC)
To provide input and feedback to the School Board regarding academic programs
Membership
PreK family & parent representatives
1 family or parent representative per elementary school
1 family or parent representative per secondary school
Alternative programs family or parent representatives
Community members, 1 per cluster for a total of 5
Meeting Frequency
Monthly Meetings from October-May from 5:30pm-7:00pm
*Dinner is provided
It takes all of us to have a great school year.
As a long-standing tradition in Anoka-Hennepin Schools, view the 2024-25 back-to-school video, "It takes all of us."
What it means: The difference that every staff member makes in school communities each day is powerful. Everyone plays a role in the success of each student in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
The handoff: With each “win” that students achieve in their educational journey, staff in the district are all working together - preparing for that handshake they will receive at commencement, before a diploma is placed in their hands. 🤝🎓
Students are in pursuit of their educational purpose at each stage in their journey:
From early learning - where students are introduced to a world of possibilities - 🌎
To elementary school - where we build community, and spark joy in learning - ✨
On to middle school - where students test their own independence, and may connect with a staff member who they can count on - 📚
And then, finally, to high school - where their own purpose may be realized as they prepare to walk across the stage on graduation day… 📖
As we approach the 2024-25 school year, it is more important than ever to focus resources on something that every staff member, student, parent, and community member would agree is an essential function of our school district - preparing our students to cross the stage at graduation.
It takes all of us! Have a great school year!
The back to school season is a busy time for families, school staff and our communities. There is often more traffic congestion in this season and it’s more important than ever for drivers to pay attention before- and after-school to keep families, students and staff safe.
Check out these tips from the Anoka-Hennepin transportation department as a back to school reminder:
Crosswalks: Be mindful that we are sharing the road with young walkers and staff helping them across the crosswalks or intersections. Always stop for school patrols and crossing guards.
Know drop-off and pick-up procedures: Schools have procedures in place to keep traffic safe. Make sure you know your school’s plan for the safety of all students and staff.
Use slow speeds: Use caution in school zones and be aware of your surroundings. We can all work together to ensure the safety of drivers, school buses, walkers and bikers.
School bus safety: Familiarize yourself with school bus safety tips on the road. Always stop if yellow or red lights are flashing or if stop arms are extended from a school bus. Allow extra time for students to board and exit the bus and proceed to safe sidewalks to enter school zones or return home.
Share the road: Be patient of other vehicles stopped for pedestrians or using caution in school zones. Do not pass other vehicles or school buses. Be alert, young children may take an unpredictable path as they are learning safety rules.
Thank you for your partnership in school traffic safety.
Backpack Online e-newsletter gets a new name and delivery date
For years, Anoka-Hennepin Schools has published Backpack Online as a subscription based electronic newsletter. As the 2024-25 school year begins, that publication has transitioned from a weekly to a monthly e-newsletter that will be sent to all parents and guardians of Anoka-Hennepin students and subscribers.
The e-newsletter has also been re-branded from Backpack Online to FOCUS on Anoka-Hennepin Schools. The e-newsletter will be sent on the first Wednesday of each month (except for holidays) and provide an outlook on news, events and district publications to your email inbox. It will not be sent via text message.
The newsletter will keep parents/guardians and community members informed of the latest events affecting Anoka-Hennepin Schools, students and communities.
Important details for families
Parents and guardians do not need to subscribe to receive the e-newsletter if they have elected to receive emails from the district and school(s) their children attend. If families unsubscribe from receiving this e-newsletter, they may no longer receive important emails from the district or their child’s school. Learn more about communication and notifications and how to choose your preferred communication methods with AHlert.
Neighbors and community members
Anyone can subscribe or view archived versions of the e-newsletter by visiting ahschools.us/focusenews.
Bookfair
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. Hosted by our staff, this event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school. Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from October 7th - 15th (during media classes and conference times).
Our Book Fair offers eWallet, a safe and secure alternative to cash. Simply create a free account to add funds and/or invite family and friends to contribute so your child can select their own books. Any unused funds can be spent at The Scholastic Store Online or to fund a future eWallet.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/brooksideelementary
We’re excited to celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair. We look forward to seeing your child there!
Hello from Community Education!
FEATURED CLASS- 10/01: Mini Musical- just for kids!
Hello from Community Education! are looking forward to our upcoming classes and would love to see your student enrolled. Register now to ensure a spot for one of our many activities including:
10/25: Spooky Trio
11/07: Festive Drawing
For even more classes and opportunities: All Current Youth Community Education Classes
Questions about Community Ed?
Please contact Tricia Josephs at tricia.josephs@ahschools.us or 763-433-5212
Need help with online registration?
Please contact Erinn Gardiner at 763-506-5144
*Financial assistance available if needed, please call to inquire