Panther Newsletter

It was exciting to see all the families at our first Panther Den family event. The focus was on our new way of teaching reading, called the Science of Reading, and how to help children read. Families also got to fill a bag with free books to take home.

We have a new curriculum that is based on the Science of Reading. It has been SO FUN visiting classrooms and hearing about how students are engaging in learning. A key idea with the curriculum is that students practice their reading skills in addition to learning about history, science, health, and more. For example, 1st graders recently learned about systems of the body (circulatory, respiratory, etc), 3rd graders are learning about animals (vertebrates & invertebrates, cold-blooded & warm blooded, etc), and 5th graders just started studying and writing poetry.

Students have been working so hard this year! See the photos below for a peek into Palmer Lake.

Take care!

Sarah Schmidt

Principal

We are looking to expand our partnership with local businesses. Partnership could include:

• prize donations for Family bingo
• monetary donation for field trips, guess speakers, family events, supplies, etc
• volunteering with students or preparing classroom materials
• donation of meals for teachers during conference nights
• donation of treats, meals, etc for Teacher Appreciation Week

If you have a connection with a local business who might want to sponsor Palmer Lake, please reach out to:

Sarah Schmidt @ schmidtsarah@district279.org or 763-561-1930 OR

Jen Zipf @ zipfj@district279.org or 763-561-1930

Please check your e-mail for a link from Kemmetmueller Photography to view photos that were taken on September 26th. Any questions? Contact info@k-photography.com or call 952-473-2142. Please note, all ordering will be done online this year. No money will be received at Palmer Lake.

As in previous years, some teachers will have snack time during the day and others will not. New this year, any class that has snack time will have community-provided snack only; no individual snacks from home. Teachers may ask families for snack donations for the whole class. Candy, cookies, chips and soda are not allowed. Watch for communication from your child's teacher at the beginning of the year.

We suggest that cell phones and other non-district devices not be brought to Palmer Lake. If brought to school, cell phones and SmartWatches should not be seen or heard in the school building, or when outside. Staff will collect cell phones at the beginning of the day, lock them in a secure place, and return them at dismissal time.

If a staff member sees or hears a phone or SmartWatch, it may be taken from the student. The first time a phone or SmartWatch is taken, parents will be notified and the device will be returned at the end of the school day. Any occurrences after that, parents will be notified and an adult will need to come pick up the device. If it becomes a chronic concern, PL staff will work with the student and parents to make a plan. Any device brought to school is the responsibility of the student. Palmer Lake will not be involved if a cell phone, SmartWatch or non-district device is lost or stolen.

If a parent ever needs to send a message to their child(ren) during the school day, please call the office and we will communicate the message to your student. Thank you in advance for partnering with us to ensure students are focused on their learning rather than distracted by their device.

Our #1 job is to ensure the safety of everyone at Palmer Lake. If your child will be picked up by a parent or other adult at dismissal, please follow the Parent Pick Up expectations.

• Students will be dismissed for pick up at 3:15pm. Please be on time and ensure students are picked up by 3:30pm at the absolute latest.
• Drive slowly and pay attention!
• Cross at the cross walk. Wait for the adult to signal it is your turn to cross.
• Handicap parking spaces are only for drivers who have a valid handicap permit. The permit MUST be easily visible each time you park there.
• Parents are encouraged to pick up their student(s) at the fence along the sidewalk in front of the building. You may also park and meet your child near the cross walk.
• Follow the expectations on the Parent Drop Off/Pick Up map (below and linked). Drivers who do not follow the expectations create unsafe situations and/or back up traffic.
  

The arrival bell rings at 8:35am. Students may line up outside of the front doors beginning at 8:30am. There is not supervision before 8:30am, so that is the earliest students should arrive. Students who arrive to school after 8:50am are considered tardy and the student(s) will need to check in at the office to receive a pass.

Dismissal of students who are walkers or parent pick up is at 3:15pm. Students who ride a bus are dismissed at approximately 3:20pm.

AM VPK: 8:35am-11:20am

PM VPK: 12:50pm-3:20pm

It is very important that we have accurate information for all students, especially phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts. Please take a few minutes before school starts to update Back to School Forms. They are available online through ParentVue.

Unfamiliar with ParentVue? Please click the link to get started: https://mn-oas-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login_Parent.aspx?regenerateSessionId=True

Safety is our number one priority. ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone. Please have your ID ready for office staff to scan. Forgotten items (lunch boxes, instruments, etc.) can be left on the table in the vestibule for a more efficient drop off. Again, ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone.

If you would like to speak with an administrator or teacher, you are strongly encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

November

Picture retake day: 19

Family BINGO: 21 (5:30pm-7:00pm)

December

Winter break: 12/23-1/3

January

Panther Den parent meeting: 15 (5:00pm-6:00pm)

Family Science and Engineering Night: 28 (5:30pm-7:00pm)

February

Spring parent/teacher conferences: 19, 25, 27*

March

Spring break: 24-28

April

Panther Den parent meeting: 22 (5:00pm-6:00pm)

May

All school BBQ: 9

Multicultural Celebration: 15 (5:00pm-7:00pm)

*Conferences will be scheduled by your student’s teacher on one of the above conference dates for each season.

Why should I fill out the Educational Benefits Application if my child(ren) now automatically qualify for free meals?

Families who qualify may be eligible for a variety of other benefits. These include free or discounted prices for the following:

• Field trips
• Some Community Education programs
• Clubs, activities, and athletics
• Instrument rentals
• Fees, including for AP testing, graduation and more
• Device protection plans on school-provided devices
• Comcast internet for home
• Xcel Energy account assistance for electricity bills

Additionally, the state of Minnesota uses a school district’s percentage of qualifying students from applications completed and approved prior to October 1 each year to calculate each district’s funding level. This is incredibly important for Palmer Lake. School district funding impacts every student:

• Class sizes
• Number of support staff the district can hire to help scholars (counselors, social workers)
• Extra programming opportunities

Please fill out the Educational Benefits Application today to make sure your family can take advantage of these and other benefits!

As you are preparing for your student(s) to start school, please make sure immunization records are up to date. If your child will need to have medicine administered during the school day, please contact our nursing staff (contact information below) and/or complete the correct district form below.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1673021988/district279org/wcdwjd4cu5txua043bsl/MedicationAdministrationAuthorizationForm-2022.pdf

School nurse:

Tammy Bauer, RN

BauerT@district279.org

763-549-2401

https://pl.district279.org/

Transportation Office: 763-391-7244
BusQuestions@district279.org

Office hours-

School in Session: 6:00am-5:00pm
Non-Student Days: 6:00am-4:30pm

https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/OsseoISDElementarySchools