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News and events
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April 5, 2024
A message from the principal
Oxbow Creek Families,
This month we are focusing on the character trait: COURAGE. Courage is defined as choosing what is helpful, right and kind - even when it's hard or scary. We all have times in our lives when we have to choose to do what is right and kind; however, it's not always easy to know how to do the right thing. This month, Oxbow staff will help our students build the necessary skills so that they be courageous.
Here are some ways that you can talk about courage at home:
- Who do you know that has demonstrated courage? What did that look like?
- How do you see people being courageous in your life?
- Have you ever needed to have courage to do something? What was it and how did it make you feel?
Mrs. Monson - Oxbow Creek Principal
Items to Note
- Change in Dismissal? Please notify the office if there is a change in your student(s) dismissal plans. This includes students that decide to walk or bike home instead of riding the bus or doing parent-pickup. Students that ride their bike home are required to wear a helmet.
- Yearbooks: Yearbooks can be ordered online starting April 22 - May 17. Credit card payment only- cash payments will not be accepted.
- New phone number or email? Please log onto your AH Connect Account, go to "My Student Info" and click on "Online Registration" then "Back To School Verification." Thank you for updating your contact information. It is imperative that we have the correct information for your student.
- The Health Office needs your help! Would you consider donating a new package of boys or girls (size small) underwear? We are going through approximately 6 changes of clothes a day here in the Health Office and are running out of smaller sizes.
- We are committed to helping families in need of assistance with food, clothing, household items and some basic services. Please contact Oxbow Creek's Social Workers if your family is in need. All communication is confidential.
Ann Parisian (Grades K, 2, 5) 763-506-3825 or ann.parisian@ahschools.us
Gina Newlander (Grades 1, 3, 4) 763-506-8384 or gina.newlander@ahschools.us
Calendar Updates
- Thurs., April 11 - Kindergarten Welcome Night, Families with last names A-K at 5PM, Families with last names L-Z at 6PM
- Sun., April 21- Thurs., April 25 - Online Silent Auction
- Thurs., April 25 - Family Fun Night!
- Fri., April 26 - Wear a Number! - Marvelous Math Month!
Online Silent Auction to Benefit Oxbow Creek:
Online Silent Auction to Benefit Oxbow Creek:
April 21-25
Our PTO will host an online Silent Auction beginning Sunday, April 21 thru Thursday, April 25. All silent auction proceeds will benefit student learning opportunities here at Oxbow Creek, including the purchase of additional Chromebooks, field trip subsidies and grade level lyceums.
We would love to highlight your family-owned business in our silent auction! Contact our silent auction coordinator, Mara, at mlniedermayer@gmail.com or 651-431-0195 to make a donation.
You can preview the silent auction at https://www.32auctions.com/oxbowcreekelementary beginning the week of April 15th. New items will be added daily. If you would like to participate and bid on items in the auction, create a user account on the auction website. Bidding will open on Sunday, April 21 at 6:00pm and close on Thursday, April 25 at 9:00pm!
Marvelous Math Month
In April, we will be celebrating Marvelous Math Month with weekly estimation challenges. Ask your child about Shadow's Estimation Challenge during this month!
Student Placement
One of the biggest challenges we face each year is creating next year's class lists. Our goal, as always, is to create balanced lists that work well for all -- teachers, students, and parents. The bad news is -- it's extremely difficult to do this when you consider everything that can influence a classroom’s make-up and you’re dealing with over 1100 students! The good news, though, is we have an excellent staff who know your kids well, and every year, we seem to come up with classrooms that work well for the vast majority of kids and families.
We will continue to use our electronic program to create class lists this year. The system is very thorough and will use multiple pieces of information to place children into classrooms for next fall. All of our teachers, including those who teach our specialist subjects, will be providing information within this system. If you feel strongly that you have information that we should know about your child that we might not already know, you are welcome to share that with us. We are collecting that information online, so please send an email to kristin.schommer@ahschools.us if you’d like to request the link. We are not allowing teacher requests unless you have previous experience with an older child and want to continue that positive relationship. Any information that comes in after May 1st most likely will not be able to be considered, as class lists will have been preliminarily formed.
Anoka- Hennepin Preschool and Kindergarten Opportunities
Getting ready for school: Easy as 1-2-3!
Families should prepare children for preschool and kindergarten now, if they are considering a start in the fall.
If your family has a younger sibling or if you know a neighbor interested in starting school this fall, use or share the following steps so we can keep you informed of important welcome events and information.
- Preschool: Your child will be three or four years old by Sept. 1, 2024.
- Kindergarten: Your child will be five years old by Sept.1, 2024
- Preschool: Visit ahschools.us/preschool for enrollment details and to register to attend a preschool information session.
- Kindergarten: Visit ahschools.us/enroll and click “Getting Started!”
Once you enroll online, you will receive details via email from your child’s preschool or elementary school about registration and welcome events.
Preschool: Information event to be held Mar. 18 from 4:30-6 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m at the Educational Service Center, 2727 N. Ferry St., Anoka Enter Door #7, Room 184
- Kindergarten: Oxbow's Kindergarten Welcome Night will take place on Thursday, April 11th from 5:00 - 7:00pm.
If you have not been contacted about your incoming Kindergarten student for the 2024-2025 school year, please reach out to the Oxbow Creek Office at 763-506-3800.
A-H American Indian Education Powwow
District American Indian Education program to host powwow on April 13.
The Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education program will co-host a powwow at Champlin Park High School on Saturday, April 13. The event begins at 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public.
Anoka-Hennepin is co-hosting the event with American Indian Education programs from Elk River Area Schools, Fridley Public Schools, Roseville Area Schools and St. Michael-Albertville Schools.
Activities will include special exhibitions, Native vendors, breakout sessions, a Grand Entry at 1, and a fest at 5 p.m.
Bear Runner will serve as the host drums while Little Earth Singers, Hoka Hey and Southern Boyz will perform as invite drums. Zack Red Bear will be the head male dancer and Holly Henning the head female dancer.
Volunteer news
Spring is here and that means we have A LOT of volunteer opportunities at Oxbow Creek!
Please fill out your volunteer forms before signing up for any of the volunteer opportunities listed below.
Volunteer application and Background Check Form.
National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 22-26! On behalf of the Oxbow Creek staff, Alece and I want to express our deep gratitude for all of our wonderful volunteers. You make a profound impact on our school and we feel so lucky to work with each of you! If you volunteer one hour or 50, please know we appreciate every minute you spend supporting us. Oxbow is a great place and our volunteers are an important part of that! We’ll have treats in our office and giveaways throughout this week; Volunteers will also be entered into a drawing for special prizes. Thank you volunteers!
PTO Update: We will be welcoming new members to our PTO board for the 2024-25 school year in May. If you’re interested in volunteering on the board, or learning more about how you can help support PTO sponsored events next year, email Haley.Belongia@ahschools.us
Field Trips: We have a number of upcoming field trips. If you’re interested in helping chaperone, you need to fill out your volunteer application and background check online forms as soon as possible. Teachers will share information for those grades that have field trips.
Family Fun Night: Family Fun Night is right around the corner on Thursday, April 25th from 6-8:30pm. We need adult volunteers to help the night of the event. Sign up here: Family Fun Night *Note: a separate email will go out for both high school and 5th grade Student Leadership volunteers for this event!
Art of Spring: Thursday, May 9th. We will need volunteers to help support this event, sign up here: Art of Spring
Haley & Alece
Volunteer Services Coordinators
Oxbow Creek Elementary
763-506-3830
Community Education
Register now for summer classes and activities!
It’s time to gear up for a season filled with excitement and enrichment! Anoka-Hennepin Community Education offers classes and activities for youth from preschool to grade eight, providing a perfect blend of learning and fun.
Whether your child is passionate about sports, arts, sciences, or simply looking to explore new interests, it’s covered! Summer programming is designed to foster personal growth, creativity, and social interaction.
🔍 View the summer flyer and follow the links to register.
Adults: Community Education offers something for you also. See what exciting adult classes are being offered this spring!
Annual elementary art fair runs April 2-11 at Northtown Mall
Anoka-Hennepin’s annual elementary art fair will be on display at Northtown Mall in Blaine starting April 2-11 during mall hours.
Art teachers across the district have selected works for display that can be viewed in the rotunda near the Becker Furniture store. Northtown Mall is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
The top 10% of artwork from throughout this school year was selected for display at the art fair, showcasing work that exceeded the expectations of the project guidelines. Students whose artwork was selected received a letter and certificate and can see their work on display.
Summer EBT Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently announced a Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program to begin in the summer of 2024.
The S-EBT program provides families with school-aged children eligible for the free or reduced-price category from an approved application $40 per month per child ($120 total) during the summer months to purchase healthy foods with funds on EBT cards.
Students must have an approved Application for Educational Benefits by May 15 to receive the benefit. Please ensure that your correct contact information is updated in ParentVue prior to that deadline as well.
If your family needs access to this program, or any other educational benefits, please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application. For more information visit the MDE website.
Please contact Anoka-Hennepin Child Nutrition at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us with questions about eligibility and qualifications.
This e-newsletter is published by Oxbow Creek Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.