Pinewood News

Dear Pinewood Families,

It’s hard to believe the first day of spring was just yesterday! Spring in elementary school is a busy, exciting time—full of learning, growth, and transition. For some, it means warmer weather, outdoor sports, and looking ahead to summer. For others, it brings a mix of emotions, like the anticipation of change or the closing of a chapter (we’re thinking of you, fifth-grade families). However you feel about this season, we’re in it together—and there’s still plenty of learning ahead!

At Pinewood, students in third, fourth, and fifth grade take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) each year in reading, mathematics, and science. These assessments align with the Minnesota Academic Standards, outlining what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Fifth graders started the science MCA this past week, and after spring break, all students in grades 3–5 will take the reading and math sections. The testing schedule is as follows:

• Reading: April 8 & 9

• Math: April 15 & 16

Since testing happens in the morning, it’s important that students arrive on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best. A good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast help improve memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. If needed, breakfast is always available at Pinewood.

If you have any questions about the MCAs, this resource may be helpful. You can also reach out to your child’s teacher or Cory Wade, Associate Principal, at cory.wade@moundsviewschools.org.

Have a great spring break!

Lena Christiansen, Principal

Cory Wade, Associate Principal

Monday, March 24th - Monday, March 31st

Spring Break

Thursday, April 3rd

5:00-7:00pm Band sign up at Chippewa MS

Tuesday, April 8th

MCA Reading 3rd-5th grade

9:45 2nd Grade In-house Field Trip- The Works

Wednesday, April 9th

MCA Reading 3rd-5th grade

Thursday, April 10

5:00-6:30 Family Library Night

Friday, April 11th

5:00-7:00 PTA Spring Bingo

Monday, April 14th

6:03 West Side Orchestra Festival @ ID

Tuesday, April 15th

MCA Math - 3rd - 5th grade

Wednesday, April 16th

MCA Math 3rd - 5th grade

Thursday, April 17th & Friday, April18th

No school for students

Thursday, April 24th

5:00-6:30 Family Library Night

6:30 PTA Meeting

Monday, April 28th & Tuesday, April 29th

9:30-2:00 5th grade -Baker Outdoor Learning field trip

Thursday, May 1st

5:00-6:30 Family Library Night / Showcase of Learning

As we plan for the 2025-2026 school year, we hear from students and teachers about their hopes for next year. Your feedback is essential in helping us create the best possible learning environment for your child. While we cannot accommodate specific teacher requests, your input will guide us in making thoughtful and informed placement decisions. If you'd like to collaborate with us in this process, please complete this optional form by May 2.

For safety reasons, please do not send your child to school before 8:55 AM, as there will be no staff available for supervision. If you know your child will be late or absent, please notify us by calling the attendance line at 651-621-7501.

We appreciate and encourage parent involvement and look forward to welcoming you to lunch with your child! For safety and security reasons, starting after spring break, family members or caring adults joining their child for lunch will be asked to eat in the Media Center. All other students will continue to eat in the cafeteria, and we are unable to accommodate students outside of your family in the Media Center for lunch. Thank you for your understanding and support!

All Pinewood families are invited to our Showcase of Learning Night, a celebration of student learning! Our final Family Library Night will take place alongside the Showcase of Learning on Thursday, May 1, from 5:00-6:30 PM.

Join us for:

• Open classrooms featuring student work
• A Science Fair in the gym
• A book fair for families to browse
• Food and community connection

Save the date! More details will be sent home soon.

Join us for a fun night of BINGO! We’ll play from 5:30-7:00 or until we run out of prizes!

PTA Meeting Thursday, April 24 6:30-8:00pm

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon!

Wednesday April 30th 4:00-6:00pm

Thursday May 1st 4:00-7:00pm (open during Family Library Night)

Friday May 2nd 4:00-6:00pm

Stock up for summer reading - everything at the fair will be Buy-One-Get-One-Free!

We would love to get new people involved in our PTA! We identified these opportunities as a small step up from a typical volunteer shift. They are well-defined, shouldn’t take too much time, and do not commit you to any further involvement. We’ll be available to train and support you.

We'd like to raise ~$1000 to purchase rugs for 2 classrooms. This role would involve setting up an online fundraiser on givebacks (the same site used for our fall fundraiser) and communicating with families through a flyer and/or E-News.

We'd like to give families an opportunity to pre-order carnival tickets, similar to what was done for Turkey Bingo. This role would involve setting up the preorder options on givebacks, communicating information to families and organizing tickets for distribution at the carnival.

If you are willing to take on either of these positions or would like more information, please contact our volunteer coordinator at pinewoodvol@gmail.com!

Mounds View Summer Band- Register Now!

July 7- July 31 (Mondays through Thursdays)

Registration deadline: June 13

Current band students may participate in the INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND. Click here to view the times and locations and complete the online registration.

Current 4th graders have the opportunity to learn a band instrument in the SUMMER BEGINNING BAND PROGRAM. Small-group lessons for each instrument are offered at various schools and times during the morning and evening. Click here to view your options and complete the online registration. Click here for information on instrument rentals.

Join us for our bonus Valleyfair Band Day on Friday, August 1. Click here for more details.

Click here for more information about Summer Band. Questions? Contact Mrs. Sorem at brenda.sorem@moundsviewschools.org or 651-621-7763.

It is a safe bet that the majority of students are looking forward to some well-deserved down time away from school work, from an alarm clock, from the regimented schedule they have been on since fall. Read a new blog post on how to prepare your student for spring break and advice about how to talk with your student on matters related to their wellbeing.

Just a reminder that you have until Sunday, April 6, to register for the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation’s Partnering For Education Breakfast slated for Thursday, April 10. The breakfast is free to attend. Late arrivals are welcome! Are you new to this event? We've got you covered! Just select the ticket for your school's community table and be seated with fellow parents and familiar school administrators.

Reserve your seat at www.mvsef.org/pfe.

During the week of May 5-9, Mounds View Public Schools will recognize all staff during Staff Appreciation Week. Each day during that week, you'll see an employee group spotlighted on our social media pages. Help us send notes of appreciation to our Mounds View Public Schools staff. Last year, more than 3,200 cards were sent to our hardworking staff members! Visit mvpschools.org/thankyou for more information and to create your custom e-card.

Registration for summer activities is open now! Flip through the electronic catalog and register at mvpschools.org/RegisterCommunityEd.

IF you are interested, please visit https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09870130 before the deadline.

***To see if you already purchased a yearbook use this link: https://www.jostens.com/customer-service/yearbook-order-tracking.

We encourage parents of grades 1st grade through 4th grade to place your order.

Thanks for making this year a great one and we are excited to celebrate the year in this year’s book.

Do you have a 3 - 5 year old? Our Preschool and Pre-K classes at the Early Childhood Education Center and Pike Lake Education Center are now registering for the 2025-26 School Year.

We offer:

Preschool (3 by September 1)

T/TH - 9:40 AM to 12:10 PM

M/W/F - 9:40 AM to 12:10 PM

M/W/F - 1:40 PM - 4:20 PM

All preschool classes are at the Early Childhood Education Center.

Pre-K (4 by September 1)

M/W/F Half Day - 1:40 PM - 4:20 PM (Class is at the Early Childhood Education Center.)

M-F Half Day - 9:40 AM - 12:10 PM

M-F Half Day - 1:40 PM - 4:20 PM

T/TH Full Day - 9:40 AM - 4:20 PM

M/W/F Full Day - 9:40 AM - 4:20 PM

M-F Full Day - 9:40 AM - 4:20 PM

All pre-k classes are at Pike Lake Education Center except the M/W/F half day.

To find out more information or to register click here.

Have questions? Please call Molly at 651-621-8077.

Families often wonder whether their student should stay home or attend school when they have symptoms of a mild illness. The following guidelines are intended to help with this decision.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15CWOHpJ10tAhgxdwyz5jLP2_mJ43OUxlHVLEcnpKH4M/edit?tab=t.0

Yog xa tau kev pab thiab hais ua lus Hmoob thov hu rau Bao Thao: 651-272-0972. Haddi aad ubaahantahay faahfaahin dheerad-ah ama turjamaad, fadlan kala soo xidid Muna Mohamed lambaraka 651-262-4577. Para asistencia o preguntas en Español por favor contacte a Angel Toro: 651-724-2854 o Carmen Bender: 612-494-3895.