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Brookside Elementary news & events
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In the Know - January 2024
January 25, 2024
Upcoming Events
A Message From The Principal
Winter Weather - What an interesting winter we are having; sub zero temperatures last week and projected 50 degree weather next week. A reminder that we do go out everyday for recess unless we have rain, temperatures below zero, or below -10 windchill. We encourage all students to come prepared to stay warm and protected for whatever Mother Nature throws our way.
Parent Teacher Conferences - The window to sign up for parent-teacher conferences will open on Monday, January 29, 2024. Please visit MyConferenceTime to sign up. Conferences will be held the evenings of February 15, 20 and 22. Please note, if you would prefer a virtual conference, please sign up for the evening of February 20. This is the one evening that will be set aside for virtual conferencing.
If you are running into a conflict with scheduling, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher to work out a time that will work in everyone's schedule.
School Highlights
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 February 14th - 22nd (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!
February Is I Love To Read Month
February is I Love to Read Month at Brookside. Your student will receive a calendar with the activities planned for the month, as well as a Reading Bingo Board.
Friday 2/2: Silly Socks Day
Wednesday 2/7: Read My Shirt Wednesday (wear a shirt with words)
Friday 2/9: Rhyme Day (make something about your outfit rhyme)
Wednesday 2/14: Read My Shirt Wednesday (wear a shirt with words)
Friday 2/16: Pajama Day and Flashlight Reading (bring a flashlight from home)
Wednesday 2/21: Read My Shirt Wednesday (wear a shirt with words)
Friday 2/23: Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character
Wednesday 2/28: Read My Shirt Wednesday (wear a shirt with words)
Reading Bingo
Students can attempt to earn a bingo (vertical, diagonal, horizontal) or bingo Cover-All by completing each square's activity. Students can return their completed calendar at the end of the month
Lunch Guests
Directions to Sign-Up to have Lunch with your Child
- Go to the Brookside Elementary Home Page: https://www.ahschools.us/brookside
- Click on "About Us"
- Click on "Daily Schedule"
- Click on the link "Sign up to have lunch with your child in December"
Directions to Add Funds to Your Student's Meal Account
- Log in to your A-H Connect parent account at ahschools.us.
- Click on the My Student Information/Synergy icon.
- Once in ParentVUE, click on the "Fee" tab.
- Click on "Pay Fees" to enter the SchoolPay payment system.
- Click on "Food Services" to add funds to your student's meal account.
Character Strong
We began rolling out our Character Strong social emotional curriculum this fall. Students are receiving daily lessons with an emphasis on conflict resolution, emotion regulation, and executive functioning skills. Below is the family newsletter for each grade level. Please take a peek to see what your child is learning.
Student Council
Life at Brookside is “SNOW much fun!” Shop our January Pop Up Shop on 1/26 for snow themed novelties. January 26 will also be a Spirit Day. Our theme this month is “Zoom Day!” Dress business on top and casual on the bottom.
Each February we partner with a local, non profit organization with strong ties to our Brookside community. In 2022 we partnered with The Potato Head Project. In 2023 we partnered with Cinderella Kenya. We are currently looking for an organization to partner with in 2024. Please reach out to julia.stock@ahschools.us if you have any leads.
Brookside PTO
⭐ WINTER WONDERLAND:
Winter Wonderland is January 26 from 6:00-7:30 pm! Join us for a fun night with your family filled with smores and hot cocoa around the bonfire, crafting and more! Concessions will be available for purchase - cash and Venmo accepted.
We are in need of volunteers to help us run this fun event. Check out this link if you are willing to help!
💌 VALENTINE GRAMS:
We will be selling Valentine Grams February 6-8th. Each Valentine Gram is $1 and can be sent to any one in our building! All proceeds from our Valentine Grams go to the 5th Grade end of the year party! Watch for more information to come home with students in the coming weeks.
📅 PTO UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Our next PTO meeting is February 1st @ 6:30 pm in the Art Room. All are welcome to join us, even if it is your first time. We love to hear all feedback, suggestions, and collaborating about the best ways to support our students and staff.
📅 Mark your calendar for our other PTO meetings: April 4th, May 9th, June 13th
Discover Community Ed
Hello from Community Education! We 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:
01/31: Volleyball w/ Tournament (Grade 3-5)
Finding Nemo Jr: Buy Tickets Here!
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
Volunteer Update
Friday, January 26th - Winter Wonderland volunteer sign-up
We are looking for volunteers to help with our Winter Wonderland event hosted by our PTO. The event will be on Friday, January 26, 2024 from 6:00-7:30. We have various time slots we are looking for help, ranging from 5-8pm.
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
*If you are a new volunteer, or your volunteer application for Brookside Elementary has not been updated for the 2023-2024 school year, please fill out both of the following forms:
Enrichment Opportunities
K-Skillbuilders:
Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement hosts volunteer training sessions and training videos with those who are interested in K-Skillbuilder volunteer opportunities. Training is necessary for volunteers to make the most out of practicing reading, writing and math skills with students. Once trained, the volunteer will provide one-to-one support to kindergarten students using materials provided to the school.
Math Plus enrichment groups:
The purpose of the Math PLUS is to provide additional, on-going mathematical experiences for students in grade K-5. Students participate in math activities that reinforce problem solving, logic and reasoning, and communicating mathematical findings.
Challenge Reading Enrichment groups:
Volunteers provide children with additional opportunities to foster a love of reading outside of the classroom by introducing various genres of literature, extending students' writing connections, and promoting higher level thinking skills.
***Math Plus and Challenge Reading are run before or after school. They typically involve 8-10 sessions total, for 30-60 minutes, once a week. A virtual training is required from the district. If you are interested, please email me at jennifer.ames@ahschools.us.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 39: You’re the Expert: How to successfully advocate for your child
Navigating the mental health system both in the medical and educational settings can be difficult or just a new experience for parents/guardians. In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast, Beth Lovre, a family peer educator with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI), joined host Liz Burgard to provide information for parents/guardians on the value of parent engagement and advocacy to ensure the best care and treatment for your child.
Lovre will be the guest speaker for the next Parent Engage 360 event set for Thursday, Feb. 29 at Champlin Park High School. The event, titled You’re the Expert: How to successfully advocate for your child, will provide parents/guardians with information and resources on how parents can be an advocate for their child in the doctor’s office, the mental health system and in public education settings. Learn more at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360. The podcast is also available on Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts.
Episode highlights:
Lovre highlights the work of NAMI Minnesota. Learn more at namimn.org.
12:51 - Lovre highlights some of the topics and resources that will be provided at the Feb. 29 Parent Engage 360 event at Champlin Park High School.
If you need immediate support, 24-hour support is available by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
As a parent, if you are not sure where to start or just need someone to talk to, reach out to NAMI at 1-888-NAMI-HELPS (1-888-626-4435). You can also email namihelps@namimn.org to get in touch with a family peer educator.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.