November News and events

November 1, 2023

Hello Eisenhower Families,

I recently learned that the human brain has a negativity bias. This means we easily focus on the difficult/negative things that happen throughout the day. As a result, we often lose track of or minimize the positive things. Each year as November begins, I personally make it a point to focus on the things I am grateful for and work to pass on a positive outlook to my own family and our school community. I'd like to invite each of you to join me in curbing the brain's negativity bias. As I tell students, our days are what we make of them, so let's make them all great!

Weather:

Living in Minnesota, we never know when snow will fly. We are all committed to getting students outside for recess whenever possible. Please be sure to monitor the weather and send appropriate outdoor clothing each day. We utilize the National Weather Service guidelines to determine if students and staff are at risk of frostbite within the 30 minute recess window. Keep in mind, however, that this is a guideline and cold can impact students differently. Students will remain inside if the air temperature falls below 0 or if the windchill is less than -5 degrees fahrenheit. The temperature will be monitored throughout the day to help make appropriate decisions for each individual recess time.

**In order to maintain a clutter free and calm environment, teachers are asked to make sure students store all of their belongings inside their lockers. This means, snow gear may come home wet and may need to be laid out or placed in a dryer.

In great appreciation and partnership,

Lillian DeRung

Principal

Just send back the original pictures with your student that day and we will send them to get a new picture taken. Any questions, please reply to this newsletter or call the office at 763-506-2300.

We understand that birthdays are important to our students. Due to student allergies, be sure to consult with your child(ren)'s classroom teacher prior to sending in birthday treats. If allowed, treats must be store bought and individually wrapped.

Grades going forward will not be mailed out and will be available online. You can access student grades after the trimester ends approximately Dec 8th. Directions here to download and use the ParentVUE app or you can find them on the AH website by logging in with your parent credentials.

If you are an Anoka County resident who is in need of help purchasing toys this holiday season, please apply to receive help from the Christmas Committee. Applications are due by November 23rd, 2023. To apply, click on the following link: christmascommittee.com/apply-for-help/

Please join the Eisenhower PTO in room #124 (art room) starting at 6:30pm on Nov 9th right after the family engagement night.

Follow our Facebook PTO Page

https://www.facebook.com/EisenhowerElementaryPTO

Multi-Sports Sampler starts Tuesday November 7, 4-5 pm, 5 weeks

Kids getting their 60 minutes of active play a day? Can't decide which sport you like best? Get introduced to a variety of new sports and games with AKASPORT. In this after school program, kids get to learn skills and play sports such as lacrosse, floor hockey, basketball, tennis and so much more in this multi-sport camp that focuses on the importance of sportsmanship, cooperation and team play. Don't miss this enriching camp that includes instruction, games and a whole lot of fun.

Register for Multi Sports

Thanksgiving Friendship Bracelets starts Tuesday November 7, 4-5 pm, 1 week

This is going to be fun! We're using both colored and letter beads to 'spell out' our gratitude with these Thanksgiving bracelets. We will be making 2 to 3 bracelets for you to either keep or trade during your Thanksgiving holiday.

Register for Thanksgiving Friendship Bracelets

Eagles Club starts Tuesday November 14, 8:25-9:05 am, 4 weeks

Want to make new friends? Join us for 4 weeks of fun! We will do a service project, scavenger hunt, arts and craft, games and healthy snacks. You will have to register to find out which fun activity we are doing each week.

Register for Eagles Club

Among Us Story Book! starts Tuesday November 14, 6-7:15 pm

Create an Among Us story book! Students will hand sew a bind in paper to create a small story book. In our books, we will create our own Among Us characters and story line using colored pencils. Presented by Rum River Arts

Register for Among Us Story Book

For more Community Education information contact Anna Heinirch at 763-506-2312

Anna Heinrich

Community Education Programmer

(763)506-2312 (Eisenhower)

Follow this link to find out more about supporting your child's learning style. Questions about this or all other things parenting, please reach out to our parent educator Tawnya Heinsohn.

Family Engagement Night Kindergarten - 2nd Grade - November 9th

Family Engagement Night 3rd - 5th Grade - November 28th

Grade level classroom teachers will be in their classrooms with math and reading activities based on student goals. Mathnasium will be set up in the gym with fun and engaging math games.

PTO Meeting, November 9th starting at 6:30 located in the Art room #124

Please join the Eisenhower PTO in room #124 (Art room) starting at 6:30 pm (Note late start due to the family engagement event). The PTO will be going over information/events/budgets for the school year. All meetings held in person and online (link for online will be posted on the Eisenhower website).

PTO FUNDING COMMITTEE - The PTO Board is looking for volunteers to work with the PTO on the Funding Committee. This committee will work alongside the PTO and local businesses to help find funding for a new soccer field. The committee will work on finding grants/funding to help support the cost of the new soccer field here at Eisenhower.

LifeTouch Retake Day - LifeTouch is looking for volunteers for the upcoming picture day on Thursday, November 16th. Please bring a snack with you for the day. Volunteers will assist students with fixing their hair and clothing as well as other duties assigned by Lifetouch Photography including walking to classrooms to pick up students for retakes. Remember to sign in with the office then head down to the gym where LifeTouch will be set up. As in years past all volunteers will receive a coupon for a FREE standard picture package!! Please talk with the photographer when you arrive for details.

Enrichment Programs

Seeking volunteers who are interested in leading any of the following programs.

Online training is available. Please contact Kathrina DeKruyff-Glass if you are interested. (Training is required)

K-Skillbuilders

This program was developed to help kindergarten students develop lifelong literacy and math skills. The volunteer program is comprised of a variety of activities that volunteers can practice with students one-on-one in the classroom while reinforcing the skills that classroom teachers have already introduced to kindergarteners through lesson plans, including: Reading aloud, tracing the alphabet, sorting and finding letters, listening to sounds, and counting and building number recognition. This program occurs during the school day.

Challenge Reading

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. Like a book club! This occurs outside of school hours, usually after school.

Math PLUS

The purpose of Math PLUS is to provide additional, on-going mathematical experiences for students in grades K-5. Students participate in math activities that reinforce problem solving, logic and reasoning, and communicating mathematical findings. This makes math learning fun! This occurs outside of school hours, usually after school.

On-going Volunteer Opportunities

WATCH D.O.G.S.® is an innovative program being used by schools across America which helps them to be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father-figures in their student’s life. Our goal is to have you spend a day this year at the school to be a positive male role model and to provide an extra set of eyes and ears. Watch Dogs will be volunteering at recess, the lunchroom and in gym class. Your Watch Dogs day will start at 10:50 and end around 3:50 pm. After you check in at the main office your day will start in our lunchroom. While in the lunchroom you will be visiting students and helping with opening lunch items as needed. Next you will be heading outside to join students at recess. At recess please feel free to visit and play games. Your day will end at Physical Education (PE). Please feel free in joining the class, you never know what fun exercise themed event they will be working on. My favorite is the giant parachute. During the day if you have any questions please feel to ask a staff member or stop in the office.

Every Meal Food Distribution - We are looking for volunteers to distribute food for the school's Every Meal program. Every Meal works to fight hunger in our community by filling the gaps in food access that children face during weekends, summers, and extended breaks. Volunteers will be placing food in students' lockers on Friday mornings from 10:00-11:00 am.

Weekly Student Folders for Trimester 1 - Volunteers will sort/count and assemble all flyers to be sent home with students. (You must complete the volunteer application and background check first).

Workroom Volunteer for Trimester 1- Our school staff is looking for a volunteer(s) for the staff workroom on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 - 2 hours. (Volunteers can choose what time works best for them during the school day).

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me if an opportunity arises that you would like to be involved in.

Thank you and I look forward to working with you here at Eisenhower

Kathrina DeKruyff-Glass – Volunteer Services Coordinator (VSC)

Kathrina.dekruyffglass@ahschools.us

763-506-2340

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”. ~ Author Unknown

Thank you to all of our wonderful September and October Volunteers who gave over 200 hours of their time to Eisenhower. Volunteers helped with the following volunteer opportunities: Open House Folders, PTO Meetings, Weekly Student Packets, Workroom Projects, Lunchroom, Hike for Ike, Staff Conference Dinners, Picture Day, Every Meal, At Home Projects, Watch Dogs and Bingo Night. We look forward to seeing you here at Eisenhower again in the near future.

Proceeds from the collection of Box Tops go to help fund many different things for our students. Currently funds will be going toward a new soccer field here at Eisenhower. The Box Tops program has made some changes to better fit in the lives of today's families. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan store receipts. Now you can find participating products and instantly add Box Top proceeds to your school's earnings online. To download the app visit Box Tops. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents and they add up quickly.

Is your student in need of any winter gear such as a coat, hat and/or gloves? If so, please fill out this google form from our social workers, Josie Gall and Tsion Teshome.

If you have any winter gear that you don't need anymore and would like to donate, please drop it off at school, send it with your student or let us know!

This month's trait is GRATITUDE. Kids are learning to feel and express a deep sense of thankfulness. Check in with your kids about what they have learned.

If you would like to keep up on the latest Eisenhower news and information, come by and connect with us on Facebook or our webpage.

Follow Eisenhower on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/AHEisenhower

Follow Eisenhower's website

https://www.ahschools.us/eisenhower

Family Engagement Grades K-2 - Nov 9

PTO meeting - Nov 9

Picture Retakes - Nov 16

No School - Nov 22-24

Family Engagement Grades 3-5 - Nov 28

Eisenhower Calendar