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Turtle Tracks
An e-newsletter from Turtle Lake Elementary School
April 9, 2024
NEXT WEEK
Monday, April 15
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - 5th Grade Orchestra
4:05 - 5:05 p.m. - Cartoon Art Studio (Comm. Ed)
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - PTA Meeting
Tuesday, April 16
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - 4th Grade Orchestra
8:05 - 9:05 a.m. - 5th Grade Choir
8:10 - 9:10 a.m. - Elementary Spanish (Comm. Ed)
4:05 - 5:05 p.m. - Putting on a Show: Lion King (Comm. Ed)
Wednesday, April 17
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - 4th Grade Orchestra (Summer Start)
8:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Chess Club
4:05 - 5:05 p.m. - Jr Engineering STEM Club
4:05 - 5:05 p.m. - Maker Space Adventures: 3D Printing & Design
Thursday, April 18
8:05 - 9:05 a.m. - 4th Grade Choir
8:05 - 9:05 a.m. - Band Rehearsal (Thursday Group)
8:10 - 9:10 a.m. - Elementary Spanish (Comm. Ed)
4:05 - 5:05 p.m. - Floor Hockey Skills (Comm. Ed)
Friday, April 19
8:05 - 9:05 a.m. - Band Rehearsal (Friday Group)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Upcoming Assessments
Beginning April 16, we will be starting our annual assessments. Your child’s homeroom teacher will communicate their testing schedule. We would ask that you avoid making any appointments during these dates and times. Please be sure your child has breakfast (if possible) and is well rested.
**New Event** International Night
Coming this May: International Night is an evening of fun for all where we can celebrate the diversity of the cultures and nationalities making up the Turtle Lake Community. This event will take place in the gym and will feature tables and displays hosted by Turtle Lake families showcasing a culture, nationality, or ethnicity.
When: Wednesday, May 8th from 6:00-7:30pm, Turtle Lake Gym
What: Family-hosted tables and displays highlighting the unique aspects of a country, culture, or nationality
How to Host: Sign up *here* by Monday, April 22. Please provide the country or nationality you are interested in hosting.
Look for further PTA communications with more information about hosting and attending!
Family Engineering Night is April 25th
Attention 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students! Family Engineering Night is Thursday, April 25th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This is a free event and the whole family is invited. Come anytime between 6 - 8 p.m. Check in at Turtle Hall and make your way through 10 stations of science, math, and engineering fun located in Turtle Hall, the Orchestra Room, the Cafeteria, and classrooms 400 – 405.
Activities include: Wedgits, Mini-Catapults, Super Stick Structure Team Challenge, Circuit Play–Switches, Rainbow Glasses, K’Nex Tops, Float Your Boat, Linkage Puppets, Ring Gliders, and Roll-Back Racers. The Mounds View Robotics team will be giving a robot demonstration in the cafeteria! This event was made possible by the Turtle Lake PTA.
Caribou/Starbucks/Specialty Drinks
Students coming to school with Caribou, Starbucks, specialty drinks, etc., will be asked to go to the cafeteria to consume their beverage, and must finish/dispose of it prior to 9:20 a.m. when class starts. If students arrive later in the day, they will be asked to finish it before heading to class.
Morning Drop-Off
Reminder that the Turtle Lake School building opens at 9:05 a.m. for student drop-off. Please remain in your vehicle until the bell rings, as there is no supervision prior to 9:05 a.m.
End of Day Student Pick-up Reminder
We have noticed an increase of parents/guardians picking up their students at the end of the day. The end of the day is a very busy time in the front office. If at all possible, please refrain from picking your student up early unless you have previously notified the office or you have made a prior arrangement. All same day transportation changes need to be reported by 3:30 p.m. After 3:30 p.m. we cannot guarantee your student will get a message or that we will locate your student promptly as there are a lot of moving parts at the end of the day.
PICTURES OF THE WEEK
Heart Challenge Celebration
The Turtle Lake Kids Heart Challenge wraps up today. THANK YOU for all the support!
Book Fair Fun
Dean Mrs. Steffensmeier and Associate Principal Mr. Jachymowski shared safety information about the solar eclipse, as well as Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week on Monday's morning announcements.
Winter Gear in Lost & Found
PTA NEWS
PTA Meeting Monday, April 15
Please join us for the April PTA meeting!
Monday, April 15, at 6:30pm
Turtle Lake Elementary Library
Childcare provided by members of the Mounds View Honor Society
All are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend, but only PTA members are allowed to vote. Please see the PTA’s website to learn more about the PTA and how to become a member.
PTA Board Positions
The PTA is seeking nominations for next year’s President, Vice President, and Deputy Treasurer Board officers. The PTA engages and empowers families and communities, which shows up in practical ways like classroom enrichment, back-to-school nights, fundraisers for both the school and school community, and staff appreciation.
Nominations should be submitted to the PTA email (TurtleLakePTA@gmail.com) by April 12.
Turtle Lake Student Directory
Sign up on the website here and use the webpage or Membership Toolkit app. The directory is searchable by student or parent/guardian name and can be filtered by grade and teacher.
Inclusion is voluntary, only the information you choose to share will be available to other registered users, and contact information can be easily updated.
https://turtlelakepta.membershiptoolkit.com/directory
Thoughtful Thursdays
Thoughtful Thursdays are the PTA’s way of thanking our Turtle Lake teachers and staff for all they do. Parent volunteers are invited to drop off purchased food and drink items at the front office. To learn more or to sign up to participate, please click here.
Thank you for your volunteer contributions! If you have any questions, please contact Toni Rahn at tonirahn@gmail.com.
Mounds View Summer Band- Register Now!
July 8- August 1 (Mondays through Thursdays)
Registration deadline: June 14
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 2. 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.
Summer Orchestra - Register Now!
Current Orchestra Students entering Grade 5 & 6 in 2024-2025:
Make a great sound this summer! Join us for four weeks of orchestra FUN July 8 - August 1. Classes are 50 minutes long, Mondays-Thursdays (M, T, W, Th, 4 days per week), at multiple locations across the district. Select the site and time that work the best for your family.
Busy in the summer? It's OK to miss a few sessions due to vacations or camps. We'll help you catch up!
Future Orchestra Students (Current 3rd Grade Families)
Beginning Orchestra Timeline
3rd Grade - February 22 - Instrument Demonstration during the school day at each school
3rd Grade- February 22- Sign up for TL Orchestra Opens (Sign up via the GOOGLE FORM)
3rd Grade -March 25 at 9 AM- Online Summer Orchestra Registration opens
July 8 - August 1 - Summer Orchestra!
4th Grade -September 4th- Grade Orchestra Starts
SUMMER ORCHESTRA DATES: JULY 8– AUGUST 1
Starting the summer after 3rd grade, your child can begin participating in orchestra. Most of our 3rd grade students sign up to start learning their instruments during the summer before 4th grade (current 4th graders, you can also sign up to start this summer, before 5th grade!). Summer Orchestra is a 4 week session during the month of July. We learn all the basics of playing during Summer Orchestra, and you’ll be amazed how good you get on your new instrument! You can also start playing when school starts in the fall, when you’re a 4th grader.
The summer beginning orchestra program consists of a 50-minute small-group lessons, Monday through Thursday, for four weeks starting Monday, July 8 through Thursday, August 1. The summer session includes a concert for family and friends the evening of Wednesday, July 31.
Summer orchestra will be offered at several locations throughout the district during the morning and in the evening. Students taking summer school may be excused from their summer class to attend their orchestra lessons.
Students may choose from the following orchestra string instruments: violin, viola, or cello. School instruments are available for students with financial need.
Display Night
You can set up for instrument rental for Summer Orchestra at any of the three evening Orchestra Display Nights coming up. District approved string instrument stores will be present to provide instrument rentals for you. You only need to attend one of the Display Nights anytime between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Display nights are:
Tuesday, April 16 at Edgewood Middle School
Thursday, May 9 at Island Lake Elementary School
Please choose a date convenient for you and mark your calendar for attending a
summer orchestra display night!
Word of Caution: Instruments purchased online are often made of inferior materials, are poorly constructed, and can be unrepairable. Please see your orchestra director if you have any questions about purchasing an instrument you found online.
DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summer Day Camp Registration Now Open!
Registration for summer day camps is now open. Camps run from June to August, offering full and half-day options starting at just $99! Create a full-day and full-week experience with lunch and Friday field trip options. NEW this year, we're thrilled to offer camps for grades 6+ at Chippewa and Highview locations. Flip through the electronic catalog and register at mvpschools.org/registercommunityed.
Community Activities Link
Turtle Lake PeachJar page: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/all/schools/92445