Panther Newsletter

Can you believe we're almost done with the 2nd month of school already? Palmer Lake students are off to a great start! Already this year, PL students have experienced the following:

• All students learned about bus safety and practiced bus safety evacuation
• 5th graders took a field trip to French Regional Park
• The Plantmobile visited kindergarten classes for hands-on learning
• 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and center-based classes hosted parent/family events
• All students learned mindfulness techniques they can use to increase attention, calm themselves, and regulate their bodies
• Teachers hosted fall conferences

Our first Panther Den family event will take place on Tuesday, November 29th. See the flyer below for details. You can RSVP HERE to make sure we have enough pizza. I hope to see you there!

Watch for communication from teachers about other exciting events happening in the month of November.

As the weather gets colder, be sure your children are dressed appropriately. Students will be outside every day for 30 minutes if the windchill is above -5 degrees. Dressing for the cold weather includes a winter coat, hat, mittens/gloves, boots, and snowpants. Please write your child's name on their items so they can be returned, if lost.

As always, thank you for your partnership and all your support!

Sarah Schmidt

Principal

Please check your e-mail for a link from Kemmetmueller Photography to view photos that were taken on September 26. Any questions? Contact info@k-photography.com or call 952-473-2142. Please note, all ordering will be done online this year. No money will be received at Palmer Lake.

As in previous years, some teachers will have snack time during the day and others will not. New this year, any class that has snack time will have community-provided snack only; no individual snacks from home. Teachers may ask families for snack donations for the whole class. Candy, cookies, chips and soda are not allowed. Watch for communication from your child's teacher at the beginning of the year.

We suggest that cell phones and other non-district devices not be brought to Palmer Lake. If brought to school, cell phones and SmartWatches should not be seen or heard in the school building, or when outside. Staff will collect cell phones at the beginning of the day, lock them in a secure place, and return them at dismissal time.

If a staff member sees or hears a phone or SmartWatch, it may be taken from the student. The first time a phone or SmartWatch is taken, parents will be notified and the device will be returned at the end of the school day. Any occurrences after that, parents will be notified and an adult will need to come pick up the device. If it becomes a chronic concern, PL staff will work with the student and parents to make a plan. Any device brought to school is the responsibility of the student. Palmer Lake will not be involved if a cell phone, SmartWatch or non-district device is lost or stolen.

If a parent ever needs to send a message to their child(ren) during the school day, please call the office and we will communicate the message to your student. Thank you in advance for partnering with us to ensure students are focused on their learning rather than distracted by their device.

Our #1 job is to ensure the safety of everyone at Palmer Lake. If your child will be picked up by a parent or other adult at dismissal, please follow the Parent Pick Up expectations.

• Students will be dismissed for pick up at 3:15pm. Please be on time and ensure students are picked up by 3:30pm at the absolute latest.
• Drive slowly and pay attention!
• Cross at the cross walk. Wait for the adult to signal it is your turn to cross.
• Handicap parking spaces are only for drivers who have a valid handicap permit. The permit MUST be easily visible each time you park there.
• Parents are encouraged to pick up their student(s) at the fence along the sidewalk in front of the building. You may also park and meet your child near the cross walk.
• Follow the expectations on the Parent Drop Off/Pick Up map (below and linked). Drivers who do not follow the expectations create unsafe situations and/or back up traffic.
  

The arrival bell rings at 8:35am. Students may line up outside of the front doors beginning at 8:30am. There is not supervision before 8:30am, so that is the earliest students should arrive. Students who arrive to school after 8:50am are considered tardy and the student(s) will need to check in at the office to receive a pass.

Dismissal of students who are walkers or parent pick up is at 3:15pm. Students who ride a bus are dismissed at approximately 3:20pm.

AM VPK: 8:35am-11:20am

PM VPK: 12:50pm-3:20pm

It is very important that we have accurate information for all students, especially phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts. Please take a few minutes before school starts to update Back to School Forms. They are available online through ParentVue.

Unfamiliar with ParentVue? Please click the link to get started: https://mn-oas-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login_Parent.aspx?regenerateSessionId=True

Safety is our number one priority. ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone. Please have your ID ready for office staff to scan. Forgotten items (lunch boxes, instruments, etc.) can be left on the table in the vestibule for a more efficient drop off. Again, ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone.

If you would like to speak with an administrator or teacher, you are strongly encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

October

Panther Den parent meeting: 29 (5:00pm-6:00pm)

November

Picture retake day: 19

Family BINGO: 21 (5:30pm-7:00pm)

December

Winter break: 12/23-1/3

January

Panther Den parent meeting: 15 (5:00pm-6:00pm)

Family Science and Engineering Night: 28 (5:30pm-7:00pm)

February

Spring parent/teacher conferences: 19, 25, 27*

March

Spring break: 24-28

April

Panther Den parent meeting: 22 (5:00pm-6:00pm)

May

All school BBQ: 9

Multicultural Celebration: 15 (5:00pm-7:00pm)

*Conferences will be scheduled by your student’s teacher on one of the above conference dates for each season.

Why should I fill out the Educational Benefits Application if my child(ren) now automatically qualify for free meals?

Families who qualify may be eligible for a variety of other benefits. These include free or discounted prices for the following:

• Field trips
• Some Community Education programs
• Clubs, activities, and athletics
• Instrument rentals
• Fees, including for AP testing, graduation and more
• Device protection plans on school-provided devices
• Comcast internet for home
• Xcel Energy account assistance for electricity bills

Additionally, the state of Minnesota uses a school district’s percentage of qualifying students from applications completed and approved prior to October 1 each year to calculate each district’s funding level. This is incredibly important for Palmer Lake. School district funding impacts every student:

• Class sizes
• Number of support staff the district can hire to help scholars (counselors, social workers)
• Extra programming opportunities

Please fill out the Educational Benefits Application today to make sure your family can take advantage of these and other benefits!

As you are preparing for your student(s) to start school, please make sure immunization records are up to date. If your child will need to have medicine administered during the school day, please contact our nursing staff (contact information below) and/or complete the correct district form below.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1673021988/district279org/wcdwjd4cu5txua043bsl/MedicationAdministrationAuthorizationForm-2022.pdf

School nurse:

Tammy Bauer, RN

BauerT@district279.org

763-549-2401

https://pl.district279.org/

Transportation Office: 763-391-7244
BusQuestions@district279.org

Office hours-

School in Session: 6:00am-5:00pm
Non-Student Days: 6:00am-4:30pm

https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/OsseoISDElementarySchools