December 2022
December is a busy and fast paced month! We are starting fresh with a new trimester and have only 3 weeks before winter break. As a school we will focus on being kind by learning about Empathy as our character trait of the month. Empathy is defined as understanding and connecting to other people's feelings. All students and staff will take part in learning and activities around Empathy this December.
With trimester 1 coming to an end this week, we will have 2 days off for staff to complete grades and have time for training. Dec. 2 and 5 are no student days for staff to complete this work. On Thursday, December 1, our classes will be having class parties to celebrate our learning growth from trimester 1. Our student leadership group also set Thursday as an all-school pajama day! Students can wear pajamas to school. Please make sure they are appropriate for the weather since they will still go outside for recess.
Our annual Family Math Night hosted by Mathnazium is coming on December 8, 5:30-7:00 PM. We can't wait to enjoy food and fun math games with all of you. Students must be accompanied by family to attend.
Student Drop Off safety is so important to us. Parents who choose to drive their child to school, can drop students off in the south lot drop off area starting at 9:15. This is when doors are open, and staff is present. Staff are stationed on the sidewalk to receive your children in the morning. You can pull up and let your child out. No need to exit your car. If you would like to walk your child to the doors, please park in one of the marked parking spots, or pull up near the garbage area to park. This way it doesn't stop the drop off line. Please always be watchful for other drivers and people walking through crosswalks in this lot at all times.
On December 16th, our student leader group is hosting a Cultural Heritage dress day! Students are encouraged to wear something reflective of their heritage if they would like. Please be mindful that we will still go out for recess so a back-up set of clothes may be needed. We are excited to learn even more about all of our students and their families!
Winter Break spans from December 23- January 3. During this time, encourage your children to continue to read, practice math facts, play math games they will get from Mathnazium, and journal about their break. All three of these tasks will support retaining the growth they have made so far this school year!
Bullying is a topic that often arises, and is not always easy to discuss as a parent or guardian. Parents may be wondering how to support their child, what questions to ask, or who to talk to at school to help.
In the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, host Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, is joined by Britt Olean, district school social worker, and Mary Kling, assistant principal of the Compass program overseeing elementary student conduct and discipline, to share information on how Anoka-Hennepin defines bullying and how parents can help support their children if they suspect bullying is happening.
Also in this episode, Olean shares the role of school social workers in the district and how they support students in a variety of ways.
Tune in to the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
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.
Spare Clothing
The health office is always in need of new spare clothing. Right now, the health office is in need of small boys' underwear, and gently used pants.
Please make sure your student(s) has a change of clothing to keep in their locker for accidents and winter weather.
Winter weather reminders
Minnesota weather is shifting gears, and the Anoka-Hennepin School District has plans in place for when extreme winter weather arrives.
The safety of all students is the first priority when determining if schools should stay open in adverse weather. If a determination is made to close school due to extreme winter weather, the district will alert families in a variety of ways, including:
Phone, text or email message from AHlert system (for Anoka-Hennepin parents/guardians only).
District and school websites.
District and school social media pages (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio and Star Tribune newspaper.
Those responsible for activities scheduled in schools over the weekend will determine if adverse weather conditions necessitate a cancellation.
Read more about the district’s policies on extreme winter weather at ahschools.us/weather.
This e-newsletter is published by Evergreen Park Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.