Congdon Park Weekly News 12/11/2024

December 2024

Dear Congdon Families,

Happy December! As we enter the final month of the year, we’re filled with gratitude for the energy, curiosity, and joy your children bring to our school community. This season is a wonderful time to celebrate their accomplishments and embrace the spirit of giving and togetherness and a time to reflect.

We know that December is always bustling with activities. It’s exciting to have opportunities for you to come and spend time with our children. As we wrap up 2024, we also want to take a moment to thank you for your support. Your partnership is invaluable in creating an environment where our students thrive.

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful holiday season filled with warmth and special memories. We look forward to continuing this journey together as we transition into the new year together.

Peace always,

Kathi Kusch Marshall

Thank you to all who have purchased gifts for our Giving Tree and lending a hand to those in our Congdon community that needed some help this holiday season. Please bring your wrapped and tagged gifts to the Congdon Park lobby no later than Friday, December 13th. Thank you for your kind hearts.

As much as we try to get the students outside for recess, there are some days that it is just too cold. The temperature we use is a negative 15 windchill to stay inside. So please be sure you are bundling your kids up everyday in anticipation they will go outside. Often in the morning it can be too cold for the younger students to go out, but by late morning it has warmed up enough to send the older students outside. Recess is an important part of the day as students need fresh air and the chance to run around and expend some energy.

The District Spelling Bee was held with the top 5th grade spellers from Congdon, Homecroft, Lakewood, Lester Park, Myers-Wilkens, Piedmont, Stowe and 6th grade spellers from Lincoln Park and Ordean East. James Kresha represented Congdon Park and took 2nd place!! Congratulations James! James will attend the Regional Spelling Bee in Mountain Iron in Feb, along with the 1st and 3rd place finishers from our District.

Congdon Park Elementary School is committed to supporting students' mental health and well-being. To achieve this, the school has a dedicated team of professionals, including a social worker (Mrs. McMahon), school counselor (Mrs. Sperl), and a Social Emotional Behavioral Specialist (Mrs. Norton). These individuals work collaboratively to provide a range of services to students, such as individual and group counseling, behavior interventions, and social-emotional learning activities. Their goal is to create a safe and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive. If you feel like your child would benefit from one of these services, please reach out to us!

Corinne McMahon- corinne.mcmahon@isd709.org

Meghan Sperl - meghan.sperl@isd709.org

Abby Norton - abby.norton@isd709.org

Mrs. Miller will be working hard this week and next to be sure your kids have books to read over the Holiday break. Please encourage them to spend some time over break reading.

For many years Congdon has had a ski/snowboard club. The parent who has been in charge of it the last few years has left Congdon. This is a parent led club, so if anyone would like to lead the charge this year, please reach out to the office and we will get you connected with the previous parent to learn all about it.

Here is your chance to purchase some Congdon wear with our new cougar logo.

https://dspondemand.com/collections/congdon-elementary-school

Parents - are you curious about Computer Science? Join your child's Media Center class during the week of **December 9-12** as we celebrate the power of coding, innovation, and creativity! Whether you're a beginner or a coding pro, this week is all about having fun and exploring the exciting world of computer science. Email Mrs. Miller (cynthia.miller@isd709.org) in the media center if you're interested in exploring with us.

For those wishing to provide birthday treats for their student, food items must be store bought, small single size servings are appreciated. We do encourage non food items.

As we enter the season of respiratory illnesses, here are some general guidelines to keep your family healthy:

When to Keep Your Child Home

Keep your child home from school if they:

• Have a fever of 100°F or higher (should be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning)
• Have vomited or had diarrhea in the last 24 hours
• Have a persistent cough
• Have open or draining skin sores that can't be covered

Tips for Maintaining Health

1. Encourage frequent handwashing
2. Ensure adequate sleep (10-11 hours for elementary, 9-10 for middle school, 8-9 for high school)
3. Promote a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
4. Encourage regular physical activity and outdoor time
5. Maintain a smoke-free environment1

Preventing the Spread of Germs

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow
• Dispose of used tissues immediately
• Clean hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when sick

We will once again be having Bingo for Books on December 19th. We are looking for donations of chapter books. As always, please no donations of preschool books, religious or cook books. There will be a collection box in the lobby. Donations needed by December 8th please.

Volunteering opportunities:

Kindergarten and 1st grade lunch help: https://signup.com/go/tVGgadD

Thanks for considering and helping to make our Congdon community great! If you haven't joined as a member yet this year, you can sign up here: https://congdonparkpta.givebacks.com/

If your child will be absent, coming to school late or getting picked up early please email the school attendance line at congdonattendance@isd709.org or call 218-336-8825 ext 2. Please include your child's teacher in the email. If we don't hear from you, the office will mark your student unexcused absent.

Getting dropped off late:

• Please park in the 15 minute parking spot by the main doors.
• Call the office at 218.336.8825 ext 0 to let us know you are dropping your child off.
• Send your child into the building and direct them to come to the office
• Office staff will check them in and send them to class.

Picking up early:

• Please notify your child's teacher by note or email on the day that your child will be getting picked up early
• Please park in the 15 minute parking spot by the main doors
• Call the office (218.336.8825 ext 0) and let us know you are here and where your child is going
• When your student gets to the office, we will sign them out and send them outside.

We have a list of staff and their extensions that you can access by clicking HERE. You can also find this on our website. Click on "About Us" then look for link on the right side of the page directly under the Classrooms title.

On the list you will also find their full name to use for an email:

email: (first name).(last name)@isd709.org

Teachers have many needs for their classrooms. Our PTA helps to gather those requests and create a sign up for those parents that would like to purchase something for a teacher. Here is the sign up:

https://signup.com/go/zWeXbtH

The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation is excited to present our program brochure for Winter-Spring 2025! This brochure includes programs from January-May for all ages.

https://duluthmn.gov/media/vgrh2mx4/parks-brochure-winter-spring-2025-for-web.pdf

Stuffed animals are being collected for Cuddles for Courage. Any donations will will be distributed to children that are in Duluth hospitals over the winter holidays.There will be a box in the lobby with a Cuddles for Courage sign above it. ALL STUFFED ANIMALS MUST BE NEW AND WITH TAGS ON. Please do not donate toys, blankets etc.

• The Lake Superior Railroad Museum has a special party this week with half price admission.
• Passengers can take a ride to Julebyen or climb aboard the Christmas City Express.
• We are so excited to host the Duluth Library’s “book flood” for all ages with Jolablokaflod here at The Depot for the first time.
• The DSSO has a special holiday concert and the Minnesota Ballet is making Nutcracker magic happen at the DECC too.
• And yes, it’s almost time for the Great Hall Marketplace! Not only are we hosting 60+ talented local artists and makers, we are also welcoming SANTA to the Marketplace for the first time. Santa will be at The Depot from 12:30 to 2:30 so bring the kiddos and their wishlists! We’ll have music in the Great Hall—Arrowhead Chorale and Duluth East and Duluth Denfeld students will be brightening the day with song. And so much amazing specialty foods!

If that wasn’t enough, there’s even more news and announcements in this issue of the Community Connection. To view it online and/or share with friends, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ISRhIfH2hdRNzarOYQxE2lhoIpUv-UVX/view?usp=sharing

December 26, 27, & 28 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Hosted by the Marshall Nordic Ski Team

Get your kids outside and moving this winter break with our Holiday Ski Camp at Marshall School! Designed for children ages 5-12, this 3-day camp is the perfect introduction to skiing or a great way to build on existing skills.

Camp Highlights:

• Expert Instruction: Learn from the talented athletes and coaches of the Marshall Nordic Ski Team
• Skill Development: Whether new to skiing or looking to improve, kids will receive personalized coaching in a mix of skill-building exercises, games, and challenges
• Fun Activities: Bonfires, hot cocoa, snacks and crafts
• All Skill Levels Welcome: Beginners to advanced skiers will be grouped based on ability

Join us for three afternoons of skiing, fun, and making new friends on the beautiful trails of Marshall School.

Register Now!
Limited spots available. For more details and registration, visit

https://events.veracross.com/marshall/15-skicamp2024

Let’s hit the trails with the Marshall Nordic Ski Team!

Kathi Kusch Marshall - Principal

ISD709 SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATE CENTER

Website: https://www.isd709.org/congdon-elementary
Location: 3116 E. Superior St
Phone: 218.336.8825
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpsduluth