Falcon Newsletter
MARCH
03/01/2024
Highlights from the past month
FUN WAS HAD BY ALL AT THE 5TH GRADE MATH WITH MUFFINS EVENT!
5th grade students, parents and staff enjoyed our Math with Muffins event!
This was a Title 1 Family Engagement event
Thank you to parents and staff who helped make this event so fun!
4th grade field trip to Winter River
4TH grade had a great time on their field trip to Winter River
GIRLS WHO CODE
Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. This is the first year with the Girls Who Code program at Fair Oaks.
5th grade girls - excited to be a part of the Girls Who Code program
Be sure to check out the 27th annual WACIPI! This is an event you won't forget!
Check out the 2024 Spring Career Expo!
YEARBOOK & SPRING PICTURE INFORMATION
Each student will be given a grade-level booklet at no charge. This will only contain pictures of your student(s) current grade level. If you would like to purchase a full school yearbook , you can purchase one at the link below for $10.00.
https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/fairoakselementaryschool
SPRING PHOTOS
Kemmetmueller Photography will be at Fair Oaks on April 10th, 2024 to take class pictures and optional spring pictures.
All students will be photographed with their classmates and teachers for a Class Picture. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase a copy if you wish.
There will also be an option for students to have a Spring portrait taken*.
You will receive an email from the photographer 7-10 days after Spring Picture day to review proofs and order photos. Pictures will be delivered directly to your home within 5-7 days of purchasing.
*Only those families who request a Spring Portrait in advance will have their individual picture taken. Spring Portraits will not be included in the Yearbook.
If you wish to have a spring picture taken of your student, you can email Chris Marinac at MarinacC@district279.org
Contact Kemmetmueller Photography with any questions about your student’s picture day, if you need help with ordering photos, or have any other concerns. Email: info@k-photography.com or Phone: (952) 473-2142.
Field trip for 4th and 5th grade Hmong students
Hmong Student Lunch Groups @ Fair Oaks Elementary School
Hmong Village Field Trip Information
4th and 5th graders (only)
Dear Parents of 4th and 5th graders,
We are excited to have our Hmong students in 4th and 5th grades from Fair Oaks School in our Hmong Student Lunch Groups to go on another field trip to the Hmong Village in Saint Paul on May 9th, 2024, from 10:00AM to 1:30PM. This is an opportunity for our students to explore and learn more about our Hmong culture, clothing, food, language, and materials.
We are welcoming parent chaperones now. If you’re interested in being a chaperone, please use the 279 District Website link https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Nzg0OmVuLVVT to go fill out the Volunteer Application for a background check. You will need to pass the background check before you can chaperone. I will be sending permission slips and sharing more information sometime in the beginning of March.
NOTE: Students are welcome to bring cash to purchase food for lunch and/or any items for themselves since this is a cash only market square.
If you have any questions, please contact Kou Vang at (612) 394-3358, or email her at vangk@district279.org from Fair Oaks Elementary School.
Award-winning Hmong author, Kao Kalia Yang
Award-winning Hmong author, Kao Kalia Yang, will be coming to Fair Oaks March 21st. Parents of 2nd and 3rd graders are invited to attend the 10-10:30 session, and parents of 4th and 5th graders are invited to attend the 10:45-11:15 session.
Important Dates
Friday, March 8th - No school for students - report card marking day
Thursday, March 14th - 3rd grade field trip to MN Landscape Arboretum
Wednesday, March 20th from 4:30-5:30 - Orientation for 2024-25 kindergartners
Monday, March 25th- Friday, March 29th - Spring break - no school for students and staff
Volunteer corner
Our volunteer coordinator is Sophie Castruita. She can help you with any and all questions regarding volunteer work at Fair Oaks. There are many events though out the year that we need volunteers to help make a success! If there is a chance that you will chaperone your student's field trips at all this year, we ask that you please fill out this application as well. You can reach Sophie at: CastruitaS@district279.org
Free Little Library!
Did you know Fair Oaks has its own Free Little Library! Students and community members are welcome to grab a book to enjoy. We are grateful to the Impact Library Program for donating the Free Little Library to our school community! Take a book or leave a book!
A note from our school social worker and counselor
Consistent school attendance is important for student learning! Even missing 2 days of school per month impacts a student’s ability to learn at their fullest potential. Fair Oaks wants to support our students in getting to school as much as possible. If it’s been difficult to get your child to school, please contact the school social worker or your child’s teacher for more help. To learn more, check out this flyer from AttendanceWorks: Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early
If your student will be late for absent for any reason, please call our attendance line at 763-549-2353. You can leave your voicemail in either Spanish or English. Thank you!
CARES CORNER
Kids Heart Challenge is Coming!
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, The American Heart Association will be at Fair Oaks to kick off a service-learning program called Kids Heart Challenge! Our students will learn how to keep their hearts and brains healthy and can raise funds to help others with special hearts. Please look for both seesaw and paper communications regarding this event coming soon!
Upcoming Community Events
Check out these upcoming events and resources!
Affordable Friday Childcare (City of Brooklyn Center)
Friday Night Out - Activity Information
Spring Break Camps for 6-10 year old students (City of Brooklyn Center)
Wonderful World of Colors - Activity Information
Children's Museum - Activity Information
CARES CHAMPIONS
At Fair Oaks, we believe in CARES!
Cooperation
Assertion
Responsibility
Empathy
Self Control
The Fair Oaks team works hard to create a united community that utilizes CARES to support all students in their learning! Students can earn badges for demonstrating CARES behavior. If your student comes home wearing a CARES badge sticker, please ask them about it!
PLEASE HELP US CONGRATULATE OUR FEBRUARY CARES CHAMPIONS!
Sean Yang
Weyatta Freeman
Mellyn Luogon
Yanney Salinas
Adam Thao
Zayden Lee
Royal Carr
Yareny Adame Huerta
Mikel Attikou
Lily Xiong
Trinity Nyella
Ishmael Chelley
Mateo Elvira Cardona
Perla Sandoval-Lopez
Leo Lee
Mateo Soto Barrera
Autumn Williams
Karter Yang
Matthew Montero Ozuna
Everlyn Vang
Penelope Xiong
Brandon Yang
Jamar Duo
Naomi Roman Ramos
Rockell Boakai
Mila Yang
Sa’Riyah Moritz
Patience Merritt
Kellen Yang
Owen Moua
Ruby Saavedra de la Rosa
Mayte Torres Neave
Abigail Xiong
Anijah Preston
Vanessa Rodriguez Torres
Liam Yang
Julia Tafoya
Phillina Rodgers
Derick Balbaneda de Leon
Kristhen Perenta
A Note From The Nurse
GENERAL EXCLUSION GUIDELINES FOR ILL CHILDREN/STAFF
Certain symptoms in children may suggest the presence of a communicable disease. Excluding an ill
child may decrease the spread of the disease to others in childcare and school settings.
Recommended exclusion varies by the disease or infectious agent. Children with the symptoms listed
below should be excluded from the childcare or school setting until symptoms improve; or a health
care provider has determined that the child can return; or children can participate in routine activities
without more staff supervision than usual.
NOTE: It is recommended that childcare/preschool providers and schools have policies that are
clearly written for excluding sick children and staff. These policies should be placed in the student
handbook or on the childcare or school website. Parents/guardians and staff should be given or
directed to these resources at the beginning of each school year or when the child is enrolled or the
staff member is hired. This will help prevent problems later when the child or staff member is ill.
Exclude children with any of the following:
Illness
Unable to participate in routine activities or needs more care than can be
provided by the childcare/school staff.
Fever
An elevation of body temperature above normal and accompanied by
behavior changes, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, rash, sore throat,
and/or other signs or symptoms of illness; or is unable to participate in
routine activities. Measure temperature before giving medications to
reduce fever.
Axillary (armpit) temperature: 100° F or higher
Oral temperature: 101° F or higher
Rectal temperature: 102° F or higher
Ear temperatures are not recommended because of inconsistent and
inaccurate results. Each manufacturer may have different temperature
ranges, which makes setting standards difficult.
Signs/Symptoms of Possible severe illness:
Child is unusually tired, has uncontrolled coughing, unexplained irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or other
unusual signs for the child. Exclude until a health care provider has done
an evaluation to rule out severe illness.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is defined as an increased number of stools compared with a
child's normal pattern, along with decreased stool form and/or stools that
are watery, bloody, or contain mucus. Exclude until 24 hours after
diarrhea stops or follow specific disease exclusion if the pathogen is
known; or until a medical exam indicates that it is not due to a
communicable disease.
Vomiting
Child has vomited two or more times in the previous 24 hours. Exclude
for 24 hours after last episode of vomiting, unless it is determined to be
caused by a noncommunicable condition and the child is not in danger of
dehydration.
Mouth Sores with Drooling
Exclude until a medical exam indicates the child may return or until
sores have healed.
GENERAL EXCLUSION GUIDELINES FOR ILL CHILDREN/STAFF
Rash with Fever or behavior change Exclude until a medical exam indicates these symptoms are not those of a communicable disease that requires exclusion.
Eye Drainage
No exclusion, unless the child has a fever or is not healthy enough to
participate in routine activities. Antibiotics or a note from a health care
provider are not required.
Unusual Color of Skin, Eyes, Stool or Urine
Exclude until a medical exam indicates the child does not have hepatitis
A. Symptoms of hepatitis A include yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), gray
or white stools, or dark (tea or cola-colored) urine.
See following pages for specific disease exclusion guidelines for childcare settings and schools.
There are specific guidelines for “sick childcare” programs. See the Minnesota Department of
Human Services licensing rules for those requirements.
For more information, call Hennepin County HSPHD-Epidemiology at (612) 543-5230 or call your
local health department.
****** If you need to give your child a fever reducing medicine, you may not send them to school for at least 24 hours.
Important reminders for families
Here are a few important reminders from our Fair Oaks staff....
Attendance Reminders
If your student(s) are ever late or absent from school for any reason, please be sure to call our attendance line at 763-549-2353 (this is different than our main office number). You can leave a voicemail in either English or Spanish, 24 hours a day on this line. We ask that you please let us know about your child's absence or late arrival by 10am whenever possible to avoid receiving one of the automated calls from the district about your student's attendance.
Extra Clothing
If possible, we ask that you please send an extra outfit with your student(s) to keep in their locker or backpack at all times. We regularly have students needing a change of clothing for various reasons and our school nurse does not always have items that fit all students. It can be uncomfortable for students to have to remain in wet/soiled clothing. Thank you for your help with this!
Phy Ed Shoes
Please make sure that your child has appropriate shoes for gym class each day. Students should be able to tie their own shoes, and/or have velcro or something that they are able to secure independently. Thank you for your assistance! We want to keep your child safe!
Clothing Donations
Our nurse's office is in need of pants donations in all sizes from toddler to adult! Pants with an elastic waste band are preferred, but all pants donations are welcome! Please drop off new or gently used pants donations here in the office at Fair Oaks. Thank you!
Updated Contact Information
It is very important that we have updated contact information for all students. Lately, we have had outdated address and phone numbers for several students. It is important for the nurse, teachers and other staff to be able to reach parents and guardians during the school day. Please report any new work/home/cell phone numbers to the main office immediately.
It is also very important that we have updated addresses for each family. Addresses can be updated on ParentVue or at the district enrollment center.
Mud On The Playground
Due to all of the melting snow, all of our playground and recess areas have become very muddy. Our recess staff does their best to keep kids out of muddy areas, but kids will be kids and there are very few dry areas at this time. Please know that until things dry up, your student may come home with muddy clothing or outdoor gear. It is always best to keep a spare outfit in your child's locker in case they need to change. Thank you for your understanding and assistance!
Follow us on Facebook to keep up with everything Fair Oaks!
Hmong families are also welcome to follow our Hmong FB page!
KOU VANG
ML Community and Communication Specialist
Educational Equity Department
Osseo Area Schools
11200 93rd Ave N. Maple Grove, MN 55369
Work Cell: (612) 394-3358
Brooklyn Middle School (T/W/F)
Fair Oaks Elementary (TH)
Palmer Lake Elementary (M)
Helpful links
ParentVUE access instructions
https://mn-oas-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx
- Takes you to the login screen - do not enter anything here.
- Scroll down to activate account - click and accept user agreement.
- Enter your name (has to match what we have in our system)
- Enter activation key - this is case sensitive and is all caps.
To get started using ParentVUE if you do not yet have an active account, follow our Getting Started guide HERE.
- Getting Started SOMALI
- Getting Started VIETNAMESE
- Getting Started SPANISH
- Getting Started OROMO
- Getting Started HMONG
FIRSTview bus tracking
The FirstView mobile app helps you to keep track of school buses going to and from school each day. Support is available Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm ET for existing FirstView users with app-related questions or concerns.
Email:support@firstviewapp.com Phone:1(888) 889-8920
**Click blue button below to get started with set up.
Important contacts
Principal - Sara Looby-Morris Loobymorriss@district279.org
Resource Manager - Chris Marinac Marinacc@district279.org
Administrative Assistant - Heather Hausladen Hausladenh@district279.org
Counselor - Caitlin Carlson CarlsonC3@district279.org
Social worker - Krysta Sather Satherk@district279.org
Psychologist - Megan Monette Monettem@district279.org
Nurse - Nikki Terry - TerryN@district279.org
Volunteer Coordinator - Sophie Castruita Castruitas@district279.org
Behavior Intervention Teacher - Brian Thul ThulB@district279.org
Fair Oaks Main Line - 763-533-2246
Fair Oaks fax number - 763-549-2350
Attendance - 763-533-2246 (press 1) and leave your child's name, grade, parent's name and phone number and the reason for your child's absence.
Transportation - 763-391-7244 or Busquestions@district279.org