Brookside Elementary news & events
In the Know- January 2023
January 18, 2023
Upcoming events
January 20- Pop up shop and Spirit Day/all about Brookside
January 27- Winter Wonderland Event
February 15-28- Collecting gently used shoes
February 20- District closed
February 21- No school
February 21- Conferences 4:20-8:20 pm
February 21-28- Scholastic Book Fair
February 23- Conferences 4:20-8:20 pm
February 24- FUNDRAISER Pop Up Shop
February 28- Conferences 4:20-8:20 pm
A message from the principal
Dear Brookside Families,
So many fun things happening in the month of February at Brookside!
Winter weather is a perfect time to warm up with a good book! The month of February is “I Love to Read Month” at Brookside with fun activities planned to celebrate reading. Look for information in your child’s classroom communication.
The second round of Parent/Teacher Conferences is scheduled for February 21st, 23rd, and 28th. If you haven’t signed up for a conference, please go to MyConferenceTime to sign up (see below). If you need assistance, please feel free to call the office at 763-433-5201.
Stay warm and enjoy the lovely month of February!
Dr. Cravens
School Highlights
Act of Kindness
A special thank you to Brian Nagel, a parent at Brookside, for his random act of kindness on January 3rd. Brian pushed out countless staff members who were stuck in the staff parking lot due to the deep snow on that afternoon. Words cannot describe the level of gratitude felt by all of the staff members who were impacted by Brian's kindness!
Acknowledgment
A BIG THANK YOU to grandma Cheryl for all the hard work she poured into making our 1st craft fair such a HUGE success. Next year’s craft sale will prove to be even bigger!!
School Reminders
Parent Pick-up and Drop-off
For safety reasons, remember to have students enter and exit curbside when doing parent pick-up and drop-off.
School Stop Sign
Please be mindful of the stop sign in the front parking lot. Also, be aware that traffic leaving from the back of the school has the right of way.
Scholastic Book Fair
Book Fair
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. Hosted by our staff, this event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school. Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from February 21st- February 28th (during media classes and conference times).
Our Book Fair offers eWallet, a safe and secure alternative to cash. Simply create a free account to add funds and/or invite family and friends to contribute so your child can select their own books. Any unused funds can be spent at The Scholastic Store Online or to fund a future eWallet.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/brooksideelementary1
We’re excited to celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair. We look forward to seeing your child there!
The last day of school for elementary students
The School Board votes to amend 2022-23 school year calendar
The last day of school for elementary students will now be Wednesday, June 7, while secondary students will have their last day Thursday, June 8
The School Board approved a change to the district calendar at its December 12 meeting, converting June 8 to a non-student contact day at the elementary level. There will be no change to the schedule at the secondary level. The last day of school for elementary school students will be Wednesday, June 7, while the last day of school for secondary students will remain Thursday, June 8.
This change will allow elementary staff additional time to prepare for transitions that will occur from the current school year to the next, including the closing of Franklin Elementary School and boundary changes across the district.
School Yearbook
Yearbook Ordering Information
Dear Brookside Families,
If you have not ordered yet make sure to order your yearbook! The FINAL order date will be April 4th. There will NOT be any extra yearbooks to purchase at a later date and the online ordering system will automatically close that day. When you order a yearbook make sure to keep the confirmation email as proof of purchase as well.
Thank you from the Brookside Yearbook Advisor.
Mrs. Schultz
Click HERE to go to the yearbook ordering page!
Brookside Elementary
Yearbook ID: 14137023
Preparing for the 2023-24 school year
Families have many choices today for their student’s education. Students enrolled in Anoka-Hennepin Schools are assigned to attend school based on their home address, and students transitioning to middle or high school have already received a placement letter via postal mail. A reminder email will be sent next week.
If a family is planning to send a child to kindergarten next school year, or if a family is interested in exploring alternate school options for the 2023-24 school year, now is the time to learn more. Information sessions and open houses for specialty/magnet schools are scheduled now through February, and elementary schools will offer kindergarten registration events beginning in March through April, varying at each school.
If your family decides that they are interested in attending a school other than the school they are assigned to for the 2023-24 school year, complete either an in-district transfer or open enrollment form by Jan. 15, 2023 for priority consideration.
If your family plans to stay at the school they are assigned to based on your home address, no additional action is needed.
Visit ahschools.us/enroll to complete the process, find FAQs and additional enrollment resources.
What’s the difference between an in-district transfer and open enrollment?
An in-district transfer is when you live in the school district boundaries and would like to enroll in another school or program within the school district.
Open enrollment is available for families living outside of the Anoka-Hennepin School District attendance boundaries, but want to enroll in an Anoka-Hennepin School.
School choice available through Anoka-Hennepin
If a student wants to consider other school choices, Anoka-Hennepin offers additional options, including specialty and magnet schools.
Twelve specialty and magnet schools across the district are available to all students at no additional cost. These schools are designed to provide choice and in-demand educational options in the arts; science, technology, math, engineering and biomedical sciences (STEM/STEAM); and International Baccalaureate (IB). Students who live within Anoka-Hennepin boundaries are eligible to apply to any of the specialty or magnet schools. Visit ahschools.us/specialtymagnet to learn more.
If you have more questions about enrollment, visit ahschools.us/enroll, call Anoka-Hennepin Schools Application and Connection Services department at 763-506-1030 or email enrollmentoptions@ahschools.us.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 29: Stay Above the Line - promoting sportsmanship and positive fan behavior
Sportsmanship is everybody’s business, and Anoka-Hennepin Schools and the Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all at athletics and activities events.
Earlier this year, around 100 students from all five district high schools and NWSC member schools participated in a sportsmanship seminar titled “Stay Above the Line,” an initiative to promote positive spectator behavior and expectations.
In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode, host Liz Burgard is joined by two high school seniors to learn more about the “Stay Above the Line” initiative. Coon Rapids High School senior Eleanor Defoe and Blaine High School senior Kendall Stadden both represent their schools as Bleacher Captains.
Bleacher Captains will be visible at all NWSC-sponsored activities to help promote a positive environment and respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel.
In this episode, both Defoe and Stadden share insights into what it is like at a high school sporting event both from the spectator and student-athlete perspectives.
Tune in to the 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.
Above and Beyond
Nominate outstanding school staff for an Above & Beyond Award
Submissions accepted through January 20
Do you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who goes above and beyond normal job expectations to ensure that students receive a high quality education in a safe and nurturing environment? Maybe that person is a teacher or a custodian or a paraprofessional? Maybe a school counselor or principal? Perhaps someone working in the cafeteria, or a nurse or a secretary?
If you know someone who does amazing work for children, you’re strongly encouraged to nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards. The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and rewarding Anoka-Hennepin employees and groups who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.
Nominations are being accepted for worthy candidates through Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
Check out the Above & Beyond Awards website, ahschools.us/aboveandbeyond, for a nomination form or to read additional information about the awards.
The program is a joint effort of the district and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF). The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony will take place March 29 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).
Lunch Guests
Here is the Lunchroom Sign-Up Links for February, March, April, and May 2023. June will come out at a later date. You can also sign up through the Brookside Elementary Home page. Please see directions below.
Directions to Sign-Up to Have Lunch with your Child
- Go to the Brookside Elementary Home Page: https://www.ahschools.us/brookside
- Click on "About Us"
- Click on "Daily Schedule"
- Click on the link "Sign up to have lunch with your child in December"
Directions to Add Funds to Your Student's Meal Account
- Log in to your A-H Connect parent account at ahschools.us.
- Click on the My Student Information/Synergy icon.
- Once in ParentVUE, click on the "Fee" tab.
- Click on "Pay Fees" to enter the SchoolPay payment system.
- Click on "Food Services" to add funds to your student's meal account.
Conferences
Welcome To Brookside's
22-23 Winter Conferences
**ALL FAMILIES**
Tuesday, February 21st 4:20-8:20 pm
Thursday, February 23rd 4:20-8:20 pm
Tuesday, February 28th 4:20-8:20 pm
Please schedule a time with your child’s homeroom teacher for a Winter Conference. If you would like to meet with a specialist teacher, please make an additional conference with that teacher on their individual schedule. If you are having issues - please contact the Brookside Office Staff at 763-433-5200.
Book Fair will be open at 4:20-8:00 pm during conference days.
If you need to change your time, simply check the email confirmation for instructions.
Character Strong
We began rolling out our Character Strong social emotional curriculum this fall. Students are receiving daily lessons with an emphasis on conflict resolution, emotion regulation, and executive functioning skills. Below is the family newsletter for each grade level. Please take a peek to see what your child is learning.
Student Council News
We are excited to partner with Cinderella Kenya: Shoes for the Kenyan Girl in February. Cinderella Kenya is a faith based, non-profit, social service organization that seeks to donate unwanted and repurposed shoes to girls and young women experiencing poverty around the world. Their aim is to put shoes into good use to avoid them ending up as waste and thus also protecting the environment.
Our service project will run from February 15-28. We will be collecting gently used shoes that are still wearable in any size and any gender. Collection boxes will be placed near the office.
On Friday, February 24 we will host a FUNDRAISER Pop Up Shop. 100% of the profits will be given to Cinderella Kenya to help cover their cost of shipping the shoes overseas.
Additional information will be sent out closer to the collection window.
Brookside PTO
PTO UPDATE:
PLAYGROUND:
We have our new playground on order!!! We are so excited that it will be installed at the end of summer or early fall. Thank you for all your support and patience with this process!
Upcoming events:
Winter Wonderland is on January 27th from 6:00-7:30! . Please join us for a fun family night!
February PTO Meeting: Thursday February 9th at 6:30 in the Maker Space.
Conferences are coming up in February! We would love your help feeding our amazing staff!
If you can help out, check out this link:
Valentine Grams:
We will be selling Valentine Grams on February 8th, 9th and 10th. Each Valentine Gram is $1 and can be sent to any one in our building!
Volunteer Update
Volunteers play an important role at Brookside Elementary School. If you would like to learn more and help out our students and staff during the school year, please complete the volunteer paperwork for this school year. Check out https://www.ahschools.us/domain/11288 for more information.
EXCITING UPDATES:
We have had the opportunity to provide reading support to some 4th and 5th grade students through our amazing volunteers. Additionally, we have started up our K-Skillbuilders program since November for our littlest learners. We currently have 4 regular volunteers supporting this area on a weekly basis. Starting in the middle of January, one of our volunteers will be running an after school enrichment program, Math Plus, for a handful of first graders.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS:
- Winter Wonderland is coming to Brookside on Friday, January 27th. It's a fun outdoor event with bonfires, s'mores, hot chocolate, crafting, and concessions available. We are looking for volunteers to help with various roles with time slots between 5-8pm. If you are interested in helping, please sign up here: Winter-Wonderland sign-up
- If you can't help volunteer for the event but would like an opportunity to still provide help, we are looking for food donation items to be used for our event. If you would like to help supply an item, please sign up using this link: Winter Wonderland food donations. All items will need to be dropped off to Brookside on or before January 25th. Thank you so much for your help!!!
- Brookside will be selling Valentine Grams again! We are looking for volunteers to help with sales 2/6-2/8 to our students. Additionally, we are looking for help with our sorting and assembly of the Valentine Grams to classrooms. If you are interested in helping with this project, please use this link to sign up: Valentine Gram sign-up
- We would love for Brookside families to be able to provide our fabulous teachers with a meal to enjoy during conferences. The date we are looking for is Thursday, February 23rd. All donation items will need to be dropped off at Brookside by 4:30pm on 2/23. If you would like to donate, please sign up here: Conference meal sign-up
- Brookside will be hosting our Winter Book Fair during conferences. We would love some volunteers to help with various dates for this event. If you are able and willing to help, please sign up here: Winter Book Fair sign-up