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Brookside Elementary news & events
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In the Know- October 2022
October 27, 2022
Upcoming events
October 28 - APEX Fun Run
November 6 - Daylight Savings Time
November 8 - No School for Elementary Students
November 10 - PTO Meeting 6:30 - 8 pm
November 17 - Fall Bingo Night sponsored by PTO 5 - 8 pm
November 23 - No School for Elementary Students
November 24 - 25 District Closed
A message from the principal
Regular attendance in school is essential to the success of our students. Students who are well should be at school every day that school is in session. Students who are ill should not be in school. Generally, students don’t miss more than six days of school a year from illness. If there are chronic health concerns, consult the school nurse.
If a student is not at school and the school has not received notice of an absence, the school will call a parent or guardian. If the school does not hear from the parent or guardian, the student’s absence will be recorded as unexcused. Absence due to weather concerns will be excused only if reported by a parent or guardian.
A student is considered tardy if he or she arrives up to 60 minutes late.
A student is considered absent for a half day if he or she arrives more than 60 minutes late up to half of the school day.
A student is considered absent for a full day if he or she arrives at school and is picked up within 90 minutes.
A student is considered absent for a full day if he or she misses four or more hours of the school day.
If an elementary student is absent three days within a single school year without an excuse the student is considered a “continuing truant,” according to state law (section 260A.02). The school is required by law to notify a parent when a child is a “continuing truant.” Once a student is considered a “continuing truant”, parents and guardians are given an opportunity to explain their child’s absences. When an elementary student is absent seven or more days within a single school year without an excuse, that student is considered a “habitual truant,” according to state law (section 260C.007). Anoka-Hennepin schools refer “habitually truant” students to the county attorney. Attendance letters will be sent home when absences or tardies become excessive so families can take corrective action and address the issue. If a student will not be attending school due to cold weather or other concerns, a parent or guardian must call the school to report the absence. Absence due to weather or other concerns will be excused if reported by a parent or guardian.
School highlights
Complete back to school verification, now
Back to school verification is required. It’s important that each family completes the verification process. Verification ensures that Anoka-Hennepin Schools has confirmed contact information for each student to ensure schools have access to emergency contact information and information releases for the safety of students.
Families may complete the verification on their own time, wherever it’s convenient. Even if families’ contact information has not changed, it’s important to log in to access a variety of other student information, including class schedules and teacher assignments, attendance, school handbooks, lunch account and grades.
Login to A-HConnect to complete back to school forms for the upcoming school year.
Click here for more detailed information.
Parents/guardians can access back to school forms by clicking the lock icon and “Login” at the top right corner of any district or school website.
Then, select, "My Student Information,"
Then, select, "Online Registration," (in the upper right corner)
Then, select, "22-23 Back to School Verification," (from the drop down).
If you need help finding your login/password, call 763-506-HELP for assistance.
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.
Picture retake day
Picture retake day is Thursday, November 10. If you want us to retake your picture, simply return your original package on Picture Retake Day. The retake picture day ID for Brookside is EVTBT3PWC. All students will have their picture taken for the yearbook.
PACREE Meeting Schedule for 2022-23
Join parents and guardians of students of color from around the district for updates, discussion and action planning as part of the Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity (PACREE).
Increasing involvement from parents and guardians in education to impact educational outcomes and supporting a sense of belonging in school is the driving force behind PACREE. The group will hold a session covering a different topic each month in support of students and in alignment with the Anoka-Hennepin Equity Achievement Plan, a coordinated effort to promote high academic achievement for all students and eliminate predictable gaps amongst student groups. Visit ahschools.us/equityachievementplan for additional information.
Meetings will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. and will be offered in a virtual format on the following dates: Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 13, Jan. 17, Feb. 14, March 21, April 18, May 16.
For additional information and to get involved with PACREE sessions, please contact Darron Sherrill, assistant director of students services - diversity, equity and inclusion at darron.sherrill@ahschools.us or Rahmo Ali, cultural liaison, at rahmo.ali@ahschools.us.
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.
Brookside PTO
HUGE SHOUT OUT to all who have made APEX so successful! We are excited for the FUN RUN on Friday! We can’t wait to add on to our playground! Parents are invited to come cheer on our students! Just a reminder - parents cannot come into the building, please dress accordingly.
Fun Run Schedule:
Kindergarten 9:50 - 10:40
Grade 2 10:40 - 11:30
Grade 1 11:35 - 12:25
Grade 3 12:25 - 1:15
Grade 4 2:05 - 2:55
Grade 5 2:55 - 3:40
Where does our money go??
Check out all the things we have been able to provide for classrooms so far this year:
CORE class- mice for computers
4th Grade- mice for computers
5th Grade - Magazine subscriptions
ART class- light pads and fabric scissors
Soccer balls, frisbees, small balls for recess carts
EL-ROCK your School items
Reading Corps- small prizes
Staff conference meals
1st Grade Author Study
We love that we are able to provide for our students and staff at Brookside!
Thank you to all who have helped make this happen!
Upcoming events!
Join us for our November Dine in night!
Texas Roadhouse in Coon Rapids welcomes all Brookside families on Tuesday November 1st from 4-8. 10% of all sales come right back to Brookside!
November PTO Meeting: Thursday Nov 10th at 6:30 in the Media Center, all are welcome!
We are excited to host our first PTO Family event this fall!
Mark your calendars! November 17 we will be having a fun night of BINGO!
Doors open at 5:45 and Bingo will start right at 6:00. Concessions will be provided! More details to follow soon!
Our first ever Craft Fair Boutique will be held on December 3rd! Are you a vendor? Do you know someone who makes or sells some pretty cool things? Please send us an email and we can send you some more details! Brooksideelemschoolpto@gmail.com
Do you like to shop? Check out this great event! Grab some friends and come and shop! The Student Council will also be hosting a Secret Santa Event!
Veterans Day at Brookside
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.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITY FOR VOLUNTEERS:
- Brookside is looking for 2-3 volunteers who would be willing to help with Picture Retake Day on November 10th from 9:30-11:30. Please use this link to sign up: Picture Retake Day volunteer sign-up.
- Brookside's PTO will be hosting a Fall BINGO Night. If you are interested in volunteering, please use this link to sign: Fall BINGO Night volunteer sign-up.