News from the Nest

Attendance Form

Breakfast and Lunch Menu

Blue Heron Parent Hub

IXL Student Log-in Info

IXL

Technology Help

Welcome to a new school year filled with boundless opportunities for your child to SOAR!

A few reminders as we start the 2023-2024 school year.

1. Optional Breakfast

• Students in Grade K who have opted for breakfast will directly go to the cafeteria when the bell rings. Only students who have a GREEN tag on their backpack will go to the cafeteria.
• Students in Grade 1-2 will first go directly to their classroom and get their lanyard / ID card prior to going to the cafeteria.
• Students in Grade 3-5 will first go directly to their classroom and get their lanyard / ID card prior to getting a grab and go breakfast from the 4th grade commons.

2. ID Cards/Lanyards

• ID Cards / Lanyards need to stay at school. If you see your child bringing them home, please help us by reinforcing this expectation.

3. Assigned Bus

• Only students assigned to a bus can ride the bus. For instance, a student cannot have their friends take the bus home to their house because they have a planned event. If there is an emergency, those situations need to be communicated directly to the principal and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

4. Blue Heron Parent Hub

• Visit the Blue Heron Parent Hub on the Website: Your one-stop shop for information such as school lunch menus, attendance form, calendar, and important announcements, and more! Bookmark the page for easy access.

5. Before and After School Procedures: VIDEO

2 Options for Arrival and Dismissal Procedures:

1. Parking Lot: Please park in the parking lot and use the crosswalk. It is preferred to use the parking lot during pick-up.
2. Curbside: Please form a single lane (closest to the school building). One lane will be blocked off so a single lane can be formed. It is important that while in the drop off and pick up lane, you do not leave your car unattended. Traffic needs to flow smoothly. Also, please do not pull around the car in front of you. Instead, continue to stay in the single lane. The entire length of the curb needs to be used as a drop-off zone. Parents must stay in their car. If you need to get out of your car to assist your student, please use the parking lot.

Mr. Hartmann

Sept. 4: No School / Labor Day

Sept. 5: First Day of School - Grades 1-5

Sept. 5: Kindergarten & Pre-K Meet Your Teacher 10am-12pm
Sept. 6: First Day of School - Kindergarten and Preschool
Sept. 7: 4th Grade Info Night 5-6pm - School-age childcare available in the media center

Sept. 11: 5th Grade Info Night 5-6pm - School-age childcare available in the media center

Sept. 12: 2nd Grade Info Night 5-6pm - School-age childcare available in the media center

Sept. 13: 1st Grade Info Night 5-6pm - School-age childcare available in the media center

Sept. 14: 3rd Grade Info Night 5-6pm - School-age childcare available in the media center

Sept. 19: Picture Day - Online Order Form

Sept. 25: PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30pm - School-age childcare available.

The 2023-24 Blue Heron Elementary Calendar is located on our school’s website at https://blueheron.isd12.org/ under the Parent Hub. Here you will also find the 2023-2024 District Student Calendar and the 2023-2024 Elementary Student Letter Day Calendar.

2023-2024 School Supply List

2023-2024 Family Events

Please remember to report your child's absence, tardy, or early release on the

Attendance Online Form even if you have communicated with your child's

teacher.

https://blueheron.isd12.org/student-life/attendance

You can also find this form link at the top of this newsletter.

Failure to report a student's absence will result in an unexcused absence.

A student’s first breakfast and lunch will be free for all students in the 2023-24 school year. Additional meals or ala carte items will have the following costs associated with them:

Breakfast

• 1st Lunch (Free)
• 2nd Lunch ($2.25)
• 2nd Breakfast Entree Only ($1.25)

Lunch

• 1st Lunch (Free)
• 2nd Lunch ($4.95)
• 2nd Lunch Entree Only ($2.75)

Milk

• Only Milk or Additional Milk ($.60)

Payment for incremental food service items will be electronic transactions only using a bank or credit card in the parent portal.

• Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal here or use the App.
• Food Service information is on the homepage.
• Select the student you wish to add money to their account.
• Select “Pay” to add to your cart and complete the payment transaction online.

If your family needs assistance, there is a link to the Applications for Educational Benefits in Parent Portal under the “More” and “Meal Benefits” section. The menu can be found by downloading the LINQ Connect app and choosing Centennial Schools or online on our website under the Parent Hub at https://blueheron.isd12.org/parents

Do you have questions about your student's bus or bus route?

Call our Transportation Department at 612-789-5143.

As a school, we want to continue recognizing our students’ special days while being sensitive to our wellness, student health, and financial considerations. With that in mind, we have moved away from edible treats for birthdays. Students and teachers will have the option to collaborate and choose an appropriate celebration option for each child.

The Main Navigation button is the three stacked horizontal lines. Clicking on this will show you all your options for navigating the site. This will be consistent whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device so your navigation experience will be seamless. Selecting Schools next to the navigation button enables you to get to your student’s school or program quickly.

Parent Hubs
Are you looking for information such as the calendar, attendance form, or school lunch menu? Select the Parent Hub on your student’s school site for a one-stop shop for all of your go-to needs.

The Elementary Handbook with policies and procedures can be found on Blue Heron's website https://blueheron.isd12.org/parents under the parent hub/parent tools. You may also request a hard copy through the office or your child’s classroom teacher.

The Blue Heron PTO is a great way to be engaged with your child’s school and meet other families.

Check out the Blue Heron PTO Website for more information.

Don’t miss this chance to get involved and make a difference in the Centennial School District! No experience necessary; training provided!

This is a great opportunity to:

• Be involved in your child’s education and help out in the schools.
• Turn your volunteer hours into extra income.
• Work a schedule that fits with your student’s schedule.
• Get paid weekly and take advantage of bonus opportunities.

Available positions:

• Substitute Teachers (To qualify, you must have bachelor’s degree with MN Teaching or Substitute License; you can obtain a Short Call License if you have a bachelor’s degree.)

• Substitute Paraprofessionals (To qualify, you must have a HS Diploma/GED.)

Apply at teachersoncall.com; 800-713-4439

Substitutes are also needed for Kids Club, food service, custodial, administrative assistants, and nurses. More information can be found on the Centennial website.

Immunizations

Minnesota law requires children enrolled in childcare, early childhood education, or school to be immunized against certain diseases, unless the child is medically or non-medically exempt.

If proper documentation is not provided, students will be unable to attend school after November 1st, 2023. What you need to do:

1. Contact your health care provider and review your child’s immunization status to make sure they are up to date.
2. If you missed a required vaccination, make an appointment with a healthcare provider or local clinic as soon as possible.
3. Follow up with your students’ school if they have reached out to you regarding your students’ immunization status.
4. Turn in medical (must be signed by a health care provider) and non-medical (must be notarized) exemption forms to your child’s school if they are exempt from immunizations.

Visit the MDH website for vaccine schedules, exemption forms and more information including where to get free/low cost immunizations today. Please reach out to your students’ school for any questions.

Families are required to annually review and update emergency and contact information. The information is now available in your campus portal for review. Please login to Parent Portal, review, and update the data on file for you as parent/guardians as well as your students by Friday, September 22, 2022. Click HERE for more information and directions for updating your information.

Thank you in advance for promptly reviewing and updating this information.

Welcome back to school and back to new opportunities for learning and activity with Community Education! We have fall offerings for the whole family, including Gymnastics, Aquatics, sports & recreational opportunities, STEM offerings and more! View all offerings online, isd12.ce.eleyo.com.

Happening soon:

Sept. 6- Deadline to register for swim lessons at noon.

Beginner and Intermediate Tennis Lessons

Sept. 7- Kids Dance (ages Pre-K-5)

Sept. 10- Conquer Ninja Rec Team (ages 6-13)

Sept. 19- Skyhawks Soccer Camp (ages 5-10)

Sept. 21- Volleyball Intro Skills and Games (gr. 3)

Go online to view all activities and to register, communityed.isd12.org.

Welcome to the Digital Backpack, the district’s central posting place for community flyers. If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact the organizations directly. View the Digital Backpack online.

Email: apalmsteen@isd12.org
Website: www.isd12.org/schools/elementary-schools/blue-heron-elementary
Location: 405 Elm Street, Lino Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 763.792.6200