The CL Courier
February 5, 2024
Principal's Post
Crooked Lake families,
We have had a really fun start to February with "I Love to Read" month. Thank you to our staff on this committee who put it all together!
Our Character Strong focus is honesty. We define honesty as being truthful in what you say and do. This monthly focus continues to be a great way to build community, and encourage our students in their path toward successful relationships with each other.
Many of you have already signed up for conferences (Feb. 20, 22 ,26) already. Thank you. Go to MyConferencetime to sign up. This is a great time to get your questions answered, and find out more about what kind of learning we are doing at school, and how we can better partner together for your child's success. We really appreciate this valuable connection that we get to have with our families.
A reminder that students will not have school on February 19 or 20.
Take care.
Sam Anderson
Crooked Lake Principal
763-506-2101
New: Report Cards Are Only Online This Year
New for the 2023-24 school year, elementary school report cards will be available online and will no longer be sent through postal mail or student’s backpacks. Families will be able to access report cards by logging into A-HConnect or viewing it on the ParentVUE mobile app.
The switch to online report cards means that information is available to review at the conclusion of each trimester. Schools will notify families when the report cards are available to view. Parents, guardians and any person with educational rights to a student will be able to access the student’s report card online.
To ensure access to the report cards when available at the conclusion of Trimester 1, families are encouraged to make sure they have their login information now. Currently, report cards from last school year are available for viewing.
How to view report cards from A-HConnect (view detailed instructions):
- Login to A-HConnect.
- Click on the ‘My Student Information/ParentVUE’ icon.
- Select a student from the dropdown menu.
- Select ‘Documents.’
- Select and view the applicable report card from the ‘Documents’ window.
- The report card will open in a new tab where the capabilities to download or print will be available.
View from the ParentVUE app (view detailed instructions):
- Go to the AppStore or Google Play and search for the ParentVUE app.
- Enter your zip code when prompted, and select “Anoka-Hennepin School District” from the menu options.
- Confirm ‘yes’ and select ‘Already Activated,’ if prompted.
- Use login/password to login.
- Select a student from the student list.
- Select ‘Documents.’
- Select and view the applicable report card.
- Click the share button to save or share the PDF.
If you need assistance logging in or forgot your password, call 763-506-HELP (4357) or email 506help@ahschools.us. For questions about the report cards, please contact the main office.
Upcoming Events
- February 1: I Love to Read Month begins!
- February 2: Hat's off to Reading, Hat day!
- February 9: Read My Shirt Day!
- February 14: Valentine's Day
- February 16: Dress like Waldo and Wanda!
- February 19: District closed, President's Day
- February 20-22: Scholastic Book Fair!
- February 20: School closed
- February 20, 22, 26: Conferences
- February 23: Cozy PJ Day!
- March 1: Dress like a Book Character!
- March 1: Women's History Month begins!
Follow this link for more upcoming events:
https://www.ahschools.us/Page/16#calendar11/20231203/month
You can also find more information when you visit the Crooked Lake Elementary website here:
Scholastic Book Fair: February 20 - 27
The Scholastic Book Fair is the biggest fundraising event of the year for our school library, and a portion of our profits goes directly into our library collection.
This year’s goal is to sell 1,600 books! Students will be welcome to shop the book fair during their Library classes, as well as throughout conference hours. Visit our school’s Book Fair website for details! Here you can and set up an eWallet for your child and preview the books from the fair!
Want more Book Fair? No problem! Keep the party going at our Book Fair online. All book purchases over $25 ship free and every purchase benefits our school!. #ScholasticBookFairs
We are always looking for community volunteers to support our book fair. If you are interested, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator today!
Reedy's Report
Hello Crooked Lake Community!
I hope you are enjoying the summer weather this February!
This strange weather can bring out strange behaviors and emotions in kids. Please reach out if you are concerned about your child’s emotions or behaviors. These types of needs are often brought to us by family members. We can assist in helping the child cope here at school, or, if needed, we can help families find outside resources.
I also want to put in another plug for Every Meal. This is a free weekend meal program in which
anyone can participate. There is a variety of cuisines, and the meals are placed discretely in the
students' backpacks. Once you sign up, there is nothing else for the family to do. The free food
just starts coming home. Please let me or your teacher know if you would like to receive this
free service.
Thanks,
Tyler
- If you have immediate concerns for the physical safety of a friend, a family member, or yourself, call 911.
- Dial **CRISIS from your cell phone to be connected with county mobile crisis services.
- Anoka County Mobile Crisis: 763-755-3801
- Hennepin County Children (up to 18): 612-348-2233
- Hennepin County Adults (18+): 612-596-1223
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (English) or 1-888-628-9454 (Spanish)
- Crisis Text Line: “HOME” to 741741
Tyler Reedy
MSW/LICSW
763-506-2164
tyler.reedy@ahschools.us
Nurse's News
Please welcome our new Health Para, Amanda Kerns, to Crooked Lake! She comes to Crooked Lake from CBPA and is a former Crooked Lake parent. We are so happy to have her here!
Katelyn Salwey
Licensed School Nurse, PHN, BSN, RN
Amanda Kerns
RN, School Nurse
Cook's Corner
The state’s Free School Meals program begins in 2023. Families will still need to apply to qualify for more educational benefits. Starting Sept. 5, 2023, every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the school year. The state’s Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one breakfast meal and one lunch meal for every student daily, however the cost of a la carte items, such as milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items. If your family needs access to any other educational benefits available to your student, please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application.
The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits begins Aug. 1, 2023. Anoka-Hennepin asks that all families complete an online application to provide additional school funding to support all students in the district. By filling out this application, your school can earn funding and you can save money. Educational benefits include:
- Athletics fees: Eligible students may qualify for fees to be waived or reduced.
- SAT, ACT, AP Fees: Students may be eligible for discounted fees for academic tests and some lab fees.
- Other high school activities: Students may qualify for discounts on speech, debate, theater, band and others.
- Additional benefits and cost savings: Chromebook device protection, Comcast Internet Essentials discount, Amazon Prime membership discounts, discounted bus fares with Metro Transit, Xcel Energy account assistance, discounts at museums and theaters.
Thanks!
Lauren Green
Child Nutrition Site Supervisor
Library's Latest
Hello Crooked Lake Families!
I am proud to announce that Crooked Lake’s total checkouts have reached over 10,000 books this year, wow! Way to go CLS!
In other exciting news, February is I Love to Read Month! Throughout the month of February, students will have the opportunity to engage in fun activities both in their classroom and during their library classes. Each Friday is an I Love to Read spirit day activity. Please reference the calendar below for Spirit Day activities.
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Crooked Lake Elementary, February 20-27! Scholastic offers a variety of quality, age-appropriate, children’s books in order to empower readers and inspire a love of reading and a love of learning.
Happy Reading!
Kristin Zelazny
Library Media Specialist/Core/ITT
Amy Postigo-Kocak
Library Media Assistant
Volunteer Voice
A HUGE thank you to all the Crooked Lake volunteers who have donated 289 hours to our school in January! I’m grateful for your willingness to help our teachers and students. The time spent planning events, helping teachers with projects, working with students, hanging artwork, and taking projects home make a difference and have a positive impact at our school.
February Volunteer Opportunities:
Please take a moment to view the upcoming volunteer opportunities at Crooked Lake and sign up if you’re available to help.
- At Home Volunteer
This opportunity allows volunteers to help from home. Job duties include cutting, pasting, hole punching, etc. Supplies are provided and most projects can be sent home with your student. - Book Fair
There are three opportunities to help with the book fair: set up, support, and disassemblement. For more information, please click the link above - Elegant Lunch
Students are treated to an elegant lunch on Wednesday, February 14th. There are three volunteer opportunities.
Set up: volunteers will help decorate the cafeteria with construction paper, flameless candles, and balloon arch.
Servers: volunteers will carry lunch trays for students and reset tables.
Photographer: volunteers will take pictures of classes. - Hanging Artwork
Volunteers will display artwork on tack stripes and/or walls. Volunteers must be comfortable using a step stool. This opportunity may also include taking down old art projects.
- Media Organizer
Volunteers will straighten and organize the bookshelves. Volunteers must be okay with working around students.
- Workroom Volunteer
Volunteers will help teachers and support staff with projects such as coping, laminating, stapling, etc.
ALL volunteers are required to complete/update the 2023 - 2024 Crooked Lake Elementary Volunteer
Application form and Criminal History Record Release form.
Melissa Hayek
Volunteer Services Coordinator
763-506-2130
Crooked Lake PTO
Showcase Night Dinner was Delicious
Thank you to everyone who stopped in the cafeteria with their families to support the PTO through food purchases. We served pizza from Costco, cookies, chips, and drinks. The funds raised through food sales benefits Crooked Lake Elementary students and staff 100%. Crooked Lake Creamery would like to thank everyone as well, for supporting them through ice cream purchases. They brought a tasty variety of flavors, including dairy free options, from their home base located in the Andover Community Center. Lastly, a BIG thanks to the student council kids and volunteers who helped work at and support this event, making it possible for us to provide dinner for all of you during Showcase Night. Without CLS family volunteers, events like this wouldn't be possible for our students.
Coming up in February - Family Night @ Urban Air
Tuesday, February 13th from 4 PM - 8 PM, Urban Air will be hosting Crooked Lake Elementary for a school Spirit Night. For this evening only, 20% of the proceeds from the sale of tickets at the event will benefit Crooked Lake. Tickets MUST BE PURCHASED IN PERSON THE NIGHT OF THE EVENT TO BENEFIT OUR SCHOOL. Mention Spirit Night at the check in desk. Online ticket sales and the use of gift cards will NOT go back to our school. Wear your Crooked Lake Eagles gear and we'll see you at Urban Air!
Shout Out to AHEF!
A special thank you to the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) for their generosity in helping us pay for our new mascot costume for our newly renamed eagle- Lightning!
Also, for the grant that allowed Crooked Lake to acquire an outdoor chess set so students had the opportunity for more connection and learning together. AHEF partners with donors who are passionate about children and education in order to create equitable and innovative experiences for all students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
PTO Meetings
There are no school PTO meetings for February or March. The PTO Board members will be meeting during the Urban Air event if you'd like to drop by our table and say hi! We will be discussing formation of the Carnival Planning Committee and begin a reach out campaign for NEW Board Members to join us for the 2024-2025 school year.
Parents NEEDED!
For the School Carnival to happen this year in April, we NEED parent volunteers to help plan and execute this event. If that's something you are interested in feel free to reach out to the PTO. Formal communication to follow.
New PTO Board Members are needed for next school year to continue to carry on the CLS PTO legacy! We'd love to have you join us. If that's you, feel free to reach out to PTO. Formal communication to follow.
Crooked Lake PTO
Angie Siddons - Chairperson
Nicole Rutt-Livgard - Co-Chairperson
Sandra Anderson - Treasurer
Jen Melsha - Board Member
Community Education
New Class: Ninja Warriors
Join us! Community Ed is happy to offer a variety of new and fun classes for students. Register your student today:
- 2/7: Draw Along with Me! Valentines Edition
- 2/9: Animal Humane Society Tour
- 3/21: Archery
- 3/25: Kindness Rock Painting
- 3/26: Soccer Camp
- 3/26: Fencing
- 3/29: Schools Out: Multi Sport Camp
See you in class!
Rachel Smith
763-506-1712
Late Arrivals & Absences
Bus Information
What if my child's bus doesn't come in the morning and/or my child doesn't get off the bus in the afternoon and I am unable to reach the school? This is rare, but if this does happen, please call your child's bus company. The bus company will assist you in the morning and also take the lead and contact you in the afternoon when they locate your child.
Kottkes' 763-755-3100
Busses: 08 68 87 501 533 535 544
First Student 763-421-3199
Bus: 301
Transportation App: FirstView
Attention Crooked Lake Families! There is an app called FirstView! This app enables families to get real-time information on regular bus routes - in the palm of your hand! Features include email, push, and text notifications of any route changes.
Simply download FirstView from your device's app store. On-screen directions walk first-time users through the easy set-up process. Choose Minnesota and then Anoka-Hennepin from the drop-down menus. After doing so, the app will direct you to A-HConnect. Log in with your parent/guardian username and password (if you've forgotten your parent/guardian username or password, please call 763-506-HELP), the app will then automatically populate your student's information.
Crooked Lake Elementary is on Facebook! Get the latest news by following:
@https://www.facebook.com/crookedlake/?ref=bookmarks
Follow Crooked Lake's PTO too at:
Crooked Lake Elementary School
2939 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW | Andover, MN 55304 | P: 763-506-2100 | F: 763-506-2103 | crookedlake@ahschools.us | Translate
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