News and events
February 2, 2024
Upcoming Dates
Thursday, February 8: Conferences
Monday, February 12: Conferences
Tuesday, February 13: Conferences
Monday, February 19: No school, district closed holiday
Tuesday, February 20: No school, Staff Development
Tuesday, March 5: No school, Staff Development
A message from the principal
Dayton Families,
We hope you are doing well and enjoying this unseasonably warm weather. February is a fun month at school, with many special opportunities for our students and families. We are looking forward to having the opportunity to see you at our February family/teacher conferences. We value your partnership and appreciate this time to connect with you.
The month of February is Black History Month. It is important this month, and all year long, to recognize, honor and celebrate the contributions of Black individuals throughout our history. February is also I Love to Read Month. Thanks to our I love to Read planning team, our PTO and the Dayton Lions, we have some fun activities and spirit days planned. Review the I love to Read calendar here.
During the month of February our school participates in our PTO Booster Fun Run and fundraiser. This includes character development lessons and a special glow run in the gym. Watch for more information coming soon.
In classrooms this month, students are learning about honesty. Character Strong defines honesty as “being truthful in what you say and do.”.
Families can learn more about how to support conversations about honesty with these resources:
Kindergarten Family Connection
Second Grade Family Connection
Fourth Grade Family Connection
We look forward to seeing you at conferences later this month. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Jessica Wippler
February Conferences
Thursday, February 8
Monday, February 12
Tuesday, February 13
Reminder: For families who chose a 4:10 PM conference, please call the school before 3:00 PM and have your child sent to the pick-up lane (A-K Dayton lot, L-Z Rebel lot), and collect your child/ren there before entering the building. Please be prompt when arriving at the pick- up lot, dismissal is at 4:00 PM. Click here for more information.
For families wanting a virtual conference option, please choose a conference within these windows of time:
Thursday, February 8 from 4:10-5:10 p.m.
Monday, February 12 from 4:10-5:50 p.m. and 7:00-8:35 p.m.
Tuesday, February 13 from 6:55-7:55 p.m.
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.
Looking for your child’s teacher? Click here for more information.
When reserving your time slot, please include your email address so that we can send out an email reminder the week before your scheduled conference.
If you are having issues, please contact the Dayton office staff at 763-506-2200.
February Specialists Highlights
Art
Project Highlight: First Grade Robots
This trimester, first graders are exploring how to use the elements of art shape and form in their work. Geometric shapes are often symmetrical, have names, and used in math applications (square, triangle, circle, etc). Abstract shapes have irregular edges and angles, do not have names, and can be found in nature. A form is when a 2-D shape becomes 3-D. First graders created their own unique robots to demonstrate their knowledge of how to use shapes to build a composition.
CORE
In the month of February, kindergarten students will begin learning to use Scratch Jr., a coding program. 1st grade will take a break from coding to complete a mini research project using Pebble Go. Grades two through five will continue to work with Scratch on their Chromebooks. Scratch is a free block coding program designed by students at MIT. The Scratch Jr. app is free to download on any tablet. Scratch is an online program. If students are using Scratch at home, please create a personal account to use it. School logins should only be used during Core instruction.
Explorations
February is a big month for students in Explorations! Kindergarten will be planning and building their Marble Run! First graders will continue their fun with being Animal Reporters and learn all about animals and their body language and sounds. Third graders will continue work on their Weather Module and focus on weather in different states. Fourth graders will begin a new Module on Geographic Investigations with a focus on Agriculture in Minnesota.
Library
February is I Love to Read Month! We will celebrate the joy of reading by sharing wonderful books together, learning about different genres of books, and students in grades K-2 will vote for their favorite Star of the North nominee book. Students in all grade levels will also have the opportunity to participate in a bookmark design contest!
Music
Fourth and Fifth grade students need their recorders and music folders every time they come to class. We are learning new music quickly and they are doing great!
PhyEd
GYM SHOES PLEASE!!!!!
We are finishing bowling and working on overhand throw and catch. We will move to Basketball skills this month.
Dayton Elementary PTO
The fundraising event of the year is coming!
We are excited to kick off our Booster Fun Run on February 21st! Dayton Elementary has always relied on fundraising to provide exceptional opportunities to enhance student learning, and we need your help! Mark your calendars for the key dates below, and be on the lookout for more detailed information coming your way!
KEY DATES TO REMEMBER:
● REGISTRATION OPENS – 2/07/2024
Register on MYBOOSTER.COM
● Booster Fun Run Kick Off – 2/21/2024
● Event Day – 2/29/2024
Thank you to everyone who showed up to watch “The Secret Life of Pets” at our movie night event. We love being able to give back to the kids and their families through fun events like this one.
Want to know how YOU can give back and volunteer at events? Or maybe you have some fun ideas of your own? Check out our next PTO meeting on Monday, February 12th, from 6:00–7:15 p.m. (Childcare is provided for school-age children.)
2023/2024 Dayton PTO Meetings
2/12: 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
No meeting in March
4/8: 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
5/13: 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
"Be Delighted, Be Inspired, Be a Dayton Eagle Volunteer!"
Volunteer Coordinator
763-506-2230
Book Swap
Once per month Dayton Elementary has a book swap.
This is a time to bring in a book or two to exchange for something new.
Who: Open to all students of Dayton Elementary
What: Bring in a gently used book or two to exchange for something new to read
When: Friday, Feb. 16, March 8, April 12, May 31
Time: 9:15 - 9:30 a.m.
*Donations are always welcome, just drop off books in the front vestibule labeled for the book swap.
Parent Education and Family Engagement
Hello, Dayton Elementary Families! My name is Stacy Handeland, and I am the Parent and Family Educator for your school.
Parenting is not an easy job and we are here to support you. There are many resources through Anoka-Hennepin that address common parenting questions and concerns. Online recordings, Parenting tip sheets and one-on-one support is all available through our website: www.ahschools.us/prektograde3.
Please contact me anytime! stacy.handeland@ahschools.us
Student arrival
Students may enter the building at 9:15 a.m., when the first bell rings. Please do not drop your child(ren) off before 9:15 a.m. There is no supervision if students arrive before 9:15 a.m. Class begins at 9:30 a.m.
Absences and Late Arrivals
Parents and guardians can share online when their student is going to be absent or arriving late through the My Student Information app via A-HConnect or in the ParentVUE mobile app. You can still call the school absence line at 763-506-2206. Our attendance line is a 24-hour automated voice mail system; this is simply a convenient alternative. You only need to report an absence one way.
Report student absences daily prior to 10:00 a.m. to avoid receiving an unverified messages. If no contact is made, the student absence will be considered unexcused.
Picking up a student early?
Only parents or guardians are permitted to leave early with students without verbal or written parent permission. It does not matter if they are an emergency contact. A valid photo ID must be presented when students are released from school.
Please call the school office at 763-506-2200 if someone else is picking up your child.
Students will not be called down prior to your arrival. Please allow enough time, as sometimes students are not in their classrooms and need to be located. Daily schedule linked here.
Early pickups should happen prior to 3:30 p.m., as the end of the day is very busy in the classroom and office.
Change in Dismissal
Call the main office at 763.506.2200 by 3:00 p.m.
Quick Information
763.506.2204
763.506.2213
763.506.2211
First Student Bus Co.
763.421.5785 First Student Champlin (regular routes to/from Dayton Elementary)
763.421.3199 First Student Anoka (students receiving special education transportation)
Please save these Bus Company numbers for use when the school office is closed. The bus company dispatch can locate and communicate with drivers on bus routes.
FirstView bus app
Anoka-Hennepin families have access to their students’ bus routes through the FirstView bus app. The app monitors regular school bus routes in real-time. And, it’s free for parents/guardians and students.
While Anoka-Hennepin buses have an excellent on-time performance record, inclement weather, traffic delays, and driver shortages may impact routes. The FirstView bus app provides bus arrival times, anticipated length of any delay, an estimated arrival time and if a substitute bus is being used on the route. Email, push and/or text notifications can inform families of such information instantly.
Go to ahschools.us/busapp to learn more or download FirstView from the Apple or Android app stores.
Dayton Elementary participates in the Box Tops for Education, so please scan your receipts. It helps raise money for our school! Click here to learn how.
This e-newsletter is published by Dayton Elementary School, supported by the Anoka-Hennepin communication and public relations department. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.