Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
January 12, 2022 Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
Greetings Woodcrest families,
Challenges and Change
This last week and a half have presented Woodcrest some challenges that I am proud to say we have handled well. The combination of cold weather and COVID-19 might have been a distraction for some but our students and staff have been taking everything in stride.
With the latest surge of COVID-19 cases, we have had some questions. Please know, we continue to follow mitigations strategies to support the health and safety of students and staff – including face masks, distancing as we are able, hand washing, cleaning, onsite testing and more.
We do not have any current plans to move as a school or a district to distance learning. The only way we would consider a move to distance learning is if we can’t safely staff our schools. So far, we’ve been able to creatively address absences to keep learning at school. Please continue to screen for health each morning and keep kids home if they have symptoms.
On the heels of Winter Break, I want to remind you next Monday is a national holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please do not send your children to school that day. There is no school on Monday, January 17.
During my high school years, I was introduced to and maintained a simple practice of phenology. Phenology is paying attention to and tracking seasonal changes in nature. I abandoned the practice of recording the daily sun rise and set, but I still do enjoy noticing one of the gifts January has to offer, longer days.
I hope that you and your family are finding ways to enjoy those extra minutes of sunlight each day. Spring is right around the corner.
Con gratitúd,
John Franke
COVID update: 5-day quarantine guidance
We have begun to implement 5-day quarantine guidance for those who test positive for COVID-19 and are eligible. Minnesota Department of Health has given schools the go-ahead to follow this newly updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This new guidance allows those who test positive to return five days after the positive test or the onset of symptoms if they are not experiencing symptoms. If symptoms persist, they are still required to stay at home.
The guidelines also require anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to wear a face mask in public, including at school, for 10 days following their positive test. Because masks must be removed for eating and drinking, accommodations are being made to provide anyone who returns to school under this guidance a place where they can adequately distance (at least 6 feet) from others when eating or drinking until the 10-day timeframe has passed.
Please continue to coordinate any absences related to health with the school health office.
Introduction to Westwood for 4th grade families
When students finish fourth grade at Spring Lake Park elementary schools, they transition to 5th grade at Westwood Intermediate School. Now is the time to get to know Westwood and prepare for next year.
Westwood is home to students in grades 5-8. While all under one roof, Westwood has separate programs and spaces for 5-6 intermediate students and 7-8 middle school students.
Families of fourth graders are invited to attend an Introduction to Westwood session online on Tuesday, January 25 and/or in-person on Thursday, February 10 to learn more about the school, the transition to 5th grade and to meet members of the Westwood team.
Attend a virtual session Tuesday, January 25
- Coffee and Conversations - 9 a.m. | WebEx Link
- Lunch and Learn - 1 p.m. | WebEx Link
- Dessert and Discuss - 6 p.m. | WebEx Link
The content of each presentation will be the same so families only need to attend one session. There will also be a recorded presentation available to families after these sessions with the same great information.
Attend the Westwood Welcome Thursday, February 10
Fourth grade students and their families will have an opportunity to visit Westwood in-person, 5:30-7:30 p.m. You can participate in a brief overview session or several topic-specific sessions and tour the building.
Questions? Contact the Westwood office at 763-600-5300. The Westwood team is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2030 next fall.
SLP website disruptions resolved
Spring Lake Park Schools' website hosting service experienced worldwide disruption to services the week of January 3 due to a ransomware attack. Sporadic outages turned into major downtime throughout the week. We know this caused confusion and frustration for all who needed to access information and complete tasks on our school websites. All services have now been restored and everything is working as normal. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Nominate a teacher for the 2022 SLP Teacher of the Year
Do you know an educator who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? Nominate them by Friday, February 25 for Spring Lake Park Schools' Teacher of the Year!
Please download and complete a Nomination Form below and email or return the form to Spring Lake Park High School to the attention of Maria Ahrndt. Nominations are due by Friday, February 25, 2022.
This is an exciting way to recognize the amazing educators we have in Spring Lake Park Schools! Thank you for taking the time to submit a nomination. View the nominee criteria and learn more.
Shark Tank - high school style
Sometimes it's hard to imagine your child making their way in the world - what will they choose? Will they be a doctor? Business person? Mechanic? Engineer? Teacher? As they make their way through Spring Lake Park Schools, there are many opportunities to explore where their interests intersect with their future path.
At Spring Lake Park High School, students in the Business and Entrepreneurship Pathway recently pitched their ideas and business plans for new apps and products to local business leaders. In the end, everyone won with real-world feedback, insights and learning.
Take a peek at a unique high school Shark Tank experiences and what might be ahead for your student.
Conociendo a la Sra. Heimbach
Shelly Heimbach is one of the speech therapists at Woodcrest. She loves being immersed in Spanish language and the bilingual aspect of working with speech students.
She started her career as a therapist in 1997 and entered the school system shortly after. She has stayed in the educational setting ever since.
She lives with her husband and twin daughters. She is also caring for her father.
In her spare time, she enjoys teaching her dogs new tricks and baking new gluten free treats for her family.
Secure your spot for upcoming winter programming!
Last chance to sign up for Winter Community Education Programs. Many programs start week of January 24. From robotics and tennis to chess and painting, there is something great for your student to engage in this winter!
Opportunities for families
Family Snowshoeing - January 29 at Springbrook
Last call! Join us for a fun and relaxing snowshoe hike on Springbrook Nature Center trails. Register here.
Winter Seed Sowing
A fun activity to kick-off the gardening season, starting seeds in homemade greenhouses. We provide all of the materials for you to make n’ take up to five containers home. Seeds provided, or you can bring your own. This is a great class for a parent and child. Register here.
Opportunities for adults
Basic Home Repair-Electrical
Learn the basics of home electrical repairs and save the money and hassle of calling an electrician. In this class you will learn skills such as: proper electrical safety, wire striping, circuit testing, rewiring lamps and extension cords, and installing light fixtures/ ceiling fans. Register here.
Star Wars with North Metro TV
This class is your chance to learn how the sci-fi adventure everyone underestimated took the world by storm. Join North Metro TV Studio Manager Eric Houston for this 1-hour look behind the scenes of the entire Star Wars Saga. Register here.
Spirit Wear is in!
If you ordered Spirit wear, your student should be bringing it home within the next week unless you have made other arrangements. Watch for another opportunity to order next fall!
Chipotle Northtown Dine to Donate January 19, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Please join us for our Dine to Donate at Chipotle Northtown (599 Northtown Dr NE Ste 500, Blaine) on Wednesday January 19, from 4-8 p.m.!
33% of our food purchases go back to the Woodcrest PTO to help fund events and activities for students at Woodcrest!
Please show the cashier your digital flyer or printed flyer prior to paying to ensure your purchase is credited to the Woodcrest PTO OR if you prefer to order online and pick up at Chipotle, use the Promo Code FB3V82N on the Chipotle app or website. Online orders are only accepted through the Chipotle app for pick up at the Northtown location and must be ordered during our event time of 4-8 p.m. on January 19.
We hope to see you there!
PTO Meeting
PTO Contact Information
If you have any ideas, questions, or concerns, please reach out to the Woodcrest Spanish Immersion PTO.
- Monday, January 17, 2022: No School, MLK Jr. Day
- Wednesday, January 19, 2022: Dine to donate at Chipotle from 4-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 25 - Introduction to Westwood Virtual Sessions (4th Grade Families)
- Monday, February 7, 2022: PTO Meeting at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, February 10 - Westwood Welcome, visit in-person (4th Grade Families)
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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