November 22, 2022
Dear Congdon Park Families,
Gratitude is happiness doubled. That is a perfect reflection of what I have experienced and witnessed this year. Every day I am moved and inspired by what I see, feel and hear. Every day I feel inspired to work alongside the incredible dedicated Congdon staff and their unique ability to teach and inspire our children. Every day I celebrate the amazing support of our parents, community and children. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as Congdon Park principal for the last 14 years.
I truly believe the success of our school is built on a foundation of mutual respect and inclusiveness. Every day Congdon staff nurture a culture of fairness, love and caring, all focused on the goal of providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for our students and families. Congdon staff is committed to continuing this focus and supporting our families during the school day and beyond. We are here for you.
I am thankful that our staff continues to strive for excellence in each and every classroom, to grow stronger by our diversity, and to cultivate an open and positive school climate where all people are welcome.
During this time of Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude and appreciation for being such an important part of our children’s lives. This is a wonderful time of year to get together with friends and family to celebrate and be thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives. On behalf of the Congdon Park staff, I would like to say “Thank you” for your continued support and wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving break. We will see everyone back here on Monday, November 28th.
Peace to you,
Kathi Kusch Marshall
Principal, Congdon Park
IT'S A SHORT WEEK THIS WEEK, NO SCHOOL Thursday and Friday. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
The Lost and Found is overflowing already! Please stop by school and look for things that belong at your house.
When calling in your child's absence, in addition to letting the teacher know, please let the attendance office know. 218-336-8825 ext 2 or congdonattendance@isd709.org
Each year we collect a Health History form for your child - these are handed out at the Back to School Open House. We are still missing quite a few. The health office sent home new copies last week to those students who have not had them returned. Please return as soon as possible.
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Important Dates - bolded events are new to the calendarNov 24 & 25 - No school Thanksgiving Nov 28 - PTA meeting 6pm Dec 2 - wear something blue Dec 9 - School Spirit Day - Sports Day Dec 19 - PTA meeting 12:00pm Dec 21 - East HS Concert Dec 23-Jan 2 - No School Holiday Break Jan 16 - No School Martin Luther King Jr Jan 23 - No School - Semester end Jan 30 - PTA meeting 6pm Feb 27 - PTA meeting 12:00pm Feb 20-24 - No School Winter Break March 8-14, 5th grade to Star Base March 20-28 Boosterthon March 27 - PTA meeting 6pm April 3-7 - MCA Reading Testing April 10-14 - No School Spring Break April 17-24 MCA Math Testing April 24 - PTA meeting 12:00pm April 24-28 MCA Science Testing - grade 5 only May 1-5 MCA Makeup Testing May - Spring Concert - date to be anounced May 22 - PTA Meeting 6pm May 29 - No School - Memorial Day June 8 - Last day of school | Teacher Wish ListYou may remember our teacher wish tree from the hallway of the school. Teachers would list items they would love to receive and parents could take down the apple, purchase the item(s), and return the item(s) to school. The tree has gone virtual this year! Teacher wishes are in a sign-up and will be updated throughout the year, so keep an eye on the list! Once you purchase the item, tag it with the teacher's name and drop it in the labeled bin in the school lobby. Here are our teacher wishes so far. | Giving Tree If you would like to help a Congdon family provide for their family this Holiday season, please click on this LINK. Please purchase the gift, wrap the gift and attach a tag with the gift number. Gifts need to be dropped off at Congdon no later than December 14th. There will be an area set up in the lobby for drop off. |
Important Dates - bolded events are new to the calendar
Nov 24 & 25 - No school Thanksgiving
Nov 28 - PTA meeting 6pm
Dec 2 - wear something blue
Dec 9 - School Spirit Day - Sports Day
Dec 19 - PTA meeting 12:00pm
Dec 21 - East HS Concert
Dec 23-Jan 2 - No School Holiday Break
Jan 16 - No School Martin Luther King Jr
Jan 23 - No School - Semester end
Jan 30 - PTA meeting 6pm
Feb 27 - PTA meeting 12:00pm
Feb 20-24 - No School Winter Break
March 8-14, 5th grade to Star Base
March 20-28 Boosterthon
March 27 - PTA meeting 6pm
April 3-7 - MCA Reading Testing
April 10-14 - No School Spring Break
April 17-24 MCA Math Testing
April 24 - PTA meeting 12:00pm
April 24-28 MCA Science Testing - grade 5 only
May 1-5 MCA Makeup Testing
May - Spring Concert - date to be anounced
May 22 - PTA Meeting 6pm
May 29 - No School - Memorial Day
June 8 - Last day of school
Teacher Wish List
You may remember our teacher wish tree from the hallway of the school. Teachers would list items they would love to receive and parents could take down the apple, purchase the item(s), and return the item(s) to school. The tree has gone virtual this year! Teacher wishes are in a sign-up and will be updated throughout the year, so keep an eye on the list! Once you purchase the item, tag it with the teacher's name and drop it in the labeled bin in the school lobby.
Here are our teacher wishes so far.
Giving Tree
School Spirit Days
Friday December 9th - School Spirit Day - Sports Day!
MCA Testing Dates have been set
April 4-7, April 17-21, April 24-28 and May 1-5. Thank you for your consideration.
DECC HOSTS FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER
Join us for the free Twin Ports Region Thanksgiving Day Buffet on Thursday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DECC.
Community members from the Twin Ports Area, including Superior and Two Harbors, are invited to gather at the DECC for a Thanksgiving Day celebrational.
HOME MEAL DELIVERYIS AVAILABLE to homebound individuals in these communities. Please call 218-723-6484 or order online at css.edu/thanksgiving, no later than 12 p.m. (noon), Friday, Nov. 18 to arrange a meal delivery.
FREE DTA BUS TRANSPORTATION IN THE DULUTH AREA
Information on their schedule can be found at Duluthtransit.com or by calling 218-722-7283.
Due to the bird flu, enough turkey could not be sourced. This year we'll enjoy some ham — 2,000 pounds of it to be exact.
Couple that with 2,000 pounds of potatoes to peel... It's a busy couple days in the kitchen.
To find out more, to volunteer, or to donate, please visit www.css.edu/thanksgiving
Immunization student exclusion
The district recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges, including students not having access to receive their required immunizations on schedule. Because of this, the district is extending the exclusion date for those who are not up to date with their required immunizations to December 19, 2022. Please use this extension time to schedule your student’s appointment for immunizations. Immunizations must be completed by December 18, 2022 so your child can attend school on December 19, 2022. The nurse from Congdon has been trying to reach you if your child is not compliant with their immunizations.
Local immunization resources:
Primary Care Providers
St Lukes Pediatrics *Main Hopital: (218) 249-7870 *West Clinic: (218) 249- 6800
Essentia Health Pediatrics *Main Hospital: (218) 786-3400 *West Clinic: (218) 786-3500
Can schedule online
Name, address, legal sex, date of birth, social security number, phone number, email
Lake Superior Community Health Center *4325 Grand Ave *(218) 722-1497
Can take walk-ins, but recommend scheduling an appointment
Sliding fee scale; won’t turn people away due to lack of insurance
Duluth Family Medicine *330 N 8th Ave E *(218) 723-1112
Full Service Family Medicine Clinic
Financial Assistance Program available
St Louis County Uninsured Vaccine Clinic
November 22nd, December 27th, January 24th , February 28th
Duluth Government Services Building 320 W 2nd Street from 1-4 pm
Pre-register prior to the clinics for the uninsured MN VFC vaccinations by calling 218-725-5210
https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/basics/howpay.html
CVS Pharmacies
Call to schedule appointment and verify that location has immunization in stock
Walgreens Pharmacies
Call to schedule appointment and verify that location has immunization in stock
WINTER IS HERE!
BUS ROUTE CANCELLATION PROCEDURE
Due to possible staffing issues, the transportation department wants to remind families of what happens if a bus route has to be canceled.
If a route needs to be canceled due to lack of drivers, mechanical issues, etc., families impacted by the decision will be notified via call, email and/or text message from the school district. In this case, impacted families would have to provide transportation for their child to school. Those who choose to keep their child home instead, are asked to contact the school and it will be an excused absence.
PTA Corner
November News in the PTA
October has ended and so has our Fall Fundraiser! If you haven't donated, don't worry; you can still send in a donation anytime. We are still adding up totals from everything but from electronic payments, we received a total of $7,282! Thank you so much for stepping up and helping fund our PTA. This will allow us to do wonderful things for our school and students.
Thank you to the parents who have offered to help out in our various committees. We will continue to post volunteer opportunities for specific events and dates, but these committee volunteers are very necessary to allow us to actually plan events and participate in programs. If you are curious about our committees, please check out the descriptions on our website at https://congdonparkpta.memberhub.co/w/volunteering
Coffee with Kathi is back! Please join us on Tuesday, November 15 at 8am in the school cafe to have some coffee with Principal Kusch Marshall and ask her your burning questions. Pasties and coffee will be provided.
Our November PTA meeting will be an evening session at 6pm on Monday, November 28.
