Diamond Path News!
March 27 - April 7, 2023
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Click on the "Translate" button on the right or the circle in the lower right of your mobile device to translate this newsletter into several different languages!
¡Haga clic en el botón "Traducir" a la derecha o en el círculo en la parte inferior derecha de su dispositivo móvil para traducir este boletín a varios idiomas diferentes!
Guji badhanka "Turjumi" ee midigta ama goobada ku taal midigta hoose ee qalabkaaga gacanta si aad warsidahan ugu turjunto dhawr luqadood oo kala duwan!
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Included in this Edition!
- Mark your calendar!
- Letter from Principal Nelson
- District 196 Bond Referendum
- Autism Awareness Week
- "CAHOOTS" 2023 Summer Program
- Parent Input Form
- MCA Testing Schedule (link)
- Yearbooks on Sale Now!
- One District Many Voices - Celebrating the diversity of our community! SAVE THE DATE
- Friendly Reminders and Expectations
- Teachers On Call - Hiring Substitute Teachers!
Mark your calendar!
Monday, March 27th - Friday, March 31st - SPRING BREAK!
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Monday, April 3rd (Cycle Day 4)
Tuesday, April 4th (Cycle Day 5)
Wednesday, April 5th (Cycle Day 1)
Thursday, April 6th (Cycle Day 2)
Friday, April 7th (Cycle Day 3)
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Monday, April 10th (Cycle Day 4)
Tuesday, April 11th (Cycle Day 5)
Wednesday, April 12th (Cycle Day 1)
Thursday, April 13th (Cycle Day 2)
Friday, April 14th (Cycle Day 3)
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Letter from Principal Nelson...
Greetings, Diamond Path Families!
Spring Break is here! Where does the time go? Whether you’re traveling, staying home, kids are going to a relative’s house, or anything in-between, I wish you good health, safe travel, and rest.
After spring break, things shift into high gear. We have Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) testing for our 3rd-5th graders, we begin to plan for next year, and we work to maximize learning and end the year on a strong and positive note.
In this newsletter, you will find a link to our MCA testing schedule. These tests are mandated by our state and help inform us of our practice and our students’ progress. Please make every effort to schedule appointments around this testing schedule to avoid your child being pulled for a make-up session.
Also, in this newsletter, you will find a link to our Parent Input Form. This optional form is meant for parents to give input for classroom placement for the 2023-2024 school year. I can tell you that every grade level will have five classrooms next year, helping to maintain or even lower our classroom sizes.
Classroom teachers for the 2023-2024 school year are as follows:
· Kindergarten- Angela Bodurtha, Melissa Heitz, Shannon Martenson, Laura Mencel, and a teacher to be determined
· First Grade- Wendy Fahey, Kari Helfinstine, Jodi Husemann, Rachel Luehrs, Desiree Spratt
· Second Grade- Shelly Anderson, Anna Montag, Mattie Potthoff, Lauren Quam, Stephanie Sisterman
· Third Grade- Corrin Conner, Emily Goltz, Julie Isakson, Terri Link, Meladie Stark
· Fourth Grade- Lee Filipek, Nancy Fisher, Vicky Limesand, Christine Prostrollo, Shellie Wilson
· Fifth Grade- Corissa Albright, Pam Balistreri, Jake Berling, Andrew Glenn, Kristine Wyandt
Finally, I want you to know we are working hard to create opportunities for kids and families in a post-pandemic environment. Recently we’ve built community through I Love to Read month, Black History month, Super Hero Buddy opportunities, Bring Your Hero to PE week (great video on our website), and a highly successful Diamond Path Student Council Food Drive. We now hold a record at 360 Communities with 1,383 pounds of food (almost 2000 items) donated. With so many food-insecure families in our community, this work is essential!
Moving forward, many grade levels have upcoming field trips. We have school and district field days ahead (yes, the snow will melt eventually!). Also, watch for information from the school and from our amazing PTO about “May Fest 2023”! The event will help celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage month. Slated to take place on May 11th will be food trucks, outdoor activities, music, a BOGO book fair, and more. More information to come!
Wishing you and your family all the best!
Rob Nelson, Principal
Diamond Path Elementary School of International Studies
District 196 Bond Referendum:
District 196 is having a bond referendum election on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. The two-question referendum includes proposed improvements to address current and long-term facilities and equipment needs in the areas of safety and security, space for growth, and providing students a consistent experience across the district. The district released a short video that provides an overview of the bond referendum and a one-page flyer, “10 Reasons District 196 Is Holding a Bond Referendum.” Absentee voting began today in person at the District Office and by mail. To vote absentee, voters must fill out a 2023 Minnesota Absentee Ballot Application form. For more information about the bond referendum, go to www.District196.org/bond/.
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Autism Awareness Week - April 3rd - April 7th!
Magnificent Mind Monday: Fun Hat Day
Autism is a neurological variation, which means the minds of people with autism work differently than the minds of people without Autism- and that's amazing! Celebrate how amazing it is that all of our minds work differently and in wonderful ways by wearing a fun hat!
Neurodiversity Tuesday: Rainbow and tie-dye clothes
Neurodiversity refers to the variation in the human mind regarding sociability, Iearning, and other functions. This concept states that humans don't come in a one-size-fits-all neurologically "normal" package. To celebrate the beauty in the diverse spectrum of the human mind wear your rainbow and/tie-dyed clothes to school!
Autism Acceptance Day Wednesday: Wear your Autism or Diamond Path shirt
Love and acceptance go a long way. Many people show support by wearing the puzzle piece/infinity sign as a symbol for autism. Show your acceptance and wear you Autism or Diamond Path gear!
What's Your Passion Thursday: Dress to show something you love
One characteristic of autism is to show incredibly focused passion for a topic of interest. What are you passionate about? Dress to show something you love!
Sensory Friendly Friday: Pajama Day
One characteristic of autism is having a variety of sensory sensitivities. Dress up today in you most comfy clothes including appropriate Pajamas!
CAHOOTS 2023 Summer Program
CAHOOTS Math and Language Arts in one book....a great value!
Parents, Community Education is pleased to again be offering CAHOOTS, a K-5 summer math and language arts correspondence workbook program.
The program is portable, flexible and designed to closely match our district curriculum through an engaging and reflective approach to learning. After completing each lesson and checking answers online, students complete an assignment reflection and send to a CAHOOTS Buddy who will send a written response back.
You will receive a letter which includes enrollment instructions the week of February 27. Cost is $44. Final registration is due March 31.
Sample workbook pages can be viewed at ce.district196.org/enrichyouth.
It is recommended students work on the grade level they will be entering in the fall (i.e. 1st grade is a review of kindergarten), to review and reinforce skills learned during the school year. Please discuss with your child’s teacher, if you feel another level may be more suitable.
CAHOOTS should not be considered a replacement for participating in summer school, if your child qualifies. CAHOOTS is not intended to replace regular reading for enjoyment or math activities that strengthen your child’s fluency and love for math.
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Parent Input for 23-24 Class Assignment
In order to be considered, this form must be completed no later than April 14, 2023.
MCA Testing Schedule
Please be sure to schedule appointments or early pick-ups around the MCA testing schedule to avoid your student having to take a make-up test.
Diamond Path Yearbooks are on Sale!
The Yearbook ordering link is now open! If you are interested in ordering a yearbook for your student, please click here or go to ybpay.com and use order code: 14676323. The deadline to order is Friday, April 21st. We receive a very limited amount of extra yearbooks (only 5 last year). To ensure you receive a yearbook, please place your order before the deadline.
Friendly Reminders and Expectations:
End of Day Transportation Changes: To help elminiate any confusion at the end of the day, please report any transportation changes before 2:00 PM.
Transportation: We are not allowed to write bus passes for students to ride the bus home with other students, unless it's an emergency, which will then be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Lunch: Visitors are not allowed to have lunch with students this year. Thank You for your understanding!
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Diamond Path Elementary
Email: dp.attendance@district196.org
Website: https://dp.district196.org/
Location: 14455 Diamond Path, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-423-7695
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamondPathMagnet/
Twitter: @DiamondPath196