Independence Elementary Bulldogs
MAY 2024
Independence Elementary School
3700 54th St S
Fargo, ND 58104
701-356-5890
INDEPENDENCE NEWSLETTER
WEEKLY LUNCH MENU
APRIL 29th - MAY 3rd
Don't forget to THANK the kitchen staff for providing nutritious meals and snacks every day!!
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
May 1st the Kindergarten class will take their trip to the Red River Valley Zoo
*************RESCHEDULED from April 17th DUE TO WEATHER
May 2nd Grade 5 will tour and visit Liberty Middle School
May 5th 830am - 910am Kindergarten music program in the gymnasium
May 7th Grade 4 field trip to Bonanzaville
May 9th Grade 1 field trip to the Zoo
MAY 10th 8:30am Kindergarten music program in the gym
MAY 14th 6:00 - 7:00pm Kindergarten Kickoff night at Independence Elementary School
May 14th 7:00-8:00 PTO meeting in the library
MAY 28TH 8:30am talent show in the gym. The parents of those participating will be invited to attend.
If you still need to register your child for Kindergarten, the link below will direct you to the West Fargo Public Schools registration page.
YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST
The results are in for the Yearbook Cover Contest! Students were able to submit their drawing, from there the PTO selected a finalist from each grade. It was a very tough decision, but the winning vote went to Ariana M from 4th grade!!! Ariana's drawer will be the cover of the 2023-2024 Independence Elementary yearbook.
Pictured below are each of the finalist with the drawing they submitted.
Kindergarten Finalist: Ethan M.
1st Grade Finalist : Eva K.
2nd Grade Finalist: Miles I.
3rd Grade Finalist: Marley R.
4th Grade Finalist: Ariana M.
5th Grade Finalist: Amelia V.
2024 TALENT SHOW
SUMMER FOOTBALL OPPORTUNITY
Register online by using the the QR code above or the link to the form below!
INDEPENDENCE NEEDS:
It has brought it to our attention that the school is in need of sizes 4–8 or XS - S pants (preferably sweatpants that could work for boys or girls). If your children have outgrown their pants, but they still have life left in them, we would gladly take them off your hands! Our spare clothes are available to any and all students.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING END OF DAY PICK UP
Hello, Independence Families,
Ensuring students arrive home safely is a priority every school day at Independence Elementary, but even more important with the cold winter weather. WFPS collaborated with several community partners to develop a new practice for how to handle unique situations that occur after school that are outside of the normal, established transportation routine for each learner.
For students that walk home or for older students that take the bus, this practice won't necessarily be needed. This practice is for when students are not picked up from school or an adult does not meet a Kindergartener at the bus stop and that student is brought back to school as a safety precaution. This new practice ensures learners are safe and supervised, provides awareness to families of how the district will handle situations where students are left at school, and supports school staff with a pre-identified plan when unique situations arise after hours.
Please review the following link about this practice that has gone into effect for WFPS: Elementary Practices & Procedures Template (k12.nd.us)
If you know that you will be unable to pick up your child from school (if that is the normal routine) or unable meet your kindergartener at the bus stop (if they normally ride the bus), you are expected to make alternate arrangements for your child's transportation and to communicate those arrangements with the school’s main office.
As a reminder, if students are a car rider, students need to be picked up at 2:40 PM to allow teachers to transition to their after-school meetings and duties. If a child is still at school at 3:10 PM or returned to the school, the School Resource Officer (SRO) will be called.
Working collaboratively,
Mrs. Fischer
Kaye Fischer
Assistant Principal
Independence Elementary School
P: (701) 356-5890
NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
MEDICATION REMINDER
The West Fargo Public School District has specific policies in place regarding the availability and administration of medication to learners during the school day. Complete information can be found on the WFPS website → Families → Health Services → Medication.
Parents/guardians must complete a written form (ACBD-E2) before any medication – prescription or over-the-counter – can be administered during school hours. Forms for prescription medication forms must also be signed by the healthcare provider OR the school must be provided with a computerized medication list from the provider which includes the date and provider’s name.
□ PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
Prescription medications must be supplied in the original pharmacy-labeled container and include the name and phone number of the pharmacy. ‘Original container’ may mean the box the medication comes in, in the case of inhalers, epinephrine injectors, eye drops, etc.
□ OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION
Over-the-counter medication must be supplied in the original manufacturer’s container, and the container must list the ingredients, and storage instructions. The container must be labeled with the student’s name and if unsealed the number or amount of medication in the container. If the parent/guardian requests a dosage different than the manufacturer’s recommendation for a non-prescription medication; a signed authorization will be necessary from both the parent/guardian and the licensed prescriber prior to giving the medication.
Over-the-counter medication includes such things as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), cough drops, antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, etc), anti-itch cream, etc.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse.
WHEN IS TOO SICK FOR SCHOOL...?
I should be at school if...
I have a runny nose with clear discharge.
I have a tickle in my throat.
I have not vomited or had diarrhea in 24 hours and did not need medicine.
I have not consumed any fever-reducing medication in the last 24 hours and have not had a fever during this time.
I should be at home if...
I have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more.
I have a sore throat and fever.
I have an uncontrolled cough and difficulty breathing.
I have an undiagnosed rash and/or sores.
I have vomited or had diarrhea in the past 24 hours.
I have eyes that are red and sore, with yellow or green discharge.
I should contact my doctor if...
I have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more for more than two days.
I have had a sore throat and fever for several days.
I have been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than two days.
I have a fever and now have a rash and/or sores.
I have been coughing for more than a week and it isn't getting better.
HEALTHY SNACKS AND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION INFO
2023-2024 DISTRICT CALENDAR
2023
- Aug 22 Back To School Night 4-6pm
- Aug 24 First day of school for grades 1-12
- Aug 29 First day of school for Kindergarten
- Sept 4 Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
- Sept 25 Offsite Learning Day
- Oct 18-20 NO SCHOOL
- Nov 3 4th grade music program
- Nov 10 Veteran's Day Observation - NO SCHOOL
- Nov 22-24 NO SCHOOL
- Dec 8 2nd grade music program
- Dec 22-Jan 1 Winter break - NO SCHOOL
2024
- Jan 15 NO SCHOOL
- Feb 16 3rd grade music program
- Feb 19 Offsite learning day
- March 11 & 12 NO SCHOOL
- March 15 1st grade music program
- March 29 NO SCHOOL
- April 1 NO SCHOOL
- April 19 SNOW DAY MAKE UP FROM 2/27/2024 - THERE WILL BE SCHOOL THIS DAY
- April 26 5th grade music program
- May 10 Kindergarten music program
- May 23 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!
INDEPENDENCE PTO INFO
EVENTS
Oct 26 Family Dance Night 630-8pm
Nov 16 Turkey Bingo 630pm
Dec 4 Skate City 6-8pm
Jan 11 Skyzone jump night
Feb 15 Skate Date at The Lights 530-730pm
March 25 Skate City 6-8pm
April 23 Skate City 6-8pm
May 22 End Of The Year Bounce at Independence 6-730pm
MEETINGS
Join us at our next meeting! All parents and teachers are welcome to attend the PTO meetings. Each meeting is held at 7:00PM in the school media center. Childcare is provided during meetings.
Meeting dates for 2023-2024 school year:
- Tuesday, September 12
- Monday, October 9
- Tuesday, November 14
- Monday, December 11
- Tuesday, January 9
- Monday, February 12
- Tuesday, March 19
- Monday, April 8
- Tuesday, May 14
CONTACT INFO
President: Chelsi Martian
Vice President: Lora Stebleton
Treasurer: Heather Schaff
Secretary: Courtney Rinkenberger
PTO can be reached at :
independenceptowestfargo@gmail.com
Stay up to date by following our Facebook page:
ATTENDANCE INFO
ATTENTION:PARENT/GUARDIAN OF UNEXCUSED TARDY STUDENTS
We have students arriving late and buzzing into the office alone. A parent/guardian is required to sign their student in for the day if they're tardy. The bell rings at 8:00 a.m. and students are allowed to go to their classroom. Students are tardy if not in their classroom ready to learn at 8:10 a.m. Those arriving late will receive a tardy pass. Students who are an unexcused tardy are missing the morning routine in their classroom and Mrs. Fischer's daily announcements. Unexcused tardies are documented in your child's attendance. Thank you for making sure your child arrives on time.
ABSENT FROM SCHOOL
Attendance Policy:
North Dakota law contains compulsory attendance requirements for students ages seven through sixteen. West Fargo Public Schools believes there is an intangible benefit associated with being present in the classroom. Students are required to attend school 90% of the academic school year. For more information on the district's attendance policy, review the administrative policy FFB-AP: Attendances & Absences.
If your child will not be in school, please call the school office before the school day begins, with the following information:
- Child's Name
- Child's Classroom Teacher
- Reason for Absence
Unexcused and unverified absences result when a student skips school or if no phone call has been received by the school. Repeated unexcused/unverified absences or truancy may result in a referral to juvenile authorities through our SARB process.
Medical notes that are provided will NOT go against tardies or absences.
If you know in advance that your child will be absent due to an appointment, funeral, vacation, etc., please notify your child's classroom teacher and the school office. In the event a child needs to be picked up prior to the end of the school day, a parent/guardian must report to the school office and request the child be dismissed from class.
North Dakota law contains compulsory attendance requirements for students ages seven through sixteen. West Fargo Public Schools believes there is an intangible benefit associated with being present in the classroom. Students are required to attend school 90% of the academic school year. For more information on the district's attendance policy, review the administrative policy FFB-AP: Attendances & Absences.
If your child will not be in school, please call the school office before the school day begins, with the following information:
- Child's Name
- Child's Classroom Teacher
- Reason for Absence
Unexcused and unverified absences result when a student skips school or if no phone call has been received by the school. Repeated unexcused/unverified absences or truancy may result in a referral to juvenile authorities through our SARB process.
If you know in advance that your child will be absent due to an appointment, funeral, vacation, etc., please notify your child's classroom teacher and the school office. In the event a child needs to be picked up prior to the end of the school day, a parent/guardian must report to the school office and request the child be dismissed from class. The parent/guardian may call ahead to request the child be ready, but they must still report to the school office.
START OF THE DAY
At 8:00 a.m. the first bell rings and students are allowed to go to their classroom. Students should be in their classroom and ready to learn when the second bell rings at 8:10 a.m.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
END OF THE DAY DISMISSAL
SNACK BREAK MILK
Elementary students have milk/snack break every day at school. You may purchase milk each semester for them to have during break, but it isn't required for them to have it. First semester milk fees will be $40 and can be submitted online via MySchoolBucks.
If you aren’t sure if you paid, call the office at 356-5890 and we can let you know. Reminder: it is preferred that you pay on-line at myschoolbucks.com but we do take cash or check in the office.
How to add milk on myschoolbucks : Click on the 3 horizontal lines in the upper right-hand corner, from there you will see the school store. After selecting the school store, browse all items -- you will then see a milk carton. It is $40 for the first semester.
Thank you!
Here are the dates for the milk break fee:
- Semester 1 milk break fee will close for payments in My School Bucks on September 30.
- Semester 2 milk break fee will open for payments in My School Bucks on December 1 and close for payments on February 29.
MEAL PAYMENTS FOR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
PAY FOR SCHOOL MEALS ONLINE OR WITH THE APP
West Fargo Public Schools is partnered with MySchoolBucks to allow you to easily pre-pay for your student’s school meals, student items, and fees online with no additional fees. MySchoolBucks provides…
- Safety. Eliminate the need for your child to take money to school.
- Convenience. Securely make payments for fees anytime or with the MySchoolBucks mobile app
- Control. Set low balance alerts, view account activity, setup auto-payments and more.
- Efficiency. Pay for all your children in one place – even if they attend different schools within the district.
- Flexibility. Make payments using VISA, Master Card, American Express or Discover credit/debit cards.
Sign-Up For Your FREE Account Today!
Go to myschoolbucks.com and click Sign Up Today.
Enter your information and add your students to your account. You will need to know your student’s school name and student ID number. Please contact your child’s school if you need this information.
Add funds to your students’ accounts by either making a one-time payment or setting up AutoPay. You can use AutoPay to automatically add funds to your student’s meal account weekly, monthly, or when the balance runs low.