Park Terrace Elementary
May 12, 2021 Newsletter
Greetings Park Terrace Families,
I hope everyone had an excellent start to the week! There is a buzz in the air here at Park Terrace as students are enjoying the beautiful weather, we are wrapping up MCA testing, and students are learning online, in the classroom, and outside on the school lawn. It is a fun time for all of us!
As we wrap up this year, we are planning for next year. It was encouraging to hear the plans announced last week to lift many restrictions. Our school and all schools in Minnesota will continue to follow the state’s Safe Learning Plan through the end of the year. As we return to school in the fall, we hope we are returning to a more normal school experience. Additionally, as we plan for students in the fall, please be sure to contact the district office or our Park Terrace office if you are planning to move. We can work with you to manage student records, materials, and technology.
Today is National School Nurse Day! This day is especially significant this year because our nurses have been incredible partners during the pandemic. We are grateful for all the school nurses. Our school nurse, Francesca Miller, has done an exceptional job of stepping into her new role here in an unprecedented school year. We are so appreciative of all she has done to support our students, staff, and families. Thank you, Francesca!
Have a wonderful rest of the week! Be safe, be healthy and enjoy this lovely spring!
Mona Perkins
Principal
Updates for Extended Flex Learning families
Greetings,
Today is National School Nurse Day! My mom and sister are both nurses, so nurses have always been special to me. Over the years, I have witnessed the compassion for others and the dedication to serve that is evident in this profession. This year, our school nurses have asked to go beyond the imaginable, and they met the challenge over and over again. My heart is filled with gratitude for all that they do. Thank you, nurses!
I checked in with our grade-level Extended Flexible Learning teachers to see how things are going. Here are a few fun highlights:
- Kindergarten teachers built time into their schedules on Friday for the teacher to meet with students in partner groups. Students build friendships, play games, and have time to share with a peer and teacher. This is “play” time that reinforces social/emotional development and strengthens relationships and connections amongst the group. This time has become a special time for the teachers and the students.
- First grade students are ready to move to grade 2. They have grown academically, socially and physically by leaps and bounds over the last few months. These students have become very responsible young learners. Their teachers are proud of them and ALL that they have accomplished this year!
- Second grade students are working on listening and speaking goals using the Wit and Wisdom language arts resource. This is leading to some very impressive and rich classroom conversations. If you have a student in Mrs. Offerdahl’s class, ask them what “On Yoda Own” means.
- Third and fourth grade students have made recognizable progress through the grade level math learning outcomes despite this unique year filled with considerable change. This is allowing teachers to personalize the learning in math for each student - filling gaps in student learning and enriching where appropriate. These students are going to finish the year strong!
Throughout the year, district resources have been sent home to support students through distance learning. Teachers will be sharing an inventory list with families. This list will help you identify resources that need to be returned to the school. We hope these lists help you locate the items to be returned. It isn’t too early to start gathering. Details will be shared soon about the end-of-year resource return. Please continue to read the newsletter for updates.
If you have any questions, please reach out.
Take care,
Kimberly Fehringer
Principal on Assignment
K-4 Extended Flexible Learning
They've got our back: Our school nurses make us Panther Proud
Our school nurses have had an incredible year. We couldn't have navigated a pandemic year of learning without them. On this National School Nurse Day, we recognize our SLP school nurses and all they do to keep us healthy, safe and learning. Hear from Becca Williams, our lead nurse, on what makes her SLP Panther Proud.
Lost and Found
5th Grade Band Registration
Starting in fifth grade, students can choose to take band lessons. If you weren't able to join us for the virtual information meeting last week, you can find the recording on our band website to learn more about your student's option to join band in middle school.
Watch this 1-minute introduction video and learn more about band, choosing an instrument and how to register on this Westwood Band webpage. The Priority registration deadline for 5th grade band is this Friday, May 14.
Find your SPARK this summer
Club Spotlight of the Week:
Panther Cubs Tennis Camp, Ages 4-10
Discussion with Composer Richard Einhorn
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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