Lester Park School Newsletter - #9
October 14, 2021
Hello Lester Park Families!
Thank you to all of you who are efficiently dropping your child off in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon, this makes it safe for all!
Remember that parking in the Fire Lane is illegal, so if you need to get out of your car to assist your child please pull into a parking space to ensure effective systems and safety for all.
Communication Reminder: Email is the main form of communication, please be sure to keep an eye on your emails for any updates from your child's teacher, the school office, our Health Office or the school district COVID Nurse.
Thank you ~ Lester Park Office
Upcoming Dates:
Oct 1-15...PTA Virtual Book Fair
Oct 15...School Spirit Day - Favorite Team!
Oct 11-20, Parent/Teacher Conferences (more information from teacher)
Oct 21-22...NO SCHOOL (MEA Weekend)
Oct 25...NO SCHOOL for Students (Staff Development Day)
Nov 11...Picture Retake Day (morning)
Nov 25-26...NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving)
School calendar can be found on our website or by clicking HERE
Wondering which #1-8 Specialist Day it is? Click HERE
Lunch Menu Change
There will likely be a couple more changes in November, so be sure to watch future Thursday newsletters for these changes.
Thank you for the Treats!
Tomorrow is SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY!
Important Information for Parents with Children in K.E.Y.Zone Childcare
Pickup and Drop off Reminders
We may have more people dropping off and picking up their children than in a normal year, so it is so vital everyone follows these rules:
- Students should not arrive to school until 7:30am
- Do not park in the Fire Lane. This is illegal and it greatly slows down the flow. If you need to leave your vehicle, you must park in the parking lot, or on the other side of Glenwood St.
- If you are waiting in your car to pick up your child, PULL ALL THE WAY FORWARD. Do not stop right in front of the door. Let's get as many cars off Glenwood as we can.
- Please do not park up from the fire lane near the flag. Cars are unable to get into the parking lot to park. We will put signs up to help remind you.
- When Dropping off in the morning..."stop, drop, and go" quickly to open up the spot for another car to drop off. Your child must get out on the sidewalk side of the car. Also remember to PULL ALL THE WAY FORWARD.
- Please, please drive slowly through the parking lot, and always be prepared in case a child darts out from a parked car. We know many people are in a rush in the morning, but safety is the most important thing to remember when in a school parking lot.
Conference Links for our Specialists
Please click on the links below to sign up for a Conference with our Art, Music, PhyEd or Library/Media Teachers. These are optional.
Art - Mrs. Boynton Virtual Conferences, click HERE
Music - Mr. Puglisi In-Person Conferences, click HERE
PhyEd - Mrs. Bryant Virtual Conferences, click HERE
Library/Media - Mr. Anderson Conferences, click HERE
Illness and Absence Information
Do you have COVID-19 questions (symptoms, quarantine, etc)?
- MN Dept. of Health COVID-19 Decision Tree for Schools (Toward the top of this tree are the lists of what are the "More" common and "Less" common symptoms)
- You can also contact our school health office. Emails and Phone #s are below:
Health Office Hours: 7:30am - 2:15pm
Lori Saari, RN, LSN - lori.saari@isd709.org
Holly Marshall, LPN Health Assistant - holly.marshall@isd709.org
Phone: 336-8875 ext. 2522 (Lori) and ext. 2654 (Holly)
What do I do if my child is going to be absent from school?
Call attendance line 336-8875 then “3” to leave a recorded message
Or email lesterattendance@isd709.org (the office & nurses will both see these emails)
Please list any specific symptoms, especially with COVID still making its rounds and during times of increased influenza.
Teachers may have a preferred way for you to report an absence to them.
If we do not hear why a student is absent, an automated phone call and an email message will be sent out at sometime around 8:30. This is for safety reasons
Free COVID Tests
COVID-19 testing remains a key part of keeping our students, workers, and families safe. With the at-home program and 11 community testing sites offering free testing across the state, the state has made it easy for Minnesotans to find a test.
How Minnesotans can get a COVID-19 test:
- Walk in or schedule an appointment for a free test at one of the state’s 11 community testing sites across Minnesota: COVID-19 Community Testing Sites.
- Order a free test through the state’s at-home testing program: COVID-19 Test at Home.
- Find other testing options near them through the state’s Find Testing Locations map, including through local providers, pharmacies and clinics: Find Testing Locations.
Who Should Get Tested
- Even if you are vaccinated, Minnesotans should get tested:
- if you have symptoms of the virus;
- if you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19;
- if you are returning from international travel;
- or if you have attended a large gathering or event where people are not wearing masks and are not able to stay 6 feet apart.
- People who are unvaccinated should test before travel (domestic or international).
- Unvaccinated teachers, staff and students in K-12 should test weekly at a minimum or more frequently per CDC guidance.
Shortened Quarantined Request Form if Exposed
The form itself can be accessed by clicking HERE
Have more questions? Check out Previous Newsletters
Our newsletters are sent out every Thursday to families and staff. Below you will see some of the topics discussed in our previous newsletters. You can click on the newsletter link, or you can also find them on our website here: https://www.isd709.org/lester-park-elementary/news-and-info
* Temporary KEYZone contacts
* Updating contact information in Infinite Campus
* Math & Reading Support Services
* Volunteering Update
* IC Phone App
* Health Office Medication Reminders
* COVID Testing Sources
* Explanation of COVID health links
* Backpack Program
* Great Lakes Apple Crunch Day
Homework Requests, How do I get a hold of a teacher or staff member?
Birthday Treat & Invitation Restrictions, Lunch Questions, Student IDs, Emails & Passwords, Parent Portal of Infinite Campus, How to pick up your child early or drop off late
ABOUT US
ISD709 School District Update Center
Email: tracy.thompson@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/lester-park-elementary
Location: 5300 Glenwood Street, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
Phone: (218) 336-8875
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lester-Park-Elementary-1900216436910729