Northpoint Elementary

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We are so excited to get this school year rolling! As part of our efforts to continue to personalize learning, we are implementing multiage classrooms in all homerooms for grades 1-2 and grades 3-4 this year. Please refer to this Frequently Asked Questions document, first shared last spring, for more details. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me, 763-600-5700. I’m very happy to visit further and share details of our grades 1-4 programming.

I also wanted to remind you of a refinement to our specialist offerings. This year, our students will have the opportunity to experience performing arts classes with new staff member Rachel Cathey. In this class, students will explore theater arts and music aligned to Minnesota state standards. Rachel comes to us with more than 20 years of experience teaching elementary school and directing local theater. Students will also continue to have physical education with Mr. Wallinga and visual arts with Miss Stiles.

We are excited to welcome new staff members this week. Each of these individuals will bring much to our community:

• Nick Hooper: Student Services Specialist
• Annalee Kroll: Multiage 1-2
• Rachel Gates-Vickery: Multiage 3-4
• Taylor Mues: Multiage 3-4
• Walfrid “Dash” Johnson: ASD Teacher
• Rose Hazuka: ASD Teacher
• Emily Dukowitz: ASD Para

Coming back to us after serving our distance learners are Jessica Harrington, an ASD Teacher and Kari Walton, who is part of our Multiage 3-4 team. In addition, Brittany Weerts is returning to Northpoint from Park Terrace to join our Multiage 1-2 team. As you encounter these staff members, please welcome them to our Northpoint community.

Learn your child’s teacher next Monday afternoon, August 29. You will find your child’s teacher in the Campus Parent Portal. Learn more about accessing Campus Parent Portal on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log Ins page of the website in the Parent menu. If you are unable to access Campus Parent Portal, we can help you in the Northpoint office. Please also look for an email from your child’s teacher early next week, prior to our Meet and Greet event.

Meet and Greet is Wednesday, August 31. You are invited to come to Northpoint to meet and greet our Northpoint team. We will host sessions 1- 2 p.m., 4-5 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. We are working to make this a time for making personal connections and ensuring easy traffic flow. Children are welcome to bring their school supplies during this visit. Please do your best to come at the recommended times so we have time to meet everyone.

Last names A-M for visits to the classroom:

• 1-1:30 p.m.
• 4-4:30 p.m.
• 5:30-6 p.m.

Last names N-Z for visits to the classroom:

• 1:30-2 p.m.
• 4:30-5 p.m.
• 6-6:30 p.m.

While at Northpoint, you will have the opportunity to visit with your student’s teacher in their classroom. Non-classroom teachers and staff will be located outside on our front lawn, weather permitting. Our administrative staff and Nurse Tammy will be available to take care of any needs you may have in the main office.

If you are not able to attend and would like to connect with your child’s teacher, please contact our Northpoint office at 763-600-5700.

Please take a few minutes to review the newsletter and important reminders as we gear up for the start of school. Please let us know if you have questions. Most important, enjoy these last few days of summer. We’re excited to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Judi Kahoun

As we begin the school year, the public health context is, thankfully, quite different than the past two school years. We have and continue to follow guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and they align to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 related guidance has been significantly relaxed for schools as we enter a new school year. There are a few updates for families:

• Communicate illnesses: Please continue to update the school nurse if your child tests positive for a communicable illness such as flu or COVID-19. The nurse will provide information on return to school. Please stay home if you are sick.
• COVID-19 at-home tests: At-home COVID-19 antigen tests are available in the health office for those who request them. No other testing will be done at school.
• Immunizations and vaccines: Now is the time to make sure your child is up to date on all recommended immunizations. Getting vaccinated is an important tool to keep our students safe and healthy while they are in school. The pandemic has caused a number of disruptions in people’s lives, and many children have fallen behind on getting recommended vaccines. Children and teens can get COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines they need at the same visit. See the Minnesota Department of Health information on vaccines for infants, children and adolescents. See our website for more immunization information.

Find the Spring Lake Park Schools 2022-2023 Safe Return to In-Person Learning Plan online. Access Minnesota Department of Health's website for the latest guidance for schools, child care, parent and caregivers. MDH COVID-19 Public Hotline continues to be available at 1-833-431-2053.

If you haven't done so already, make sure you check out the Back to School Hub to find important information and resources as you prepare for the year and answers to your frequently asked questions to help you stay on top of your back-to-school to do list.

Hub highlights:

• School Supply Lists
  
• Meet and Greet dates and times
  
• First Day of School signs
  
• How to prepare your iPad for the new school year
  
• and more!
  

We love to see students on the first day of school! Visit the Back to School hub to find downloadable signs. Signs can be printed or pulled up on an iPad screen. Option of English/Spanish, general first day design, or fill in the blank with student's grade and/or name. Don't forget to tag us and use #SLPPantherProud when you post your photos!

Meet and Greet

Volunteers are needed to staff the Northpoint PTO information table and greet children and their families at the Teacher Meet & Greet on 8/31! Encourage parents to leave their contact information to be included in PTO communications throughout the year, and hand out information and treats! Two volunteers are needed for each session. Please visit this link to sign up! Thank you for your time you give to the Northpoint PTO! We are excited to make this an awesome, fun and successful school year!

Bus Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help Northpoint students get to and from their buses to their classrooms successfully the first week of school! Four to six volunteers are needed each school day the week of 9/6, for approximately an hour in the morning and hour in the afternoon. Please visit this sign up! Thank you for your time you give to the Northpoint PTO!

Join us for the first-ever "Start Your Engines" school year kick-off events on Saturday, September 10 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Spring Lake Park High School.

This family/community event will feature a variety of exhibits with engines – think big trucks, automobiles and recreational vehicles. Lunch from the food trucks is available for purchase. The event is free to attend and no registration is required - just show up!

Featured Food Trucks:

• Café Cairo
• Hockey Mom Brownies
• Pizza Karma
• Turkey King

Other event features:

• We are accepting bike donations from Bikes4Kids
• There will be a booth showcasing all our Community Education fall offerings for youth, families and adults. Make sure to stop by and sign up!
  

The start of a new school year brings new and exciting fall Community Education programming options for the entire family! As we kick off the new year, now is the perfect time to explore interests, discover passions, learn a new skill and connect with others within our Panther community. Registration is officially open. Browse and register for a variety of enrichment and learning youth, adult and family opportunities.

Youth:

• Pantherette Petite Dance Clinic (grades K-6): Students are invited to learn a dance routine from the award-winning Spring Lake Park High School Dance Team and perform it at the pre-game of a varsity football game!
  
• STEM Builders - Drones (grades 5-8): Code & Fly Drones camp allows students to watch their code come to life as they build and program their own drone!
  

Adult:

• Intro to Bonsai Workshop: Explore the ancient art of bonsai - Your own tree in miniature. This hands-on course will take away the mystique of the ancient art of Bonsai and show you how to create, maintain and shape your own tree.
  
• Chunky Yarn Knit Blanket: Have you been wanting to make your own Finger Knit Chunky Yarn Blanket? Sign up now and learn how. No experience is needed. The class includes all materials needed to make a body-size throw blanket with personalized 1:1 instruction at Invictus Brewery.
  

Family:

• Pizza Adventures: Join Jan for a morning of pizza making with your kid! Learn to make great pizzas with crispy crusts, splendid rise, and terrific toppings!
  
• Mini Cake Fondant Decorating: Are you looking for a creative Autumn activity to do with your child? Have fun learning how to color, roll, and cut colorful fondant into a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
  

Wednesday, August 31

• Northpoint Meet and Greet (See details in Principal Points)

Tuesday, September 6

• First day of school for grades K-8 and Lighthouse students
• Orientation for grade 9 students and grades 10-12 students new to the high school

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