News from the Nest - 2/19/2023
February 19, 2023
A Message from Principal Reed
Greetings Ramsey Families,
Thank you to all of our families for supporting our “I Love to Read” month special events at our school. We appreciate your support in fostering the love of reading at home, as we believe that this home-school connection is critical to developing lifelong learners.
We look forward to seeing all of our families at our upcoming conferences on February 16, 21 and 23. Please sign up for your student led conference and/or review your scheduled time by visiting My Conference Time.
We would like to thank all of our families for donating shoes for our Cinderella Kenya Service Project. We will be collecting new and gently used shoes from February 15th through February 28th. Donations will be collected in the main hallway. Our students are very excited about this service project and have set a goal of filling two large boxes that will be shipped to Kenya at the end of the month.
As we near the end of our second trimester, I would like to commend our staff and students for continuing to set rigorous “Wildly Important” learning goals. From kindergarten to fifth grade, our staff continues to support every student with knowing their strengths as learners while continuing our focus on having a growth mindset, which fosters the concept of dedication and hard work, and creates a love of learning that is essential in reaching their goals.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support to ensure that your student has the best possible learning experience at Ramsey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Amy Reed
Principal
Celebrating Black History Month
Read Aloud with Mrs. Hunter: Thank you Omu
We are featuring weekly read alouds in celebration of Black History month. Click here to enjoy this beautiful story which was written and illustrated by Oge Mora.
When the aroma of Omu's homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until all is gone except for her generous spirit. Debut author-illustrator Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs.
Source: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Celebrating Black History Month with Books
February is "I Love to Read" Month
Parenting Education and Family Engagement
Nell Aburto
Licensed Parenting Educator, M.Ed.
Leader In Me at Home
We are often asked how parents can support our school’s leadership initiative. Each time we are asked we give the same answer: “Use the 7 Habits language at home.” As the school year unfolds, the students are learning the language and meaning of the 7 Habits. By hearing the same language at home and at school, you send your child a message of what is important and that we are all on the same team—the team that wants to help your student succeed. When parents and schools support one another, the sky is the limit!
Below is a summary of each of the habits:
• Habit 1: Be Proactive (I’m Responsible for Me)
• Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind (Have a Plan)
• Habit 3: Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play)
• Habit 4: Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win)
• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood (Listen Before You Talk)
• Habit 6: Synergize (Together Is Better)
• Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best)
In order to encourage the 7 Habits language at home, here are some questions you can ask your child:
• How were you proactive today?
• What is your end in mind with this project/work/task?
• How do you plan to put first things first in this situation?
• What would be a win-win for us?
• I want to hear what you think first and then I will share.
How do you know when you are being listened to?
• How can we work together on this?
• How would you like to sharpen your saw today?
HABIT HOMEWORK MENU
Option #1: Habit 7: Sharpen the saw
Set a goal for physical activity as a family. Log the number of minutes you were active. Stop and reflect: Did you sleep better this week with all that exercise?
Option #2: Habit 1: Be proactive
Take a "strategic pause." Get a sip of water, stretch, breathe in, and think of something happy. When is a strategic pause helpful?
Citation: Supporting Leader In Me at Home , Leader in Me Website
Upcoming Events
*CANCELED* February 17 Skating/Sledding Night at George Enloe Park in Anoka
Due to recent weather and icy conditions, we are going to be rescheduling our sledding/skating night.
Ramsey PTO Snowman Contest
Entries due by March 6th
- Send entries to ramseyelementarypto@gmail.com
Scooter City
Hello,
It is that time of year again when scooter city rolls into Ramsey Elementary. Scooter City started on Thursday February 16th and will run through Friday March 3rd and we are inviting parents in during their children's class time so see them in action.
Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Shackle if you have any questions about scooter city.
Aaron Shackle
Donations Needed
The School Social Worker and Health Office are looking for gently used pants for students. Sizes 5 through 10, for all genders are needed the most.
Shoes for the benefit of people in Africa
Every Meal Sign Up
Every Meal is a free weekend meal bag that can be requested by families. Meal bags will be placed into student backpacks on Fridays. For more information about this program, visit:
Volunteer Corner
Volunteers Needed
The Book Fair is returning to Ramsey from February 15-23rd and we need your help!
Help is greatly needed during the school day to assist students with shopping for and purchasing items during their homeroom library classes. The times needed vary by digital day, and shifts range from 1/2 hour to 3 hours based on class schedules.
Click here to see the available daytime shifts, and to sign up!
Evening help is also needed during conferences on 2/16, 2/21, and 2/23. Shifts are available from 4:10-6:30p and 6:30-8:40p.
Click here to see the evening dates + times that help is needed, and to sign up!
This request is for May, but it will be an incredibly large project so we're asking early and often!
The Ramsey Elementary library is receiving a complete remodel this summer, and we need help packing our 20,000 item catalog in preparation!!
Volunteers will be asked to watch a short training video before packing books into designated boxes one shelf at a time, and taping and labeling each box with its detailed contents. Please note that boxes will not be packed any heavier than you can personally lift and move up to three feet.
Help is requested beginning on Monday, May 1st and will continue until the project is complete. Shifts are broken down into three 1.5 hour blocks each school day; from 10:00-11:30a, 12:00-1:30p, and 2:00-3:30p.
Click here to see the available shifts for this upcoming project, and to sign up!
Contact Ramsey Volunteer Coordinator
Don't forget to fill out your application forms early to be notified when opportunities become available throughout the year: Volunteer at Ramsey Elementary
Ramsey VSC Mary Woestehoff can be reached at mary.woestehoff@ahschools.us or (763) 506-4073
Important Reminders
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
Please review this information regarding student absences, both excused and unexcused, per district guidelines.
Report Student Absences Online
Parents/guardians can share online when their student is going to be absent or arriving late through the My Student Information app via A-HConnect or in the ParentVUE mobile application. You can still call the school at 763-506-4006 and leave a message, this is simply a convenient alternative.
Report student absences daily prior to 10:30am to avoid receiving an unverified email or phone call.
School Hours are 9:30am - 4:00pm
All Students may enter the building at 9:15am.
All Parent Pick-ups should be at school at 4:00pm.
Ramsey Drop Off and Pick Up Map
Safety reminder - Green North Lot vehicles should stay in their car. Your student will come to you. Blue South lot vehicles should park their car and walk to the sidewalk/grassy area by Door 1 to pick up their students and walk together back to your car.
Report Card Available to View Online beginning 12/7
1) Login at AHConnects with your username and password
2) Click on My Student Information
3) Click on Documents Tab
4) Select 22-23 Tri 1 Report Card
Winter Weather Reminders!
Winter weather reminders
Minnesota weather is shifting gears, and the Anoka-Hennepin School District has plans in place for when extreme winter weather arrives.
The safety of all students is the first priority when determining if schools should stay open in adverse weather. If a determination is made to close school due to extreme winter weather, the district will alert families in a variety of ways, including:
Phone, text or email message from AHlert system (for Anoka-Hennepin parents/guardians only).
District and school websites.
District and school social media pages (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio and Star Tribune newspaper.
Those responsible for activities scheduled in schools over the weekend will determine if adverse weather conditions necessitate a cancellation.
Read more about the district’s policies on extreme winter weather at ahschools.us/weather.
Child nutrition
To complete an application for free or reduced meals online, please visit www.ahschools.us/freereduced. If you have any questions please call the Child Nutrition Program at 763-506-1240.
Parents can join their student for lunch!
Bring your driver's license to Door 1 to be checked in. A guest table has been reserved for you and your student. Students can also bring a friend to join them at the table. Due to photo restrictions, please only take photos of your student.
Adult lunch is $4.95 - cash is preferred.
2022-2023 WIG Attendance Goals
February WIG - Week 3
100% of Ramsey students will track their attendance each day at school. We will celebrate the grade level with the highest attendance each month.
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