Welcome to Pinecrest Elementary
November 2019
About Us
Main Line: 651-480-7280
Attendance Line: 651-480-7281Health Office (Nurse): 651-480-7286
Kids' Campus: 651-480-7296
Hastings Bus Company: 651-437-1888
Website: http://pinecrest.hastings.k12.mn.us
Location: 975 12th Street West, Hastings, MN, USA
Phone: 651-480-7280
DATES TO REMEMBER
NOVEMBER
5 - Election Day - Remember to Vote! (Find election info HERE)
8 - Family Movie Night at 5:45
18 - NO SCHOOL (Elementary only) Staff Development
20 - 3rd Grade to Children's Theatre
21 - 4th Grade to Orchestra Hall
27 - NO SCHOOL Workshop/Staff Development
28 - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break
29 - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break
DECEMBER
10 - Family Bingo Night
23 to 31 - NO SCHOOL Holiday Break
JANUARY
1 - NO SCHOOL Holiday Break
CHILD'S EDUCATION EXPENSES
Child's Education Expenses_English
FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH BENEFITS
The grace period for free and reduced lunches is now over. If you have not applied for free or reduced lunch benefits you will now be charged for school lunches/breakfasts.
You still may apply for free or reduced school lunches by going here and complete the required application.
ANNUAL FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Please join us in the Pinecrest gym for a free movie for the whole family
Bring a blanket (chairs will be available) and enjoy the adventure.
The movie selection will be voted on by the student body on Election Day.
When:
Friday, November 8th
Movie begins at 5:45 pm
Where:
Pinecrest Gymnasium
**Please note this is a parent supervised event**
MORNING DROP OFF
Please remember that students should not arrive at school before the 7:40 bell unless they will be eating breakfast. (Breakfast is served from 7:30-7:55).
If you do arrive early, students must be accompanied by an adult or wait in your vehicle. For those parents dropping off students, please be patient, as we do expect parents to be parked along the curb with their son/daughter as we wait until 7:40. If you do need to drop off your child earlier, please contact the Kids’ Campus program through the community education website
If you have any questions about this process, please email or call Paul Bakker.
Thanks for your support,
Paul Bakker
Principal – Pinecrest Elementary
DISMISSAL SAFETY
We want to make sure all students are safe at dismissal. There has been an increase in the amount of families adjusting their child’s dismissal plan, in particularly, mid-day. We can get up to 25 phone calls a day indicating a change in students’ dismissal procedures. Sometimes half of those calls can come 20 minutes before dismissal. Getting everyone on the same page at the end of the day has some inherent challenges. Consistency with your child’s dismissal plans reduces stress on all parties involved. Keeping the same plan, day after day, helps us maintain safety throughout dismissal.
We understand that there are times when events occur that need to change dismissal plans. In those instances, it is recommended to send a note (teacher & office) a day in advance, and the day of. We thank you for your advanced planning and communication.
END OF DAY PICK UP FOR STUDENTS
In order to minimize interruptions to the classroom, students should not be picked up early unless it is an emergency. On those occasions when it is necessary to pick your child up during the school day, please go to the school office to sign your child out. The office secretary will call the classroom and have the student sent to the office. Teachers will not release students unless the office gives prior approval. This practice has been established to help protect your child.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Please call the Main Office each morning to report when your child(ren) will not be attending school.
Research shows that attendance is directly linked to achievement. In tracking students that drop out of school, one thing they have in common is poor attendance.
Being late for school also hurts a child’s learning. A student who is 10 minutes late every day will miss close to 30 hours of instruction during the year.
Children can make up an assignment, but they can never get back what’s most important: the discussions, the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that makes learning come alive. Your child’s success in school depends on having a solid educational background – one that can only be gained through regular school attendance.
You may ask, how can I help?
- Enforce a regular bedtime.
- Make sure your child is organized so he/she can get out the door with what they need.
- Remember that everything you add to a schedule means something must be taken away. For example, if you add lots of before and after school activities, you take away time for your child to read, play and study.
We appreciate all you do to ensure that your child(ren) attend school regularly.
Please review the attendance policy on page 3 of the Elementary Handbook.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
When the temperatures start to dip into the 40’s and 50’s, we do require students to wear a light jacket or sweatshirt outside. When winter arrives, winter clothing including hats and mittens/gloves will be required.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Just a reminder that if your child is having a birthday party and wants to invite their friends from school, we are not able to give out names, phone numbers or addresses of the students. While we know it is exciting for children to have a birthday party and invite their school friends, we ask that you not send invitations to school with them to pass out. It can cause hurt feelings for those students who did not get invited to the party.
TREATS AT SCHOOL
The district has adopted a wellness policy. We are still celebrating student birthdays; we are just not doing so with birthday treats. We ask that students not bring any treats in honor of their birthday.
TEN DAYS OF GIVING
If you have questions regarding volunteer opportunities, please contact Katy Rowan at katyrowan@hasitngs.k12.mn.us.
651-480-7670