Northpoint Elementary
January 5, 2022 Newsletter
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Hello Northpoint families:
I hope everyone had a great break and lots of time with family and friends. In these first days back, I have enjoyed getting into classrooms and seeing our adults and students focusing on rekindling their relationships, reviewing expectations and setting goals.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Northpoint food drive in support of the Panther Pantry. We collected 15 large boxes and 45 grocery bags of food to share with our district residents. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
We have a PTO meeting this coming Monday at 6 p.m. in the Northpoint Library. Tyler Nelson, associate principal at Westwood Intermediate School, will be joining us to share information and take questions regarding our fourth graders’ transition to Westwood next fall.
In these first few days back from break, we are seeing impacts of the fast-spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19. We have more staff out due to illness. We want to keep children in school learning, and we need staff in place to safely operate our schools. Please see some reminders and clarifications about our COVID practices in today’s newsletter. Thanks for your partnership in helping us achieve the goal of keeping students learning at school.
As a reminder of our dismissal routines, this coming Friday and Monday we will be sharing a flyer with information to all parents in the pick-up line. Please review these guidelines, we know with everyone following the same process our routines will be as safe and efficient as possible. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
Happy New Year,
Judi Kahoun
Principal
COVID-19: Illness, testing, face masks and quarantine
COVID-19: Illness, testing, face masks and quarantine
The fast-spreading omicron variant of COVID-19 has raised some questions in the first days after winter break. Here are a few reminders and clarifications for families regarding illness, testing and quarantine.
- Illness and symptoms: Please do not send your student to school if they are sick or experiencing symptoms – even for testing. Contact your school's health office to coordinate testing and for other guidance.
- COVID-19 testing: All testing – whether at school during the day or after hours – is coordinated through the school health office. Testing is optional, free and only done with parental consent using the Cue Test which provides accurate results in about 30 minutes. Testing is only for students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or for students who are identified as close contacts of someone with COVID-19.
- COVID-19 testing consent form: You may choose to complete a COVID-19 Cue Testing Consent Form now and keep it on file with our schools. Completing the consent form before testing is needed helps speed up the process when, or if, a student needs a test. School nurses only administer a test with a signed consent on file and will communicate with families before any test is done. Review and sign consent forms for your student(s) by logging into the Campus Parent Portal. Select the Surveys link from the main Message Center screen and select "COVID-19 CUE TESTING CONSENT FORM." You will find links to complete for each child you have enrolled in Spring Lake Park Schools.
- Face masks: We continue to follow our COVID-19 Face Mask Decision-Making Guide. Face masks are required at grades K-6 and we are strongly recommending masks at grades 7-12. Masks also continue to be required on buses. While not a perfect solution, face masks are one strategy to help support us in keeping our schools open for learning in person.
- Quarantine guidance: While the Centers for Disease Control updated quarantine guidance over the winter break, we are continuing to follow the Minnesota Department of Health’s quarantine guidelines. The state guidelines have not yet been updated as officials are waiting for additional clarification from the CDC.
The COVID-19 hub continues to be the place for the latest information. Updates will also continue to be communicated directly to families.
Join us for a virtual screening of "Like" on January 20
There will be a free virtual screening of the IndieFlix documentary "Like" on January 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. that will explore the impact of social media on our lives and the effects of technology on the brain.
Hosted by Spring Lake Park Schools, as well as five other metro school districts and the Mental Wellness campaign, the goal of the film is to inspire and help us to self-regulate. Social media is a tool and social platforms are a place to connect, share, and care... but is that what's really happening?
A panel discussion will follow the film with experts who will share resources and do a Q&A.
- When - Thursday, January 20, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Where - Virtual
- Trailer - Watch the "Like" trailer
- Registration - register for the screening
Opportunities for students
Sign up for enriching after-school programs!
Slime, basketball, STEM, art, video game design and more! Community Education Winter Programs start the end of the month. Registration deadlines are quickly approaching. Sign up now to grab your spot.
Opportunities for families
Family Snowshoeing
Join us for a fun and relaxing snowshoe hike on Springbrook Nature Center trails. Learn a little bit about how snowshoes work, and how to put them on and take them off. Look for animal tracks and signs, listen for birds, and enjoy the crisp winter air. Register today.
Opportunities for adults
New Year Resolutions: Get Moving, Try a New Hobby, Learn a New Skill
Glass Mosaic Frames & Signs
Create a beautiful photo frame or mosaic sign. All the cutting is already done, we just need you and your creativity. Both projects are wonderful for home decorations or to give as gifts. Register here.
Basic Home Repair-Plumbing
In this hands-on course, you will learn how the basic plumbing system works and common problems or repairs that may be required. Topics to be covered include: replacing pop up drain assembly, repairing a leaky toilet, and cutting and soldering copper pipe fittings. Register here.
James Bond with North Metro TV
Celebrate the adventures of the world’s most famous spy in this class from North Metro TV’s Eric Houston. Using rarely seen film clips, photographs, and more, Eric will take you through the entire history of James Bond, from his literary origins to the most recent films. Register here.
Indoor Walking Club
Join us Saturday mornings at Spring Lake Park High School this winter for a fun and relaxing way to exercise! It might be cold outside, but in here the weather at SLPHS is perfect. Register here.
Northpoint PTO Meeting
"Why am I learning this?"
Middle schoolers are asking themselves, "Who am I online, and what is a digital footprint?" Meanwhile, elementary students are learning economics as they run their own businesses, discovering a love of reading while getting connected to their local library, or finding their spark by trying out everything from karate to cooking. What’s happening in the classroom is being connected to real life. Through these experiences, students are answering the question, “why am I learning this?” When students find a “why” in what they are learning, learning means something. It matters.
Read the full story and view the Economics Marketplace photo album
- Monday, January 10 - NP PTO Meeting - NP Library/6-7 p.m.
- Monday, January 17 - No school/Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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