The CL Courier
November 3, 2023
Principal's Post
Crooked Lake Families,
A special thank you to all of our families for coming out to our Eveland Farm outing in October. Our PTO did a wonderful job putting this together, and the money raised will help fund our 5th graders Long Lake trip!
We are excited to be able to have a school focus on Gratitude for the month of November. We define gratitude as choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. This is a really great topic for us all to focus on, and grow in as we establish a strong school community.
Veterans Day message
On Friday, November 10th, we will continue the beloved tradition of honoring the Veterans & Active Duty members of our Crooked Lake families! One way we do that is to display the names of the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces for the month of November. If you have family members you would like to honor, complete the form below to have their name or names included in our "Flag of Honor",
Additionally, there will be a special reception for Veterans and Active duty members in our media center at 8:20AM on November 10th. The reception will include a light breakfast and will be culminated by a short walk of honor around the building. There will also be an opportunity for pictures at our Flag of Honor after.
If you would like to honor a Veteran or Active Duty member from your family in either or both of these ways please submit this short form: Honoring our Veterans at CLS
The end of the trimester is coming on November 30. Please pay attention to the the calendar ahead on dates that students are not in school. (Nov. 22 - 24, Dec.1, Dec. 4)
Picture retakes are November 8.
Crooked Lake is not a polling place this year.
We are so grateful for all you do to support a successful school experience for our students. Including digging out all of the winter gear! The weather has changed, and we go out for recess unless the windchill is -10, or the temperature is below 0 degrees. Thank you for all you are doing to help your child be at school, ready for the elements, and ready to learn. It all makes a huge difference with having what is needed to do their best, and having a great experience here at school.
Take care
Sam Anderson
Crooked Lake Principal
763-506-2101
New: Report Cards Are Only Online This Year
New for the 2023-24 school year, elementary school report cards will be available online and will no longer be sent through postal mail or student’s backpacks. Families will be able to access report cards by logging into A-HConnect or viewing it on the ParentVUE mobile app.
The switch to online report cards means that information is available to review at the conclusion of each trimester. Schools will notify families when the report cards are available to view. Parents, guardians and any person with educational rights to a student will be able to access the student’s report card online.
To ensure access to the report cards when available at the conclusion of Trimester 1, families are encouraged to make sure they have their login information now. Currently, report cards from last school year are available for viewing.
How to view report cards from A-HConnect (view detailed instructions):
- Login to A-HConnect.
- Click on the ‘My Student Information/ParentVUE’ icon.
- Select a student from the dropdown menu.
- Select ‘Documents.’
- Select and view the applicable report card from the ‘Documents’ window.
- The report card will open in a new tab where the capabilities to download or print will be available.
View from the ParentVUE app (view detailed instructions):
- Go to the AppStore or Google Play and search for the ParentVUE app.
- Enter your zip code when prompted, and select “Anoka-Hennepin School District” from the menu options.
- Confirm ‘yes’ and select ‘Already Activated,’ if prompted.
- Use login/password to login.
- Select a student from the student list.
- Select ‘Documents.’
- Select and view the applicable report card.
- Click the share button to save or share the PDF.
If you need assistance logging in or forgot your password, call 763-506-HELP (4357) or email 506help@ahschools.us. For questions about the report cards, please contact the main office.
Upcoming Events
- November 7- Election Day
- November 7-9- 3rd Grade CogAt Testing
- November 8- Fall Picture Retakes
- November 10- Veterans Day Events
- 8:20 Reception for participating Veterans
- 9:05 Walk of Honor
- November 13-15- 2nd Grade CogAT Testing
- November 14- PTO Meeting (6:30pm)
- November 22- No School/Conference Conversion Day
- November 23-24- No School (Holiday Break)
- November 30- Family Movie Night (6:30pm)
- November 30- Last day of Trimester 1
- December 1- No school/Staff Planning
- December 4-No school/Staff Development
Follow this link for more upcoming events:
https://www.ahschools.us/Page/16#calendar11/20231103/month
You can also find more information when you visit the Crooked Lake Elementary website here:
Reedy's Report
Hello Crooked Lake Community!
Apparently, we are skipping autumn and jumping right into winter this year.
Please send you children in weather appropriate clothing. If your child forgets cold weather gear, we have a supply of back up gear which they are able to borrow and return after recess. If you are struggling to provide adequate winter gear for your ever-growing children, please let someone at the school know and we will be able to secure some for you. If you have any extra winter gear, we are always grateful for and accepting of donations.
We also provide snack for students who need them and could use support for this program as well. Please contact me or the office if you would like to receive or donate to the snack program.
It's not too late to sign up for Every Meal, which is a free weekend food program. It offers several non-perishable meals and a variety of cuisines. Please contact the school if you would like to receive these meals.
Finally, as we approach the holiday season, many families face additional celebration costs. A number of our community partners generously provide support to help with these costs. If you would like help accessing these supports, please contact the front office.
- If you have immediate concerns for the physical safety of a friend, a family member, or yourself, call 911.
- Dial **CRISIS from your cell phone to be connected with county mobile crisis services.
- Anoka County Mobile Crisis: 763-755-3801
- Hennepin County Children (up to 18): 612-348-2233
- Hennepin County Adults (18+): 612-596-1223
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (English) or 1-888-628-9454 (Spanish)
- Crisis Text Line: “HOME” to 741741
Tyler Reedy
MSW/LICSW
763-506-2164
tyler.reedy@ahschools.us
Nurse's News
Happy November!
Do you have any extra girls pants lying around unused? The Nurse's Office is in need of girls pants, all sizes. Leggings work the best, but other types of pants would be welcome too. If you have some you'd be willing to donate to the school, please drop them off at the Main Office. Thanks so much!
Katelyn Salwey
Licensed School Nurse, PHN, BSN, RN
Jolene Dorf
RN, School Nurse
Cook's Corner
The state’s Free School Meals program begins in 2023. Families will still need to apply to qualify for more educational benefits. Starting Sept. 5, 2023, every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the school year. The state’s Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one breakfast meal and one lunch meal for every student daily, however the cost of a la carte items, such as milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items. If your family needs access to any other educational benefits available to your student, please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application.
The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits begins Aug. 1, 2023. Anoka-Hennepin asks that all families complete an online application to provide additional school funding to support all students in the district. By filling out this application, your school can earn funding and you can save money. Educational benefits include:
- Athletics fees: Eligible students may qualify for fees to be waived or reduced.
- SAT, ACT, AP Fees: Students may be eligible for discounted fees for academic tests and some lab fees.
- Other high school activities: Students may qualify for discounts on speech, debate, theater, band and others.
- Additional benefits and cost savings: Chromebook device protection, Comcast Internet Essentials discount, Amazon Prime membership discounts, discounted bus fares with Metro Transit, Xcel Energy account assistance, discounts at museums and theaters.
Thanks!
Lauren Green
Child Nutrition Site Supervisor
Library's Latest
Happy Fall, Crooked Lake Families!
These first two months of school have gone by so fast! Our library has been a busy place for Crooked Lake kiddos; students have checked out over 5,000 books so far!
Minnesota Youth Reading Awards
In the past couple of weeks, Library classes have begun participating in the Minnesota Youth Reading Awards (MYRA). Here is how it works:
Grades K-2, Star of the North Award
Each year, ten picture books are nominated for the MYRA’s Star of the North Award (SOTN). These nominations will be read to K-2 students throughout the school year during their library classes. In March, K-2 students will get the opportunity to vote on their favorite book. The book with the most votes throughout Minnesota will be honored with the award in April! SOTN is a fun and exciting experience for kiddos to learn more about the voting process. Our library has several copies of these books for students to check out. You may have seen a few come home already!
Grades 3-5, Maud Hart Lovelace Award
Like the K-2 Star of the North Award, grades 3-5 participate in the Maud Hart Lovelace Award (MHL). Ten chapter books have been announced, and students in grades 3-5 are challenged to read three or more of these books independently by or before March so they can vote for their favorite to receive the award. Each time a student finishes one of the MHL books, they are asked to fill out a quick form in our library, and students will receive a “Book Badge” for the books they read. In addition to this, we have a challenge for grades 3-5 students!
Each grade level has a goal to read a certain number of these books by or before March 1. The grade levels who are successful will earn a prize. We are off to a great start, with multiple students already done reading several books!
MakerSpace & MakerSpot
Crooked Lake Elementary’s MakerSpace is a busy place in our library! Students are so excited to join Mrs. Kocak for STEAM-related activities that every session is quickly filled each week. Unfortunately, there are too many students and just not enough time for everyone to participate in MakerSpace….So we have begun “MakerSpot” during library and CORE classes! Similar to MakerSpace, MakerSpot will offer hands-on activities and creative exploration for students to “drop-in” as appropriate throughout the school day. Our MakerSpace and MakerSpot are run entirely on donations. Please take a look at the list of needed supplies and consider donating. All donated supplies can be delivered at Door 1 in the box provided.
Thank you,
Ms. Z and Mrs. Kocak
MakerSpace & MakerSpot Supply List:
Cardstock - white & assorted colors
Legos
Tissue Paper of any color - USED IS OKAY
Toothpicks
Disposable straws
Pipe cleaners
Aluminum foil - 2 rolls of 75 feet or longer
Play dough - 2 packs of the 4 or 5 color containers
Qtips - 1 large pack of 500 counts or more
Tissue paper - assorted colors of tissue paper
Fishing line
Plastic stretchy string - for beading
Hot glue sticks
Decorative duct tape 3-6 rolls
2 rolls of masking tape of any color
Home recycle products: egg cartons, toilet paper & paper towel cardboard rolls, Gatorade size bottle tops
Kristin Zelazny
Media Specialist/Core/ITT
Volunteer Voice
Thank you to the 184 volunteers who have taken time to help our students, teachers, and support staff! Volunteers gave 309 hours to our school during the month of October. They were busy chaperoning field trips, hanging artwork, helping teachers with various projects, volunteering at the Eveland Farms Fundraiser, and working with students.
NOVEMBER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
- At Home Volunteer
This opportunity allows volunteers to help from home. Job duties include cutting, pasting, hole punching, etc. - Artwork Hanging
Volunteers will display artwork on tack stripes and/or walls. Volunteers must be comfortable using a step stool. - Media Book Organizer
Volunteers will straighten and organize the bookshelves. Volunteers must be okay with working around students. - Picture Retakes
Volunteers will make sure students are camera ready. This opportunity might also include escorting students to and from pictures. - Workroom Support
Volunteers will help teachers and support staff with projects such as coping, laminating, stapling, etc.
ALL volunteers are required to complete/update the 2023 - 2024 Crooked Lake Elementary Volunteer
Application form and Criminal History Record Release form.
Melissa Hayek
Volunteer Services Coordinator
763-506-2130
Crooked Lake PTO
Thanks for joining us out at Eveland Family Farm
The weather cooperated just long enough and we had a great turn out to this fun, family event. Families got to walk around the farm and visit with the animals, enjoy a hayride, eat some delicious food, and pick out their pumpkins. Eveland night out is an annual fundraiser coordinated by the PTO and 5th Grade parents to help fund the costs associated with the Long Lake Field Trip. A BIG thanks to everyone who came out to volunteer. Without you, this event would not have been possible. If you have a kiddo moving to 5th grade next year, please consider joining our planning committee and volunteer team next September. We will need you!
Next Event: Movie Night 11/30
The PTO is working hard to try and make this event happen, however, we are running into some licensing issues. In order to show a movie in the school, we are required to have a license for the movie chosen. The cost for the license is quite spendy, and would take from the profit of this event, which is a 4th grade fundraiser which helps offset the cost of the Kindness Retreat, an in-school, day long experience all 4th graders will get to participate in. If we are unable to host Movie Night, it may be postponed or we will plan another event or experience instead.
PTO Meetings - They're for you!
All CLS parents are always invited to attend Crooked Lake PTO Meetings. There you will find out more about what the PTO has planned, hear staff and principal reports about what's been happening at our school, learn more about fundraising and funding for our students, staff, and classrooms, and learn more about upcoming events.
Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, November 14th, 6:30 PM in the Crooked Lake Media Center. FREE childcare is provided during the meeting.
*No PTO meetings scheduled in December*
Crooked Lake PTO
Angie Siddons - Chairperson
Nicole Rutt-Livgard - Co-Chairperson
Sandra Anderson - Treasurer
Jen Melsha - Board Member
Community Education
Featured Class: Ninja Warriors
Hello from Community Ed! Check out some upcoming classes we have below:
- 11/18: Ninja Warriors
- 11/29: Draw Along! Holiday
- 12/4 (Non School Day): Schools Out: Favorite Gym Games!
- 12/14: Holiday Wooden Ornaments
Register for these classes at https://ahschools.ce.eleyo.com/
See you in class!
Rachel Smith
763-506-1712
Late Arrivals & Absences
Bus Information
What if my child's bus doesn't come in the morning and/or my child doesn't get off the bus in the afternoon and I am unable to reach the school? This is rare, but if this does happen, please call your child's bus company. The bus company will assist you in the morning and also take the lead and contact you in the afternoon when they locate your child.
Kottkes' 763-755-3100
Busses: 08 68 87 501 533 535 544
First Student 763-421-3199
Bus: 301
Transportation App: FirstView
Attention Crooked Lake Families! There is an app called FirstView! This app enables families to get real-time information on regular bus routes - in the palm of your hand! Features include email, push, and text notifications of any route changes.
Simply download FirstView from your device's app store. On-screen directions walk first-time users through the easy set-up process. Choose Minnesota and then Anoka-Hennepin from the drop-down menus. After doing so, the app will direct you to A-HConnect. Log in with your parent/guardian username and password (if you've forgotten your parent/guardian username or password, please call 763-506-HELP), the app will then automatically populate your student's information.
Crooked Lake Elementary is on Facebook! Get the latest news by following:
@https://www.facebook.com/crookedlake/?ref=bookmarks
Follow Crooked Lake's PTO too at:
Crooked Lake Elementary School
2939 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW | Andover, MN 55304 | P: 763-506-2100 | F: 763-506-2103 | crookedlake@ahschools.us | Translate
This e-newsletter is published by Crooked Lake Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.