Greetings Oakdale Families!

Our building has been bubbling with excitement since the return to in-person learning for many of our students. Our youngest Oakdale Tigers are on their third week of in-person learning and have been working hard in their classrooms. School is back to being a normal routine for our youngest students.

This week, we welcomed back our Third Grade, Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade students who have signed up for in-person learning. We hope these older Oakdale Tigers are as happy to be back as we are to have them back in school. It’s refreshing to have so many of our kids back in school with us.

Here’s a huge shout out to all of our students, families and staff who will continue on with the Distance Learning Plan. We know you are working hard with See Saw lessons and joining in on your daily Zoom meetings. You are not forgotten and we miss you!

Have a GRRREAT week!

Together,

Mrs. Tracy Buhl, Principal

Remember to bring your headphones to school.

Remember to bring your outdoor gear for daily recess and outdoor gym days.

Bring your winter jackets, snow pants, boots, gloves, and hats. You will not be required to wear your mask outdoors.

***If any families are in need of winter gear, please contact us at 651-702-8507***

***If families have any gently used boots or mitten/gloves to donate,

please bring them to our office***

Remember our Free Meal Program for students continues! Please refer to the table located online at www.isd622.org/freemealprogram for pick-up locations and hours. Check back for any changes that may occur week to week. As colder weather begins, meal pick-up at some locations may move indoors so families are asked to follow the signs to pick up their meals.

Dress For The Weather With the forecasted cold weather, please be sure that your child has warm clothing to go out for recess. All classes are outside for about 15 minutes before or after their lunch, unless the weather truly prevents it (rain, sleet, etc.). According to our district guidelines, students should be kept indoors from recess when the air temperature dips below 0 degrees or the wind-chill dips below -10 degrees. Students truly enjoy the outdoor exercise and fresh air when they are properly dressed.

PLEASE LABEL ALL WINTER OUTERWEAR WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME. Please send snow pants and boots with your student every day. If they do not have snow pants and boots, they will need to stay on the blacktop section of the playground during recess. If your child has a medical condition that prevents them from going outside for recess the school will need a doctor’s note. Please make sure the doctor’s note includes the specific dates and/or the temperature at which the student can’t go outside. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dates: Tuesday, March 2nd 4:00-7:30

Thursday, March 4th 4:00-7:30

Friday, March 5th 8:00-4:00

https://ptcfast.com/schools/OakdaleElementary

Picture Day Information:
Lifetouch will be here on Friday, February 19th to take pictures of any students that were unable to get their pictures taken in the fall and retake pictures for those that were unhappy with their fall pictures (please return your packet with your student if they are getting their picture retaken).

Distance Learning Parents: Please call the office to make an appointment for your student @ 651-702-8501.

If you would like to order your student pictures online (recommended) here is the info you will need to order:

https://my.lifetouch.com
Picture Day ID: EVT3W73GF

Staff has been working extra hard this year to create an amazing yearbook for this crazy year we are experiencing.

We only have 170 copies pre-ordered this year so be sure to reserve your copy.

To purchase your Oakdale Elementary 20-21 yearbook go to

ybpay.lifetouch.com

Oakdale's yearbook ID code: 11673021

Yearbooks are $16.00 for an all color, soft cover book to capture our school year and the memories that this unique year brings.

The order deadline is March 26.

Call our office with any questions.

651-702-8500

Our Scholastic Spring Book Fair is going virtual – March 1 – 14!

Look for more information at the end of February.

As always, ALL profits stay right here at Oakdale Elementary School for the purchase of library books and classroom learning materials.

If you have an incoming kindergartener this Fall of 2021, we are cordially inviting you to attend this year's Kindergarten Zoom Night.

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 6:00pm we are having a virtual Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night for Oakdale Elementary. We would love to have you join us for our annual gathering to give you all the information you need to help you make the big step into elementary school.

We hope you are able to join us!

For more information about enrollment and to download the kindergarten enrollment packet, go to www.ids622.org/kindergarten.

Tracy Buhl, our principal, along with our Kindergarten teachers and staff will be hosting and available for questions during this time.

Call us with any questions or concerns at 651-702-8500.

1. Buy box top products. There are hundreds of products.

2. Scan your receipt. Using your app, snap a photo of your receipt within 14 days of your purchase.

3. Earnings are automatically updated online.

You can still occasionally find old Box Tops on packages. You can still clip them and send them to school, as long as it has a valid expiration date.

Ramsey County Public Health is offering free, daily saliva testing at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in RiverCentre (175 Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101).

Visit the Ramsey County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website for more information.

In addition, Washington County has a COVID-19 testing site available. Visit the Washington County Covid-19 Testing website for more information.

There is an at-home saliva test available FREE to all Minnesotans. Visit the Minnesota Department of Health's COVID-19 Test at Home website for details.

As we return to school in person, Adventure Connection is accepting registrations for before and after school care for students in PreK-5th grade.

Flexible scheduling makes Adventure Connection convenient and affordable.

Students participate in a variety of activities such as art, games, team building, playground, and gym time. Protocols are in place to help keep students and staff safe and healthy. Learn more and register at www.isd622.org/ac.

We appreciate your continued engagement with learning this year. Whether your child is learning through in-person or distance learning, we are glad to see that your child is trying his or her best. We are proud of all of our students!

In order to ensure a smooth transition into trimester 3, we wanted to share the following information regarding elementary learning.

• Trimester 3 starts on March 15.

• We will plan for students to continue in the current learning format they are enrolled in.

• Families who want to change their children’s current learning format (in-person to distance learning or distance learning to in-person) must make requests to change by Friday, February 19.

• To request a change, contact the Oakdale office at (651-702-8500.

• Requests for a change can only be granted based on availability.

• If you want your child to remain in their current learning format, you do not need to do anything.

Having timely information on the number of students requesting changes will help us better prepare for any staffing changes that may need to occur in order to provide the best learning experience for students. Your cooperation in helping us prepare is greatly appreciated.

Together,

Tracy Buhl

Parents,

Please make sure you are connected to your child’s Seesaw account by downloading the Seesaw Family app. Teachers will be sending out invites again to your cell phone or your email address. It is important you are connected so you get to see your child’s work and you are able to message your child’s teacher. This is the way most classroom announcements are being sent out. If you have questions about this please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Click on the link below to get the latest and GRRReatest Tiger fashion.

https://oakdaletigers.secure-decoration.com/