Homecroft Elementary School
News and Updates
Thursday, September 8, 2022
We are off to the races! It is so good to see our students and families again. Our kindergarten students started today and we are excited to welcome them.
A few details to note as the week progresses:
- Infinite Campus/Parent Portal account registration is behind/delayed. Please be patient with the district office as they're processing access as quickly as they can.
- AM parent drop off: Please do not enter the main bus alley in front of the school until all the buses have departed. We realize the AM drop off can be congested, but our buses have to be able to enter/exit safely without maneuvering around cars in the main entry parking lot.
- How do I pay for lunch? Please check out the info from child nutrition linked here.
- All families need to complete the Blended Learning Form, if you have not done that, please do so ASAP.
Thanks for your ongoing support! The first three days of school have gone really well.
Fall Fundraiser - FUN RUN!
Parents are asked to consider participating in the fundraiser and register your student at mybooster.com
Here are the details:
Event Name:
Homecroft Hornet Fun Run
Goal:
$12,000
Funds For:
School wide behavior program awards/rewards/incentives, technology and digital resources, and general classroom needs
School Wide Incentive:
At $10k students will earn ice cream sandwiches
At $12k Principal Cawcutt will dress up as a mystery movie star.
Homecroft Elementary families!
We’re only ONE week away from our Homecroft Hornet Fun Run and our students and staff are so excited! We’re looking forward to having fun and building community together.
⭐️ Log into MYBOOSTER.COM today to get started! ⭐️
Register & share today to help our school reach our goal of $12,000 for students & staff.
PLUS, there are only a FEW DAYS LEFT to register before 09/13/2022. Any parent/guardian who registers their student before 09/13/2022 will be entered to win a$50 gift card!
Check out this 30 second video about our upcoming event >> Click for Fun!
Thank you for supporting our school - we are grateful for our amazing school community!
Homecroft Schoolwide Expectations
Safety Drills - ALICE
Over the past several years we have seen a dramatic increase in school violence and school shootings. As the experts analyze these horrific events it is apparent that we need to do more, not only taking steps in an attempt to prevent the event from occurring but training of students and staff on procedures that we all need to survive an active shooter in our schools.
If you look at what has occurred in our schools and colleges throughout the country it is evident that if an armed intruder wants to get into any school building, there is a good chance that they probably will succeed. The fact is, even though the Duluth Public Schools has taken great steps in the matter of securing our school buildings, i.e. installing monitored entry systems and installing additional cameras throughout our school buildings, one question still needs to be answered. What if?
Duluth Public Schools has adopted and implemented ALICE district-wide. We recently held a two day training to certify over 40 staff members who will then train all staff members throughout the district to make sure we are prepared if something were to happen in any of our schools.
What is ALICE?
Alert
Get the word out! Armed Intruder in the building instead of the use of any codes. Use clear, concise language to convey the type and specific location of the event.
Lockdown
Good starting point. We will continue to Lockdown students in secure areas by barricading the doors and spreading out in the classroom away from the door.
Inform
Continuation of the use of clear, concise language to convey the type and specific location of the event. Communication keeps the Shooter off balance and allows for good decision-making.
Counter
Apply Skills to Distract, Confuse and gain Control. This is only taught at the high school level.
Evacuate
Reduce the number of Potential Targets for the shooter, and reduce chances of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives.
The philosophy of ALICE is to use technology and information in a way so that staff and students can make informed decisions in a crisis, remove as many people as possible from the danger zone, and provide realistic training so that those involved have a better chance of surviving.
In short, using the above ALICE method we will teach our students and staff multiple tools to use in order to evade an armed intruder/active shooter/killer who enters our school, including:
1. Listen carefully to the location and type of event.
2. Get to and/or remain in a secure area until it is safe to evacuate.
3. Should an armed intruder/active shooter invade their area, apply skills to Distract, Confuse and Gain Control.
4. As soon as it is safe to do so, Evacuate.
Please understand, in NO WAY are we asking or teaching our students or staff to make any attempt to subdue an armed gunman outside of their secure area. However, we will provide them the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to greatly enhance their chance of survival. The methods that will be taught in the event an armed gunman directly confronts them are:
Cause distractions to interfere with the ability to shoot accurately
Cause as much chaos in the room as possible to create sensory overload
Do not be a stationary target
How to control the attacker using body weight, not strength (not for younger children)
How to interact with responding Law Enforcement
Younger students need constant reminders of safe practices (much like you may already do for ‘stranger danger’), in order for them to make good decisions related to their personal safety. Parents can prepare their child(ren) for the ALICE plan by helping them understand the following objectives at home:
There are people, of all ages, color, and types that can be mean and may wish them harm.
Self-confidence comes from trying things that are hard and getting better each time.
There are many solutions and options when faced with a problem.
When your child is prepared for difficult situations they can make informed decisions and will have more self-control.
Your child is smart and capable if they have the tools.
Help your child identify and assess possible crisis situations.
Have your child demonstrate the ability to get away from someone who has their hands on them. (Stranger Danger)
Have your child explain the different safety drills and what they mean. (Fire, Tornado, Evacuation, Lockdown, Shelter in Place, and ALICE)
Help your child name where they need to go in case of evacuation.
Discuss the importance of following the teacher’s directions without hesitation.
Training will emphasize that the best way to survive an active shooter is to escape. When that is not possible, being mentally prepared and having been given the authority and ability to act will save lives.
Please contact the principal at your child’s school with any questions or concerns. Duluth Public Schools will continue to put your child’s safety as our top priority.
4H Cloverbud Saturday
Please come join us on September 10th for our 4-H Cloverbud Saturday for grades K-2. We will learn more about Pollinators and make a habitat for Mason Bees, an important native pollinator. We will also learn about the Honey Harvest with a hands-on demonstration and possibly even a taste test. Cloverbuds will meet in the classroom at the Depot from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Come join us for some sticky fun.
Please register on-line at https://z.umn.edu/CloverbudSeptember, or in person at the Depot that morning.
For event specific questions, please contact:
Brian Kinziger
4-H STEM After School Program Coordinator
AP Cook Building, 2503 Rice Lake Rd, Duluth MN 55811
University of Minnesota | umn.edu
bkinzige@umn.edu|218.348-5224
Homecroft Elementary School
Email: thomas.cawcutt@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/homecroft-elementary/index
Location: 4784 Howard Gnesen Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: (218) 336-8865