Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
November 3, 2021 Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
Falling Forward into Learning and “Falling “Back” with time
Greetings Woodcrest families,
With September and October behind us, cooler weather has arrived with November. It showed up this last Monday. The excitement of a few falling snowflakes filled the cold air of recess on the playground. Please make sure that your children are dressed for the weather when they come to school.
We have so many different learning activities and projects happening at each grade level. Today, I want to highlight some of the work being done with one of our Kindergarten classes and a second grade class. Both teachers used our STEM classroom to create lessons that lead students through a scientific process and experience. The Kindergarten students, among other things, experienced the scientific method while exploring the effects of different colors mixing. It was such a joy to see the whole class dressed in white lab coats and goggles exclaiming “Somos cientificos!!!” (we are scientists!!!).
Our second grade friends also dressed the part and used pumpkins, microscopes, and a number of other tools. Their learning lead them to combine science, math, and literacy. Both classes were also able to meet the learning standards of other content areas beyond science while making connections beyond the walls of Woodcrest Spanish Immersion School.
I will add to the many reminders you may have about this weekend being the end of daylight savings time. Please remember to turn your clocks back by one hour to be ready for learning on Monday.
We look forward to the weeks ahead and hope that your November is starting well.
Con gratitúd,
John Franke
Help paying for Internet service for families who qualify
There is a temporary program available to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Families who qualify for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Education Benefits can enroll through a participating broadband provider or using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.
It is not too late to complete an application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals and Education Benefits. You can complete the application online or on paper. Find more information on our website or stop into your school's office or the District Services Center for assistance.
Thanksgiving Baskets and Holiday Support Programs
It's that time of year when the holidays are approaching. If you celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas and are in need of some extra support during this upcoming season, there may be programs within the local community that we can connect you to. Please reach out to either your child's teacher or Rachel Perez, the Social Worker & Community Resource Liaison at Woodcrest (763-600-5825) for more information on how we can get you some extra support.
Are you interested in adopting a family for Christmas? Please reach out to Rachel Perez (763-600-5825) to find out more information or be added to a list of volunteers to help support district families.
Reminder: Send students to school with a face mask
Face masks are currently required for grades K-6 due to high COVID-19 transmission rates in our community. Please send your student(s) to school with a face mask to wear and an extra in case their mask gets dirty. Thank you!
Recess during Winter
- The outside temperature is 0 degrees and/or the wind-chill factor is –10 degrees Fahrenheit
- Extreme icy or sloppy conditions
- Raining and/or lightning
Recreo en el invierno
Padres, a como se acerca el invierno nuevamente, por favor tengan en mente las siguientes cosas: Todos los estudiantes deben de tener recreo afuera, la excepción es, si el clima no lo permite. Los estudiantes deben de tener una nota escrita por un doctor para ser excusados de recreo afuera. Los estudiantes deben de usar botas de nieve, pantalones de nieve, chamarras, y ropa apropiada para el invierno. Las siguientes son las normas para cancelar el recreo afuera:
- La temperatura afuera es de 0 grados de temperatura y/o si el aire se siente a -10 grados Fahrenheit
- Condiciones de hielo o si esta muy mojado el piso
- Lluvia y/o relámpagos
School Board Election Results
Four Spring Lake Park School Board seats were on the Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Election ballot.
Seats currently held by Marilynn Forsberg, Michael Kreun, Amy Wheaten and Jim Stroebel were on the general election ballot on November 2, 2021. Forsberg and Kreun filed for re-election. Melody Skelly, Allie Schmidt and Sam Villella also filed affidavits of candidacy.
The two incumbents running, Marilynn Forsberg and Michael Kreun, have been reelected to the school board. Melody Skelly and Sam Villella join the board as its newest members. They will each serve 4-year terms beginning January 2022, as reported on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website:
Marilynn Forsberg, 791 votes
Michael Kreun, 1,125 votes
Allie Schmidt, 734 votes
Melody Skelly, 1,184 votes
Sam Villella, 847 votes
Voting results are unofficial until canvassed by the School Board at its next regular meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
Magnet Fun
Students in kinder learned about Magnets today with Mrs. Nguyen. They learned that every magnet has two sides: a north pole and a south pole and that we use these names because if you hang a magnet from a thread, the magnet’s north pole points (almost) towards the north direction. It is so fun to see Kinder students learn about science in such a fun way!
Purchase tickets for “The Alibis” grades 7-8 theater production
Theater season is in full swing! Come support our grades 7-8 theater students in their upcoming fall play production "The Alibis" on November 11-12 at the SLPHS Fine Arts Center. Purchase your tickets online or at the Fine Arts Center for a dollar more on the day of the production.
Performance description:
Comedy in crime in this rouge's gallery of ten-minute plays wrapped in a classic whodunnit. When eccentric billionaire J. Leslie Arlington is murdered, a clueless detective finds the suspects are all reluctant to admit their alibis...because they were all committing other ridiculous crimes at the time. You never know what's coming next when your suspects include disgruntled chefs, teen detectives, and vengeful divas, but one thing's for certain: Every alibi is absolutely absurd.
Performance dates:
- Thursday, November 11, 7 p.m.
- Friday, November 12, 7 p.m.
Don't miss out on the final weekend of "Shakespeare in Hollywood"
The final shows of the SLPHS fall performance "Shakespeare in Hollywood" will take place this Friday, November 5 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 6 at 2 p.m. You don't want to miss out on this fast-paced, comedy theater production. Check out this great article written by ABC Newspapers about the show and make sure to purchase your tickets today.
Conociendo a la Sra. Rachel Perez
When not working in her social work role, she can be found spending time with her family, including her spouse and three elementary-aged children. She enjoys staying active and social through exercise classes, getting together with friends, spending time outdoors, exploring and visiting new places both locally and out of state when possible. She and her family are hopeful to return back to Mexico in the next year to visit family.
Spirit Night / Dine-to-Donate
Come join other Woodcrest Families and do Culver's for dinner on Tuesday, November 9 from 5-7 p.m! Mention Woodcrest and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to our PTO on all drive-thru, call-in, dine-in, and online to-go orders (enter Woodcrest in the comments). Culver's in Blaine is located at 10550 Baltimore St. Blaine, MN 55449 (Corner of Hwy 65 and 105th) and their phone number is 763-784-5899. Proceeds will help fund our annual events such as art adventure, family fun, staff appreciation, prairie garden education, community outreach, mileage club, literacy initiatives, and more!
Free Kinder Shirts
Kindergarten parents should receive a form sent home in backpacks this week about selecting a size for a FREE red Woodcrest T-shirt for your student. Please return to your teacher by this Friday, November 5.
Birthday Board Display
We are looking for a volunteer to make the November and December birthday bulletin board display that hangs inside school each month to celebrate student birthdays. Sign up here on Konstella
PTO Meetings
Our next PTO meeting will be Monday, November 8, at 6 p.m. on Zoom.
Grant decision team plans to meet Monday, November 8, at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 767 9988 6422
Passcode: PTO2021
Important Dates
- Monday, November 8: WCSI PTO Meeting 6-7 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 16: Fall Picture Retakes
- Wednesday-Friday, November 24-26: No School for students
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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