Here's the Scoop
Hamilton Ridge News and Events - April 2021
A Note from Mrs. Z
Dear Hamilton Ridge Families,
The staff and I are incredibly proud of our students. They showed up on Jan. 19 or Feb. 1 with eagerness, energy, and enthusiasm. Third quarter has been a time of reunion, relationships, learning, and celebration. With everyone in person students finally had the chance to get to know all their classmates. Teachers concentrated on relationship building and provided a robust pace of academic and social-emotional learning. It's a great feeling to know that except for some quarantine situations, we have been going strong for nearly 9 -11 weeks.
This week we concluded our March Tournament of Books, an exciting book competition. Today, we celebrated good manners with a Fancy Lunch Dress Up day. With quarter three complete on April 2, we are excited to continue in person learning for quarter four. As I write this, I can hear the happy voices of students enjoying their lunch in the cafeteria and enjoying conversations with each other. It's music to my ears. Your children are resilient, capable, and fun. They continue to be the joy in our days!
I wish you a happy and safe spring break!
Karen Zwolenski - Mrs. Z
Hamilton Ridge PTC Update
WOW! Hamilton Ridge families, a huge THANK YOU for all you did in raising $26,940 for our spring direct donation drive. We already have approval to build a gaga ball pit for the playground, and more news will be coming soon. We hope to purchase equipment to use yet this year, especially for our 5th grade friends who will be leaving us to go to middle school! Congratulations to our top 5 earners who got a wicked cool Hamilton Ridge face mask:
1. Ariana Christopherson
2. Kylie Fisher
3. Caleb Niemann
4. Kendall Loeffler
5. Audrey Tschepen
And our top 3 winners will join Principal Zwolenski to be "principal for a day." Plus, Mrs. Z is getting her costume ready to dress up for a day since we made our goal! What will she be?
The next PTC meeting is Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30. Stay tuned to Facebook for a meeting link and potential in-person location.
April restaurant dates are as follows:
- Davanni's - Thursday, April 1 for takeout, dine-in or delivery
- McHugh's - Wednesday, April 13 for dine-in or takeout
Let's support these local businesses and get some money back, too, for our school!
The DOGS are building a time capsule for Hamilton Ridge! What kinds of things should we put in it? Let us know on Facebook or at hamiltonridgeptc@gmail.com. Principal Zwolenski will keep it under lock and key in the office, and 20 years from now, the staff and families will open it up. What a year to remember, right?
The entire school directory is now available, separated by grade. You can find it at this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P6FgCcC5mf1yUgnfTQ5iKfSQIprLqn9XE8H3aBrIHAk/edit?usp=sharing. Families were invited to opt-in in to this directory at the start of the school year. Please reach out to the Hamilton Ridge PTC with questions at hamiltonridgeptc@gmail.com.
We have more exciting updates in the coming weeks, so stay tuned! Thank you for all the support you show the PTC all year long!
Tournament of Books Winner!
The vote is in! It was an exciting tournament. Which book had the most votes?? Was it-The Tooth Fairy Wars?? Was it The Book With No Pictures? Which grade level is going to win Hamilton Ridge’s FIRST EVER TOURNAMENT OF BOOKS??
The trophy goes to 3rd Grade for… The Book With No Pictures!
Here are a Few Pictures from Dress Like a Book Character Day During I Love to Read Month!
Virtual Author Vist - April 16
Hamilton Ridge Elementary is excited to welcome author Erin Soderberg Downing on April 16! We are lucky to be able to have her meet virtually with our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. She will talk about her experiences that led her to become an author. She will be introducing the first book in her new series, THE GREAT PEACH EXPERIMENT: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie. Families have an opportunity to purchase one of her books and she will autograph them for the students!
To learn more about this visit: https://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/hamiltonerindowning
If you have any questions, please contact the HRE Media Specialist, Amy Schwingler at aschwingler@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us.
April Early Release and No School Days
Please mark your calendars for the important dates below:
Wednesday, March 31 - Early Release; 1:50 p.m.
April 5 - 9 - No School; Spring Break; Hamilton Ridge Office ClosedWednesday, April 14 - No School; Staff Work Day - Grading Day
Wednesday, April 21 - Early Release; 1:50 p.m.
Wednesday, April 28 - Early Release; 1:50 p.m.
Spring Conferences - April 15, 20 & 22
Parent/Teacher Conferences are right around the corner! If you haven't already done so, please follow the link to PTCFast to sign up for a conference with your child's teacher. For the safety of families and our staff, all conferences will be scheduled via Google Meet. Teachers will send you information regarding your meeting. The Hamilton Ridge Office will not be open during conferences hours. Please contact your teacher directly should you not be able to participate in your scheduled conference.
Conference Dates/Times for Grades K-5:
Thursday, April 15 - 4:15-8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20 - 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 22 - 4:15-8:15 p.m.
Welcome to the Class of 2034!
It was so fun to see many of our incoming Kindergartners at the March 4 Drive By Connect to Kindergarten event. We are looking forward to what's up next:
- May 18, 2021
Kindergarten Open House - August 2-13, 2021
Great Start to Kindergarten assessment days
Please follow this link for more information about Kindergarten at PLSAS.
HRE Kindergarten - Donations Needed!
Are you Spring Cleaning? Kindergarten is in need of some items for their Mud Kitchens. They are looking for anything that is not breakable. Some examples could be pots, pans, spoons, measuring cups, bowls, plates, Tupperware etc. For inventory control, please sign up on the link below. Thank you for your donations!
MCA Testing - Mark Your Calendars
Hamilton Ridge third, fourth and fifth grade students will be taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments tests following Spring Break.
The testing schedule is below. Please schedule appointments and vacations around testing dates. It is most important that all of our third, fourth and fifth graders are present for the state tests.
Please contact your child's teacher with any questions.
Why State Testing?
Minnesota values its educational system and the professionalism of its educators. Minnesota educators created the academic standards which are rigorous and prepare our students for career and college. The statewide assessments are how we as a state measure that curriculum and daily instruction in our schools are being aligned to the academics standards, ensuring all students are being provided an equitable education. Statewide assessment results are just one tool to monitor that we are providing our children with the education that will ensure a strong workforce and knowledgeable citizens (from the Minnesota Department of Education).
Please contact the Hamilton Ridge office for information about statewide testing and to access the parent/guardian opt out form. This form must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to your child's teacher or the main office.
Technology Support
Hours for the District Services Center: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Address: 4540 Tower Street SE, Prior Lake Phone: 952-226-0000
Contact Us
Main Office 952-461-7800
Fax Number 952-461-7849
Health Office 952-461-7806
Karen Zwolenski, Principal kzwolenski@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
Lindsay Comstock, Dean of Students lcomstock@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
Kirsten Schoeller, Administrative Assistant kschoeller@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
Beverley Null, Administrative Assistant (attendance) bnull@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
Andrea Carin, Social Worker acarin@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
Technology Helpdesk 952-226-0062 or ithelpdesk@plsas.org
District Transportation 952-226-0050 or jswedberg@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
Prior Lake Bus Company (after hours) 952-440-1166