Northpoint Elementary
February 10, 2021 Newsletter
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Hello Northpoint Families!
We continue to enjoy having our in-person learners back at Northpoint. It feels like we were never apart. I am impressed with the adaptability of our students and staff. Our young friends are enjoying reconnecting with peers. Please remember there is no school this Friday, February 12 or Monday, February 15.
We are really getting into our new core reading resource, Wit and Wisdom. It includes a curriculum that helps support our learners through the entire writing process. This curriculum breaks down writing steps into the basics, so students truly learn about the writing process. Through their instruction, they explicitly see the different components required in creating a quality product they can truly be proud of in the end.
Below is a final essay completed by a grade four student, in which they convince the reader as to why they believe Anne Frank is someone with a great heart. With the support of Wit and Wisdom and the guidance of their teachers, students were able to create an introduction to hook their reader, a focus statement that helps the reader understand what they are about to read, two points with elaboration and a conclusion. It is so exciting to see students make those connections to prior lessons, build off them and discover that writing an essay is quite easy when they have already done all of the hard work!
Anne Frank
Anne Frank once said, “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." Anne Frank displays great heart because she was courageous when they took her to the camp, she might have thought it was scary, and she was heroic because even though she was young, she still shared her story.
Anne was hiding from the Nazis for 2 whole years. She was Jewish, and that’s why she was hiding. She showed courage because she could’ve given up hiding at any time.
Anne died at a camp in Germany called Bergen-Belson. She showed great heart because she still had hope for people, even though she was suffering herself. The biography of Anne Frank shows that she was courageous and heroic.
It’s fun to share examples of our student’s learning and we hope to do that with each of you during conferences. I hope each of you have had a chance to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher. We are looking forward to collaborative conversations which result in knowing your children at a deeper level and planning for next steps in their learning. You will be getting a further glimpse into their learning profiles and map; we will use these living documents to guide our conversations.
A special note to the families of fourth graders – Next year, our current fourth grade friends will be making the transition to 5th grade at Westwood Intermediate School. The amazing Westwood team, led by Principal Tom Larson and Associate Principal Tyler Nelson, is looking forward to meeting our fourth grade families. They will be hosting virtual information sessions on Thursday, February 25. Find details in the newsletter. We’re all committed to making this transition a smooth one for our fourth graders and their families.
Finally, we have just a few more days for spirit wear as we join with Panthers for a Purpose in raising awareness and support for the Weekend Food Pack program. This week, we’re gearing up for the last challenge before the February 27 virtual giving event. Time to get your groove on…. check out details in the newsletter.
Have a great week!
Judi Kahoun
Principal
For Extended Flex Learning Families
Greetings,
I had a blast this week doing virtual visits to kindergartner classrooms. These students had so much joy on their faces as they were discovering CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) and “trick” words in their phonics lessons. The relationships they have built with each other and their teacher put a big smile on my face. It was a great way to kick off a new week!
The distance learning teachers will be reaching out to schedule a conference time with you during the month of February. Please watch for communication from classroom teachers to learn more about the scheduling process. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher if you haven’t seen a conference invitation.
If you have a fourth grader in your family, there will be a transition to Westwood Intermediate School for 5th grade. Don’t miss details about this transition in this school newsletter and an opportunity to attend a virtual information sessions February 25. This is a very exciting time for our 4th grade students!
Stay warm this week and please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns. Our teachers are also looking forward to the upcoming partnership conversations with you!
Kim Fehringer
Principal on Assignment
K-4 Extended Flexible Learning
Introduction to Westwood for 4th grade families
It's time for the transition to Westwood! In the fall of 2021, your fourth grader will transition to Westwood. When students finish fourth grade at Spring Lake Park elementary schools, they transition to 5th grade at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School.
Westwood is home to students in grades 5-8. While all under one roof, Westwood has separate programs and spaces for 5-6 intermediate students and 7-8 middle school students.
Families of fourth graders are invited to attend a virtual Introduction to Westwood session on Thursday, February 25 to learn more about the school, the transition to 5th grade and to meet members of the Westwood team. We are committed to making this a seamless transition for students and their families.
Plan to attend a virtual session during one of these three times on Thursday, February 25:
- Coffee and Conversations - 9 a.m.
- Lunch and Learn - Noon
- Dessert and Discuss - 6:30 p.m.
Please note, there will two sessions offered at each of the times - one session for Centerview, Northpoint and Park Terrace families and one session for Woodcrest Spanish Immersion families. The content of each presentation will be the same so families only need to attend one session. WebEx links to these sessions will be available and shared with families next week.
There will also be a recorded presentation available to families after these sessions with the same great information.
Questions? Contact the Westwood office at 763-600-5300. The Westwood team is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2029 next fall.
Northpoint 20-21 Yearbook Information
Northpoint yearbooks for 20-21 are now available for ordering. Order your yearbooks here and enter Yearbook ID Code 10047721. Deadline for ordering is March 6, 2021.
Northpoint Yearbook Picture Submissions
For families of EFL students that did not want to have their student's picture taken onsite, you may email a headshot to Bethany Stiles to be included in the yearbook.
You may also take snap shots of your students engaging in activities/learning at home and send them to Bethany Stiles. Please include the child’s first and last name, grade and teacher when you send in photos. If possible, write a little blurb about what is happening in the photo.
Important Arrival/Dismissal Reminders
Thank you for taking a moment to review and follow these guidelines to maintain a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal process:
- During arrival, have your students ready to exit the car when you enter the carline.
- When lining up, please do not block any of the entrances to our neighboring businesses.
- During dismissal, please have a sign with your student's name and grade displayed on the passenger side dash. This sign must stay on your dash until your student is loaded. View this helpful hint on how to display your sign.
- Pull all the way forward in the carline before loading/unloading your students.
- Do not pass cars to move up in the carline unless directed by a staff member.
- Ensure your student exits and enters curbside at all times.
- Do not exit the vehicle to help your student in or out; please have student enter and exit the vehicle independently; there will be staff available to help your student if needed.
Health Office Reminder
Please make sure your student's mask fits properly when they come to school. It should fit snug and cover both the nose and the mouth. It is also a good idea to send an extra mask along with your student should they need one.
Visit the CDC website for additional tips on wearing your mask correctly.
3rd Grade EFL Virtual Market Day
3rd Grade EFL just finished their "virtual" market day! The students designed a product to sell as a producer, promoted it through a presentation to their classmates and then were consumers and spent their money on each other! They created things like scarves, poems, mini notebooks, robots and water regenerators!
Challenge #3 - It's almost party time, February 15-24
It's time to get dancing, Panthers! With just over two weeks to go until the Panthers for a Purpose virtual giving event, we are challenging families to get their move on between February 15-24. Put on some music and show us your favorite dance moves!
Send us your videos of your family dance party to be entered in the prize drawing and to see your dance moves on the program.
As a reminder, we are in the final days of Challenge #2. There is still time to show us your Panther Pride by wearing school colors or SLP gear and submit your photos by Friday, February 12.
Please send your photos and videos to PantherFoundation@district16.org.
Learn more about the Panthers for a Purpose virtual event, which helps keep the pantry stocked, children fed and ready to learn!
- February 12-15 - NO SCHOOL
- March 1 - NP PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. (Virtual)
- March 6 - Last day to order yearbooks
- March 12-22 - NO SCHOOL, spring break
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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