Greetings families!

Another month (and quarter) have gone by. It's strange to say that we only have one quarter left in the school year! Believe it or not, we have many upcoming events on our calendar from April to June! Please watch for announcements to get those events on your calendars. Events like music programs and track and field days as well as field trips are planned between now and the end of the year. Your child(ren) would love to see you at these events, if it works in your schedule.

Our next opportunity for building fun is the spring social and silent auction on April 28. Be on the lookout for more information from the PTO.

Today, teachers took the time to complete report cards so you can see the progress they're making. Student report cards will be available in Infinite Campus by 4pm on April 3, 2023. Tips on how to access your child’s report card can be found here. We’ve created a new online resource hub to assist with student report card detail. The online rubrics serve as a companion to your child’s report card and are intended to provide additional detail by language, grade and subject. We invite families to review the resources/rubrics.

If you have any questions about a grade, please connect with the teacher that teaches that class/subject with any questions.

April 11 is a special election day. Red Oak is a designated voting site, just like we were in November. Please see the section below for specific information regarding election day.

Thank you for all your support with your child's education and your dedication and trust with Red Oak.

Have a wonderful weekend and month and we look forward to seeing the students back on April 10th!

Your partner in education,

Krysten Ellis, Principal

In cooperation with Scott County and the City of Shakopee, Red Oak is an official polling location for the 2023 Special Election on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Election activities will be held in the gymnasium and therefore not accessible by students or staff during prep and general polling hours on this day.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. All polling place activities will be led by the City of Shakopee Elections Department and assigned staff. Shakopee Public Schools is not included in nor associated with polling place activities.

Student safety remains a top priority during the election, and during any school day, and extensive preparation efforts have occurred to ensure ease of flow for voters, families, students and staff as well as proactive safety and security measures. While the polling location is within the building, it is the only location within the school accessible by voters and the election team; interior access will not be available and school operations will remain separate from polling place activities.

School hours, transportation locations (bus and student pick up/drop off) and any standard before/after care will remain as normal and will not be impacted. Bus drop off/pick up locations will be slightly altered for the day. There will be extra school staff onsite during arrival and departure times to assist with traffic flow.

To limit visitors in the school building, we kindly ask that only essential visitors plan to visit the school on April 11, 2023 (i.e. late arrival/early departure student need, critical student support). No afternoon/evening activities will occur in the gymnasium.

A reminder email will be sent to families the day before the Special Election as a courtesy. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to email kellis@shakopee.k12.mn.us

Our music staff, Mrs. Alrtringer and Mrs. Isles have set dates for grade level music programs for students in 1-4 and 5th grade band students.

They will be held during the day with a chance for families to watch the talent that has evolved over the course of the year.

Your child's music teacher will be sending more information as we get closer to the program dates.

All programs will be held in the gym, beginning promptly at 9:30am. Doors to the gym (lower level) will open at 9:20. Please do not arrive before 9:15, as we need to make sure busses have left the lower lot.

*Please enter/exit from the gym doors ONLY.

Music Program Dates:

1st grade- 4/20

2nd grade- 4/28

3rd grade- 5/4

4th grade- 5/9

5th grade band- 5/30

April 14th

Dress your BEST! Go fancy and dress like the celebrity you are - it's your day to SHINE like a STAR!

Please remind your child(ren) of the importance of wearing their outdoor clothing when they go outside for recess. Even if it isn't super cold outside, it is wet. If your child chooses not to wear snow pants or boots, I encourage you to have them pack an extra pair of pants and socks so they aren't sitting in wet clothes for the remainder of the school day.

If you are in need of warmer clothes or winter gear for your child(ren), please contact our social worker, Liz Ammerman: (952) 496- 5956 or email at eammerman@shakopee.k12.mn.us

District Information/Winter Weather Guidelines and Information:

In the event of a weather-related school change, please look for communication from the YMCA on information related to delays and/or cancelations. Please see the outline below on general winter weather schedule adjustments for the 2022/23 school year.

https://www.shakopee.k12.mn.us/Page/8643

A few reminders worth noting to the beginning and end of the day structures and procedures:

• All doors open at 8:55 a.m. (walkers and bikers, door E unlocks at 8:55). Students should remain in their cars or on the Saber Paw prints outside until the doors open
• Breakfast for all students will be in their classroom. This will allow students to be in class and be a part of the morning activities without having them rush through breakfast.
• Drop off/pick up will continue to be in the upper lot. We ask that parents/guardians remain in the car for a more safe and efficient process. There are adults to help get students out of cars in the morning and into cars in the afternoon. Please pull forward to help keep the line moving. Please do not park and get down to drop off your children. This is for their safety.
• Our drop off/pick up line is secondary to getting the busses in and out of the lower lot. Please be mindful of where you line up to allow for large and small busses to maneuver through.
• Families arriving after 9:05 MUST walk their child(ren) into the building and sign them in.
• School ends at 3:45, which means students will not be called for the car line until approximately 3:48. Again, please remain in your car in the line and we will help get your child in the car.

Thank you for your attention to detail on these for the safety of our children.

Health Services Resources

Health services resources for the 2022/23 school year can be found online here: bit.ly/SPSHealthServices22. Optional COVID-19 self reporting details and a form are available here.

Attendance

Parents/guardians should call the attendance line when a student will be late or absent 952-496-5953.

Students arriving after 9:05 will need to be walked in by their parent/guardian and will be marked tardy.

Lunch Money

Please remember to include your child's first/last name and student ID number, with any lunch money that comes in.

Visitor Reminders

All visitors are required to check-in at the front office and must be screened through the Raptor system during normal school hours.

Volunteers

If you would like to volunteer in the classroom or attend a field trip or volunteer with students, you must have a completed, cleared background check. Click here to fill out the form.

Change in PM transportation

If your child has a change in how they are getting home, please call the office no later than 3pm so we can get the correct information to the classroom teacher. If you pick up your student, prior to the end of the day, we will call your student to the office when you arrive, so please allow yourself ample time.

Free meals are no longer provided by COVID federal funds.

22-23 school year Breakfast is no longer free for students in grades 1-5. Kindergarten students are the only grade that has free breakfast.

Student meal accounts will need to be funded in Infinite Campus. Free or reduced meals can be offered to families that qualify. Applications also impact school funding. Digital applications can be completed in Infinite Campus. Printed applications are also available in our main office and at the district office. For tips on how to fund meal accounts in Infinite Campus, click here.

UPDATE:

School Lunch Reminder

Meal prices will remain the same through the end of this school year (June 2023). If you'd like to check your student's account balance, make a payment or view meal prices, please click here. Families that have qualified for free/reduced meals will continue to receive benefits as normal.

Family Resource Centers of Scott County: When times are tough, it's hard to know where to go to get the help you need. The Family Resource Center (FRC) are here to help families get connected to support and resources. If you're feeling stuck, visit a FRC. Click here for more information (in multiple languages)

Do you need food on the weekends?

If you need help with meals on the weekend, please sign up here for free meals. There are 5 different types of meals to sign up for. Students who sign up for these meals will take them home on the last day of the school week.

For more information, please email our Social Worker, Liz Ammermann: eammerman@shakopee.k12.mn.us