Centerview Elementary
Hello Centerview Families,
We are off to a great start as we round out week two. While it is exciting and fun to establish routines, absorb expectations and learn throughout the day, it does get tiring as we all build our stamina. I’m sure students are tired as they arrive home each day. Thank you for supporting and partnering with us as we go through the new year process.
There’s a lot of information as we start the year. Two big things to pay attention to this week:
- Expect a text and email tomorrow (Thursday) coming from Possip – an organization we’re partnering with to gather insights from you and your family. We’ll have a couple of quick questions each month about your experience with our school. You can choose to share your name or remain anonymous. Thanks in advance for participating.
- Be aware of required safety and security drills. Next week is safety week at Centerview Elementary. We’ll be discussing and practicing bus evacuation and safety, along with secure, lockdown and evacuation drills. Further drills will be scheduled throughout the year. Each time, drills are announced in advance. Practicing and building mindfulness of expectations will allow us as a school to act and keep students and staff safe, secure and able to respond to a variety of scenarios. If you DO NOT want your student to participate in the lockdown drill specifically, please let the front office before September 22, so we can make accommodations. You will find more information in today’s newsletter about these drills and other updates for the year.
Finally, we’ll be having our first Centerview All School Meeting of the year with students and staff on Friday morning in the gymnasium. Our focus will be on CARES – Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and Self Control. Following our meeting, we’ll be heading to the front of the building to take a school wide picture, if possible wear SLP gear or colors - red, blue or white. It’s always fun to gather as one for a short period of time and bring all our smiles together.
Have a wonderful rest of the week and let us know if you have any questions.
Take care,
Mike
Centerview Staff at a glance
We want to hear from you — Watch for a text/email from Possip tomorrow
We're always looking for ways to deepen our communication and connections with families as we all work to support student learning and engagement.
This year, we will be sending text messages and emails - about once per month - with a few simple questions asking about your experience with school. The messages will come from Possip, an organization we're partnering with to gather your insights. Watch for the first text/email from Possip tomorrow, Thursday, September 14. Respond in your language of choice. Share needs, praise, questions or ideas. Share your name - or stay anonymous. It all takes less than a minute.
Early next week, our schools will be looking at the results. We'll circle back on trending topics, respond directly to needs, questions and concerns, and share feedback with our staff. Thanks - in advance - for taking a few moments to share your voice!
Free Vaccine Clinic event, October 9 and 10
Spring Lake Park Schools is hosting a free vaccine clinic for students on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10 from 3:30-7 p.m. at Kenneth Hall in Spring Lake Park High School.
The following vaccines will be available at the event: Hepatitis B, DTap, Tdap, Polio (IPV), MMR, Varicella, HIB.
We ask that students and families sign up ahead of time for an appointment. Sign up using this link or scan the QR code.
Please note, insurance information will be collected but it is not required in order to receive vaccines. Interpreters will be available for Spanish, Hmong and Somali. Students and families should park in the Able St. lot and enter through the Kenneth Hall doors (#33).
For any questions, please reach out to head nurse, Becca Williams, RWilli@district16.org or 763-600-5043.
From the very first day, attendance matters
Did you know missing 10 percent, or just two days of school per month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success - and path to graduation? It's true at all ages.
By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs a student may drop out of high school. By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores. Regular attendance in school is essential for learning and student success.
Parents and guardians play the most important role in a student's education by making sure students arrive at school each day on time and ready to learn. As we begin a new school year, we have the opportunity to develop important routines and expectations at school and at home.
Here are some things parents and guardians can do to support school attendance:
- Talk about the importance of going to school every day.
- Help your student develop and maintain daily routines such as getting a good night's sleep, preparing any materials the night before, supporting your older student in finishing homework.
- Try not to schedule dental, medical or other appointments during the school day.
- Take action to stay healthy and if your children must stay home because they are sick, help them connect to the missed learning.
- Ask family, friends or school staff for help if you need support.
If your student must be absent, please call the attendance line at 763-600-5509, or new this year, report the absence through Campus Parent Portal. Directions on how to report absences through Campus.
Mark your calendar: Caregiver Learning Events
This school year, Spring Lake Park Schools will offer events to help equip caregivers to support their children around social-emotional-behavioral and mental health well-being. We hope you can join us.
We ask that families RSVP for each event so we can prep for the discussion and have enough snacks/beverages for the group. Please note, childcare will not be available.
Events:
- Mental Health Awareness & Coping Skills - October 11, 2023, 6-7 p.m. in the Den at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School. October is mental health awareness month, and in this session, you will learn to recognize common warning signs of mental health needs and basic coping strategies to support your child. RSVP for this event.
- Child Development Over Ages - January 24, 2024, 6-7 p.m. in the Den at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School. In this session, you will walk away with a basic understanding of typical child development stages and recognize the signs your child might need additional support and how to get it. RSVP for this event.
- Positive Communication and Working Through Difficult Topics - April 10, 2024, 6-7 p.m. in the Den at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School. Dealing with adversity is a normal part of life. In this session, learn skills and strategies around positively communicating with your child and working through difficult situations. RSVP for this event.
If you have questions, contact Social Worker Abbey Pierce.
Get ready to see what’s behind the curtain
The Spring Lake Park Schools Theater department is excited to announce the theater performances for the 2023-2024 school year! Full of entertaining and polished shows, audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy this year's productions.
"Each year we strive to offer our students (and our audiences) something different than what we've had for the last few years. Our theater program is strong because of our students, and I cannot wait to see what magical things they're going to come up with on and off the stage. We invite you to our shows to see their incredible work and become a part of our theater community!" - Kevin Dutcher, theater director
This year's world-class performances:
- Spring Lake Park High School fall play - "Letters to Sala" | October 27-28, November 3-4, purchase tickets
- Westwood Intermediate play - "Funkyland!" | November 30, December 1, purchase tickets
- Spring Lake Park High School One-Act play - "Radium Girls" | January 20-21
- Westwood Intermediate and Middle School spring musical - "Oliver Jr." | February 29, March 1-2, purchase tickets
- Spring Lake Park High School spring musical - "Beauty and the Beast" | April 19-20 & 25-26, 28, purchase tickets
Read show synopsis and messages from the director.
Free community "Start Your Engines" event this Saturday!
Don't forget, the "Start Your Engines" Big Trucks, Food Trucks & Automobiles event is happening this Saturday, September 16 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Spring Lake Park High School.
This free family/community event will feature a variety of exhibits with engines – think big trucks, automobiles and recreational vehicles as well as food trucks for purchase.
Featured Food Trucks:
- K-Town Street Tacos
- Brick Oven Bus
- Turkey King
- Mik-Mart Ice Cream Treats
Other event features:
- We are accepting bike donations from Bikes4Kids
- There will be a booth that showcases all of our Community Education fall offerings for youth, families and adults. Make sure to stop by and sign up!
- Stop by the SLP Welcome Tent and enter your household into the drawing to win your very own Retro Jeep Wrangler Power Wheels!
