Greetings families!

It's hard to say, this will be the final full month of the year. We only have 27 school days remaining. Believe it or not, we have many upcoming events on our calendar from now until the end of the year. 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. Many of our grades also have several fun activities planned for the final 26 days of the year, following the ABC countdown. They will be sending out that information to you.

This past Friday our PTO hosted our final big school event of the year; the Spring social and silent auction. The weather didn't stop us from having fun! From music to balloon art, games and face painting, this event was a huge success. Thank you to the PTO and for everyone that was able to attend.

While our weather doesn't show it consistently, our students definitely know it's spring! Your support and reminders from home for students to show the Saber Way and meet school expectations would be very helpful in making the final month as smooth as possible. Our Saber Way expectations are for students to be: Safe, Kind, Respectful and Responsible. For more detailed examples, see the "Saber Way" section below.

Our 3-5th graders did a great job with their stamina and focus on their MCAs over the past two weeks. Next week our 5th graders will be begin taking their science MCA tests.

I just wanted to remind you that the week of May 8-May 12th, is Teacher Appreciation Week. Our amazing staff do wonderful and creative things to help our students learn and grow each and every day. This week is dedicated to showing them how much we appreciate everything they do.

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

Have a wonderful month!

Your partner in education,

Krysten Ellis, Principal

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