Homecroft Elementary School News
Back to School edition
Welcome to Homecroft
School is just around the corner! I hope that all of our returning and new families have had a safe and enjoyable summer. Our custodial staff and teachers have been busy preparing for the first day of school on September 3rd. Please note that the first day of school for Kindergarten students is Thursday, September 5th.
At Homecroft, we care deeply about the success of your child. Getting your child to reach their potential while enjoying learning is our number one priority. Families and school staff support one another to ensure a successful and positive school experience. With your partnership we can help you child achieve his or her goals. This newsletter is designed to provide you with information on how you can assist us at Homecroft.
Make sure your child gets to school every day and on time. When is my child expected to be at school?
Make sure your child comes to school prepared to learn and ready to participate. Where can I get a list of school supplies for my child?
Communicate with us so we can meet the needs of your child. Who is my child's teacher?
Get to know the staff at school, especially your child's teacher. When is Open House?
Get involved! Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA/PTO) group that meets once a month or volunteer to help with activities. Who do I contact to get involved at school?
Call us if you have any questions. See Contact Us!
Stay connected! Visit our website. Provide your email for regular e-newsletters like this one!
When is Open House?
Our Back to School Open House will be held from 4:30-6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2019.
This is an opportunity for the parents, students, and Homecroft staff to begin forming a partnership that will last through the school year. During your visit, families can:
meet your child's new teacher
drop of school supplies
complete district and school required forms
add money to your child's lunch account, etc.
When is my child expected to be at school?
We expect your child to get to school every day and on time. Our daily student hours are from 7:45 am to 2:15 pm. Please do not drop your child off before 7:30 am. If your child will be taking advantage of the FREE school breakfast program, they will be allowed to enter the cafeteria beginning at 7:30 am.
Please print off a copy of the ISD 709 2019-2020 calendar for information about when school is in session. You can download a copy here.
If you child will be absent, please contact the attendance line at 218-336-8865 each day your child will be out.
*Please note that our front entrance is locked at 7:50 each morning to ensure the safety of our students.
Where can I get a list of school supplies for my child?
Whenever I run into a store these days, I see specials on school supplies! If you are looking for a supply list, you can find it on our Homecroft website or here. Some of the local stores will also have copies of the supply list if you look in their Back to School section.
Please make sure to label all of your child's belongings. This includes the following:
backpack
gym shoes
sweatshirts and jackets
You would be amazed at how many things look alike and become missing.
Who is my child's teacher?
Our office reopened on Monday, August 12th. We have been adjusting the class lists for any new enrollments or transfers. Our regular office manager, Coleen Nordwall will be out of the office for the next few weeks. Please be patient with us during this time of transition. We will be posting class rosters through Parent Portal within Infinite Campus by Friday, August 23rd. Rosters will also be posted in the main entry display case if you choose to stop by. If you have not heard your child does not have a class placement by Monday, August 26th, please contact the school at 218-336-8865.
Class placements will not be mailed home. Thank you for adjusting to this change as rosters are available online through Parent Portal and posted in the main entry. If you need a Parent Portal account, click here. Please bring this form to the office for processing.
Here is the current Homecroft staffing for the 2019 - 2020 School year
PreK: Lisa Lochner, Jane Vanloh
Kindergarten: Linda Hagstrom, Sarah Hodgson, Julia Sampson
Grade 1: Susan Chapman, Erin Krizaj, Angela Watters
Grade 2: Terri Micheau, Doreen Ruhanen
Grade 3: Todd Blatt, Keith Forbort
Grade 4: Brenda Antonich, Lori Jackson, Ken McNulty
Grade 5: Chad Humphreys, Nicole Munthe
What is the Preschool Schedule and who are the teachers?
The class schedule is outlined here:
Full day Monday-Thursday 7:30-2:15 (Mrs. Vanloh)
Half days Monday-Thursday 7:30-11:00 and 11:45-3:15 (Miss Lisa)
Classes start Sept 23
Early Childhood office for more info: https://www.isd709.org/for-new-families/birth-to-pre-k/preschool
or Ph: 218-336-8815
Email: earlychildhood@isd709.org
How does the school communicate information?
Our office will send out a bi-weekly newsletter with information to families. This will be sent via email to families who provide an email address within Infinite Campus. Updates will also be posted to the school web page. In addition, we will utilize Facebook and Twitter; more details information about social media accounts will be shared in the coming weeks. Please keep the office updated if you have phone, address, or other changes to your household information. We will do all we can to keep you up to date!
We will not be sending home paper newsletters. If you would like a paper copy, please request one from the main office.
We realize this is a change, however, most ISD 709 schools have gone digital, and Homecroft is trying to be more timely, efficient, and cost effective in reaching our families.
Who do I contact to help at the school?
If you are interested in helping at the school, the first place to start is with the PTA & PTO. Jessica Linsten is the current PTA president. You can contact her at HomecroftElemPTA@gmail.com
PTA forms are uploaded at the bottom of the newsletter.
Our PTO president is Melissa Janzen, you can contact her at homecroftunited@gmail.com
Please check with your child's teacher if you would like to help out in the classroom or with special events that are being advertised throughout the school year. We would love to have you join us! If you are interested in volunteering on a more regular basis, please contact the Homecroft office.
Kindergarten Connection Conversations
Our kindergarten students will have to watch older brothers and sisters head off to school two days before they can start. But, this allows our kindergarten teachers to have important conversations with you about your child. They want to spend time hearing from YOU and answering any questions YOU may have about starting kindergarten.
Please connect with your child's teacher to schedule a time to meet. Our Kindergarten teachers are scheduling these conversations during Open House. If you are not able to attend Open House, please notify your child's teacher, or they will call you if you are not able to attend open house on August 28th. Either way, we hope that you will take advantage of this time to begin building a strong relationship with school as your little one begins his or her educational journey.
NEW: Apply Online to Receive Free or Reduced Price School Meals!
Families can apply online anywhere, anytime - the process is safe, secure, convenient and available 24/7. Data is transmitted to your local school district office the same day you apply, allowing for quicker processing. Families qualifying for free/reduced school meals may also qualify for reduced school activity fees.
Families Are Encouraged to Apply:
>>This is an important way to ensure children are receiving nutritious meals each day which can have a positive impact on behavior and learning.
>>Qualifying to receive free or reduced price meals may help families qualify to pay no or lower school activity fees. Students who qualify can take the ACT Test at school for free!
>>Families who qualify for free or reduced price meals help schools receive more federal funding for education in Duluth.
>>It can help families avoid running up unpaid lunch debt and having that debt go to collection.
>>Lower unpaid lunch debt means more funds to provide healthy, tasty meals for children.
Fundraising
Attendance Matters!
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through middle and high school. Families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understanding why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if they are chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year.
Research shows:
• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. • By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
• By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Clearly, going to school regularly matters
We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
• Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day. We want your child to be successful in school! If you have any questions or need more information please contact your child’s school.
For more information and resources, click here.
Youth Basketball for Grades K-8
For more information, click here
Homecroft Elementary School
Email: thomas.cawcutt@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/homecroft-elementary/index
Location: 4784 Howard Gnesen Rd, Duluth, MN 55803, USA
Phone: 218-336-8865