The ESPN- March 2024
Cannon Falls Elementary School Principal News
Hello CFES Families-
Each month, I will be sending out a monthly newsletter that will include all of the happenings and other informational items about our building. This month our newsletter is a big one with lots of information. Please read it all the way through. Our goal is to stay as connected as we can with all of our families. If you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us!
Three important reminders on arrival/dismissal:
- ALL parents/guardians/students/staff NEED to use a crosswalk when coming or going. We have repeat offenders to this and while we know this is an inconvenience, we have procedures in place for the safety of all.
- Students should never have to cross in front of a lane of traffic without a crossing guard. You must be in either lane 1 or lane 2 to drop or pick up your child. Any other area is dangerous! We are seeing more of this everyday and need your help!
- Doors B and C lock at 8:00 AM therefore, if you arrive after 8:00 AM your child will need to go through the main doors to the office to get a tardy pass.
Thank you as well for your continued support to the CFES school community! - Mrs. Chappuis
Family Fitness is March 7th at 5:30 PM
Cannon Falls Elementary (grades 3-5) Book Challenge
The Cannon Falls Education Foundation along with the Grades 3-5 teachers are sponsoring a program to encourage students to read. The program requirements are simple; a student needs to read ten “reading level” books approved by their teacher during a four month period. If the student meets these requirements and has turned in their completed entry form to their teacher, their name will be added to a drawing that will take place in the spring at a school assembly for one of over 20 prizes per grade level. This takes the place of the Bikes For Books program that is no longer available for our school.
CF Education Foundation sponsors Cyber Security and Child Abuse Presentations to K-12 Students
The Cannon Falls Education Foundation is sponsoring three presentations on child abuse and cyber bullying. We are so grateful for this opportunity to educate our youth and community and we thank the education foundation for their partnership on this. On March 19th, students in the Cannon Falls school district will have the opportunity to hear a presentation from the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. Students in grades 5-12 will hear a presentation called "Protecting my Online Footprint" . This will be in regards to cyber bullying prevention. Students in grade K-4 will hear the presentation titled "Empower Me". This will be about child abuse prevention. There will also be an evening presentation (March 19th)for families in the HS Auditorium at 6:00 PM titled "Navigating the Virtual Playground. This presentation will focus on helping empower parents to talk with their kids about online safety. Content for this presentation is not age appropriate for those in 4th grade and under. The speaker for all of these presentations is Alison Feigh and you can read more about her here.
B.O.L.D Day Reminders
The first two cancellations due to weather will not be considered BOLD days. We have our first snow day on Jan. 12th. The days following our first two will be BOLD days and counted as regular instructional days. Your child's teacher will be communicating with you what the BOLD day learning expectations will be when that time comes. Click here to see our districts BOLD day guidelines.
Welcome to the Class of 2037
We held our kindergarten open house on March 4th at 3:30-4:30 PM. If you weren't able to make the open house and would like to visit the school or need registration information please call the school at 507-263-6800 ext. 1201.
For more information, please check out our website at the link below.
Trimester 2 Report Cards
Trimester 2 ends on March 7th. Report cards will be viewable in your parent portal in Infinite Campus (for grades K-5 only) on Friday, March 15th by 9:00 AM. If you would like a printed copy or need help logging into Infinite Campus, please contact Andrea in the office at
mandelkow.andrea@cf.k12.mn.us. Grading rubrics will be coming from your child's classroom teacher via email as well as a specialist newsletter (PE, Media, Art & Music)
Attendance Concerns
Every day our secretaries are spending a considerable amount of time attempting to reach out to families of absent students, please make every effort to call the office if your child will be absent from school. If you do not call the school the absence is marked unexcused. We absolutely have to have contact from the parents about absences by 9:00 AM. We can be reached at 507-263-6800 option 4.
As a reminder, attendance matters! If your child is not feeling well... we understand. However, we have many students reaching a concerning number of absences for other reasons. Did you know that students fall behind with as little as 2 days per month being absent? For more helpful information on the importance of your child's attendance, please read this.
Healthy Snacks and Beverages at CFES- We need your help
Save the Dates: Remaining Music Performances
1st Grade Informances - Week of May 6-9 (THIS IS A RECENT CHANGE)
2nd and 3rd Grade Concert - April 25
Parent Pick-up/Drop-off Reminders
Please read the document below for expectations of our parent pick-up/drop-off and other parking lot helpful hints. One main item that needs to be addressed is that ALL parents/guardians/students/staff NEED to use a crosswalk when coming or going. Please do NOT cut across the car lane. Students are always watching and we want to model for them how to safely cross in the parking lot. The document for reference can be found below. I encourage you to revisit it often. Please share with anyone that is going to be picking up your student.
Safety and Security
As a reminder, parents/guardians will no longer be able to walk their child to their classroom. A students independence grows so much when they get an opportunity to walk into the building by themselves. You may only walk them up to their designated door. Please drop off any items that your child needs for their day in the main office and we will get it to them.
Emergency Drills
For those of you unaware, our district uses the ALICE method in the event of a threat. We will continue to remind students of our expectations during both of these types of drills. Our ALICE drills are not intended to create anxiety for our students but rather provide a knowledge base that will help them in the event they need it. During the ALICE drills, staff and students will be discussing how to follow directions when given a specific set of threat scenarios. For example: An announcement will be made over the loud speaker stating for example: "There is a threat in the cafeteria, Activate ALICE now." Here is a short video for more information on ALICE. Severe weather drills will take place in the Spring.
**If you would wish that your child opt out of safety drills, please notify Mrs. Chappuis at chappuis.jennifer@cf.k12.mn.us
Care Solace
Cannon Falls Area Schools partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance.
If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use and would like to use Care Solace to find a provider:
- Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in any language.
- Visit www.caresolace.com/cfk12 and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Volunteering at CFES
February PBIS Keep It Real Winners...
Remaining PLC Early Release Days for the 2023-2024 School Year
- Mar. 15th
- Apr. 12th
- May 10th
Did you know...Attendance Matters
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school AND themselves. Start building this habit early (PK or kindergarten) so they learn that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed.
District Transportation
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Mar. 7th- Family Fitness Night 5:30-6:30 PM- Elementary Gym
- Mar. 8th- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Workshop
- Mar. 14th- PTO meeting via Zoom
- Mar. 15th- PLC Early Release- 12:50 PM
- Mar. 19th Cyber Security Speaker sponsored by the Education Foundation
- Grades 5-12 - 9:00 AM, Grades K-4 - 1:15 PM, Community 6:00 PM
- Mar. 25th-April 1st- NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
- April 3-5 4th grade Eagle Bluff Field Trip
- April 12th-PLC Early Release -12:50 PM
- April 14th- Cannon Falls Education Foundation Benefit Auction 6:00 PM
- April 25- 2nd and 3rd grade Music Program - HS Auditorium 6:00 PM
- April 26th PTO Family Fun Night 6:00-8:00 PM