Northpoint Elementary
September 30, 2020 Newsletter
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Northpoint families:
Here we are, it’s almost October 1 and we are more than two weeks into the school year. There is much to celebrate and be thankful for! Students are back in school, in person and virtually, and the energy they bring is amazing.
Thank you to our families for working with us along the way to help create the conditions for a supportive learning environment. This ranges from following protocols around health and safety, partnering with teachers as we get to know each child, and practicing patience as we modify routines. We’re not taking anything for granted…. this school year requires all of us working together, and we are off to a fantastic start.
Fall break is coming up Monday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 16. There is no school for students during this week. Our staff uses this week for a variety of activities, including professional learning, reporting and assessment, and communicating and connecting with families.
Fall conferences are normally scheduled around our fall break week. This fall, we are not able to provide in-person conferences at school in ways that make everyone feel safe. From past feedback, we also know setting aside specific days and evenings does not meet the needs of each family. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to find a time to connect with you for a conversation.
Picture days are coming. Picture days will be held on 10/19 and 10/20 for students in the modified campus. Watch for ordering information coming soon.
Have a great week, everyone.
Judi Kahoun
Principal
For Extended Flex Learning Families: Big thanks, fall break and conferences
Greetings Extended Flexible Learning Families,
I want to extend a huge “thank you” to each of our nearly 600 families for coming to the District Services Center this last week to pick up your student’s Extended Flexible Learning student resource pack. Your flexibility and partnership, along with the help of many of our staff, helped to make the process successful and smooth.
Our Extended Flexible Learning teachers and I would also like to thank you for supporting your child as we kick off this year’s distance learning experience. Your help in ensuring that students are prepared and “plugged in” for their online learning experiences each day is appreciated. Partnership between home and school has never been more important. We are grateful for your support.
I join your building principal in noting we are coming up on conference time and fall break. Please make sure you know the schedule and plan accordingly. Fall break is Monday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 16, and there is no school. Teachers engage in a variety of activities during this week, including connecting with you. Watch for more detailed information about conferences from your child’s teacher very soon.
Enjoy this last day of September!
Kim Fehringer
Principal on Special Assignment
K-4 Extended Flexible Learning
Northpoint Arrival and Dismissal
- NEW - Families that live in the neighborhood may walk their students to and from school for arrival and dismissal if they choose. When you arrive at Northpoint, please wait on the sidewalk (far east end) near the start of the car line and a staff member will direct your student into the building. Please practice physical distancing if other families are in the area. Arrival starts at 8:45 a.m. and dismissal starts at 3:55 p.m.
- For dismissal, please do not line up prior to 3:35 p.m. The car line is reserved for the preschool program dismissal from 3:15 - 3:35 p.m.
- Please have your student's name clearly displayed on your car dash for dismissal.
- When lining up for parent arrival or dismissal, please DO NOT BLOCK any of the entrances to our neighboring businesses.
- Follow the flow of traffic; do not pull in front of other vehicles.
- Drive as far forward as you can in the line before dropping off or picking up your student.
- Ensure your student exits and enters curbside at all times.
- Do not exit the vehicle to help your student in or out; please have student enter and exit the vehicle independently; there will be staff available to help your student if needed.
Help keep classrooms safe: Avoid peanut/nut products in snacks and lunches
Many students in our schools have severe allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, and/or products which contain nuts. Strict avoidance is the best way to prevent a severe allergic reaction. Accidental ingestion or even touching a tiny trace of a nut may cause a potentially fatal reaction for some students.
In an effort to ensure all students are safe throughout the school day, we are asking families to partner with us specifically with the snacks and lunches that come from home. Please do not send any snacks or lunch items with your student that contain nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, or other nut products. Please also be mindful of products that may be produced in a plant that contains peanuts/nuts.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, popcorn, rice cakes, most crackers and fruit snacks are all safe options to bring to school. More options can be found on the Snack Safely website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the nurse at your child’s school.
Do you have school library books to return?
We continue to have a lot of missing books from last spring. Do you have books lurking in corners or closets? If your student still has a library book checked out from last school year, please return them as soon as possible. Overdue notices that include the price of the book will be sent out next week for missing books. If you are unable to find the book, please send the listed amount to your student's school.
Apply Now: the Free or Reduced-Price Meal Benefits Deadline is Approaching
Many families are pleasantly surprised to learn they qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Meal benefits. If your family received Free or Reduced-Priced Meal benefits for the 2019-2020 school year, the deadline to apply again is October 28, 2020. A new application must be completed each school year. Families who have not applied for these benefits before should apply right away.
Even though breakfast and lunch are free right now, federal funding will likely run out sometime during the 2020-2021 school year, meaning it is important families still fill out the Free or Reduced Meals application if applicable so your student(s) will receive free or reduced meals when the funds are exhausted. Learn more about free School Meals This Fall.
Questions? Contact the Nutrition Services Department at 763-600-5041.
Registration is open for Early Childhood Family Education Classes
Find more information about classes and register on the ECFE website
Printed Newsletter Request
The Northpoint newsletter will only be distributed electronically this year. If you would like a printed copy sent home with your student, please contact Heidi Rogers at 763-600-5700 or hroger@district16.org.
Northpoint PTO Virtual Meeting - October 5
The Northpoint PTO would like to welcome families to the 2020-2021 school year. Our first official PTO meeting of the school year will be Monday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be held virtually via WebEx.
To join the meeting, please use the link below. You will not need to create an account. You will only need to enter your name and email address. If you have trouble connecting to the meeting, please email hroger@district16.org.
JOIN WEBEX MEETING
Meeting number (access code): 120 295 3597
Meeting password: gpCyiyfr824
At this meeting we will be having our board elections. We currently have the following positions open:
- Vice President or Co-Vice Presidents
- Co-Secretary
- Volunteer Coordinator or Co-Volunteer Coordinators
- Social Media or Co-Social Media Coordinators
If you have any interest in these positions or any other questions for the PTO please email nppto.president@gmail.com.
Media permission and directory information
Photos, video, stories and other information highlighting student learning and achievement captured in our schools is considered public record. We share positive achievements in yearbooks, on the website, in newsletters and articles and the district’s other official communication channels that often include images and names.
Families can request specific “directory information” (student name, picture, other information) remain private by submitting a written request to the school principal or administrative assistant. Requests should include the student’s name, school, relationship of the person requesting and the specific information that is to remain private.
You can read the Media Permission/Directory Notification in English and Spanish and review our district policy on this topic, Policy 515: Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records.
Are you getting SLP communication the way you prefer?
To ensure you are getting SLP communication the way you prefer, please take a few minutes to review and update the following information in Campus Parent Portal:
1. Primary phone number
2. Emergency contact and phone number
3. Email address
4. Parent and guardian changes and updates
5. Adding/removing household members
6. Primary address changes
Why is it important to update this information? How does SLP use this information?
Current, updated information in Campus Parent Portal is used in the following ways:
- Automated phone calls for general school announcements, emergencies or weather-related school closings
- Mailed school and district communication
- Email communication from teachers, your school's newsletter and district news
- If your student(s) school needs to get ahold of you in regarding to attendance, a sick child, etc.
Learn how to update contact information in Campus Parent Portal.
Fall Community Ed Programs Available for Registration
Community Education has a number of programs scheduled this fall for adults and youth. Visit the website to view availability and details or call Community Education at 763-600-5050.
Program Highlights:
For Adults: Instant Pot Cook-Alongs, Holiday Cookie Bake and Decorate, Retirement Planning Today, How to be a Smart College Shopper
For Youth: Take-Home Art Activities, Role Playing and Character Building Games, Driver's Education
- October 5 - NP PTO Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. (Virtual)
- October 12-16: NO SCHOOL
- October 19-20: Northpoint Picture Days (more information to come)
- December 4 - End of Trimester 1
- December 7 - NO SCHOOL
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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