The Lion Pride Press
#LionPride
Hello Lions! We’re all so excited to begin another school year here at Lewis and Clark Elementary School, but most of all, we’re excited to see all of you! We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and have enjoyed the nice weather, time with family, and being outside with friends.
What I'm most excited about this year is continuing to get to know you and your families, seeing growth in every student, and fully embracing and supporting the the strong family we have here at Lewis and Clark! I look forward to chasing the adventure with the Lion Pride! Thank you for entrusting us with your Lion Cubs each and every day.
If there is anything I can help with as our Lion Cubs return to school this fall, please reach out to the office or email me at lhoheisel160@mygfschools.org. Take care, and we'll see you soon!
Mr. Hoheisel
#LionPride
Welcome from our Lion Pride!
Kindergarten - Mrs. Barandi & Mrs. Mattice
First Grade - Mrs. Ellingson & Mrs. Torgerson
Second Grade - Mrs. Eriksmoen
Third Grade - Ms. Muus & Mrs. Hagadorn
Fourth Grade - Mrs. Lovelace & Mrs. Storbakken
Fifth Grade - Mrs. Gierszewski
Band - Mrs. Boschee
Counselor - Mrs. Lawler
Child Nutrition Staff - Miss Candice, Miss Tammy, Miss Lindsey, & Miss Jolene
Custodians - Miss Jackie & Miss Collette
Designated Teacher Sub - Mrs. Two Crow
ENCORE - Miss Lee
Elementary Literacy Specialist - Mrs. Brutger
Gym - Mr. Davis
Instructional Design Coach - Mrs. Bry
Library Media Specialist - Mrs. Paintner
Library Paraprofessional - Mrs. Slater
Lion Time Teacher - Mrs. Berg
Music - Mrs. Benson
Orchestra - Mrs. Hartten
Paraprofessionals - Mr. Louie, Mrs. Defoe, Miss Ley, Mrs. Vida, Miss Vorachek, Mrs. Fielder, Mrs. Awes, Miss McMahon, Mrs. Wright
Principal - Mr. Hoheisel
Secretary - Mrs. Delmore
Social Worker - Mrs. Kassa
Spanish - Mrs. Spicer
Special Education Teacher - Mrs. Toutenhoofd
Special Education Teacher - Miss. Woods
Speech - Mrs. Skaff
Thank you!
Road Work
Notes from the Office
Online Registration:
- Every student at Lewis & Clark Elementary School needs to be registered in the PowerSchool Parent Portal for the upcoming year. If you did not complete this over the spring/summer you will need to do it immediately. Go to https://grand-forks.ps.state.nd.us/public/home.html. Enter your access ID and password and then click on the “Registration 2022-23” link.
- Most of you should have already received your access ID and password. If you have questions, please call the office at 746-2285.
Class Assignments:
- Our teams pride themselves in working collaboratively so students have the opportunity to work with other students and teachers throughout the school. If your child is not in the same class as one of their friends, it’s ok! Students will have opportunities to work collaboratively throughout the school year, enjoy lunch together, and play outside together. Scheduling classes for students is a complex task, and for this reason, we ask that you do not request any changes to your child’s classroom teacher assignment. If changes need to be made by the school office, we’ll contact you.
School Supplies:
- Grand Forks Public Schools will once again use TeacherLists (LINK: https://www.teacherlists.com/) to share 2022-2023 school supply lists information with our families! This free tool allows families to find and shop their student's supply list easily with the convenience of one-click shopping or in-store pickup from several national retailers, including Target and Walmart. If you'd rather complete your shopping in-person, just visit the TeacherLists website to view/print your student's supply list. Here is a quick demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky63BjX4FYI
Open House: Tuesday, August 23rd
4:00-6:00 pm
Stop by to meet your teacher, bring your school supplies, and walk around the school.
Stop by the office area to check out any forms and additional information for you and your family.
You can use doors #1, #2, #4, or #5 to enter and exit the building between 4:00 and 6:00 pm.
GFPS School Calendar
Free and Reduced Meals - PLEEEEEASE complete the form!
- Lewis & Clark is a Title 1 school that receives government funding to support the academic advancement of our students. The amount of funding we receive is determined by the percentage of our students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals. In order to ensure that Lewis & Clark continues to receive Title 1 funding, I am asking all families, regardless of your income, to please take the time to fill out the application for free and reduced meals. The application will be sent home with your child and can also be found here:
Link to Free & Reduced Priced Meals Information
Breakfast & Arrival Info
Morning Options:
- Breakfast: 7:40-8:20 (door #1 or #4)
- Waiting Outside: supervision will be provided at 8:00 am for students waiting outside their assigned arrival doors.
Breakfast:
Students eating breakfast may arrive no earlier than 7:40 AM and can enter through the main entrance, Door #1 (if walking or biking) or if you will be dropping your children off in a vehicle, please use our drive-through lane and drop them off at Door #4 in the parking lot.
* Door #2 will be utilized by staff only. When families use this door, it often causes congestion in the parking lot. So please pull all the way forward using the drive through lanes and use door #4 for breakfast.
If your child will not be eating breakfast at school, plan to arrive as close to 8:20 as possible and wait by door #1. We will have designated spaces for students to line up when the bell rings.
Dismissal Info
Dismissal Doors:
- Door 1: Hagadorn, Muus, Lovelace, Storbakken, & Gierszewski
- Door 5: Barandi, Mattice, Ellingson, Torgerson, & Eriksmoen
Parking Options:
Our parking lot has two lanes of traffic. Lane 1, closest to the building on the right, is for drop off and pick up only. The left lane, Lane 2, is a lane for continuous drive-through traffic; vehicles in Lane 2 are not allowed to stop. In order to ensure traffic flows safely in all lanes, PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE. If you wish to exit your vehicle, you will need to park at Elks Pool. Safety is always our first priority.
NOTE: Families CANNOT pull up and stop by our main entrance on 13th Avenue South to drop off or pick up students. Stopping on 13th Avenue South blocks the crosswalk, causes congestion, and puts our students in danger. If you choose to park on 13th, you must park on the south side of the street, remain in your vehicle, and have your child utilize the crosswalk.
- If you would like to drive through our parking lot to pick up your child, please plan to use our pick-up lane along the north wing of the building. School staff will be on hand to assist our students to safely get into their cars at the end of each school day.
Signing a Student In/Out
- Please call the office at 701.746.2285 or buzz at door #1 (flagpole).
- In the office, please sign your child out and check the box if they will be returning for the day.
- When arriving late, you will sign your child in and the office will provide your student with a late slip to give to their teacher, as well as may be marked tardy (dependent on the reason for being late).
- When informing a teacher about an absence, please also check in with the office to ensure your child is coded correctly in PowerSchool.
(Attendance Line: 701.746.2287 or Main Office 701.746.2285)
Snacks & Allergies
School Snacks:
Some teachers schedule a snack time during the school day. You are not required to provide a snack for your child. However, if you do, please send snacks in accordance with the following Nutrition Standards outlined in the Grand Forks Public School District Wellness Policy.
Snacks should include a nutrition label
Sugar is not the first ingredient (Different names for sugar: brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, honey, fruit juice concentrate, high fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, lactose maltose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, syrup)
- Candy is not allowed
All snacks are peanut and nut free
Any fruit or vegetable is allowable
Yogurt and cheese are allowable (with freezer pack to keep cool)
Plain water in any size is allowable
Snacks that contain or may contain peanuts or other nuts (for peanut and tree nut restricted schools), do not fall within the nutrition standards listed above, and/or do not have a nutrition label, will be sent home with your child.
Peanut/Nut Free School:
- When sending a snack or packing a lunch, please remember to check labels to make sure it does not contain or have traces of peanuts/nuts.
Birthday Treats & Invitations:
Due to food allergies, we no longer celebrate student birthdays with a “birthday snack” in our schools. Parents are welcome to find other non-food items to send to school if they wish. Please discuss with your child’s classroom teacher for ideas or preferences.
Teachers will not assist in the distribution of birthday invitations in the event that a student would be left out. If the classroom teacher creates a classroom directory, please utilize that for sending invitations through the mail.
Don't forget to bring a water bottle each day!
Attendance Policies
- STAY IN SCHOOL Program - There is a positive correlation between regular attendance and academic success. The Stay in School Program is a collaborative effort of community agencies with the purpose of reducing excessive school absence and tardiness. This is a joint venture between school, family, and community, which offers assistance to parents and students at an early intervention point in order to reduce time away from the classroom.
- ATTENDANCE POLICY - As per North Dakota state law, all students enrolled in the Grand Forks Public Schools are expected to be in school on time and ready to learn each day. To accomplish this, a child needs proper nourishment, sleep, and support from the home. Regular attendance patterns develop a positive daily routine that supports learning and requires the members of the school community, including parents, students, teachers, and support staff.
- North Dakota State guidelines state: “Students shall miss no more than 20 days per year.”
- Parents are expected to call the school attendance line
- Child will not be in attendance.
- Medically excused absences do not count against a student's twenty days IF a note is provided by a doctor, dentist, orthodontist, optometrist, therapist, etc.
RECORDING ATTENDANCE
The following guidelines are used to record attendance if school is in session for a full day.
- Whole day absent – If a student is absent four (4) or more hours, they are reported absent for one (1) school day.
- Half day absent – If a student is absent two (2) or three (3) hours, they are reported absent for one-half (1/2) school day.The following guidelines are used to record attendance if school is dismissed at 11:20am.
- Whole day absent – If a student is absent three (3) or more hours, they are reported absent for one (1) school day.
- Half day absent – If a student is absent two (2) or less hours, they are reported absent for one- half (1/2) school day.
1:1 Student Devices
- Students at Grand Forks Public Schools will be issued a student learning device. Kindergarten–2nd grade students will receive an iPad, while students in grades 3-12 will be issued a Chromebook.
- With these digital learning tools comes a variety of information for our families. Please carefully review the attachments for information on: the Acceptable Use Policy, Receiving, caring for, using, and returning the learning device,the Device Use Pledge, the Device Protection Plan (DPP), and Internet connectivity.
MySchoolBucks
- This online portal can be used to purchase chromebook cases, device protection plans, and Chromebook cases. Check out this link for more information www.myschoolbucks.com.
News from the Nurse
Family Supports
- School Social Worker: Mrs. Logan Kassa (lkassa100@mygfschools.org)
- School Counselor: Mrs. Tracy Lawler (tlawler010@mygfschools.org)
Tradehome Shoes
A Note from Lewis & Clark's PTO
The Lewis and Clark PTO is so excited to welcome everyone to a new school year. We look forward to meeting new families and saying hello again to everyone returning. We are thrilled to get going with in-person events once more this year. Want to help out? Send an email to mauracferguson@gmail.com and we’ll get you on the list! Please be sure to follow our Facebook page for updates as well.
Do you have any questions, ideas, or ways to support our Lion Pride?
Please contact your PTO officers.
Maura & John Ferguson, co-chairs (mauracferguson@gmail.com; johnferguson225@gmail.com)
Fayme Henry, vice-chair (fayme.stringer@gmail.com)
Rachel Berosik, treasurer (rachelberosik@gmail.com)
Therese Hugg, secretary (vestby1977@gmail.com)
- The first PTO meeting of the year will be held September 12th at 6:30 pm over Zoom!
- PTO is excited to welcome Dogmahal DogHaus to Open House on August 23rd! Plan to grab dinner outside while you come meet your teacher and check out your classroom!
We look forward to another great year!
Notes from a Nurse
Notes from the Child Nutrition Program
Families will be paying for school breakfast and lunch during the 2022-2023 school year. Completing the Free and Reduced Meal Form may unlock other supports for you and your family!
PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE fill out the appropriate documents needed for your student/family.
Link to Free & Reduced Priced Meals Information
Special Dietary Needs Form
Wellness Policy:
- In accordance with the Grand Forks Public School Wellness Policy #6175 we strive to be superior in our nutrition standards. This means that no fast food or other restaurant food is allowed in the lunchroom for either student or parent.
Notes from the ENCORE Program
Grand Forks Public Schools will offer the ENCORE (after-school) program at the following locations for the 2022-2023 school year: Ben Franklin, Century, Discovery, J Nelson Kelly, Lake Agassiz, Lewis and Clark, Phoenix, Viking, Wilder, and Winship elementary schools.
Starting Monday, August 1, 2022, ENCORE Registration will open at approximately 8 a.m. You will receive a link to your email address, and the link will be available online https://www.gfschools.org. Everyone is welcome to apply. Registration is required, including re-registration, even if enrolled last year. Registration will be open from August 1-August 8. Registration will close at 5 p.m. on August 8.
By Friday, August 12, you will be notified of your student's enrollment/acceptance status and start date. The first day of ENCORE is August 29, 2022.
It is important to note that we may not be able to accommodate all registrations. Physical space available and staffing ratios all play into how many students we can accommodate. Should we have to start with a waiting list, we will use the enrollment criteria (LINK: https://www.gfschools.org/Page/9449). It is always our hope to not have a waiting list. It is important to have backup after-school arrangements in place.
Please note:
- This is an academic-based program,
- We are mandated to provide two hours a day of academic, regardless of grade level,
- Not all spots are guaranteed,
- Some locations may have a waiting list due to space and staffing,
- ENCORE is not offered on the 11:20 a.m. dismissal days or non-school days.
Daily Schedule (each school does change):
- 3-4 p.m.: Homework assistance (Monday-Thursday)
- 3-4 p.m.: Academic clubs (Friday)
- 4-4:15 p.m.: Snack/Socialization
- 4:15-5:15 p.m: Theme-based enrichment activities aligned to standards
- 5:15-5:45 p.m.: Organized large muscle activities
- 5:45-6 p.m.: Unstructured free play
ENCORE Early Dismissal Program
We will also continue to offer The Early Dismissal Program at Ben Franklin, Century, Discovery, J Nelson Kelly, Lake Agassiz, Lewis and Clark, Phoenix, Viking, Wilder, and Winship elementary schools. This program operates from 1:30-3 p.m. on 1:30 p.m. early dismissal Wednesdays for the 2022-2023 school year. This program is free and is being offered in cooperation with Grand Forks Public Schools. Registration for this program will also begin Monday, August 1st, and remain open until August 24th, 2022. Registration is required, including re-registration if enrolled last year. Registration options will be either online or paper.
Please note:
- Early Out Club provides participants with organized and active after-school activities, arts and crafts, computers, and various STEM activities.
- All students enrolled in ENCORE will report to ENCORE at 3 p.m. All other students not registered for ENCORE will need to be picked up no later than 3 p.m.
Registration is required, including re-registration if enrolled last year.
Dates to Remember
- August 23rd - Open House
- August 24th - First Day of School
- August 30th - Picture Day
September:
- Sept. 2nd - No School (Professional Development for Teachers)
Sept. 5th - No School (Labor Day)
Sept. 21st - Early Release Wednesday
Early Release Dates
Boys & Girls in Grades K-5 are invited to Join Cub Scouts!
6:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday – August 31st @
Lewis & Clark Elementary School
1100 13th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Questions Contact: Thomas Huether at (406)780-0690 or stpaulspack3116@gmail.com
To Join Scan the QR
Every new Scout will receive a FREE Fishing pole!