Panther Newsletter
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Upcoming events
Book Character Dress Up Day
Dress up as your favorite book character on Wednesday, February 28. No need to buy a costume! Some of the best costumes we've seen have been homemade 🙂 Scary characters and masks not allowed.
Important dates
Book character dress up day: Wednesday, February 28
National School Breakfast Week: March 4-8
Kids Heart Challenge Kickoff: Wednesday, March 6
Camp ROCKS! forms due: March 22
Spring Break: March 25-29
Last day to order yearbooks: April 14
Kindergarten Open House: Thursday, April 25 from 5:30-7pm
New this week
Camp ROCKS! 2024
Enrollment for Academic Adventures takes place Jan. 24-March 22, 2024. Students MUST be recommended into the program by a teacher based on certain qualifications to attend. Summer locations are Crest View Elementary, Fair Oaks Elementary and Weaver Lake: A Science, Math & Technology School. Applications received after March 22, 2024 will be placed on a waitlist and are not guaranteed a spot in the program.
Develop your academic skills, make new friends and grow your love for learning. Camp ROCKS! Academic Adventures is highly active, hands-on fun for everyone. Taught by the best Osseo Area Schools teachers, you’ll discover a new passion for reading, math, science and more. Your day includes: breakfast & lunch, daily physical education, computer and media center time, science experiments, an on-site field trip, family open house and so much more. Work directly with your school year teacher for registration materials. Only students referred by a teacher to the program may attend. Transportation is provided to and from camp for students if they qualify for bussing during the school year and in addition, the address is within the boundaries to qualify for bussing. Your camp location will be determined by your home or daycare address. For more information, contact Community Education at 763-391-7242 or TorenJ@District279.org.
National School Breakfast Week
The week of March 4-8th is National School Breakfast Week. The theme for this year is “Surf’s Up With School Breakfast!"
Encourage your student to eat breakfast at school for their chance to win a golden ticket and turn it in for a prize.
Incoming Kindergarten and PreK students!
Families should prepare children for preschool and kindergarten now, if they are considering a start in the fall. If your family has a younger sibling or if you know a neighbor interested in starting school this fall, use or share the following steps so we can keep you informed of important welcome events and information.
1. Verify that your child meets the requirements for school.
- Preschool: Your child will be three or four years old by Sept. 1, 2024.
- Kindergarten: Your child will be five years old by Sept. 1, 2024.
2. If you haven’t already, complete an early childhood screening. https://ce.district279.org/early-childhood/screening
3. Enroll online so we can save you a seat! Enrollment website: https://www.district279.org/services/enrollment-services
4. Make a plan to attend information sessions and welcome events. Kindergarten open house: April 25, 2024 from 5:30-7pm
Once you enroll online, you will receive details via email from your child’s preschool or elementary school about registration and welcome events.
Kids Heart Challenge 2024!
Hello, Heart Heroes! Are you ready?! Kids Heart Challenge is coming soon! We have exciting things planned this year to get us moving, helping others and having fun. Get a head start by signing up today and helping your student choose a daily health challenge.
Information previously posted
Click the photo below to order your yearbook!
Last day to order is 4/14/24. Price does not include tax or handling fees.
I LOVE TO READ MONTH
Students are using their rocket flashlights to read in the dark for Blast off with Reading, one of the fun I love to read activities this month 🚀
Indoor recess
Students will stay inside for recess if the “feels like” (wind chill) temp is -5 or lower. Students are expected to come to school in appropriate winter gear as they will be going outside for recess unless the wind chill is -5 or lower.
Changes in afternoon transportation
Please call the office at 763-561-1930 with any changes in afternoon transportation before 2:45 pm. While TalkingPoints messages and e-mails to teachers are helpful, we need to make sure the changes are communicated with the office!
Late arrival
A late arrival will be marked for students that arrive at school after 8:50am. Late arrivals can be marked as excused, or unexcused, based on reasoning. Arriving at school on time is incredibly important for your child so they are a part of all classroom community building and learning opportunities.
Birthday treats/celebrations
Out of respect for instructional time, family and religious choices, and many food allergies, birthday treats are not permitted in the classrooms. This is a district wide policy.
Talent Development, Academic Challenge and Gifted Support
Talent Development, Academic Challenge and Gifted Support (TAG) services are available to Palmer Lake students in kindergarten through fifth grade to strengthen interests, extend grade-level content, and apply skills and concepts in authentic ways. To learn more about TAG services, please click on Palmer Lake TAG Services - Community Letter
Parent/Guardian information
Please make sure the parent/guardian contact information linked to your student(s) is updated and current! We need to be able to reach you in case of emergency or health concern.
Educational Benefits Form
Families are strongly encouraged to complete the Educational Benefits form. Families who qualify may access free or reduced prices for iPad and Chromebook repair and replacement, band/orchestra instruments (5th grade), home electricity bills through Excel Energy, and home internet from some providers, other benefits.
In addition, schools receive additional funding based on the number of students who qualify for Educational Benefits. Palmer Lake receives a significant amount of money that is used to hire additional teachers and ESPs to support students. Filling out this form will help to ensure Palmer Lake can continue to provide that additional support to students.
Free lunch for all students
Starting this fall, all students are receiving free lunch courtesy of the Free School Meals for Kids law. Each student can receive one free lunch meal each day. Students who would like to have a 2nd lunch, or just a milk, will need to pay for those items.
Breakfast will continue to be free for Palmer Lake students every day.
ParentVue
Parent Vue is a web application used by Osseo Area Schools for parents to access their child's report card, sign up for conferences, view health information, etc. It is critical that all parents/guardians have access to Parent Vue. To use, simply install the app on any smart phone and create your account. To ensure confidentiality, each student has their own access code. Call the office for assistance setting up your account.
Arrival and dismissal for students who are parent pick-up
The Palmer Lake parking lot gets busy and crowded during arrival and dismissal. PLEASE drive slowly, pay attention, and be patient and kind to others. Click on the parking lot map for details.
Students may arrive at 8:30 am. There is no adult supervision prior to that time; students should not arrive early. School doors will open at 8:35 am.
Morning Drop Off
Parents who are dropping off are encouraged to enter the drop off line and line up at the curb by the black fence. Students should leave their vehicles at 8:30 am and wait at the school doors; please do not have students wait in their vehicle until 8:35 am when doors open because it backs up traffic. Students should only exit their vehicle when the vehicle is stopped at the curb, not in the lane for vehicles to leave. Parents should remain in their vehicle except if a pre-k or kindergarten student needs assistance with the vehicle door.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Students who are parent pick-up are dismissed at 3:15 pm. Parents are encouraged to use the pick-up line rather than parking. Please remain in your vehicle. There are multiple staff who assist students to the correct vehicle. Students should be picked up from school NO LATER than 3:20 pm.
Parking
Parents may also choose to park in the morning or afternoon. Parking spaces are limited. Handicap spaces may only be used by vehicles with a handicap sign clearly displayed. Please use the designated walkway and cross walks. Wait for your child near your vehicle or near the cross walk. Please do not wait for your child by the doors of the school.
Bussing
Bus stop information comes through an email from the Transportation Department with your child's bus number, bus stop, and pick up/drop off times the week before school starts. Bussing information for your child is also available on the Parent Vue app. If you have any questions regarding this, please call 763-391-7244. Changes or cancellations to transportation can be sent to busquestions@district279.org.
Bus stop safety
- Arrive 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up
- Keep safety in mind (no horseplay, games, chasing, or pets)
- Wait on the sidewalk, boulevard or edge of the roadway. Stay away from houses, garages, and porches
- When you see the bus approaching, form a line to board the bus. Stay in line until the bus comes to a complete stop.