The ESPN- April/May 2024
Cannon Falls Elementary School Principal News
Hello CFES Families-
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
Cannon Falls Education Foundation Auction Event - April 13th- 6:00 PM
The Cannon Falls Education Foundation is pleased to announce that their Annual Benefit Auction will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Doors open for admission at 6:00 p.m. at Mill Street Tavern where attendees will be able to bid on an array of auction items and play games for a chance to win cash and prizes.
The Benefit Auction features a live auction, a silent auction, games, and student demonstrations. Attendees can bid on items and experiences that have been donated by sponsors. Past CFEF auctions have provided a popular, engaging social event and raised thousands of dollars that are used to enhance local students’ education.
All money raised through the auctions, games and an admission fee starting at $10 per person goes directly to Cannon Falls pre-K—12 schools through grant requests made by teachers and administrators. These requests provide local students with the tools and opportunities to help promote excellence in education. Some recent projects funded by CFEF include a video/podcast station, the skateboard building STEM project, a milk dispensing machine, and a kindness retreat.
The Cannon Falls Education Foundation (CFEF) is so thankful to the donors who graciously support Cannon Falls students and teachers. Whether you enjoy games of chance, bidding on silent or live auction items, or just donating to a worthy cause, Saturday, April 13, is your chance to have a fun evening and make a difference in the lives of Cannon Falls kids.
Add this fun event to your calendars now, then visit the CFEF Facebook page at facebook.com/cfedfoundation for more details on the programming CFEF has funded and the Benefit Auction items, games and evening schedule.
Snack Time During the School Day- PLEASE READ
Countdown to Summer School-Wide Dress up days on Fridays!
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.
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up!!! - May 6th-10th
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.
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.
Save the Dates: Remaining Music Performances
1st Grade Informances - Week of May 6-9- at elementary school, teacher will send out times
2nd and 3rd Grade Concert - April 25th - HS Auditorium 6:00 PM
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
March/April PBIS Keep It Real Winners So Far...
Remaining PLC Early Release Days for the 2023-2024 School Year
- 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:
- April 12th-PLC Early Release -12:50 PM
- April 13th- Cannon Falls Education Foundation Benefit Auction at Mill Street 6:00 PM
- April 23rd- 5th grade Transition to 6th grade parent meeting- 7:00 PM HS Cafeteria
- April 25- 2nd and 3rd grade Music Program - HS Auditorium 6:00 PM
- April 26th PTO Family Fun Night 6:00-8:00 PM
- May 6th-10th Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 17th Student Variety Show- 8:30 AM (only family of student performers are welcome to attend)
- May 23rd & 24th Preschool Programs
- May 27th- NO SCHOOL Memorial Day
- May 29th- PTO Field Day- schedule to come soon
- May 30th- PTO Field Day RAIN DATE
- June 3rd & 4th End of Trimester PBIS Celebration
- June 5th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL