Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
May 12, 2021 Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
Del Escritorio del Sr. Franke
A great time of the year
Greeting Woodcrest families,
We have begun administering the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) to our third and fourth grade students. These exams will be administered Tuesday – Thursday this week and next. Your third and fourth grade students are doing a great job giving these exams their best efforts. I am proud of each of them.
This time of year is exciting to me for a number of reasons. One reason I enjoy the spring is that as we wrap up one school year, we look forward and plan for next year. The Governor’s announcement last week with the plan to lift many restrictions in the coming weeks was very encouraging. We will continue to follow the state’s Safe Learning Plan through the end of the year and we’re hopeful as we return in the fall, we’re returning to a more normal school experience.
As we keep an eye on next year, we are excited to welcome each of your K-3 children back through our doors next fall and help our fourth graders transition to Westwood. If your family is planning to move out of the district before next school year, please let us know. We want to work with you on any transitions and returning any technology and materials. Please let us know what you may need.
Today is National School Nurse Day. This year, this day has a lot of significance for us as our nurses have been invaluable partners during this year of pandemic. We’re grateful for them and celebrate them today.
With thanks,
John Franke
They've got our back: Our school nurses make us Panther Proud
Our school nurses have had an incredible year. We couldn't have navigated a pandemic year of learning without them. On this National School Nurse Day, we recognize our SLP school nurses and all they do to keep us healthy, safe and learning. Hear from Becca Williams, our lead nurse, on what makes her SLP Panther Proud.
Fourth Grade Families: Intro to 5th Grade Band
Starting in fifth grade, students can choose to take band lessons. If you weren't able to join us for the virtual information meeting last week, you can find the recording on our band website to learn more about your student's option to join band in middle school.
Watch this 1-minute introduction video and learn more about band, choosing an instrument and how to register on this Westwood Band webpage. The Priority Registration deadline for 5th grade band is this Friday, May 14.
Testing for students in grades 3 and 4
During the month of May, students at Woodcrest Spanish Immersion will be taking the MCA Reading, MCA Math and AAPPL tests. Below are the test dates for students in grades 3 and 4 that are part of the in-person learning model and the EFL learning model. As a reminder, only students in grades 3 and 4 take the MCA tests:
- May 13 (Thursday) from 9:30-11 a.m. - MCA Reading part two
- May 18 (Tuesday) from 9:30-11a.m. - MCA Math part one
- May 20 (Thursday) from 9:30-11 a.m. - MCA Math part two
For students in in grade 4 ONLY:
- May 25 (Tuesday) from 9:30-11 a.m. - AAPPL part one
- May 27 (Thursday) from 9:30-11 a.m. - AAPPL part two
For students in the EFL Learning Model that opted to take the MCA tests and AAPPL tests (students in grade 4):
- May 19 (Wednesday) from 9:30 a.m.-until completed - MCA Math
- May 26 (Wednesday) from 9:30 a.m.-until completed - AAPPL testing
Parents, please make sure that on testing dates, students bring the following items:
- iPad
- iPad cable and charging brick
- Water bottle
- Headset/headphones/earbuds
- A book to read once they are done with testing
If you have any questions or want your student to opt in/out of testing, please connect with Yesica via email or by phone at 763 600 5802.
EFL Material Drop-Off Dates
Students in the EFL Learning Model will be returning school materials in the Woodcrest Office during school hours on the following days based on grade levels.
- Grade 3 and 4 -June 2
- Grade 1 and 2 - June 3
- Kindergarten - June 4
Please plan to return library materials, curriculum books and any other school materials. These are the materials that will be collected from families:
- Math Manipulatives
- With and Wisdom Reading Books
- Learning Lab Books
- Curriculum Books- Arriba/Fundations
Materials such as Bridges workbooks, handwriting books, anything that was written on, do NOT need to be returned- as they are considered consumables. If you have any questions, please connect with Yesica via email or by phone at 763-600-5802.
*For families with students in multiple grade levels, materials can be dropped off on any of the dates mentioned above.
Cardio Drumming with Sra. Hazel
Congratulations to next year's PTO Board Members
Congratulations to next year's PTO Board Members who were elected into their positions at Monday's meeting.
President: Andrea Hansen
Secretary: Carlo Giacomoni
Treasurer: Molly Papillon
Co-Vice Presidents: Kelly Berlin and Laura Nelson
Volunteer Coordinator: Kelly Veit
Social Media Coordinator: Rita Vink
Book Drive
We are still collecting books for summer reading! We especially need 4th grade level chapter books. Please bring any donations to the box inside Woodcrest lobby. We will collect through the end of the month. There is also one more chance to order books for the drive through Scholastic Book Club-see info below.
Scholastic Book Club - Last Chance for School Delivery
If you would like to order books for summer reading, the last chance for at school delivery is now. Orders are due by tomorrow, Thursday May 13. If you order over $25 you can choose a free book up to $5 by entering code READS at checkout!
Please visit Scholastic online and enter class code NJ89V. All purchases will help earn FREE books which will be used to support children's literacy at Woodcrest. Questions about Scholastic Book Club can be emailed to PTO. We need about $150 more in orders to unlock this month's free bonus books from Scholastic.
Staff Appreciation
Thank you to everyone who donated or helped prepare items for Staff Appreciation Week. We received many lovely thank you's from staff about the goodies and fun! Thursday they received gift cards to the new Malt Shop Express and Friday they received goodie bags. Everything given throughout the week was collected and packed into bags for EFL teachers to pick up next time they are at school as well.
FREE Digital Games Available
Free Digital Family Game Night for all via Breakout EDU! New puzzles have been released for the month of May. Complete one to be entered into the monthly prize drawing. Sign up online with code OQXAW6
If you have ideas or questions at any time, contact the WCSI PTO.
MCA Testing Schedule
- MCA Reading Tests for students in grades 3 and 4: May 13 for In-Person students.
- MCA Math Tests for students in grades 3 and 4: May 18 and 20 for In-Person students.
- MCA Math Tests for students in grades 3 and 4: May 19 for EFL students.
- AAPPL Testing for students in grade 4: May 25 and May 27 for In-Person students.
- AAPPL Testing for students in grade 4: May 26 for EFL students.
- May 21- Due Date for Parent Input Forms. Connect with Yesica if you would like a form.
- May 21- Last Day for students to check out books from the Learning Lab
- May 26- Last Day for students to return Learning books
- May 31- No school for students
- June 2- EFL Students Material Drop-Off for Grades 3 and 4
- June 3- EFL Students Material Drop-Off for Grades 1 and 2
- June 4- EFL Students Material Drop-Off for Kinder
- June 10- Last school day for students
Find your SPARK this summer
With summer youth programs registration now open, it is the perfect time to find your SPARK this summer with Community Education! Whether it's a new sport or activity or to meet new friends, kids can make the most of their summer through these programs. A flyer with more information is being sent home with students at school this week or you can view the digital handout here and find all of our Camp and Clinic opportunities here.
Club Spotlight of the Week:
Panther Cubs Tennis Camp Ages 4-10
This program changes the game making it easier for children to succeed. The court dimensions are smaller, racquet shorter, nets lower and lower compression balls (orange balls) are used. Taught by Varsity Coach David Kuether. Sign up for Panther Cub Tennis Camp.
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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