Congdon Park Weekly News
January 27, 2021
Hello Families
It has been an exciting 3 days having our youngest learners back in the building.
A couple of reminders:
Masks are required for all students.
Students need to bring a water bottle each day. There is not access to the water fountains.
In the morning, students should not arrive before 7:30. Doors open at 7:30 and students proceed directly to their classroom.
Entrance to the lobby is available 7:00-4:00 for those distance learning families that need to drop off or pick up work. All interior doors into the school are locked.
NO CROSSING GUARDS
IMPORTANT Pick Up and Drop Off Reminders
We have nearly twice as many families dropping off and picking up their children than in a normal year, so it is so vital everyone follows these rules:
- Students should not arrive to school until 7:30am
- ADULTS - IF YOU ARE IN THE DROP OFF/PICK UP LINE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR!!!!
- Do not park in the Fire Lane. This is illegal and it really deters the flow of drop off and pick up. If you need to leave your vehicle, you must park in the parking lot.
- If you are waiting in your car to pick up your child, continue to PULL FORWARD AS SOON AS THE CAR AHEAD OF YOU MOVES FORWARD.
- Please put away your cell phone so you are not distracted and hold up the line.
- When Dropping off in the morning..."stop, drop, and go" quickly to open up the spot for another car to drop off. Your child must get out on the sidewalk side of the car. Also remember to PULL ALL THE WAY FORWARD.
- Please, please drive slowly through the parking lot, and always be prepared in case a child darts out from a parked car. We know many people are in a rush in the morning, but safety is the most important thing to remember when in a school parking lot.
Playground and Cafeteria Monitors Needed!
We are looking to add to our valuable team of Cafeteria/Playground Monitors. A great opportunity to engage with youth in our community and perfect for parents interested in "earning while the kids are learning". Follow the link to apply!
Important Dates
Feb 8 - return to in school learning for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students
Feb 15-19 - Winter Break - no school
Feb 23 - Picture Retakes
March 4 & 9 - Conferences - Virtual - more info to come
March 15 - deadline for ordering a yearbook - see information below
School calendar link can be found on our website or by clicking
Picture Retake Day
Picture Retake Information - February 23rd. This is for students who missed the original picture dates or would like their picture retaken. For Retakes...bring in your original picture package.
Kindergarten Roundup
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
January/2021
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE - “Is it okay to travel out of state for winter break?”
Dan Vaught, LSN; Joan Wick, LPN - Health Assistant
Hello Congdon Parents!
We hope this note finds you all well and staying as safe as possible as the pandemic continues. We applaud all of you for your extraordinary efforts to provide for your children during this challenging time. It’s been a long haul but the end is in sight as COVID-19 vaccination programs roll out. All of this would not be possible without the extraordinary work of dedicated scientists who developed COVID-19 vaccines in record time. Hang in there as better days are coming for all of us!
With winter break coming up in February, some parents have contacted the health office to inquire about Minnesota COVID-19 guidelines regarding travel. At present, Out-of-state travel is highly discouraged. Further, people who visit Minnesota, and Minnesotans returning after traveling out of state, are asked to stay away from others (quarantine) for 14 days after they arrive in Minnesota.
For more information, visit the MN Dept. of Health link below.
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html#:~:text=Travel%20to%20or%20from%20Minnesota&text=Out%2Dof%2Dstate%20travel%20is,after%20they%20arrive%20in%20Minnesota
Do I still have to take attendance for my child?
If your child is returning In-Person Learning (1/25 for K-2, and 2/8 for 3-5)
* Once your child has returned to In-Person, you do NOT need to check your child in every day.
* However if your child is going to be absent or late or leaving early, you will still need to email the attendance line at congdonattendance@isd709.org, or call the attendance line at 336-8825 ext 2. You may also let the teacher know, but if the office does not hear from you then you will receive a phone call from the office inquiring about your child.
* Parents of 3rd-5th graders will still need to check their child in the weeks of Jan 25 and Feb 1! They will receive a 5pm call and their child will be marked absent if they forget. Same procedure as the last couple of months.
If your child will be K-5 Distant Learning
* Parents will continue to be responsible for checking in their child each School Day. They will receive a 5pm call and their child will be marked absent if they forget. Same procedure as the last couple of months.
* If your child cannot participate on a distant learning day due to illness or appt, please let the school office or teacher know. This is the same procedure as the last several months.
Report Card Information
- Parents will be able to view report cards starting Monday, Jan 25 in Infinite Campus.
- Hardcopies of the Report Cards will go home with In-Person students Feb 3- Feb 8.
- Hardcopies of the Report Cards will be mailed to Distant Learning students in early February, unless you hear differently from the Distant Learning teacher.
- There was an adjustment to how students were graded. A letter about this was emailed to parents in December. A copy of this letter will also accompany each report card.
- Library Fine notices will be included with your child's report card.
This Year's Valentine's Day Treat Policy
Your child's teachers will be providing information around their classroom Valentine's Day celebration. Please find below please find the guidelines that will be followed for all classroom celebrations:
Valentines that your child completes at home should come to school in a sealed bag and will be distributed in the classroom when they arrive. At a minimum the valentine's need to be in the classrooms by Wednesday, Feb 10. You do not need to bag each Valentine separately. One big sealed bag will do.
Students will not be allowed to eat treats that are attached to Valentines until they go home. If all Valentines are distributed on Wednesday 2/10, they will be good for consumption when they arrive home. Please ensure your child's Valentines are at school by 2/10.
Meet some of our behind the scenes staff
Name-Lisa Wentworth
Position-School Counselor
How long have you worked in the district/Congdon?-District-4th year, Congdon-less than a year!
Tell us about your family:
My husband, Bryan, is a teacher. We have three kids: Henry & Evelyn are 8 and Elena is 5.
What new activities or hobbies did you take up during Covid?
Well, I don't think I started anything new but I've spent more time reading by myself and with my family. We love reading books out loud and have read at least 20 together this year. I should keep a list! I like to get outside as much as possible. This year, I've been doing a lot of running, ice skating, cross country skiing, and learning to ride a fat bike in the snow!
What are your hopes for 2021?
I hope for myself and others to feel refreshed and renewed by moving forward into a new season. I also hope for a long, warm summer! :)
Don't forget Winter Gear for Recess!
The students go outside just about everyday for recess. Remember to send appropriate winter gear with your child for recess: hat, mittens, warm coat, snow pants and boots.
Changes to Breakfast and Lunches (bagged and at school)
School lunches are free for In-Person students through the end of the school year. Just have your child get in the hot lunch line to get a lunch. If a student brings a cold lunch and would like a milk, the cost is 50 cents.
Starting Monday, Jan 25, bagged breakfast and lunches are only available at the middle and high schools. They will NOT be available at Congdon Park School.
Please report Covid to the health office
In order to accurately document Covid at Congdon - our students and staff need to report to the health office if any of the following apply to you or a family member:
- you have symptoms
- have been exposed and are are getting tested
- have tested positive for COVID-19
- or are in quarantine
at daniel.vaught@isd709.org or call 336.8825 and press 5.
SCHOOL COUNSELING CONNECTION - Please download the PDF below for some great information from our School Counselor - Mrs. Wentworth
Elementary In Person Learning
Yes! There will be a yearbook this year!!
Jennifer Engel & Deborah Sah are this year’s yearbook committee, tasked with bringing about a yearbook during this crazy year of hybrid, all distance and now in-person schooling. Given how “unprecedented” this year has been, we are asking parents to send us photos of their kids engaging in school-related activities at home (and school if you have any!). Please send photos to: congdonyearbook@gmail.com and in the subject line- please have your child’s grade and teacher.
In body of message, please include child’s name, what activity it is (if it’s not obvious). PE/art (fails)/google meet-up etc. If your kids were in pods- would love to see those! If you had a mini-at-home-school set up- great!
If there are kids in the photos from other households, please double check that those kiddos’ parent is okay with you including them for the yearbook.
Thank you! We are hoping to put together a memorable yearbook for a memorable year, and will need your help in doing so.
Please see flyer below on how to order a yearbook. Sales are all online.
Library Port Card
Tutoring at CSS
Free tutoring with St Scholastica Students
ISD 709 Families can book appointments with trained CSS tutors in many grade and subject areas on various days and times. Go to https://css709tutor.setmore.com to book appointments. You will receive a confirmation email with a link to the video tutoring session. All sessions are online and free.