Park Terrace Elementary
January 12, 2022 Newsletter
Greetings Park Terrace Families!
I hope everyone’s week is off to a great, if chilly, start! As you know we are working hard to keep learning as normal as possible despite distractions like the bitterly cold weather and COVID. I am truly proud of how well our students are taking it in stride. Last week, for example, our students had their first session of SPARK for the year. You could truly see how excited they were to engage in new learning. In spite of the obstacles we face, we are truly committed to giving our students the best possible opportunities to learn and grow.
With the latest surge of COVID-19 cases, we’ve had some questions about protocols and if we will move to distance learning. Please know, we continue to follow mitigations strategies to support the health and safety of students and staff – including face masks, distancing as we are able, hand washing, cleaning, onsite testing and more.
We also have no current plans to move as a school or a district to distance learning. The only way we would consider a move to distance learning is if we can’t safely staff our school. So far, we’ve been able to creatively address absences to keep learning at school. You can help. Please continue to screen for health each morning and keep kids home if they have symptoms.
As a reminder, please note that next Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and there will be no school that day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 18.
January can be a long, cold month and, to be completely honest, is not my favorite (I sure do love summer!). But each day, we are gaining more and more daylight. In the same way, I hope our school can continue to be an ever brighter light in the lives of the students we are fortunate enough to serve. I hope they can learn about the content we teach and learn about themselves along the way. Keep up the great work students, and let’s continue on a great note!
Mona Perkins
Principal
COVID update: 5-day quarantine guidance
We have begun to implement 5-day quarantine guidance for those who test positive for COVID-19 and are eligible. Minnesota Department of Health has given schools the go-ahead to follow this newly updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This new guidance allows those who test positive to return five days after the positive test or the onset of symptoms if they are not experiencing symptoms. If symptoms persist, they are still required to stay at home.
The guidelines also require anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to wear a face mask in public, including at school, for 10 days following their positive test. Because masks must be removed for eating and drinking, accommodations are being made to provide anyone who returns to school under this guidance a place where they can adequately distance (at least 6 feet) from others when eating or drinking until the 10-day timeframe has passed.
Please continue to coordinate any absences related to health with the school health office.
Introduction to Westwood for 4th grade families
When students finish fourth grade at Spring Lake Park elementary schools, they transition to 5th grade at Westwood Intermediate School. Now is the time to get to know Westwood and prepare for next year.
Westwood is home to students in grades 5-8. While all under one roof, Westwood has separate programs and spaces for 5-6 intermediate students and 7-8 middle school students.
Families of fourth graders are invited to attend an Introduction to Westwood session online on Tuesday, January 25 and/or in-person on Thursday, February 10 to learn more about the school, the transition to 5th grade and to meet members of the Westwood team.
Attend a virtual session Tuesday, January 25
- Coffee and Conversations - 9 a.m. | WebEx Link
- Lunch and Learn - 1 p.m. | WebEx Link
- Dessert and Discuss - 6 p.m. | WebEx Link
The content of each presentation will be the same so families only need to attend one session. There will also be a recorded presentation available to families after these sessions with the same great information.
Attend the Westwood Welcome Thursday, February 10
Fourth grade students and their families will have an opportunity to visit Westwood in-person, 5:30-7:30 p.m. You can participate in a brief overview session or several topic-specific sessions and tour the building.
Questions? Contact the Westwood office at 763-600-5300. The Westwood team is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2030 next fall.
SLP website disruptions resolved
Nominate a teacher for the 2022 SLP Teacher of the Year
Do you know an educator who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? Nominate them by Friday, February 25 for Spring Lake Park Schools' Teacher of the Year!
Please download and complete a Nomination Form below and email or return the form to Spring Lake Park High School to the attention of Maria Ahrndt. Nominations are due by Friday, February 25, 2022.
This is an exciting way to recognize the amazing educators we have in Spring Lake Park Schools! Thank you for taking the time to submit a nomination.View the nominee criteria and learn more.
Shark Tank - high school style
Sometimes it's hard to imagine your child making their way in the world - what will they choose? Will they be a doctor? Business person? Mechanic? Engineer? Teacher? As they make their way through Spring Lake Park Schools, there are many opportunities to explore where their interests intersect with their future path.
At Spring Lake Park High School, students in the Business and Entrepreneurship Pathway recently pitched their ideas and business plans for new apps and products to local business leaders. In the end, everyone won with real-world feedback, insights and learning.
Take a peek at a unique high school Shark Tank experiences and what might be ahead for your student.
Secure your spot for upcoming winter programming
Opportunities for families
Family Snowshoeing - January 29 at Springbrook
Winter Seed Sowing
Opportunities for adults
Basic Home Repair-Electrical
Star Wars with North Metro TV
Second Round of SPARK Begins
- Monday, January 17 - No school, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Tuesday, January 25 - Introduction to Westwood Virtual Sessions (4th Grade Families)
- Thursday, February 10 - Westwood Welcome, visit in-person (4th Grade Families)
Park Terrace PTA Meeting
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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