Laura MacArthur Eagle Update
Family Newsletter - April 2019
A message from Mr. Erickson
I hope you all had an enjoyable and restful break. It is hard to believe it that we are calling this Spring break! I'm looking forward to green grass and sunny days.
This is just a reminder that students in grades 3-5 will be taking their MCA tests during the next few weeks. You will find a detailed schedule below. Because of the MCA testing, we had to alter our time schedule for our Peacemaker assemblies on Thursday. Please also see the schedule below for complete details. We are looking forward to honoring these students!
Testing Tips:
- Ensure your child has a good night's sleep by putting them to bed on time without electronic devices
- Encourage your child to eat a fulfilling breakfast at home or school
- Ensure your child arrives to school on time. Students perform better when they test with their class instead of doing make-ups
- Avoid unnecessary conflict with your child. It is very important children arrive in a pleasant mood
- Encourage your child to complete each question and to do their best
Keep Reading and Learning
To quote Dr. Seuss, "The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." I strongly believe that our students can do anything they set their minds to. This starts with them reading every day, both at home and at school. I encourage you to continue reading every day with your child to help them with the many places they will go!
The year has gone amazingly fast! Amazing that we have only 38 days of school remaining. Have a great April.
Jim Erickson
Principal
Attendance Tips
Help your child succeed in school.
Build the habit of good attendance early to build school success.
Impact of attendance on learning
Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves.
Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important.
Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
What can you do?
Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
Introduce your child to his/her teachers and classmates before school starts to help his/her transition.
Don’t let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Student Absence - Call the Attendance Line
Elementary School Tardiness
The school day begins at 7:45 am each day. Please know that district policy states the following:
"A student is considered tardy up to fifteen (15) minutes late for the morning or afternoon section. If a student arrives to either section more than fifteen (15) minutes late, the student is considered absent for the section."
Please call the attendance line or bring in a note within 24 hours if your child is going to be absence.
Phone: 218-336-8900, press option 3.
Leave your child's name, reason for absence, date of absence, and child's teacher
Enroll your Kindergartner!
Recess Clothing
If you need outdoor clothing assistance, we have resources here at school, as well as have some great community partners who can assist. Please plan accordingly for we do not have the volume to supply if students simply forget their items.
Thank you for your partnership!
Drop Off / Pick Up
Families of Laura MacArthur,
Student drop-off in the morning has improved greatly over the past few weeks. It has mad a difference for everyone to drop students off on the Right curb side. This allows for traffic on the Left to pass through. Thank you for your help!
In coming days, yellow crosswalk lines will be painted in front of the building and at sidewalks to provide walkways for pedestrians. Please do not park on these areas.
Reminders to ensure our children travel to and from the building as safely as possible:
The circle drive is a one way, starting from Central Ave and exiting on Central Place.
Please park on the Right side of the driveway as you enter instead of Left. There are No Parking signs on the Left side and solid yellow curbs.
If you have to double park on the right side (cut out side), please limit the time to 5 minutes or less.
Please exit the driveway with caution.
We will help instruct students to walk on crosswalks and the sidewalks rather than walking across the road.
If you choose to park on Central Ave, please use the crosswalk where available. Our safety patrol will be happy to assist.
Please do not park on the crosswalk near Central Ave.
Parking in handicap spaces, tags are required.
Please do not drop off children in the bus loading zone on Central Ave. This is indicated by the curb cut out and the yellow stripes on the road.
- Please do not park vehicles in the bus loading zone on Central Ave or in the front circle drive. These two areas are for buses only from approximately 2:00 pm - 2:25 pm.
We appreciate your attention to these matters as we strive to provide a safe environment for our students.
Mental Health Resources and Support for Students and Families
Please contact our school Social Workers at school 336-8900
Addie Smith, Ext. 2227
Christine Ziegler, Ext. 3124
or the main office
MCA Testing Schedule for Grades 3-5 has begun!
The list below shows tests by subject and the grades they are given.
- Reading: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 10)
- Mathematics: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 11)
- Science: MCA or MTAS (grades 5, 8, and once in high school)
Schedule of the tests can be seen below.
PTA News - Next Meeting - April 18 - 3:30-4:30 pm
Get involved with our family/staff group. This is a great way to get involved and help with Laura MacArthur activities and events.
Meetings:
- April 18 - 3:30-4:30 pm
- May 9 - 5-6 pm
- April 26 will be the last day of the Penny drive. The winner at the end will get an ice cream sundae party.
- Money raised will go toward the end of the year picnic.
PEACEMAKER ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK! - THURSDAY
Peacemaker Awards/Assemblies
The purpose of the Peacemaker award is to recognize two students in each class that have demonstrated the following: sought to teach, to transform, to make friends, to heal, to defeat injustice and to choose love over hate. Students will be recognized on April 18th by their teachers in front of their peers and guests to receive their Peacemaker certificate. A short reception will follow the assembly.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME DUE TO MCA TESTING FOR STUDENTS
11:45 - Gr. K/1
12:30 - Gr.4/5
1:15 - Gr. 2/3
Upcoming Peacemaker assemblies:
Friday, May 10
5th GRADE PARENTS - SAVE THE DATE
A parent camp will be offered to all 5th Grade parents at Lincoln Park Middle School for those interested.
DATE: Thursday, May 9
TiME: 5:00pm-7:30pm
Parent Camp will focus on many topics within LPMS. It is a great way for parents to learn about LPMS, meet other parents, have many of their questions answered, etc
5th Grade Fund Raisers - Wolf Ridge (see all below)
Chipotle Fund Raiser - TUESDAY
- Laura MacArthur Elementary
- 04/16/2019
- 4:00pm-8:00pm
- 1600 Miller Trunk Hwy Ste F13C, Duluth, MN 55811
- Do make it count! Three ways to guarantee your purchases count:
- Show the cashier a digital flyer prior to paying
- Show the cashier a paper flyer prior to paying
- Flying flyer-free? Just mention the fundraiser to the cashier prior to paying
- Do pay in store - Online orders will not be included in the fundraiser total
Kwik-Trip Car Wash Cards
- ($36.00 each) Each card has 5 Premium car washes.
- Order by stopping in at the school of office or contacting Mr. Metzer.
- Lead time on orders is roughly two weeks.
- The money raised goes to help our Laura MacArthur fifth graders go to Wolf Ridge.
Wolf Ridge Parent Information Meeting
Keyzone Summer Dates - June 17-August 23, 2019
KEYZONE
To ensure enrollment, register early!
Open to area children (need not attend ISD 709).
For students who have completed kindergarten through completed 5th grade.
Field Trips, Enrichment & STEAM Activities, Physical Activities & Team Sports, Support for Learning Goals, more.
Program Dates: Monday June 17 - Friday August 23 (closed July 4)
Hours: 6:30AM - 6:00PM
Summer Sites: Congdon Park, Laura MacArthur, Lester Park, Lowell KEY Zone Outdoors
Rate: $39 Daily Rate (includes weekly field trips). $30.00 registration fee for each child (only if you did not participate in the school year program)
**NEW** KEY Zone Outdoors at Lowell Elementary
Be active in the outdoors, learn and play in a nature-based setting. Build forts, learn about plants & animals, hike, garden and more.
For information and to register for Summer KEY Zone, www.duluthcommunityed.org or Phone 218-336-8900 ext. 2
Summer Excel Program at Laura MacArthur!
EXCEL Summer 2019
SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
WHAT is EXCEL?
Students currently in grades K-5 will have the opportunity to develop their reading, writing and math skills in preparation for the upcoming school year. Classroom teachers will work with students to focus on their areas of greatest need in reading and math. The goal of the Excel Summer Program is to provide students with the tools necessary to be successful during the regular school year and beyond!
Excel will be offered 4 days per week:
Monday - Thursday from 8:30 - 11:30 AM for 3 weeks
July 8-11
July 15-18
July 22-25
Summer programming is planned for all sites. Families may register for any site they prefer. A minimum of 18 registered students are required to run the class. If a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, families may select another site. This decision will be made and communicated to all students impacted by May 24th.
It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to transport students to Excel at 9:00 am and from Excel at 12:00 pm, should you choose a location that does not offer the K.E.Y. Zone program.
Students who participate in Excel can access the summer K.E.Y. Zone program at a reduced rate of $25/day (during the days of Excel) when they elect to attend EXCEL at Laura MacArthur, Lowell, Congdon, or Lester Park. County assistance is accepted for those who qualify. The K.E.Y. Zone program runs at these four sites from 6:30 am until 6:00 pm. For more information and to register, please contact Mark Connor at 218 336-8900 x 2.
What is K.E.Y. Zone? K.E.Y. Zone is an academic and enrichment out-of-school time program for students in Grades K-5, offered in collaboration with the Duluth Area Family YMCA and ISD 709 Community Education Department. K.E.Y. Zone Summer Program components include: High-quality school age care, academic enrichment clubs and activities, group games, field trips, service learning opportunities, physical recreation, healthy snacks and team building activities.
We believe this is important support for your child as he/she prepares for next school year. To register your child, please complete the attached paper and return it to your school by April 29th. Contact your school principal if you have questions.
Complete the Summer Registration Form below and return to Laura MacArthur Office or classroom teacher!
Thank you for a great Mcteacher's night!
Lost and Found
Thank you.
Annual Fit and Fun Run
Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 09:00 AM
UMD, University Drive, Duluth, MN, USA
- 4/16: 5th Grade fundraiser - Chipolte 4-8PM
- 4/18: Peacemaker Assembly - Media Center
- 4/18: PTA Mtg
- 4/26: Math Masters Event
- 4/29: Nature Night 4-6 PM at Stowe Elem
- 4/30: Parent information meeting for Wolf Ridge - 5:00 pm
- 5/1: Papa Murphy Fundraiser
- 5/8: Book Fair - Media Center
- 5/9: Grandparents/Special Friend Day Program and Book Fair
- 5/9: PTA Mtg
- 5/9: Parent Camp for 5th Grade Parents - Lincoln Park MS - 5-7:30pm
- 5/9: Arrowhead Youth Games at UMD - All DAPE students
- 5/10: Peacemaker Assembly - Media Center
- 5/14: Annual Fit and Fun Run (Gr. 3-5 at UMD)
- 5/15: Goldstar Teacher Award 7-9 Lincoln Middle School
- 5/16: 2nd Grade Field-trip to Depot - Play
- 5/16: Eaton/Borich KG Field-trip to Hartley Nature Center
- 5/21: 1st Grade Field-trip to Heritage Sports Center
- 5/22: 3rd Grade Field-trip to Heritage Sports Center
- 5/22: Kolar KG Field-trip to Hartley Nature Center
- 5/24: Field Day
- 5/27: Memorial Day-No School
- 5/28: Rain Date for Field Day
- 5/30: 4th Grade Field-trip to World of Wheels
- 5/31: 5th Grade Graduation/Honors Program
- 6/3: 4th Grade Rocket Day
- 6/3-5: 5th Grade Field-trip to Wolf Ridge
- 6/5: End of the year School Picnic
- 6/6: 4th Grade Field-trip to Aquarium
- 6/7: Last day of School
Join the Movement and Like Laura MacArthur Elementary School on Facebook
Want to see what is happening at Laura MacArthur? Like the Laura MacArthur Elementary Facebook page to get updates, see photos and videos from around our school, and get connected with our PTA.
Join the movement and see what happens at Laura MacArthur on Twitter
Want to see what is happening at Laura MacArthur? Go to JamesWErickson on Twitter to get updates, see photos and videos from around our school, and get connected with our PTA
Jim Erickson, Principal
Email: James.Erickson@isd709.org
Website: www.isd709.org/laura-macarthur/index
Location: 720 North Central Avenue, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8900
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LauraMacEaglesRewardSchool/
Twitter: @JamesWErickson