Greetings families!

Another great month has flown by! I can't believe we have completed three full months of school! I just want to take a moment and recognize the amazing students we have at Red Oak. I have the privilege of going into classrooms each day. Our students are connecting with each other, their teachers and the content. The smiles I see as I sit in rooms or walk by in the hall fill my heart. Students tell me how much fun their having in school, how much they're learning and how much they enjoy coming to school. Our students make Red Oak an amazing place to be each and every day. Each and every student at Red Oak has something wonderful to share with the school. Thank you for sending your child(ren) to school every day so they can share their individual gifts with us.

Next, I want to take a moment to highlight our amazing staff for you. Every staff member at Red Oak has your child's best interest on their mind at all times. We are all working hard to build relationships with each student, work with them to build their academic skills and help them grow their social and interpersonal skills as well. Our staff takes pride in taking time to build relationships and making sure that your child feels welcome, loved, safe and that they belong at Red Oak. I am proud to lead such a dedicated group of adults.

Thank you for sharing your children with us.

Have a wonderful weekend, holiday season and Happy New Year!

Your partner in education,

Krysten Ellis, Principal

If you are in need of warmer clothes or winter gear for your child(ren), please contact our social worker, Liz Ammerman: (952) 496- 5956 or email at eammerman@shakopee.k12.mn.us

District Information/Winter Weather Guidelines and Information:

In the event of a weather-related school change, please look for communication from the YMCA on information related to delays and/or cancelations. Please see the outline below on general winter weather schedule adjustments for the 2022/23 school year.

https://www.shakopee.k12.mn.us/Page/8643

Time to show off your heritage pride! Be proud of who you are and where your family is originally from!

On December 16th, Student Council invites all students to dress up in a way that best represents their culture.

Last year I was blown away at how many students dressed to showcase their culture. I had so many deep conversations with students about their attire and what it meant to them and their family. It was a fun day to learn from one another and celebrate each student.

A few reminders worth noting to the beginning and end of the day structures and procedures:

• All doors open at 8:55 a.m. (walkers and bikers, door E unlocks at 8:55). Students should remain in their cars or on the Saber Paw prints outside until the doors open
• Breakfast for all students will be in their classroom. This will allow students to be in class and be a part of the morning activities without having them rush through breakfast.
• Drop off/pick up will continue to be in the upper lot. We ask that parents/guardians remain in the car for a more safe and efficient process. There are adults to help get students out of cars in the morning and into cars in the afternoon. Please pull forward to help keep the line moving. Please do not park and get down to drop off your children. This is for their safety.
• Our drop off/pick up line is secondary to getting the busses in and out of the lower lot. Please be mindful of where you line up to allow for large and small busses to maneuver through.
• Families arriving after 9:05 MUST walk their child(ren) into the building and sign them in.
• School ends at 3:45, which means students will not be called for the car line until 3:45. Again, please remain in your car in the line and we will help get your child in the car.

Thank you for your attention to detail on these for the safety of our children.

Health Services Resources

Health services resources for the 2022/23 school year can be found online here: bit.ly/SPSHealthServices22. Optional COVID-19 self reporting details and a form are available here.

Attendance

Parents/guardians should call the attendance line when a student will be late or absent 952-496-5953.

Students arriving after 9:05 will need to be walked in by their parent/guardian and will be marked tardy.

Visitor Reminders

All visitors are required to check-in at the front office and must be screened through the Raptor system during normal school hours.

Volunteers

If you would like to volunteer in the classroom or attend a field trip or volunteer with students, you must have a completed, cleared background check. Click here to fill out the form.

Change in PM transportation

If your child has a change in how they are getting home, please call the office no later than 3pm so we can get the correct information to the classroom teacher.

Free meals are no longer provided by COVID federal funds.

Breakfast is no longer free for students in grades 1-5. Kindergarten students are the only grade that has free breakfast.

Student meal accounts will need to be funded in Infinite Campus. Free or reduced meals can be offered to families that qualify. Applications also impact school funding. Digital applications can be completed in Infinite Campus. Printed applications are also available in our main office and at the district office. For tips on how to fund meal accounts in Infinite Campus, click here.

Family Resource Centers of Scott County: When times are tough, it's hard to know where to go to get the help you need. The Family Resource Center (FRC) are here to help families get connected to support and resources. If you're feeling stuck, visit a FRC. Click here for more information (in multiple languages)

Do you need food on the weekends?

If you need help with meals on the weekend, please sign up here for free meals. There are 5 different types of meals to sign up for. Students who sign up for these meals will take them home on the last day of the school week.

For more information, please email our Social Worker, Liz Ammermann: eammerman@shakopee.k12.mn.us