News and events
December Newsletter
A message from the principal
Monroe Families,
Trimester 1...check! Students should have brought their report cards home last Wednesday, so if you did not see it, please check in with your student. If you had any questions or concerns regarding your student's report card, please contact their teacher directly.
Last year was our first year with Grade Level Games and it was such a hit that we are making it an annual event. Each grade level will be learning a game and having some sort of friendly competition during December. Games by grade level are:
- Kindergarten- Pop-It Dice Game
- 1st Grade- Shut the Box
- 2nd Grade- Checkers
- 3rd Grade- Farkle
- 4th Grade- Chess
- 5th Grade- Cribbage
We hope that your family has an AMAZING winter break. We look forward to a fantastic start to 2023!
Keep Being Amazing,
Mrs. Oliver
Mrs. Amy Oliver
Mr. Scott Mattis
Important Dates
Dec. 15 - 3rd Grade James Hersch Concert (whole school assembly at 2:30 and 7:00pm family concert)
Dec. 19- 2nd Grade Field Trip to Sidekick Theater
Dec. 23- Jan. 2 - Winter Break
Jan. 5 - Student of the Month
Jan. 9-13 - Winter Bus Safety Week
Jan. 11 - JMS Program for Grade 5
News from the School Social Workers
Last month our school had a food drive and you were all AMAZING! You filled our GEARS Food Shelf! The GEARS shelf is open to ALL families. Reach out to one of the social workers to find a time when you can come and shop.
It is getting cold out and the social workers have winter gear if your student is in need of a jacket, snow pants, boots, hats, or gloves. Please let your teacher or a social worker know and we can get your student all set up.
Mrs. Amy Elder
Supports Kindergarten through 2nd Grade
Main Line: 763-506-3631
Google Voice: 763-307-9940
Mrs. Kelly Thorsten
Supports 3rd through 5th Grade
Main Line: 763-506-3627
Google Voice: 763-307-4747
GEARS SHELF
Is your family in need of food or toiletries? If so, you can use our school’s food shelf. It’s easy, fast, and confidential.
Here are some options:
- Reach out to a social worker to set up a time
- Scan or click the QR code to sign up to shop
Kindness Poster Winners
Kindness Poster Winners - Congratulations to the students from Monroe that won their grade level Kindness Poster! The winners got a special brag tag, a certificate and a fun lunch with a couple of friends and the social workers.
Kindergarten
Emersyn B.
1st Grade
Fitzgerald V.
2nd Grade
Yaritza A.
December's Character Trait is: Empathy
This month’s focus is Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships.
Volunteer news
Chaperones and Volunteering at Monroe
Hey Monroe Families,
We would like to introduce you to Wendy Brown, our new Volunteer Service Coordinator. She will be splitting her time between Monroe and Evergreen and she will be at Monroe on Tuesdays and Fridays. She will be helping us as we continue to find volunteers for various school projects and chaperones for field trips. If you have any questions, please reach out to Wendy. Her contact information is below!
Wendy Brown
763-506-3630
Art Adventure Volunteers Needed
Art Adventure is always a highlight for students and staff in January. It is a program provided through the MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art) that has students learning about various artists and pieces of artwork. Each year, new art is presented by Art Adventure Volunteers (parents/grandparents/etc of Monroe students) and culminates in 5th grade with a visit to MIA. This years art collection is called "Dressed for the Occasion."
We are still in need of parent volunteers. If you are interested in being a trained volunteer, please contact Wendy Brown at 763-506-3630 or wendy.brown@ahschools.us
Health services
With winter weather approaching, please make sure to send your students in appropriate clothing. Changes of clothes are not readily available for students who get wet at recess. We also know that sicknesses occur with change in season. Please be sure to call your students in if they are sick. Students must stay home from school if:
- they have a temperature greater than 100 degrees
- or have thrown up within 24 hours
Students may return to school when vomiting has stopped or the temperature has returned to normal for 24 hours without fever reducing medications.
Please consider the following for your student with the change in season:
- send in a water bottle for your student so they can stay hydrated
- have lip balm for chapped lips available in backpacks
- small bottle/container of lotion for dry chapped skin.
If you have any health related questions, please feel free to contact us @ 763-506-3624!
School Based Dental Sealants Program for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade Students
January 25- 27th
Community Dental Care is a nonprofit organization and a Minnesota Health Care Programs community health clinic established to provide quality dental services to low-income and minority patients. Our mission is to provide culturally sensitive community oral health care, preventive education and professional training, and to advocate for access to all.
Our vision is that all people will have access to high quality, affordable dental care to improve their overall health in a convenient, caring, and respectful environment. Clinics are located in St. Paul, Maplewood, Robbinsdale and Rochester.
Kids Heart Challenge
On behalf of the American Heart Association, thank you very much for raising *$13,172.11 with your school's recent Kids Heart Challenge /American Heart Challenge program.
Families and schools are critical links in providing the foundation for cardiovascular wellness in our country. Your support and participation in the Kids Heart Challenge/American Heart Challenge makes a tremendous impact in helping millions of Americans through increased awareness of cardiovascular disease, lifesaving scientific research and critically needed education efforts.
Staff Surprise Shopping Spree
As part of the Office Depot StartPROUD! program, staff were surprised to take a field trip to Office Depot in Maple Grove to spend some money to help make their teaching life better.
To read an extended article on the event, visit the website below or watch the CCX news segment.
5th Grade- Middle School Opportunities
Moving from elementary to middle school is an exciting time. There are some options for students in Anoka-Hennepin to attend a specialty or magnet school. Here are the two options within Anoka-Hennepin:
- Jackson Middle School is a Specialty school for Math and Science. Jackson is the assigned middle school for most of the students who attend Monroe currently. If you would like to know more about the program at Jackson please visit their webpage: https://www.ahschools.us/domain/2503
- Anoka Middle School for the Arts is a Magnet School that is part of the Northwest Suburban district. There is an application process to attend this magnet program. For more information on this program please visit their webpage: https://www.ahschools.us/Page/27719
Updates from our Parent Educator
General School Information
Dismissal Line: Please use this line to make any changes to your student's transportation for the afternoon. Any changes need to be made prior to 3pm. The number is 763-506-3614.
Parent Drop Off/Pick Up: Our new parent drop off/pick up system is in full swing. We continue to make modifications to make the process run more smoothly. Please be sure that you wait in the line along the south side of Brookdale Drive until you are directed to enter the front parking lot. This ensures safety for our students as they arrive and leave Monroe.
Attendance Information: Please be sure to call the attendance line if your student is sick, will be out of town or has a doctor's appointment. Absence number is: 763-506-3606.
This e-newsletter is published by Monroe Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.