News and events-September 2022
September 27, 2022
A message from the principal
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year!
It has been fun to see all of the smiling faces each morning as students arrive at school. The positive energy fills the school and helps to make every day special at Rum River!
At Rum River, we value a strong home and school connection. We believe that partnership is critical for student success: academically, socially , and emotionally. If you have questions about anything related to your child's classroom, please reach out to your child's teacher. At Rum River we have a very caring and very skilled team who are eager to partner with you in order to provide the best possible experience for your children every day.
Jeff Clusiau, principal
Welcome new Rum River staff members
Rebecca Przetycki, Grade One Teacher
Jennifer Dale, Music Teacher
Jill Beck, Art Teacher
Amber Donnette, Art Teacher
Julie, Wedell, Literacy Support
Heidi Downhour, Behavior Intervention Specialist
Shelly Zenner, Volunteer Services Coordinator
Erin Nolz, Speech Language Pathologist
Upcoming events
Fall Conferences
Fall Conference sign up time is here already. Fall conferences will be held on Monday, October 3rd, Thursday, October 6th and Tuesday, October 11th. Please find your child's teacher in the attached link and sign up for Fall Conferences 2022. If you have a student in grades 3 through 5 that are assigned to team teachers, please sign up for the team listed in the schedule.
Please see the date schedule below noting that there are virtual and in person options to choose.
Monday, October 3rd - 7:35am to 8:35am Virtual only
Monday, October 3rd - 4:30pm to 7:30pm In-Person Only
Thursday, October 6th - 4:30pm to 7:30pm In-Person Only
Tuesday, October 11th - 4:30pm to 7:30pm In-Person
Tuesday, October 11th - 4:30pm to 7:30pm Virtual
Please sign up for conferences using the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
Other Events:
Boosterthon: October 11-19
Picture Day: November 2.
Retake Day: November 29
Apply for educational benefits for the 2022-23 school year
All Anoka-Hennepin families are encouraged to apply for the educational benefits program for the upcoming school year. A new application must be submitted each school year.
By completing this application, students may receive free or reduced fees for transportation, meals, academic, and co-curricular activities. Please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to set up, or log in to your SchoolCafe account and complete an application for free or reduced-price meal and other benefits. The educational benefits program not only ensures that students have access to nutritious meals, it also provides critical federal funding for schools.
As a reminder, the federal subsidy to provide free school meals for every student will no longer be available this school year. Only one application is needed per household. Please contact the child nutrition department with any questions or assistance at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us.
Media center news
THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
The Book Fair will be open on the evenings of conferences:
October 3, 6, and 11 from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
The Book Fair will also open for your child to shop on their Media day during specials. The easiest way to help your child purchase books is by setting up an eWallet. Using eWallet is the preferred method of payment. We will also accept cash and checks.
Click on this link to learn more:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/ewallet.html
To set up eWallet, click here: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/RRE
We need volunteers to help make this a success! Please get in touch with our new volunteer coordinator Shelly Zenner for more information at michelle.zenner@ahschools.us Thank you!
Volunteer news
My name is Shelly Zenner and I'm the new Volunteer Service Coordinator (VSC) at Rum River. I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to helping grow the volunteer program!
We are always looking for more volunteers. If you're interested in receiving volunteer opportunities, it's simple. All you need to do is complete the two steps listed below! If you have any questions feel free to email me (michelle.zenner@ahschools.us).
By completing the 2022-2023 Rum River Elementary Volunteer Application, you will learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities at our school throughout the year.
Before you can volunteer this school year, please:
1. Complete the Rum River Elementary volunteer application.
2. Complete your Criminal Record History Release (CRHR) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Next big event...the Book Fair which runs from October 3rd to the 11th. First complete the two steps and then click here to sign up for a shift!
Parents needed for special education advisory council
Join the district’s Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school year. A broad range of parents/guardians are needed, from those representing early childhood, all the way to elementary, middle school, high school, and transition-aged students - with a full continuum of student disabilities.
Those interested in participating in future meetings should complete an application either by completing a Google form, or by contacting Mary Esch at 763-506-1362, or mary.esch@ahschools.us. Parents/guardians who wish to be part of SEAC are asked to make an effort to attend all four meetings as council members. The application process will close October 10. Learn more about SEAC and what it means to be involved.
Anoka Hennepin App Login Information
Traffic tips for the back to school season
The back to school season is a busy time for families, school staff and our communities. There is often more traffic congestion in this season and it’s more important than ever for drivers to pay attention before- and after-school to keep families, students and staff safe.
Check out these tips from the Anoka-Hennepin transportation department as a back to school reminder:
Crosswalks: Be mindful that we are sharing the road with young walkers and staff helping them across the crosswalks or intersections. Always stop for school patrols and crossing guards.
Know drop-off and pick-up procedures: Schools have procedures in place to keep traffic safe. Make sure you know your school’s plan for the safety of all students and staff.
Use slow speeds: Use caution in school zones and be aware of your surroundings. We can all work together to ensure the safety of drivers, school buses, walkers and bikers.
School bus safety: Familiarize yourself with school bus safety tips on the road. Always stop if yellow or red lights are flashing or if stop arms are extended from a school bus. Allow extra time for students to board and exit the bus and proceed to safe sidewalks to enter school zones or return home.
Share the road: Be patient of other vehicles stopped for pedestrians or using caution in school zones. Do not pass other vehicles or school buses. Be alert, young children may take an unpredictable path as they are learning safety rules.
Thank you for your partnership in school traffic safety.
School Board invites stakeholder input in the search for a new superintendent
Dear Anoka-Hennepin Schools Stakeholders:
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board is seeking your input as we begin the important responsibility of hiring a new superintendent.
Dr. Kenneth Dragseth and Dr. Antoinette Johns from the firm School Exec Connect will meet with board members, school district staff, parents, students, and community members individually and in focus groups to determine the strengths, challenges, goals for our district and the characteristics or skills you would like to see in a superintendent. Additionally, our staff and community members will have the opportunity to give anonymous written feedback to the consultants via a link from our district website beginning September 12, 2022. Using this information, we will develop a profile of the desired skills and characteristics in the next superintendent.
The position will be advertised, and candidates will be recruited, beginning in August and the School Board will determine which candidates to participate in first-round interviews on November 28, 2022. The Board will interview four to six recommended candidates on November 29 and 30 and is expected to narrow the field to two or three finalist candidates at that time. Each finalist will be invited for an all-day interview process on December 5, December 6 and December 7, and the selection of a preferred candidate to serve as the new superintendent is expected on Dec. 7, 2022.
The process for selecting a new superintendent will include feedback from interviews conducted by committees made up of staff, parents, and community members as well as a final formal Board interview. Feedback and considerations from an online survey will also be provided to inform decision making by the School Board.
You may choose to give your anonymous feedback to us beginning September 12, 2022 by accessing the Anoka-Hennepin Schools website at ahschools.us/superintendentsearch and completing the survey form. All replies will be anonymous. Please submit feedback by Oct. 4, 2022.
Please feel free to contact Ken Dragseth at 952-210-2790 or Toni Johns at 612-309-1511 if you have any questions regarding the search. We look forward to your assistance in this search process and believe that your input will help us make the best possible choice for your next superintendent.
Sincerely,
Board of Education, Anoka-Hennepin Schools
Marci Anderson, Chair
Nicole Hayes, Vice Chair
Erin Heers-McArdle, Treasurer
Jeff Simon, Clerk
Kacy Deschene, Director
Matt Audette, Director
Community and stakeholder feedback is an essential element to a successful search for a new superintendent. Please provide your input for consideration. All replies will remain anonymous. Please submit feedback by Oct. 4, 2022.
Complete a survey by clicking on the link(s) below:
Reminders from the school office
Attendance Line: 763-506-8206 or 763-506-8200 press 1 for attendance - Please be sure to spell the first and last name of the student when reporting an absence.
Birthday Treats: Please do not send food items to school for birthdays. Students are able to share a non food item such as a special pencil with classmates.
We are happy to serve you!
The school office staff, Ellen, Kelly, and Mandy
News from Rum River Association of Families and Teachers - RAFT
Rum River Elementary families,
Over the last couple of years we have partnered with Boosterthon to host a Dance Fit and Fun Run experience for our students! This year we are excited to host the Rum River Obstacle Challenge on October 19th.
To take a quick sneak peak on what it will look like this year: CLICK HERE
The need for new resources is ongoing, and this year we have a goal of raising $50,000 to fund an inclusive playground upgrade and help our amazing teachers and students.
Registration opens TODAY! Those who register today will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Walmart!
This e-newsletter is published by Rum River Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.