Laura MacArthur Eagle Update
Family Newsletter - August 2019
Welcome Back Laura MacArthur families and students!
Welcome to Laura MacArthur Elementary!
Welcome Back to the 19-20 school year!
Summer activities are coming to a close and back to school images can be seen everywhere. Every school year brings new beginnings for families, students and staff. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and getting the school year off to a fantastic start.
With your partnership we can help you child achieve his or her goals. This newsletter is designed to provide you with information on how you can assist us at Laura MacArthur. Please read on to know more!
Make sure your child gets to school every day and on time. When is my child expected to be at school?
Make sure your child comes to school prepared to learn and ready to participate. Where can I get a list of school supplies for my child?
Communicate with us so we can be meet the needs of your child. Who is my child's teacher?
Get to know the staff at school, especially your child's teacher. When is Open House?
Get involved! Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) group that meets once a month or volunteer to help with activities. Who do I contact to get involved at school?
Call us if you have any questions. See Contact Us!
Stay connected! Visit our website. Provide your email for regular e-newsletters like this one
It is an honor to work at Laura MacArthur and to work with great students, staff, and families. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you in August!
Jim Erickson
Principal
1st DAY OF SCHOOL GRADES 1-5, TUES, SEPT 3, 2019!
Kindergarten students will begin on September 5.
Kindergarten Parents and students will have an opportunity for a pre-start conference with their teacher on September 3rd or 4th. This will allow your incoming student to feel comfortable and confident for their 1st day of elementary school. Teachers will contact families to schedule a time or you can find a time during Open House on August 29. Our teachers want to hear from you about your child.
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
Who is my child's Teacher?
Your child's class placement for fall has been mailed home on August 22. If you do not receive a letter by August 28th, please contact the office at 336-8900.
When is my child expected to be at school?
We expect your child to get to school every day and on time. Our daily student hours are from 7:45 am to 2:15 pm. Please do not drop your child off before 7:15 am. All students will be directed to the cafeteria from 7:15-7:40 am. If your child will be taking advantage of the FREE school breakfast program, they will be allowed to enter the cafeteria beginning at 7:15 am.
Please print off a copy of the ISD 709 2019-20 calendar for information about when school is in session. You can download a copy here.
What if my child is ill or late to school?
If you child will be absent, please contact the attendance line at 218-336-8900 each day your child will be out.
*Please note that our front entrance is locked at 7:50 each morning to ensure the safety of our students. If you are arriving late, please accompany your child into the office to check them in.
Who is teaching at Laura MacArthur?
Here is the current Laura MacArthur staff for the 2019-20 School year
Kindergarten: Mrs. Borich, Eaton, TBD
1st: Mrs. Tarnowski, Shevich, Auran
2nd: Mrs. Demianiuk/Jeske, Morris, Harala
3rd: Mrs. DeBolt & Mrs. Hallgren
4th: Mrs. Olson, Pelto, and Glomski
5th: Mr. Metzer, Mrs. Meyer and Pavlisich
Resource: Mr. Leone, Wade, M. Gordon & Mrs. C. Gordon, Larsen
Specialists: Mrs. Drengler-PE, Mrs. Soderlund-Art, Mrs. Knettle-Media, and Mr. Scherz-Music
Intervention: Mrs. Larsen & Mr. Larsen
Note: The names in blue are linked to district e-mail addresses. Some of our newer teachers have yet to obtain district email addresses.
Fall Open House - August 29, 2019 from 4-5:30 pm
SAVE THE DATE: Our open house will be held on Thursday, August 29 from 4-5:30 PM. This is a great opportunity for students to meet their new teacher, get settled with their supplies, and to complete start of the year paperwork. Kindergarten families will also have the opportunity to sign up for their Kindergarten Connection meeting to be scheduled on September 3 or 4.
meet your child's new teacher
drop of school supplies
complete district and school required forms
add money to your child's lunch account, etc.
School Communication
Face to Face
Family/staff conference or meeting
Open House
PTA Meetings
Peace Maker Assemblies
Family Nights
Holiday Music Program
Grandparent/Special Friend day
End of the year picnic
Voice to Voice
Phone conferencing with school staff
Class Dojo (Teacher/Parent communication)
- Newsletter or via Website/Social
- Infinite Campus-Parent Portal (https://www.isd709.org/departments/technology/infinite-campus)
- Wednesday Folders-Information sent home
- Teacher updates sent home
- Eagle Update to families
- School Website (https://www.isd709.org/laura-macarthur/index)
- Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LauraMacEaglesRewardSchool/)
- Twitter (https://twitter.com/@JamesWErickson)
Please let Laura MacArthur Staff know how we can best communicate.
Free/Reduced Lunch Forms
Dear Laura MacArthur Families –
We appreciate families taking time to apply for Free/Reduced price lunch. This form is so important to complete in order for our school to receive additional funding that supports Laura MacArthur students. Even if you don't think you qualify, please submit as the qualifications change from year to year.
If you tried applying online and didn’t see Laura MacArthur listed as a school choice, please try again. PayPAMS made an error and listed MacWest instead of Laura MacArthur. They’ve corrected the online application to now read Laura Mac Elem.
Please use this link to apply online: www.paypams.com/onlineapp
You may also apply using hard copy forms - pick them up at school or use this link to download them: www.isd709.org/departments/child-nutrition/free-and-reduced-price-meals
Thanks for your patience and thanks for applying for Free/Reduced price lunch.
School Safety Update
Before drills are conducted with students, we work with classes to help them understand what we are doing. We continue to explain to students that building staff have options, and any decision made will be based on the situation and the best information available.
Offsite Rally Points in Emergency Situations
In the event that Laura MacArthur Elementary needs to evacuate the building and move to a rally point, our staff have been trained to go to our primary rally point located at Stella Maris Academy-St. James School. For those students or staff not able to evacuate and that need additional assistance, they will be able to remain in the building with staff supervision. Safety plans for students that need additional assistance are created by school staff throughout the school year. Once at a rally point, connecting families and students would then take place.
Laura MacArthur Evacuation Sites (Family Reunification points)
- 1st Site Facility - St. James School - 715 North 57th Ave West, Duluth, MN 55807
- 2nd Site Facility - Denfeld High School - 401 N 44th Ave W, Duluth MN, 55807
Further safety information will be shared with families throughout the school year.
Help Wanted!
We are looking for someone interested in working out on our cafeteria everyday from 10:40-1:10. The pay is $9.50 per hour, but you will get way more benefits from seeing the fun and excitement of our kids. Please contact the office if you are interested.
FUNDRAISER!
Important Changes to Campus Portal: Campus Portal will be removed on June 30, 2019 and replaced with Campus Student and Campus Parent.
What does this mean for the Campus App?
Campus Student and Campus Parent will replace our old app, Campus Mobile Portal. “This app will be retiring soon. Download your new Infinite Campus App: Campus Student or Campus Parent."). Campus Mobile Portal will be removed from the app store June 30, 2019. All app users will need to download Campus Parent or Campus Student.
Questions? Answers to frequently asked questions and links to documentation.
Promote Campus Student and Campus Parent! Be sure to access and use this press kit to promote the new apps.
Mental Health Resources and Support for Students and Families
Please contact our school Social Workers at school 336-8900
Amanda Borling, Ext. 3020
Christine Ziegler, Ext. 3124
or the main office
2019-2020 School Year
- 8/23: Last day for BREAKFAST/LUNCH Program
- 8/27-28: Staff Development Days
- 8/29: Open House (4-5:30 pm)
- 9/3: 1st day of school for grades 1-5
- 9/5: 1st day of school for Kindergarten students
- 9/17: 5th Grade Field Trip
- 10/4: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 10/8: Family/Teacher Conference Night
- 10/10: Family/Teacher Conference Night
- 10/11: PICTURE DAY
- 10/28: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Staff Development Day
- 11/6: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 11/12: PICTURE RE-TAKE DAY
- 12/6: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 12/19: Holiday Music Program
- 12/23-Jan 1: NO SCHOOL-Winter Break
- 1/2: School Resumes
- 1/3: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 1/17: NO SCHOOL-Semester Break
- 1/20: NO SCHOOL-MLK Day
- 2/4: Family/Teacher Conference Night
- 2/6: Family/Teacher Conference Night
- 2/7: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 2/10-15: Prairie Fire Theater
- 2/14: Winter Activity Day
- 2/17-21: NO SCHOOL-Winter Recess
- 2/24-28: 5th Grade to STARBASE (2 Sections)
- 2/27: SPRING PICTURE DAY (For those interested)
- 3/2-6: I love to Red Week
- 3/3: Cultural Family Night
- 3/9-13: 5th Grade to STARBASE (1 Section)
- 3/10: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 3/20: Spring Fling Dance
- 3/24: MCA Kick-off Assembly
- 3/26-27: Kindergarten Roundup
- 4/1: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 4/6-10: NO SCHOOL-Spring Break
- 5/7: Grandparent/Special Friend Day
- 5/22: Field Day
- 5/28: Peace Maker Assemblies
- 6/3: 5th Grade Honors Assembly
- 6/4: End of the Year Picnic
- 6/5: Last Day of School for Students
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