Lester Park School Newsletter - #22
January 26, 2023
Hello Lester Park Families!
Yesterday a couple of our other schools had a few buses cancelled due to a bus driver shortage. Please be prepared in case this happens to one of Lester Park's morning or afternoon buses. More information can be found at the bottom of this email.
The arctic air has returned! Please make sure your child comes with everything to keep them warm at recess: Snow pants, mittens, hat, boots, and a warm jacket.
I'd also like to say thank you for you patience while I catch up in all the work that has piled up while I was sick. I still have some emails, etc, to answer and am working hard on getting to them. The office has been very busy since I have been back so it's taking a little longer than I would like.
~ Tracy Thompson, Lester Admin Asst
Upcoming Dates:
Jan 26...conference signups go out to parents
Jan 30...PTA Meeting (special Guests - see below)
Jan 31...5th Grade Wolf Ridge Parent Meeting
Feb 7-9...PTA Book Fair
Feb 20-24...NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
Mar 4...5th Grade Wolf Ridge Fundraiser at Bent Paddle
Mar 9...Grandparents Day
Apr 28...Spring Concert
The School Calendar can be found on our website HERE
Lunch menu change
Address changes
Examples of what we can accept for a Residence Verification for a new address:
* Property Tax Statement
* Purchase Agreement
* Lease Agreement
* or are a Family In Transition
This a school district policy. Please email tracy.thompson@isd709.org with questions. Thanks!
Sporadic emails going to SPAM
Dressing for COLD Weather
Recess and Crossing Guard cold weather criteria
There will be inside recess and no crossing guards when the wind chills or actual temperatures are colder than -15 degrees.
Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather: winter jacket, snow pants, mittens, hat, boots, etc. Students do great outside during their 20 minute recess but they need to be dressed for it!
Report Cards
Report Cards will also be mailed out next week.
PTA Meeting this coming Monday!
Join us at our quarterly membership meeting Jan 30th from 6 to 7pm.
Send any topics you'd like to discuss to ptalp709@gmail.com by 1/29.
Our agenda is as follows-
- Introductions and budget. Budget (5 min)
- Time for Superintendent John Magas and Assistant Superintendent Anthony Bonds to discuss general questions and topics. (20 min)
- Carnival and upcoming events and volunteer opportunities (20 min)
- Q and A (5min)
The meeting will be in the school cafeteria. Hope to see you there!
Important update for our 2023 Kindergarten Meet & Greet!
Current Kindergartners will likely have school on Friday, March 31. We will let you know for sure later next week once we hear something.
We apologize for any confusion and thank you for your patience with these changes.
Winter Parent/Teacher Conferences
The PTA Book Fair will also run from Feb 7-9, including the two main conference nights 2/7 & 2/9. The Book Fair is going to have some cool changes this time. We will let you know all about it in the next school newsletter.
Resources for Helping Your Child Manage Big Emotions
Resources for Helping Your Child Manage Big Emotions
At school, we utilize a social-emotional learning program called Second Step to help teach students how to interact positively, manage conflict, and regulate big emotions. All of these are things that you can support at home, too! You are your child’s first and most important teacher and an integral part of your child’s learning. Below are some resources to help support these conversations at home.
Resources for Families How Can We Help Kids with Self-Regulation?
2023-24 District Calendar
The 2023-24 calendar is now out. Please click on this link to view it: 2023-24 ISD709 School District Calendar
SOME HELPFUL REMINDERS...
I know these are kind of a bummer, but unfortunately they are district policies:
- Students are only able to ride buses that they are assigned too. They are not able to ride with a friend on a different bus.
- Family members are not allowed to join their child for lunch in the cafeteria or at recess.
- Birthday invitations may not be handed out in classrooms unless the whole class is invited.
FAQ
* How to log on to IC -
* What is the Infinite Campus App -
* Why am I receiving an attendance notification
on my phone after my child is late for school?
* How to order the yearbook -
* What are the rules about Cell Phones and Smart Watches?
* How do I receive homework for my child during their absence?
* Why did I receive and attendance letter for my child?
IMPORTANT - Handicap Parking Spots
So unless you have a handicap placard/plate/sign, AND are picking up a child with a disability, or are disabled, please do not park OR WAIT in these spots.
Also, there is a handicap ramp off the sidewalk in front of the front doors. Please do not block it with your car.
We will be putting out some signs and cones as reminders. Thank you for understanding.
If your child tests positive for Covid...
* Call the attendance line or email lesterattendance@isd709.org and state COVID and the first absent day. You do not need to call in every day after that.
* Your child will need to be absent for 5 days. The test day is DAY 0. Your child can come back to school on Day 6.
* A mask is required for DAYS 6-10, if they are feeling better and back in school.
* You do not need to fill out a COVID online form for students anymore. Just letting the school know is all that is required.
If you have questions please call the health office 336-8875 ext. 2654 or ext. 2522.
Please Be Prepared If a School Bus Route Is Cancelled
Cancelling a school bus route at the last minute is not a preferred strategy and we hope we never have to take this step. However, Duluth school district schools and staff are preparing for this possibility and want to ensure families are prepared as well.
- The need to cancel a school bus route for a day may be announced the night before or early in the morning (between 5AM to 6:15AM) much like a snow day.
- The bus route will be referred to by School Name/AM or PM Service/Route Number.
In Infinite Campus Parent Portal you can check your child's morning and afternoon route numbers.
- Families impacted by the bus route cancellation will be notified:
Automated phone call from the school district
Email from the school district
Text from the school district (if the family is set up to receive texts)
- Families impacted by the school bus route cancellation can either:
Provide transportation for their child in place of that route or
Keep their child home and, as long as they report the absence to the school, It will be considered excused.
- Families, especially those with elementary age students, should have a contingency plan for their children in the event of a school bus route cancellation.
If you receive a "Bus" cancellation notification, but your child does not ride a bus...
Community Flyers
Here are the Let’s Move free indoor fitness event details. We are partnering with Grandma’s Marathon to offer this event to the community....
LET’S MOVE
February 18, 10-3 pm
For kids in grades K-5
The Depot is partnering with Grandma’s Marathon Young Athletes Foundation to bring a FREE & FUN fitness event to The Depot.
Along with the Young Athletes Foundation and The Depot, organizations such as the Minnesota Ballet, YMCA, Duluth Huskies, Girls on the Run, 4-H, local athletic teams, and more will offer healthy and engaging indoor fitness activities which encourage and empower kids and families to participate in healthy lifestyle habits and physical activity at home and in the community. Demonstrations, informational booths, and healthy snacks will be part of the day as well. Info about the event should be up on Facebook today: https://www.facebook.com/YoungAthletesFoundation. Please share with families. A flyer and facebook graphic is also attached.
The second is a free game night for all ages.
Games at The Depot
February 24, 3 to 11 pm
The Depot is partnering with Collectors Connection and the Minnesota Jigsaw Puzzle Association to offer tabletop and card gaming, puzzling, game tutorials, and Pokemon and Magic tournaments. It will be offered the Friday during ISD 709 school break starting at 3 pm so parents will have a fun and free activity for kids during break.
The STEAM Festival will also be back on May 13th. It is a free day of science, technology, engineering, art, and math for kids in grades K-5. I'll send more info when it is available.
More Community Flyers can be found HERE
ABOUT US
ISD709 School District Update Center
Email: tracy.thompson@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/lester-park-elementary
Location: 5300 Glenwood Street, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
Phone: (218) 336-8875
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lester-Park-Elementary-1900216436910729