News and events
February 7, 2023
Upcoming Dates
Thursday, February 9 - Read n Eat 8:40-9:10am, gym
Monday, February 13 - PTO meeting, Dayton Elementary
Monday, February 13th - Conferences
Wednesday, February 15th - Conferences
Thursday, February 16th - Conferences
Monday, February 20 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day
Tuesday, February 21 - NO SCHOOL - Staff Development
The month of February is Black History Month. It is important this month, and all year long, to recognize, honor and celebrate the contributions of Black individuals throughout our history.
A message from the principal
Dayton Families,
February is “I Love to Read Month '' and we are thrilled to offer the special One School, One Book program at Dayton Elementary to celebrate this month. While all families have received a copy of the book, Crenshaw, it is an optional activity for families to participate in if they choose. Books allow us to view and understand lives that are different from our own, like a window into other experiences.
Please note that this story, about friendship, may prompt an emotional response, questions and/or family conversations for the reader. This is the magic of reading! Jackson, the main character, and his family are going through difficult times. Once homeless, Jackson’s imaginary friend, Crenshaw, helped him cope with his family's struggles. "Imaginary friends are like books. We're created, we're enjoyed, we're dog-eared and creased, and then we're tucked away until we're needed again." Surprised by Crenshaw’s reappearance in his life, Jackson questions reality versus imagination, but is secretly glad to have Crenshaw by his side once again. Some parents/guardians may choose to read the book on their own before determining if their child reads it, listens to it, or chooses to set it aside for a different book. Whatever your family chooses, we hope you find quality time together to enjoy reading as a family.
If your student would like to participate, but schedules are busy, we’ve provided some resources to help your child. Please see this slideshow for more information.
This month, we are also collecting photos of our students and families reading together. If you’d like to share your reading photo, please send it to DaytonEagleNews@gmail.com . These photos will be displayed in our school.
We invite you to join us for the special One School, One Book Read and Eat Celebration on Thursday, February 9 from 8:40 to 9:10am. Bring your copy of Crenshaw, or a different family favorite, to read with your child and a blanket or towel to sit on.
During the month of February, our students are learning about honesty. Character Strong defines honesty as “being truthful in what you say and do.”
Families can learn more about how to support conversations about honesty with these resources:
Kindergarten Family Connection
Second Grade Family Connection
Fourth Grade Family Connection
We look forward to seeing you at our winter conferences later this month. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Jessica Wippler
Winter Conferences
Sign up for Winter Conferences at www.myconferencetime.com/dayton
Winter Conference Schedule
Monday, February 13th
Wednesday, February 15th
Thursday, February 16th
For families wanting a virtual conference option, please choose a conference within these windows of time:
Monday 4:10-5:10
Wednesday 5:55-6:55
Thursday 6:55-7:55
Please schedule a time with your child’s homeroom teacher for a Winter Conference. If you would like to meet with a specialist teacher, please make an additional conference with that teacher on their individual schedule.
Looking for your child’s teacher? Click here for more information.
When reserving your time slot, please include your email address so that we can send out an email reminder the week before your scheduled conference.
Thank you! If you are having issues - please contact the Dayton Office Staff at 763-506-2200.
Need help signing up for a conference? Click here for English. Click here for Spanish
Our Scholastic book fair will be held in the gym again, during evening conference times ONLY. The book fair will be open to students and families on Monday, Feb. 13th, Wednesday, Feb. 15th, and Thursday, Feb. 16th, from 4:15-7:45PM. Students will NOT purchase books during the school day or during their media class time.
Online shopping will also be available at our Dayton book fair site: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/dayton
Look for more information coming home with your child soon. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the love of reading!
The Art Adventures Program from the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) wrapped up last month and students in 1st-5th grade got to enjoy seeing six different pieces of art from the Cultural Reflections in Art collection. Parent volunteers, Erin Moll, Sarah Jarvis, Ronna Thompsen, Martin Staehnke, Natalie Little, Heidi Gluth, and Ashley Evans were guest presenters in the classrooms. The collection included a nail figure from Africa, a money tree from China, ear spools from Peru, and paintings of a French Princess, Latino performer, and life on the Melrose Plantation. Some of the pieces dated back 2,000 years! We were lucky to be able to expose the students to art from around the world. They asked such wonderful questions that sparked conversations about culture, creativity, and history. There were even props for them to handle in order to better their understanding about the pieces. The real pieces can be seen on display at the MIA.
February Specialists Highlights
Art
In third grade art we finished the Jim Dine hearts, learning about pattern. Jim Dine is an American artist who often creates artwork of hearts. Students persevered on these and they turned out great! Ask them what was challenging and what are they most proud of. We will continue to study and practice making patterns in our next projects through February and tri 2. One artist we will learn about is Matisse.
Core
During the month of February all students will continue learning to code. Kindergarten and 1st grade are learning code using Scratch Jr.. Scratch Jr. is an app that can be downloaded onto most tablets. Students will use iPads for these lessons. Students in grades 2-5 will continue to learn coding using Scratch. Scratch is a web based program that students can access from anywhere. These students have a school account and password for Scratch to save their work. If you have any questions about Scratch coding please feel free to send me an email. cathy.malone@ahschools.us
Explorations
Fifth graders are studying colonization. Fourth grade is starting a new unit on geography. Third grade explorations has been all about crayfish with real live crayfish in their classrooms! Second grade students will be starting a new unit on motion. First graders just finished a geography unit and are beginning one on economics. Kindergartners finished economics and are studying geography now.
As always feel free to contact us with questions. We are also open for conferences.
Media
Students in grades K-2 will continue reading Star of the North nominee books. We will vote for our favorite book in March! Students in grades 3 are learning how the library is organized and how they can use our online library catalog, Destiny Discover, to search for books and learn important information about each book in our library. Students in grades 4 and 5 will continue learning about different genres of books. We also hope to see you at the Book Fair! It will be held during conferences Feb. 13th, 15th and 16th. Look for more information coming soon!
Music
Pitch in music goes up and down by steps or skips. In the West we base our music on the Major and minor scales. In music class at Dayton we add the hand signs to help us learn how to sing the scale. Your child can sing and demonstrate for you!
PhyEd
GYM SHOES! GYM SHOES! GYM SHOES! We will be working on overhand throw and catch. Basketball skills will follow (dribble, pass, shoot).
Parent Education and Family Engagement
Pre-K to Grade 3 Parenting Educator
Anoka-Hennepin School District PH: 651-317-9650
welde.dubarkollie@ahschools.us
Pre-K to Grade 3 Webpage for additional parenting resources
https://www.ahschools.us/prektograde3
Dayton Elementary PTO
Thank you for supporting our January Nautical Bowls fundraiser. It was so fun seeing many Dayton Eagles enjoying a cold treat on such a chilly night. Community partnerships like this makes our heart sing. We are so thankful for you and Nautical Bowls.
BRICK by BRICK FUNDRAISER
February 1-28th, 2023
Dayton PTO is raising funds to provide every 2022-23 classroom with an engraved 4x8 brick that will be part of a patio installed in the grass area in front of the little library. All the proceeds of this fundraiser will go towards Phase II of our new playground. Phase I will be installed in the spring.
Each classroom will have the opportunity to individualize their brick. Each 4x8 brick is $125 and our overall goal is to raise $3,875 for the entire school.
You can participate by sending in cash or checks made out to Dayton PTO to your classroom teacher or pay using PayPal (Dayton Elementary School PTO) or Venmo @DaytonElemPTO. We will also accept donations during conferences.
Are you ready to become more involved in your child's school? The PTO is the perfect place to start. During conferences on Monday, Feb 13th, PTO members will be in the gym ready to answer questions and share some of the top reasons parents get involved. Please stop by and say hi. New members will be needed for the next school year. Positions available will include: President, Treasurer, Secretary and Fundraising Chair.
Do you have a skill set that is strong with finances, social media marketing/communications, leading, organizing, or philanthropy? We'd ❤️ to connect. If you are unable to meet us on Feb 13, please email daytonptomn@gmail.com.
Here are additional ways to get involved:
1 - Attend an upcoming restaurant night
The We Are Dayton Eagles Restaurant Nights are back! Skip cooking on one or both of these nights, and a portion of your food will be donated to the Dayton PTO as long as you mention you are there for the Dayton PTO fundraiser.
Upcoming dates/locations:
March 7th between 4 pm-8 pm at Chipotle in Champlin
2 - Join a PTO meeting
All parents, teachers, and administration members are invited to monthly PTO meetings. Please join us to share your ideas – we’d love to hear them. All meetings occur at Dayton elementary school and run from 6:00-7:30.
Upcoming PTO meeting dates:
February 13th
March 6th
April 10th
May 9th
3 - Lastly, follow our Facebook page for updates on 2023 events and happenings: https://www.facebook.com/DaytonElementaryPTO/
Volunteer News
Special thank you to Sierra Batalden, owner of Shoot for Joy Photography for taking amazing pictures at our Dayton Holiday Shoppe. Visit her website at www.shootforjoyphotography.com
We have several volunteer opportunities including the February Book Fair coming up: Volunteer Here - Sign up
CHALLENGE READING/MATH PLUS
If you are interested in Challenge Reading or Math Plus please reach out via email to Heidi.stumpf@ahschools.us with your name, primary email address and schedule of availability. You will receive follow-up training information from the district to get started. We hope to kick off small groups in January.
Heidi, Dayton Volunteer Services Coordinator at heidi.stumpf@ahschools.us
Dayton Elementary participates in the Box Tops for Education, so please scan your receipts. It helps raise money for our school! Click here to learn how.
Quick Information
Absences and Late Arrivals (Attendance line is open 24/7)
Every day that your student will be absent or late, you must call the attendance line or enter attendance online in order to have their absence counted as excused. Please DO NOT email your child's teacher with attendance information.
763-506-2206
OR
Log into My Student Information or the ParentVUE app. Refer to these step-by-step directions for more information.
Change in Dismissal (Please notify the office by 3:00 p.m.)
763.506.2200
Student Morning drop-off
Drop-off occurs from 9:15 am to 9:30 am. Students may enter the building at 9:15 am, when the first bell rings.
- Please do not drop your child(ren) off at the school before 9:15 a.m., as staff are not on duty until 9:15 a.m.
Please be advised that there is no supervision if students arrive before 9:15 am.
During inclement weather, they may be waiting outside.
Student Release from School
District guidelines require us to verify the ID of anyone picking up a student from school. Only parents or guardians are permitted to leave with students without verbal or written parent permission. It does not matter if they are an emergency contact.
NOTE: Please call the school office at 763-506-2200 if someone else is picking up your child. All students leaving school during school hours will be signed out at the school office.
763.506.2204
763.506.2213
763.506.2211
First Student Bus Co.
763.421.5785 First Student Champlin (regular routes to/from Dayton Elementary)
763.421.3199 First Student Anoka (students receiving special education transportation)
Please save these Bus Company numbers for use when the school office is closed. The bus company dispatch can locate and communicate with drivers on bus routes.
This e-newsletter is published by Dayton Elementary School, supported by the Anoka-Hennepin communication and public relations department. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.