Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
February 9, 2022 Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
Greetings Woodcrest families,
Back in the swing of things.
It is nice to be “back in the swing of things.” We have seen a pattern of attendance return to “normal” for both students and staff. There is a comforting hum of activity. Second grade students have been enjoying the use of Woodcrest’s STEM room. First grade students continue to celebrate and reinforce productive language skills. The fourth grade team has welcomed an Axolotl to one of their classrooms, Señor. Lotl, as the students have named him, has been the focus of a number of inquiry-based learning activities since its arrival last week. If you do not know what an Axolotl is, I would recommend you investigate it. They are neat.
Valentine’s Day is next week. We are not planning any elaborate celebrations at school. I have asked teachers to keep learning as the focus and to have fun with their students while celebrating friendship and togetherness. We will encourage and support students in sharing valentines with one another electronically. If your child does choose to bring valentine cards from home, please have one for every child in the class if they are shared at school. Please do not include any food/candy/treats.
There are a lot of events and activities that are starting to get us excited about next year. It was fun to meet some future kindergarteners at our kickoff event for next year. If you know a future Panther, let them know it’s not too late to visit Woodcrest or to enroll for next year. The priority deadline for enrollment is February 28, 2022. And tomorrow, 4th graders and families, don’t forget you are invited to Westwood to learn more about 5th grade. I do not want anyone to miss this chance to look around and learn more about next year.
Please be aware that last evening, the school board approved changes to the Face Mask Decision-Making Guide that will be in place after February 25 through the end of the school year. If you missed it, see the update that went out earlier today. You will find it informative.
I hope you are all enjoying the mild temps this week. The temperatures and increasing daylight have a direct effect on the level of fun we can have outside after school. This weather makes me want to challenge the groundhog…I predict an early, and very welcome, spring.
Con gratitúd,
John Franke
Fourth Grade Families: Intro to 5th Grade Band
Starting in fifth grade, students can choose to take band lessons. Learn more about your student's option to join band in middle school tomorrow evening, Thursday, February 10, at the Westwood Welcome event for 4th grade families. Stop by for one of our band presentations at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. or join us via WebEx, using the meeting code: joinband
Please note, meeting attendance will not be required for students to join band. The meeting will be recorded and available to families after the event on the band website.
Watch this short introduction video and learn more about band, choosing an instrument and how to register on this Westwood Band webpage. The priority registration deadline for 5th grade band is Tuesday, March 1.
Conociendo al Sr. Lotl
What is an Axolotl? It is an amphibian related to the tiger salamander.
The name Axolotl comes from the Aztecs. It is the name for the Aztec god of Fire and Lightning "Xolotl." Legend has it that Xolotl disguised himself as a salamander to avoid being sacrificed.
Conociendo al Sr. Alberg
Ben has been married to his wife Ashley for over eight years and has three kids. Mason, who goes to Anoka High School, Mischa, who goes to Fred Moore Middle School and Spencer, who goes to Brookside Elementary.
The Woodcrest staff is very thankful for the all the hard work that goes into making sure this place stays nice, neat, organized and cleaned for all of us. Thanks, Ben!
Time's running out: Get your Panthers for a Purpose Party tickets
Purchase your tickets for the biggest Panther Party of the year on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids. The Panthers for a Purpose Party will close out the fundraising week featuring an amazing Silent Auction that will be open to all of our community again this year.
The Panther Party will feature the band Good for Gary, a Twin Cities favorite that specializes in playing current and past dance hits, focusing on the newest Top 40 songs. Guests will sing and dance the night away celebrating SLP Schools and our community. We are planning a fun evening with appetizers, games and special program moments. Suggested attire is cocktail or dressy casual - we want you to be comfortable and enjoy yourself! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the general ticket holders. VIP Party starts at 5:30 p.m.
Time is ticking so purchase your tickets today! VIP tickets are only available until February 11. General event ticket prices will increase by $20 after February 11, if still available.
Art Adventure is returning to Woodcrest!
We need at least eight volunteers to attend training (via zoom) with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and then come to school to lead simple discussions about art pieces from their collection. Daytime (next Tuesday) or evening (next two Thursdays) training options are available to prepare for meeting with classes at least three times between February 3-28.
Summer Reading Initiative
If you are working on a New Year's Resolution to clear clutter from your house-Woodcrest PTO is collecting gently used books for our annual Summer Reading Initiative. Just before school is finished, students are able to pick out free books to read over summer break. We will have a drop off box in the lobby, or if you have a large amount we can pick them up from your house too!
PTO Contact Information
If you have any ideas, questions, or concerns, please reach out to the Woodcrest Spanish Immersion PTO.
- Thursday, February 10 - Westwood Welcome, visit in-person (4th Grade Families), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, February 17-Monday, February 21 - No school
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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