Minne Scoop
November 1, 2021
A Note From Mr. Archer
Minnehaha Family,
Elementary school teachers are a brave group. If trying to maintain order in a kindergarten classroom for 8 hours doesn't intimidate you then not much will. However, add Halloween costumes and candy to the mix and you almost put them over the edge. It is fun to see the crazy and creative costumes students wore to school on Thursday. As a parent, who once had young children, I know there is a certain amount of drama that goes along with selecting and/or preparing a Halloween costume. Thanks for your hard work. I think your children had fun at school on Thursday. We will include a few pictures for your enjoyment!
Here is some good news regarding something almost as scary. Our COVID numbers have plummeted. At one point last week we had no cases and only 2 quarantines! Thank you for all you are doing to keep your child and all our children healthy.
The biggest news right now continues to be the referendum. If you haven’t already voted then be sure to vote on November 2nd. If you have questions about the vote or want more information about the buildings, the district needs, and the impact of the vote, please visit https://www.anchorourfuture.org/
Obviously, many of you with young children have a special interest in this vote. However, as a community, we are all impacted by the quality of our schools. At the very foundation of healthy and growing communities are great schools. People have differing opinions regarding what makes a great school and how to get there, but we all have a chance to make our voices heard on this important issue. Don’t miss out on this very important opportunity to do so.
Brett Archer, Principal
Minnehaha Upcoming Events
- Thursday, November 4th ~ End of Quarter 1
- Wednesday, November 10th ~ Evening Conferences
- Thursday, November 11th ~ Conferences - No School
- Monday, November 15th-Thursday, November 18th ~ Minnehaha book Fair
- Thursday, November 25th ~ No School - Happy Thanksgiving!!
- Thursday, December 9th ~ Midquarter
- Monday, December 27th-Thursday, December 30th ~ Holiday Break
A Salute to Our Nurses
Working in the school office I observe daily the steady stream of youngsters on their way to see the nurse. Our nurses will tend to their bumps and bruises. They will put on bandaids and hand out ice packs. They will often soothe hurt feelings and dispense medications, create safety protocols, do vision and hearing screenings, and call on vaccine updates. This is typical fare for a school nurse. BUT did you know the nurse also keeps a huge box of socks close by because a surprising number of kids need socks when they come to school? Did you know she keeps a stash of special tooth containers for the baby teeth that seem to be falling out all day long around here? Did you know that for many kids the nurse, by default, fills the role of primary health care provider? And did you know the nurse most likely knows every child in the school by name (400 of them!)?
The pandemic has put a tremendous additional workload on already busy school nurses. If you have received the dreaded, “your child has been quarantined” phone call, it was most likely made by a school nurse (She actually makes these calls day and night and even on the weekends.). You may have been the 15th or 20th parent she delivered the news to that day. Delivering bad news is never fun. Contact tracing and following the district “decision tree” is also their job. It no doubt wears on a person. But if you are that 75th child who needs to see the nurse that day, you will still find that cheery lady who takes time to listen to you and assures you that it will be fine.
School nurses are a huge part of our social safety net. They are also part of the very fabric of a school, as much as teachers are. They provide care, educate children and make them all feel special. They do all this and still keep a wary eye out for the multitude of viruses, ailments, and illnesses that come into the school on a daily basis! The next time you get a call from a school nurse thank them for their endless dedication to these tasks.
Thank you, Nurse Sherri and Nurse Sarah!
Picture Retakes & Class pictures
Parents will use the same code for picture retakes and class pictures that we used for our initial picture day. Event Code: FE102021 The pictures are not yet ready to view. We will send an email out to parents when they are ready.
What We're Up To!
Student Spotlight ~ Sayler McMillan
Teacher: Mrs. Rees
Student's Accomplishment: Sayler goes out of her way to be kind to classmates and help with any task in the classroom. Sayler - you are a wiggle worm but you are working SO hard every day you are at school! Keep it up!
Staff Spotlight ~ Jeralyn Shaw - Music Teacher
About Me: I am the new music teacher at the Minnehaha. I will be here on Tuesdays and Thursdays and am looking forward to meeting the students. I am a mother of five grown children and a grandma. We recently moved back to our home in Silver Bay after living in California. We love the North Shore and I am excited to get to know the students.
Hobbies: I love singing, playing the piano, and playing with my two dogs named Cookie and Tramp.
Why Did You Go Into Education: I love teaching and helping students achieve success. Inside every student is the ability to learn, grow and build confidence in their talents. I find joy in helping students discover their potential.
What do you enjoy most about the Minnehaha: Minnehaha is filled with loving and caring teachers. I could feel this the moment I stepped inside the building. We each have a common goal of helping our students succeed.
About Us
Email: barcher@isd381.org
Website: https://www.isd381.k12.mn.us/minnehaha/
Location: Minnehaha Elementary School, 7th Street, Two Harbors, MN, USA
Phone: 218-834-8221
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Minnehaha-Elementary-Lake-Superior-School-District-103493627983228