Back to School!
September 2, 2022
Educational Excellence with an Environmental Emphasis
Message from Principal Cook
Hello everyone. I am so excited to welcome you all to a new school year at Stowe Elementary. The opportunities at Stowe offer Educational Excellence with an Environmental Emphasis. Many people within our school and our community work together with our shared environmental education and academic growth missions. You are a big part in our success. Thank you for all that you do to help us educate our children. Together, let's continue to build and improve our school-to-home partnership to provide a meaningful educational experience for our children. Our motto is Work Hard, Be Kind. Our mascot is the Bulldog.
We ask that you guide and support your child's learning by ensuring that they:
- Attend school daily and arrive on time to learn
- Read daily to develop a love for reading
- Share school experiences with you
We can´t wait to see our Stowe Bulldogs on September 6th (September 8th for Kindergarten). Happy Learning!
Jessica Cook, Principal
218.336.8845 x1134
Kindergarten - Starts on September 8th
Starting School for 2022
What day does school start for Grades 1 - 5?
All students in grades 1 - 5 will start September 6th.
What day does school start for Kindergarten?
Kindergarten students will start September 8th. There will be an opportunity for Kindergarten families to individually meet with teachers on September 6th and 7th by appointment.
What are school hours?
7:45am-2:15pm (Doors open to students starting at 7:30am they should not arrive before this time). Students should be in their classroom ready to learn starting at 7:45am.
What is the attendance policy?
Students who arrive after 8:10 am will be marked excused or unexcused depending on the reason. After so many tardies, unexcused or excessive absences, attendance letters will be mailed out. If we do not hear from you before 8:45 am a robo call does go out to families. This is for the safety of your child - so we know where they are.
What time do the Buses arrive?
7:30 the Buses arrive. Grade K-5 students enter through the supervised side door. (Door I) This door is located in the bus pickup and drop-off area along Stowe Street.
Where is student drop off?
Student drop off/pick up is at the circle lot near the flagpole. Students will walk along the sidewalk to Door I. They should not enter Door H. Please drive slowly!!
Is breakfast provided?
During the 2022-2023 school year breakfast will be provided at no cost to all students.
Is lunch provided?
There is a fee of $2.60 for school lunch starting this year. Payments can be made by cash, checks to "child nutrition" or online.
Where is student pick up and what time?
Students will be released for Pick Up starting at 2:15pm. Parents may only pick up students at the front of the building - the side parking lot is for buses. The loop at the front of the building is ONE WAY traffic - go all the way around the loop to avoid any confusion with this. Please move your car as far forward as possible and walk out to meet your child and help them safely cross the parking lot. Do not park in the accessible parking spaces unless you have a parking pass to be there. Students will not be released by staff to cross to cars by themselves - they will need an adult to walk them across the lot. This is for the safety of your children - thank you for helping us to make the process run smoothly. During the first few weeks it will all take time. Thank you for being patient.
Where can I get a list of school supplies for my child?
The supply list is attached below and is also on our Stowe website.
Please make sure to label all of your child's belongings.
Who is my child's teacher?
Class assignments were mailed out last week and can also be found in the Parent Portal.
Building Security Doors ...
Similar to last year, parents and other visitors will not be allowed inside the building except for special situations or events.
School Day Hours
7:30am - Students should not arrive before this time
7:30am - Students are allowed in the building. They enter through door "I."
7:45am - Start of the school day. Students must be in their classrooms.
2:15pm - End of the school day. Students must be on buses or picked up by 2:25.
Information on Tardy and Unexcused:
Students need to be in the classrooms by 7:45.
Students who arrive between 7:45-8:10 will be marked tardy or excused tardy, depending on the reason they are late.
Students who arrive after 8:10 am will be marked Excused or Unexcused depending on the reason they are late.
After so many tardies, unexcused or excessive absences, attendance letters will be mailed out.
If you have the cell phone app and your child is late, please note you will receive two attendance emails. We need to first mark him/her absent and then check them in at their arrival time.
School Patrol For Students Who Walk
Trained School Patrol members will be on duty to assist walkers between 7:25-7:40 a.m. and 2:15-2:25 p.m. Before 7:25 a.m. or after 2:25 p.m. walkers are responsible for their own safety in crossing streets, Please urge your walkers to respect and listen to our school patrol members. They are there for student safety. Students may not cross at these intersections without the assistance of school patrol members. Commonwealth Avenue may be crossed only at Stowe Street or Fillmore. The student School Patrol members will be located at the following corners:
- Stowe and Commonwealth
- Stowe and 101st
- Stowe and Vintage Acres
Mr. Vang
We want to let you know that Mr. Vang has taken a different role at ISD 709 this year! We will miss him dearly. He will be working at the Area Learning Center. He asked me us to share this with all of you and to tell students that he hopes they have a great school year.
Facilities - our building is ready to go!
ALICE
Throughout the year both teachers and students will learn more about these techniques when we complete our required fire and lock down drills.
Transportation
We can't stress this enough...
Please be sure to check out your child's bus information in Infinite Campus to make sure it looks correct.
The school office cannot make the bus stop corrections. They have to be faxed into our Transportation Dept. You can also reach transportation directly at 218-336-8970. Remember to provide additional time at pick up and drop off during the first weeks of school. It takes time to get bus routes up and running efficiently. If you recently registered for school you will likely not have transportation set up for the first week. Please call their office to verify with any questions.
OUR PTA NEEDS YOU
218-213-2698
Parent Portal of Infinite Campus
The Parent Portal is how you access your child's school information on Infinite Campus. Some items you will find are: Bus Assignment, Lunch Balance, report cards, and Teacher Assignment.
* New Parents/Guardians should have received an email after your student was registered. This email has instructions on how to sign up for the Parent Portal. Please be sure to check both your inbox and your spam/junk box.
* Parents can update phone and email contact information via the Parent Portal.
* If you forgot your password or username, click HERE and see the light blue options to have it emailed to you.
* If your account no longer works or you did not receive an activation key, email kallie.riker@isd709.org and we will email our district Technology department to send you a new one.
* After one year of nonuse, the parent portal access is discontinued, so be sure to log in a couple of times during the year. You will use it even more as your child/children move on into middle and high school.
Blended Learning Agreement ...
Blended Learning 1 to 1 Agreement
2022-23 Blended Learning 1 to 1 Agreement: Required for all families grades K-12:
If you are a parent/guardian of a child age 18 years and younger, this form provides consent for your student to use district approved online resources for instructional purposes. To continue to provide students with the most effective tools to enhance their learning, teachers and librarians may use educational web-based programs and applications. Many of the educational web-based programs and applications require parent permission for children age 18 and under.
If you are the parent/guardian of a student entering Grades K through 12, this form is an agreement to have available for your child to use in the classroom, a Chromebook or tablet for the school year. The device will be used as part of our Blended Learning Initiative. Blended learning is an educational classroom tool. It enhances in-person learning by providing each student access to digital and online resources.
Breakfast and Lunch Programs
During the 2022-2023 school year breakfast continues to be free for all students. This year students will need to pay for school lunches. We ask that every family fills this form. You can also pick up this form at the school office.
https://paypams.com/OnlineApp.aspx
Cost for school lunch is $2.60. Students can purchase milk for $0.50. Payment can be made by cash, check (made out to Child Nutrition), or online. School menus can be found here: https://www.myschoolmenus.com/instance/782/district/778
Child Care and K.E.Y. Zone Program
K.E.Y. Zone is a high quality, collaborative program of the Duluth Y and Duluth Community Education. They provide supplemental services for grades K-5 for for times when school is not in session. This is a year round service and includes summer and school breaks.
- After school service begins September 6th.
- Families who need care must register with K.E.Y. Zone for their program at www.duluthcommunityed.org.
- Registration must be submitted prior to attending the program.
- Hours of Service: 2:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (when school is in session)
- Activities include club activities, games & toys, arts & crafts, homework help, outdoor & gym time.
- Snacks are provided each day after school.
Questions?
Contact: 218.336.8965 #7 or communityeducation@isd709.org
For K.E.Y. Zone: 218.336.8900 x2 or mark.connor@isd709.org
ABSENCES AND THE REPORTING OF ABSENCES
It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to notify the school of a child's absence. If we do not hear from you by 8:10 a.m. we will attempt to reach you to determine that your child is safe with a responsible adult. Stowe School guidelines regarding attendance are as follows: You may leave a message on the attendance line at any time. (336-8895 x 2) or email kallie.riker@isd709.org.
Your child's attendance is very important to his/her school experience and academic success.
Being in class on time and in school on a regular basis is a predictor of graduation rates. Keep in mind that a student coming in late disrupts the entire class and may be uncomfortable for your student.
EXCUSED Absences
1. Illness
2. Illness of immediate family member making child unable to get to school
3. Medical or Dental appointments
4. Death in family
5. Religious/Spiritual days sacred to family when services are observed during school hours.
6. Family vacations
UNEXCUSED Absences or Tardiness
All absences that are not outlined above
Habitual tardiness is unexcused
Letters will be sent home starting when a student has 3 or more unexcused absences. Habitual absences may require a doctor's note or may require us to contact Social Services to report educational neglect.
SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS, VACATIONS
Please send a written note, email or call with any scheduled appointments. We encourage you to schedule appointments and family vacations at a time when school is not in session, and particularly not during state testing dates. We realize that these conflicts are sometimes unavoidable but hope you will consider the importance of the planned classroom instruction and importance of unnecessary interruptions. You will be notified of the testing dates.
A MESSAGE FROM THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
A reminder that only eligible riders will be allowed to ride the school bus. All elementary school children living 0.7 of a mile or more from school are eligible for service. All students should be on the street corner several minutes early. If you have questions regarding busing eligibility, please call:
ISD 709 Transportation Department Phone: 218.336.8970
BUSING REGULATIONS REMINDERS:
TRANSPORTATION MUST BE ON A PERMANENT BASIS WITH ONE AM PICK-UP AND ONE PM DROP-OFF ALL FIVE DAYS OF THE WEEK.
PLEASE be patient during the first few days of school if the buses run 10-15 minutes off the scheduled time. It takes a few days to set the routine and schedule. Students are not permitted to ride a bus that is not assigned to them.
A MESSAGE FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE
ILLNESS AND ABSENCE INFORMATION
If your child will be absent from school please call the attendance line at 218-336-8965. If we do not hear a reason why the student is absent, an automated phone call and email message will be sent out. This is for safety reasons. For guidelines on if you child is well enough to be at school please see the following: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TbywHSnLB97-RoGq3iX46d19LzkDi7r4/view or visit our district Safe Learning Plan https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/1558544/c7f893d4-36b1-11e8-89b8-0a4512e50492/2459459/5fc9625a-1a6b-11ed-ba39-0e5487bc7e73/file/2022-23%20Safe%20Learning%20Plan.pdf
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
The administration of prescribed and over the counter medication to students during the school day is provided when the students’ health may be jeopardized without it, and in order to maintain and promote the health of the students so that learning is enhanced. Medication must be administered by the licensed school nurse or trained assistant using the following criteria:
Administration of medication must be done according to the written order of a physician or dentist.
A written request from the parent/guardian giving school personnel permission to administer medication is required within two days of an oral request.
Medication must be in a container appropriately labeled by a pharmacist, physician, dentist or manufacturer.
Medication must be administered following written procedures of the school district.
Social Media ...
If you want to catch up on the latest happenings check out our School website and Facebook page for updates. We are excited to share details of all the exciting things happening at Stowe!
IMPORTANT DATES 2022-2023
September 5th - NO SCHOOL
September 6th - 1st DAY OF SCHOOL (Grades 1 - 5)
September 6th - Kindergarten Meetings (By Appointment)
September 7th - Kindergarten Meetings (By Appointment)
September 8th - 1st DAY OF SCHOOL (Kindergarten)
September 23rd - Fruit, Flower, Vegetable Show
September 28-30th - 5th Grade to Wolf Ridge
October 11 & 13th - Fall Conferences
October 19th - Picture Day
October 20 & 21 - NO SCHOOL
November 7th - NO SCHOOL
November 23rd - Picture Retakes
November 24 & 25 - NO SCHOOL
December 23 - January 2 - NO SCHOOL
January 16th - NO SCHOOL
January 23rd - NO SCHOOL - Semester End
February 7 & 9 - Spring Conferences
February 20-24 - NO SCHOOL
April 10-14 - NO SCHOOL
May 29th - NO SCHOOL
June 8th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - Most Recently Added will be at the top of the list
GND REC PROGRAMMING!
GND Rec programming is back this year with 4 days of fun a week, meeting from 2:15-4:30 Monday-Thursday. This free programming is for ages 5-15. We focus on outdoor education, sports, and art. Our dedicated YMCA staff serves kids a free 5-component meal, we spend time exploring the Stowe School Forest, and doing activities. The fun ends at 4:30 with pick-up at the Rec.
How can you be a part of the fun?
1) Attached is a waiver (one per family please) that can be printed out and returned to your teacher. This must be given to Y staff before your child can stay after school. One waiver is good for the whole school year.
2) Visit either the GND Rec Facebook page OR the YMCA Website to find links to sign-up for programming. *September links will go live at noon on Sept 6*. There are a limited number of spaces, and they are first-come, first serve for sign-ups. In the following months, links will go live at noon on the 30th of each month, and Feb. 27.
3) New this year: Registration will close at midnight on Saturday for the following week's programming. This gives teachers time to plan who is staying after for the week.
We hope to see you soon!
Ms. B"
Girls on the run club at Stowe
Duluth Parks and Rec Events ...
The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Division is excited to share our fall program brochure. The brochure is full of recreation activities for all ages, located in parks, community centers, and trails throughout the City.
These program offerings range from activities for youth to 55+ programs, community events, mobile recreation, introductory outdoor experiences, and more! Fall programs take place September – December; you can find the digital program brochure here: https://duluthmn.gov/media/13942/web-version_final-parks-brochure-fall-2022.pdf
Gary New Duluth Rec Center
The Gary New Duluth Recreation Center has teamed up with the city of Duluth to rally and organize the community needs of kids, families and seniors. They've recently partnered with the YMCA to create a space with a strong sense of place and purpose for children. Their focus is on P.L.A.Y.: Promoting Lifetime Activities for Youth.
About Us
Jessa Cook - Principal
Website: www.isd709.org/stowe-elementary
Location: 715 101st Avenue West, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218.336.8965
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Stowe-Elementary-School/