Safe & supportive

A variety of programs and services create a welcoming, positive environment throughout Turtle Lake.

Social and Emotional Learning

Turtle Lake has implemented the Second Step curriculum for social and emotional learning. Each classroom has dedicated time daily to covering the daily lessons. There are four main units paced out through the school year that the entire school follows together. The units are Growth Mindset and Goal Setting, Emotion Management, Empathy and Kindness and Problem-Solving. We work as a school to set common expectations and hold each other able. We celebrate our accomplishments at the end of each unit with school-wide assemblies that recognize student leaders as well as revisit some of the learning outcomes for the unit.

Before- & after-school care

Turtle Lake offers a variety of academic, social and recreational activities designed for students in all grades. These before- and after-school programs offer some free, fun and constructive opportunities for students to spend their time productively. In addition, some students participate in Elementary Targeted Services programs that offer a variety of after-school academic support offerings.

Transportation

Mounds View Public Schools provides free bus service for Turtle Lake students living two miles or more from their school. In addition, the District offers fee-based bus service within two miles to accommodate parents’ requests for transportation assistance.

Nutrition services

Turtle Lake teaches healthy eating habits by introducing students to a wide variety of food choices. Students can enjoy breakfast and lunch daily. All menus meet nutrition requirements established by the USDA. Families may apply to receive free or reduced-price meals based on need.

Notifications

Ongoing communications about District and school news and events are delivered to parents and subscribers regularly via paperless e-newsletters. Emergency notifications can be delivered to all families in a matter of minutes in the event of a school closing or critical situation. The Mounds View Messaging system sends personalized voicemail and text messages to parents’ phones and email addresses simultaneously.

n Hispanic 4.8% n Two or more categories 8.6% n Asian 11.5% n White 72.4%

Students who feel connected to their school do better in school and in life beyond our walls. That’s why Turtle Lake emphasizes student connectedness through a variety of efforts.

Activities

• Turtle Lake boasts an orchestra and choir with instruction available to students in fourth and fifth grades.

• Band instruction begins the summer before fifth grade. Each student receives one instrumental lesson during school and one group practice session each week before school.

• Group music practices and access to other specialized programs gives students a variety of opportunities to get involved in activities and feel connected to their school.

• Filled with approximately 30,000 patron titles, the Turtle Lake library fuels our school’s love of reading.

• The PTA hosts grade-level social events each fall for students and their families.

• Turtle Lake students benefit from numerous annual “Artist in Residence” relationships.

• Various before- and after-school clubs are offered including LEGO League and climbing club.

• Students have the option of participating in a science fair and/or engineering event.

• Students have benefitted from visits from representatives from local zoos and nature centers educating students on various wildlife and their habitats.

• Fifth-grade students may be selected to compete in the Math Master’s Competition.