Pawprints newsletter

PAWPRINTS Pinewood Pinewood Elementary Elementary School School eNewsletter eNewsletter Mounds Mounds View View School School District District December 12,2015 2015 October 30, Principal - Allie Storti

STORTI Time.... a note from your principal As we head into this Holiday Season and break, I personally want to wish you and your family Happy Holidays.

One of my favorite things to do at night is snuggle in bed with my kids and read. Here are a few of my holiday favorites.

1. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg 2. Dream Snow by Eric Carle 3. The Mitten by Jan Brett 4. Bear Stays up for Christmas

by Karma Wilson Make time to read a book with your student this holiday break. Those snuggle times will build good readers and even better memories.

Holiday Break No school December 21January 1 See you back at school on Monday, January 4

Got lunch?

We need weekly volunteers to help in the lunchroom and/or outside at recess. Pick a day (or two or three) a week to come and help our students get their bodies filled with food and get their wiggles out on the playground. What a great way to get connected with the amazing students at PW. Please contact Kimberly Buggs at kimberly.buggs@moundsviews chools.org

Dress for Winter Winter weather is arriving soon! Â All students go outside for recess unless the temperature falls to 0 or -10 degrees wind chill. So it is important that children are prepared for the cold weather.

Snow boots, snow pants, warm jackets, mittens/gloves, scarves and hats are all recommended for playing outdoors at recess

Pinewood Operation Day Joy at Target Field!!!

We again have seats reserved in the Grandstand for Pinewood staff, students, and families to enjoy a day at Target Field together and listen to the:

Pinewood Performing Arts Club sing Oh Canada!

Sunday, May 22nd Game Time: 1:10

Morning Drop-off Time Reminder 9:05am-Doors open for only students having breakfast 9:15am- Doors open for all students to enter the school building 9:25am- School starts for all students For the safety of all students, please do not drop your students off before 9:05am, especially with the cold weather quickly coming upon us.

Twins VS. Toronto Cost: $11.00 per ticket Remember to place your order by Wednesday, January 27th. Â Tickets will arrive at Pinewood the beginning of May and be sent home with your child.

Order forms sent home last week. Please see your student's teacher.

School Happenings December 15 Chess Club

8:15am-9:15am

December 17

Orchestra Concert

1:30pm-2:00pm

December 17

Family Library Night

5pm-7pm

December 17

PTA Meeting

6pm-7pm

December 17 Orchestra Concert

7pm-7:30pm

December 18 Local Brass Band during

11am-1pm

lunch December 18 November and December

11am-1pm

Lunch with the principal

December 21- January 1- HOLIDAY BREAK January 4

First day back after break

January 7

Family Library Night

5pm-7pm

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.

- Thomas Jefferson

Read- a- Thon results

364,058

The total minutes read for October is 214,554. That is awesome!

This brings our grand total to 364,058 minutes read. The thermometer in the main lobby has been updated to reflect the achievement of our PW students.

School Board Meetings Want to stay current with School Board discussions and decisions?

Visit the School Board website to . . .

• Watch live meetings via webstream • View archived meeting videos • Download meeting agendas • Read meeting summaries Visit: http://www.moundsviewschools.net/ pages/MoundsViewPS/ School_Board__Group_.

Parent Handbook update - Absences for family vacation We recently learned that elementary and middle school handbooks were not updated to accurately reflect a District regulation already in place. This regulation states that student absences for vacation/travel are considered “unapproved” absences. Absences that are “unapproved” hold no consequences and do not appear on a student’s record throughout the student’s career. We do realize there are times when families take vacations when school is in session. Please continue to complete the “Travel Plans Form” available in the school office. This form is used to inform the school office and teacher of your child’s absence.

Thank you for your support. To view the regulation, find 3109: Student Rights and Responsibilities at http:// www.moundsviewschools.net/ pages/MoundsViewPS/ School_Board__Group_/ Policies/Regulations__School_Board.

One-source forecasting

Mounds View has joined a group of neighboring school districts in deciding it will rely solely on forecasts provided by the National Weather Service –Twin Cities, which is the official government authority on weather forecasting and weather warnings for the state of Minnesota.

Threshold for closings Schools could be cancelled if...

• Our neighborhoods experience sustained wind chills of 40 to 45 degrees below zero during the hours between morning bus pick ups and afternoon bus drop offs.

• Buses won’t start or run dependably.

• Local road conditions in our neighborhoods are dangerous or impassable. Because metro districts (even neighboring districts) can experience differing weather and road conditions, do not be surprised if there is inconsistency among school district closures throughout the metro this year.

2-hour late starts Although 2-hour late starts aren’t convenient for families, this option could be used to avoid school cancellations which could ultimately allow the District to avoid a greater inconvenience of make-up days added back to the calendar. If the District calls a 2-hour late start, here’s how it will work: • Buses will pick up students 2 hours later than their typical bus stop schedule.

• Schools will start 2 hours later than their typical schedule.

• Class periods will be shortened throughout the day.

• Schools will dismiss at their regular dismissal times.

• Buses will drop off students at their regular drop-off times.

Notifications Families should always assume schools are open and in session, unless they hear or see differently. Websites will only indicate when schools are closed—not when they remain open. If schools will be using a 2-hour late start or canceling altogether, the District will notify parents no later than approximately 5:30 a.m. on the day of the late start or cancellation, using the following tools: • Text messages • Voicemail messages • E-mail messages • Facebook and Twitter • 651-621-SNOW hotline recordings • District and school website postings

The District will also notify local media outlets, but cannot guarantee if or how the media will report the information we provide them.

Make-up days?

This year’s school calendar allows for two cancellation days without makeup days required. However, now that Mounds View has the ability to use 2-hour late starts, it’s not as likely that calendar adjustments will be necessary.

5500 Quincy Street, Mounds View, MN 55112 651-621-7500 Fax: 651-621-7505