Lester Park School Newsletter

TONIGHT...School Community Meeting 5:30-7pm (More Info Below)
TOMORROW...Sweetheart Day - Wear a "Sweet" Outfit
Feb 16-20...NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
Feb 27...Wear a Shirt with Words on It
Mar 2...NO SCHOOL (Staff PD Day)
Mar 5... PTA Family Science Night!
Mar 12...Go Green!
Mar 19...2026-27 Kindergarten Meet&Greet
Mar 30-Apr 3...NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)

More events on our Lester Park Calendar HERE

2025-26 District Calendar with 4 Day Specialist rotation HERE

(PD=professional development/NO SCHOOL for students)

2026-27 District Calendar HERE

Other Helpful Links:

Lester Park Family School Handbook

School District Student Handbook

Lester Park Staff List by Grade/Dept

Previous Lester Park Newsletters

Next week is Winter Break, so there is No School for staff and students. The Office will also be closed for most of the week.

We hope you have a wonderful Winter Break!

The 2026-27 District School calendar has been posted! You can find it by clicking the link below:

2026-27 ISD709 Duluth School District Calendar

We will also keep a link in the rest of our newsletters this school year.

PTA Meeting - TONIGHT!

February 12th 5:30-7:00pm in the Media Center (Library)

*food will be served*

Join the conversation!

The PTA will be hosting Andie Heil and the ARDC team to share information about Safe Routes to School. They will present results from a recent walk audit conducted in collaboration with MnDOT, the City of Duluth, Keyzone, the School Board, and parent representatives, as well as discuss next steps and future plans.

We're also excited to welcome:

Mrs. Cawcutt and Ms. Fleek, who will be available to answer questions specific to Lester Park
Brenda Spartz, Director of Elementary Education, ISD709, who will address questions about curriculum, staffing, student supports, and district updates

This open forum is a great opportunity to come together as a Lester Park community, ask questions, share perspectives, and stay informed. We hope to see you there!

Please fill out the registration here. This will help us plan food, prepare for your questions, and guide the discussion.

Thank you!
~ Lester Park PTA

The 19th Annual Lester Park March Food Drive will be starting in a few weeks.

The top 3 classroom donations will receive a treat from one of the following businesses:

Sammy's

The Soop on 47th

Cub Foods

We will provide more information about the food drive after break.

Flyer for February Spirit Days with floral and ribbon decorations, including event information for February 6, 13, and 27.

The PTA has 2 fun events scheduled in March. They are looking for volunteers to help out with the annual Family Science Night and the "Go Green!" events. Please click on the links below to see when you can help out:

Science Night - March 5

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4CABAD29AAF58-62124753-science

Go Green! - March 12

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4CABAD29AAF58-62124901-gogreen

Flyer for "Girls on the Run" program with program details, event times, and registration information.

What do I do if my child is going to be absent from school?

Email lesterattendance@isd709.org (the office & nurse will both see these emails)
or call attendance line 336-8875 then “3” to leave a recorded message
Please list any specific symptoms - especially Flu and GI symptoms.
Teachers may have a preferred way for you to report an absence to them.

If the office does not know why a student is absent, an automated phone call and an email message will be sent out at sometime between 8:30-9:00. This is for safety reasons.
If your child is absent, or going to be absent, be sure to leave a reason. If no reason is given, it will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.
If you have health questions, you can call our school health office at 336-8875 x2654

Many students and parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. The following information is intended to help with this decision.

General practice:

If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever reducing medication.
If a student has vomited two or more times in the past 24 hours and/or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your family physician before sending the student to school.
If a student is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness.

When a student is sick, parents often wonder whether or not to keep a child at home from school. If a child stays home and has the care they need when first sick, they will often get better faster. Staying home and resting will help the body fight the sickness.