Caring Critter Chronicle
Parent Newsletter for Cambridge Primary School
October 23, 2025
Dear Families,
As we wrap up another awesome month at school, I want to take a moment to share my heartfelt appreciation for each of you. Our school continues to thrive because of the amazing partnership we share—families who care deeply, students who come ready to learn and grow, and staff who give their best every single day. Together, we’re creating a school learning community full of curiosity, kindness, and connection.
Thank you for the incredible turnout at conferences! Our teachers truly value the chance to connect and collaborate with you in supporting your child’s growth and goals. Now that a few days have passed, it’s a great time to revisit those goals together—celebrate what’s going well and stay motivated for what’s ahead.
I’ve also been so impressed by how our students have settled into routines and shown leadership and responsibility. Whether it’s helping a classmate, showing respect in the hallway, or reading with enthusiasm, our kids are showing what it means to be part of a caring school community. Thank you, families, for reinforcing those same values at home; it truly makes a difference.
As we look ahead to the coming months, I encourage everyone to take time to celebrate the progress we’ve made so far. The fall and winter seasons bring lots of excitement, busy schedules, and new opportunities to learn and grow. Let’s continue to support one another, keep communication open, and remember that each day is another chance to learn something new and impactful.
Thank you for being such an important part of our school family. Your partnership, encouragement, and positivity make this school community shine. I look forward to more great moments ahead as we continue learning, growing, and celebrating together!
Eric Bjurman
Principal
Cambridge Primary School
763-691-6502
ebjurman@c-ischools.org
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, Oct 30 ~ Picture Retakes
- Friday, Oct 31 ~ Gr 2 Halloween Parade ~ No costumes for Kindergarten or Gr 1
- Thursday, Nov 6 ~ Turkey BINGO 4:00-5:30 ~ CIS Media Center
- Friday, Nov 7 ~ No School - Staff Professional Development day
- Thursday, Nov 13 ~ CPIS PTO - 2:30
- Monday, Nov 17 ~ Compassion Collection Starts
- Thursday & Friday, Nov 27-28 ~ No School
Early Voting is Now Open!
From September 19 to November 3, voters can visit the Education Services Center (District Office) or Cambridge-Isanti High School to vote:
Education Services Center
(District Office)
625 Main St N, Cambridge, MN
Mon-Fri from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PMCambridge-Isanti High School
(on School Days Only)
430 8th Ave NW, Cambridge, MN
Mon-Fri from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with extended hours to 8:00 PM on Thursdays
In Addition, there will be two early voting Events:
Friday, October 24
5-8 PM
Cambridge Primary School
310 Elm St N, Cambridge, MNSaturday, November 1
10 AM - 3 PM
Cambridge Isanti High School
430 8th Ave NW, Cambridge, MN
In Minnesota, you can register to vote on the same day you vote. Unregistered voters should bring a photo ID (typically a valid driver’s license) or another acceptable identification for voter registration.
We hope to see you at one of these events—it’s a wonderful way to come together as a community. For more details, click here to view the Referendum Information website.
Picture Retakes
Picture retakes will be on Thursday, October 30th. Students who were absent on the original date will have their picture taken. If you would like your student to have their picture retaken, please contact their teacher.
Grade 2 Halloween Parade
Grade 2 will continue the tradition of dressing up in costumes for our Annual Halloween Parade on the morning of Friday, October 31st.
Second-grade students may wear their costumes to school that morning and will change into their regular clothes after the parade. This is always a fun and festive event for our school community!
Kindergarten and first-grade classes will sit outside their classrooms to cheer on the parade as it passes by.
To help minimize distractions and maximize learning time, costumes will not be worn during the regular school day.
Please note: Kindergarten and first-grade students should not wear costumes.
Turkey BINGO
Counselor Corner
Thank you, Caring Critter families, for a fantastically orange Unity Day! Our students filled the halls with brightness to show that all the Caring Critters stick together against bullying. Our little Critters promised to use their hands and words for helping, not hurting, and worked together on a fun, kindness-focused project. We are so proud of our students for making this promise to be kind, and making our school a safe and happy place to be!
The upcoming holidays can be a challenging time for some families. If you or your Critter needs support with winter clothes, food, or other necessities, please contact our school counselor. We have access to several community resources and want to ensure every student has a bright and happy holiday. (Please be assured that the process is confidential and your privacy is always protected.)
Looking for more counseling resources and support? Check on the school counselor website!
Feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Jodi L. Acker, MS, LSC
School Counselor
Cambridge Primary School
Phone: 763-691-6545
Resources for Parents and Families
It's Complicated: Kids, Screens, and Mental Health
Join us on Tuesday, October 28 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. for this Resource Fair and Presentation designed for parents and caregivers of children from primary through high school. Kick off the evening of with a Resource Fair from 5:00–6:00 p.m., then stay for an insightful presentation by Erin Walsh: It’s Complicated: Children, Technology, and Mental Health. Erin will share the latest brain science, practical tips, and humor to help parents navigate screen time, understand its impact, and promote digital well-being for kids from early childhood through middle school. Leave empowered to support your child’s healthy relationship with technology.
Note: Child care is not available. Continuing Education hours offered.
For more details, please see attached flyer.
Operation Community Connect
Isanti County Operation Community Connect
Connecting People to the Services They Need!
11am to 1pmSaturday, November 1, 2025
Free Event for All Isanti County Residents!
First Baptist Church
304 South Main St, Cambridge
Come Meet, Ask, Observe the Resources Isanti County Has to Offer!
- New Vendors!
- Free Haircuts!
- Free Dental Screenings!
- Free Flu Vaccines!
- Free Lunch!
- Free Winter Gear (Adult and Youth… While Supplies Last)!
Hosted by: Isanti County Health and Human Services and First Baptist Church
Free event for all Isanti County Residents
Lighthouse Caregiver Support Group Book Discussion
Parents and caregivers are invited to join the Lighthouse Caregiver Support Group Book Discussion this fall, featuring The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson.
This free, four-part series is designed to help families build connections, gain insights, and learn practical strategies to support children’s developing brains.
Sessions will be held at Lighthouse Child & Family Services in Cambridge from 9:00 AM–11:00 AM. See flyer for dates.
*Free books are provided, along with on-site childcare and even transportation assistance so caregivers can fully engage.
To register, contact Leah Gilbert at leah@lighthouse.health or 320-362-4037.
Every Meal Program – Free Weekend Food Support
Our school is partnering with the Every Meal program to offer families a free bag of food every weekend. There are no qualification requirements and your family’s privacy is protected. Families may choose from five food options, and bags will be discreetly placed in your child’s backpack at the end of each week. To sign up, simply complete this form: Every Meal Sign-Up
Food distribution will begin on Fridays at the end of September/first week in October, so if you sign up make sure to check your student's backpack on fridays.
We are Here to Help!
We have school supplies, winter gear, and personal care products available for students in need. Generous donors and local businesses have stepped up to support Cambridge-Isanti students. If you, or someone you know, need help with basic needs for a student, please fill out this confidential form.
CPS Lost and Found
We have an amazing volunteer who comes in once a week to hang up and organize our lost and found items. The CPS Lost and Found is located in our Cafeteria (by Door #1).
Parents are welcome to check for missing items after school from 2:15 pm - 3:30 pm. After 3:30 pm, enter through Door #1 near the CPS cafeteria.
Transportation
C-I Schools provides our families with quality transportation service that is safe, professional and cost-effective to enhance our students' educational journey. Our Transportation department coordinates bus routes throughout our 252 square mile district and schedules students for bus service. The District includes the both the cities of Cambridge and Isanti, as well as many smaller communities.
Transportation schedules for this school year are available for you to view in Family Access. If you have made recent changes to your student's transportation, please allow 5-7 days for updates to show in Family Access.
Check out our CI Transportation Website
for more information. Have questions? Follow this link to our Transportation Help Desk for assistance. If your student does not require transportation, please complete the Transportation Opt-Out Form.
Foodservice
SCHOOL BREAKFAST & LUNCH INFORMATION
Breakfast and lunch are offered at no cost to families for the 2025-26 school year.
Ala Carte items (including extra milk or milk with a cold lunch) are not part of the free lunch program but can be purchased with the student's food service account. Money can be added online or dropped off in the school office.
School lunch menus
Our school lunch menus are posted online for your convenience. Since menus may occasionally change, the website always has the most current information available. We encourage families to check the online menu regularly to stay up to date on what’s being served each day.
Click here for the CPS November Lunch Menu.
Please visit the Food Service Website for more information.
Volunteer
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR CONNECTION
Volunteers make a huge difference in our schools! Volunteering not only helps the students and staff but also is a great way to build relationships, stay informed and have fun. To learn more, please contact your Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Huntley at ahuntley@c-ischools.org.
School Calendar
Take a look at our 25-26 C-I Schools Calendar for our scheduled school days, trimesters and breaks.
Connect with CPS
Cambridge Primary School
Eric Bjurman - Principal
763-691-6502
Main Office : 763-691-6500
24 Hour Attendance: 763-691-6510
Fax: 763-691-6599
Office Hours: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
School Day: 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Email: cps-communications@c-ischools.org
Website: https://www.c-ischools.org/cps
Location: 310 North Elm Street, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 763.691.6500