North Park School for Innovation

North Park Families,

We are officially heading into Week Five, and the momentum at North Park continues to be great. Our students are doing a wonderful job settling into their routines and showing what it means to be SAFE, KIND, and RESPONSIBLE each day.

Here is what you need to know for the busy and exciting week ahead:

Peace Day/Color Run Update!

Our Peace day is rescheduled for 9am on Monday as well as our Color Run event starting at 5pm.

Children's Water Festival: 4th Grade Field Trip: Wednesday, September 30th

Our 4th graders have exciting off-site learning opportunities coming up! They will be traveling to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for the annual Children's Water Festival. They will be off-site for most of the day learning about water resources and how to protect and manage our water for the future.

Staff Retirement: Celebrating Ms. Rebekah!

Please join us in wishing a heartfelt congratulations and warm farewell to long-time North Park Lunchroom Monitor, Ms. Rebekah, as she begins her retirement! Having served our North Park community for many years, Ms. Rebekah has built wonderful relationships with our students and staff. While we are so excited for this next chapter in her life, we will deeply miss her daily presence, her kindness, and everything she has done to support our students during lunchtime. Thank you, Ms. Rebekah, for your dedication to North Park!

Have a fantastic week, and thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Warmly,

Brett Asleson

Principal, North Park Elementary

September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month!

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

From September 15th through October 15th, we celebrate the cultures, histories, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

At Columbia Heights Public Schools, 51% of our students identify as Hispanic, making Hispanic heritage an important part of who we are as a Hylander community.

This month and throughout the year, we celebrate the cultures, languages, stories and experiences our students and families bring to our schools and the many ways they make our community stronger.

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!

North Park started the bicycle unit in our Physical Education class this past Monday, September 21st and it will go through Friday, October 2nd (weather permitting). It will take place on our North Park bus lane. Ms. Denzer is encouraging students to bring in their own helmets to use at school. Students will be allowed to bring their own bicycles and scooters from home for the Bike Unit. No electric scooters or bikes are allowed.

At North Park, we want every student to feel connected, valued, and ready to learn and that starts with showing up every day!

Missing just 2 days of school a month, whether excused or unexcused, adds up to 18 days a yea, that’s 10% of the school year! When students are absent, they miss out on critical early reading and math skills, building friendships, and feeling part of our school community.

How families can support good attendance at home:

• Set a steady routine: Establish a regular bedtime and morning schedule to help school days run smoothly. Pack backpacks and lay out clothes the night before.

• Talk about school positively: Ask your child about their day and reinforce that going to school every day is important.

• Plan around school hours: Try to schedule medical appointments and family trips outside of school hours whenever possible.

• Have a backup plan: Identify a family member, neighbor, or another parent who can help with drop-off or pick-up if an emergency comes up.

If your child is ever feeling anxious about coming to school, or if your family is facing challenges with transportation or health, please reach out to us. We are here to partner with you and support your student every step of the way!

Every student deserves a great weekend! If your family could use extra food support at home, we offer a Friday Food Backpack Program that provides free weekend meal bags for students.

Signing up is quick, confidential, and easier than ever. Please fill out our brief Google Form to enroll your student:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejspzHhYNIh7OKZVX5WyI95nmf6cYhF9s1EAvJg9U8Ojo6Yg/viewform

If you have any questions or need help signing up, please reach out to our main office. We are here to support your family!

We are excited to continue to build community, create positive change and advocate for your child's education.

Meeting Dates and Times: All Gatherings run from 5:30-7:00pm

• Sept 30th: District Office Community Room
• October 28th: North Park School for Innovation
• Dec 2nd: Columbia Academy
• Jan 27th: Virtual Zoom Gathering
• Feb 24th: Highland Elementary
• March 31st: Valley View
• April 30th: Columbia Heights High School/Ramsdell Park

Join us at the Kick off on Sept 30th

For more info contact parent organizer Michelle Pettway at PETTWAYM@colheights.k12.mn.us

When: October 9th, 2026 5:00-8:00pm

Where: Zero Gravity in Mounds View - 2292 Woodale Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112

What: Come join the North Park PTO for a night of jumping and fun. Arrive at 5pm and get 3 hours of jumping for each jumper for only $10, plus socks.

PTO Dates:

• Oct 12 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Nov 9 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Dec 14 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Jan 11 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Feb 8 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• March 8 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• April 12 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• May 10 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm

MyStop is a web-based application available to parents and students that allows them access to live bus GPS information.

Using a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, parents and students can view the current location of buses on routes and the estimated time of arrival at their neighborhood bus stops.

Please contact CHPS Transportation if you need assistance: 763-528-4424 or CHPS_Transportation@colheights.k12.mn.us

Parent Pick-Up Line & Traffic Safety Guidelines

Drop Off

• Students can not be dropped off at school prior to 7:25am

Pick Up

• All Students must be picked up no later than 2:30pm. If you are experiencing a hardship with getting to school to pick up your student prior to this time, please reach out to Adventure Club (763-528-4512) to see if you can get you child enrolled in our after school program. (Enroll Here)

To ensure every student arrives and leaves school safely and efficiently each afternoon, please follow these guidelines when using our drop off / pick-up line:

• Stay in Your Vehicle: Please remain inside your car at all times. Staff and students will handle getting in and out of the vehicle from the curb.

• Keep the Line Moving: Pull forward as far as possible to close gaps in line before stopping to load your student.

• No Parking in the Pick-Up Lane: Never leave your car unattended or put your vehicle in park while in the drive-thru line.

• Need Extra Time or Stepping Out? Use a Parking Spot: If you need to exit your car, assist your student with a car seat, or speak with staff, please park in a designated parking space in the main parking lot rather than waiting in the line.

• Follow Traffic Rules & Directions: Adhere to all posted traffic signs, one-way markers, and directions given by our staff monitoring the parking lot.

To make the parking lot safer when children are arriving and leaving from school, all traffic in the NPSfI parking lot will be one-way (See picture above). At arrival, parents should stay in their cars and students should exit curb-side. If the adult needs to get out of the car, please pull into a parking spot in the lot. Please pay attention as the car line moves quickly and make sure you are not taking too much time or blocking the line so that we can get all students into the school quickly and safely. We know this will be safer for you as drivers and create a better experience for all.

As we near the start of the school year, Health Services has a few reminders:

• As we head into the school year, please ensure your students' immunizations are up to date. Our immunization noncompliance enforcement date for students K-12 and students in CHPS child care programs will be Monday, October 19th. If your student is not up to date by this time, they will not be allowed in school until they are compliant. If you need assistance finding an appointment or are not sure your student's immunization status, please contact Keturah Spriggs at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us.

• If you received a "Barrier Free Immunization Form" regarding your student's immunizations in the mail, please use this form to bring your student to the designated clinic (on the form) for a free immunization appointment. You can also make an appointment online here. Please contact Keturah Spriggs at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us with any questions or concerns.

• If your student will be taking medication at school this year, please use this month to prepare the needed paperwork. A new Medication Authorization Form is needed each school year and must be signed by your student's provider and a parent/guardian. Medications must be dropped off by an adult, and we will not accept any medications without the necessary paperwork already on file. Please see the Health page of our district's website for more information.

Thank you for assisting us in keeping your student safe and healthy! Please contact Keturah Spriggs, District Nurse, at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us or your school's nurse with any questions.

With the start of the school year, we want to make sure you have the information you need regarding student transportation. Transportation Services is staffed by professionals serving and supporting our students and families. Drivers and office staff are dedicated to providing safe, secure and reliable transportation to qualified students. We serve more than 800 bus stop locations within our community each school day. Bus stops and routes are designed with consideration of safety, efficiency, route and cost efficiency, and shortest overall ride times. Our goal is your student's safe daily journey to and from school. For more information, please visit the CHPS Transportation webpage.

Registration opened in June for the 2026-2027 school year. Adventure Club programming facilitates a variety of activities to promote learning beyond the classroom including arts & crafts, guided group time, themed activities, dramatic play, cooking, games, outdoor play, science and more for Kindergarten-5th graders at Highland Elementary, North Park School for Innovation and Valley View Elementary!

Hours:

• 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Regular School Days
• 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Non-School Days (weekdays)

Dates:

• Summer Adventure Club ends on Thursday, August 20th
• Adventure Club during the school year will begin August 31st

Fees (per child):

• Registration Fee - $25
• After School - $25
• Non-School Day - $56
• Drop-In - $28

Link to Adventure Club Registration

As we begin the school year, I want to remind families at North Park School for Innovation of the cell phone expectation: Off and Out of Sight.

We understand that many families choose to have their child carry a cell phone so they can connect before and after school. During the school day, however, cell phones can become a distraction from learning, relationships, and the school experience.

If your child brings a cell phone to school, please remind them that it should be:

• Powered off

• Kept in their backpack

• Out of sight for the entire school day

If a student is using a phone, has it on their person, or has it out in the classroom during the school day, the phone may be confiscated by a staff member/admin. In accordance with district expectations, a parent/guardian will need to come to school to pick up a confiscated phone.

Thank you for partnering with us as we work to create a focused, connected, and positive learning environment for every North Park student. (Link to Student Handbook)

TITLE: Educational Benefits Applications Opened on August 1st

Important Information on Educational Benefits Applications

Educational Benefits Applications for School Year 2026-27 can be filled out online any time! Families who were directly certified should have received an approval letter.

If you received the approval letter, PLEASE look at the letter carefully and make sure ALL STUDENTS who are members of your household are listed on the letter. If anyone is missing from the household, please call Skylar Hatch at 763-528-4520 or email her at hatchs@colheights.k12.mn.us . It is very important that all students are listed and the school is correct for each of them. Any questions, can be directed to Skylar Hatch or Pam Haupt, Food Service Coordinator at 763-528-4527.

All households that were not directly certified will be receiving a postcard with Educational Benefits information and a guide on how to complete the application.

This is a very important annual process as the educational benefits applications need to be completed every school year. Thank you for your sense of urgency to get this done before the start of the new school year on August 31, 2026.

Link to fill out the Educational Benefits form

Link to School District Calendar

Events Happening Soon

• No Events at North Park this Week!

Events Happening this School Year

• Oct 7 NPSfI: Multilingual Night 5-6:30pm
• Oct 9 Zero Gravity PTO Night 5:00pm (2292 Woodale Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112)
• Oct 12 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Oct 13 Hispanic Heritage Month Event 4:30-600pm
• Oct 19 NPSfI: Picture Retake Day 8 am - 1 pm
• Oct 28 BIPOC Family Group Event 5:00-7:00pm
• Nov 9 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Nov 12 NPSfI: Conferences 3- 6:30 pm
• Nov 18 NPSfI: Conferences 3- 6:30 pm
• Dec 10 NPSfI: Family STEM Night 4:30-6:30 pm
• Dec 14 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Jan 11 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Jan 28 NPSfI: Creativity Night & 1st and 2nd grade concert 4:30 pm
• Feb 3 NPSfI: Conferences 3- 6:30 pm
• Feb 4 NPSfI: Conferences 3- 6:30 pm
• Feb 8 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• Feb 12 NPSfI: Kids Heart Challenge Kick-off
• Feb 18 NPSfI: Kindergarten Celebration 1:15 pm
• March 5 NPSfI: PreK/K Open House 5-6:30 pm
• March 8 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• April 12 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• April 15 NPSfI: Fine Arts Night 4:30-6:30 pm
• May 10 NPSfI: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
• May 13 NPSfI: 4th & 5th Grade Instrumental Concert 5:30 pm
• May 20 NPSfI: Family BBQ 5-7 pm
• June 3 NPSfI: PreK 4 - Grade 3 Track & Field Day

Make sure your information on file is up to date so you receive all school and district communication throughout the year!

• Log in to ParentVUE to verify your address, emergency contacts, phone number, email & more.
• Click Online Registration in the upper right-hand corner to begin this process.
• Don’t have a ParentVUE account yet? Contact your school office for an activation key to get started.

Strong Schools, Supportive Communities

There will be two school-related questions on the November 3 ballot.

• The Columbia Heights Public Schools (CHPS) Operating Levy. Operating Levies support student learning by funding teachers and staff, classroom materials, student transportation and school operations. The CHPS Board of Education approved this referendum at their June 30th meeting.
• The Permanent School Fund, which has supported Minnesota public schools since 1858, would increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is an existing fund that supports school districts without raising taxes. Leaving this ballot question blank has the same effect as voting "No." Complete the ballot so your vote counts. Because the formula is in the Minnesota Constitution, voters must approve changes.

Tax Impact

• If the CHPS Operating Levy passes, the tax increase for property owners would be $170 per year (approximately $14.17 per month) for an average-priced home, with an inflationary adjustment (an average-priced home in CHPS District boundaries is $275,000).
• The 2026 Operating Levy is a 10-year levy. The school district would first receive these funds in fiscal year 2028 and would continue to receive these funds through fiscal year 2038.
• The Permanent School Fund amendment would not increase property, income, sales, or other taxes. This fund would provide a total of approximately $150,000/year for CHPS.

• Click here to see the official Resolution

• One referendum question will be on the ballot on November 3, 2026.

• Click to see a breakdown of how taxes will affect you

Do you know a student who would be a great Hylander? We invite our current students and families to tell their friends, neighbors and family members about Columbia Heights Public Schools. If your child enjoys learning, making friends and being part of our school community, share your experience with others.

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open! At CHPS, students learn from caring teachers, explore their interests and find opportunities to grow both in and out of the classroom. Help us spread the word and invite others to join the Hylander family. We can't wait to welcome new students for another great school year!

Did You Know?

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Creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learner.

All Belong, All Succeed

• Email: News@colheights.k12.mn.us
• Website: https://www.colheights.k12.mn.us/
• Location: 1440 49th Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
• Phone: 763-528-4500
• Instagram: @chpsisd13
• Facebook: facebook.com/chpsisd13