Roady's Newsletter
Family Edition
Rice Lake Students and Families,
What a wonderful start to the school year!!! The students are helping identify expectations in all spaces withing the building, they are engaging in our Social Emotional Curriculum Harmony with their classmates, they are digging into Literacy in Reading, Writing and Speaking learning as well as engaging in critical thought around Mathematics and math thinking. It is wonderful to walk into the classrooms and see and hear the students learning.
Our first All School Morning Meeting was so exciting!!! The students learned about the expectations across the building from classroom input and then got to see their teachers compete in Minute to Win It games!!! Fun was had by all, and we are looking forward to what our October ASMM will bring :)
As we are moving into October, a month dedicated to both Hispanic Heritage and Anti-Bullying it is a terrific time to reflect on the importance of our values of inclusiveness and belonging. All students and families are welcome here and honored in the space, in the curriculum and in the hearts of each educator in this building.
Although we had to cancel the 2nd Annual Car Wash, hmmm weather apps are not always right, we will reschedule this for the Spring of 2024. Be ready in early May to have the cleanest car in town!
The first Donuts with Diane went well, and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet some new families and say hello to those who have been a part of our family. I hope to see you for Dessert with Diane this month on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 5:00-6:00pm in the Rice Lake Media Center.
PBIS Tickets to Track Challenge for October: RECESS
We will be doing this month's PBIS challenge as RECESS and following all the identified expectations from classrooms across the building. This month the winning classroom will have a Popcorn Party!!!
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
This month we will be hosting 3 evenings of Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences:
- Tuesday October 10, 2023, from 3:40-7:40pm
- Thursday October 12, 2023, from 3:40-7:40pm
- Tuesday October 17, 2023, from 3:40-7:40pm
Thank you for partnering and looking forward to seeing all of you this October!!!
Miigwech, Many Thanks
Diane Bagley, principal
PTO Fall Fundraiser
September 19- October 3
PTO Meeting
October 9
Picture Day
October 17
Fall Conferences
October 10, October 12 and October 17
Bookfair
October 12
MEA Break-Conference Release Day- NO SCHOOL
October 18 and October 19
DESSERT WITH DIANE
October 24 from 5:00-6:00
Election Day - Licensed Staff Workshop- NO SCHOOL
November 7
November 9
Picture Retakes
November 14
PTO Fundraiser Pickup
November 14
PTO Turkey Bingo
November 17
DONUTS WITH DIANE
November 28 from 9:00-10:00
End of Tri I
November 30
Mark Reporting Pre K-12 (No School for Students)
December 1
MEA Break
There will be no school on October 19 and 20 for MEA break!
Educational Benefits Form
Families are strongly encouraged to complete the Educational Benefits form. Families who qualify may access free or reduced prices for iPad and Chromebook repair and replacement, band/orchestra instruments (5th grade), home electricity bills through Excel Energy, and home internet from some providers, other benefits.
In addition, schools receive additional funding based on the number of students who qualify for Educational Benefits. Rice Lake receives a significant amount of money that is used to hire additional teachers and ESPs to support students. Filling out this form will help to ensure Rice Lake can continue to provide that additional support to students.
To be considered for free or reduced-priced meals and other educational benefits, parents/caregivers must complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application each year. The benefits of filling out the application and being approved (or qualifying) may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Free or reduced meal costs for your student if your household income qualifies.
- Applications completed and approved prior to Oct. 1 will help provide funding for the school your child attends, which can be used to provide additional resources that benefit students.
- To qualify for P-EBT benefits if extended into the upcoming school year.
- Testing fees for the ACT, SAT and AP Fees may be discounted as well as field trips and instrument rentals.
- Reduced internet rates with certain providers.
- Athletics fees waived or reduced.
Educational Benefits application
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students
One breakfast and one lunch per day are free for all students in Minnesota.
If students bring a lunch from home and wish to have school milk, they must purchase one for 50 cents using their SmartSchoolK12 lunch account. Once you’ve created this account, you can log in and add money to your child’s meal account. Balances are shared by all students in a household.
To load your student’s lunch account, view menus, apply for free/reduced lunch, etc., please visit www.district279.org/services/nutrition-services.
Click the button below to create a SmartSchoolK12 account.
Parent Vue
Parent Vue is a web application used by Osseo Area Schools for parents to access their child's report card, sign up for conferences, view health information, etc. It is critical that all parents/guardians have access to Parent Vue. To use, simply install the app on any smart phone and create your account. To ensure confidentiality, each student has their own access code. All accounts are prompted in the fall to update their back to school forms so that contact information is up to date with all families.
Computers and assistance will be available during Open House to sign up for Parent Vue.
Late Arrival Absences
Arriving at school on time is incredibly important for your child so they are a part of all classroom community building and learning opportunities. Students should arrive at 8:40am (please review the handbook for specifics) . A late arrival will be marked for students that arrive at school after 8:50am. Late arrival absences can be marked as excused, or unexcused, based on reasoning. Parent or guardian must come into the building with students to fill out a form for their late arrival.
Birthdays/Celebrations
Out of respect for instructional time, family and religious choices, and many food allergies, birthday treats are not permitted in the classrooms. This is a district wide policy.
Cell Phone/Electronics
It is important for families to be able to communicate with their scholar either before or after school, however during the school day, cell phones, smart watches and other devices become a distraction for the student in their learning and the learning of those around them. We ask if you are able to keep the cell phone, smart watch or other device at home please do so; however, if this is not possible for your family, we ask that students drop off cell phones/smart watches or other devices in the main office for the day and they may pick them up at the end of the school day. This will ensure and maintain a learning environment in classrooms and throughout the school.
Arrival and Dismissal for Students Who Are Parent Pick-Up
The Rice Lake parking lot gets busy and crowded during arrival and dismissal. PLEASE drive slowly, pay attention, and be patient and kind to others.
Students may arrive at 8:40 am. There is no adult supervision prior to that time; students should not arrive early. School doors will open at 8:40 am.
Morning Drop Off
Parents who are dropping off are encouraged to enter the drop off line and line up at the curb by the black fence. Students should leave their vehicles at 8:40 am and wait at the school doors; please do not have students wait in their vehicle until 8:40 am when doors open because it backs up traffic. Students should only exit their vehicle when the vehicle is stopped at the curb, not in the lane for vehicles to leave. Parents should remain in their vehicle except if a pre-k or kindergarten student needs assistance with the vehicle door.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Students who are parent pick-up are dismissed at 3:15 pm. Parents are encouraged to use the pick-up line rather than parking. Please remain in your vehicle. There are multiple staff who assist students to the correct vehicle. Students should be picked up from school NO LATER than 3:20 pm.
Parking
Parents may also choose to park in the morning or afternoon. Parking spaces are limited. Handicap spaces may only be used by vehicles with a handicap sign clearly displayed. Please use the designated walkway and cross walks. Wait for your child near your vehicle or near the cross walk. Please do not wait for your child by the doors of the school.
Bus Number and Bus Stop Information
You will receive an email from our Transportation Department with your child's bus number, bus stop, and pick up/drop off times the week before school starts. Bussing information for your child is also available on the Parent Vue app. If you have any questions regarding this, please call 763-391-7244. Changes or cancellations to transportation can be sent to busquestions@district279.org.
Bus Stop Safety Reminders
- Arrive 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up
- Keep safety in mind (no horseplay, games, chasing, or pets)
- Wait on the sidewalk, boulevard or edge of the roadway. Stay away from houses, garages, and porches.
- When you see the bus approaching, form a line to board the bus. Stay in line until the bus comes to a complete stop.
