Panther Newsletter

Greetings, Palmer Lake Families,

It was great to see you at winter conferences. I hope you enjoyed connecting with your child’s teacher and hearing about the learning they have engaged in.

Science and Engineering Night is coming up Wednesday, February 21 from 5:30-7:00. The Works Museum will be here doing hands-on science activities. Pizza will be provided and concessions will be available for $1. The event is sponsored by Boston Scientific. I hope to see all of you there; it will be a great event!

Have a great day!

Sarah Schmidt, principal

No School (President's Day): Monday, February 19

Family Science and Engineering Night: Wednesday, February 21 from 5:30-7pm. Presented by Boston Scientific!

Kindergarten Circus Family Presentation: Thursday, February 23 from 6-7:30pm

Book character dress up day: Wednesday, February 28

Spring Break: March 25-29

Last day to order is 4/14/24. Price does not include tax or handling fees.

Students are using their rocket flashlights to read in the dark for Blast off with Reading, one of the fun I love to read activities this month 🚀

Dress up as your favorite book character on Wednesday, February 28. No need to buy a costume! Some of the best costumes we've seen have been homemade 🙂 Scary characters and masks not allowed.

https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/OsseoISDElementarySchools

Students will stay inside for recess if the “feels like” (wind chill) temp is -5 or lower. Students are expected to come to school in appropriate winter gear as they will be going outside for recess unless the wind chill is -5 or lower.

Please call the office at 763-561-1930 with any changes in afternoon transportation before 2:45 pm. While TalkingPoints messages and e-mails to teachers are helpful, we need to make sure the changes are communicated with the office!

A late arrival will be marked for students that arrive at school after 8:50am. Late arrivals can be marked as excused, or unexcused, based on reasoning. Arriving at school on time is incredibly important for your child so they are a part of all classroom community building and learning opportunities.

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.

Talent Development, Academic Challenge and Gifted Support (TAG) services are available to Palmer Lake students in kindergarten through fifth grade to strengthen interests, extend grade-level content, and apply skills and concepts in authentic ways. To learn more about TAG services, please click on Palmer Lake TAG Services - Community Letter

Please make sure the parent/guardian contact information linked to your student(s) is updated and current! We need to be able to reach you in case of emergency or health concern.

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. Palmer 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 Palmer Lake can continue to provide that additional support to students.

Educational Benefits application

Starting this fall, all students are receiving free lunch courtesy of the Free School Meals for Kids law. Each student can receive one free lunch meal each day. Students who would like to have a 2nd lunch, or just a milk, will need to pay for those items.

Breakfast will continue to be free for Palmer Lake students every day.

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. Call the office for assistance setting up your account.

The Palmer Lake parking lot gets busy and crowded during arrival and dismissal. PLEASE drive slowly, pay attention, and be patient and kind to others. Click on the parking lot map for details.

Students may arrive at 8:30 am. There is no adult supervision prior to that time; students should not arrive early. School doors will open at 8:35 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 8:30 am and wait at the school doors; please do not have students wait in their vehicle until 8:35 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 stop information comes through an email from the 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.

• 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.