Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023

Dear Basswood Families,

The students at Basswood are excited about the Read A Thon and they tell me that they are reading a lot. I hope the focus on books and reading this month helps your family to enjoy reading together. With the biggest predicted snowfall of the winter quickly approaching, it would be a great time to gather around a good book.

Have a great weekend!

Steven Schwartz
Basswood Principal

Basswood Elementary Winter Conferences will be held on Monday, February 10; and Wednesday, February 12, at 7:30am-8:30am and 3:40pm-6:40pm. If you still need to schedule a conference with your student's classroom teacher, please call the office at 763.494.3858 for assistance.

Thank you for scheduling your conference!

The Scholastic Book Fair will be open on Monday, February 10, 9am to 7pm, and Tuesday, February 11, 9am to 3pm.

Basswood Gives Back student team is sponsoring their latest community project to benefit Feed My Starving Children. Heart O’ Grams will be sold in the lunchroom during your student's lunch time for 10 cents apiece during the week of February 10. They are cute little pink notes that students can write positive notes in. The students will deliver it to the receiver on their own time. All proceeds will be donated to Feed My Starving Children. Bring in those dimes starting on Monday!!

On Monday, February 17, from 4pm to 8pm, our PTO will be having a fundraiser at Chipotle, 18800 70th Way North in Maple Grove. Basswood will receive 25 percent of sales during this time. You can order online using the code VH9V8TE or in person. Remember to mention this fundraiser if you go in person!!

Basswood’s yearbook is available for sale for $10! Yearbooks will be on sale until 04/04/2025.

Click here to order.

The purpose of this charitable outreach program is to provide free care to low-income children in need. Thousands of dental professionals volunteer their time to this program because they understand the pain and embarrassment many children experience due to untreated dental problems. Since the program’s inception in Minnesota in 2003, 86,000 children have received free care through Give Kids a Smile.

Find a Participating Clinic - some clinics may offer an alternative date.

1. Parent/guardian – locate a clinic and call to make an appointment.
2. Patients generally have to be 18 years of age or younger.
3. Patients must be accompanied by parent/guardian.
4. Assistance: Families who need help with finding a clinic/scheduling an appointment can call United Way 2-1-1 (800-543-7709) Monday-Friday 8 am– 5 pm.
5. Translation services: Referral specialists can assist in scheduling via 3-way call to dental clinic and making an appointment for those who speak Hmong, Somali, & Spanish.

You can find more information here:

https://www.mndental.org/events/give-kids-a-smile/find-a-participating-clinic/

When bringing forgotten winter gear or instruments or lunches to Basswood, please do your best to have them to Basswood by 10:30am. We have morning deliveries each day at 10:30am for all of these forgotten items so they get delivered before lunches begin. This way these are items are delivered to the classroom and we do not have to call to interrupt instructional time. Thank you for your consideration!

• February 10 - Conferences
• February 10 - Scholastic Book Fair from 7:30am to 7:00pm
• February 11 - Scholastic Book Fair from 9:00am to 3:00pm
  
• February 12 - Conferences
• February 14 - School Spirit Day: Wear pink, white, or red for Valentine's day!
• February 17 - NO SCHOOL/Presidents' Day

• February 17 - NO SCHOOL/Presidents' Day
• February 17 - PTO Fundraiser - Chipotle in Maple Grove 4pm to 8pm
• February 19 - Bus Driver Appreciate Day!
• February 20 - Group Activity Picture Day
• February 26 - Classroom Picture Day

• 2nd grade: 10:45 - 11:10am
• 4th grade: 11:15 - 11:40am
• 1st grade: 11:45 - 12:10pm
• 3rd grade: 12:15 - 12:40pm
• 5th grade: 12:45 - 1:10pm
• Kindergarten: 1:15 - 1:40pm

First bell rings at 8:40am letting students into the school. Second bell rings at 8:50am letting students know they should be in their classroom ready to start the day! At 8:50am, the front doors are shut and student will need to come through the office to get a late pass.

If you are planning a family vacation or just time away from school, please remember to call your student's absence into the attendance line. You can call 763-494-3858 and press 1 to leave a message with your student's name, student's teacher, reason for absence, and dates that your student will be gone. We really appreciate your assistance!

We welcome and encourage volunteers at Basswood. You can complete an online volunteer form online at apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Nzg0OmVuLVVT and work with our volunteer coordinator, Lezlie Northagen. Volunteer information will go home the first week of school. Activities in a normal school year include being a classroom assistant, helping with classroom parties, helping with PTO sponsored activities (Carnival, Turkey Bingo, Book Fair, etc.) along with numerous other opportunities. We continue to follow state guidelines and adjust our volunteer program accordingly.

Yes! You will be able to follow us on Facebook. Our first posts went live on September 5th. Please note that we are moving away from Twitter (@BWPrincipal279) for Basswood social media. Click here below to follow us.

Every parent or guardian of enrolled students of Basswood Elementary is an automatic member of the PTO. We encourage you to join one of our next general meetings - or just send us a note if you have a question. You can find more information on our PTO website: https://sites.google.com/view/basswoodpto/home?authuser=1 or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasswoodElementaryPto

Our district Community Education department offers a variety of after school classes. If you do sign your student up for one of these classes, please remember to let your student's teacher know about the class and when your student needs to stay after school.

The District Transportation department only allows students to ride their assigned bus to and from school. If you have questions, you can reach out to the Transportation Department at 763-391-7244 or transportationreques@district279.org.