February News and Events

February 2, 2026

Hello Eisenhower Families,

February is such a fun month for us here at Eisenhower as we kick off "I Love to Read Month". This year will be extra special as Eisenhower's student council planned the majority of our special events. Don't forget to mark your calendars for the special dress up days for students who want to participate.

What we know to be true is that reading is an integral part of success in every facet of life. Please join our Eisenhower team this month in setting aside time each day to read and grow.

In partnership and appreciation,

Principal DeRung

We know that the pick up and drop off line is probably one of the most frustrating parts of the day for parents who drive their students to and from school. Teachers also stress about these times as safety is our number one priority. We all have off days, but please remember that processes are only successful if they are followed. Keeping that in mind, I'd like to send a couple of reminders to support both our families and our staff in this process.

*Remember to pull all the way forward.

*Do not park in the pick up/drop off lane at any time during active arrival or dismissal.

*If you have picked up your student(s) and you are driving around other vehicles, please move all the way to the left side so both lanes can continue to move.

Thank you for doing your part in keeping all students safe.

Parent-Teacher Conference schedules are ready for parents to access. Please note that teachers are not able to accommodate more than one conference time per student.

February 17, 1:00 - 8:00pm

February 19, 4:10 - 8:00pm

Directions to schedule your preferred times are below.

1. Go to: http://myconferencetime.com/eisenhower
2. Click on the name of your child's teacher. If you have more than one child attending our school, click on "Register for Multiple Conferences" and follow the prompts to schedule your children.
3. Select the desired date/time for your conference by clicking on "sign up." Submit the requested information.
4. Indicate if your preference is to attend conferences in person or virtual. If you choose to have a virtual conference, please be sure to eliminate possible distractions.

You will receive an email confirmation and reminder of your conference, please keep this this email as reference.

MyConferenceTime Help for Parents:

• Eisenhower Virtual Conference - Directions for Parents/Guardians
• Videos to help you sign up for conferences
• Cancel your conference online
• Look up conferences that you scheduled

Book swap:

2/11 & 2/12: Collection will be before school in the link, books sorted in room 105

2/13: The swap will be during each grade level recess in room 105

Dress up:

2/6: Flashlight reading and PJ day

2/13: Read my Shirt

2/20: Dress like a Teacher

2/27: Dress like a book Character

Drop Everything and Read (DEAR):

2/4: 9:40-9:55

2/11: 9:40-9:55

2/18: 9:40-9:55

2/25: 9:40-9:55

Door Contest: Decorate your door as a class or small group. The student council will judge doors on 2/27 and announce a winner.

Read in an unusual spot: Do this at home during the month and take pictures. Make a collage of the pictures and hang it up in the link on 2/20.

Read under a desk or make a fort: Grade level decides on time, place and date

Bookmark contest led by Mrs Johnson:

2/9: contest starts

2/23: turn in bookmark

3/2: winners announced

Guest Readers: Families/Friends can use this link to sign up to be readers in the classroom from 9:40 - 9:55 on 2/19, 2/20, 2/23, 2/24, 2/26, & 2/27.

All guest readers need to complete the Eisenhower Volunteer Application and Eisenhower Criminal Record History Release Form.

Love to Read - Mystery Readers Volunteer Sign Up

Come join us for live music and photo booth.

One slice of pizza will be free with a ticket purchase.

Additional pizza will be available for purchase.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

$5 per student K-8, Adults are free

*All students must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.

This event needs volunteers. Volunteer HERE.

Students are expected to wear a jacket at minimum until the temperature reaches 50°. Please dress your student for weather each day. Students will have outdoor recess most days unless the temperature is under 0° or colder than -10° with the windchill.

Where can I get information on school closings due to weather?

The district will share information about school closings in a variety of ways.

• Phone, text or email message from AHlert
• District and school websites
• District and school social media pages (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter)
• Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio and Star Tribune newspaper

We would like to extend our most sincere gratitude towards our IKE families. I am once again in awe of the community that has been created here. We received many donations for our students and families who are in need of essential resources. With many stressful things happening in the world, donations like these can help ease some worries.

Donation suggestions can be found on this Amazon list. The items on this list are suggestions of items that can be donated. You do not need to buy directly off this list if you do not wish to. All items will be donated to students and families in need at Eisenhower Elementary School.

If you wish to purchase anything from the list, you can ship it right to the school by purchasing directly off the link or have the items shipped to your home to be dropped off later. Thank you for your consideration and partnership!

• Basic Needs Requests

• "If your family would benefit from receiving items such as toiletries, personal hygiene items, and more, please fill out the form below:

• Basic Needs Request

• Si su familia se beneficiaría al recibir artículos como artículos de tocador, artículos de higiene personal y más, complete el siguiente formulario:

• Solicitud de Necesidades Básicas

• Winter gear

• Winter will be here soon! We have winter clothing to give to students. If you are in need of winter gear for your student, please fill out the following form:

• Winter Gear Request

• ¡El invierno está sobre nosotros! Disponemos de ropa de invierno para regalar a los estudiantes. Si necesita equipo de invierno para su estudiante, complete el siguiente formulario:

• Solicitud de equipo de invierno

Josie Gall

josie.gall@ahschools.us

763-506-2369

Nici Higby

nicole.higby@ahschools.us

763-506-2370

In order to promote the most effective learning environment possible, and limit distractions, students cell phones and other personal electronic devices need to be powered off and put away while in the building or on school grounds. In the event of an emergency, parents can contact the Main Office to get a message to their student. If a student isn't feeling well, they should see the nurse who can call home for them. Students who have their phones out during the school day will be directed to put them away. Repeated infractions will result in parent communication and possible school consequences.

Cheer Camp meets Wednesday February 4 5:15-6:15 pm 4 weeks

This cheer camp provides athletes with an introduction to cheerleading. Campers will learn several cheers with focus on body control, jumping, proper hand movements. Emphasis will be placed on sportsmanship, teamwork, and a positive attitude! Campers should bring a water bottle and wear athletic clothing and shoes. Presented by DASH Sports.

Click here to register for Cheer Camp

Love Bug Clay Pot class meets Tuesday February 12 4-5 pm

Get ready for Valentine's Day! This clay pot craft lets kids make their own adorable love bug. It's the perfect simple, fun, and creative activity. Once you're done, you'll have one big question to answer: Will you keep your new friend or give him away to a special valentine?!

Click here to register for Love Bug Clay Pot

Chess Winter Open Tournament meets Saturday February 14 9:30 am-1 pm

A tournament is a fun way for students of all ages to learn and improve their chess level and a great way to test their skills. Chess tournaments are not only competitions, but social events as well. Participants will meet peers with a similar love for the game. We will be using the Swiss Tournament System. Concessions will be available for purchase. Spectators are allowed to stay and watch. Presented by Twin Cities Chess

Click here to register for the Chess Tournament

Movie Lovers Art Camp meets Tuesday February 17 9 am -3:30 pm

Ready for a camp that will bring your love of movies to life? Get ready to create a miniature version of “Sponge Bob’s Bikini Bottom”, master mini mischievous “Minions”, and express themselves creatively and musically with the cast of “Sing” and many more! So, grab your popcorn and your sense of adventure - we'll see you at camp! Please pack a lunch, snacks and drink for your child. Presented by KidCreate Studio

Click here to register for Movie Lovers Art Camp

Scholarships are available contact the Community Ed office if you need more information.

Anna Heinrich

Community Education Programmer

(763)506-2312 (Eisenhower)

www.ahschools.us/eisenhower

Using screens too much can make kids feel more worried or sad.

• 10% of children ages 3 - 17 have current, diagnosed anxiety? (source)
  
  

• Looking at screens before bed can make it harder to sleep and feel calm?
  
  

• Some games and apps are made to keep kids playing for a long time, even when they don’t want to?
  
  

• Taking breaks from screens can help kids feel happier and focus better?

Want to learn more? Visit the Pre-K to Grade 3 Parenting Education and Family Engagement webpage or contact Elizabeth Korzenowski at elizabeth.korzenowski@ahschools.us

(612)520-1710

Volunteering not only benefits our school but also offers you the opportunity to connect with other parents, gain new experiences, and make a positive impact on your child's educational journey!

Family Dance 2/13/26 - This exciting event is approaching very quickly and the Eisenhower PTO needs your help! We will need a lot of volunteers to make this event a huge success. Please click the link to review volunteer opportunities for the dance. The dance itself will run from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. If volunteering please make your way to door 2 and knock to be let in early for volunteering, since there will most likely be a long line. Please note this dance is a family dance, Eisenhower students cannot be dropped off. Eisenhower students must be accompanied by an adult to supervise them while they are at the dance. NOTE: All adult volunteers do not have to pay admission for themselves and child(ren).

Love To Read - Mystery Readers - Eisenhower classroom teachers are looking for volunteers to be Mystery Readers during the month of February. Volunteers will read about 10-15 min each morning starting February 19th. Mystery Readers are important because they share their love of reading with our students as well as interest in their education! Please click on the link for more information.

Hearing & Vision Screening - Mrs. Melin, Nurse and Mrs. Stickland, Heath Para, are looking for 4 volunteers on Tuesday, February 10th. Volunteers will be escorting students to and from the classrooms. Mrs. Melin and Mrs. Stickland will be available for questions. Please click the screening link for more information.

Watch Dogs - Is an innovative program being used by schools across America which helps them to be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father-figures in their student’s life. Our goal is to have you spend a day this year at the school to be a positive male role model and to provide an extra set of eyes and ears. Watch Dogs will be volunteering at recess, the lunchroom and in gym class. Your Watch Dogs day will start at 10:50 and end around 3:50 pm. After you check in at the main office your day will start in our lunchroom. While in the lunchroom you will be visiting students and helping with opening lunch items as needed. Next you will be heading outside to join students at recess. At recess please feel free to visit and play games. Your day will end at Physical Education (PE). Please feel free in joining the class, you never know what fun exercise themed event they will be working on. My favorite is the giant parachute. During the day if you have any questions please feel to ask a staff member or stop in the office.

Please don’t hesitate to call me if an opportunity arises that you would like to be involved in or to say “Hello” anytime!

Thank you and I look forward to working with you here at Eisenhower

Kathrina DeKruyff-Glass

Volunteer Services Coordinator

Monday - Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Thursday 8:00 - noon

(Hours may vary)

kathrina.dekruyffglass@ahschools.us

763-506-2340

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Impact at Eisenhower
Total # of registered volunteers: 108
Total # of volunteer hours since school started: 510

Starting in Winter 2026, our district will begin using the Capti ReadBasix assessment to better understand student literacy needs and guide classroom instructional decisions. This initiative aligns with the requirements of the Minnesota READ Act. The assessment will be administered to all students in grades 4–8, as well as select students in grades 9–12.

For more details, please visit the following resources:

• Capti Assessment Info: https://www.capti.com/capti-site/public/entry/family_support

• Minnesota READ Act: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/READ/

This month's trait is HONESTY. Students will learn to "be truthful in what they say and do." Check in with your kids about what they have learned and how they are practicing being honest.

PJ Day - Feb 6

Food Night Raising Canes - Feb 10

Read My Shirt Day - Feb 13

Valentine's Dance - Feb 13

No School - Feb 16 & 17

Conferences - Feb 17 & 19

Dress like a Teacher Day - Feb 20

Dress like a Book Character Day - Feb 28

Eisenhower Calendar