October Family Newsletter
This month we will be working on the trait of responsibility. Students will discuss what it is, how we show it and why it is important in small and large groups. At home try these discussion starters:
● A time I (or someone else) showed Responsibility was _____.
● An act of Responsibility that changed/challenged me was _____.
Families are also invited in to meet with staff for fall conferences. This is a great opportunity to connect again and see what goals your child has for the year. Please use the myconference link to sign up for either October 22 or 26.
Staff will also participate in staff development connected to engagement strategies and literacy. Students are not in school October 15, 16 and 26.
At Evergreen Park we do not celebrate Halloween. On Friday, October 30 please do not send students in costume or treats. We want to ensure all students feel included. In addition, classrooms will have parties at the end of each trimester to celebrate the learning that occurred.
:) Mrs. Collodora
Parent Pick Up Area
Parent Pick UP Should Follow the guidelines listed:
- Parent car pick up should only be using that lane in the south lot.
- Parents should always stay in your vehicles.
- Please DO NOT park in the south lot and walk to the gym.
- Please DO NOT park in the east lot by the softball fields and walk through the field. That field and lot will NOT be plowed come snow.
- Please DO NOT park in a lot and walk to door 5.
- Please DO NOT park on Dupont Ave and walk to the gym, door 2 or door 5.
- If you are coming in a car, PLEASE use the parent car pick up line.
- Students should only be walking if they are walking home and not to a car in a parking lot or street.
This will create a safer environment for students, adults, staff and a faster dismissal!
THANK YOU all for teaming with us on this system!
Bus Safety/Transportation
Please talk with your child(ren) about bus safety as it is important for all students to know. Ask them what they have learned regarding riding on the bus.
Student Leaders
This school year Evergreen Park will have a student leader group that will be made up of fifteen students from classrooms in grades 3-5. Your child would like to be a part of this group. The group will meet one to two times a month during school hours in morning meeting time, no extra transportation will be needed.
Materials were turned in and now a group of staff members will look through applications to decide our 26/27 Student Leaders.
Personal Items/Toys/Stuffies/Squishies/Sports Gear
These items should not be brought to school. The classrooms and learning spaces have equipment for recess and resources to use. Often these items become a distraction and we want to focus on student learning and safety. Please ensure that these items are kept at home as we are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Safety Drills
Evergreen Park will begin our safety drills for the year. State of Minnesota requires us to participate in: 5 fire drills, 5 lockout and/or lockdown, and 1 severe weather drill throughout the year. We do these drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency and how to stay safe. Please reach out if you have questions.
STEM News
Upcoming field trips:
October 13th: Kindergarten to Everly Farms Orchard
October 29th: Grade 1 to Oliver Kelley Farm
November 6th: Grade 5 to Mississippi Gateway
November 12th: Grade 2 to Mississippi Gateway
November 18th: Grade 3 to Sea Life
November 20th: Grade 4 to Target Field
If you have not signed and returned your child's permission slip please do so. This is required for field trips. This permission slip covers the whole 2026-2027 school year.
If you are interested in being a chaperone, reach out to Rachel Lindeman at Rachel.Lindeman@ahschools.us and complete the Evergreen Park Volunteer Application.
School Social Worker Resources
We will be starting our SEL groups at the end of this month! These small groups will focus on social skills, coping skills, problem solving skills, and character traits such as respect, empathy, and more. We will meet twice a week during the school day for approximately 30 minutes over a 6-week span. Please keep an eye out for a message from one of our social workers to let you know if your student(s) is in a group. If you are interested in additional resources to teach these skills at home, please let our team know and we are happy to share resources :)
Weekend food distribution: Every Meal
We offer a weekly weekend food program with nonperishable food items that you can sign up for. Here is the link to sign up for the weekend program:
https://forms.gle/NEH3aPWA5mbXJiA9A.
If you have any questions regarding the weekly weekend food contact Courtney Conway.
School Attendance Matters
Attendance is very important, when students miss school, they miss out on valuable learning.
If your child is not feeling well, please call the attendance line at 763-506-2506. If we do not receive a call when your child is absent, the absence is considered unexcused.
To keep families informed, we send letters when a student has:
3 unexcused absences
7 unexcused absences
10 total absences (excused or unexcused)
If your child reaches 10 absences, we may begin requiring a doctor’s note for future absences. By law, schools must report educational neglect when a student has 7 unexcused absences (absences not called in). This is something we do not want to do, we would much rather partner with families to ensure students are in school.
I will reach out if your child begins to miss too many days so that we can work together to support consistent attendance. If you are experiencing any barriers to getting your child to school, please contact me at ashley.akwa@ahschools.us.
Volunteer Information
We are ready for a great school year and can't wait to see how you choose to volunteer at Evergreen this year! What a great way to show your kids you value their school and want to be involved in it. Many employers give their employees time off to volunteer- talk to your boss to see if they will let you leave work occasionally to volunteer at your child's school. There are many opportunities throughout the year.
Don't forget to fill out your online volunteer application so you are ready to help at Evergreen Park- APPLICATION. Each person 18 and older needs to fill out a new application each year.
We urgently need helpers to come in to help at breakfast and lunch times the first two weeks of school. If you are available, please fill out your volunteer application and sign up here: BREAKFAST/LUNCH
For other ways to help, check out this list- VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Thank you for all you do! Let me know if you have questions or need help with any of these applications or sign ups.
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Health Office
The health office will start routine grade level hearing and vision screening for students in K, 1, 3 and 5.
If you have any questions, please contact the health office at 763-506-2502.
Upcoming Dates
October 1: EPIC Meeting
October 5-9 Hispanic Heritage Week
October 8: Hispanic Families welcome to have lunch with your student
October 15: No School
October 16: No School
October 22: Fall Conferences
October 26: No School
October 26: Fall Conferences
