November Family Newsletter
November Dolphins Family Newsletter
A message from the principal
As we move into November, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for our families, students, and staff. Garden City continues to be a place where Every Voice. Every Day. is celebrated, and where we work together to ensure that every student experiences belonging, affirmation, and academic success.
At Garden City, every student experiences belonging, learns in ways that affirm who they are and amplify their voice, and develops the ownership and agency to thrive in school.
š Our School Improvement Focus: Reading & Math Growth
This school year, Garden Cityās Operational Plan (School Improvement Plan) focuses on helping all students grow in reading and math.
We are doing this through a coaching model that emphasizes culturally responsive instructional practices and high operational standards. This means teachers are:
Planning lessons that include all learners, especially students whose home language is not English and students who receive special education services.
Using teaching strategies that affirm studentsā identities and amplify their voices in the classroom.
Designing learning experiences that connect to studentsā backgrounds, interests, and strengths.
We believe that by connecting deeply with every learner, student growth will continue to rise across all subjects.
Last year, Garden City students showed growth in math on the MCA assessments. Our reading scores dipped slightly, but we also introduced a new reading curriculum along with a phonics program that both students and teachers love. This year, we are already seeing excellent results as students and teachers build confidence and familiarity with these new tools.
In addition, we continue to implement our school-wide Title I plan, which ensures that every studentāif neededāhas access to extra support from our Title I team.
š” How Families Can Help at Home
Family partnership plays a powerful role in student growth! Here are a few simple ways to support learning at home:
Read Together Daily ā Spend 15 minutes each night reading with your child. Talk about favorite parts of the story and new vocabulary.
Build Math Confidence ā Practice counting, addition, or subtraction with everyday itemsālike groceries, coins, or cooking ingredients.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results ā Praise your childās persistence and problem-solving; it helps build confidence and motivation.
Ask About School ā Try questions like, āWhat made you proud today?ā or āWhat did you learn that surprised you?ā
Stay in Touch ā Communicate regularly with teachers through Dojo, email, or notes in your childās folder.
Small, consistent routines make a big difference!
Upcoming Events- Mark your calendars!
š„š„ NOVEMBER!!! š„š„
11/5: Conferences
8-9 am & 4:30-7:30pm
11/11: Conferences
8-9 am & 4:30-7:30pm
11/13: Conferences
8-9 am & 4:30-7:30pm
11/13: Picture Re-Take
11/26-11/28: NO SCHOOL
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT NEWS & UPDATES:
A Big GC Shoutout!
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Alebrijes Workshop! Your creativity and enthusiasm truly brought this project to life!
Trunk n Treat Success!
Weāre still in awe of the amazing turnout for our 1st Trunk n Treat event! Thank you to every family, volunteer, and supporter who helped make it such a fun and memorable night. Way to go, GC families!
Looking Ahead at GC
November Food Drive
This month, weāre coming together to support those affected by the recent government shutdown. GC teachers, community members, and our Girls on the Run team are partnering to host a Food Drive to help those in need. Stay tuned for details on how you shop with us!
Hmong New Year Celebration ā November 24 & 25
Weāre excited to celebrate Hmong New Year with our very own Hmong Cultural Museum! Join us in honoring and learning about the rich traditions, art, and history of Hmong culture. More information on time of day coming soon.
Coming in December........
2nd Annual Winter Festival ā Saturday, December 6th @10 AMā3 PM
Mark your calendars! Our 2nd Annual Winter Festival returns with fun for the whole family. Keep an eye out for flyers coming home soon.
Want professional photos by Amari Reveā? Use the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot or the link below ā one slot per family, please. Spaces will fill up quickly!
Holiday Penguin Shop ā December 1stā6th
Students will once again have the chance to shop for affordable holiday gifts for family and friends! All items are under $12, making it a fun and budget-friendly way to spread some holiday cheer. More details to come!
With appreciation,
Felicia Cornell
Family Liaison
Important Information...
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.
Please go to the main office/or call 763-561-9768 for your child's special access code (if you do not have your Parent Vue set up yet).
All back to school forms MUST be completed and/or verified to enter ParentVue for the first time each school year. ParentVue will prompt you to do this when you login. Be sure to select the begin registration button. You will have to verify ALL CHILDREN in your home, even young siblings!
Late Arrival
A late arrival will be marked for students that arrive at school after 9:40am. 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.
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.
Arrival and Dismissal for Students Who Are Parent Pick-Up
Students should arrive at school NO EARLIER than 9:10 am as there will not be adult supervision.
Students should be picked up from school NO LATER than 4:00 pm
- We begin to call family numbers at 3:50pm
- There is NO left turn into the parking lot. Cars need to line up on 65th Avenue facing East so you make a RIGHT turn into the Family Pickup Zone.
- Do NOT block the bus lane.
- Do NOT park on the street or stop in the line to send someone to get your student(s). You need to line up in the line like all other families. When in line, you need to stay in line, waiting your turn like other families.
*IMPORTANT END OF DAY NOTICE*
To ensure the safety of all our studentsā¦
If there are ANY changes to pick up at the end of the day (example- your student(s) being a parent pick up instead of taking the bus home, or a different family/friend picking up etc) please notify the
OFFICE NO LATER than 2:30pm.
Call 763-561-9768
Bus Transportation Information
As a reminder, transportation is only available to students who live within the Garden City attendance boundaries.
If you have further transportation questions, need to make changes to your student's bus information, etc. please email transportation at BusQuestions@district279.org. or call at
763-391-7244.
Please make sure you download the new FirstView 1.0 Bus Tracking App for all the latest bus real time bus route timing and info. More info below.
FirstView 1.0 Bus Tracking App
Download updated bus tracking app to receive real-time info
Stay connected with your student's bus via our updated bus tracking app ā FirstView 1.0.
This new app replaces the previous system with improved features such as easier navigation, notifications and family/caregiver email alerts. Current users should delete the previous app and download FirstView 1.0 to continue receiving real-time bus information. Refer to the Getting Started guide for first steps once the new app has downloaded onto your device.
Questions? Visit district279.org/FirstView or email support@myfirstview.com.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
FirstView 1.0 Bus Tracking App
Download updated bus tracking app to receive real-time info
Stay connected with your student's bus via our updated bus tracking app ā FirstView 1.0.
This new app replaces the previous system with improved features such as easier navigation, notifications and family/caregiver email alerts. Current users should delete the previous app and download FirstView 1.0 to continue receiving real-time bus information. Refer to the Getting Started guide for first steps once the new app has downloaded onto your device.
Questions? Visit district279.org/FirstView or email support@myfirstview.com.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Reminder: Fill out Application for Educational Benefits
The application for educational benefits takes just a few minutes to complete, and it unlocks valuable support for families who qualify. Benefits include:
Summer grocery support (Sun Bucks)
Discounted home internet and utilities
Lower college exam and AP fees
After-school and summer programs
Tutoring and academic help
Low-cost community transit
Free or discounted admission to museums, theaters and local events
How to apply:
Online through EduTrakConnect at www.district279.org/FMA. This option will create a family account allowing online access to view meal accounts.
Online at: bit.ly/3hWdk7Q This option will bypass making a family account while still allowing completion of the application.
Information regarding applications for educational benefits
We still want to encourage families who have not been directly certified through programs such as SNAP to fill out applications for educational benefits.
Letters were mailed earlier this month to families who qualify for educational benefits via direct certification through these programs. The letters state that they qualify. Families that qualify based on these programs do not need to fill out an application.
It is beneficial for families who did not receive this notification to fill out an application as it may impact federal Title funding and may help the families and student qualify for other benefits.
We cannot require a family to fill out an application or offer incentives for a family to fill out the application.
This year, as with years past, we have mailed post cards with a link to complete applications for educational benefits to all households. We also send paper applications to each site to have on hand in the office. The paper applications, the post card, as well as the Nutrition Services website has a QR code, and links to a fillable online form thatās available in 5 languages.
Below is an example script you may use to send communications to families if youāre interested.
WHY FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS WHEN MEALS ARE ALREADY AT NO COST?
Our school offers healthy meals each day. Breakfast and lunch will be available to students attending school in person at no cost for school year 2025/2026. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for important education funding. (If you received a letter this summer stating you qualified for educational benefits, you do not need to fill out a form again this year)
We encourage families to fill out an application for educational benefits at the beginning of each school year. The benefits of filling out an application and being approved (or qualifying) may include but are not limited to the following:
Applications completed and approved prior to October 1st will help provide funding for the school your child attends which can be used to provide additional resources that benefit students.
Testing fees for the ACT, SAT and AP Fees may be discounted as well as field trips and band instruments.
Reduced Internet rates with certain providers.
Athletics fees waived or reduced.
There are three easy ways to apply for free or reduced priced meals:
Online through EduTrakConnect at www.district279.org/FMA. This option will create a family account allowing online access to view meal accounts.
Online at: bit.ly/3hWdk7Q This option will bypass making a family account while still allowing completion of the application
Scan the QR code (attached)