Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023

Dear Basswood Families,

We are getting excited to welcome everyone to Basswood. Our teachers and other staff members are busy preparing for all of our Bulldogs' arrival.

As the first day of school approaches, I want to provide some guidance for dropping of your children at Basswood. Student safety in the parent pick-up and drop-off lane is very important. We have student safety patrols and a number of staff members outside daily to assist with a safe and efficient process.

To help us ensure safety and efficiency, please be mindful of the following:

- Please focus fully on driving. (Minimize waving and stay off your phone.)

- Please monitor your speed in the parent drop-off / pick-up lane.

- Make sure that all children exit out the passenger side of the vehicle.

- Adults must stay in their vehicles or park if you need to exit your car.

- Pull forward as far as you can to reduce back-ups on Vicksburg and Bass Lake Road

For the first week, we welcome parents and students into the building. However, beginning Monday morning September 14th, students will enter the building on their own and be supported by our staff if they need help finding their classroom. Please wish them a good day at the front door and let them know they "have what it takes" to enter independently.

Please reach out to the Basswood office team with questions.

In partnership,

Steven Schwartz
Basswood Principal

#WeAreBasswood!

During Open House on Wednesday evening, September 2, we will have two food trucks available for families to purchase food items from:

• The Lookout
• Brain Freeze

These trucks will be available 4pm to 7pm. Please come enjoy dinner and some ice cream! They will take cash or card.

Here is the school supply list for the 2026-27 school year:

Join us in supporting Basswood Elementary on a PTO Takeout Tuesday night. On Tuesday, September 22, 5-8pm, Basswood will receive 10 percent of all sales at Culver's (next HyVee). Please consider joining in on the fun!

• September 2 - Back to School Open House 4:30-6:30pm (Food Trucks available)
• September 3 - 2026-27 PTO Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground 5:30-7pm

• September 8 - First day of school
• September 11 - All School Assembly
• September 21 thru 25 - Bus Safety Week
• September 24 - PTO Meeting 6:30-8pm
• September 28 - Student Picture Day
• September 29 thru October 1 - Vision & Hearing Screening for 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades
• October 2 - Fun Run Event

• 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.

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, Lisa Yamaya. 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, Basswood Bingo, Book Fair, etc.) along with numerous other opportunities. We continue to follow state guidelines and adjust our volunteer program accordingly.

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

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

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!

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.