Roady's Newsletter
Family Edition
Rice Lake Students and Families,
Here we are at the start of another AMAZING school year!!! 🔥Where did the summer go? I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful summer enjoying the outdoors on the beautifully sunny days and diving into good board games and books when the rain is nourishing the earth and all our plants and animals. It was wonderful seeing some of you all this summer and I am looking forward to a tremendous new school year with all your children. Our staff is gearing up for a year of high learning and fun as well.
August is Happiness Happens Month and September is Hispanic Heritage Month. I have included some TEDtalks to share the joy of both these months and what they have to give us as a whole community. See the TEDtalks below.
Happiness can be found in many ways within our lives. The hug of a child or parent, the shared laughter or good cry with a friend or your partner, the smell of fragrant flowers or the grass after rainy days, or a simple cup of coffee and good book. I say this in hopes that you find happiness throughout this school year for yourselves and our shared brilliant children and scholars.
As we think about happiness, it is the root of our cultural experiences and lives that fill us and the scholars with confidence, pride and joy when they share their true authentic selves at home, at school and in the other areas of their experiences. Hispanic Heritage month provides us an opportunity to celebrate the joy and accomplishments of our scholars and leaders in the world.
As we begin this new school year, please join me from 3:30-4:30pm Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in the New Gym (enter through Door 8 or 12) We want to share our "RL Elementary 101" for all families as we have updates to many processes this school year regarding academics, social/emotional learning, student support of struggling students, volunteerism and where to get all the information from your classroom teacher to the school and district tools. I look forward to welcoming you all for our 2024-2025 School Year!
GOOOOOOOOOO ROADRUNNERS!!!😊👨🏻🏫👩🏻🏫🚌💙💙💙
See you Wednesday August 28 and I hope to see you at one of our events this month!!!
Miigwech, Many Thanks
Diane Bagley, Principal Rice Lake
August-September 2024
TEACHER "WELCOME TO MY CLASS" LETTER/EMAIL PARENT VUE
- August 28, 2024 at 12:00pm
PRINCIPAL WELCOME
- August 28, 2024 from 3:30-4:30pm in the New Gym. Enter through either Door 12 (off parking lot) or Door 8 (off the playground)
RICE LAKE OPEN HOUSE
- August 28, 2024 from 4:30-6:00pm in the school. Enter through Door 1
- 1st set up Parent Vue account (create absences, class placement, grades, conferences, etc.)
- 2nd set up Raptor account (volunteerism, attending events inside the school, etc)
PTO PARTY ON THE PLAYGROUND
- August 28, 2024 from 4:30-7:00 on the Rice Lake Playground
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
- September 3, 2024. It is a regular school day
- 8:40am for Breakfast
- 8:50am to Classroom
- 3:15pm for Dismissal
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK
- Occurs in the first month of school and is supported by staff for the students of Rice Lake.
SEPTEMBER DESSERT WITH DIANE
- September 12, 2024 from 5:30-6:30 in the Rice Lake Media Center
- Topic: "Elementary school 101 & What to expect from your Kinder."
SEPTEMBER PTO MEETING
- September 12, 2024 from 6:30-7:30 in the Rice Lake Media Center
FALL FUNDRAISER KICK OFF
- Begins September 17, 2024.
Educational Benefits Form
Families are strongly encouraged to complete the Educational Benefits form. Families who qualify may access free or reduced prices for iPad and Chromebook repair and replacement, band/orchestra instruments (5th grade), home electricity bills through Excel Energy, and home internet from some providers, other benefits.
In addition, schools receive additional funding based on the number of students who qualify for Educational Benefits. Rice Lake receives a significant amount of money that is used to hire additional teachers and ESPs to support students. Filling out this form will help to ensure Rice Lake can continue to provide that additional support to students.
To be considered for free or reduced-priced meals and other educational benefits, parents/caregivers must complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application each year. The benefits of filling out the application and being approved (or qualifying) may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Free or reduced meal costs for your student if your household income qualifies.
- Applications completed and approved prior to Oct. 1 will help provide funding for the school your child attends, which can be used to provide additional resources that benefit students.
- To qualify for P-EBT benefits if extended into the upcoming school year.
- Testing fees for the ACT, SAT and AP Fees may be discounted as well as field trips and instrument rentals.
- Reduced internet rates with certain providers.
- Athletics fees waived or reduced.
Educational Benefits application
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students
One breakfast and one lunch per day are free for all students in Minnesota.
If students bring a lunch from home and wish to have school milk, they must purchase one for 50 cents using their SmartSchoolK12 lunch account. Once you’ve created this account, you can log in and add money to your child’s meal account. Balances are shared by all students in a household.
To load your student’s lunch account, view menus, apply for free/reduced lunch, etc., please visit www.district279.org/services/nutrition-services.
Click the button below to create a SmartSchoolK12 account.
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. All accounts are prompted in the fall to update their back to school forms so that contact information is up to date with all families.
Computers and assistance will be available during Open House to sign up for Parent Vue.
Late Arrival Absences
Arriving at school on time is incredibly important for your child so they are a part of all classroom community building and learning opportunities. Students should arrive at 8:40am (please review the handbook for specifics) . A late arrival will be marked for students that arrive at school after 8:50am. Late arrival absences can be marked as excused, or unexcused, based on reasoning. Parent or guardian must come into the building with students to fill out a form for their late arrival.
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.
Cell Phone/Electronics
It is important for families to be able to communicate with their scholar either before or after school, however during the school day, cell phones, smart watches and other devices become a distraction for the student in their learning and the learning of those around them. We ask if you are able to keep the cell phone, smart watch or other device at home please do so; however, if this is not possible for your family, we ask that students drop off cell phones/smart watches or other devices in the main office for the day and they may pick them up at the end of the school day. This will ensure and maintain a learning environment in classrooms and throughout the school.
Arrival and Dismissal for Students Who Are Parent Pick-Up
The Rice Lake parking lot gets busy and crowded during arrival and dismissal. PLEASE drive slowly, pay attention, and be patient and kind to others.
Students may arrive at 8:40 am. There is no adult supervision prior to that time; students should not arrive earlier than 8:40am. School doors will open at 8:40 am.
Morning Drop Off: PLEASE CROSS AT THE CROSSWALK
Parents who are dropping off are encouraged to enter the drop off line and line up at the curb by the black fence. Students should leave their vehicles at 8:40 am and wait at the school doors; please do not have students wait in their vehicle until 8:40 am when doors open because it backs up traffic. Students should only exit their vehicle when the vehicle is stopped at the curb, not in the lane for vehicles to leave. Parents should remain in their vehicle except if a pre-k or kindergarten student needs assistance with the vehicle door.
Afternoon Pick-Up: PLEASE CROSS AT THE CROSSWALK
Students who are parent pick-up are dismissed at 3:15 pm. Parents are encouraged to use the pick-up line rather than parking. Please remain in your vehicle. There are multiple staff who assist students to the correct vehicle. Students should be picked up from school NO LATER than 3:20 pm.
Parking
Parents may also choose to park in the morning or afternoon. Parking spaces are limited. Handicap spaces may only be used by vehicles with a handicap sign clearly displayed. Please use the designated walkway and cross walks. Wait for your child near your vehicle or near the cross walk. Please do not wait for your child by the doors of the school.
Bus Number and Bus Stop Information
You will receive an email from our Transportation Department with your child's bus number, bus stop, and pick up/drop off times the week before school starts. Bussing information for your child is also available on the Parent Vue app. If you have any questions regarding this, please call 763-391-7244. Changes or cancellations to transportation can be sent to busquestions@district279.org.
Bus Stop Safety Reminders
- Arrive 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up
- Keep safety in mind (no horseplay, games, chasing, or pets)
- Wait on the sidewalk, boulevard or edge of the roadway. Stay away from houses, garages, and porches.
- When you see the bus approaching, form a line to board the bus. Stay in line until the bus comes to a complete stop.
