Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023

Dear Basswood Families,

It has been so chilly outside and inside this week. We certainly didn't expect such cool temperatures after the boilers had been shut down and removed from the building. Thank you for your understanding and it it probably a good idea to keep a sweatshirt in your child's backpack for the next few weeks.

The end of the school year is quickly approaching and the last few weeks of school are a lot of fun for everyone. We hope to see you at the picnics, parties and of course our Decathlon too.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Steven Schwartz
Basswood Principal

#WeAreBasswood!

The Building a Better Future projects are nearly underway. On June 6th at 4:30pm construction teams will begin the work of updating Basswood Elementary School. As part of these updates we will have a major renovation in the Media Center that will include a Maker Space workshop. There will be a few updated learning spaces and an outdoor learning area as well. In addition there will be new boilers installed and several other small projects. Lastly, there will be new furniture in all classrooms throughout the building. Basswood is going to look great! (See photos of architect renderings)

There is a lot to do in preparation for this work and you may see evidence of this work as you visit Basswood. There will be materials and furnishings on pallets in several areas of the building. Our entire library collection will be boxed and palleted as well. It may look like Basswood is moving, but we will be here and ready for students in September.

Have a nice weekend!

Steven Schwartz
Basswood Principal

We would like to invite all of our fabulous volunteers to an Appreciation Open House! Please stop by any time between 9am - 3:20pm starting Tuesday, May 27, through Friday, May 30.

Thank you for sharing the gifts of your time, talent, and energy. We could not do all the things we do at Basswood without your support!

Basswood Parents, would you like someone else to shop for all those school supplies that your child needs for the 2025-26 school year? No more running from store to store to find that one missing item!

Thanks to our partnership with 1st Day School Supplies, you can order your school supply kit where everything is 100% teacher-approved, and guaranteed to be delivered on time directly to Basswood. With 1st Day School Supplies, there’s no guessing, just teacher-approved kits with exactly what your child needs. Order Here: https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/55333

Please note this online option will be available until July 1, 2025! Don't miss out of this opportunity! This is for 1st grade thru 5th grade.

Basswood Scholastic BOGO Book Fair - 15 volunteers STILL NEEDED!

May 27, 28, 29 and 30

Choose from various days and times. Sign up for one or more shifts!

https://tinyurl.com/BWBookFairSpring

Basswood Decathlon - Assist at outdoor game event stations. Click here to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49AEAF2AA7F58-56765750-bwdecathlon

Friday, May 30 - 45 open spots!!

Monday, June 2 - 40 open spots!!

Here is the Basswood school supply list for the 2025-26 school year:

Get ready for a scoop time as PTO brings you an Ice Cream Social like no other! Please join us on Thursday, May 29, beginning at 4:30pm until 6pm at the main entrance of Basswood. The Scholastic Book Fair BOGO sale is also going on until 6pm in Room 58. We hope to see you there!

The Scholastic Book Fair BOGO is back just in time to stock up for summer reading! The dates are May 27 through May 30 in room 58. A flyer went home this past Wednesday with detailed times. This flyer is also available in the Peachjar email you received from Basswood Elementary School.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with our Book Fair.

Book Fair volunteer sign up: https://tinyurl.com/BWBookFairSpring

You can preview books or create an eWallet for payment: https://tinyurl.com/BasswoodBooks

Let’s celebrate the end of the school year with some fun in the sun! Decathlon Days will be Friday, May 30, and Monday, June 2. Events are Relay Race, Football Kick, Balloon Toss, Hurdles, Shuttle Run, Goal Kick, Javelin Throw, 40-Yard Dash, Potato Sack Race, & Long Jump.

Friday, May 30:
9-10am - 2nd Grade
10:15-11:15am - Kindergarten
12:45-1:15pm - 4 Star Express
1:30-2:30pm - 1st Grade

Monday, June 2:
9-10am - 4th Grade
10:45-11:45am – 3rd Grade
2-3pm – 5th Grade

To make these days a success, we need your help! Decathlon volunteer

sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49AEAF2AA7F58-56765750-bwdecathlon#/

BASSWOOD PTO NEEDS YOU!

Do you have flexibility in your job? Enjoy being involved with Basswood?

Please contact the PTO at BasswoodPTO@gmail.com for more information on open Board positions and events needing co-chairs.

The purpose of this charitable outreach program is to provide free care to low-income children in need. Thousands of dental professionals volunteer their time to this program because they understand the pain and embarrassment many children experience due to untreated dental problems. Since the program’s inception in Minnesota in 2003, 86,000 children have received free care through Give Kids a Smile.

Find a Participating Clinic - some clinics may offer an alternative date.

1. Parent/guardian – locate a clinic and call to make an appointment.
2. Patients generally have to be 18 years of age or younger.
3. Patients must be accompanied by parent/guardian.
4. Assistance: Families who need help with finding a clinic/scheduling an appointment can call United Way 2-1-1 (800-543-7709) Monday-Friday 8 am– 5 pm.
5. Translation services: Referral specialists can assist in scheduling via 3-way call to dental clinic and making an appointment for those who speak Hmong, Somali, & Spanish.

You can find more information here:

https://www.mndental.org/events/give-kids-a-smile/find-a-participating-clinic/

When bringing forgotten winter gear or instruments or lunches to Basswood, please do your best to have them to Basswood by 10:30am. We have morning deliveries each day at 10:30am for all of these forgotten items so they get delivered before lunches begin. This way these are items are delivered to the classroom and we do not have to call to interrupt instructional time. Thank you for your consideration!

• May 26 - No School / Memorial Holiday
• May 27-30 - Scholastic Book Fair BOGO
• May 27-30 - Volunteer Appreciation Open House 9am - 3:20pm
• May 29 - PTO Ice Cream Social 4:30-6pm (Book Fair open until 6pm)
• May 30 - Decathlon (4 Star, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades)

• June 2 - Decathlon (3rd, 4th, 5th grades)
• June 5 - High School Senior Walk 2:30pm
• June 6 - Last Day of School! All School Sing Along 2:15pm
• June 6 - 5th grade Parade Walk 2:50pm

• 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.

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!

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

Yes! You will be able to follow us on Facebook. Our first posts went live on September 5th. Please note that we are moving away from Twitter (@BWPrincipal279) for Basswood social media. Click here below to follow us.

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

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.