WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
10/14/24-10/18/24
A Peek At Our Week
Monday
- 1st Grade PLC Time @ 2:30 PM-3:00 PM
- Cougar Pack
- ECFE Field Trip to Pumpkin Patch
Tuesday
- 2nd Grade PLC Time @ 2:30 -3:00 PM
- Cougar Pack
Wednesday
- Certified Staff Meeting @ 7:45 AM
- Early Dismissal @ 12:30 PM - Teacher/Para Workshop
- LETRs Training 12:45 PM to 3:45 PM
- No Cougar Pack
Thursday
- No School MEA
Friday
- No School MEA
Teacher of the Week: Courtney Farwell
This week, we are excited to recognize Courtney Farwell as our Teacher of the Week at Ada-Borup-West Elementary! Since joining our team, Courtney has proven to be a dedicated and enthusiastic educator. With her "can-do" attitude and go-getter spirit, she has seamlessly integrated into our school community. Courtney is known for her hands-on approach to teaching, ensuring that her students stay engaged and excited about learning.
You’ll often find Courtney and her class outside, where she fosters authentic learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. We’re thrilled to have her as part of our team, and we appreciate her passion for creating dynamic and meaningful learning environments for her students! Keep up the great work, Courtney!
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Norsk Coffeehouse and KRJB for their ongoing support of our Teacher of the Week program. Your generosity helps us celebrate the hard work and dedication of our educators!
Ada-Borup-West Elementary Goes "Unplugged" for a Day of Tech-Free Learning
At Ada-Borup-West Elementary, we’re excited to announce our upcoming "Unplugged Day"! On this special day, our students and staff will take a break from all technology—no Chromebooks, no SMART Boards, no iPads, and no cell phones! Instead, we’ll be going back to the basics and exploring learning without digital tools.
The goal of "Unplugged Day" is to reconnect with hands-on learning, face-to-face interactions, and creative thinking that doesn’t involve screens. Students will engage in lessons that encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world exploration—all without the usual technological support. It’s a great opportunity to practice mindfulness, build stronger connections, and remember that learning can be just as impactful in a low-tech environment.
We’re looking forward to this tech-free day and all the exciting ways our students will explore and discover new things in a truly "unplugged" atmosphere! Stay tuned for stories and pictures from this unique experience.
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Lane Guidelines
Parent Pick-Up/Drop-Off Lane Guidelines
To keep our pick-up/drop-off process smooth and safe for everyone, please follow these important guidelines for the lane on the north side of the building:
Keep the Line Moving: When dropping off or picking up your child, please continue to move the line forward. Please pick your student up, and leave the line. Do not stop to talk or allow students to talk. This helps keep traffic flowing and prevents congestion.
Do Not Block the Crosswalk. Please keep back from the crosswalk to ensure that students are able to safely walk to the parking lot.
Do Not Leave Your Vehicle Unattended: If you need to step into the building, please park your car in one of the spaces in our school parking lot. This allows others to continue using the drop-off lane efficiently.
Reminders for Unattended Vehicles: If we notice any vehicles left unattended in the pick-up/drop-off lane, you may receive a reminder and be asked to use a parking space next time.
Thank you for helping us keep our students and parents safe while ensuring everyone can get to and from school in a timely manner!
Bike Storage
Please be reminded that all bicycles must be parked in the designated bike racks located on the northeast side of the Cougar Den. We kindly ask that you refrain from parking bikes near the garbage bins or the service door. This ensures safety and accessibility for everyone in our school community. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Cougar Focus
Here at Ada Borup West, we all work hard to be the best learners we can be. One skill for learning is to listen with attention. When we listen with attention, our eyes are watching the speaker, our ears are listening, our voices are quiet, and we’re still. This week, practice being a great listener every day!
Trivia
Pre-k/Kindergarten: What holiday are we celebrating at the end of the month?
1st/2nd: In what month was the United Kingdom founded?
3rd/4th/5th: What does the word October mean in Latin?
Ada-Borup-West Elementary Communication Tools
Remind App:
The District has chosen to add Remind as a formal method of communication. In the elementary, we will be using this communication platform in all grade levels and classrooms. The nice thing is that you will not need to join any classrooms like we had to do with the free version. Our system will work with the platform to retrieve any necessary information for efficient communication. Parents will receive notifications in the form of a text message.
School Messenger/Thrillshare:
Please make sure your contact information is updated in Synergy as this tool is used for communication including weather related announcements. The vast majority of communication is sent through email or text (other than weather related announcements). Be sure that your email address is current in the system. Contact Merilee in the elementary school office for assistance.
A weekly newsletter will be sent out on Mondays with all of the weekly Ada-Borup-West Elementary happenings via School Messenger/Thrillshare and will be sent to the email that is on file. If you are not receiving a weekly email from me, please let the office know. All information about upcoming programing and other items will be sent via email through the Thrillshare platform.
Synergy-ParentVUE Gradebook:
On the homepage of the school website is a link to access student grades for grades 1-5. The link can also be found using the button below. If you need help accessing Synergy-ParentVUE for the first time, please contact Merilee . Please take advantage of this and have regular conversations about school with your child(ren). We will be sending out links on how to use Synergy-ParentVUE as we get closer to school starting.
Daily Bulletin:
The daily bulletin will be posted on the school website. If parents would like the bulletin emailed directly to them, please email Merilee and she will add you to the list.
PBIS/Cougar Pride
The Ada-Borup-West Booster Club partners with the ABW School to support needs in the classroom and in extra-curriculars. If you have not yet become a member, please consider joining this group. Use the following link to view the sign up or pick one up outside the commons. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rFEbHKiceCYjtUmCn1xRV_SRsgH9-GWV/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105483597367163603345&rtpof=true&sd=true
If you are in need of Cougar Gear, check out their online store https://tinyurl.com/4ntnveve Team Code is cougars
Looking Ahead
October
- 2nd- School Pictures
- 8th- School Board Meeting @ 7:00 AM
- 10th- MEEP Meeting @ 7:45 AM
- 14th- ECFE Pumpkin Patch
- 16th- Certified Staff Meeting
- 16th- Early Release @ 12:30 PM (Paras and Teacher Workshop)
- 17th-18th- No School MEA
- 23rd- Unplugged Day
- 24th- U of M visit Water Quality 4th and 5th Grade
November
- 1st- Halloween Parties
- 1st- Early Release (Paras and Teachers Workshop)
- 7th- Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 11th- Veterans Day
- 12th- Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 18th- Continuing Education
- 19th- TAT Meeting
- 21st- Certified Staff Meeting
- 21st- School Thanksgiving Dinner
- 26th- Fall Band Concert (6-12)
- Early Release @ 12:30 PM (paras and teacher workshop)
- 28th-29th- No School Thanksgiving Break
Ada-Borup-West Elementary
Email: breet@ada.k12.mn.us
Website: https://www.ada.k12.mn.us/
Location: 604 West Thorpe Avenue, Ada, MN, USA
Phone: 218-784-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057630782213)