Panther Newsletter
Friday, January 10, 2025
Important Dates
January 17: Asynchronous Learning Day - Students at home
January 20: No School (MLK Day)
January 24 and 27: Vision and Hearing Screenings
January 28: Family Science and Engineering Night (5:30-7pm)
February 17: No School (President's Day)
March 7: No school (report card marking)
March 24-28: No school (spring break)
April 21: Asynchronous Learning Day
Asynchronous Learning Day
Friday, January 17th is an Asynchronous Learning Day for students. Students will do work at home that day that is assigned by their teacher. Most students will bring home their school-issued device on Thursday. Watch for communication from teachers about how to access the learning. Staff will being doing important planning at school and will be available for questions between 9-11 that morning.
Proposed attendance boundary changes to be shared in January; feedback opportunities include informational meetings Jan. 15 and 23
As shared this fall, elementary and middle school attendance boundaries are being changed in order to balance student enrollment across the district. These future adjustments, set to take effect in 2026, will reassign the Osseo Area Schools elementary and/or middle school that some households are zoned to attend.
Proposed scenarios to be presented with feedback opportunities: Proposals are currently being created using the community-built parameters developed earlier this fall. These will be finalized over the next few weeks and shared online at district279.org/boundaries the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 14. Families and community members will be welcome to provide feedback on these proposals via an accompanying feedback form.
Additionally, Community Informational Meetings are scheduled for Jan. 15 and 23. These evenings will start with a half-hour presentation detailing the proposals and then transition to small groups, where community members will be able to share their thoughts and ask questions with district leaders.
Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 5:45 p.m. in the Brooklyn Middle STEAM School cafe. Please fill out this Google Form if you’re planning to attend.
Thursday, Jan. 23 at 5:45 p.m. in the Maple Grove Middle School cafe. Please fill out this Google Form if you’re planning to attend.
Timeline: The school board is expected to approve final attendance boundary changes by May 2025. The new attendance boundaries will go into effect fall 2026 alongside the tentative opening of the new elementary school in the northwest region of our district.
Background: It’s common for communities to experience changing student enrollment. Our district’s Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee (ECMAC) has been monitoring these enrollment shifts in conjunction with our school building capacities for the last several years. Their most recent reports have detailed that a significant enrollment imbalance exists and that it should be addressed.
ECMAC’s work helped to form 2023’s Building a Better Future referendum. A new elementary school and additions to Maple Grove Senior High School were requested to address space constraints from continued growth. It was additionally noted that attendance boundary changes were needed no matter the outcome of the election. Thankfully, our community supported the 2023 referendum request so additional facility space will help to address growth needs, which limits attendance boundary changes to elementary and middle schools and impacts fewer families.
Stay tuned: Please continue to stay tuned for updates over the coming weeks and months. Detailed information will continue to be shared on the district website, district279.org/boundaries. Any questions or concerns can be directed to BetterFuture@district279.org or 763-391-8990.
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Give Kids a Smile
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.
Outdoor Recess
Students will be going outside for recess unless the "feels like" temperature is -5 degrees or colder. Students are expected to bring winter gear to wear outside. If you need assistance with winter gear, please call Palmer Lake. A doctors note is required if you do not want your student(s) to go outside.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
Year End Review and Yearbooks
Last year was a learning curve for us with our Year End Reviews and Yearbooks. This year we want to make things easier to understand.
Year End Review: this is what each student will receive for free. These do NOT include photos of all students. The Year End Review is specific to the students grade level. For example, a third grade student will receive a Year End Review showing photos of only third grade students.
Yearbook: Available by order and payment only. These will include photos of all students. There will be an order deadline. We will not have extra Yearbooks available for purchase. If you do not order a Yearbook, you will NOT receive one. An email was sent on Monday directly from Kemmetmueller photography to order! Orders are due by 4/11/2025.
Student Beverages
Please make sure the only beverage your student has at school is a bottle of water. Beverages like hot chocolate, lemonade and soda easily spill in lockers (and on floors!) and leave a sticky mess.
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Click here to learn more!
Donations or Business Partners
We are looking to expand our partnership with local businesses. Partnership could include:
- prize donations for Family bingo
- monetary donation for field trips, guess speakers, family events, supplies, etc
- volunteering with students or preparing classroom materials
- donation of meals for teachers during conference nights
- donation of treats, meals, etc for Teacher Appreciation Week
If you have a connection with a local business who might want to sponsor Palmer Lake, please reach out to:
Sarah Schmidt @ schmidtsarah@district279.org or 763-561-1930 OR
Jen Zipf @ zipfj@district279.org or 763-561-1930
Classroom Snacks
As in previous years, some teachers will have snack time during the day and others will not. New this year, any class that has snack time will have community-provided snack only; no individual snacks from home. Teachers may ask families for snack donations for the whole class. Candy, cookies, chips and soda are not allowed. Watch for communication from your child's teacher at the beginning of the year.
SmartWatches/Cell Phones
We suggest that cell phones and other non-district devices not be brought to Palmer Lake. If brought to school, cell phones and SmartWatches should not be seen or heard in the school building, or when outside. Staff will collect cell phones at the beginning of the day, lock them in a secure place, and return them at dismissal time.
If a staff member sees or hears a phone or SmartWatch, it may be taken from the student. The first time a phone or SmartWatch is taken, parents will be notified and the device will be returned at the end of the school day. Any occurrences after that, parents will be notified and an adult will need to come pick up the device. If it becomes a chronic concern, PL staff will work with the student and parents to make a plan. Any device brought to school is the responsibility of the student. Palmer Lake will not be involved if a cell phone, SmartWatch or non-district device is lost or stolen.
If a parent ever needs to send a message to their child(ren) during the school day, please call the office and we will communicate the message to your student. Thank you in advance for partnering with us to ensure students are focused on their learning rather than distracted by their device.
Parent Pick-Up at Dismissal
Our #1 job is to ensure the safety of everyone at Palmer Lake. If your child will be picked up by a parent or other adult at dismissal, please follow the Parent Pick Up expectations.
- Students will be dismissed for pick up at 3:15pm. Please be on time and ensure students are picked up by 3:30pm at the absolute latest.
- Drive slowly and pay attention!
- Cross at the cross walk. Wait for the adult to signal it is your turn to cross.
- Handicap parking spaces are only for drivers who have a valid handicap permit. The permit MUST be easily visible each time you park there.
- Parents are encouraged to pick up their student(s) at the fence along the sidewalk in front of the building. You may also park and meet your child near the cross walk.
- Follow the expectations on the Parent Drop Off/Pick Up map (below and linked). Drivers who do not follow the expectations create unsafe situations and/or back up traffic.
School Hours
Dismissal of students who are walkers or parent pick up is at 3:15pm. Students who ride a bus are dismissed at approximately 3:20pm.
AM VPK: 8:35am-11:20am
PM VPK: 12:50pm-3:20pm
Back to School Forms
It is very important that we have accurate information for all students, especially phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts. Please take a few minutes before school starts to update Back to School Forms. They are available online through ParentVue.
Unfamiliar with ParentVue? Please click the link to get started: https://mn-oas-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login_Parent.aspx?regenerateSessionId=True
Parents/Visitors at School
Safety is our number one priority. ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone. Please have your ID ready for office staff to scan. Forgotten items (lunch boxes, instruments, etc.) can be left on the table in the vestibule for a more efficient drop off. Again, ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone.
If you would like to speak with an administrator or teacher, you are strongly encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment.
Important Dates for the Year
January
Family Science and Engineering Night: 28 (5:30pm-7:00pm)
February
Spring parent/teacher conferences: 19, 25, 27*
March
Spring break: 24-28
April
Panther Den parent meeting: 22 (5:00pm-6:00pm)
May
All school BBQ: 9
Multicultural Celebration: 15 (5:00pm-7:00pm)
*Conferences will be scheduled by your student’s teacher on one of the above conference dates for each season.
Educational Benefits
Why should I fill out the Educational Benefits Application if my child(ren) now automatically qualify for free meals?
Families who qualify may be eligible for a variety of other benefits. These include free or discounted prices for the following:
- Field trips
- Some Community Education programs
- Clubs, activities, and athletics
- Instrument rentals
- Fees, including for AP testing, graduation and more
- Device protection plans on school-provided devices
- Comcast internet for home
- Xcel Energy account assistance for electricity bills
Additionally, the state of Minnesota uses a school district’s percentage of qualifying students from applications completed and approved prior to October 1 each year to calculate each district’s funding level. This is incredibly important for Palmer Lake. School district funding impacts every student:
- Class sizes
- Number of support staff the district can hire to help scholars (counselors, social workers)
- Extra programming opportunities
Please fill out the Educational Benefits Application today to make sure your family can take advantage of these and other benefits!
From the Health Office
As you are preparing for your student(s) to start school, please make sure immunization records are up to date. If your child will need to have medicine administered during the school day, please contact our nursing staff (contact information below) and/or complete the correct district form below.
School nurse:
Tammy Bauer, RN
763-549-2401
Palmer Lake Website
Transportation
Transportation Office: 763-391-7244
BusQuestions@district279.org
Office hours-
School in Session: 6:00am-5:00pm
Non-Student Days: 6:00am-4:30pm