Welcome to Kindergarten

Dear Families,

I am so excited to welcome your family to kindergarten at the North Branch Area Education Center for the 2024-25 school year! The first day of school is Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

Your child’s teacher for the 24-25 school year is available to view in ParentVUE (this is the same online portal used when you registered your child for kindergarten). In order to login, use the following steps:

1. Navigate to the ParentVUE portal

2. Log-in to your account, or contact the office for login support - 651-674-1220

3. Select the “Class Schedule” from the side bar

4. The top teacher name will be your child’s homeroom teacher. They may also have additional names listed for specialist time.

5. You may select “student info” for additional information about your child’s enrollment.

School Hours: 8:05 am – 2:40 pm – Monday through Friday

Mark your calendars for conferences: Fall parent-teacher conferences will be held on November 21, 26, 27.

Critical Information: Please make time prior to the start of the school year to share any information required for us to ensure your child is safe and supported at school such as legal documents, medical needs or medication administration. Please also be sure to communicate any critical information during your WELCOME DAYS conference. If any information changes during the school year, please remember to update the school.

There is more valuable information below. On behalf of everyone here at the Education Center, we look forward to seeing you at WELCOME DAYS and supporting your child’s kindergarten experience!

Erica Bjerketvedt

Director of Early Learning

761-674-1225

ebjerketvedt@isd138.org

This school year will again feature WELCOME DAYS, which allows for a “soft start” to the school year as we welcome children and families back from extended time away. We ask that each family sign up for a time to visit the Education Center, using the ParentVUE portal.

Please follow the directions below to sign up for a conference with your student’s teacher:

1. Log-in to your ParentVUE Account. If you are unable to log-in through the mobile app., please use this ParentVUE LINK to access your account through the NBAPS website. You will need to know your user name and password to log in to ParentVue.

2. If you have more than one child in the district, click the down arrow on the child that you would like to schedule.

3. Click the “Conference” tab on the left sidebar.

4. Click “Parent Schedule Conferences” located in the upper right-hand corner.

5. Select the date/time of the conference by clicking on the box, once selected the column with the box will turn green and the confirmation box will appear in the upper right corner with your student’s Welcome Conference date and time.

6. Repeat these steps for each student in your household who needs a Welcome Conference.

7. Log out of your ParentVUE account.

Welcome Days are offered on two days as follows:

• Wednesday, August 28 - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 3 - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

🎨Feel free to bring all school supplies with you to your Welcome Days appointment!

⭐For added FUN, we will have a bouncy house in the small gym for the kids to enjoy during their Welcome Days visit! Please wear or bring socks with to enjoy jumping into the school year together!

The relationship building that happens during Welcome Days sets us up for a strong first day of school on Wednesday, Sept. 4!

All students will have their picture taken in the media center on WELCOME DAYS. Be ready with a smile when you come! Families DO NOT need to purchase or register in advance! You may choose to order pictures in advance if you'd like or your can wait for proofs to be sent home after Welcome Days with order information.

If you'd like to purchase a photo package in advance, please follow these steps:

1. You may go to mylifetouch.com

2. Enter code: EVTDKBGW8

It is important to note that free breakfast and lunch will be provided to K-12 students in Minnesota Public Schools for the upcoming school year. If you plan to deposit money in your family meal account, you can do so through WordWare or in the cafeteria during WELCOME DAYS. This will be used if a student goes back for a second lunch or has additional food items, like an additional piece of pizza, beyond the standard lunch serving.

Click here to view the kindergarten school supply list. If your family needs assistance in obtaining these items, we're here to help. Thanks to the generous support of the Greater Twin Cities United Way and other community partners, we can provide the necessary resources to ensure every child is prepared for the school year. Call 651-674-1025 or stop by the Education Center to pick up supplies!

Your family could be eligible for discounts on a variety of school expenses such as activity and field trip fees. To find out if your family is eligible, complete the Application for Educational Benefits. A hard copy of the application can be found here, or it can be completed online through your family’s WordWare lunch account.

NBAPS has released the 2024-25 Student-Parent Handbook, and your family is strongly encouraged to familiarize yourself with the contents. The student-parent handbook can be found on this page.

• Morning Drop-off Procedures: The school day begins at 8:05 a.m. and students may be dropped off at Door #1 beginning at 7:50 a.m. Kindergarten students may enter the building independently or family members may walk them to the main entrance. Family members will NOT be allowed past the main entrance for security reasons. If family members have made a plan to connect with a staff member, they must be cleared through the HallPass security system by presenting a photo ID. When dropping off students, please enter the drop off lane on the south end of the Ed Center, pull up as far as possible and remain in your car. Students should exit the vehicle on the sidewalk side. If you are walking your student to the entrance, please park in the parking lot to the north end of the Education Center. Thank you for keeping all learners safe! Please call (651) 674-1207 to report any absences.

• After-School Pick-Up Procedures: Enter through DOOR #2, located on the north side of the building facing the large, north parking lot. A staff member will open door #2 and allow entrance to the building beginning at 2:35 p.m. All families will be invited into the hallway to line up INSIDE to connect with their child. Student dismissal will begin at 2:40 p.m. We will verify IDs and use a sign-out system. Families may then exit out through door #2 or door #1. Visitors will not be allowed past this hallway unless cleared through the Hall Pass security system by presenting a photo ID. Students must be picked up by 3 p.m.

• Please notify the office, (651) 674-1025, by 1:30 p.m. with any last minute end of day pick-up requests/changes. Please keep calling until you speak with someone; do not leave a message.

• Mid-Day Pick-Up Procedures: Please send a note and call in advance (651) 674-1025 if your student needs to be picked up early for any reason. Allow enough time for pick-up as students will be called to the office when you arrive. Adults will be asked to present ID. Please send a note and call in advance (651) 674-1025 if your student needs to be picked up early for any reason. Allow enough time for pick-up as students will be called to the office when you arrive.
  

Bus information will be mailed the week of August 19. It is also viewable on ParentVUE. Please feel free to contact the transportation office if busing is no longer needed or if busing needs for your student(s) have changed. Please reach out to the Transportation Department as soon as possible to ensure changes can be made in time for the first day of school. The Transportation Department can be reached at 651-674-1030 or via email at transportation@isd138.org.

Youth Connections is a fee-based before and after school care program available at the Education Center. Students must be registered in advance in order to participate.

• Before School Care: Opens at 5:45 a.m. Kindergarten students in Youth Connections care are walked to their kindergarten classroom by Youth Connections staff at 7:50 a.m.

• After School Care: Kindergarten students attending Youth Connections will receive a pass at the end of the school day, and be supported by staff to safely make this transition to the Youth Connections rooms. Youth Connections is open until 6 p.m.

• If you have questions, please reach out to our Youth Connections staff at 651-674-1014.

One of the most important factors in your child’s success is regular attendance. Each day in kindergarten is filled with exciting opportunities to learn and engage with their peers. Consistent attendance helps your child develop routines, build strong relationships, and gain the most from our educational programs.

We understand that there may be times when your child is unable to attend school due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances. If your child will be absent, it is crucial to inform the school as early as possible. Please call our attendance line at 651-674-1207 to report your child’s absence. This allows us to ensure your child’s safety and helps us plan for their return.

At the North Branch Area Education Center, students are encouraged NOT to bring cell phones or other electronic communication devices including smart watches, and earbuds/air pods to school. If students choose to bring a cell phone/device to school the expectations are as follows: Cell phones, electronic devices (including smart watches) and earbuds/air pods will remain in student backpacks/lockers during the academic school day, including lunch and recess.

Please take time to review the Education Center’s Cell Phone and Electronic Communication Device Procedures and view the informational videos below.

North Branch Area Public Schools is thrilled to have an app for mobile phones! Stay up-to-date with access to district and North Branch Area Early Learning events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Download for Android https://bit.ly/3phcIA7

Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3p6NNPA

The Education Center is an allergy-aware school and staff work hard to be sensitive to the needs of students who may be allergic to foods, scents, etc. If your student has allergies important for us to know, please contact Kristen Swalboski, school nurse, at (651) 674-1194.

24-25 School Calendar

School Supply List

North Branch Early Learning Website

WordWare Lunch Accounts

Health Services/Forms

First Day of School Signs

Safety: Standard Response Protocol

Erica Bjerketvedt, Director of Early Learning & Community Education

• email: ebjerketvedt@isd138.org
• Phone: 651-674-1225

Nicole Wallgren, Early Learning Program Secretary

• Email: nwallgren@isd138.org
• Phone: 651-674-1220

NBAPS Early Learning includes kindergarten, preschool, parent/child classes, early childhood screening, and special education. Services are provided by caring staff in an environment designed specifically to meet the social-emotional and learning needs of young children.

Email: ebjerketvedt@isd138.org
Website: https://www.isd138.org/
Location: 38705 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN, USA
Phone: 651-674-1025
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbapschools?hc_ref=ARRcMw0sWIs_6KEJHTw-GwiasGYMr29vzqXCkzbnq5JbD6yHDvkMQH3fvmZoLfctMnM&fref=nf