Eagles Newsletter
August 2025
Message from Principal Terri Jackson
Dear Woodland families,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 School Year! We are thrilled to welcome back our students and families and look forward to an exciting, joyful, and meaningful year ahead. The start of a new school year brings the promise of fresh opportunities, renewed connections, and continued growth for every child, staff member, and family in our community.
This year, our theme is “Rooted in our Journey, Growing Towards Greatness.” It reflects our commitment to honoring where we’ve been—our shared experiences, values, and traditions—while also looking ahead with hope, determination, and a collective belief in the potential within each of us. Together, we will continue to create a learning environment that is nurturing, inclusive, and focused on academic excellence, personal growth, and strong relationships. We can’t wait to partner with you in this journey and celebrate all the greatness to come!
This email and the attached file will provide you with important information on our open house and the upcoming school year. In the attachment you will find:
Woodland Elementary Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
2025-2026 School Calendar
Woodland Elementary School Supply List
September Breakfast Menu
September Lunch Menu
We are looking forward to a great school year with you!
Sincerely,
Terri Jackson
Principal
2025-2026 Classroom Teacher Information
Your students' classroom teacher will be visible in ParentVue after 5:00PM on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
All back to school forms MUST be completed to enter ParentVUE to see your student's teacher. ParentVUE will prompt you to do this when you login.
Your child’s teacher is listed in ParentVUE. Log into your ParentVUE account (https://www.district279.org/family-access/parentvue and click on the access link) and first complete the Back to School Forms so we have the most current contact information in our system.
Once you are in ParentVUE, select the student at the top drop down and select class schedule to view the teacher assigned to your student.
If you have any questions, contact the office or refer to the FAQS at https://www.district279.org/family-access/parentvue.
ParentVue Account & Back to School Forms
Please Complete Your Back-to-School Form With Your ParentVUE Account:
Log into your ParentVUE account (https://www.district279.org/family-access/parentvue) and complete the Back to School Forms so we have the most current contact information in our system. If you have any questions, contact the office. ParentVUE holds a variety of student information, including grades, and transportation assignments.
Open House
Our Open House will be held on Thursday, August 28th, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Families will be able to meet and greet the Principal, teachers, fill out forms with support, and enjoy being back together again.
You are encouraged to bring your child’s school supplies (See attached school supply list). If you purchased a School Kit last spring, those will be on your student's desk in the classroom.
First Day of School
The first day of school this year is Tuesday, September 2nd. Buses often run late to and from school the first few days of the school year. Please expect this and thank you for your patience and understanding.
If you are planning to accompany your child on the first day, please note, due to the safety and security of our students, we will not allow parents to walk your child(ren) to class on the first day of school. Staff will be available to escort students to their classrooms.
If you plan to drive your child to school on the first day, but your child will be riding the bus home, please be sure to inform your child’s teacher. While we encourage all students to begin their regular routines from the very first day to promote consistency and ease the transition, we understand that adjustments may be needed. If there are any changes to your child’s typical arrival or dismissal plans, it is essential that you communicate them with the teacher to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
Woodland Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Students Being Picked Up from School: If your child will be picked up from school every day a note from home stating that arrangement is required at the beginning of the school year.
PARENT PICK-UP TIME for families with only a kindergarten student should adhere to a separate pick-up policy utilizing the loop on the north end of the school outside door #3 at 3:55 p.m. Please be aware that other kindergarten students with older sibling(s) will be exiting the building at 3:55 p.m. at the main front entrance.
PARENT PICK UP: Dismissal for the end-of-the-day parent pickup is at 3:55 pm each day. Beginning at 4:10 pm, students will be brought back inside the building, and we will call parents and all emergency numbers that you have provided to us to secure a ride home for your student. The Woodland office closes at 4:30 PM, and our staff leaves to go home to their families. There will not be adult supervision after 4:30 pm.
If a student has not been picked up after a significant amount of time and there has been no communication with parents or emergency contacts, the Brooklyn Park police will be called.
If you have been late to pick up your child more than three times, you will need to consider other extended day/childcare options.
PARENT PICK-UP TIME for everyone else is at 3:55p.m. Monday through Friday, from the main front entrance.
If your student is a bus rider and needs to ride home with a parent, a note or phone call to the office is required. The office must receive this call before 3:00 p.m. These requests will be documented and delivered to the classrooms at 3:30 p.m. each day.
Breakfast & Lunch
The Minnesota state legislature passed a Free School Meals for Kids bill into law this spring, which takes effect in September and allows all in-person K-12 students to receive a free school breakfast and lunch each day, excluding a la carte/special menu items.
However, it’s still important for households to fill out the Educational Benefits application (formerly the free/reduced lunch application) on EduTrakConnect (formerly SmartSchoolK12). Depending on income, families who apply may receive free or discounted prices for:
· Field trips
· High school parking permits
· Clubs, activities and athletics
· Band instruments
· ACT, SAT and AP fees
· Home internet rates with certain providers
· Xcel Energy account assistance for electricity bills
Additionally, our school receives critical funding based on the number of families that qualify for free and reduced lunch. If you think your family might qualify, please apply at the link here.
2025-2026 School Calendar
PTO News
Welcome to a new school year, Woodland families!
We have a fun year of events planned and we can’t wait to see you there. Please stay connected with us by following our Facebook Page (Woodland Elementary PTO), Instagram (@woodlandptomn) and website (woodlandpto.org).
Fun Run
Sept 8th will be our kickoff for our largest fundraiser of the year, The Fun Run. The Fun Run will take place on Oct 10th. Dollars raised from this event are used for great things such as new equipment, classroom materials, student learning incentives, and staff appreciation.
Upcoming Events:
Sept 9, 6:30pm: PTO Meeting, Media Center
Sept 25, 5-7pm: Meet and Eat with Woody-Food Trucks and learn about the PTO
Oct 6, 6:30pm: PTO Meeting, Media Center
Oct 10: FUN RUN
You are WARMLY INVITED to join in the FUN! PTO Meetings are held monthly in the Woodland Media Center and everyone is invited to attend and participate. Our first meeting is on Sept 9th at 6:30pm and you are welcome to attend in person in the Media Center.
We would also love to CONNECT with you in whatever format works best. We send out regular emails, have an active Facebook page, and post on our website (woodlandpto.org).