Northlake Notes

Hello Northlake Families,

Another amazing week at Northlake in the books for 2023-24. I can't believe there are only two weeks left to summer break!

A giant shout out to our PTA and all their supporting volunteers and sponsors who made Teacher Appreciation week so memorable and special for all of us. Also, Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there that make it happen for our kids each and every day. I hope that you all enjoyed a well-deserved relaxing weekend and maybe even got to see some of the Northern Lights that were on display this weekend.

These last couple weeks are going to be action packed; however, school is definitely still in session. Parents please help us by reminding our kids that the school rules are very much the same as they've been all year including student code of conduct, dress code (still no crocs, please), and campus expectations.

We want our Wildcats to finish off strong on a very successful year with the characteristics of ROAR: Respect, Ownership, Acceptance and Responsibility that they've exhibited all year, and we know with support from home and school, they will!

This next week is BUSY! We've got Book Fair, Volunteer Breakfast (please come if you've volunteered at Northlake this year), Senior Walk, 7 Up Celebrations, and the 4th Nine Weeks assembly. Please read on for celebrations, news, and updates from Northlake. Be sure to check the important dates at the very end of the newsletter! 😉

Thank you for all you do,

Kylee Wall

All, I can say is WOW - you all blew us away this past week. Thank you SO MUCH for ALL you did to support our teachers and staff at Northlake. We ALL felt super appreciated and spoiled by the love our PTA, students & families, and Northlake community showed us.

Thank you again to our amazing PTA and PTA Board for the fantastic activities and treats they lined up for us all week. Shout out to Mary Elizabeth Miller, Sarah Matthiesen & Aimee Breeden, who worked hard to get this lineup together.

Thank you to all the volunteers that came throughout the week, and to the many sponsors (Exchange Club of Lake Highlands, the Arrangement Project, Resident Taqueria, the BAR group), and to Alison Zelaya who did all the balloon art. You all have gone above and beyond and are simply THE BEST!

It was 1st Grade's turn for another field trip to the Lake Highlands Recreation Center. Luckily, they got to go on a beautiful day!

What a wonderful way for students to learn about all their local facilities and resources!

PE and Music had a great time this week with the Star Wars theme in celebration of May the 4th.

In Art, Ms. Tovar has been celebrating AAPI Month culture by teaching students about Takashi Murakami's flower art.

Only two weeks left, but that doesn't mean the learning or the fun stops! Our teachers continue to plan engaging, project based lessons for our students all the way to summer break. Market days are still afoot while Kindergarten continues their ABC Countdown with L: Lollipop Day, M:Mismatched Day, N:Neon Day, O:Oobleck Day, and P:Popcorn & PJs Day.

Wow is the word of the week because, WOW! Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to share their careers with our students. Learning from all of you allowed our students to make real world connections between the skills they are learning in school to a viable career choice (and also maybe made me question some of my own life choices). From amazing light displays to dressing up teachers in safety gear, to mock trials and even free merch, you all brought engaging and thoughtful lessons that helped our students think deeply about their life plans.

Truly, though, the extent of talent that runs in our community is deep.

Thank you so much to all of our presenters, and to Anita Sorensen, our counselor that puts Career Day together each year.

• Kim Herbert - Trial Attorney
• Hayley Fielder - Physical Therapist
• Tia Banks - Motivational Speaker & former Athlete
• Brad McCutcheon - Firefighter
• Anna Gordon and Kristen Gordon - Interior Designers
• Amy Timmerman - Realtor
• Bryce Dallas - Tattoo Artist
• Miguel Garcia - Realtor
• Molly Culwell - Flight Attendant
• Lee Terry - Lighting Electrician at Winspear
• Rachael Yeaman - Business Coach
• Kodie Bennion - Lawyer/Partner
• April Gorman - Code Builder
• Casey Woods - Offensive Coordinator
• Arnet Brantley - Dallas Police Officer

PreK, Kinder, 1st and 2nd Grades also got in on the career learning with a visit from the K9 Police unit from our Dallas Police Department.

Our volunteers were busy again! Whether they were visiting as mystery readers, supporting Teacher Appreciation week, chaperoning field trips or sharing their diverse work experiences at Career Day, our Northlake Families are simply the best! If you are someone that has volunteered at Northlake this year, please join us next Tuesday at our Volunteer Breakfast.

If you know of any Northlake Alumni that will be graduating seniors this year, please share this invitation with them.

Please use the QR Code in the flyer or click this link to order school supplies for next year. These will be delivered to your child's classroom. Thank you PTA!

https://bit.ly/Supplies24-25

Save your child's seat for the 2024-25 school year!

Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is available online using a PowerSchool registration account.

• Returning students can use a Snapcode to enroll.
• Enrollment for returning students will require a “snapcode” that was emailed to current parents on February 26.
  
• New students will need to complete the entire enrollment.
• Please click here for more information about the enrollment process and what documents are necessary to complete enrollment.
  

Contact your current (2023-24) RISD school for questions or assistance with enrollment, including help submitting necessary documents.

If you would like to volunteer at Northlake Elementary, you must complete a volunteer background check EVERY new school year. Volunteering could include helping with class parties, attending field trips with your children, working in the library, helping at Field Day, or many other activities. We will not allow anyone who has not completed and passed the volunteer background check to volunteer.

Please click on this link to complete the background check. You MUST also watch the very short powerpoint at the end to complete the entire background check. Failure to watch the powerpoint will make your application incomplete and you will not be able to volunteer.

The district has implemented a new intercom and a new system for checking in and out as a visitor or volunteer and for checking students in/out of school. Please be patient as we learn this new process together.

• Be sure to bring a valid ID each time you come to school.
• Students that arrive after 8:05 MUST have an adult sign them in. Northlake staff members may NOT do this for you, so please be sure that walkers are getting to school on time.

In the interest of safety & security, every visitor to a Richardson ISD campus must present a valid form of identification and be processed for each visit, regardless of previous checks. Please be sure that you have your valid identification with you every time you visit Northlake Elementary. Thank you for your patience and understanding as RISD works to ensure the safety of students and employees. Volunteer questions may be directed to the office of Strategy & Engagement.

Additionally, the front office staff will use the intercom system to ask visitors to identify themselves and the purpose of their visit before granting access to the office. This is part of our heightened security measures. Please be cooperative. As you enter the building, do not allow others to enter with you or to follow you through the doors as you enter or leave. Everyone who enters should ring the buzzer and speak to someone in the office before entering the school building. Thank you!

With the advent of spring, comes a little spring fever. Dads Club & PTA are asking volunteers to join in to provide support in the lunchroom and at recess.

If you are interested in volunteering in the lunchroom or at recess, please use this link to sign up. Be sure you have completed the background check via risd.voly.org.

Thanks, Dads (and Moms) ! We appreciate you. ❤️👨👩

If you would like to hear more about Dads Club, please reach out to Brad McCutcheon at DadsClub@NorthlakePTA.com.

Reminder that no crocs or "croc-like" shoes are allowed at school. Many croc-related incidents end up in the Nurse's clinic. Please do not make us have to be the "crocs police", as this rule is part of our district Elementary Dress Code. Please be sure your students are dressed appropriately for school each day. Thank you for your help keeping all our students safe! 👟

Please be sure that children are supervised at all times whether at the Audelia Public Library or the playground next to it. There have been injuries that have happened from students playing without guardian supervision. Please remind your children that if they are walkers, they should be walking straight home from school. The librarians do not supervise students, so please do not allow your children to go to the library without an adult.

The school day is from 7:50-3:10.

• The building opens at 7:30.

• Breakfast is served in the classroom from 7:30-7:50.

• Your child is tardy at 7:51 and will receive a tardy pass to get to class.

• Your child is late for school after 8:05 and a parent will need to sign them in at the office.

• If your child arrives to school after 9:00 AM they are counted absent for the day.

• If you child is absent for any reason, please be sure to send a note to school on the day your child returns, letting us know the reason for the absence. Any excuse notes must be received within 3 days of returning to school in order to receive an excused absence.

If you have any questions regarding attendance, please email lorrie.ford@risd.org.

Parents are welcome to bring a small birthday treat to celebrate their child's birthday. Here are a few reminders:

• Treats must be store bought or baked (cupcakes and cookies are best). We ask for store bought so teachers can see the ingredients listed in order to be mindful of any allergies students may have.
• We do not pass out drinks, party bags or balloons.
• Parents may drop treats labeled with child's name, grade and homeroom teacher, off in the main office, and we will get them to the classroom.
• We will not call students out of class to come to the office for pictures with their treats.
• Teachers will pass treats out at the end of the day.

To have your child's name added to the marquee for their birthday for just $10, please use this link to the PTA website. www.northlakepta.com/birthday-marquee

The district policy is that grades are not printed and sent home; however, you may view your child's grades on the Parent Portal in Focus. If you have not signed up for a Parent Portal Account, please see the information below.

Please be sure to sign up for your Parent Focus Account. This will give you access to all kinds of important student information. Most importantly, you will have access to your child's grade.

web.risd.org/focus/

Parents are welcome to come visit during lunch to eat with their students. We ask that you sign up for a day and time using the sign-up genius. In order to keep students safe and to accommodate everyone, please review these expectations for lunch visitors:

• Sign up for your visit using the Sign Up Genius.
• No siblings, due to limited space on the stage.
• You may eat lunch with your child only.
• Please do not take pictures of your child while at lunch.
• When you are finished with lunch, please check out through the office. Parents may not go back to class with their children to visit.

bit.ly/NLESpring24LunchSignUp

Remaining Spring Semester Lunch Dates:

May 13, 14, 15, 16

Parents must apply for their child/children to receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. Last year everyone received free school breakfast but this year families must apply to receive free or reduced breakfast. The application must be completed as soon as possible to ensure that there is no interruption to their meal service. This application needs to be filled out every year. Please click on the picture or link below to get to the lunch application.

Students are welcome to pack a nutritious lunch from home or a lunch may be purchased in the school cafeteria. If your child happens to forget their lunch from home, please drop it off in the front office by 10:30 AM. This will ensure that the lunch will reach your child by their lunch time. Please refer to the RISD Child Nutrition website for menus, pricing and payment options.

We are so fortunate to have a wonderful PTA. They have been working so hard all year.

If you are interested in volunteering in the lunchroom or at recess, please use this link to sign up. Be sure you have completed the background check via risd.voly.org.

Please be sure to check out their website for different ways you can help out. You can also reach out to Amanda Hinders at President@NorthlakePTA.com for more information about PTA, or if you would like to hear more about Dads Club, please reach out to Brad McCutcheon at DadsClub@NorthlakePTA.com.

We need your help! We are working hard to grow our PTA membership. It costs $8 to join PTA and there is no time commitment needed. We always need volunteers at PTA school events such as Carnival, Multi-Cultural Night and Buddy Fun Day. But, we are flexible and you can work as much or as little as your schedule allows.

You can find more information out about our PTA on their website. Thanks in advance for supporting our school! https://www.northlakepta.com/

May: Mental Health Awareness Month & Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage American Month

May 13 - Book Fair starts & AVID & PBIS Site Team Meetings

May 14 - Volunteer Breakfast

May 15 - Senior Breakfast & Walk 8:00 am

May 16 - 7 Up Club Parties & 5th Grade Field Trip

May 17 - 4th Nine Weeks Assembly

May 20 - 40 Book Pie-face Celebration

May 21 - 6th Grade Field Trip

May 22 - 5th & 6th Graduation Rehearsal

May 23 - 5th Grade Graduation & 6th Grade Field Trip

May 24 - 6th Grade Graduation, 5th & 6th Grade Clap Out, & Early Release Day/Last Day of School

May 25-Aug 12 - Summer Vacation 🌞

August 13 - First Day of School 2024-25