Lester Park School Newsletter

Sept 8...First Day of Preschool
Sept 9...Fire Drill
Sept 12...Lockdown Drill
Sept 23...Fire Drill
Sept 24-26...5th Grade Wolf Ridge Trip
Sept 26...Fun Run Kick-Off (more info coming soon)
Oct 1...Picture Day
Oct 2...Fun Run Event
Oct 9...Fire Drill
Oct 16-17...NO SCHOOL (MEA Break)
Oct 22...Lockdown Drill ("Secure" drill)
Week of Oct 27...Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

More events on our Lester Park Calendar HERE

2025-26 District Calendar with 4 Day Specialist rotation HERE

(PD=professional development/NO SCHOOL for students)

Other Helpful Links:

We are still waiting for about a dozen bus stop changes/requests to come back from our Transportation Dept. They received 100s of them over the last week from our district schools, so it can take awhile for the routers to get them set up. Typically this time of year it is anywhere from 3-7 business days. This week is tough as routers can also be subbing for bus drivers.

When Transportation sends a finished new bus stop or bus change, the Lester Park Office will notify the parent and the teacher.

If you need help with bussing...

If your child is in K-5th grade...please email Tracy Thompson or lesterpark@isd709.org
If your child is in Preschool...email earlychildhood@isd709.org

It sure feels like Fall outside! Please monitor the weather and send a jacket when our weather is coolish.

As temperatures continue to drop this Fall, additional outerwear will be needed such as a hat and mittens. Be sure to write your child's name on anything you send to school so that it can be returned to them if it ends up in the Lost and Found.

Our Lost and Found leftovers in June are donated to other schools or programs. You are always welcome to stop by the Lost and Found cabinets located outside of the cafeteria in the hallway. A huge thank you to the PTA for providing these cabinets several years ago!

Throughout the year, we practice several different safety drills in order to be prepared for an unexpected event at school. Below are the dates we plan to hold each of these drills. Please contact your child's teacher at least 24 hours prior if you prefer that your child does not participate in one of our lockdown drills.

Note: drill dates are subject to change; we do our best to notify of changes when possible.

Fire Drills:
September 9
September 23
October 9
May 12
May 21

Lockdown Drills:
September 12
October 22 ("Secure" drill)
November 19
December 12
March 3

For more information on the School District's Drills and "Safe and Welcoming" Policies, click this link: https://www.isd709.org/about-us/safe-and-welcoming

Looking to earn a little extra cash? We are looking for another lunch/recess monitor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is also the potential of subbing on other days that we are short, if you like.

Hours are 10:20am-1:20pm. Pay is $15/hour.

Have questions or are interested in applying? Please email lesterpark@isd709.org. Thank you!

We will be short Crossing Guard coverage for at least the first 2 weeks of school. Here is the priority order for coverage:

#1 - 52nd Ave/Glenwood St - COVERED

#2 - 54th Ave/Glenwood St - COVERED

#3 - 52nd Ave/Oneida St - coverage starts Sept 15

#4 - 54th Ave/Oneida St - not covered for the month

Please note that if there is a thunderstorm occurring or nearby, we do not send the crossing guards out for their safety. The same is true for very heavy rainfall that may impede driver visibility.

An Optional BackPack Opt-In form is going home with all students today or tomorrow.

Please only fill out the form ONLY if you would like your child to receive a Kids Bag of non-perishable food each week.

More information can be found on the form, or by clicking HERE

An Optional Dental Opt-In form is going home with all students today or tomorrow.

Please complete and return ONLY if you would like your child to participate.

Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students again this school year.

Please note that cinnamon rolls are no longer served at our schools.

Breakfast and Lunch menus can be found HERE. There is also a direct link on our school homepage.

What do I do if my child is going to be absent from school?

Email lesterattendance@isd709.org (the office & nurse will both see these emails)
or call attendance line 336-8875 then “3” to leave a recorded message
Please list any specific symptoms.
Teachers may have a preferred way for you to report an absence to them.

If the office does not know why a student is absent, an automated phone call and an email message will be sent out at sometime between 8:30-9:00. This is for safety reasons.
If you have health questions, you can call our school health office at 336-8875 x2654

Many students and parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. The following information is intended to help with this decision.

General practice:

If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever reducing medication.
If a student has vomited two or more times in the past 24 hours and/or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your family physician before sending the student to school.
If a student is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness.

When a student is sick, parents often wonder whether or not to keep a child at home from school. If a child stays home and has the care they need when first sick, they will often get better faster. Staying home and resting will help the body fight the sickness.

Each school year, parents must fill out a new online Blended Learning Agreement.

❗ Please do ASAP if you have not already ❗

Here is the link:

Duluth Public Schools Blended Learning 1 to 1 Agreement for 2025-2026 - Digital Form

* You do NOT need to enter your child's school email.

* You do need to know their Student ID # (on the Parent Portal - see below)

How do I find out my child's Student ID # (Lunch #)?

* Log into Infinite Campus:

https://duluthmn.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/duluth.jsp

* Click on your child's picture

* Their Student ID # is under their small picture.

If you do are not signed up for the Parent Portal, please email Tracy Thompson or lesterpark@isd709.org

On school days, the interior vestibule doors unlock at 7:30am, then lock again from 7:45am-2:15pm.
All other exterior doors are locked during the school day, and most are locked 24/7.
The Office door is only unlocked from 7:15am-8am
There is a blue lit doorbell to the right of the office door that you push to speak to the office staff.
Visitors sign themselves into the green book and grab a red "Visitor" badge if they are coming into the building.
Parents sign in/out their child in the yellow book if they are coming in late or returning to school.

Does Lester Park School have a Family Handbook?

We sure do! It is here: Handbook for Lester Park Families

Does the School District have a Family Handbook?

Yep they do! It is here: Family/Student Handbook

Who do I contact about a charge on my child's lunch account?

childnutrition@isd709.org

Who do I contact about my child's immunizations showing up as non-compliant?

If your child is going into kindergarten, or you are a new family, the nurses will be entering them during September. If you are missing something, they will be sure to let you know.

Why can't I see my child's email and password in Infinite Campus?

This is likely because you haven't filled out the Blended Learning form. Scroll up for more information on how to fill out this online form.

How do I change my phone #?

Parents can change their phone #s and emails in the Parent Portal.

Will I still receive messages from the school and teacher if I do not have a ParentSquare account?

Yes, as long as your contact information is correct in Infinite Campus.

How do I volunteer in my child's classroom?

This information is on our website HERE