Lester Park School Newsletter - #29

• TOMORROW...Fancy Lunch!
• TOMORROW...SPRING CARNIVAL!! 4:30-7:30pm

• May 4...NO SCHOOL (PD day for staff)

• May 6...Walk/Bike to School (Rain Date May 13)

• May 5-8...Staff Appreciation Week (more info coming soon)

• May 7...2nd/3rd Grade Music Program (only for their families/friends)

• May 12...Grades 3-5 Fit-n-Fun Run

• May 12...Fire Drill in the afternoon

• May 15...School Spirit Day (wear black/blue or LP gear)

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)

2026-27 District Calendar HERE

Other Helpful Links:

Lester Park Family School Handbook

School District Student Handbook

Lester Park Staff List by Grade/Dept

Previous Lester Park Newsletters

Tomorrow is the ever-popular Lester Park Carnival! It will run from 4:30-7:30pm.

*Tickets 3/$1 or Wristband $20
*Tickets & Wristbands are CASH ONLY

*Pre-sale wristbands will be at a separate table.

*Food is CASH ONLY, including Cotton Candy.

These 2 events occur in May and can be confused with each other. Below is an explanation of their differences. Event dates are on the school calendar

Fit-n-Fun Run

* Tuesday, May 12

* Only for Grades 3-5

* District-wide event

* Takes place at UMD

* More information below

Field Day

* Tuesday, May 26

* For Grades Kindergarten-5th

* Just a Lester Park School event

* Takes place on our field (gym if it rains)

* More info on this event next month

Our 3rd-5th Graders will participate in the annual Fit-n-Fun Run on Tuesday, May 12. Here is what you need to know:

• Permission forms are being sent home with 3rd-5th grade students today.
• Please sign the permission forms and send back to your child's teacher by May 1.
• If you have questions about your child's participation, email your child's teacher.
• The event is at UMD. Students will ride a bus to and from the event.
• If you need to pick your child up from the event, you will need to sign a school district field trip release form ahead of time.
• No Rain Date.
• If you would like a digital copy, click here: Digital Copy

Dear LP community - this week, students brought home a "Book Blast" promotional flyer. We have received many questions, and we want to clarify that this is not sponsored, coordinated, or promoted by either the LP PTA or Foundation. We are not connected to this and do not have further information. Thank you.

Lester Park PTA and Foundation Boards

We are now proud owners of new soccer nets and a new laminator! This is thanks to the Lester Park Foundation's Fun Run, and all the families and friends who donated to the fundraiser this past fall.

It's been fun to watch the students see the soccer nets for the first time and get all excited! The same excitement was seen in Brianna and Tracy's eyes when the laminator showed up in the office! We can't thank you all enough for helping improve our school...inside and out!

We will be celebrating staff appreciation at Lester Park May 4th-8th. The PTA would love to hear how a staff at the school has impacted your student and family positively. Please fill out the form (as many times as you would like). https://forms.gle/Cmc8iUtG5FRNFqzU9

Please consider donating snacks or drinks for the week!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4CABAD29AAF58-63584105-lester

Another option is donating for goodies for the week!

https://lesterparkpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/699848

It's time to start thinking about the next school year! Later in May, we will begin assembling the 2026-27 classrooms. One part of the process is to look at parent input forms submitted this month.

Below you will find the link to the Parent/Caregiver Input Form. It is a similar format as in previous years. This is an optional form.

2026-27 Parent/Caregiver Input form (for current K-4th Graders)

Only 1 child per form. Form Deadline is Friday May 1, April 28.

While we do not take formal parent requests for classroom placement, we do all we can to honor the input of parents as we are partners in your child's education.

"Walk/Bike/Roll to School" Day is Wednesday, May 6 (rain date is May 13). Lester Park Students will have the opportunity to walk, bike or roll to school. This is optional.

This event includes bussers! Buses will drop off at the Anchor Point Community Church parking lot (5202 Colorado Street), and students will walk up 52nd Avenue to our bus parking lot.

We need volunteers to help along the route. Please indicate if you would be available to help on the rain date, May 13, as well. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4CABAD29AAF58-63114368-walkbike

Again, this is optional. Bussers who will not participate MUST have an "Opt Out" form filled out either online or the hardcopy. Hardcopies were sent home with students last week. You can also fill out the online Opt Out form HERE. It is your responsibility to notify your child to remain on the bus. If no opt-out form is completed, the assumption is that your child will participate in the alternate drop off. Please fill out one form PER STUDENT. Last day to opt out is 4/24/26.

Any questions please email ptalp709@gmail.com.

Yearbook production amount has been set. Now it is a first come, first served basis. Be sure to order yours online before the last one is sold!

JOSTENS YEARBOOK WEBSITE

Payment Options:

Jostens has a variety of flexible payment options available at checkout! Order your student's yearbook and choose the payment method that works best for you: Apple Pay, Afterpay, Venmo, PayPal or credit card. Terms Apply.

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 - especially Flu and GI 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 your child is absent, or going to be absent, be sure to leave a reason. If no reason is given, it will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

• 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.

None this week

More Registrations can be found HERE

Email: lesterpark@isd709.org
Website: https://lesterpark.isd709.org
Location: 5300 Glenwood Street, Duluth, MN 55804
Phone: (218) 336-8875
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lester-Park-Elementary-1900216436910729