STEM Newsletter

1/5/2026

Dear Weaver Lake Families,

Welcome back. We are thrilled to see the faces of our students again and are eager to dive back into a season of discovery and growth. Our teachers have spent the last few days preparing new seating charts and engaging activities to ensure every student feels welcome and ready to learn.

While we are all settling back into our school-day routines, I know that the transition can take a moment. I was pleased to see so many students arrive this morning ready for work, even if they were carrying a little bit of post-break fatigue.

I also recognize that while breaks are often times of celebration, they can also bring challenges. Many families may be navigating difficult news, illness, or ongoing hardships. Please know that our school is a community of support. If your child needs extra care or a helping hand to get through a rough patch, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

I have always believed that winter is a wonderful time of year if we embrace the cold as part of our Minnesota identity. This past weekend, two of my sons took me out for a walk. Even though they are not the "silly kids" they were during their elementary years, I truly cherish that time outside with them.

Of course, winter is also a season for indoor connection—board games, reading aloud, and cooking. This December, our children helped make tamales, while my wife’s family prepared lefse for our Christmas gathering. I want to encourage you to take every opportunity to share your own family traditions with your children—whether through ethnic cooking, storytelling, dance, music, or language. Understanding our roots makes us wiser, broadens our worldview, and helps us develop deeper empathy for one another.

Life is easier when we walk through it together. Looking back, I feel incredibly blessed by the friends who helped us when our children were small. I remember a family who stepped in for childcare when our regular daycare could not, and another who provided rides to Boy Scouts so we could manage the different schedules of four children while my wife was at work.

It is often difficult for "transplants" to our state—and especially for those who have immigrated from other countries—to navigate a new system without relatives nearby. I share these experiences because my life was made better by the kindness of neighbors. While the media often suggests we are a divided people, I see something different every day at Weaver Lake: a community united by a common love and dedication to our children. Please extend your empathy and kindness to one another.

I am deeply grateful for the support our staff and I receive from you daily. Being a member of the Weaver Lake Elementary STEM School family is a blessing. Your caring attitude toward our staff and our entire student population makes Weaver Lake a wonderful place to be.

Thanks,

Dr. Ronald Salazar Principal, Weaver Lake Elementary STEM School

Please join us for our Engineering Night on Thursday, January 22nd from 5:30-7:30 pm.

All classes participated in a school scavenger hunt that we earned for hitting our 7000 ISpy Slip Goal in Tri 1. In Tri 2 we are working for 10,000 ISpy Slips to earn our annual Weaver Olympics Day! T

he whole school also did a great job donating food for the food drive, the bin was full!

Yearbooks this year will be of no cost to families. Kemmetmueller Photography will be providing a 20-page yearbook this year for free to all students, instead of the grade-level year in review and a 40-page paid option that they have done in the past. Yearbooks will be delivered to students in their classrooms in June.

How To Request a Donated Weaver Wear Item:

We have received many donated items from our Weaver Lake community this year. If you would like to request for your student(s) to receive a donated Weaver Wear item, please reach out to Rebecca Schlegel, Weaver Lake Elementary School Social Worker, at SchlegelR@district279.org. Rebecca maintains the stock of donated items and makes sure every item can find a new home. She’ll work with you to find the right size and style so that your students can rock their new Weaver Wear around the halls!

Dear EL families,

February ACCESS testing is approaching. We are taking January to do preparation and practice testing, one domain per week: Listening/Reading/Speaking/Writing. Please make sure your kids practice reading at home. They have access to KidsA-Z app and know their login info. - Ms. Sokol

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has already helped out this year. From take-home projects, classroom parties or projects to our Color Run and Book Fair, you have given Weaver Lake so much! In fact, you all have already given over 1400 hours of your time and there are so many opportunities to come in the new year. Thank you for all that you’ve given!

Parent/Teacher Winter Conferences will be on February 19th, February 24th, and February 26th. Sign up for winter conferences will be available on Monday, February 2nd thru Friday, February 30th.

December 24th - January 2nd: No School - Winter Break

January 5th: First day of School after Winter Break

January 16th: Asynchronous (Remote) Day

January 19th: No School - Holiday - District Closed

January 22nd: Engineering Night

February 2nd -February 13th: Sign up for Parent/Teacher Winter Conferences