Rice Lake Reflections, Family Edition

Indigenous Medicine Wheel: Centering Balance

Rice Lake Students and Families,

We have had a fall that doesn't seem to know if it wants to be cold or warm...I'll take either just not frigid. I still have work to do to be ready for that kind of Minnesota cold! I wanted to share in this edition, the beautiful sculpture to the right. It resides in Ireland, County Cork in Bailick Park in Midleton. It is an original art piece from Ireland to honor the Choctaw. It was 1847 and the Choctaw heard of the potato famine the Irish people were facing and although the Choctaw had endured the Trail of Tears and they decided to send by ship money and food to support the Irish through this terrible famine. The feathers are to represent a bowl, a circle that provided food and healing. Although the Choctaw were experiencing poverty during this time, it is the power of a gesture that can change an experience and provide peace.

I hope this story provides the opportunity for our community to see those small gestures matter, kindness matters, humility and empathy matter and that together in partnership we are growing the next generation of those who at some point in their life will be faced with challenges, knowing these challenges will not define who they are...how they show up and the actions they take will.

Please continue to share the value in each other, how they show up and each gesture they make to create and sustain our Rice Lake Family.

This is important as we continue to work each day with students to support positive decision making in class, at recess, in the cafe' and hallway. Remind them of the core values of our school rooted in Responsibility, Learning and Respect and how they show up sharing these values each day in our community.

Our second All School Morning Meeting will be on November 22, 2023, in our New Gym. During this time, we will unveil the grade level work they did to develop our expectations in the Hallways, Cafe', at Recess and in the Restroom. Thank you all for the gifts your children come with and share to make our school a wonderful place to be and learn.

The Donuts with Diane will be held this month on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from 9:00-10:00am. Please join us to discuss outcomes of the Referendum passage, our RLR values and our upcoming Winter Carnival. Hope to see you and a friend for coffee, conversations and definitely delicious donuts with Diane.

PBIS Tickets to Track Challenge for November: CAFE'

We will be doing this month's PBIS challenge in the Cafe' and following all the identified expectations from classrooms across the building. This month the winning classroom will have a Popcorn Party!!!

Miigwech, Many Thanks

Diane Bagley, principal

PTO Turkey Bingo: Join us for a fun family night with community, laughter and prizes!!!

November 17 from 6:00-8:00pm in the Old Gym and Cafe at Rice Lake

DONUTS WITH DIANE

November 28 from 9:00-10:00 in the Conference Room OR if you all come and bring a friend, the Media Center.

End of Tri I

November 30

Mark Reporting Pre K-12 (No School for Students)
December 1

Educational Benefits Form

Families are strongly encouraged to complete the Educational Benefits form. Families who qualify may access free or reduced prices for iPad and Chromebook repair and replacement, band/orchestra instruments (5th grade), home electricity bills through Excel Energy, and home internet from some providers, other benefits.

In addition, schools receive additional funding based on the number of students who qualify for Educational Benefits. Rice Lake receives a significant amount of money that is used to hire additional teachers and ESPs to support students. Filling out this form will help to ensure Rice Lake can continue to provide that additional support to students.

To be considered for free or reduced-priced meals and other educational benefits, parents/caregivers must complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application each year. The benefits of filling out the application and being approved (or qualifying) may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Free or reduced meal costs for your student if your household income qualifies.
• Applications completed and approved prior to Oct. 1 will help provide funding for the school your child attends, which can be used to provide additional resources that benefit students.
• To qualify for P-EBT benefits if extended into the upcoming school year.
• Testing fees for the ACT, SAT and AP Fees may be discounted as well as field trips and instrument rentals.
• Reduced internet rates with certain providers.
• Athletics fees waived or reduced.

Educational Benefits application

Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students

One breakfast and one lunch per day are free for all students in Minnesota.

If students bring a lunch from home and wish to have school milk, they must purchase one for 50 cents using their SmartSchoolK12 lunch account. Once you’ve created this account, you can log in and add money to your child’s meal account. Balances are shared by all students in a household.

To load your student’s lunch account, view menus, apply for free/reduced lunch, etc., please visit www.district279.org/services/nutrition-services.

Click the button below to create a SmartSchoolK12 account.

Parent Vue

Parent Vue is a web application used by Osseo Area Schools for parents to access their child's report card, sign up for conferences, view health information, etc. It is critical that all parents/guardians have access to Parent Vue. To use, simply install the app on any smart phone and create your account. To ensure confidentiality, each student has their own access code. All accounts are prompted in the fall to update their back to school forms so that contact information is up to date with all families.

Computers and assistance will be available during Open House to sign up for Parent Vue.

Late Arrival Absences

Arriving at school on time is incredibly important for your child so they are a part of all classroom community building and learning opportunities. Students should arrive at 8:40am (please review the handbook for specifics) . A late arrival will be marked for students that arrive at school after 8:50am. Late arrival absences can be marked as excused, or unexcused, based on reasoning. Parent or guardian must come into the building with students to fill out a form for their late arrival.

Birthdays/Celebrations

Out of respect for instructional time, family and religious choices, and many food allergies, birthday treats are not permitted in the classrooms. This is a district wide policy.

Cell Phone/Electronics

It is important for families to be able to communicate with their scholar either before or after school, however during the school day, cell phones, smart watches and other devices become a distraction for the student in their learning and the learning of those around them. We ask if you are able to keep the cell phone, smart watch or other device at home please do so; however, if this is not possible for your family, we ask that students drop off cell phones/smart watches or other devices in the main office for the day and they may pick them up at the end of the school day. This will ensure and maintain a learning environment in classrooms and throughout the school.

Arrival and Dismissal for Students Who Are Parent Pick-Up

The Rice Lake parking lot gets busy and crowded during arrival and dismissal. PLEASE drive slowly, pay attention, and be patient and kind to others.

Students may arrive at 8:40 am. There is no adult supervision prior to that time; students should not arrive earlier than 8:40am. School doors will open at 8:40 am.

Morning Drop Off: PLEASE CROSS AT THE CROSSWALK

Parents who are dropping off are encouraged to enter the drop off line and line up at the curb by the black fence. Students should leave their vehicles at 8:40 am and wait at the school doors; please do not have students wait in their vehicle until 8:40 am when doors open because it backs up traffic. Students should only exit their vehicle when the vehicle is stopped at the curb, not in the lane for vehicles to leave. Parents should remain in their vehicle except if a pre-k or kindergarten student needs assistance with the vehicle door.

Afternoon Pick-Up: PLEASE CROSS AT THE CROSSWALK

Students who are parent pick-up are dismissed at 3:15 pm. Parents are encouraged to use the pick-up line rather than parking. Please remain in your vehicle. There are multiple staff who assist students to the correct vehicle. Students should be picked up from school NO LATER than 3:20 pm.

Parking

Parents may also choose to park in the morning or afternoon. Parking spaces are limited. Handicap spaces may only be used by vehicles with a handicap sign clearly displayed. Please use the designated walkway and cross walks. Wait for your child near your vehicle or near the cross walk. Please do not wait for your child by the doors of the school.

Bus Number and Bus Stop Information

You will receive an email from our Transportation Department with your child's bus number, bus stop, and pick up/drop off times the week before school starts. Bussing information for your child is also available on the Parent Vue app. If you have any questions regarding this, please call 763-391-7244. Changes or cancellations to transportation can be sent to busquestions@district279.org.

Bus Stop Safety Reminders

• Arrive 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up
• Keep safety in mind (no horseplay, games, chasing, or pets)
• Wait on the sidewalk, boulevard or edge of the roadway. Stay away from houses, garages, and porches.
• When you see the bus approaching, form a line to board the bus. Stay in line until the bus comes to a complete stop.