Brookside Elementary news & events

September 11th 2026

September 17- PTO Meeting

October 8- PTO Meeting

October 9-Storm Chaser Fun Run

October 13-Picture Day

October 15-16 No School MEA

October 26- No School -Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:00-8:20pm)

October 29th-Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:20-8:20pm)

We are excited to welcome several new staff to our Brookside Community. Please join me in welcoming…

• Erica Reiners – 5th Grade Dual Subject Teacher

• Riley Johnson – ML Teacher

• Brian Pender – Physical Education (Paired with Lincoln)

• Jaclyn Fossum – Physical Education (Paired with Evergreen Park)

• Jill Beck – Art (Paired with Madison)

• Molly McFarland – SPED Paraprofessional

• Sara Robinson – SPED Paraprofessional

• Lisa Modec – SPED Paraprofessional

• Suzanne Lanza – K–3 Classroom Teacher

• Angelah Wood – SSW - K-3 classroom

• Sydney Fleishman – SSW - K-3 classroom

• Ashley Weinberger - 4th grade Teacher

• Doua Yang - Custodian

• Jennifer Gough-SPED Paraprofessional

• Jena Steineck-Core

• Allison Haslach-Burns-Food Service

A few reminders after observing the first few weeks of school.

• Please do not drop off your child before 9:10 am as there is no adult supervision outside until then.

• Remember when a student leaves or enters the car they could be doing so in the passenger side and parents are to stay in the car. If your child requires support to buckle/unbuckle or manage supplies (backbacks, etc.) please feel free to park and walk your child across to the sidewalk.

• To help keep everyone safe we ask all parents picking up their child by door number 1 to park in a designated parking spot, use the crosswalk by door #1, and stay a foot away from the curb while waiting for your child. Thank you for your support in working with us to keep everyone safe.

Electric-powered personal transportation—like e-bikes, e-scooters, motorized bicycles, and e-motos—has become increasingly popular across Minnesota. These devices offer convenience and fun, but they also come with important safety rules and legal requirements that many families aren’t aware of.

Understanding the Different Types of Vehicles

Not all electric-powered bikes and scooters are treated the same under Minnesota law. In fact, the type of device you or your child rides determines where it can be used, what safety gear is required, and whether a license is needed.

E-Scooters

Minnesota defines a motorized foot scooter as a small device with handlebars, powered by an electric or small engine, that can reach up to 15 mph. Riders must be at least 12 years old, may not ride on sidewalks, and must use headlights and taillights. Helmets are required for anyone under 18.

E-Bikes

Electric-assisted bicycles must have pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and meet specific safety and speed standards. Riders must be at least 15, and helmets are required for those under 18. E-bikes may be used anywhere regular bicycles are allowed. It’s important to note that modifying an e-bike—such as adding switches, altering motors, or using apps to override speed limits—can disqualify it from being considered an electric-assisted bicycle.

Motorized Bicycles

These are not e-bikes. Motorized bicycles may be powered by gas or electric motors, can reach up to 30 mph, and require a driver’s license or motorized bicycle permit. Riders must be at least 15 and may not use sidewalks. Helmets are required for those under 18.

E-Motos (Electric Motorcycles)

High-power electric motorcycles can exceed 50 mph and do not have pedals for human propulsion. Riders must be at least 16 and hold a motorcycle license or endorsement. They follow the same rules as traditional motorcycles and cannot operate in parks or on sidewalks.

Why This Matters: Real-World Consequences

Minnesota and communities nationwide have seen tragic incidents involving these vehicles. In Hastings, a pedestrian suffered a permanent brain injury after being struck by a 14-year-old on an e-bike. Locally, the death of a 15-year-old male in Coon Rapids underscored the risks of riding gas-powered dirt bikes in areas where they are not allowed. The young man was riding a vehicle classified as a motorcycle—requiring registration, licensing, and restricted from sidewalks—when he swerved into traffic and was fatally struck.

Why So Much Confusion?

Many parents and young riders are unaware of the laws. Retailers often give incorrect information, products are easy to buy online, and even inexpensive models can reach high speeds. Law enforcement also faces challenges due to limited resources and the fast-growing number of devices on the roads.

How We Can Keep Our Community Safe

Reach out if you’re unsure about laws and regulations. For questions or concerns, contact local law enforcement.

As a school we are required to complete 5 fire (evacuation) drills, 5 lock-out drills (where the threat is outside the building), 5 lock-down drills (where the threat is inside the building), and 1 severe weather drill throughout the year. We will be starting our practice drills in September.

If your child rides the bus, please have patience the first week or two. While the bus drivers have practiced their routes they have a big responsibility to make sure all students get off at the right stop and are all accounted for. Due to this, routes typically are a little slow the first few days/weeks (picking up and dropping off).

All students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch this year.

If you would like to join your child for lunch that starts the month of October. Messaging on how to sign up will be coming out in our upcoming newsletter.

Hats and hoods will not be worn during instructional times. Students may wear them outside for recess and in the lunchroom if they go outside for recess right after lunch. This expectation also aligns with the Fred Moore and the Washington campus as they move on to middle school.

While students may bring cell phones and watches to school they are not allowed to be used during the school day. Students are expected to turn them off and either keep them in their backpack or give it to their teacher to keep it safe until the end of the day. This is a practice we have had at Brookside since we opened.

Download new ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps to access your students’ information for upcoming school year

Families must take action to access their student’s information in preparation for the upcoming school year. Downloading the new versions of the mobile app will enable parents and guardians to:

• Get teacher assignments and class schedules.

• Monitor academic progress, assignments and tests.

• Submit student absences.

• Pay fees for meals and/or activities.

• View your student’s grades and report card.

• Find transportation information, if applicable.

The updated versions of the apps are available to use and access now. Some families may no longer be able to login using the current or discontinued legacy version of the apps.

• ParentVUE app for families: Apple App Store | Google Play store.

• StudentVUE app for students: Apple App Store | Google Play store.

Is my child well enough for school?

Many students and parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay

home or attend school. You can expect your child to be ill 5-7 days during a school year.

Please have a childcare plan when your child is ill.

Remember that a child, ill with an infectious disease, can spread the disease when in

contact with others in the family and community.

The following information is intended to help with this decision:

* If a student has an oral temperature of 100 degrees or higher indicating a fever,

the student must stay home for a minimum of 24 hours after the temperature

returns to normal without fever reducing medication.

*If student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until a

minimum of 24 hours after the last episode.

*If student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is

unknown, check with family physician before sending the student to school.

*If student is ill, please call the school daily to report illness.

* If you have any questions regarding the above information or your child's illness,

please call your school nurse or family physician.

Welcome back, Brookside families! We hope you had a fantastic summer break.

Ready for some fun? We're excited to start our after-school Community Ed classes at Brookside, and we can't wait to see your student there!

A few things to know about our classes:

• If you sign your child up for an after school class (4:05 pm start time), please let their teacher know they'll be staying after school for Community Ed. We'll also send a reminder email to teachers on the day of the class.

• At dismissal, students will meet in the hallway between the Main Office and Community Ed office (hallway to the Art and Music rooms); Community Ed staff will be there by the office to check students in for classes.

• You're welcome to send a snack for your child to eat before class. We also recommend a water bottle for any sport or active classes.

• Parent pickup is at Door 1 (main doors on the South side of the building) at the end of class. You can pull up alongside the curb/sidewalk and your student will come out to you (if the car line is long, please keep pulling forward as other cars leave). If you prefer to park, please walk up to get your student, we do not want students crossing the traffic lane without an adult. Students in the Adventures Plus (A+) program will be returned to A+.

You are welcome to sign up for classes at any district location - just make sure you can provide transportation!

Check out some of our upcoming classes at Brookside:

• Brookside Storm Choir

• Intro to Cross Country

• Clay Candy Creations

• Soccer Program

• Chess Club

• Grossology

Evening classes at other locations:

• Family Fun: Hayride, Bonfire and S'mores

• Dance Basics (Grades K-2 at Dancin' Feet)

• Jazz & Hip-Hop (Grades 3-5 at Dancin' Feet)

• Community Choir (Grades 3-5 at Lincoln Elementary)

You can find a full list of classes and register here: All Current Youth Classes

Have questions about Community Ed? Please contact Tricia Josephs at tricia.josephs@ahschools.us or 763-433-5212.

Need help with online registration? Please call 763-506-1260 or 763-506-5144.

Financial assistance is available if needed; please call to inquire.

Exciting news for school-year care! Adventures Plus currently has a limited number of after-school spots open. Additionally, our team is actively hiring staff with the goal of opening up highly requested before-school spots soon. Because space is extremely limited and before-school availability depends on staffing, openings are filled on a first-come, first-served basis without guarantees. Head over to the Adventures Plus website today to learn more about our program and submit your registration!

Hello families!

My name is Susan Martinson, and I am Brookside’s Library Media Specialist. I am excited to welcome your children to the school library and to help them discover a lifelong love of reading. I look forward to partnering with you to make this a wonderful year of reading.

Please click here to read the District’s Philosophy on Independent Reading.

Please contact me with any library questions throughout the school year.

Book checkout will begin the second digital week of school.

Warmly,

Susan Martinson

Library Media Specialist

Brookside Elementary School

susan.martinson@ahschools.us

Would you like to become a Brookside volunteer?

Kindergarten Open House 9/10-9/11
Volunteers needed to help welcome and direct families at our Kindergarten open house. Sign up here.

Cafe Help 9/8-9/18
Volunteers needed to help our students with their lunch routine. Sign up here.

Watch D.O.G.S
We are excited to be continuing the Watch DOGS program at Brookside.
Dads Of Great Students is a family and community engagement program utilizing the positive influence of fathers and father-figures. Started to provide positive male role models for students and to provide an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, neighbors and other father figures are invited to volunteer at Brookside to support the school. Watch DOGS actively engage with not only their own students, but the whole student body. Working in small groups or one on one with students, assisting in classrooms, helping with homework, refereeing or participating in games at recess, being a listening ear at lunch, etc...
If you are interested in being a part of this program please join us for an Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, October 6th 6:30pm in the cafeteria for a kickoff event and to get more information.

The Brookside Student Council is currently seeking applicants for the 2026-2027 school year. The Student Council is composed of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students committed to being role models in and out of the classroom. Our student leaders look for opportunities to lead and strive to support, serve and improve Brookside Elementary. Student Council members are responsible and respectful members of our school community.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• have strong leadership skills

• have strong communication skills

• positively represent Brookside Elementary in and out of school hours

• be a creative problem solver

• work well with others

• be able to attend monthly meetings held before school from 8:15-9:10. Meeting dates will be communicated in advance.

Students in 3rd-5th grade can request an application from their homeroom teacher. All completed applications must be submitted by Monday, September 28. Student Council members will be announced in early October.

Questions can be directed to the Student Council Advisors:

Julia Stock: Julia.Stock@ahschools.us

Cindy Houle: Cindy.Houle@ahschools.us

Alyssa Bancroft: Alyssa.Bancroft@ahschools.us

We look forward to another year of leadership and excellence!

Welcome back families,

Just an update that the USDA has increased the adult/guest prices for the 2026-27 school year.

Breakfast meal $2.60

Lunch meal will be $5.50 for guest

Milk has stayed the same cost .50

Payment must be cash or check only. If paying in cash must be the exact amount.

Payment can also be made on parent view cafe, but takes up to 24 hours for the payment to show on your child's lunch account.

Please keep student barcodes attached to your students backpack if they eat breakfast

and help your child in remembering their lunch number

🔷Get Involved — Join the Brookside Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization!🔷

We’re looking for passionate, dedicated parents to serve on the Brookside Elementary PTO for the 2026–2027 school year!

Being part of the PTO is a great way to:

• Support our students and teachers 📚

• Help plan events and fundraisers 🥳

• Build lasting connections within the school community 🤝

• Have a voice in decisions that impact our school 🗣️

No matter your skill set or schedule, there’s a place for you on the team! Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to PTO, your involvement matters.

Ready to make a difference?

➡️Join us for a meeting. Our first PTO MEETING of the school year is Thursday, September 17th from 5:30-7:00 pm in Art Room 112 at Brookside (enter the main door of the school, turn left and go down the hall to the art area)! We would love for you to join us and learn more about how you can get involved in our school! We are always looking for new ideas and ways we can support our school community! Check out our list of meetings this year: 2026-2076 PTO Meetings

➡️Become part of our team. Fill out the PTO Member Sign-Up Form here: [Sign-Up Form]

This form is for those interested in joining the meetings, helping plan/sponsor events, or becoming a board member - ALL ARE WELCOME!

➡️Join our mailing list. Receive our monthly updates: Mailing List

Let’s work together to make 2026–2027 the best year yet for our students and staff!

Have questions or need more information? Email us brooksideelemschoolpto@gmail.com