Park Terrace Elementary
Dear Families,
Panther Pride all week long. And the football team won on Friday night! Thanks for making it a fun week!
Conferences are coming up! We will have evening conferences on October 13 and 22, 4:40 – 7 p.m. Daytime conferences will be on October 14, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Please sign up for a time to meet with your child(s) teacher using this Conferences link. For our first round of conferences, we focus on these being listening conferences to learn more about what’s important to you as the family and how we can best partner. We’ll ask you questions like:
- Tell me about your child's experiences in school so far (previously and this current year).
- What is a hope and a dream that you have for your child this school year?
- What are your hopes and dreams for your child's future?
- What do I need to do to help your child learn more effectively?
We really look forward to these conversations and are excited to see you.
In today’s newsletter, there is some background on the school funding question every Minnesotan will see on their election ballot this fall. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to learn more. The question asks Minnesotans to vote on changes in how money in the Permanent School Fund is distributed. If approved, the change would provide additional funding to public school districts, including our schools, and would not increase taxes.
Please remember there is no school next week on Thursday, October 8-Friday, October 9. Our staff will be engaging in professional learning.
Finally for this week, we’ve had an increase in the number of students bringing toys and other items to school that should stay at home. We’ve seen squishies, Pokemon cards, and Halloween costume accessories make their way to school. These can easily get lost or broken at school. Please help us out by making sure that these things stay at home.
Thanks,
Lindsay
Need to report an absence?
Call your school's attendance line, 763-600-5609 OR
- Report an absence through Campus Parent Portal
- Log in to Campus Parent Portal
- On the main menu (on the left), click on MORE
- Click on ABSENT REQUEST
- Check the box by your student’s name.
- Complete the form.
- Select the Absent Type and Start Date and End Date and the number of days your student will be absent.
- Enter Comments to inform the school office of any details.
- Click SUBMIT
Get required immunizations before October 31
Immunizations must be up to date by October 31, or students must, by law, be excluded from school and all school-sponsored activities. Staff members in the health office are reaching out to notify students and families of missing vaccines and/or exemption forms.
Families may sign up for any school required vaccines at the SLP hosted Immunization Clinic on October 26 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at the District Services Center. This event is open to all students. It is free for those who qualify and insurance is also accepted. Register for the Student Vaccination Event.
Vaccines include:
- Covid-19
- Influenza
- Hib
- Meningococcal
- DTaP
- Tdap
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- MMR
- Polio
- Varicella
Kindergarten Visit Days
During this visit:
- Get a first look at school
- Take a guided tour with the principal
- Enjoy a snack in the cafeteria
- Meet and play with other future kindergarteners
- Connect with other families
- Ask questions and learn what to expect next year
Choose a visit:
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
- Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
- Wednesday, October 28, 2027, 10-10:45 a.m.
- Centerview Elementary
- Northpoint Elementary
- Park Terrace Elementary
Upcoming parent group meetings - New groups forming
In addition to school-based Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs), there are several districtwide family engagement groups that meet regularly throughout the year and are facilitated by school staff and parents/guardians in partnership. Each group has its own unique goals and structure; however, all share the common purpose of building a sense of trust and community while partnering in support of Spring Lake Park Schools students.
Somali/African Immigrant Parent Group - Initial Planning Meeting (New group)
Tuesday, October 6, 5-6:30 p.m. at the Spring Lake Park District Services Center, 1415 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
This group is designed for Somali/African Immigrant families to have opportunities to learn about one another’s cultures and lived experiences. The group will work to foster authentic relationships and dialogue and bridge connections among home, school, and community to support learning. The group is open to all.
Please let us know if you are coming using this RSVP form. Dinner will be provided.
- Contact: Nadifo Ali (Somali) email: nali3@district16.org
African American Parent Group - Initial Planning Meeting (New group)
Tuesday, October 13, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Westwood Intermediate and Middle School - Den, 711 91st Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55434
This group is designed for African American/Black-identifying families to have opportunities to learn about one another’s cultures and lived experiences. This group will work to foster authentic relationships and dialogue and bridge connections among home, school, and community to support learning. The group is open to all.
- Please let us know if you are coming using this RSVP form. Dinner will be provided.
- Contact: Diondre Green and Dorothy Williams (African American) email: dgreen@district16.org
Grupo de habla Hispana de SLP
¡Te invitamos al grupo de padres y personal hispanohablantes de Spring Lake Park! Un espacio para crear comunidad, compartir ideas, resolver dudas y apoyarnos durante el año escolar. ¡Todas las familias son bienvendias! Familias con estudiantes de Pre-K a 12 grado Nos reunimos 2 veces al mes, en persona o en línea, con horarios de mañana y tarde. En reuniones presenciales ofrecemos cena y cuidado de niños.
- ¡Comunícate con nosotros para conocer nuestras próximas actividades at hispanohablante@district16.org or 763-600-5618.
Native American Parent Group
Wednesday, October 7, 5-6:30 p.m. at Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, 880 Osborne Road NE, Fridley, MN 55432. Dinner is provided.
Any family in the district who self-identifies as Native American is welcome to take part in this group which builds community while advising school staff on how best to serve Native students throughout the district. Committee meetings also include opportunities for families to explore important aspects of Native cultures, traditions and histories.
- Contact: Autumn Person (White Earth Ojibwe) email: APerso@District16.org
Statewide School Funding on the Ballot This Fall; No New Taxes
Minnesota voters will decide this fall whether to change how money from the state’s Permanent School Fund is distributed to public schools. If approved, the change would provide additional funding to public school districts, including Spring Lake Park Schools. It would not increase taxes.
The proposed amendment would change how the annual distribution from the fund is calculated. If the amendment passes, Spring Lake Park Schools is expected to receive about $33 more per student, or approximately $200,000. Leaving the question blank has the same effect as voting No. Learn more about the Permanent School Fund ballot question.
