2015-2016 Parent Handbook
Phone: 651-683-6890
Thomas Lake Elementary School Beliefs
We will foster a positive, stimulating environment where
individuals are encouraged to reach their full potential.
Thomas Lake Elementary will be a welcoming, respectful place
where people are allowed to be unique individuals without
infringing on the rights of others.
We will assume ownership in making decisions and
will always work together to do our best.
We will be responsible for our actions and
cooperative when working with others.
We have the right to feel safe and secure at all times.
We will take time to enjoy each other,
develop friendships, and celebrate successes.
AUGUST
SUNDAY
2015
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
• Teacher Workshop
• Individual Student Assessment Day 10:00 a.m.-­8:00 p.m.
• Individual Student Assessment Day 8:00 a.m.-­8:00 p.m.
1
SCHOOL PROCEDURES
STARTING AND DISMISSAL TIMES
School starts at 9:25 a.m. Buses will begin unloading at 9:10 a.m.,
at which time students will be allowed in the instructional areas.
Students are not allowed in the building before 9:10 a.m.
School safety patrol members with stop flags are stationed at various
crossings before and after school to assist students in safely crossing
the street. The hours that patrols are available are from 8:55 a.m. to
9:10 a.m. and from 3:45 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. each day. Please instruct
your child(ren) to obey the safety patrol. We ask for your assistance
in encouraging your child(ren) to use the sidewalks whenever
possible.
2
We know that as early as kindergarten, too many absences or tardies
can cause children to fall behind both academically and socially.
Even if students miss just a day or two every few weeks, or are tardy
for school, their social and academic progress can be negatively
affected.
For safety reasons, parents must report student absences by calling
or emailing the school attendance lineas soon as possible each day
your child is absent. Parents must report a reason for the absence. If
the school has not received a call before school begins the office will
call parents at home or work to verify a student’s absence.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Excessive absences and/or tardies will result in a letter of concern
from the school. It should be noted that three unexcused tardies may
be counted as one unexcused absence. In some cases the school
may require a doctor’s note or a visit to the school nurse for the
absence to be considered excused. Tardies are defined as being late
for school or leaving before the school day is over.
If for some reason special arrangements are made for after school,
a note from the parent/guardian must accompany your child to
school; otherwise they will be sent home as usual.
Please refer to the list below to determine if your child’s absence will
be recorded as excused or unexcused by the school.
Students receive their bus assignment from the Transportation
Department in the fall. Students are to ride their assigned bus to
and from school and are to be picked up at their assigned bus stop.
Please encourage your child to cooperate with the bus drivers and to
behave properly at the bus stops and on the bus.
Excused absences
• Illness (may require a doctor’s note for verification)
STUDENT ABSENCE
• Appointments for doctor, dentist, or mental health
If your child is going to be absent from school for any reason, please
• Religious holiday
call 651-683-6890 before 9:00 a.m. If you do not call us, we will
• Extreme family emergency
contact you either at home or at work.
• Planned family vacation
• Funeral
ESTABLISH THE HABIT OF GOOD ATTENDANCE
• Unique circumstances which are preauthorized by a school
Consistent attendance ensures a child’s success in school. In the state administrator
of Minnesota it is the parent or guardian’s legal responsibility that
all elementary-age children attend school. Elementary-age students
Unexcused absences
who miss (7) unexcused days of school or more, according to the
• Child overslept/parent overslept
Minnesota Statutes regarding education, are considered at risk for
• Child missed the bus
educational neglect and their parents are in violation of the state law • Parents forgot to wake child
on compulsory education (See MN Statutes 260C.007, Subd.19.)
• Parents did not know school schedule
State guidelines require schools to record absences and tardies.
• Child did not feel like going to school
SEPTEMBER
SUNDAY
2015
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
• Teacher Workshop
• Back to School Event 4:30-­6:00 p.m.
• K Orientation 4:30-­5:30 p.m.
• Teacher Workshop
6
7
8
9
14
15
FRIDAY
3
SATURDAY
4
5
11
12
• Teacher Workshop
10
• First Day of School for All Students
• Labor Day
13
2
THURSDAY
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
16
17
18
19
24
25
26
• News Team Applications Due
20
21
22
23
• Fundraiser Kick Off
27
28
29
30
3
• Child was sleepy
• Child is having difficulty separating from parents
• Inclement weather
• Child thinks school is boring
• Child does not meet state immunization law requirements
• Child is babysitting a younger sibling
• Child does not have transportation to school
We understand that family vacations can be valuable learning
experiences for children. We ask that you plan these vacations
around days that there is no school, like winter break or spring break,
for example, that way your child will miss less school. Please notify
the office in advance of planned family vacations. Thank you for your
consideration in this matter.
BUS TRANSFER PROCEDURES
4
The following procedures will be used when families request to have
their children ride a bus not assigned to them.
1.
2.
3.
4.
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE
District 196 does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis
of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status,
disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or
age. The School District attorney, 3455 153rd St. West, Rosemount,
MN 55068, (651) 423-7883, has been designated to respond to
inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, including inquiries
under Title IX.
SECURITY IN THE SCHOOL
The following procedures have been established to insure the safety
of all children at all times. Family members are considered visitors
during the school day.
1.
2.
All visitors to Thomas Lake School are to report to
the office. (Exceptions are school programs and
conferences.)
Parents/guardians wishing to pick up their children from
school must come to the office. At the office, the secretary
will call your child to the office, and you then sign him/her
out.
5.
6.
After the routes are established in the fall, the
Transportation Office will inform us of the number of extra
seats available for each bus.
Students may be authorized to transfer buses if a seat is
available.
The student must have a note signed by his/her parent or
guardian for each request to transfer buses.
“Blanket” notes cannot be honored, e.g., “Please allow
Mary to ride Bus #7 to Girl Scouts every Thursday for the
year. “ The approval of one note does not imply that future
notes will be approved. The student load on each bus
changes with new enrollment. Therefore, a seat may not be
available next week.
Notes should be brought to the office by the student in the
morning. At that time, the note will be approved or not
approved after checking the list of available seats.
When a note is not approved, the student will be instructed
to call his/her parent/guardian to make other arrangements
for transportation.
BUS RULES
The following are the rules that will be used on our buses this year.
Please discuss these rules with your child(ren). Obeying these rules
will insure a safe bus ride to and from school.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Always listen and obey the bus driver.
Always take a seat promptly and remain seated while on
the bus.
There will be no shouting, yelling or abusive speech on the
bus.
There will be no fighting, scuffling or moving around in any
way while on the bus.
Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
OCTOBER
SUNDAY
2015
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
5
6
3
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
• Fall Pictures
4
2
7
8
9
10
15
16
17
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan • No School – 5-­8 p.m.
Teachers’ Convention
• No School – Teachers’ Convention
• No School – Data Analysis and Instructional Alignment Day
11
12
13
• Site Council Meeting 4:00-­5:30 p.m. in Lounge
18
19
20
14
21
22
23
24
• Eagle Bluff Informational Meeting • Fundraiser Ending IMC
Celebration
25
26
27
28
29
• Picture Retakes
30
31
• Fall Parties at 2:30-­3:15 p.m. 5
PARKING LOT AND STUDENT SAFETY
Student safety is our primary goal as we address congestion in the
parking lot. The main parking lot and bus drop off area will be
closed for cars from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:20 to 4:00 p.m.
Please observe these rules when using the pick-up circle:
•
•
•
•
•
Drop children off at curbside only. Children must enter and
exit the car curbside.
If there isn't room to stop along the circle, park and escort
your child into the building. Do not park your vehicle in
the circle.
Children must have backpacks and other items ready for a
quick exit to avoid delaying others.
Vehicles at curbside must be attended.
Double parking is not allowed.
If the pick up circle is full, cars must park in the lot or along the east side
of Thomas Lake Road on the shoulder. Parents/guardians are asked to
either come into the building and wait in the link area for their students
or to wait in their cars until the buses have left and then drive to the
entrance. It is very unsafe for students to run out into the parking lot
to meet their family member. Pedestrian traffic between buses is not
permitted.
Please cooperate with us to help keep your children safe.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Students can purchase hot lunch and milk credits on any day of the
week. Prices are are subject to change without prior notice.
Daily
Student Lunch $2.40
Milk
$ .40
Breakfast
$1.45
Weekly
$12.00
$2.00
$7.25
Monthly
$48.00
$ 8.00
$29.00
All checks should be made payable to District 196. Please write
students full name and lunch identification number on check.
School lunch menus are posted on the District 196 website. Please
look over the menu and select the days your child will be taking hot
lunch. We feel it is extremely important for all children to have a noon
meal. We invite you to eat lunch with your child. The price of an adult
lunch is $3.60. Please call ahead to help our Food Service prepare.
MONEY BROUGHT TO SCHOOL
6
Primary students should bring their lunch money, milk ticket money,
etc., to school in an envelope clearly marked with their name, their
teacher’s name, amount of money, what the money is for, and lunch
identification number.
REVIEW OF CURRICULUM AND EXCUSING STUDENTS
Please note that parents/guardians have a right to review any
materials used in instruction of students, and/or request that students
be excused from instruction on specific topics and/or lessons. If you
wish to have more information on this, please contact your principal.
CONFERENCES
We will be holding conferences in fall and winter. These conferences
are an important way for teachers to share progress, concerns, and
goals for a child’s achievement in school. Research has shown that
when families and teachers work together, children experience a
greater academic success. Conferences are one important way that
we can strengthen that partnership. Formal conferences are held
twice during the fall and winter after you have received a midterm
report. Evening and day appointments are available. As always, if
concerns come up throughout the year, families may wish to call the
teacher to schedule an additional time to meet. Conference sign-up
will be on the main bulletin board at our Back to School Event in
September.
REPORT CARDS
Thomas Lake operates on a trimester system. Children will receive
report cards three times a year. Our marking system marks academic
subjects along with nonacademic areas. Report cards are sent home
at the end of each trimester.
Report Cards – District 196 elementary schools operate on a
trimester system. Report Cards are sent home with the students at
the end of each trimester (December, March and June). The purpose
of the report card is to communicate a student’s achievement,
behavior and effort based on our district grade level expectations
and standards. A grading scale of 1 – 4 is used, based on rubrics
with easy-to-understand descriptors of what the student is able to do
in each of the four achievement levels; 1) Limited, 2) Developing, 3)
Proficient and 4) Exemplary.
NOVEMBER
SUNDAY
2015
MONDAY
1
TUESDAY
2
WEDNESDAY
3
8
9
4
• Fall Conferences and Book Fair 4:00-­8:00 p.m.
• Election Day
10
THURSDAY
11
FRIDAY
5
• Fall Conferences 12:00-­8:00 p.m.
• Book Fair Noon-­7 p.m.
• No School 12
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan 5-­8 p.m.
SATURDAY
6
7
13
14
• No School • Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
• Grade 2 Music Program 6:30 p.m.
29
• Second Grade Grandparent's Day Program 10:30 a.m.
• No School – Thanksgiving Break
• No School – Thanksgiving Break
30
7
SCHOOL DRESS
In general, the rule of the season and good taste should prevail
with regard to student dress. Head coverings of any type, unless
for religious purposes, are not to be worn indoors. Examples of
inappropriate dress would include do rags, halter tops, degrading or
inappropriate language on shirts, spaghetti strap tops, bare midriff
tops, low rise pants, short shorts or mini skirts. Roller shoes are not
permitted for safety reasons.
Children should be dressed appropriately for the season and specific
weather. Children go outside for recess daily. Exceptions require a
note from the parent/guardian or doctor.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
If you are interested in becoming a school volunteer, please call 651683-6890 and someone will help you. Your interest and involvement
is always appreciated. Volunteer sign-up sheets will be sent home at
the beginning and middle of the school year.
THOMAS LAKE SITE COUNCIL
The purpose of the Thomas Lake Site Council shall be to discuss,
decide and make recommendations on shared concerns of the
staff and families of Thomas Lake Elementary. The decisions to be
made are joint decisions that hopefully will enhance the educational
climate. The Site Council is made up of six parent/guardians, two
staff and the principal. Meetings are held in the lounge from 4:00 to
5:30 p.m.
SEVERE WEATHER AND SCHOOL CLOSING
Please tune in to the following stations for school closing and
schedule change announcements:
WCCO - AM – (830) WCCO - TV – Channel 4 KSTP - TV –
Channel 5 Kmsp - TV – Channel 9 kare - TV – Channel 11
School closing information will also be available on the District 196
Information Line, 651-423-7777.
LOST AND FOUND
Please label all your child’s belongings so that they may be identified
when misplaced. There is a lost and found box in the main entry. If
items are left on a bus, check with the Transportation Department.
Lost items are kept on each bus.
BICYCLES
8
Bicycles may be ridden to and from school and parked in the bike
racks. However, during the school hours bikes will not be allowed to
be ridden on the school grounds. We recommend that all bicycles
be locked during the day. Students riding bicycles will need a written
permission slip from their parent/guardian.
TELEPHONE
Students should use the telephone at school only when absolutely
necessary. Arrangements for transportation, visiting another child,
etc., should be made before the student leaves home.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Fire, tornado and lockdown drills will be held regularly during
the school year. Procedures for these drills will be reviewed with
students so they are aware of what action is necessary.
INSURANCE
The school district does not carry insurance for accidents at school or
in-school activities.
CELEBRATING SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Children may not bring food or small gifts such as pencils or stickers
to share with other students. The primary reason for this change
from the past practices is to comply with our district's wellness
policy on making healthy choices as required by Section 204 of the
Child, Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. The change
also addresses increasing concerns about students affected by food
allergies, childhood obesity and economic disparities. Classroom
teachers will recognize students in special ways on their birthdays or
other special occasion.
PARTY INVITATIONS
Party invitations will not be distributed at school. Please use the
addresses in the student directory to assist with mailing.
DECEMBER
SUNDAY
2015
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
THURSDAY
2
7
8
SATURDAY
3
• End of Trimester One
6
FRIDAY
9
4
5
11
12
• No School – Staff Development
10
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
• Report Cards Go Home
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan 5-­8 p.m.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
• No School – Winter Break
• Winter Parties
27
28
• No School – Winter Break
29
• No School – Winter Break
30
• No School – Winter Break
• No School – Winter Break
31
• No School – Winter Break
9
PETS VISITS
Pet visits will be done outdoors and arranged by the grade level.
Exceptions will be made for visits by animals in cages that relate
to the curriculum and are approved by the classroom teacher. The
only pets living in our school will be fish. These practices will benefit
students and staff with allergies as well as helping to maintain indoor
air quality.
HEALTH SCREENING
Hearing and vision screening is done on all children in special
services, new enrollees, retentions and teacher referrals. Screening
procedure may also be requested anytime there is a concern by a
parent/guardian or teacher. Parents should feel free to contact the
school nurse regarding health or health concerns for their child(ren).
A letter is sent home to parents of students who need further
evaluation for hearing and vision by a professional.
CARE OF TEXTBOOKS, LIBRARY BOOKS AND ETC.
Students are responsible for all textbooks, library books, and
Resource Room books issued to them during the school year.
Students must pay replacement cost for all lost or damaged books.
All monies collected for lost books will be placed in a proper fund for
the replacement of these books. If a lost book is found, money will
be refunded.
Books from the Resource Room and classroom libraries are
paperbacks and they require extra care. Please be careful not to fold
or crease them as this will damage the books.
THOMAS LAKE WEBSITE AND THOMAS LAKE TIMES
10
Please visit the Thomas Lake web site at www.district196.org/
TL for information about overall activities/events at Thomas Lake.
Sign up for the Thomas Lake Times, a weekly newsletter emailed to
registered families.
NEWSLETTERS FROM TEACHERS
View teacher Moodle pages on the Thomas Lake web site for grade
level information and special events.
STAFF/HOME COMMUNICATION
Thomas Lake staff members communicate with parents/guardians
by phone and individual letters as the need dictates. The staff
recognizes the importance of timely two-way communication
between school and home. All staff members have voicemail, so you
may also leave messages via that channel.
Use of email at Thomas Lake Elementary School: We value effective
communication at our school. The use of email has increased over
the last few years. Most of our staff members do not have their
email accounts open during the school day while they are working
with students. As stated in our handbook: The staff at Thomas Lake
have an agreement to reply to emails within two school days. If your
need to communicate with a staff member is urgent, please call the
school offices at 651-683-6890 and we will relay your message to the
appropriate person.
SCHOOL VISITS
People who plan to visit a classroom or consult with a teacher
need to arrange the visit at least one school day in advance. This
It is your responsibility to make arrangements for proper care in case procedure does not apply to individuals invited to volunteer or
attend a school event. For the safety of students and staff, all visitors
your child is injured or becomes too ill to stay in school at a time
must register in the office and wear a name tag. If you bring an
when you are away from home.
item to school for your child, please stop at the office and we will
call your child. These procedures encourage your involvement and
SCHOOL/HOME COMMUNICATION
The Thomas Lake staff is very interested in promoting communication minimize interruptions to the instructional day.
between the teaching staff and families. Our phones will be
forwarded to voice mail when the school office is closed. We
encourage you to call or contact any staff member if the need arises.
We have developed many systems of communication, some of
which are as follows:
EMERGENCY CARE
JANUARY
SUNDAY
2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
8
9
• No School – Winter Break
3
4
5
6
7
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
10
11
12
• Site Council Meeting 4:00-­5:30 p.m. in Lounge
17
18
19
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan 5-­8 p.m.
20
• No School – Data Analysis and Instructional Alignment Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
24
25
26
31
• Eagle Bluff Meeting IMC -­ 6:30 p.m.
27
28
29
30
• 5th grade Music and Band Programs 6:30 p.m.
11
WITHDRAWING CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL
If you are planning to move out of the Thomas Lake attendance area,
please call us at 651-683-6890 to give us the date of the last day
for your child. Records for students enrolling in a school outside of
District 196 will be requested in writing by the new school.
KEEP ELECTRONICS AT HOME
As stated in our parent handbook, students are not allowed to have
electronic toys, iPods, or cell phones out during class. If your child
brings one to school, it must stay in their backpack during the school
day and must be on silent mode. Because of theft, we strongly urge
students to leave these at home. If you must talk with your child
during the school day, please call the main office and we will make
arrangements.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
District 196 has a discipline policy which all students will receive the
first week of school. Please review this policy with your children.
MINNESOTA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS (MCA-II AND MCA-III) 12
Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will take the Minnesota Comprehensive
Assessments (MCA-II and MCA-III) in Spring. Fifth grade students
will also take a science test. These statewide tests are one way that
the district measures individual student progress in reading, math and
writing. There is no minimum passing score required on the MCAs.
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
The School Social Worker provides proactive educational support,
as well as individual and group supportive services to help students
overcome barriers to learning. The School Social Worker works
directly with individual students, students in small groups and in
the classroom settings to enhance social and emotional skills, teach
problem solving skills, cope with family changes and loss, teach
anger management coping strategies, present harassment and bully
curriculum, and help students respect themselves and others.
A CLIMATE FOR LEARNING
Our Climate for Learning is based on our belief that all behavior is
purposeful and that we are in charge of our own behavior. Each
classroom will establish a set of beliefs and expectations for behavior
through class meetings which will result in a signed class agreement.
If a student’s behavior conflicts with the class agreement, a plan will
be developed to change the behavior and make restitution.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Many families are concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. The following information is intended to help with
this decision. Please inform the school nurse/office of any communicable diseases your child may be experiencing. We will then alert other
students in that class by placing an announcement in our weekly electronic newsletter.
General Practice:
• If student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student should stay home for 24 hours after a normal temperature returns.
• If student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
• If student has any rash that may be disease-related or you do not know the cause, check with your family doctor before sending the
student to school.
• If student is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness at 651-683-6890.
Note: Children should not be given aspirin or aspirin-containing medications unless specifically prescribed by doctor.
FEBRUARY
SUNDAY
2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
WEDNESDAY
2
3
THURSDAY
8
14
SATURDAY
4
• Eagle Bluff Meeting 4:45-­5:30 p.m.
7
FRIDAY
5
6
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
9
10
• Kindergarten Registration 8:00 a.m.-­8:00 p.m.
• Conferences and Book Fair 4:00-­8:00 p.m.
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan 5-­8 p.m.
11
• No School
• Conferences 12:00-­8:00 p.m.
• Book Fair Noon-­7 p.m.
• Kindergarten Registration 8:00 a.m.-­8:00 p.m.
12
• No School
• Grade 4 Optional Trip to Eagle Bluff 13
• Grade 4 Optional Trip to Eagle Bluff 15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
• Grade 4 Optional Trip to Eagle Bluff • No School – Presidents’ Day
13
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE INFORMATION
14
MARCH
SUNDAY
2016
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
THURSDAY
2
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
3
4
5
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
6
7
8
• Site Council Meeting 4:00-­5:30 p.m. in Lounge
13
14
9
10
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan 5-­8 p.m.
• End of Trimester Two
15
16
21
• No School – Spring Break
27
22
• No School – Spring Break
28
23
• No School – Spring Break
29
30
18
19
• Report Cards Go Home
24
• No School – Spring Break
12
• No School – Staff Development
17
• Grade 3 Music Program -­ 6:30 p.m.
20
11
25
26
• No School – Spring Break
31
15
MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
All medication (including over-the-counter preparations) must be kept
in the nurse's office.
Non-prescription
– Must be in original container.
– Parent/guardian must send a note explaining when and why
student should take medication.
Prescription
– Prescription medication must be supplied in original labeled
prescription bottle. Ask pharmacist for an extra bottle when
getting medication.
– Parent/guardian must provide written permission to give
medication in school.
– Physician order must be presented to school for any
prescription medication to be given for longer than a 2-week
period.
Immunization law requirements may also be met by submitting to 16
the school nurse a signed, notarized conscientious exemption form
or a medical exemption from a physician.
Minnesota law states that a student transferring into our schools
has 30 calendar days to present us with immunization records in
compliance with our laws.
HEAD LICE
It is safe to assume that one or more students may have head lice
at any given time during the year. We are asking parents to take a
proactive approach to prevention and treatment of head lice so our
focus at school can remain on teaching and learning.
Head lice are not an infectious disease but are a tremendous
nuisance. The district Nursing Department website ( http://www.
district196.org/headlice ) contains updated information about
preventing, detecting and treating head lice. We encourage all
Please feel free to call with any concerns or questions regarding your parents to read and familiarize themselves with this information so
child's health. Also, remember to call if there are any changes in your they know how to detect and treat head lice on their own children.
child's health status or family information on the emergency card.
Thank you.
It is parents’ responsibility to check their children regularly for head
lice whether or not symptoms are present. It is very time-consuming
Susan Schaenzer, School Nurse
for our school nurse to check students for head lice and excludes
651-683-6892
students from valuable classroom time. If a teacher believes a student
Hours: 9:00-4:00 daily
is showing symptoms of having head lice, the teacher will send the
student to the school nurse to be checked. If the student has lice,
a parent will be contacted to pick up their child and the child will
IMMUNIZATION
remain at home until treatment is complete.
All students must meet the requirements of the state immunization
law before the start of the 2015-2016 school year. If your child has
There are many places children can be exposed to head lice. School
not met the requirements of the state immunization law by the first
day of the 2015-2016 school year, your child will not be permitted to is one of the least likely places for that to happen. Play dates,
sleepovers, and the sharing of brushes, combs, helmets and hats are
attend school until the requirements are met.
all common ways head lice are spread. Direct head-to-head contact
is almost always necessary for the spread of lice to happen.
According to state law, each school is required to maintain, on
file, immunization records for each child. The requirements are
as follows: Grade 1-5 students – diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
- 5 doses; polio - 4 doses; measles, mumps, and rubella - 2 doses,
hepatitis B - 3 doses. Students in kindergarten must have varicella - 2
doses or MD documentation if child had disease.
APRIL
2016
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan 5-­8 p.m.
17
18
19
20
• No School – Data Analysis and Instructional Alignment Day
• Family Fun Night 4:30-­7:00 p.m.
24
25
26
• Spring Fifth Grade Band Concert 6:30 p.m.
27
28
29
30
• Kindergarten Open House 5:00-­6:00 p.m.
17
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
18
CHILD STUDY PROGRAMS
Special programs are set up for students who qualify for service in the areas of learning disabilities, speech, adaptive physical education,
occupational therapy, physical therapy and emotional/behavioral disorders. Children may be referred to the child study team by parents or
guardians, classroom teachers, special education staff, outside agencies already serving the child or by the child himself/herself.
GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM
District 196 provides a continuum of services directed to meet the needs of gifted and talented students. Services include curriculum
differentiation provided by classroom teachers as well as academic opportunities offered by building G/T specialists. Additional activities
may also be offered after or before school in the form of competitions, classes and fairs.
Students may self-select some opportunities, while others are offered based on standardized test scores and/or recommendations by
classroom teachers. Students selected for more specialized programming meet criteria that are consistent throughout all District 196
schools. Each building’s G/T specialist can provide information specific to their school.
BAND
The instrumental music program at Thomas Lake provides instruction for band instruments in small and large groups. Instruction begins
either the summer before fifth grade or at the beginning of the school year.
MEDIA CENTER
All children have the opportunity to check out books regularly and each grade level receives instruction in media skills. No fines are charged
for overdue books, but parents are encouraged to help their child(ren) remember to return books on time and to replace lost books.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (ELL)
ELL is offered to those youngsters whose primary language is other than English.
CURRICULUM
LANGUAGE ARTS
K-5 classrooms will be implementing 6 week units of study that integrate reading, writing, word study, research, social studies, science, and
health. Math is also integrated in each unit in addition to being taught in its own block. Each grade level will have several units of study
across the year. During each unit students will research different types of reading and writing, as well as a topic. Students will present out
their individual and classroom research at the end of every unit.
SCIENCE
Students will be immersed in 3 different science research projects across each school year. Students will study an earth science, life science,
and physical science and engineering topic for six weeks. Students will be immersed in reading many books around a science topic of study
and will be responsible for presenting out their research in writing, as well as sharing their research with an audience. Students will also keep
a science notebook and record hands-on science investigations.
MAY
2016
SUNDAY
MONDAY
1
TUESDAY
2
8
9
WEDNESDAY
3
10
• Site Council Meeting 4:00-­5:30 p.m. in Lounge
4
11
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
5
6
7
• Grade 1 Spring Fling 2:15 p.m.
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
12
13
14
• Thomas Lake Day at Which 'Wich in Eagan 5-­8 p.m.
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
• No School – Memorial Day
19
SOCIAL STUDIES
20
Students will research social studies topics through integrated units of study. Every classroom will begin with a community unit as they
establish the habits of mind of a strong learning and research community. The social studies program will provide the opportunity for each
student to acquire the knowledge of content and concepts, develop the critical thinking skills and processing skills necessary for responsible
social, political and economic participation in a diverse, interdependent and changing world.
WORD STUDY
Students will have a systematic word study program daily at school. The program has five hands-on experiences with words each week.
Students will not bring words home to practice, but will bring home the artifacts from their work at the end of the week. Students will be
bringing home large vocabulary words around their topics of study to share with family members.
HOME EXTENSIONS
Students will carry their research topics home each evening for lively discussions around different topics. Families will be encouraged to join
in the research conversations with their children, and compare research across grade levels. Students will bring home interesting books that
match their research topics and will be eager to share out their new learning each night.
MATHEMATICS
The elementary school mathematics curriculum is based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics. The curriculum builds
students’ mathematical understanding, skill and proficiency at each grade level within the strands of number and operations, algebra,
geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability.
Resources:
Grades K-2: Bridges in Mathematics published by The Math Learning Center
Grades 3-5: Bridges in Mathematics published by The Math Learning Center
Project M Cubed-Mentoring Mathematical Minds published by Kendall Hunt
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM AND HIV/AIDS PREVENTION CURRICULUM
“District 196 teaches a human growth and development curriculum to fourth and fifth grade students, and an HIV/AIDS prevention
curriculum to fifth grade students. If you would like more specific information about what is taught in this area, please attend the meeting
on this issue at your school or contact your school principal. Families who are uncomfortable with the curriculum after attending the
meeting or talking with the principal may withhold their children from specific class sessions in which the curriculum is taught.”
The Human Growth and Development curriculum covers basic information about reproductive anatomy, physical and emotional changes
during puberty, and proper hygiene. Parents and guardians are invited to attend one of several evening sessions to experience the program
with their child. Notification with specific dates and times of these evening sessions will be sent out during the school year.
A section of the grade five communicable disease unit deals with HIV/AIDS. The content of the HIV/AIDS lessons includes such topics as
the transmission, prevention and myths associated with the disease. Students will learn that HIV/AIDS is transmitted through bodily fluids
and the ways bodily fluids can be transmitted. It is the intention of the district to provide the students with factual information at an ageappropriate level.
JUNE
2016
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
• Grades K-­4 Track Meet
• All School Family Picnic • Grade 4 Recorder Demonstration
5
6
7
• Grade 5 Awards 2:30 p.m.
8
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
2
3
• Rain Date for Grades K-­4 Track Meet
• Rain Date for All School Family Picnic • Rain Date for Grade 4 Recorder Demonstration
4
• Thomas Lake School Spirit Day
9
10
11
• Last Day of Elementary School
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
21
District 196 School Board
Rob Duchscher, Chairperson
Jackie Magnuson, Vice Chairperson
Gary Huusko, Clerk
Art Coulson, Treasurer
Joel Albright, Director
Mike Roseen, Director
Bob Schutte, Director
Jane K. Berenz, Superintendent
TL/TL cal 15-16.indd
District 196 Graphics/6-14