Oak Ridge Elementary News
4350 Johnny Cake Ridge Road
Eagan, MN 55122
(651) 683-6970
www.district196.org/or
“Educa ng our students to reach their full poten al”
May/June 2016
Dear Oak Ridge Families,
As warm weather begins, the end of the school year is rapidly approaching. I want to thank each of you and your children for welcoming me to the Oak Ridge community. A2er a year of mee3ng
and learning about our students, staff and families I am already
excited for next year when we open our doors as Oak Ridge School
of Leadership, Environmental and Health Sciences.
Our planning for next year is tenta3vely four sec3ons at each grade
level K-5. We will adjust the number of sec3ons as needed based
on summer registra3ons. If a family moves to your neighborhood
please send them to Oak Ridge to register as soon as possible.
Staffing changes are some3mes unavoidable but the more we
know and the sooner we know it the sooner we can adjust here at
school.
Our staff will take part in two trainings this summer to help them
bring new types of teaching and learning to our children. We will
have three days of Leader in Me training and one day of Inquiry
Teaching and Learning training. The opportunity for our staff to
learn together is exci3ng. As teachers we are con3nually learning
and growing in how we inspire and help every child to be successful. Our staff con3nue to be learners, changers, and innovators,
working diligently to meets the needs of all learners. I feel fortunate to be part of such a great staff.
As we close the year we will be sending out communica3on for the
start of school including assessment days. I encourage you to stay
tuned in through our Facebook and school website. Please make
sure if your phone number or contact informa3on has changed
that you keep us informed.
In Partnership,
Cindy Magnuson
Principal
The “Around the World at Oak
Ridge” night was a huge success!
Page 2
Spring Track and Field Dates
5th Grade—Monday, May 9 (alternate date
5/16) from 9:45 a.m.—2:00 p.m. at
Eastview High School
4th Grade—Thursday, May 26, from 9:4511:45 a.m. (alternate date 6/2)
3rd Grade—Thursday, May 26, from 1:30—3:30
p.m. (alternate date 6/2)
2nd Grade—Friday, May 27, from 9:45—11:45
1.m. (alternate date 6/3)
1st Grade—Friday, May 27, from 1:30-3:30
p.m. (alternate date 6/3)
Kindergarten—Tuesday, May 24
Band Alert For Parents Of Fourth Graders
Parents of fourth graders are comple3ng the steps
to register their children for band this month.
Please plan to aDend Band Open House at Deerwood Elementary on May 11 or May 12 between
4:00 and 6:45 P.M. to complete the steps to par3cipate in band. Details are in the instruc3ons being sent home May 4.
IMPORTANT: In District 196, beginning band is only offered during fi2h grade. There is no beginning
band in sixth grade. Therefore, if you are interested in your child being in band, now is the 3me to
contact Mrs. WyaD to begin the process. Please
contact Mrs. WyaD through voicemail at 683 6969,
Box 2665 or at angela.wyaD@district196.org.
News from the Media Center
Images of the World
"Images of the World" is an assembly that
has been scheduled for all students to see on
May 20th. The program is called “Blue
Zones—Kid Power.” The husband and wife
team of Bruce Junek and Tass Thacker will be
puLng on this dazzling slide presenta3on,
along with fascina3ng stories. These world
travelers and teachers will be s3mula3ng and
challenging students to view the world from
a mul3-cultural perspec3ve. The program
they will be sharing with us is their newest
program which features the healthy lifestyle
habits from people who live the longest. inspire students to pursue their own dreams.
PTO Elec*ons
Elec3ons will be held at the May 23 PTO mee3ng
for officers for the 2016-2017 school year.
Current officers are:
President—Shannon Mar3n
Vice President/Volunteer Coordinator—
Beth Ristow
Treasurer– Carissa Dahlen
Secretary—Susan Bazzano
We cannot believe another school year is coming
to a close! It has been a great year and we love
having your students check out books from our
library. The last day for checking out books will
be Wednesday, May 25. All library books will be
due on Wednesday, June 1. Star3ng on Friday,
June 3, we will send home no3ces for money
owed for lost books.
Both Shannon Mar3n and Carissa Dahlen have
completed applica3ons seeking interest in con3nuing in their current posi3ons. Nomina3ons
for the secretary and vice president posi3ons will
be taken from the floor at the mee3ng. Please
contact the PTO at oakridgeparents@gmail.com
if you are interested in serving in any of these
posi3ons.
Watch for no3ces about Summer Reading Programs at the public library and local book stores.
We want your students to have books to read all
summer long!
Our PTO is a great way to learn more about what
is happening at your child’s school and offers opportuni3es to make decisions on ac3vi3es, fundraising and special events at Oak Ridge. Everyone is invited to aDend all mee3ngs.
Mrs. Jacobson and Mrs. S3rmlinger
Page 3
Important Dates
March 30—May 6
MCA Tes3ng Window for Grades 3-5
May 4
Grade 5 Tours Blackhawk Middle School
from 1:30—2:30 p.m.
May 5
Grade 5 Bus Patrols to MOA - 9:30 a.m.
—2:30 p.m.
May 6
Grade 1 Vocal Music Concert—2:30
p.m.—Gyms
May 9-13 Kindergarten Ar3st in Residency—Ross
SuDer
May 9
Grade 5 Track & Field Day at EVHS—9:30
a.m.—2:30 p.m. (Rain date 5/16)
May 10
Grade 4 field Trip to Science Museum—
9:30 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
May 11 & 12 Grade 4 Band Registra3on at Deer
wood Elementary—4:00—6:45 p.m.
May 12
Open House for 2016-2017 Kinder
gartners—6:30 p.m.
May 16
PTO Fun Run Fundraiser Begins - Kickoff
Assembly at 3:00 p.m. in Gyms
May 20
“Images of the World Lyceums” for
Students
May 23
PTO Mee3ng—6:30 p.m.—IMC
May 24
Kindergarten Track & Field Day—1:55—
2:45 p.m.
May 25
PTO Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser 9:45—10:45—Grades K—2
11:00—12:00—Grades 3—5
Kindergarten Field Trip to Lebanon
Hills—11:15 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
May 26
Grade 4 Track & Field Day—9:45 a.m.
Grade 3 Track & Field Day—1:30 p.m.
PTO Fun Run Celebra*on—5:30—7:00
p.m.
May 27
Grade 2 Track & Field Day—9:45 a.m.
Grade 1 Track & Field Day—1:30 p.m.
May 30
NO SCHOOL—Memorial Day
May 31
Dakota County Library Presenta3ons
June 1
Grade 3 Field Trip to Fort Snelling State
Park—9:35 a.m.—2:30 p.m.
June 7
Grade 5 Bikes to the MN Zoo—9:30 a.m.2:30 p.m.
June 8
Last Day of School
All School Variety Show—9:45 a.m.
July 25—August 11
Oak Ridge Camp Propel (for
registered students)
Important End of Year Informa*on
Library Informa*on—The last day students
will be allowed to check out library books is on
Wednesday, May 25. All library books must
be returned by Wednesday, June 1.
Medica*ons at School - Prescrip3on medica3ons will not be returned to a student to take
home per district policy. If the medica3on
remains in the nurse’s office and is not picked
up by a parent or guardian, it will be destroyed by July 5, 2016.
Non-prescrip3on medica3ons, inhalers and epi
-pens can be taken home the last day of
school by the student if we have the signature
of the parent or guardian. This is a parental
decision and you may decide that you want to
pick up the medicine yourself. A permission
form will be sent out in May. If you have any
ques3ons, please call the school nurse at 651683-8593.
Bus/Daycare Informa*on—If you will no longer need daycare or your daycare changes for
the 2016-17 school year, please complete a
transporta3on form available in the office. If
you currently have a transporta3on/daycare
form on file, it will con3nue through 2016-17.
Emergency Storm Procedures
In the event of severe weather, students will
take cover in assigned areas within the school
building. Students and teachers will remain in
these areas un3l an all-clear signal has been
issued. Parents are urged not to call the
school during severe weather to help keep
phone lines free. We encourage parents to
listen to the radio or television for updates on
the weather. Busses will not leave and dismissal is delayed if a tornado or severe weather warning is in effect.
Oak Ridge Summer Office Hours
Monday—Thursday, 7:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.
Page 4
FRIENDLY REMINDER FROM THE LUNCHROOM
It has been a pleasure serving your child(ren) school meals this year. I would like to thank everyone for
their support and patronage of the school meals program. The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and I want to stress the importance of maintaining a posi3ve monetary meal account balance.
Beginning **Monday, May 16th** and through the end of the school year, the cafeteria will be offering a
cheese sandwich, fruit and a carton of milk to the children who owe for past meals eaten and who do
not maintain a posi3ve meal account balance. To avoid this situa*on for your child, it is impera*ve
that you monitor their account balance and assure that adequate funds are available. Payments can
be made to FeePay for Free or a check/cash can be sent in with your child at their school.
For elementary schools, the school lunch costs $ 2.40, breakfast costs $1.45 and a carton of milk
purchased separately or in addi3on to the meal is $.40.
You may check your child’s meal account balance on SchoolView/Fee Pay Account or by calling Oak
Ridge at 651-683-6875.
Please know that, at the end of the year, any nega*ve or posi*ve meal account balance will be carried
over to the next year. Students moving from any District 196 school to another District 196 school will
have their meal number and balance transferred to the appropriate school. This includes any elementary school 5th grader transferring to a middle school or any middle school 8th grader transferring to a
high school.
Again, I appreciate the opportunity to serve your children, and I thank you for their par3cipa3on in our
school meals program.
Geri Doane
Oak Ridge Elementary Food Service Manager
Oak Ridge PTO Fun Run
May 16—May 25
There will be a kickoff assembly for this PTO main fundraising event for the year on Monday,
May 16, at 3:00 p.m. in the gyms. Parent are invited to aAend the kickoff! Students will be
bringing home a packet with informa3on on how to collect pledges for the Fun Run. Pledges
will need to be turned in on May 25. The actual Fun Run will take place the morning of May 25
here at school. Times for the Fun Run are: 9:45—10:45 a.m. for grades K, 1 and 2 and from
Parents are encouraged to come
and cheer on your child during the Fun Run! This fundraiser will be the only
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for grades 3, 4 and 5.
major PTO fundraiser this year and funds will be used to pay for Ar3st in Residencies, Field Trip
Scholarships, Around the World at Oak Ridge, Fall Social, Turkey Bingo, Classroom Par3es, Family Engineer Night and other events to support the school.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Page 5
Free & Reduced Meal Applica*ons
Please remember that if you are interested in par*cipa*ng in the free & reduced meal program a new applica*on must be filled out each year.
If your child received this service this year, you will receive a leDer and an applica3on for the
2016-2017 school year some3me in July. Please fill out the applica3on and return it to school as
soon as possible. There is a 30 school day grace period in the fall where your child will receive
the same service that they did this year. A2er that 3me, if a new applica3on has not been filled
out, your child will revert to full pay.
Reminders are also sent to homes in the summer through the district news leDer called the
Spotlight. You will find the 2016-2017 free/reduced lunch applica3on on line at district196.org
some3me in July.
If your family has changes in their income throughout the year, you can always reapply to the
program.
Another note if you child does receive free or reduced lunch, they are en3tled to free breakfast
at school. Ea3ng a good breakfast will ensure they are ready to learn for the day.
If you have any ques3ons please feel free to contact your school social worker or anyone in
food service or the office.
Alisha Kaul, LICSW School Social Worker
Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Health & Environmental Sciences
What is Fare For All?
Fare For All is a bulk purchasing program open to
everyone. It’s like a traveling grocery store. Fare
For All is also a budget-stretching program that
allows everyone in the community to save up to
40% off quality fresh fruits, vegetables, and frozen meats.
Fare For All purchases fresh food in bulk from
wholesalers (the same places grocery stores get
their food) and the bulk prices are passed on to
the community. As more people par3cipate, Fare
For All can buy more food in bulk, making the
price low.
When is Fare For All?
2016 Dates: April 12, May 10,
June 7, July 12, August 9, September 13, October
11, November 8, & December 6
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Easter by the Lake
4545 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan
(corner of Pilot Knob & Cliff Road)
How Much Does It Cost?
The Produce Pack includes 16-pounds of fresh
fruits and vegetables for $10. There are two sizes
of frozen meat packs available: a Mega Maet
Pack (8-9 frozen meats) for $25 or a Mini Meat
Pack (4 frozen meats) for $11.
More Informa*on
Fore more informa3on about Fare For All, visit
fareforall.org.
Page 6
FUNDRAISER INFORMATION
Target Take Charge of Educa*on Fund
Box Tops for Educa*on
Raising Update
Remember to keep saving those box tops
throughout the summer. We are reimbursed 10 cents for every box top that we
turn in. We will s3ll be collec3ng them next
year and can get a head start if you keep saving them while your children are out of
school. Thanks so much for your help with
this project. Each liDle bit helps!
It’s really working! Thanks to you and other
parents we have received $4,832.37 from
Target for using their Target VISA. This is
the last year that Target is offering this program. We appreciated Target for the past
years of generosity and to families for suppor3ng the program.
Milk Fund Raising Programs
Just a reminder to keep a look out for all the
specially s3ckered caps from plas3c gallons and
1/2 gallons of milk, proof of purchase symbols
for paper 1/2 gallons of milk, or the top strip of
plas3c bags of milk. These are worth 5 cents
to Oak Ridge for each one collected. We are
collec3ng from a couple milk companies right
now. It really adds up throughout the year.
We have collec3ons for Kemps and Nature’s
Touch (Milk Moola). Please keep on saving
from any of these milk companies over the summer for us. Thanks so much for your help!
Kowalski’s Groceries for Good
Causes
Kowalski’s has a very easy program that gives
back to Oak Ridge students. All you need to
do is drop off your Kowalski’s cash register receipt in the bin by the door. For each receipt
turned in, the school receives back money for
student use.
It does not maDer how much is
spent on the receipt, just that the receipt was
turned in. Oak Ridge received $688 this year
from Kowalski’s.
Oak Ridge Elementary Fundraiser Income for 2015-2016
Fun Run
BuAerbraids
Target
(PTO)
(PTO)
(School)
Scholas*c
Book Fairs
Boxtops for
Educa*on
Kowalski’s
Market
Kula Founda*on (Coca Cola)
(PTO)
(School)
(School)
(School)
$858
$688
TBD
$3,3
$1,484
$3,390
$1,193
$329
Page 7
Tes*ng Dates for Next Year
The following table details the tes3ng ini3a3ves many Oak Ridge students will be involved in during the
2016-2017 school year. If you are scheduling a family vaca*on for next school year, please try to
schedule your trip around the following dates:
Test
MAP Math (Fall Administra3on)
Who
Grades 2-5
Date(s)
September 14—October 28
NNAT2
CogAt
ACCESS
MCA Reading, Math (Grades 3-5) &
Science (Grade 5 only)
Grade 1
Grades 3 & 5
ELL Students, K-5
Grades 3-5
December 1-20
December 1-20
January 30—March 24
March 6—May 5
Defini*ons
MAP:
MCA:
NNAT2:
CogAt:
ACCESS:
Stands for Measures of Academic Progress. These computerized tests show academic growth in
reading and math over 3me.
Stands for Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. These state mandated tests measure student performance rela3ve to state-defined standards in reading, mathema3cs, and science.
Stands for Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (second edi3on): NNAT2 uses progressive matrices to
allow for a culturally neutral evalua3on of students’ nonverbal reasoning and general problem
solving ability, regardless of the individual student’s primary language, educa3on, culture or socioeconomic background.
Stands for the Cogni3ve Abili3es Test (CogAt) measures students’ learned reasoning abili3es in
the three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quan3ta3ve and Nonverbal.
Stands for Assessing Comprehension and Communica3on in English State-to-State for English
Language Learners. This large-scale test addresses the academic English language proficiency
(ELP) standards at the core of the WIDA Consor3um’s approach to instruc3ng and evalua3ng the
progress of English language learners.
Will you be leaving Oak Ridge?
Please complete this form if you are planning to move out of District 196, or to aDend another school
within our district, or are enrolling in a private school at the end of the school year.
Please be advised that my child/children _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____ will be moving outside the district to
_____ will be aDending another school in our district, to
_____ will be enrolling in a private school at
Please return this form to the office as soon as possible. Thank you!
Page 8
SUMMER IS COMING!
Summer is a great 3me for children and their parents to relax and have fun! Without the help
of their parents, children o2en have difficulty structuring their 3me during the summer months. They
o2en become bored quite quickly and can easily turn into “couch potatoes”. Following are a few sugges3ons to make your summer a healthy, fun and rewarding season.
Branch out! Help your child cul3vate new friendships. This can be accomplished by having
your child invite new friends over to play. Remember to reach out to those children who might be new
to the neighborhood or to those who your child might not have invited over during the school year. Get
to know the neighborhood parents, as well – adult supervision and guidance is important to your children and their friends.
Keep your children reading during the summer. Don’t forget an occasional trip to the county
library, which is a wonderful ou3ng for children (and parents) who love books! Also, encourage your
child to keep a summer log or journal. This is a good way to keep up wri3ng skills as well as providing a
memorable keepsake of their special summer ac3vi3es.
Summer camps offer a rewarding and enriching experience for children. Camps offer children a
wonderful opportunity to learn about themselves, others, and a whole new world to which they might
not have otherwise been exposed. Camps can be purely recrea3onal, or can provide an educa3onal
seLng in which children can learn new skills. Some camps are set up to offer special and/or therapeu3c
experiences for children, helping them mature and learn to be more responsible. Your family budget
and your schedule will guide your choice of the camp you may choose. Some wonderful camp experiences are available through community educa3on, the YMCA and park and rec. Some offer financial
assistance and scholarships. A key indicator of readiness for a camp experience is the amount of excitement and enthusiasm that is expressed by the child. A day camp is a good first experience for a child.
Here are some links:
hDp://www.cityofeagan.com/index.php/parks-recrea3on/discover-brochure
hDp://www.district196.org/ce/
hDp://www.ymcamn.org/loca3ons/eagan_ymca
The Minnesota Zoo provides 10 percent of its annual aDendance free through the Zoo Access
Program (ZAP) to guests with limited income and their families. If you are enrolled in TANF, MFIP,
SNAP, MFAP, GA, OR WIC, you are eligible. Just show you Minnesota ID card, EBT card, or WIC Folder at
admissions. http://mnzoo.org/us/zap/
During the summer months, whatever your ac3vity, remember to drink plenty of water, as it is
easy to become dehydrated. Wear sunscreen, wear a helmet when biking or ska3ng, protect your eyes
with good sunglasses and wear insect repellent. While staying up late can be a fun part of summer,
plenty of resYul sleep con3nues to be important. Some children sleep in while others awaken at the
same 3me regardless of the bed3me. Know your child and what works best – but ensure that they get
enough sleep to handle the extra physical ac3vi3es that come with summer break.
I wish you a fun and safe summer!
Alisha Kaul, School Social Worker
Page 9
School Supply Lists for 2016-2017
Next Year’s Calendar
Next fall’s school supply list will be sent home
with your child’s final report card on the last day
of school. We will also have the list available on
our website this summer as well as have copies
at local stores later in the summer.
To help with your planning, here is a par3al calendar
for next school year.
2016-2017 School Calendar
Sept. 6
Oct. 7
Oct. 20-21
Camp Propel
Camp Propel will be held at Oak Ridge for
registered students only from July 25 to August 11, Monday through Thursday from
9:00 a.m. un3l 3:00 p.m. Students must
have been registered to aDend.
Nov. 2
Nov. 3 & 4
Nov. 24-25
Dec. 2
Dec. 24-Jan. 2
Jan. 16
Jan. 20
Feb. 8
Feb. 9-10
Feb. 20
March 10
March 27-31
April 21
May 29
June 6
First Day of School
NO SCHOOL—Data Analysis &
Instruc3onal Alignment Day
No SCHOOL—State Teachers’
Conven3on
Conferences– 4:00—8:00 p.m.
NO SCHOOL—Conferences
NO SCHOOL—Thanksgiving Break
NO SCHOOL—Staff Development
Day
NO SCHOOL—Winter Break
NO SCHOOL—Mar3n Luther King
Jr. Day
NO SCHOOL—Data Analysis &
Instruc3onal Alignment Day
NO SCHOOL—Conferences—
4:00—8:00 p.m.
NO SCHOOL—Conferences
NO SCHOOL— Presidents’ Day
NO SCHOOL—Staff Development
Day
NO SCHOOL—Spring Break
NO SCHOOL—Data Analysis &
Instruc3onal Alignment Day
NO SCHOOL—Memorial Day
Last Day of School (Elementary)
The Oak Ridge Calendar/Handbook is published in
the summer and will be distributed to parents in
August during Assessment Days.