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”
April 2015
April 2015
Dear Oak Ridge Families,
Recently I was invited to visit Ms. Koth’s first grade classroom to par'cipate in a “Penguin Party.” It was amazing! Each
year first graders learn about penguins during one of their math units. Ms. Koth and her students expanded this learning
during their literacy workshops. They worked together to generate ques'ons about penguins, conducted research, and
created presenta'ons to share new ideas. You would have been impressed to see first graders share their knowledge with
displays, diagrams, and art work. They also wrote and shared informa'on like this:
Penguins do not have teeth.
The blue penguin is the smallest penguin. It is only 10-12 inches tall.
The emperor penguin is the tallest penguin. It is up to 44 inches tall.
Sea lions are penguin predators.
The learning I no'ced during the penguin party was grounded in state standards for reading, wri'ng, listening, and
speaking. It was also very exci'ng for students, and an example of the excellent literacy instruc'on teachers are delivering
each day at Oak Ridge.
Spring is a busy 'me of year at school. I would like to call your a8en'on to important school events.
State Tes ng
Students in grades 3-5 will have MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) tests in April and May. Each classroom will
have assigned 'mes for reading and math, as this assessment is now computerized. Fi=h graders will also take a science
test. You can prepare your child for tes'ng by making sure he/she has adequate sleep, a good breakfast, and a posi've
a?tude. A8endance is important on tes'ng days. Please know that late arrivals and appointments are disrup've. Thank
you.
Field Trips
Several field trips are planned during April and May. Watch for permission slips with details about lunches and schedule
changes. Parent chaperones are o=en needed, and we appreciate your help!
Spring Fling
The Oak Ridge Spring Fling will take place on May 14th from 5:00-7:30 PM. This will be a fun opportunity to celebrate the
school year. This year’s Spring Fling will include jumpers, food, a DJ, and other fun ac'vi'es. Volunteer opportuni'es will
be shared soon. I look forward to seeing all of you at this event!
Thank you for your partnership in educa'on.
Sincerely,
Kris Scallon, Principal
Page 2
Advisory Council Candidates Needed
MCA Tes ng Informa on
Oak Ridge Elementary School has an Advisory
Council that meets several 'mes a year for the
purpose of making recommenda'ons and/or
decisions concerning the opera'on of our
school. The Advisory Council is made up of parents, teachers and other staff members.
In April and May, students in third, fourth and fi=h
grade will take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) tests in reading and in math. Fi=h
grade students will also take the Minnesota Comprehensive Science test in April. These tests were
developed by the State of Minnesota to evaluate
district, school and individual student progress on
the state’s academic standards. Students do not
pass or fail the MCA tests. They are among the
many assessments our district uses to measure the
progress of individual students.
Each year, new parent members are elected to
the Advisory Council for a two year term of
office. We are now seeking parents who are
interested in becoming a candidate for a posi'on on the Oak Ridge Advisory Council for the
2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years. Parents
who are interested in becoming candidates are
asked to complete an applica'on form and return it to the school by April 17, 2015. An applica'on has been a8ached to this newsle8er for
your convenience. Candidate names and informa'on will be published in the May issue of the
Oak Ridge Newsle8er. Elec'on, by ballot, will
occur at the Oak Ridge Spring Fling on May 14 or
at the school office during the week of May 1116.
Please consider submi?ng your name as a candidate to the Council. Through parental input,
the Council is be8er able to make decisions that
help make Oak Ridge a successful school for all
students.
The window for MCA tes'ng for Oak Ridge students
runs from April 1 to May 8. Dates and 'mes for
each 3rd, 4th and 5th grade were sent home in Friday folders on March 20th and can be found on the
Oak Ridge web page.
Math
The math test be taken on the computer and will
include ques'ons involving shape, space and measurement, number sense, chance and data handling.
Each class will have 2 sessions in the computer lab
during the tes'ng window.
Reading
The reading test will also be taken on the computer
and is made up of mul'ple-choice ques'ons that
test skills in comprehension, interpreta'on and evalua'on. Two sec'ons of the test will be given each
day. One sec'on will be administered in the morning and one in the a=ernoon.
Science
The science MCA will be a computer-delivered, webbased test with the capacity to deliver innova've
science assessment items to students. These assessments will include mul'ple choice, constructed response and figural response items. The test is given
in one si?ng in the computer lab to one fi=h grade
classroom at a 'me.
Individual results on MCA tests will be shared with
parents as soon as they are available. For more informa'on about the MCA tests, you may check out
the state web site at h8p://educa'on.state.mn.us.
The PTO Family Engineering Night on March 3 brought
lots of crea'vity, explora'on and fun for all!
Page 3
Important Dates
April 1—May 8
MCA Tes'ng Window for Grades 3-5
April 6 & 7 Last Days for A=er School Classes
April 13-17 Grade 1 Ar'st in Residency—Bob
Walser from “Shake These Bones”
April 16
Statewide Tornado Drill
Grade 3 Parent Music Ac'vity Night 6:30 p.m.—Gyms
April 21
Grade 2 Field Trip to Inver Hills
Community College Play
PTO Mee'ng—6:30 p.m.—IMC
April 22
Grade 1 Field Trip to Inver Hills
Community College Play
April 24
NO SCHOOL—Data Analysis and
Instruc'onal Alignment Day
April 27
Advisory Council Mee'ng—6:30 p.m. Conference Room
April 30
Grade 5 Band Concert—6:30 p.m.—
Gyms
May 1
Grade 3 Field Trip to Mill City Museum
May 5
Volunteer Apprecia'on Breakfast—
8:30—9:00 a.m.— IMC
May 8
Grade 1 Music Program—2:30 p.m. Gyms
Oak Ridge Camp Propel
Oak Ridge Camp Propel is a three week summer
program that will run from July 27-August 13,
Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. un'l
3:00 p.m. , for students going into K through 5th
grade (students entering 6th grade in the fall will
have summer classes at BHMS.) The goal of
Camp Propel is to improve student achievement
by increasing a8endance and moving the experience closer to the school year. Bussing is available. Lunch will be offered.
If your child has been recommended to a8end
Camp Propel, please return your completed applica'on that was sent home in your child’s report
card to school no later than April 3 or complete
the online registra'on by going to
h#p://www.district196.org/CampPropel. The
Login ID is 805258 and the Pin is 41111.
Spring Track and Field Dates
5th Grade—Monday, May 11 (alternate date
5/18) from 9:45 a.m.—2:00 p.m. at
Eastview High School
4th Grade—Thursday, May 21, from 1:30—
1:20 p.m. (alternate date 5/28)
3rd Grade—Thursday, May 21, from 9:45—
11:45 a.m. (alternate date 5/28)
2nd Grade—Friday, May 22, from 1:30—3:30
p.m. (alternate date 5/29)
1st Grade—Friday, May 22, from 9:45—11:45
a.m. (alternate date 5/29)
Kindergarten—Tuesday, June 2, 2:00 p.m.
(alternate date 6/4)
PTO Spring Fling Plans Underway
The PTO Spring Fling is scheduled for Thursday,
May 14, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.
Lots of fun ac'vi'es are being planned including
music, jumpers, food and a Scholas'c 2 for 1 Book
Fair. Parent volunteers will be needed at this
event. You may sign up to volunteer at the spring
fling by going to the Oak Ridge website and clicking under volunteers.
Page 3
Parent Resource Board
Need Help With Tax Prepara on?
AccountAbility Minnesota is a volunteer Income Tax Assistance site that offers free tax prepara'on services to individuals with an income of $30,000 or less and families with an annual income of $50,000 or less. Call 651-287-0187 and press op'on 8, or go to accountabilitymn.org
for more informa'on. I have a list of more places that can help; just call me if you’d like a copy.
Standardized Tests
In April and May your child will be taking the MCA and MAP tests. These tests can produce anxiety in children. There are a few things you can do to help alleviate the stress and anxiety your
child may feel.
Explain that the tests will show how much they have learned. Encourage them to do their
best.
Limit ac'vi'es the night before tests. Make sure they get to bed on 'me to get a good night
sleep.
On test day, give your child and energy boos'ng breakfast. Try to include protein (eggs, yogurt, cheese, meat and milk) and carbohydrates (fruit, oatmeal, cereal and toast).
Remind them that they can take deep breaths to help calm down and focus.
Looking for summer opportuni es for your children?
Here is a list of summer camps h8p://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/196033301.html
Eagan Park and Recrea'on Discover brochure h8p://www.startribune.com/
lifestyle/196033301.html
The YMCA of Eagan and Burnsville offer great day camps and other ac'vi'es h8p://
www.ymcatwinci'es.org/child_care__preschool/summer_programs/
Don’t forget to visit your local library!
Alisha Kaul, School Social Worker
651-683-6970 vm 94822
Page 4
From Our School Nurse
We are entering the 'me of year when head lice become more prevalent in our schools, although it is
safe to assume that one or more students may have head lice at any given 'me during the year. We are
asking parents to take a proac've approach to preven'on and treatment of head lice so our focus at
school can remain on teaching and learning.
Head lice are not an infec'ous disease but are a tremendous nuisance. The district website
(www.district196.org/headlice) contains updated informa'on about preven'ng, detec'ng and trea'ng
head lice. We encourage all parents to read and familiarize themselves with this informa'on so they
know how to detect and treat head lice on their own children.
It is parents’ responsibility to check their children regularly for head lice whether or not symptoms are
present. It is very 'me-consuming for our school nurse to check students for head lice and excludes students from valuable classroom 'me. If a teacher believes a student is showing symptoms of having head
lice, the teacher will send the student to the school nurse to be checked. If your child has lice, you will be
contacted by phone or by le8er regarding your child. Once your child is home you must treat them for
the head lice and no'fy the school nurse that they have been treated for head lice before they can return.
There are many places children can be exposed to head lice. School is one of the least likely places for
that to happen. Play dates, sleepovers, and the sharing of brushes, combs, helmets and hats are all common ways head lice are spread. Direct head-to-head contact is almost always necessary for the spread of
lice to happen.
If you have ques'ons, please first review informa'on on the Nursing Department website. Thank you for
your understanding and coopera'on.
School Nurse Sarah Walker, LSN
Will you be leaving Oak Ridge?
Please complete this form if you are planning to move out of District 196, or to a8end 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 a8ending 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!
APPLICATION FORM
FOR
OAK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Parent Name
Address
Home Telephone
Work Telephone
Child’s Name
Grade
Grade
Grade
Permission is granted to publish informa'on in May, 2015, Oak Ridge Newsle8er:
Yes
No
Please provide a brief statement about your background and interest in the
Advisory Council:
Please return to the Oak Ridge Administra ve Office by April 17, 2015.
OAK RIDGE PTO
Looking for ways to get involved??? We need your help!
Oak Ridge PTO has a number of different ways you can get involved! We support the school helping with family events such as the
Fall Fes'val, Spring Fling and Book Fairs during parent/teacher conferences.
SO, do your part and get involved!
Elec'ons are going to be held at our May mee'ng. The average PTO Officer puts in 5 hours per week.
The PTO Board consists of 8 -10 members depending on the fundraising, social and teacher rep posi'ons. President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected posi'ons. Fundraising Chair(s), Social Chair(s), and Teacher Representa've(s) are appointed posi'ons. The Oak Ridge Principal also serves on the PTO Board.
All Board posi'ons are elected every year with a maximum of 2 years served in each posi'on. Current board members are: Jason
Breen-President, Rachel Lee—Vice-President, Carissa Dahlen- Treasurer and Shannon Mar'n-Secretary. The Fundraising and Social
Chairs are open for nomina'ons. Please let any Board member know if you are interested.
Here is a summary of PTO Board posi'ons and responsibili'es:
President: Oversees PTO. Responsible for managing PTO board and general mee'ngs. Acts as a resource for the rest of the Board
as needed and ul'mately responsible for the planning, execu'on and follow-up of all PTO ac'vi'es.
Vice President: Responsible for coordina'ng volunteers for events. Maintain volunteer page on school website.
Secretary: Responsible for maintaining PTO website, crea'ng and distribu'ng monthly agendas and mee'ng minutes for PTO General Mee'ngs and Board Mee'ngs. Manages the database of ac've PTO members.
Treasurer: Handles all financial transac'ons, tracking and policies for the PTO and prepares a monthly financial report. Also responsible for filing tax return on behalf of the PTO.
Fundraising Chair (appointed posi'on): Oversees all fundraisers (ac've and passive), helps coordinators with fundraising needs and
ques'ons.
Social Chair (appointed posi'on): Responsible for scheduling and overseeing social events sponsored by PTO such as the Spring
Fling, Fall Family Fes'val, Family Bingo Night and Around the World at Oak Ridge
Remember: Many hands make light work!
www.oakridgepto.org
oakridgeparents@gmail.com
APPLICATION FORM FOR
OAK RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S
PTO BOARD
Parent Name
Address
Home Telephone
Work Telephone
Child’s Name
Grade
Grade
Posi'on interested in:
_____ President
_____ Vice President
_____ Treasurer
_____ Secretary
_____ Fundraising Commi8ee Chairperson
_____ Social Commi8ee Chairperson
Permission is granted to publish informa'on in May, 2015, Oak Ridge Newsle8er:
Yes
No
Please provide a brief statement about your background and interest in the PTO posi'on:
Please return to the Oak Ridge Administra ve Office by April 17, 2015.