October 30, 2014
Dear LPA Elementary School Parents:
This is the first in a series of letters and newsletters to parents that we will be sending throughout this
school year to keep you informed about school activities, news and initiatives. Parent and family
involvement in the education of all children is an extremely important part of helping children reach
their potential. This is consistent with our elementary school mission statement: “The mission of Lake
Park Audubon Elementary School is to promote the growth of the whole child (academically,
intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically), the development of responsibility; and the desire to
learn so that each child may make progress toward achieving his/her potential.” It is with this in mind
that we will continue to work together with you in order to provide the best education possible for your
child.
The Lake Park Audubon Elementary Grandparents’ Day is a great example of our efforts to include
families in the education of children at our school! A huge number of grandparents, parents, and
relatives attended school with our students on October 15th. Our counts show that more grandparents
were here than we have students in our school. More than 400 parents and grandparents had a chance
to attend class with their child/grandchild, and eat lunch with them. They were also treated to a musical
program in which all students at LPA Elementary School performed. It was evident to all that our
students are growing in their musical abilities and in sensitivity to the contributions to others through
their patriotic songs, and by honoring the veterans and grandparents in attendance.
Our elementary school has also shown great academic success over the past years. We are a “School of
Excellence,” recognized by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association, and presented to
our school by the Minnesota Commissioner of Education. We have received the “School Spotlight
Award” from the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation “in recognition of academic excellence
demonstrated through significant gains in student achievement.” Our elementary school wide MCA test
scores have been at or substantially above the state average nearly every year for several years, and we
have made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) every year as measured by the Minnesota Department of
Education.
Our elementary students showed excellent success this past year also as measured by Minnesota
Comprehensive Assessments. Our elementary school proficiency test scores as a school and in
subcategories measured by the statewide assessments show continued academic success. Our special
education students scored above the state average in reading, math, and science, and our students from
low income families also scored above the state average in reading, math, and science. Our elementary
school as a whole also performed very well according to proficiency scores provided by the state,
scoring near or above the state average in reading, math, and science. Lake Park Audubon Elementary
School has received the designation of “Continuous Improvement School.” Stephanie Graff from the
Minnesota Department of Education states: “LPA Elementary School is at the very top of schools with
this designation.” Growth scores show that we can do more to help each individual student “reach their
potential” as outlined in our elementary mission statement. We will be working with the Minnesota
Department of Education to continually push for maximum growth from every student. An expected
growth rate has been set by the state for every student in our school, and we will be working together
to meet or exceed that growth rate. We believe that all students can learn and grow at a high level, and
we will do all in our power to make that happen at LPA. Our goal truly is that “no child is left behind” at
LPA. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for us to work extremely hard to do what is best for
our students.
This is another LPA district wide goal that we set for ourselves as the 2014-15 school year began: “The
Lake Park Audubon School District will improve MCA reading proficiency from 57.5% in the spring of
2014 to 62.5% in the spring of 2015.” Information about this goal was presented to parents, teachers,
and community members. Together, we will reach this goal by working for maximum growth from each
and every student in our school. Our elementary school has a Title I Compact that we ask every parent
to sign at conferences coming soon in November. This compact lists many opportunities for parents to
help us in achieving our goals, continuing our tradition of excellence, and working for growth in all of our
children. These opportunities include:
 Attendance at parent-teacher conferences - November 6th and 11th, 2014, and February 19th and
24th, 2015.
 Monitoring attendance
 Making sure homework is completed
 Volunteering in my child’s classroom
 Participating in decisions relating to my child’s education.
 Promoting positive use of my child’s extracurricular time.
 Staying informed about my child’s education and communicating with the school by promptly
reading all notices from the school or school district either received by my child or by mail, and
responding as appropriate.
 Serving, to the extent possible, on policy advisory groups, such as being on the Title I parent
representative on the School Improvement Team, the Title I Policy Advisory Committee, or other
policy groups.
 Attendance at monthly PTO meetings. The next one will occur on November 10th, at 6:30 P.M.
LPA elementary School is about more than just academics. Our school has been a leader in arts
education through being a part of the Perpich Center for the Arts Integration Program. Our school is a
state and national award winner through our implementation of character education programs and
circle talks. We offer music and physical education classes to every student every day. We are here to
work together and serve you in every way we can.
The leadership team at Lake Park Audubon Elementary School has developed a new vision statement
that we have been communicating to children and staff as a part of our announcements each morning
and it is posted in many areas throughout our building: “We will grow every day, in every way, at LPA!”
This statement fits very well with our school goals this year, and our goal for maximum achievement
from each child. Together, we can do great things!
Sincerely,
LPA Elementary Administrators, Teachers, and Staff