Parent Newsletter

March 14, 2019

Principal's Note

I write this message with a heavy heart as I think about the sudden and unforeseen loss that has impacted our Gleason Lake community this week. Thor Hansen joined our staff in September 2018 and although he has only been with us for a short amount of time, he made a big impression on our students and staff. Talking with children about death and dying is such a personal and challenging journey for many of us to navigate and yet at the end of the day on March 12, 2019, I found myself faced with knowing that our students will never again have Mr. Hansen as their art teacher. We chose to have some students write and draw pictures as a way to reflect and share their precious memories with Mr. Hansen's family.

Here is how our children described Mr. Hansen - "I like Mr. Hansen because he was super happy and never raised his voice. He always started with a smile on his face and ended with an even bigger one." "Mr. Hansen always made me feel part of the class." "I like Mr. Hansen because he was always calm and helped me get better at art." "I like Mr. Hansen because he would not give up on us and he believed in us." "I like Mr. Hansen because he was patient and if he had to pick a favorite student, he'd pick the whole school." "I like Mr. Hansen because he would always find time for me despite how busy he was. Every week I would get excited for art." "I like Mr. Hansen because whenever I walked into the art room it was welcoming because he stood at the door and said hi." "I like Mr. Hansen because he made me really good at art and taught me things I never knew. He was a genius." "I liked Mr. Hansen because he inspired me to love art." "I hope I never forget Mr. Hansen."

Thor touched many hearts here at Gleason Lake and we will never forget him. Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything more I can do to be helpful.

Did You Know?

Pennies for Patients Begins Monday

Student Council will be kicking off their Pennies for Patients Drive Monday, March 18. This is a fundraiser that benefits Cancer Research. We will have two Spirit Days next week in support of this fundraiser:

PJ Day on Tuesday, March 19 - "Put Cancer to Sleep Day"
Hat Day on Friday, March 22 - "Caps for Coins Day"

Art Update

We were fortunate to secure Debbie Mossefin, a former Wayzata teacher who recently retired, to instruct our art classes until spring break. I am also currently working with the district's human resources department to hire the best possible teacher who will be available following spring break for the remainder of the year. Thank you for your continued support as we continue to navigate the loss of Mr. Hansen.

Parent Input Forms

A significant part of our planning for the 2019-2020 school year involves placing students into balanced learning groups. Parents wishing to provide input must complete the Parent Input Form and return it directly to Mrs. McKasy by April 8.

Order on Amazon and Benefit Gleason Lake

Every time you order on Amazon, a percentage of the price can be donated to Gleason Lake. The Amazon link that can be found on the PTO page of our Gleason Lake website. Happy shopping!

Reminders

Yearbook Sales are Open

Gleason Lake yearbooks are on sale now through the end of March for a continued low price of $12. Yearbooks are available at the Lifetouch website. They will be distributed at the end of the school year. Please contact Lindsay Good, PTO Yearbook chairperson, at lindsaymgood@gmail.com if you have any questions or photos to share.

April 9 PTO Speaker

Amy Naleid will speak on the best ways to raise kids who are socially and emotionally strong and successful. Please mark your calendars for this interesting discussion.

Morning Drop-Off Procedures

End-of-Day Pick-Up Procedures

PTO News

Join or Volunteer

Gleason Lake Carnival – March 22, 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Buy pre-sale tickets and avoid the lines on Carnival Night.Tickets will go on sale starting March 18-21 in the school lobby from 2:40-3:20 p.m. each day. Price per ticket is fifty cents or you can purchase a bundle of twenty tickets for $10. If you need financial assistance for the carnival, please email or call 763-745-5400 to speak with Jessica Bedford or Mary McKasy.

Carnival Flyer

Plush Pets and Spiritwear Collection Ends Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the deadline to bring in your new or gently used stuffed animals for the Plush Pet room at the Carnival. Also, we are collecting gently used Wayzata spiritwear. Both of these items can be dropped off at the bubble.

Volunteer Needs

Carnival

The Gleason Lake Carnival is just about here and we need your help! We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make the night a success. There are opportunities to help with games, serve food, set-up and take-down. Most shifts are 1.5 hours so you will have lots of time to enjoy the Carnival with your family.

Carnival Volunteer Sign-up

Around the District

Spring 2019 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs)
Over the next several weeks, elementary students in grades 3-5 will be completing the 2019 Reading and Math Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). Students in grade 5 will also take a Science MCA. If you have questions about the specific day(s) your child will be taking the MCAs, please contact your child’s teacher.

MCA Purpose, Use, and Results Information

Are Your Kids Ready?
Following the Minnesota State Statute 121A.15 (School immunization requirements) and Wayzata Public School Immunization Policy and Regulation, your child will not be able to start or remain enrolled at school without an immunization record that is up-to-date, actively in progress or without a legal exemption. Note: there are additional requirements for Kindergarten and 7th grade. It is best to receive vaccinations from your primary care provider, but in the event that you are unable to see your primary provider or if you do not have insurance that covers the cost of vaccinations, Wayzata Public Schools is a participant in the Park Nicollet Barrier Free Immunization Initiative. This program allows immunization-only visits on a same-day appointment basis, immunizes children without a doctor visit and provides immunizations with no direct charge to families.

Partners in Prevention Ask Ali

We've had so many great Ask Ali questions flooding our inbox over the past month. Thanks to all who have submitted! We want you to know Ali, along with her network of local experts, have been working hard to answer these questions. Responses are posted every Monday on her blog at partnersinpreventionmn.org/askali. Parents, you've got to check out the responses to these questions! There are some interesting ones that have been asked; chances are you might be wondering some of these things. Keep the questions coming!

Community Education

WISHES offerings at Gleason Lake:
Engineering Club - next session starts April 10
The Mechanics of Gizmos and Gadgets - begins April 23
3D Minecraft Masterpiece - April 29
Ratchet Mechanics - starts May 14, STEM Enrichment using LEGO® bricks for the 21st Century learner

Computer Sciences for Elementary: Python/Cloud Computing - Wednesdays, 6:30-7:45 p.m. at CMS, starts March 20

Youth and Adult Enrichment catalog is online now! Check out all our offerings!

Upcoming Event:
Young Scientist Roundtable - Sustainability of Plastics
Tuesday, April 9, 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Central Middle School

Event is free with no registration required.