Note from Principal Keffeler Hello Meadow Ridge Families, Happy New Year! January is filled with hopes for a good year, and intentions to improve our lives in some way. My intentions are to read more and declutter. I'm also encouraging my daughter to put down her phone and pick up a book. I wonder how all of the screen time affects our younger student's reading development. We have always said the best and only way to improve our reading skills is to read, read, read. It also develops vocabulary and focus. Just like practicing piano, violin, basketball, and soccer makes you a better player, more reading makes you a better reader. I encourage you to increase your family reading time at home, as your children see what you do as well. Happy reading, everyone! Karen Lost and Found Lost and Found is located in the cafeteria. Parents can check before school from 7:30-7:45 a.m. or anytime after 2:30 p.m.
Upcoming PTO events January 14 - PTO Meeting 5:30 p.m. March 6 - STEM Day PTO Meeting Please join us at our next PTO meeting, Tuesday January 14 at 5:30 p.m. We are kicking off a ton of great events for the remaining school year. We will have free child care provided in the gym for your elementary school children.
January Wayzata Legislative Action Committee Update The Wayzata Legislative Action Committee (LAC) met Wednesday, January 8. Dawn Willson, Health Services Supervisor for Wayzata Public Schools, and Scott Gengler, Principal at Wayzata High School, presented on mental health services and supports available in Wayzata Public Schools and at Wayzata High School. The 2020 Wayzata Legislative Platform will be approved by the School Board at the Monday, January 13 School Board Meeting. In the coming months, members of the Wayzata LAC will be meeting with state senators and state representatives from the nine senate and house districts that represent Wayzata Public Schools to discuss these legislative positions. The Wayzata LAC is a non-partisan group of citizens that monitors legislative activity as it affects K-12 education and advocates positions on behalf of the district. For more information, please visit the Wayzata Committees webpage or contact Katie Sale, your school’s Wayzata LAC representative. Cold, Flu, and Lice… What Can You Do to Help? Influenza, commonly called “the flu”, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, which infects the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. If your child will be out sick with the flu, they must be without a fever for over 24 hours before returning to school. When contacting the school to report that your child is sick, please be specific including if the fever is 100 or greater and if your child has a cough or a sore throat. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Head lice are a common problem for children in childcare settings and schools and anybody can get it. Most cases of head lice are acquired outside of school. Remember to check your child’s head after returning from a play date or sleepover – two common settings where head lice are spread. Regular observation by parents can also be an effective way to detect and quickly treat head lice. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Health or CDC websites as well as ways to treat head lice. When to keep your child home from school We've had so many great Ask Ali questions in our inbox – thanks to all who have submitted! Ali, along with her network of local experts, has 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. Winter after school class opportunities at Meadow Ridge: Snow Queen Musical Theater Art Lab Junior Robotics:WINTER Financial assistance is available, find more information here or call 763-745-5200. Introducing Wayzata Kids Beginning in Summer 2020, Community Ed's Home Base and Bright Start programs are getting a new name -- Wayzata Kids! There will be no change to the programs, only the name. Community Ed will still provide high-quality before- and after-school care for children at our elementary schools, including on-site full-day preschool for 4-year-olds. Summer 2020 and 2020-21 school year registration for families currently contracted in the program opens Feb. 3 at 7 a.m. and runs through Feb. 7 at 4:00 p.m. Registration opens for everyone else on Feb. 12 at 7 a.m. Learn more online or call 763-745-5200. We also have some great age 18+ Yoga options: Mindful Flow Yoga Tuesdays, January 21 - March 17 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wayzata East Middle School Gentle Yoga Wednesdays, January 22 - March 11 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Wayzata East Middle School Upcoming Events: Young Scientist Roundtable: Man's Best Friend Helping to Treat Brain Cancer -There is groundbreaking work being done at the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical Center and Masonic Cancer Center in the treatment of brain tumors in dogs. Dr. Liz Pluhar, Board Certified Veterinary Neurosurgeon and Director of the Canine Brain Tumor Clinical Trials Program, will discuss new immunotherapies that greatly extended the survival of canine patients with Glioblastoma (GB) and how these are to be translated into trials in human GB patients. *note date change from the printed calendar Wednesday, January 15 at 7 p.m., Central Middle School Auditorium Parenting with Vision: Bully Proofing Your Kids - Bullying is experienced in a variety of forms and can be distressing for both kids and parents. Navigating the dynamics of bullying can be complicated and has become even more difficult with the prevalence of cell phones and social media. Parents may feel overwhelmed, defenseless and caught off guard when issues of bullying emerge with their child. Learn about the different types of bullying that exist, who is likely to be affected, and what parents can be attuned to, and leave with tools that can be used within parent-child relationships to be preventative and responsive to issues of bullying. January 13 at 7 p.m., Central Middle School Auditorium **Most examples in this presentation will pertain to students within the ages of kindergarten through 8th grade. However, all parents, grandparents, and caregivers are invited to attend. Events are free with no registration required. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Thursday, January 30, 2020 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Thursday, February 13, 2020 3:20 PM - 7:20 PM Thursday, February 20, 2020 3:20 PM - 7:20 PM Thursday, February 27, 2020 3:20 PM - 7:20 PM Tuesday, March 17, 2020 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Friday, March 20, 2020 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday, April 14, 2020 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Monday, January 13, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM Tuesday, January 21, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, January 23, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday, January 13, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Monday, January 27, 2020 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 17905 County Road 47, Plymouth, MN 55446 | 763-745-7100 |