Parent Newsletter April 30, 2020
Message from Dr. Thompson Dear Plymouth Creek Parents, Students and Staff,
Thank you for all the great work you have been doing with distance learning. I know this work can be challenging but your efforts to help your children continue to learn is greatly appreciated. We will continue to focus on reading, writing, and math. This does not mean we don't value each of the specialist areas and our specialist teachers, but to prepare children for the next grade level, we have chosen to prioritize our focus on reading, writing, and math. Everything else is considered optional. We greatly appreciate all the work our classroom teachers and specialists put into their daily instruction and their interactions with your children. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me or your child's teacher. Remember we do not have school tomorrow, May 1 or Monday, May 4. The governor has designated these two days for teacher planning for the remainder of the year. This will be a great opportunity for your children to catch up on any missed assignments and specialist activities. Teacher instruction will resume on Tuesday, May 5.
Many of you have asked about end of the year activities. The calendar year for school has not changed so the last day of school will still be Thursday, June 4. We don't know any specifics about when yearbooks will arrive or how we will get them distributed or when and how students will be able to clear out their desks and cubbies. We are waiting for further direction from the governor and will notify families as these decisions are made. Again, thank you for all you are doing to support your children during this challenging time. Take care of yourself and your family and together we will continue to find success during this unique time in our history.
We hope you are enjoying the addition of our "distance created" Panther Network News. Our News Crew students have been working hard to put together a daily news show from home and we've included links to our shows for the past two weeks. Thank you,
Dr. Thompson
Distance Learning from the Plymouth Creek Community!
Did You Know? Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-8 Help celebrate the teachers of Plymouth Creek!
Go Panthers!
Social-Emotional Learning Resource Our social worker and student support specialist have been working hard to create some helpful resources for our families and students. A special shout out to Sunset Hill Elementary for being willing to share their ideas and to the staff at Plymouth Creek, especially, Mrs. Thoma, Mrs. Shoultz and Mr. Worth for making this resource available. We hope that you will have a chance to check out this link. Here is what you will find:
Our hope is that your child will find at least one (hopefully more!) activity that encourages them to challenge themselves, try something new and continue to grow social and emotionally.
There is also a section just for parents. Please check it out—you will find some resources to help you and your child during distant learning. Above anything, we hope you find this resource helpful. Please let us know if there is something you are looking for and just can not find---we would love to help. And if you have found a resource that has made a difference for you—would you please take a moment and share it with us?
Below are a few tips to help you maintain your physical and emotional health during this period. It's time to take advantage of social media in a good way. Keeping in touch with family and friends, assisting those in need, and reaching out to support others is a good way to feel like you're still connected with others. These activities also help avoid feelings of isolation. Making cards for the elderly who are isolated from families in nursing homes is a very good activity. When we focus on helping others, it actually feels good and we find meaning in it.
Reminders Reporting Attendance in Skyward Family Access A reminder that all absences (vacations, religious holidays, doctor appointments, illnesses, family emergencies, etc) should be entered via Skyward Family Access. Families will no longer need to complete a Travel Plan Form when they go on vacation, as all absences are now entered via Skyward Family Access. A few reminders when it comes to attendance:
Emergency Information Form For a variety of reasons, there is often a need to contact you throughout the course of the school year. Parents/Guardians are asked to keep their contact information up-to-date in Skyward Family Access Emergency Information Form. Watch the Skyward Family Access video guide and to complete the form.
PTO News Box Tops are Going Digital! If you still have a collection of the traditional clippings, please continue to turn those into your child's teacher, the office, or the container by the gym door, but be aware that the physical Box Tops are being phased out. Plymouth Creek's lifetime earnings from Box Tops is almost $38,000! This is a fantastic program that has benefited our children greatly over the years. Please take a minute to download the new Box Tops app, scan your receipts after each shopping trip, and watch our school earnings increase thanks to you!
Volunteer Needs
Around the District Mindful Kids: Managing Stress During Hard Times Being stuck at home and away from school and friends is difficult for many kids and teens. Relate Counseling Center is offering online Mindfulness and Stress Reduction groups to students ages 7-11 to manage emotions during COVID-19. Groups will incorporate discussion around feelings about the current pandemic as well as provide tangible tools to help manage stress and anxiety. Kids will also engage in movement and relaxation strategies throughout group. The cost is $10 per week and meets Tuesdays from 1:00-1:30 p.m. Participants can register for individual weeks or the full eight weeks. Contact Kelly Smith, LGSW at knsmith@relatemn.org for more information. Wayzata Education Fund’s Thank a Teacher Program We have the best teachers and staff around, and never has it been clearer than during these unprecedented times. Whether they’ve helped make a difference in person or virtually this year, show your appreciation by participating in our Thank a Teacher program. From May 4 to June 3, any donation you make to the Wayzata Education Fund honoring a teacher or staff will come with a certificate of appreciation from your student. Additionally, if you donate $25 or more, they will also receive a bundlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes Minnetonka. Say thank you and support a good cause at the same time! Certificates will be sent via email. Bundlets will be delivered at a later date when it is deemed safe to do so, and when teachers and staff are back on school property. What can I do to protect myself and others?
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.
Community Ed New Online Classes We welcome you to our online classrooms! Our online classes ensure that you are able to gain valuable information, stay on track with your fitness routine, learn new skills, and connect with others during the next month. Our buildings may be closed, but lifelong learning never stops. We are offering a variety of online classes for adult and youth. You can find all the online options on our registration site. Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information.
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