A Message from Mr. Fredrickson Dear Families,
Here we are at the end of another academic year. There are many things we come to expect when we get to the last day of school, but with the school year we have had, so much has been unexpected.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the partnership we have had through the challenges of Distance Learning the last two and a half months. I've been reflecting that our community continues to show the 4 Cs whether we are together in the building or separated by distance.
Students, parents, and staff have continued to show their commitment to student learning. Distance Learning caused us to look at education in a whole new way. While staff retooled and rethought their approaches, nothing would have been possible without your work to support learning in your homes. Again, thank you.
I've been humbled by the collective lift we have done as a community. Staff and parents alike have shared stories with me about the collaboration that has occurred over the phone, in Zoom, and through email. Our students are so fortunate to have a strong and supportive connection between school and home.
The tragic events surrounding George Floyd's death have given rise to a new way of looking at compassion. Our theme "Remember to be kind and Keep It Nice Daily" is something we all need to keep in mind. This is especially true in light of our current situation. One of my heroes, Mr. Rogers, would say so simply, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood." Unfortunately, our community may be struggling to call it beautiful right now. But we can all look with hope that our children are being prepared to think of their neighbors in fresh, new ways.
We are also showing a great deal of curiosity. What will school look like in the fall? How do we heal? What will a new normal look like for us? Curiosity is the driver of learning. I encourage each of us to continue asking questions and work collectively to answer them in ways that keep kindness at the forefront.
In closing, I want you to know that serving your children and partnering with you for the last seven years has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. As I end my tenure as the principal of Birchview I am thankful for you and your child, humbled by the trust you have shown by sending your children to our school every day, and excited to know that Birchview will continue to be a great place for students to learn and thrive.
Have a great summer and keep loving your children.
Warmly,
Sam Fredrickson
Supporting Our Community Order Your Student Supply Kits The Birchview PTA is offering a quick and easy way to order your child's school supplies for the fall. Kits will be delivered to the school for pickup at the Birchview Blast on September 2. Act quickly—the last day to order is June 20!
Did You Know? Grading and Report Cards Distance Learning has changed the learning environment, and–in response–our report cards will change, too. This spring, elementary report cards will be marked only in the following areas of focus: reading, writing and math. Student learning is enhanced through student engagement and personalized feedback. While there may not be official grades in some content areas or in personal management skills, teachers have provided and will continue to create engaging activities and provide this personalized feedback to students. Thank you for your continued support in having your child engage in their learning activities as we wrap up the 2019-2020 school year. Your partnership is greatly appreciated.
Reminders Emergency Contact Information It is very important that we have accurate emergency contact information for each parent/guardian. Please take a moment to verify and update your family information in Skyward Family Access.
Birthday Book Program Our popular birthday book program will be back this year. This program helps grow our library collection while formally commemorating a special day in the lives of our students.
PTA News
Around the District We Are Wayzata Strong Food Drive – Thursday, June 11 We Are Wayzata Strong, a community-based group of west metro neighbors, friends and Wayzata High School's Club Y.E.S., will host a food drive to supply the food shelf at Interfaith Outreach on Thursday, June 11, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Wayzata High School parking lot (4955 Peony Lane N, Plymouth). Wayzata Strong Food Drive Flyer Distance Learning End-of-Year Parent Survey We want to hear your voice regarding how well we delivered on our goal of providing high-quality, inviting, and accessible instruction for all students during Distance Learning this spring. Your honest feedback will help us improve our Distance Learning practices in the future. All parents and guardians received an email from K12 Insight, our survey partner, the week of May 25. The survey is anonymous and no one from the District will know if you participate or how you answered the questions. The final survey results will show the overall findings and themes. This survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will be open until June 10. If you have more than one student enrolled in the Wayzata Public Schools, you can click on the link at the end of the survey to take the survey again. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. 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 help kids ages 7-11 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. The cost is $10 per week and meets Tuesdays from 1:00-1:30 p.m. 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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