A Note from Principal Farrington Birchview Families,
This week, we welcomed some 'beautiful' winter weather here. Minnesota weather always reminds me to be prepared for anything at anytime. With the weather change, I would like to remind you about making sure your child is prepared for the weather as well. We will continue to have students go outside as much as possible. Please be sure to send all labeled winter gear each day.
Birchview Celebrates Unity Day - Wear Orange To wrap up October and our recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, we will have two Unity Days next week. We will celebrate Unity Day on Wednesday, October 28 for Group A and Thursday, October 29 for Group B. All students are encouraged to wear orange to show our school spirit. We have spent a lot of time this month discussing how we can prevent bullying by showing one of our 4C's, compassion. On Unity Day, we will celebrate and have our first ever Virtual Assembly with both cohorts (Hybrid and Distance)! So, find those orange gear and celebrate Unity Day with us!
Virtual Coffee with the Principal - Monday, November 2 at 10:00 a.m. I would like to invite you to another opportunity to meet with me on Monday, November 2 at 10:00 a.m. We are getting close to the end of the first quarter of school and I would love to meet with you to hear about how school is going for your family. This will be the first of four opportunities to meet and share your feedback, ask questions and help me continue to learn about our amazing community. So, grab a cup of coffee and maybe a treat, and join the virtual coffee meeting. I look forward to meeting with you. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything that I can do to help. Stay warm everyone!
Warm Regards,
Mr. Farrington
Supporting Our Community
No School Friday, October 23 for Elementary Planning Day Friday, October 23 will be a no school day for kindergarten through grade 5 students as elementary staff will be participating in a district-wide planning day. There will be no morning meetings or distance learning work assigned for this day. Wayzata Kids childcare will continue to be available to tier 1 critical workers.
Important Zoom Information In order to maintain a safe and secure environment for all learners, it is imperative that when students are preparing to participate in a Zoom meeting, they are using their District-issued iPad, using the Zoom app, and logged in with their district username and password. During our morning meetings and Friday Fun with the specialist team these past few weeks, there were many unknown participants requesting to enter the meetings. Going forward, teachers and specialists will not be able to allow unknown participants into these Zoom meetings. If you are unsure of how to set up your child's iPad with Zoom, follow these instructions.
Technology Assistance To ensure the safety for all, we are requesting the following process be followed for all technology assistance:
Reporting Absences Please report absences in Skyward Family Access when your child is absent or tardy due to an appointment. Children are considered unexcused without a call to the attendance line from a parent or guardian; this includes Distance Choice as well as students learning from home on non-cohort days. You can still call the school attendance line at 763-745-5355 to report an absence.
Reminders Material Pick Up Dates for Distance Choice (Change Beginning Oct. 23) There has been a change to our distance choice pick up. We will now have a contact free pickup beginning tomorrow. Families will need to park their cars and find their grade level table near the front entrance. You will find your child's package on the table. Any returned items should be dropped in the basket underneath the table. Please only take items for your child(ren). Pick up will begin at 12:30 p.m. and go until 2:30 p.m. each Friday. This new procedure will take place for all remaining pickups.
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 Student Directory - Last Chance Parents: We need your help! The PTA's student directory is a great resource (online this year!) for playdates, parties, and class info. If you'd like to participate, please take a minute or two to fill out the Google Form. We must have your info by October 23 if you wish to be included in the directory.
Bobcat Fun Run The PTA is excited to announce that the Bobcat Fun Run will be kicking off on November 6! We'll send details on participating soon, but first we need your help. If you have or know of a business that may be interested in sponsoring the event, please forward them this letter now! Thanks for your help!
A Note from the PTA Three cheers for the start of the school year and a heartfelt thanks for helping Fun2Raise help your school pivot for the better. It has been a challenging time for everyone, and we feel the solutions that we came up with and the challenges that we addressed have changed us for the better. I would be remiss if I did not say thank you!
Around the District Distance Learning Meal Options Stay Home When Ill and Be Prepared to Quarantine If you or someone in your family is ill, please reference the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Decision Tree document to learn what your next steps should be. Report any student absences into Skyward Family Access, specifying if the absence is COVID-19 related. Our school nurses will follow up with any COVID-19 related cases. If you are tested for COVID-19, even if you feel well, it is important that you remain home and away from others until you receive the results. Everyone must be prepared to stay home and quarantine for up to two weeks if you become ill with or are exposed to COVID-19. We know being quarantined for two weeks will be extremely challenging, but it is absolutely necessary to stop the spread of the virus. Learn how you can prepare for a possible quarantine. Our nurses will be working closely with MDH to notify students and staff as soon as possible if you have been exposed to COVID-19 at school. Always answer your phone if MDH is calling. If you have questions, please contact the licensed nurse at your school. More detail and helpful information can also be found on our Wayzata Learns webpage. Planning travel out of the state or country? October Wayzata Legislative Action Committee Update
Community Ed Space available in Wayzata Kids Full-Day Preschool Fall ECFE classes are available at the Wayzata Early Learning School Parent Tool Kit: Friendships, Relationships, and Social Distancing
Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information.
Calendar School Events District Events Thursday, November 5, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Wednesday, November 18, 2020 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM School Board Meetings |