Parent Newsletter

November 5, 2020

Message from Mrs. Paul

We have had such a beautiful week together! The weather outside provided a much-needed boost of energy. I hope you have found the extra sunshine to be positive for your family. I have been reminding students, during our daily news, to dig out their winter clothing items and label them with their names so that they are prepared for what the weather may bring us next week.

Did you hear about the principal sundae? I surprised students on Monday morning with a video of myself being turned into a sundae. Families worked so hard to reach our fundraising goal, and I wanted to reward the perseverance and positive mindset that was present throughout the fundraising window. Thank you for helping to raise over $31,000 for our PTO!

Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!

With gratitude,

Ashley Paul

Did You Know?

Distance Choice Materials Pick-Up - Friday, November 6

There is a materials pick-up for Distance Choice students in all classes tomorrow, November 6, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.

Mark your calendars for upcoming Distance Choice Materials pick-up dates for all classes: November 20; December 4 and 18; January 8 and 22.

Thanksgiving Meal from Culinary Express

November is featuring a Turkey Dinner Kit highlighting local farmers and businesses! We will be distributing the Local Turkey Dinner Kit on November 18. It will also include recipes and cooking instructions. The ordering deadline is Friday, November 13 at 4 p.m., but please place your orders now so we can plan accordingly!

Ordering Instructions

No School Friday, November 13 for Elementary Planning Day

Friday, November 13 will be a no school day for elementary students as staff will be participating in a planning day. There will be no morning meeting or distance learning work for this day. Wayzata Kids childcare will continue to be available to tier 1 critical workers.

Lost and Found

Do you recognize any of these items? Our lost and found has grown in recent weeks. Items labeled with names have been returned. Do you recognize any of these items? Remind your students to visit the lost and found area by the gym to claim what belongs to them. Items that remain at Thanksgiving break will be donated.

Reminders

Message from the Attendance Office

Please report absences in Skyward Family Access when your child is absent or tardy, even on their non-cohort days. Children are considered unexcused without an entry in Skyward Family Access or a call to the attendance line from a parent or guardian.

When you are submitting the attendance request in Skyward Family Access, you must be logged in as a parent, not a student.
Calls to the attendance line (763-745-5855) should be reserved for last-minute attendance requests or changes.
Please also reach out to your classroom teacher to notify them of a planned full-day or multi-day absence.

Medications at School

All medications, both prescribed and Over-The-Counter (OTC), administered at school requires a medical order from a person who is a licensed authorized prescribing practitioner (physician, physician's assistant, dentist, podiatrist, osteopath or psychiatrist). Please contact your school health office about medication drop off before the start of school. For more information, visit our Health Services webpage.

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 if you're not sure how to complete the form.

PTO News

Join or Volunteer

Save the Date: November 6 PTO Meeting

Please join us for November's PTO meeting via Zoom on Friday, November 6 at 12:00 p.m.

Meeting ID: 722 1882 2973

Passcode: GK3WFX

Items on the agenda will include:

Plymouth Creek Elementary Updates
PTO Budget review
District Liaison Updates
Legislative Action Committee
November Teacher Appreciation
New Committee at PCE: Diversity & Equity (looking for volunteers to spearhead!)
Book Fair

Digital PTO Calendar

The November 2020 PTO calendar is up! Please check out the latest November calendar updates. Lots of great sponsors, please click around to support the businesses who have supported your school. The Fun2Raise school store has amazing items this month, so make sure to check them out and click to order. Print your monthly calendar to make life easy. Just click to print! Enjoy a special offer just for our school to Urban Air in Plymouth!

Volunteer Needs

Around the District

Distance Learning Meal Options

Stay Home When Ill and Be Prepared to Quarantine
It is important to be prepared as we begin the new school year in the midst of a pandemic. Our new reality will require students, families and staff to check daily for symptoms and stay home if you are ill.

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?
Regardless of whether your students are attending Wayzata Public Schools through hybrid learning or through Distance Choice, the district is required to account for students. Please ensure that the Welcome Center has a copy of your family's Extended Vacation form on file prior to your travel.

October Wayzata Legislative Action Committee Update
The Wayzata Legislative Action Committee (LAC) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 7. Jim Westrum, Executive Director of Business and Finance for Wayzata Public Schools, provided a financial update to the committee, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on district finances and additional funds received from the state and federal governments to off-set expenses related to health and safety and ensuring a high-quality education for all students. As a reminder, all seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate will be up for election this year. The Wayzata LAC sent a six-question Q & A to all legislative candidates on the November 3 ballot. The responses that were received are available on the Legislative Action Committee’s webpage. To find out who represents you, what is on your ballot, and more election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website. 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 Brian Combs, your school’s Wayzata LAC representative.

Community Education

Space available in Wayzata Kids Full-Day Preschool
Children attend five days per week engaging in academic and social-emotional curriculum. Children must be age 4 by September 1, 2020. Learn more and register!

Fall ECFE classes are available at the Wayzata Early Learning School
The Early Learning School is offering a variety of online classes for parents and families to participate in! Fall Parent Ed classes on topics ranging from helping your kids with routine & flexibility to technology use strategies have openings to sign up for. The Early Learning School is also offering fun online family activities ranging from online dance parties to storytime with favorite authors. Learn more about all these events happening on the Wayzata Early Learning School website!

Destination Imagination
We are so excited to officially kick off a brand-new season of DI! Challenges have been adapted so students can participate virtually. Start forming your team today! Find out more on our registration site.

More Youth Classes:

Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information.