From the Principal Dear North Woods Families, We have focused quite a bit of attention on the children and families participating in the in-person learning model this school year. This week I would like to shine a light on those participating in the Distance Choice model. I am continually in awe of the strong connections being built, as well as the high quality of instruction our DC teachers are delivering each week. Teaching and learning on Zoom provides both challenges and opportunities for our staff and students. It is clear the North Woods pack has chosen to focus on the opportunities. Distance Cholce students are immersed in a variety of meaningful learning situations throughout the day. Their thoughtful conversations and connections with both their classmates and teacher are rich and thoughtful. A special thank you to the parents of children in this model. Your ongoing support has made a world of difference. I hope you and your family are well. With gratitude, Jenny Berg Technology Assistance To ensure the safety for all, we are requesting the following process be followed for all technology assistance: - Check our solutions page for updated articles and guidance
- Create a ticket
- Call 763-745-5100 if you need additional assistance via the phone.
Multiple Masks Please send multiple masks with your students to school. The cold weather is making it difficult to keep one mask clean and dry throughout the day. Parent-Teacher Conferences February parent-teacher conferences will be virtual. Conference dates are Thursday, February 11 from 3:20-7:20 p.m. and Friday, February 12 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Distance Learning Material Pick-Up Our next distance learning pick up will be Friday, February 5. We will continue to have pick ups every other Friday through the end of the school year. Items will be distributed at door #1 (upper lot) from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Please return your child's current plastic bag with their name on it for pick-up. Future Pick Up Dates: - February 5
- February 19
- March 5
- March 19
- April 16
- April 30
- May 14
- May 28 (Last Pick Up)
Morning Drop Off in Upper Lot - Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. Do not let your child(ren) out until you see a staff member outside at the drop off lane. Once a staff member is outside you may let your child(ren) out of your vehicle and have them walk into the building. Remain in your vehicle and ask your child to exit from the passenger side only.
- Please remind your child to put their mask on and practice social distancing before they exit the vehicle.
- Our goal is for your child to be in their classroom by 7:45 am.
- If you arrive after 7:45, you will need to park in the lot and walk your child in the main doors. Your child will be given a late pass before they head to class, otherwise their teach will mark them absent.
Fast Pass Reminders - Use the parent drop off/pick-up lane in the upper lot. Follow the one way signs.
- Students will begin coming out at 2:20 p.m.
- Pull all the way forward to get as many cars in the lane as possible. Please remain in your car. Staff members will be out on the sidewalk to help make sure your kids get in the cars safely.
- Display your FAST PASS number for staff to see. Staff will radio into the building and students will come out.
- Drive away as soon as your student is in the car. Be vigilant for any pedestrians. Please feel free to pull into our parking lot if you need to buckle your child in your car.
Reporting Absences Please report absences in Skyward Family Access when your child is absent or tardy. Children are considered unexcused without a call to the attendance line from a parent or guardian. You can still call the school attendance line at 763-745-4055 to report an absence. AmazonSmile Did you know that Amazon will make a donation to the North Woods PTO when you shop via our AmazonSmile link? Simply shop at AmazonSmile and AmazonSmile will donate to North Woods' PTO, at no cost to you. Box Tops for Education How to earn? No more clipping. No more sending box tops to school, all you need is your phone! Download the new Box Tops app, shop as you normally would and then simply scan your store receipts to find participating products. The app will automatically credit your schools Box Tops earnings online. The spring deadline is March 26. Thanks in advance for your support! Jane Brilley Gossard, North Woods Box Tops Coordinator Culinary Express Meal Updates for February W e are excited to be feeding students onsite again with the transition to more in-person learning. This does mean changes to food meal kit distribution starting the week of February 1. All students will continue to receive meals at no cost. All students can still order weekly meal kits. Please read through the following information carefully so you know what to expect. Culinary Express Meal Updates for February Elementary iPads and Returning to School On February 1, students in grades 3-5 will be returning to school and will need to bring their district-issued iPad with them to school. As plans are finalized, there are a few things we want to remind you and what the expectations are for the iPad. Please make sure you and your child remember the following: - To bring their district-issued iPad in the district issued case and keyboard with them to school.
- Charging cable and charging brick.
- Transport the iPad in its case with the brick and charging in your child's backpack. The iPad, brick, and cable all need to remain in their backpack until they get to their classroom.
- In case of inclement weather, the iPad may be sent home to support distance learning.
- If your child needs to use the iPad to support extended learning, homework help, or other needs, please contact your building principal and complete this form to apply for access.
Elementary iPads and Returning to School Information Virtual Calming Room for Elementary Students You and your family are invited to check-out the Elementary Virtual Calming Room. This new resource is meant to support students who may be struggling with stress or other negative emotions. With that in mind, we have created this webpage to allow easy access to a variety of stress-reducing activities, including sounds and music, visual and guided relaxation, brain breaks, journaling, puzzles and games, coloring, stretching and movement, live animal cameras, sensory activities, and iPad apps. Elementary Virtual Calming Room WPS Native American Education Resources We are pleased to announce the launch of Wayzata Public Schools’ Native American Education webpage. Through funds available from the Minnesota Department of Education, we are able to support Indigenous children with educational and cultural resources that we hope you will find meaningful. We invite parents/guardians of Indigenous children to participate in the Wayzata Indigenous Advisory Committee (WIAC), which will guide Wayzata Public Schools in matters pertaining to Native American Education. If you would like more information or if you have questions, please reach out to Sam Fredrickson, principal on special assignment, via email or by calling 763-745-5259. We have several exciting registration opportunities coming up across many of our youth programs in Community Ed! Mark your calendars for: -
February 8: Wayzata Kids summer registration opens for all customers. -
February 8: Youth summer camps registration opens for all customers. -
February 10: Early Learning School registration opens for all classes for all customers. -
March 15: Wayzata Kids school year registration opens for all customers. Financial assistance is available or call 763-745-5200 for more information. Thursday, February 11, 2021 3:20 PM - 7:00 PM Friday, February 12, 2021 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Thursday, February 4, 2021 All day Tuesday, February 9, 2021 All day Monday, February 15, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, March 18, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Monday, February 8, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Monday, February 22, 2021 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 18995 54th Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55446 | 763-745-4000 |