MPS Elementary Newsletter

• 12/7- Picture Retake Day
• 12/10- Winter Concert: 9:30 HS and 2:00 Elementary
• 12/13- School Board Meeting
• 12/15- Early Out @ 1:00
• 12/17- Winter Break Starts
• 1/3- School Resumes

Winter is here!

Make sure your student dresses appropriately. All students at MPS should be wearing coats on the bus.

Elementary Age students go outside everyday as long as the wind chill is above -10 with the windchill. They should have hats, gloves, mittens, and boots. If they do not have boots and snow pants they are required to stay on the sidewalk at recess time.

**Be sure to put your child's name or initials on their coats, sweatshirts, snow pants, etc.

I am Rachel Jordaan, the Speech-Language Pathologist at Minnewaukan School. This will be my 6th year providing speech and language services at Minnewaukan. I received my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Augustana University in Sioux Falls (where I am originally from) and my master’s degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. My family includes my husband and two children, my daughter is 4 and my son is 1. I enjoy photography, going on family drives, and playing games with my family. I am looking forward to another year in Minnewaukan!

Hello! I am Natasha Baumtrog. I am the 2nd grade teacher in Minnewaukan. This is my 8th year teaching and 4th year in Minnewaukan. I love working here! Our students are the best and we have some amazing teachers. I love to be outside, planting flowers, cooking, baking and most of all spending time with my husband, daughter, and our dog.

After completing the unit on Empathy and Critical Thinking, classroom counseling lessons will take some time to focus on Bullying as well as Safe and Unsafe Touches. These two lessons will give your child a chance to learn critical safety skills that can help them protect themselves as well as know how to report unsafe behaviors of others to safe adults. Please see the resources below for tips on how to reinforce your child's learning at home. As always, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Have a safe holiday season!

Parent Resource for Bullying:

* https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/pdf/BP-101-parents.pdf

Parent Resources for Safe and Unsafe Touch:

* https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2017/08/activity-teaching-touching-safety-rules-safe-and-unsafe-touching/

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3nhM9UlJjc

1. Helps to form lasting connections between family members.

2. Chance of children getting involved in dangerous activities drops dramatically.

3. Behavioral problems decrease.

4. Children learn and grow in a nonjudgemental setting. They will begin to gain self-confidence.

5. Getting to know your child better.

6. Helping your child to be a better person.

7. Releases stress hormones in the brain.

8. Can lead to positive, healthy choices and decrease the risk of obesity in children and teens.

9. Increase in academic performance.

10. Helps children to develop parenting skills.

We encourage families to spend some extra time with their children over the holiday break!

The article below details more information on each of these benefits.

https://fortmagic.com/10-benefits-family-time/

Each grade level will be eligible to receive student of the month.

They will be recognized on the school website and FB page as well as receive a small reward for their accomplishment.

Student engagement staff will look for when nominating a student of the month:

• Good Attendance!
• Completion of Work!
• Collaborates well with peers and staff!
• Follows school expectations!

Students should not miss more than 20 days in a school year max. A student who misses 20 or more days could be retained in their current grade level. It is important to send your student to school daily so they can keep up on their grade level skills and also learn routines are important to being successful in daily life.

If your student is ill, has an appointment, or has to be gone for any other reason please call the school as soon as you can so we can be aware of what is going on.

Email: mackenzie.moen@minnewaukan.k12.nd.us
Website: https://www.minnewaukan.k12.nd.us/
Location: Minnewaukan Public School
Phone: 701-473-5306
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinnewaukanSchool