Building safety and security for our children, staff, and community is an important topic for everyone that comes in and out of our school. I want to share with families more about our process at Laura MacArthur. We are required to conduct four fire drills, four "lockdown" drills, and one severe weather drill during the school year. Our current "lockdown" procedure is to turn off the lights, minimize sound, and move away from the windows. New guidance from state and local agencies has shaped new procedures that the district is now ready to share with families and students.

We continue to work to do our best to prevent, prepare, and train for a school safety event, yet hope that we never have to face an active threat here at Laura MacArthur. This year, staff has been trained in the ALICE procedures. ALICE trains staff and students to make informed decisions during an active threat which allows teachers further options to ensure the best chance of survival. ALICE is an acronym for: A- Alert, L- Lockdown, I - Inform, C- Counter, E- Evacuate.

Part of ALICE requires that as much information as possible be given when Alerting and Informing, including announcing when we are conducting a drill and not an immediate threat. Before drills are conducted with our students, we will work with classes to help them understand what we are doing.

This spring, we plan to implement an "Enhanced Lockdown" drill and an "Evacuation" drill. The Enhanced Lockdown drill includes having staff discuss with students how they could help barricade the classroom (when appropriate) and how to move in the classroom when faced with a threat. Our evacuation drill will be on site and similar to a fire drill. We will be practicing how to get out of the building as quickly as possible and where the meeting points will be upon a safe evacuation.

With the new changes coming with ALICE, we encourage families to take an active role in having discussions with your child about personal safety and security.

As we begin talking with students about the ALICE model for school safety, we will be using the book, "I'm Not Scared...I'm Prepared." This book introduces elementary aged students to the core concepts of ALICE through storytelling. Students learn what to do if a "dangerous someone" is in the school. Students learn what each letter in ALICE stands for and how to follow the procedures.

In partnership with the Duluth Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff's Department we continue to move forward with ALICE training. Information for staff and families regarding ALICE threat response is posted on our website under Quick Links/Safe & Welcoming Schools. Click the link.

Review

CANCELLED - Thursday, February 7

RESCHEDULED - Tuesday, February 12

2:30-8:00 pm

The purpose of the Peacemaker award is to recognize two students in each class that have demonstrated the following: sought to teach, to transform, to make friends, to heal, to defeat injustice and to choose love over hate. Several students were recognized on January 7th by their teachers in front of their peers and guests to receive their Peacemaker certificate. A short reception followed the assembly.

WE HAVE RESCHEDULED OUR FEB 7 PROGRAM TO WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 - MEDIA CENTER.

8:00 - 4th/5th Grade

9:00 - KG/1st Grade

10:00 - 2nd/3rd Grade

Upcoming Peacemaker assemblies:

Friday, March 8

Thursday, April 18

Friday, May 10

February is Black History Month .

What is Black History Month ?

In the United States, the month of February is observed as Black History Month or National African American History Month, and we use the month to remember the important contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout our nation’s history.

Carter G. Woodson, Black scholar and historian and son of former slaves, initiated Black History Week, February 12, 1926. For many years the 2nd week of February (chosen so as to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln) was celebrated by African Americans in the United States. In 1976, as part of the nation's Bicentennial, it was expanded and became established as Black History Month, and is now celebrated all over North America.

Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to United States history. Every day for the month of February, Laura MacArthur will honor a person or persons in history to understand, learn and celebrate the entirety of our history in America. While African American history should be taught throughout the year as part of American History, this is a time to investigate more deeply the struggles, challenges and achievements of African Americans.

Each day for the month we will honor a person or persons in history over the PA system and in classrooms.

For the 18-19 school year, we are very excited to introduce

PBIS to Laura MacArthur students and staff.

What are Positive Behavior Supports?

• Improving student academic and behavior outcomes.

• PBIS provides an operational framework for achieving these outcomes.

• PBIS is NOT a curriculum, intervention, or practice, but IS a decision making framework that guides selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence-based academic and behavioral practices for improving important academic and behavior outcomes for all students.

Four integrated elements:

• Data for decision making

• Measurable Outcomes supported and evaluated by data

• Practices with evidence that these outcomes are achievable

• Systems that efficiently and effectively support implementation of these practices.

What does it mean to SOAR like an Eagle?

• Be Safe

• On Task

• Act with Kindness

• Respectful

Behaviors and expectations are taught in all areas of the school including:

Classroom

Morning Arrival Duty

Cafeteria

Playground/Recess

Bathroom

Hallways

Rewards

Students and classrooms earn eagle feathers when making positive decisions and following the SOAR expectations. Rewards have include extra recess or Gym time.

We look forward to sharing more about our PBIS initiative.

At Laura MacArthur we really try to get our kids a physical outlet everyday. The main portion comes from recess. With winter here, we need our kids to dress and be ready for outside play each day. Please remind your child the importance of using the clothing they bring to school for recess. Improper clothing can make for a severe safety risk for our students.

If you need outdoor clothing assistance, we have resources here at school, as well as have some great community partners who can assist. Please plan accordingly for we do not have the volume to supply if students simply forget their items. Sending an extra pair of socks for our wet winter days is helpful.

Thank you for your partnership!

Help your child succeed in school.

Build the habit of good attendance early to build school success.

Impact of attendance on learning

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.

• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.

• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up

• Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves.

• Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important.

• Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

What can you do?

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.

• Introduce your child to his/her teachers and classmates before school starts to help his/her transition.

• Don’t let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.

• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.

• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

Elementary School Tardiness

The school day begins at 7:45 am each day. Please know that district policy states the following:

"A student is considered tardy up to fifteen (15) minutes late for the morning or afternoon section. If a student arrives to either section more than fifteen (15) minutes late, the student is considered absent for the section."

Please call the attendance line or bring in a note within 24 hours if your child is going to be absence.

Phone: 218-336-8900, press option 3.

Leave your child's name, reason for absence, date of absence, and child's teacher

Families of Laura MacArthur,

Because of the the lack of parking spaces in the front lot, families have been parking on both sides of the one way driveway. This parking condition creates blind spots for our children walking to and from the building.

To remedy this situation, I would like to ask the following to ensure our children travel to and from the building as safely as possible:

MORNING

• The circle drive is a one way, starting from Central Ave and exiting on Central Place.

• Please do not park on the left side of the driveway as you enter. There are No Parking signs on that side of the drive for reminders, and also indicated with solid yellow curbs.

• If you have to double park on the right side (cut out side), please limit the time to 5 minutes.

• Please exit the driveway with caution.

• We will help instruct students to walk around the driveway using the sidewalk rather than walking across the driveway.

• If you choose to park on Central Ave, please use the crosswalk where available. Our safety patrol will be happy to assist.

• Please do not park on the crosswalk near Central Ave.

• Parking in handicap spaces, tags are required.

• Please do not drop off children in the bus loading zone on Central Ave. This is indicated by the curb cut out and the yellow stripes on the road.

AFTERNOON - BUSES ONLY

• Please do not park vehicles in the bus loading zone on Central Ave or in the front circle drive. These two areas are for buses only from approximately 2:00 pm - 2:25 pm.

We appreciate your attention to these matters as we strive to provide a safe environment for our students.

Please contact our school Social Workers at school 336-8900

Addie Smith, Ext. 2227

Christine Ziegler, Ext. 3124

or the main office

KEY Zone would like to offer programming at Laura MacArthur this summer but only if we have enough families enrolled to support the site being open. If we do not meet the minimum of 50 students enrolled, we will once again combine with Piedmont at one of the two sites.

We are asking families to participate in a short survey that will assess which West End site will be open for programming this summer. Survey will be open through Friday, February 8. If are in need of summer care, please take time to complete the survey as we will use the results to make our final decision as to which site will be open this summer. (1 being your 1st choice and 5 being your last. You can mention siblings or multiple students in comments section)

Cost for summer program remains at $39/day/child. The $30 registration fee will be waived for all families who are currently enrolled in the 2018-19 KEY Zone program.

Please click survey link below to participate.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B2HDQMK

Please take a moment to review school district procedures during periods of snow and cold. This information is shared with all staff and families at the beginning of the school year and is available on our website. Stay warm and safe!

Learn More

Do you know people getting ready to send their child to high school, middle school or kindergarten in September 2019?

• High School Registration, February 1 - 25
  
• Middle School Registration, January 22 - February 25
• Kindergarten Roundup Events, March & April
  

Current Kindergarten families, below you will find a link for a survey regarding the family-teacher meetings that we hosted the first days of school for kindergarten students. Your feedback is important to us. Please complete by March 1 so that we can provide the best possible experience for our students.

Thank you!

Parent Survey Link

https://goo.gl/forms/lKsUDRY9lhXQJmCl2

Get involved with our family/staff group. This is a great way to get involved and help with Laura MacArthur activities and events.

Meetings:

• March 14 - 5-6 pm
  
• April 18 - 3:30-4:30 pm
  
• May 9 - 5-6 pm
  

• 2/5/19: Conferences
  
• 2/6-8/19: Anderson's 5th Grade class to STARBASE at Air Base
• 2/11-12/19: Anderson's 5th Grade class to STARBASE at Air Base
• 2/7/19: Conferences - CANCELLED
  
• 2/7/19: Peacemaker Assembly - Media Center - CANCELLED
• 2/12/19: Conferences - RESCHEDULED
• 2/13/19: Peacemakers Assemblies - RESCHEDULED
• 2/13/19 - PTA Mtg
• 2/18-22/19: Winter Break-No School
• 2/23/19: Winter in the West Event (VYC)
• 2/28/19 - Picture Day - All day - NO Retakes for this.
• 3/5/19: Cultural/Family Night
• 3/8/19: Peacemaker Assembly - Media Center
• 3/11-15/19: I Love to Read week
• 3/14/19: PTA Mtg
  
• 3/28-29/19: Kindergarten Roundup
• 4/18/19: Peacemaker Assembly - Media Center
• 4/8-12/19: Spring Break-No School
• 4/18/19: PTA Mtg
• 5/9/19: Grandparents/Special Friend Day Program
• 5/9/19: PTA Mtg
• 5/10/19: Peacemaker Assembly - Media Center
• 5/24/19: Book Fair
• 5/24/19: Field Day
• 5/27/19: Memorial Day-No School
• 5/28/19: Rain Date for Field Day
• 5/31/19: 5th Grade Graduation/Honors Program
• 6/3-5/19: 5th Grade to Wolf Ridge
• 6/5/19: End of the year School Picnic
• 6/7/19: Last day of School

We have a mountain of items that are looking to be returned to their homes. When you come into the building, please see if any of the mittens, hats, snow pants, coats, belong to you.

Thank you.

Want to see what is happening at Laura MacArthur? Like the Laura MacArthur Elementary Facebook page to get updates, see photos and videos from around our school, and get connected with our PTA.

https://www.facebook.com/LauraMacEaglesRewardSchool/

Want to see what is happening at Laura MacArthur? Go to JamesWErickson on Twitter to get updates, see photos and videos from around our school, and get connected with our PTA

https://twitter.com/@JamesWErickson

Email: James.Erickson@isd709.org
Website: www.isd709.org/laura-macarthur/index
Location: 720 North Central Avenue, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8900
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LauraMacEaglesRewardSchool/
Twitter: @JamesWErickson