Somerset E-News

Upcoming Dates:

1/17: No School-Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/18: Live Green Team Meeting 2:15-3:15

1/19: Stars Fitness (Grades 3-4) 2:15-3:15

1/20: 4th grade Choir 2:15-3:15

Stars Fitness (Grades 1-2) 2:15-3:15

1/21:

_______________________________

1/24: No School-PD Day

1/25: No School-End of Quarter 2

1/26: Stars Fitness (Grades 3-4) 2:15-3:15

1/27: 4th grade Choir 2:15-3:15

Stars Fitness (Grades 1-2) 2:15-3:15

1/28:

Upcoming Events:

Project Fair and Family STEM Night: February 3 from 6-8pm

Parent/Teacher Conferences: February 8 and 10

Somerset Social: March 5

NEW - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

This fun event only happens with the generous support of volunteers! We are looking for parents and family members to help set up projects, assist with running STEM activity stations (with support from the Works Museum), and clean up afterwards. Please sign up here!

REGISTER YOUR PROJECT!

If you plan to make a project, please register and tell us a little bit about it using the Project Registration Form. Registration is not mandatory, but helps us plan the event. AND- the class with the most projects will receive a special surprise!

Mark your calendars and get your curiosity flowing - the Somerset Project Fair and STEM night,

in partnership with the Works Museum, is coming on February 3rd from 6-8pm! This fun

evening for kids of all grades and families will be a mix of hands-on STEM activities and the

chance to display a project that YOU make.

Projects can be about anything that gets you interested or excited: a science topic, a hobby, or

an answer to a question you’ve always wanted to know. Lots of them use a tri-fold board like

the examples below, but feel free to break the mold and get creative. Plus, you are welcome to

attend and have fun whether you choose to make a project or not!

Project Planning

Now is the perfect time to get started toward your goal of completing a project by February 3rd!

This chart might help you think about how to break the work into smaller chunks to make it

easier and more fun.

Project Registration

If you plan to make a project, please register and tell us a little bit about it using the Project Registration Form. Registration is not mandatory, but helps us plan the event. AND- the class with the most projects will receive a special surprise!

Coming Soon - Volunteers Needed

After the break, keep an eye out for volunteer registration! We will be looking for family members and friends to help set up projects, staff STEM education stations, provide project feedback, and more. Please consider signing up to donate your time.

Did you know you can apply to sub in Somerset classrooms with a 4 year degree in ANY area?

OR You can apply to sub as a paraprofessional with our Special Education students or out on the playground by applying online and passing a background check!

You can apply with Teachers on Call here!

As you may be aware, the COVID-19 pandemic is significantly impacting staffing in many industries – including education. Among the impacts we are experiencing is a nationwide shortage of bus drivers. While we have been able to continue to run all routes in School District 197 thus far, we are approaching a point where we may need to cancel routes due to driver illness and an inability to find substitute drivers.

With that in mind, we are asking families to make alternate plans for their children to get to and from school should their route be canceled in the morning, in the afternoon, or both. We will communicate any changes to your child’s route via email, text, and phone call no later than 6 a.m. for the morning routes and 12 noon for the afternoon routes.

We hope this is a short-term situation but want everyone to be prepared just in case. As always, we appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we continue to address the challenges presented by the pandemic. Thank you.

Join us for the Somerset Winter Playdate from 10a - 1p on Saturday, February 26 at Friendly Hills Park! Join your Somerset friends for sledding and skating. Bring your sleds and skates for a good time! Some sleds will be available to share. PTA will provide Hot Chocolate!

Spring is just around the corner and the Spring Carnival planning committee is forming NOW! First planning meeting will be held on Thursday, February 10. Have a great idea? Interested in getting involved? Please join us!

For more info, email somersetelementarypta@gmail.com

Spring Fusion Labs - April 2022 - Seeking Fusion Lab Instructors and Ideas!

Have a great idea for a Fusion Lab? Interested in volunteering to lead one? Please let us know!!

Fusion Labs are after school Enrichment opportunities for Somerset students! Fusion Labs are being planned for Tuesday Afternoons, April (4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26)

All ideas welcome to help make the return of Fusion Labs better than ever! Please send ideas to somersetelementarypta@gmail.com

Mark your calendars Somerset February PTA Meeting - In Person/Google Meet Hybrid Open Meeting - Monday, February 28, 6p-7:30p!

Virtual Meeting Link: meet.google.com/ani-nciw-dwz

The Somerset Family Directory has moved to MemberHub.

Click the link for a quick tutorial on how to create your account and navigate around the new directory.

Tutorial Video:

Somerset MemberHub Set Up and Directory

If your child must quarantine due to a positive Covid test or close contact, you can expect the following from your Somerset teacher:

1) iPad delivery within 48 hours (weekday hours)

2) 1-2 Seesaw activities minimum per week, accessed on iPad

3) Class work collected and delivered or prepared for pickup on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the length of the quarantine

4) 2 personalized video messages to your child each week they are away.

At Home Learning Digital Resources

**We do not have distance learning staff to facilitate full distance learning this school year. Our priority is quality and safe in-person instruction. Students that are quarantined will not be receiving direct instruction from Somerset Staff during the time they are away from school.

Email: libby.huettl@isd197.org
Website: www.isd197.org/somerset
Location: 1355 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights, MN, United States
Phone: 651-403-8200
Facebook: facebook.com/somersetelementary