April 2008

Dear Families,

Thank-you for attending Parent-Teacher conferences last month! THANKS to all families who contributed food for our PTA teacher potluck dinner during conferences!

Our students in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA II) Reading and Math tests this month. Our students in grades 3-6 will take MCA tests on the following dates:

• Tuesday, April 15 = Reading

• Wednesday, April 16 = Reading

• Tuesday, April 22 = Math

• Wednesday, April 23 = Math

• April 28-May 23 = MCAII Science testing for grade 5 in the computer lab

Some specific things parents/guardians can do to help your children do well on these tests include the following:

• Make sure your child attends school and arrives on time at school on testing days.

• Make sure your children get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast and wear comfortable clothing on test days.

• Encourage your children to have positive attitudes about tests and to listen closely to test instructions.

• Make sure your child is familiar with the test format to ensure that they do their best on the test. Visit the Minnesota Department of Education website at mde.testing@state.mn.us or school district website at www.spps.org to review sample MCAII test questions.

THANKS in advance for working together with us to help your child perform their best on the MCAII state tests. The MCAII test results are important as the state determines if our school meets Adequate Yearly Progress.

MCAII test accommodations are being planned for some Special Education students. Please call your child’s special education teacher at 293-8857 if you have any questions.

The Math MCAII test will be read aloud in English to most of our ELL students on April 22-23 as allowed by the state. Please talk with Susan Egan, test coordinator, if you have any questions or concerns.

We’ll express our gratitude to Debbie Kaisersatt, school secretary, on Wednesday, April 23 for all of her hard work at Nokomis! She creates a friendly, organized and efficient office environment at Nokomis!

All students will select a FREE book on Friday, April 25. Books are funded by a Reading Is Fundamental grant and our school fundraising budget. THANKS to Susan Egan for coordinating our RIF book distribution!

Sincerely,

Melissa McCollor, Principal

Reminder:

Wednesday, April 30

Early Release at 1:40 p.m. & No 4 year old classes

CLIMB is excited to be able to bring Fantasy Football to Nokomis with the support of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education/Get Ready program through the Gear-Up Grant. Our students will participate in an E2 assembly from 11:00-11:40 a.m. on April 9. Students will also participate in breakout classes in their classroom facilitated by a CLIMB actor in the afternoon.

Hmong CLAnD

After School Program

April 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6 & 13

3:45-5:30 p.m.

Hmong CLAnD program for Spring 2008 is offered for students and parents in grades 4-6. Dance, literacy, and cultural classes will meet after school on Tuesdays from 3:45-5:30 p.m. Register by Monday, April 7. If you have any questions, please call Chivouayi at 293-8857.

THANKS to a Wellstone grant for funding our Hmong CLAnD program!

Site Council News

Our next Site Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in the staff lounge. We will discuss the following topics: 1) parent representatives and election; 2) draft budget 2008-2009; 3) next steps as we revise our current School Comprehensive Improvement Plan; 4) discuss further plans/ideas/suggestions for expanding arts instructional learning experiences for our students as we change to computer instructional prep class in the 2008-2009 school year; and 5) fundraising plan for 2008-2009 school year. Please join us! We will schedule another meeting in late April to finalize our SCIP and Budget before the Friday, May 2 district deadline.

Club’s Choice Fundraiser

Order Pick-Up

Thursday, April 10

3:30-5:30 p.m.

THANKS for participating in the Clubs Choice Frozen Food Fundraiser! Please come pick up your orders on Thursday, April 10 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. If you can volunteer to help distribute food, please call the office at 293-8857.

Science Fair 2008

Congratulations to all of the Nokomis Scientists who worked hard on their Science Fair Projects! It is hard work but it gives students an opportunity to learn about specific topics and many others!

Many thanks to the Science Fair judges who make it a priority to come to Nokomis to read and listen to our Student Scientists present their projects. We can’t do it without YOU!

THANKS to Ann Thonet for organizing our annual Science Fair at Nokomis! We appreciate all of your extra efforts to make the event a success for our students!

Beach Day &

PTA Spring Dance

Thursday, April 17

5:30-7:00 p.m.

We’re having a “Beach Day” on Thursday, April 17. Encourage your child to wear colorful, appropriate beach clothing to school for Beach Day.

All families are welcome to participate in the PTA Spring Dance on Thursday, April 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Reminder, students participating in the evening PTA Spring Dance need to be supervised by their parent/guardian.

Plans for 2008-20009

If your child is transitioning to a new level next year (EC to E1; E1 to E2), written teacher requests (list 2-3 teachers) are due to Principal Melissa McCollor by Friday, April 25. We cluster ELL and GT students together in all classrooms to promote a rigorous learning community for our students. Classroom teachers develop class lists in May with me so this information is very helpful.

Reminder, we do not ask parents to complete an “Intent to Return” form for our current students.

We will receive our list of students accepted for 2008-2009 school year in the beginning of May from the Student Placement Center.

Let’s Celebrate Debbie Kaisersatt, on Wednesday, April 23 for Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day! We’re so thankful for Debbie’s enthusiastic attitude, friendliness and efficient work habits!

“Take Your

Daughters and Sons

to Work Day”

Thursday, April 24

Please send a written note in advance stating your child is participating in “Take Your Daughter/Son to Work Day” on Thursday, April 24. Your child’s absence will be considered an excused absence if we receive the note prior to April 24.

ALC Summer School

ALC Summer School will be held at Nokomis again this year. Eligible students were registered for ALC Summer School at March parent-teacher conferences. Students participating in ALC Summer School need to meet specific eligibility guidelines. If you’d like your child to participate, please call your child’s classroom teacher promptly at 293-8857. The last day to register for ALC Summer School is Friday, April 25.

CH Concert

Thursday, May 1

(DATE CHANGE)

“Critter Concert”

7:00 p.m.

Our four year old and Kindergarten students will present their annual music concert on Thursday, May 1. The theme is songs relating to Critters. All CH students need to arrive by 6:45 p.m. We begin our concerts promptly at 7:00 p.m. We need all CH students and their families to attend to make this evening a success!

Reminder, all children, school-aged and younger, need to be supervised by a parent/guardian. Students can not be dropped off and picked up after the concert.

E1 Concert

“Oceans”

Thursday, May 8

7:00 p.m.

Our 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd graders will be presenting their annual music concert on Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. The theme is songs relating to the Ocean. All E1 students need to arrive by 6:45 p.m. We begin our concerts promptly at 7:00 p.m. We need all E1 students and their families to attend to make this evening a success!

THANKS Miss Heather for your extra work preparing our students for these concerts!